List of characters from The Saga of Darren Shan

Darren Shan - The protagonist. Darren was blackmailed into being blooded into a half-vampire by Mr. Crepsley after stealing his performing spider, Madam Octa. She accidentally bit his best friend, Steve, and Mr. Crepsley blooded him in return for the antidote. He saved Steve (but Steve swore to become a vampire hunter, because he believes Darren betrayed him), fakes his death, and became his assistant. He initially hates Mr. Crepsley for making him flee his home. Eventually though, he learns to like Vampires, and does not hate Mr. Crepsley any more. After going to Vampire Mountain, going through his trials and becoming a Prince, Darren becomes one of the Vampaneze Lord Hunters. In the end he FACES Steve in battle and they both mortally wound each other, both dying shortly after. Darren is brought back by Mr. Tiny as a little person. He is sent back in time and sees his younger self at the Cirque with Steve. He scares himself off so that he doesn't see Steve and Crepsley, [...] off the original chain of events that made Darren a Vampire. He then gives his diary entries to Mr. Tall and unravels and dies. Suffers from the purge twice

Larten Crepsley - The one who blooded Darren, making him a half-vampire. Used to be a highly respected vampire. He almost became a vampire prince, but decided he didn't want to be one. He likes to dress in bright red, which he picked up from Seba Nile. Larten becomes a sort of father figure to Darren and teaches him many things for his survival. Larten becomes one of the Vampaneze Lord Hunters and kills the decoy Vampaneze Lord. But then Steve drops Larten into a stake filled pit were he dies.

Vancha March - A Vampire Prince. The wildest and most traditional of vampires. He was first blooded as a Vampaneze but left for the vampire side (re-blooded by Paris). He becomes one of the Vampaneze Lord Hunters and becomes a good friend to Darren. In the end Vancha is wounded by his brother Gannen and cannot fight anymore , but recovers later. By that time he impregnates Evanna.

Kurda Smahlt - A Vampire Prince to-be who preaches unity between the Vampires and Vampaneze. He betrays the Vampires in effort to prevent the War Of The Scars (by uniting the two clans again), and is executed close to the end of book six, The Vampire Prince. He has blond hair and blue eyes with three red scars on his left cheek.

Seba Nile - Mr. Crepsley's former teacher and Vampire Mountain's quartermaster. Seba Nile served as a big inspiration to Mr. Crepsley. Seba also dresses all in red, which is where Mr. Crepsley got the idea. He is the oldest living vampire by the end of the series, at over 700 years old.

Gavner Purl - A good friend of Mr. Crepsley and Darren. Mr. Crepsley often teased him for his heavy breathing and snoring. He is a vampire general and is later killed by Kurda Smahlt. His last words consisted of an apology for his heavy breathing and snoring. Gavner's death is one of the main reasons Darren speaks of Kurda's treachery.

Arrow - A Vampire Prince whose wife was killed by the Vampaneze. He loathes them for that reason. He is bald and has arrows going down the side of his head and arms. He is a fearsome fighter, using both boomerangs and swords.

Arra Sails - One of the few female vampires, but is considered the physical equal, or better, of the males. Darren won her respect after a fight on the bars, which is hard to earn. Arra Sails prepared Darren for his third trial, the Hall of Flames. Larten Crepsley's love interest and ex-mate. She got killed in the battle that began the War of the Scars. She was killed by the Vampaneze named Glalda Erefith. She asked Larten to make sure the Princes spare Darren's life (he failed the trial and fled from his death sentence).

Vanez Blane - Vanez Blaine is the highest ranked tutor in Vampire Mountain. He helped Darren train for three of his trials. He lost an eye fighting a lion many decades before the beginning of the series, then lost the other (book 6) when it was snagged with a knife during the battle that began the War of the Scars.

