The Well of Ascension

Elend Venture, Vin’s love interest and a central political figure, presents a sharp contrast to her more emotionally conflicted journey. Elend embodies the ideals of a republic based on equality and freedom, but as a leader, he is forced to make politically pragmatic choices. His journey in The Well of Ascension is primarily focused on the burdens of leadership and the moral compromises that power demands. While Elend is portrayed as virtuous and earnest, his inability to enact his ideals against the brutal political realities of Luthadel creates a crisis of self-worth. The political instability that defines the novel challenges Elend’s belief in the possibility of a truly egalitarian society, and as the city begins to unravel, he is forced to question whether he will remain true to his ideals or sacrifice them for the sake of survival. This moral dilemma becomes central to Elend’s transformation, as he must reconcile his lofty vision of freedom with the necessity of compromise. Elend’s evolution throughout the novel underscores the tension between idealism and practicality, as he learns that leadership, especially in times of crisis, often requires difficult, even morally ambiguous decisions.

TenSoon (OreSeur), a kandra, is one of the most intriguing and morally complex characters in The Well of Ascension. Kandra are shape-shifting creatures that serve as mercenaries, but TenSoon is particularly significant for his evolving relationship with Vin and his gradual transformation throughout the story. In the beginning, TenSoon appears as a loyal servant to the Venture family, though his true motives remain unclear. He serves as both a narrator and a symbolic figure representing the “other,” someone who is alien in both culture and appearance yet deeply entwined with the human struggle for power and survival. TenSoon’s actions and narration serve to explore the ethics of loyalty, duty, and the pursuit of personal autonomy. His internal conflict mirrors the political instability of Luthadel; bound by his own code of loyalty, he must reconcile his servitude with his evolving feelings of independence and the opportunity to forge his own path. TenSoon’s gradual shift from a coldly obedient servant to a more self-aware, complex character raises questions about the nature of free will and the tension between loyalty and autonomy. By the end of the book, TenSoon’s role as a tool of his own transformation—just like Vin and Elend—reveals Sanderson’s thematic exploration of identity and the moral cost of power.

Sazed and Tindwyl are pivotal characters whose personal growth reflects the novel’s themes of faith, identity, and the search for meaning in times of turmoil. Sazed, a Terris Keeper and scholar, is steadfast in his belief in the various religions he has studied. After the fall of the Lord Ruler, he continues to uphold his mission of preserving knowledge and guiding others with the wisdom of these belief systems. He played a crucial role in the rebellion that overthrew the Lord Ruler, and his understanding of religious texts allows him to unravel many of the novel’s central mysteries. However, Sazed’s role is complicated by his guilt for defying his people’s wishes. He faces the difficult task of navigating a world where the old structures have crumbled and supernatural forces seem to create even greater impending disasters. Sazed’s arc in The Well of Ascension revolves around balancing his intellectual dedication to preserving knowledge with his emotional need for purpose and meaning in a fractured world.

His relationship with Tindwyl, a scholar he sent to Luthadel to help Elend, helps facilitate this transformation. Tindwyl is practical, intelligent, and emotionally reserved, offering a contrast to Sazed’s more idealistic outlook. She challenges his beliefs and pushes him to reconsider his role in the world, encouraging him to reconcile his duties as a Keeper with his emerging need for a personal connection to others. Through their interactions, Sazed slowly opens up to the idea that meaning might come from relationships, love, and human connection rather than just religious dogma.

Together, Sazed and Tindwyl’s dynamic explores the themes of The Need to Define One’s Own Identity. As Sazed grapples with his sense of purpose in a world of upheaval, Tindwyl’s pragmatic love and intellectual challenge help him evolve beyond merely preserving knowledge to understanding the importance of human bonds in shaping one’s identity and purpose. Their connection deepens as the narrative unfolds, serving as a counterpoint to the political chaos and philosophical uncertainty that define the rest of the story.

In The Well of Ascension, the crew of thieves and rebels who overthrew the Lord Ruler’s government in The Final Empire—Ham, Dockson, Breeze, Spook, and Clubs—plays a vital role in supporting Vin and Elend through the novel’s political and personal turmoil. While not all crew members undergo dramatic transformations, their contributions reveal important aspects of loyalty, responsibility, and personal growth.

