-Emperor Balugante of Babylon: Two characters appear named “Balugante”, and though they are clearly not I enjoy pretending they are the same. One is a king from Spain, the other, far more relevant, is a Saracen Emperor who is immortal and all but stated to be Charlemagne’s counterpart. He comes with a great fleet to aid King Marsilio and finally put this religious war to an end, and is ultimately defeated by Carlomagno thanks to divine intervention. Balugante wields the giant spear Maltet and the sword Precieuse, named in imitation to Carlomagno’s own sword Joyouse. He is described as wise, and powerful – the final boss of these chivalric stories, in a way.

-Marganice of Ethiopia: Marsilio’s uncle, he commands a squad of powerful, demonic Ethiopian knights. Fatally wounds Olivero from the back, and is promptly beheaded for it.

THE TWELVE PALADINS OF BALUGANTE

Perhaps it would be more apt to consider they serve Marsilio, but either way, this is a group of knights, noble men and ruffians gathered with the purpose of putting down Orlando. They succeed – though not directly, they weaken him enough to die from his wounds. Marked with numbers.
1. Malpramis: Balugante’s son. During the war with Carlomagno he asks to lead the initial attack – and cuts through many knights before he is slain by Duke Naimon before he can reach the Emperor.
2. Corsalis: A sorcerer from distant lands, he faces Turpin in battle.
3. Abisme of Moriana: The most evil and despicable man who ever lived, he joins the conflict asking for no pay but to enjoy causing as much suffering as he can. Turpin quickly decides to put an end to him as well.
4. Estargon and 5. Estorniz: Two knights who work together.
6. Escremis of Valterra.
7. Turnis of Tortosa.
8. Malgariz of Sevilla: A handsome, noble knight, who is recognized by Olivero to be spotless in everything but his faith. He is one of the few that survives Orlando’s onslaught and faces Olivero in a separated duel – which he almost wins, until thanks to divine intervention Olivero manages to turn around and obtain victory.
9. Chernuble: A strange knight with hair reaching his soles and super strength, coming from a demonic land near hell which has no water, no food, no sunlight. He wishes to stain his dark sword red with the blood of Carlomagno’s paladins. Much like Margariz, survives Orlando’s onslaught but then is cut into half (horse and everything) by the count in their 1v1 duel.