Paris Skyle - A Vampire prince and the oldest living vampire. At least 800 years old. Apparently knew William Shakespeare (he drank from him on his deathbed to preserve his spirit), sailed with Columbus and inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Dies of "old age" in book eight (due to their life-style, old Vampires often choose to fight a battle they know they possess no hope of winning rather than die peacefully).

Mika Ver Leth - The other Vampire Prince whom at first Darren despised. He dresses in all black, as that is his custom. He has Shiny, jet black hair [usually portrayed as long] and dark eagle-like eyes. His features are sharp and raven-like. He was the youngest prince before Darren at a mere 270 years. He is very stern, gloomy and grumpy. He has many wrinkles on his forehead and sides of his mouth from always frowning. He rarely, if ever, smiles. Because of this he gives off a very intimidating persona. Like all princes, he has huge muscles and is quite big [over 6']. He is very loyal to the Vampire Clan and prizes honor and good-standing above all else.

Darius Shan - Son of Annie and Steve Leopard. When he grew up, Steve often warped the boys mind, and said, basically, vampires are evil and carry the customs that Vampeneze did. Later, he realizes the truth, and hates his father for lying to him all these years. He was at first a half-vampaneze but Darren re-blooded him and he became a vampire, because he didn't want to become what his father was.

Vampaneze

Steve "Leopard" Leonard - Is the lord of the vampaneze. Steve was formerly Darren's best friend, but swore revenge on him because he thought that Darren was betraying him when Darren became a Vampire instead of himself. He thinks that Darren and Mr. Crepsley set him up by saying his blood was evil. Is killed by Darren but before dying he mortally wounds Darren. He frequently tricked and set up Darren.

Gannen Harst - Vancha's brother. Remained a Vampaneze when his brother was re-blooded and became a Vampire. Gannen becomes Steve's personal protector and the one who blooded Steve. Gannen is by Steve's side wherever he goes. Gannen in the end grows tired of his insane Lord but still fights for him, even wounding his brother Vancha. After Steve's death he along with Vancha impregnates Evana.

RV - aka Reggie Veggie - later changed to Righteous Vampaneze. R.V. was originally known as "Reggie Veggie", an eco-warrior traveling the country with Nature's Opposing Protectors (NOP).When he caught Darren [...] sheep for the Little people,he went to free the Wolf-Man.His hands were later bitten by the wolf-man, replaced by six hooks, three per hand, and became a Vampaneze. By the end of the books RV has begun to see Steve is evil and turns on him. He knocks out Gannen but is then killed by Steve when steve slits his throat while Rv is busy fighting Gannen.

Murlough - An insane Vampaneze. Murlough terrorised Mr. Crepsley's old town until Darren and Mr. Crepsley stopped him. He abducted Evra and tried to kill Debbie Hemlock. After his death, his soul became trapped in the Lake of Souls.

Glalda - A friend of Kurda Smahlt. A fierce Vampaneze who fought against the Vampires in the battle that began the War of the Scars. He killed Arra Sails, and was killed by Darren Shan.

Bargen - A vampaneze who was in the cave with RV and the other vampaneze that were in there in book 8 Allies of the Night. He told the truth AbOUT RV painting his skin purple,and wearing red eye contacts. Vancha convinced him into making the Vampets not use guns in the fight. Was not seen again in the rest of the series.

Humans

Annie Shan - Darren's younger sister. Mother of Darius Shan.

Dermot Shan - Darren's alleged father. It is revealed in Sons of Destiny that he is not Darren's father: Mr. Tiny is.

Angela Shan - Darren's mother.

Tommy Jones - One of Darren's best friends. A great goalkeeper. Killed by R.V. and Morgan James in book eleven, Lord of the Shadows.

Alan Morris - Darren's friend who is a famous scientist. He specializes in the area of cloning. In Sons of Destiny it is revealed that he helped to create the first dragon.

Tony Morris - Alan's big brother. (school bully in the first book.)

