Everyone’s favourite Craftswoman, Elayne Kevarian, requires no introduction. So let’s jump right in. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Elayne’s story so far.

Moon Mother, Green-Eyed, Consort of Kos and Lady of Alt Coulumb, Seril Undying starts the series seemingly, well, dead. But she “gets better” and becomes the deity we come to know best throughout the series as she is a bit more hands on with mortal happenings. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Seril’s story so far.

Teo is perfectly happy in her life, when her best friend Caleb drags her into an apocalyptic plot that ends with Teo almost becoming a human sacrifice. Oops. They co-found a non-profit to fix the world, Caleb continues to exasperate Teo with his antics, and she ends up being the catalyst to saving the day time and time again.

As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Teo’s story so far.

Angry witch girl desperate to make her mark on the world. Jaded graduate of the Hidden Schools. Reluctant priestess of Seril. Rebel Craftswoman fighting the system that made her. Friend. Daughter. Saviour. Lover. Tara Abernathy is many things including, arguably, the main character of the Craft Sequence. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Tara’s story so far.

A fallen hero, last surviving priest, deeply flawed father, and freedom fighter-slash-terrorist, Temoc Almotil plays a complex role in the series so far. Most recently we saw him freed from prison by Dawn, and becoming one of her faithful. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Temoc’s story so far.

The newest deity on the scene, the Blue Lady was born in the caldera of Kavekana, found speech through Seril, and freedom through her Prophet Thief Izza. The Blue Lady represents those who have fallen through the cracks of Craft society - but can she stand against the might of the skazzerai? As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at the Blue Lady’s story so far.

Blacksuit, recovering addict, accidental priestess. Catherine Elle has a troubled start in the series, barely outrunning her demons and also being a cop in a hivemind police force. She’s trying to do better on both counts. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Cat’s story so far.

Mal starts the series as Caleb’s manic pixie dream girl, tries to destroy Dresediel Lex, appears to die but does not, and ends up as a far more rounded and sympathetic character. We last see her as a prisoner of the King in Red, but I doubt other characters will be satisfied for her to stay that way. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Mal’s story so far.

Priestess-slash-offshore-investment-banker, Kai Pohala is a freight train in human form, determined to build a better world whether the world wants her to or not. She becomes a priestess of the Blue Lady, is the first person (it seems) in the Domain to go to space, and battles an ancient ghost for control of her own mind. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Kai’s story so far.

Vampire. Pirate. Vampirate. Captain Rasophilius ‘Raz’ Pelham is a scoundrel with a heart of gold. With vampires set up as a major part of the skazzerai plot, surely Raz is going to play a role going forward? As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Raz’s story so far.

Torn between worlds, Caleb Altemoc was dedicated against his will to bloodthirsty Quechal gods, and now tries to rebuild damaged parts of the world. As a general-purpose saint with a slight gambling addiction and propensity to throw himself in the line of fire, Caleb will undoubtedly play a major role in the rest of the series. As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Caleb’s story so far.

Kos Everburning, fire god of Alt Coulumb, sets off the series by being (seemingly) murdered. Kos has remained neutral in past conflicts, but will he ride to war against the skazzerai? As we approach the publication of Dead Hand Rule, let’s take a look at Kos Everburning’s story so far.