GREAT KING AGOLANTE OF BIZERTA: The original king.
-Atlantes the Wizard: A powerful wizard who worked for Agolante and is now Ruggiero’s adopted father. Dressed as a Black Knight, he wishes to protect Ruggiero from the prophecy leading to his dead by forcing him out of the conflict, including locking him in a diamond fortress and even in his palace of illusions, though he is foiled again and again by Bradamante. In the end, his spirit lets Ruggiero know the truth of his birth and him and Marfisa being twins. Atlante wields a gorgoneida shield that shoots beams of powerful light, and rides the hypogriff. After being defeated by Bradamante, he turns into a Sprite holding his Palace of Illusions together on which he traps countless knights.
GREAT KING TROIANO OF BIZERTA: Agolante’s son and Agramante’s father, he was killed by Carlomagno and Orlando time ago before the story. He also betrayed and murdered his brother, Ruggiero’s father, though this only Atlantes knew about.
-Prince Almonte of Zumara: A legendary and respected knight, wearing a powerful armor, riding the horse Vegliantiff, and the sword Durindana – all taken by a young Orlando who managed to defeat him giving rise to his own legend. Ruggiero’s and Marfisa’s uncle, he was described as noble and genial.
GREAT KING AGRAMANTE OF BIZERTA: In name, the main antagonist of Furioso, as he is the King under which the other saracen kings rally upon. He wishes to invade France to kill Carlomagno and Orlando in retribution for the killing of his father. Agramante is not a great warrior but he can defend himself and is greatly respected as a leader despite his youth. He ultimately dies in Lampedusa during the 3v3 duel between Christians and Muslims, ran through by an enraged Orlando who was moving to kill Gradasso after the death of Brandimarte. Ruggiero was loyal to him as well directly as he was the one who rescued him from Atlantes tower and showed him how to be a knight.
-Brunello the Dwarf: A smart dwarf who served as Agramante’s advisor, he stole the magical ring from Angelica and even Marfisa’s horse, for which he was eventually hanged by the later. I have a feeling Boiardo had a way better ending planned for him – as in Furioso he feels way less competent and his death is an afterthought.
-King Ruggiero of Bulgary: Ruggiero is arguably the true protagonist of Furioso – a saracen knight prophetized to help the christians win with his death, who falls in love with the rival knight Bradamante… she rescues him several times, but Ruggiero proves to be a powerful knight on his own, defeating the mighty Mandricardo, ultimately getting baptized as a christian and marrying his beloved, and even killing Rodomonte himself in the epic post-climax showdown at his wedding. Ruggiero wears no magical swords, but his blade, Balisarda, is said to have been crafted by Agramante to slay Orlando’s diamond skin, and he eventually gains the horse Frontino, being his final and most beloved owner. Noticeably, at one point he throws away Atlantes magical shield, disgusted by the notion of winning using such a thing. Bradamante has no such qualms. The Bulgarians make him their king after he allies with them to fight a suitor of Bradamante, the emperor Leo (whom he later befriends).
-King Dardinello of Zumara: Almonte’s son, as noble and effective in battle as he was (singlehandely turned the scales of war on the Muslim’s favor). Killed by Rinaldo during the war after they exchange some great banter. His banner was a lion, and though a minor character, his death sets in motion several important moments of the story.
-Melloro: Dardinello’s squire. Loyal enough to his master to run through a battlefield to retrieve his body and beautiful enough Zerbino refuses to kill him after cornering him, he of all people is the one who ultimately gains Angelica’s heart, and both run back to Cathay and survive the story (rather surprisingly, good for them). The lesson? Young girls prefer bishonens, not manly men?

The Allied Saracen Kings of Agramante:
A group of kings who rally under the banner of Agramante for the muslim cause, or for the glory of battle, or for their own interests. Marked with letters.

A. KING GRADASSO OF SERICANA: The de facto main antagonist of Innamorato and Furioso, Gradasso is a powerful king who out of boredom sets to do great enterprises – he decides he wishes to have Orlando’s sword, Durandal, and Rinaldo’s horse Bayardo, and for that he sets on to conquest most of Africa, Asia, and then invades Europe with an army of kings of different nations who can only address him on their knees. Gradasso is arrogant but follows a strong honor code, and he initially becomes impressed with Rinaldo enough to offer to settle the matter in single duel. Ultimately after Astolfo foils his first invasion by defeating him in jousting using Argalia’s spear (in Rinaldo’s name) he does a second attempt by allying with Agramante: by the end of Furioso, he comes to be in possession of both Durandal and Bayardo, though it doesnt last for long as he dies to Orlando in the climatic 3v3 battle of Lampedusa, right after he kills his friend Brandimarte. Much like Brunello, I cannot help but suspect Boiardo had a different ending planned for this character – as his lack of religion and his nobility shine when compared with other saracen warriors, while Ariosto sits him out of most of the action until the very ending.
King Alfrera: A defeated king working for Gradasso, his main assistant. A giant riding a giraffe.
King Framante of Persia: Another defeated king working for Gradasso, a muscular man, killed by Rinaldo.
King Balerza of Ethiopia: Another defeated king working for Gradasso, a giant, killed by Rinaldo.
King Faraldo of Arabia: Same as before but not a giant.
King Orgon of Nubia: Same as before but a giant with so many warts in his body he is inmune to most weapons and causes terror. Rinaldo splits him in two after he captures his brother Ricardetto. Astolfo later takes his army.
King Brutaroca of Ethiopia: A king from Ethiopia wielding a giant spear-shooting bow and riding a camel, paired with Berra. Known as Cardone. Killed by Carlomagno who runs him through with a spear.
King Berra of Lucinor: A king working for Gradasso, his face looks like a boars, he is paired with Brutarroca. Known as Stracciaberra. Killed by Olivero.
King Urnasso Of India: King defeated and working for Gradasso, fights wielding powerful all-piercing darts and rides a rhinoceros. Paired with Grancoda. He is killed by Uggiero/Oger the Dane.
King Grancoda of Elissa: King working for Gradasso, paired with Urnasso. Known as Francardo.