Sam Grest - A local boy that Darren and Evra became friends with when they stopped for a show in book two. He liked pickled onions and had a large family with lots of pets. Sadly, he was brutally killed and ripped to shreds by the wolf man, but Darren drank from him to preserve his soul. He was also the first person Darren ever drank from, which he only did to preserve Sam's memories.

Debbie Hemlock - Darren's first girlfriend. Reappears late in the series, 13 years later (making her about 25 or 26).

Walter Blaws - A school inspector who made Darren go to Mahler's where he met the adult Debbie.

Tara Williams - A sweet, shy girl in Darren's English class. She was a student of Debbie's before being murdered by a vampaneze.

Alice Burgess - Police Chief Inspector of Larten Crepsley's birthplace. She later allied herself with the vampires and aids them in the War of Scars by recruiting an army of street people who can use Modern weapons in the War of Scars, the vampirites.

Spits Abrams - A mad, cannibalistic sailor who Darren and Harkat meet in The Lake of Souls. Killed by a Dragon.

Oggy Bass - A minor character who at first sight is mistaken by Darren to be Annie's son. He is also Darius' friend.

Mr. Dalton - Darren, Steve, Tommy, and Alan's teacher when they were kids in the beginning of the first book. Reappears late in the series, 13 years later (but Darren doesn't confront him, just sees him and doesn't bother him.)

Mrs. Quinn - The geography teacher in the first book.

Vampets

The vampets are humans recruited by the vampaneze for the war of the scars. While vampaneze are not allowed to use guns or bows, vampets can use them freely since they are not bound with any of the vampaneze laws.

Morgan James - Former police guard. Worked with Alice Burgess until he revealed he was a vampet. One of Steve's main body guards. Had half of his face blown off by a gun. Later his head is chopped off by Harkat.
Mark Ryter- A vampet in book 9 who was tortured and killed by Vancha March.

Vampirites

Vampirites are a bunch of street people recruited by Debbie Hemlock and Alice Burgess in order to help the vampires in the War of the Scars. The Vampirites are mostly homeless people, but they all strike back against society in the big battle of book 12. Vampirites, like vampets, are allowed to use guns or bows.

Declan - One of the street people who were recruited by Debbie Hemlock and Alice Burgess to help the vampires in the war of the scars. He and his friend, Little Kenny, helped save Darren when he was wounded during his encounter with Steve "Leopard" Leonard in Darren's hometown.

Little Kenny - A friend of Declan's who helped him save Darren

Cirque Du Freak Members

Evra Von - Known as 'The Snake Boy', he performs at Cirque Du Freak. He became one of Darren's best friends.

Merla Von- Evra's wife and mother of his three children. She can detach her ears and use them as boomerangs.

Shancus Von, Urcha Von, and Lilia Von - Children of Evra and Merla. Shancus and Lilia have scales like their father, Urcha does not and so is deeply upset. They regard Darren as their godfather, especially Shancus, who was named after Darren. Shancus is later killed by Steve in the end of Lord of the Shadows.

Rhamus Twobellies - A two bellied performer who can eat literally anything in a very short time. Some of the things Rhamus can eat include a full grown elephant or a tank, and can wrap forks and spoons around a chain inside his belly.

Truska - A woman who can grow a beard at will and take it back in. She was the one who gave Darren his pirate costume. Truska is from a strange land, and initially spoke in a language that sounds like a seal's bark, but Evra later taught her how to speak English. Apparently, she went skinny dipping in "the deep blue" with Vancha March. She can also use her beard as a weapon. In the 'Lake of Souls' she says that her husband and daughter were killed by an evil fisherman. When we go on to read the book, Darren and Harkat come across a pirate fisherman called Spit Abrams who is a cannibal. So it could be that Truska's husband and daughter were killed, cooked and eaten by Spit.

Gertha Teeth - One of Cirque Du Freak's female performers. She has SUPER strong teeth which can bite through almost anything and withstand almost anything, including hammers and chainsaws to her teeth. Gertha Teeth bit off two of her father's fingers when she was a baby.

