A half-skaa street urchin who discovers she is Mistborn - able to burn all Allomantic metals. Recruited by Kelsier to infiltrate the nobility, she poses as the noblewoman Valette Renoux while helping to overthrow the Final Empire. Distrustful and shaped by a harsh life on the streets, she gradually learns to trust and ultimately kills the Lord Ruler.

The immortal god-emperor who has ruled the Final Empire for a thousand years. Believed to be the Hero of Ages who saved the world, he is actually Rashek, a Terris packman who betrayed and killed the true Hero and seized divine power at the Well of Ascension. His combined mastery of Allomancy and Feruchemy makes him nearly invincible.

A Soother in Kelsier's crew who manipulates emotions with Allomancy. Cultured and self-important, he uses his abilities to soothe skaa crowds into joining the rebellion. Secretly of noble birth.

A Smoker (coppercloud Misting) whose shop serves as the crew's base of operations in Luthadel. Grim, pessimistic, and pragmatic. Uncle to Spook.

Kelsier's oldest friend and the crew's organiser. Not an Allomancer, but indispensable - he manages logistics, finances, and keeps the operation running. Shares Kelsier's hatred of the nobility.

Heir to House Venture, the most powerful noble house in Luthadel. A bookish idealist who reads political theory at balls and quietly advocates for skaa rights. Falls in love with Vin while she is disguised as Valette Renoux.

A Pewterarm (Thug) in Kelsier's crew who serves as the rebellion's military commander. Physically powerful but philosophically inclined - he loves debating ethics and morality.

A half-skaa Mistborn and charismatic rebel leader who plans to overthrow the thousand-year reign of the Lord Ruler. Scarred from the Pits of Hathsin where his wife died, he channels grief into revolution. He assembles a crew of Allomantic thieves for the most ambitious heist in history - stealing an empire.

Kelsier's older brother and a Seeker (bronze Misting). A former leader of the skaa rebellion who has grown disillusioned. He infiltrates the Steel Ministry as a spy for the crew, at great personal risk.

A Terrisman Keeper and Feruchemist who serves as steward to Lord Renoux. He preserves forbidden knowledge of pre-Ascension religions in his copperminds and acts as Vin's protector and tutor in noble etiquette. Quiet, scholarly, and deeply principled.

A kandra - a shapeshifting creature bound by magical contract. Hired by Kelsier to impersonate Lord Renoux, he maintains the facade that enables the crew's operations in Fellise.

A young Tineye (tin Misting) and Clubs' nephew. Speaks in heavy eastern street slang that others struggle to understand. Hero-worships Kelsier.