B. KING RODOMONTE OF SARZA/ALGIERS: Probably my favorite character in all of this, Rodomonte is a mighty powerful knight who sets sail to help Agramante in his conquest. He fights with unyielding rage against God (he descends from Nimrod himself) wielding his dragon-scale arms, and goring through enemy lines like they are nothing, often at the expense of his own men. In Furioso he has by far my favorite villain introduction (beating Elder David from Magi) when he alone from his army makes it through Carlomagno’s trap and he proceeds to unleash such a can of whoop-ass on the Emperor and his knights that they are forced to request the ENTIRE CITY to fight him… and Rodomonte returns twice during his retreat just because he is THAT MAD… After that? His beloved girl Doralice cheats on him with Mandricardo, and he is publicly humiliated when Agramante allows her to choose her suitor and she does not pick him. Rodomonte leaves in shame and declares women to be his enemy, a notion that is quickly dispelled when, meeting the widow Isabela and attempting to rape her, she tricks him into killing her via making him believe she is making a potion of invincibility for him. He is so impressed by her loyalty to Zebrino and her wits that he builds a temple for her and challenges everyone who crosses the bridge in Algiers to jousting – those who lose lose their weapons and are made prisoners for the temple. He defeats this way countless knights, including Sancripante and Brandimarte, and ultimately is Bradamante with her golden spear of Argalia who makes quick work of him, chastising him for this tribute and demanding he should be the one to die for his crime. Rodomonte retires in silence and only returns at the epilogue of the story during Bradamante and Ruggiero’s wedding, accusing the later of being a traitor for turning christian and challenging to duel. They fight a mighty battle (at one point Rodomonte shatters his sword hitting Ruggiero! And then keeps hitting with the handle!) and ultimately Ruggiero triumphs and stabs Rodomonte in the visor, seeing that the saracen refuses to surrender. This man will be an inspiration for my villains. He is far more sensible and complex that one would assume.
Doralice of Granada: Rodomonte’s beautiful betrothed. She is captured by Gabina, then rescued by Mandricardo, and both come to understand each other really well (sex) and fall in love, becoming something of a villainous couple. She begs for him to not fight Ruggiero, but by that time is too late and being challenged, Mandricardo goes to the battle and is killed by the hero. She dissapears from the story afterwards after Ariosto implies she felt the hots for Ruggiero in that moment. She seems like a parody, like everything bad a man can expect from a woman, in a sense?

C. KING SACRIPANTE OF CIRCASSIA: This guy is a poor loser. He is a king in love with Angelica, defending her from Agrican – he is also the original owner of Frontino, who Astolfo takes from him. He later then loses to Rinaldo, much to his shame in front of Angelica, and then to Rodomonte at the bridge after which he is sent back to his kingdom. I hope he got some nice holidays. I suspect Boiardo had better plans for him as well, he proves to be at least an effective leader at war.