Cormac Limbs - When his limbs are removed (cut off), he can grow them back at will. Cormac Limbs discovered his powers when his parents accidentally cut off his finger when he was younger. When his head is cut off by R.V in Sons of Destiny he re-grows two heads (each slightly smaller than the original).

Hans Hands - He can walk and run on his hands faster than a normal man can run on his feet.

The Wolf Man - A ferocious beast who is half man and half wolf. The mix of wolf and human blood has driven him mad. For that reason, he must be locked up or else he will kill all the time. He killed Darren's friend Sam Grest and bit off R.V.'s hands. For these reasons, Darren despises the wolf man. He is possibly a connection to the Demonata saga, as one of the main themes is lychantrophy. However this was declined by Darren Shan, as a question asked by a fan at the Darren Shan message boards, Qestions for Shan section.

Alexander Ribs - The skinniest man in the cirque. He can fold his body as he likes and can Make Music by hitting his ribs. Dies in Sons Of Destiny.

Jekkus Flang - A ticket man at the cirque who excels at throwing and juggling knives.

Sive and Seersa - Two female twins that can contort themselves like Alexander Ribs. Often used as a fake climax to the shows, only to be tricked by Evra Von's snake.

Others

Harkat Mulds -A Little Person who was told to deliver a message to the Princes in Vampire Mountain by Mr Tiny. Before his named was revealed, his was nicknamed as Lefty because he had a slight limp on his left leg. The first Little Person to ever know to speak. Mr. Tiny also told him that if he followed Darren and stayed by Darren's side he would eventually find out who he was in his former life. Later, in the 10th book, he found out that he used to be Kurda Smahlt, the vampire traitor, before being 're-born' as a little person.

Hibernius Tall - The leader of the Cirque Du Freak, he has telepathic powers. Desmond Tiny's son and Lady Evanna's brother. Later killed by Morgan.

Desmond Tiny - Father of Hibernius Tall, Lady Evanna,also the creator of the Little People, he is known to have future predicting abilities and other powers. He is believed to be the most powerful being in the world, and is also believed to be immortal. He can travel through time, and likes to meddle With It.

Lady Evanna - A "witch" with many powers (who takes great offense to anybody who calls her that). Normally wears ropes instead of clothing. Desmond Tiny's daughter and Hibernius Tall's sister. Evanna has the ability to breed faces of vampires onto the backs of frogs, and the faces are actually the only way to see an image of a vampire (vampires can't be photographed).

Lord of the Shadows - Destructive being, destined to be Darren's or Steve's future self, depending which side wins the War of Scars. If the Vampires win Darren will become the Lord of the Shadows, but if the vampaneze win Steve will become the Lord of the Shadows. The Lord Of The Shadows is a being that will become so powerful it will literatly destroy the whole world. Darren will become evil after [...] Steve, which will make him want to kill. Darren fears this, and in the end of the series, manages to avoid it and go to Paradise/Heaven after striking a deal with Mr. Tiny.

Madam Octa - Larten Crepsley's spider. Madam Octa is a telepathic spider, and can do many different tricks. She is highly intelligent and poisonous, she can even be trained to control how much poison she injects. She can live up to 30 years, according to the monk who sold it to Mr. Crepsley. She bites Steve causing Darren to become a half-vampire in order to save him. Later in the series, Darren releases Madam Octa into the cave of spiders inside vampire mountain, where she mates and produces offspring.

Other Classmates in first book

Dave Morgan - Was on Darren's soccer team, but broke his leg.

Sam White - Was on Darren's soccer team, but family moved and went to another school.

Danny Curtain - Was on Darren's soccer team, but stopped playing to hang with his girl-friend.

Sheila Leigh - Danny Curtain's girl-friend.

Deliana Price - Girl in Darren's class.