Ham, a former soldier, is one of Elend’s strongest supporters within the crew. He deeply believes in Elend’s vision for a better world, particularly in providing the skaa with more freedom and equality. While Ham’s past experiences in war and as a soldier give him a practical, sometimes cynical outlook, his loyalty to Elend and the cause is unwavering. Ham values Elend’s drive to improve the lives of the oppressed, and his moral commitment to the republic stands in contrast to the more pragmatic and cynical viewpoints held by some of the other crew members. As a supporter who remains grounded in the reality of the challenges ahead, yet committed to the greater cause, Ham helps to maintain the crew’s cohesion and morale.

Dockson, the crew’s steady manager, presents a more complicated stance on leadership. Though he has worked closely with Elend, he harbors resentment over the decision to place a nobleman at the head of the new government after the overthrow of the Lord Ruler. Dockson believes that putting someone from the noble class in power undermines the ideals of the revolution and endangers the nascent republic. His distrust of Elend’s ability to unite the city, combined with his resentment of the nobles’ continued influence, creates tension between him and Elend. Despite this, Dockson remains committed to the crew and continues to support Elend in his own way, even if begrudgingly. This inner conflict between Dockson’s loyalty to the crew and his doubts about Elend’s leadership reflects the broader struggle to balance the lofty ideals of the new world with the harsh realities of power.

Breeze, the Soother, appears manipulative and self-serving at first but gradually reveals greater moral complexity. His skill at influencing emotions and controlling people contrasts with his own emotional insecurities and selfishness. As the novel progresses, Breeze begins to show more selflessness, growing emotionally and deepening his loyalty to the crew. His arc explores the tension between personal ambition and the greater good, and he ultimately becomes a more genuine ally.

Spook is the youngest member of the crew, initially insecure and fearful. Throughout The Well of Ascension, Spook matures, gaining confidence and a sense of purpose. His growth mirrors his desire to prove his worth, not only to the crew but also to himself. Spook’s transformation is one of the most poignant in the novel, as he steps into a more active role during the city’s crises.

Clubs, the gruff ex-soldier and craftsman, represents practicality and experience. While less idealistic than the others, Clubs’s loyalty and realism make him an essential figure in the crew. His more grounded perspective contrasts with the younger characters’ ambitions and ideals, offering a necessary counterpoint to the more romantic notions of revolution.

Collectively, these characters embody themes of loyalty, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating a new world order, each facing their own internal struggles while supporting the larger cause.

Straff and his son Zane are key antagonists, highlighting the novel’s exploration of power, manipulation, and the effects of familial influence. Their contrasting characters embody the corrupting nature of authority and the complex dynamics of father-son relationships, offering a nuanced reflection on moral decay and the struggle for personal identity.

Straff is the epitome of the old, tyrannical nobility, a ruthless and manipulative figure who seeks to reclaim control over Luthadel after the fall of the Lord Ruler. His leadership is marked by cold calculation, violence, and a profound disregard for the well-being of others. Straff is driven by a belief that power is an end in itself, and his willingness to use his son Zane as a mere tool in his schemes demonstrates his emotional distance and inability to see people as anything more than pawns. While, initially, he appears to be a straightforward antagonist, Straff’s deeper motivations are rooted in his desire to maintain control at any cost. His actions show how the lust for power can blind one to human connection and empathy, ultimately isolating him from the rest of society.

In contrast to his unambiguously tyrannical father, Zane is a tragic character, caught between his desire for his father’s approval and his growing resentment toward the cruelty that Straff inflicts upon him. Unlike his father, Zane is not inherently evil but is deeply scarred by years of emotional manipulation. Raised in an environment of abuse, Zane’s internal conflict manifests as a desire to prove himself capable of leadership without sacrificing the humanity that his father has abandoned. Zane admires Vin, recognizing in her a kindred spirit from outside the noble world, and this complicates his motivations. Though he initially seems like a mere echo of Straff’s brutality, his internal struggle reveals a vulnerability and yearning for connection. However, Zane’s tragic flaw is his inability to break free from his father’s shadow. His fatal flaw—his desire for his father’s approval—ultimately leads to his downfall, reinforcing the destructive power of familial influence.

Together, Straff and Zane serve as a foil to Elend, whose ideals of leadership, morality, and societal change sharply contrast with his relatives’ morally compromised worldview. Straff represents the unyielding thirst for power that Elend seeks to dismantle, while Zane’s tragic arc emphasizes the psychological toll of growing up in a toxic, power-driven environment. Both characters deepen the novel’s exploration of authority, moral struggle, and the complexities of identity, highlighting the costs of power when wielded without compassion or self-awareness.