D. KING MANDRICARDO OF TATAR: Another powerful knight, the son of Agrican, who joins Agramante in order to take revenge on Orlando for killing his father. He gets from a faerie he beds the armor of Hector, and the quest to take Durandal’s (originally Hector’s sword) from the paladin, through ultimately he and Doralice come to find the weapon discarded once Orlando goes insane. Mandricardo takes it, and then when Zerbino comes into the scene and objects, both have an epic duel through the forest which ends with the Scottish prince dying from his wounds and Mandricardo leaving with his price without facing Orlando in battle – a dishonorable attitude that gains him the scorn of many knights, Gradasso between them. Empowered by Durandal he manages to fight Rodomonte to a stalemate, and then ultimately he challenges Ruggiero over feeling insulted at the later wearing the Hector insignia – their duel happens first and despite Mandricardo seemingly winning and badly wounding Ruggiero, the people celebrating come to discover the standing Mandricardo is already dead, stabbed by the hero from below. The lesson: do not be dishonorable.
King Agrican of Tatar: Mandricardo’s father who is something of an arc antagonist in Innamorato, he is an older knight also madly in love with Angelica and of great power (at one point, he himself manages to keep all of Sancripante’s defending forces occupied for enough time that his army takes the city). He is also something of a foreshadowing to what Orlando will become as he is a man devoid of religion who becomes insanely obsessed with his love for Angelica. He ultimately meets Orlando and both duel until night, after which they talk – Orlando insists on asking why he doesn’t accept Christianity, while Agrican replies knights should only speak of fighting and women, a line of conversation that takes them to their shared love for the princess of Cathay and back to fierce dueling once again, through the flames. Orlando manages to win through great cost, and a dying Agrican regrets his life and requests to be converted before dying, which the count happily grants.

E. QUEEN MARFISA OF INDIA: A blood thirsty queen, initially a slave until she got tired and started murdering her way to the throne of India. She joins Agramante simply for the thrill of conquering more powerful foes, though through her travels and making friends with Astolfo and his company (Sansonetto, Grifon, Aquilante, Guido!) she soothes down and shows more facets of her personality. She ultimately meets Ruggiero and both become very close, driving Bradamante to mad jealousy and culminating on the greatest catfight ever seen once the white knight unhorses the black knight and Marfisa refuses to accept her loss, with Ruggiero in vain trying to separate the fighting women until Marfisa attacks him… And then Atlantes appears and reveals them to be siblings, and how their father was murdered by Agramante’s own father. She joins the christian side after that and becomes the greatest Ruggiero x Bradamante shipper.

F. KING SOBRINO OF GARBO: Another king joining Agramante, a rather prudent one often acting as his advisor. He joins in the final battle at Lampedusa and he is the only muslim to survive, through wounded. After hanging enough time with his christian captors and seeing Ruggiero converted, he decides to convert as well. I have not a single clue where Garbo is.

G. KING MARSILIO OF SPAIN/SARAGOZA: Marsilio seems to be in almost all stories, often panicking. He is the king of Spain and not really a warrior – usually allies himself with a stronger supporter, being Gradasso, Agramante, or Balugante, and survives them all. In Innamorato, he starts the story asking Carlomagno for help against the invading Gradasso before switching sides and allying with the Sericana invader, and later supporting Agramante’s invasion. In Song of Roland, his domains have been reduced to only Saragoza, and on Blancandrin’s advice he pretends to surrender, ultimately allying with Ganelon in order to start the ambush that brings down Orlando and Oliviero. Orlando still manages to cut off his hand and Marsilio retreats and calls Balugante for help, leading to the final battle between the emperors. Once the emir dies, Marsilio dies of despair.
Queen Brandimonde: Marsilio’s wife, a strongwilled woman. After her husband dies she renounces her gods and is made a prisoner of Carlomagno, who aims to turn her a christian through teaching and love.
Princess Flordespina: Marsilio and Brandimonde’s daughter, the flower of Spain. She goes madly in love with Bradamante, which Riccardeto uses to woo her by pretending to be a magically gender-shifted Bradamante (he almost gets killed for this). Does not appear in song of Roland.
-King Grandonio of Morocco: An enormous, mighty knight who is known as one of the strongests in Spain, he dominates the jousting tournament in Innamorato before Astolfo defeats him via magical golden spear. In Song of Roland, he is part of the ambush attack on Orlando and brags he will make the count face death – but upon his rampage he pales and retreats, which does not save him from a swift death.
-King Morgante: A super strong king allied with Marsilio. I believe there is a story about him befriending Rinaldo and Orlando and proving to be heroic, if dim-witted. He might also be a giant.
-10. Blancandrin: Another of the “anti” paladins, a shrewd knight who acts as Marsilio’s mouthpiece but seems allied to Balugante interests. He is the one who proposes to pretend to surrender and he ultimately is the one who agrees on allying with Ganelon and killing Orlando, manipulating the man insecurities to goad him into killing him stepson. Though he really vanishes from the poem, I like to believe he is the “good negotiator” mentioned as part of the Saracen Paladins who ride against the count.
-11. Falseron: Ferragut’s father, Marsilio’s brother. In Innamorato he gets captured by Gradasso then released when the spanish ally with the invading king. In Song of Roland he is part of the Twelve Saracen Paladins and dies when Orlando reaches Marsilio (the king escapes with only one hand).
-12. Adelroth: Marsilio’s young, eager nephew introduced in Song of Roland. He is the one who gathers the Twelve and asks to lead the charge against Orlando – for which he gets rather quickly beheaded.
-Matalista: Another son of Marsilio during Innamorato (but not Furioso? Still reading). The fact that he dissapears along with his sister makes me hope they moved somewhere else to leave in peace, doubtful as it is.
-Serpentino: A spanish knight.
-Isolero: A spanish knight and a pagan leader. I read he is a recurring minor character.
-Ferragut: A passionate, brute and powerful Spanish knight who apparently increases in size the more vexed he is, and has diamond-hard skin except for his navel. Falls for Angelica and pursues her relentlessly, killing her brother Argalia for her hand and taking on his helmet – he loses it and the ghost of Argalia commands him to take Almonte’s helmet as a replacement, now in Orlando’s possession. After he manages to obtain it he only appears again later when Bradamante challenges all the Saracen knights and he is quickly unhorsed by Argalia’s spear – rather calmly and solemnly for the character, he is the one who tells Ruggiero the identity of the challenger. Before the Roncesvalles massacre, Orlando and him meet and fight again – upon Orlando placing a stone under his head to help him sleep, Ferragut is moved by the count’s kindness and tells him his weakness, and when the battle resumes the next day Orlando manages to slay him.

KING GANEFRON OF CATHAY: King of Cathay and a powerful wizard consorting with demons. Noticeably he can cast spells from an impressive distance given that he captures Malgueis from his kingdom once Angelica calls for his help. Unseen antagonist.
-Prince Argalia of Cathay/Umberto Da’Leone: Angelica’s rather arrogant, yet powerful, brother, the initial owner of the horse Rabican and the Golden Spear which Astolfo takes (and then Bradamante), issuing the challenge to knights in order to turn them into servants of his father. He dies to Ferragut, who refuses to accept his loss and keeps persecuting him even after he and his sister attempt to flee back to their kingdom – Argalia requests that Ferragut throws his body and weapons to the river to hide the shame of having lost with such equipment, and when Ferragut fails to properly uphold his promise the ghost of Argalia starts haunting him and demanding he takes Almonte’s helmet in replacement for his own, which ultimately, we know, will lead to Ferragut’s own death.
-Princess Angelica of Cathay: The world’s most beautiful woman, she starts the story in Innamorato by challenging the knights to jousting against her brother (who wields his magical lance): if they win, they are to marry her, if they lose, they are to be slaves to her father. Because of her beauty, several knights fall in love with her: Orlando, Rinaldo, Ferragut, Agrican and Sacripante being the main ones, though Angelica despises all of them (sans an episode caused by a love potion which makes her temporarily fall madly in love with Rinaldo) and spends most of the story attempting to run away from their hunt, her brother killed once their little game goes awry. She ultimately meets the squire Melloro and both fall in love and escape together back to Cathay. Angelica wields a magical ring – whoever puts it in their finger becomes immune to spells, whoever puts it on their tongue becomes invisible. She gets captured quite a few times but manages to escape with her pride mostly intact.
Argesto, Lampuzo, Ulgan and Turlon: Four giants working for the siblings as bodyguards. Turlon is the biggest. They are all killed by Ferragut during his rampage when he loses the jousting to Argalia.