Henry’s hungry. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in 1403 Bohemia, you know that’s basically his entire personality. But beyond the meme of a peasant-turned-squire constantly searching for a pot of goulash, there’s a gritty, surprisingly accurate world of people that make Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) feel less like a game and more like a time machine. Most RPGs give you a "chosen one" and a ragtag group of misfits. Warhorse Studios did something different. They gave us real historical figures, local drunks, and a blacksmith's son who can't even read.
The Kingdom Come Deliverance Characters That Define the Story
Henry of Skalitz is a bit of a blank slate, sure, but he’s grounded in a way most protagonists aren't. He’s clumsy. He’s illiterate unless you specifically go to a scribe in Uzhitz and pay for lessons. He’s the son of a blacksmith, Martin, whose past is shrouded in just enough mystery to keep things interesting. When Skalitz burns, Henry isn't suddenly a master swordsman. He’s a survivor.
The heart of the game, honestly, lies in the nobility. Sir Radzig Kobyla isn't just a quest giver. He’s a man based on the real-life Racek Kobyla of Dvorce. In the game, he’s the Hetman to King Wenceslaus IV. He’s sophisticated but clearly burdened by the political collapse of the Holy Roman Empire. Then you have Sir Hanush of Leipa, the acting Lord of Rattay. He’s loud, he’s prone to swearing, and he’s fiercely protective of his lands while the true heir, Hans Capon, grows up.
Hans is arguably the best-written character in the whole experience. He starts as an arrogant, entitled brat who thinks Henry is beneath his boots. By the time you’re hunting boars or getting drunk in a bathhouse together, he becomes your best friend. It’s a rare arc that feels earned. You don't just "gain XP" with Hans; you survive his incompetence until it turns into genuine camaraderie.
The Real History Behind the Faces
It’s easy to forget that guys like Sigismund of Luxembourg actually existed. He wasn't just a "final boss" trope. He was the King of Hungary and eventually the Holy Roman Emperor. In KCD, he’s the primary antagonist—the one who sends the Cuman mercenaries to burn Skalitz to the ground.
Then there's Markvart von Aulitz. In the game, he's the man who kills Henry’s parents. In real history, Marquard von Aulitz was a real German knight who served Sigismund and actually did lead the attack on Skalitz in 1403. This isn't just "inspired by" history. It’s a reconstruction.
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The Women of Bohemia: Theresa and Johanka
Warhorse took some heat for their portrayal of women, but if you look at the "A Woman's Lot" DLC, you see a much deeper layer. Theresa isn't just a love interest. She saved Henry’s life. Without her, the game ends in the prologue. She’s practical, tough, and handles the trauma of the Skalitz massacre with a quiet resilience that Henry often lacks.
Johanka is another story entirely.
Her arc in Sasau, dealing with the refugees and her own religious visions, is one of the most haunting parts of the game. It touches on the Inquisition, the corruption of the church, and the sheer desperation of the poor. She isn't a warrior. She’s a healer pushed to the brink.
Why the "Commoners" Matter More Than the Kings
You spend a lot of time talking to traders, bathhouse blonds, and charcoal burners. These Kingdom Come Deliverance characters fill the gaps in the world. Take Father Godwin in Uzhitz. He’s a priest who drinks, fights, and has a very complicated relationship with his vows. He represents the "pre-Hussite" tension in Bohemia. People were tired of the church’s wealth and hypocrisy. Godwin is a mess, but he’s a human mess.
- The Rattay Scribe: He’s your gatekeeper to literacy.
- Captain Bernard: The man who will beat you senseless with a wooden sword until you learn how to master strike. He’s grumpy, professional, and hates that he has to train a peasant.
- Father Nicodemus: The alchemist in Sasau who cares more about his herbs than his prayers.
The game thrives on these interactions. You aren't saving the world. You’re trying to find a stolen sword and maybe get some revenge along the way. The stakes are personal.
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The Cuman Presence
The Cumans are often treated as faceless monsters in the game, but they were a real nomadic Turkic people. In KCD, they are Sigismund’s "dogs of war." They don't speak the local language—unless you have the right perks or find a translator, their dialogue is literally unintelligible to the player. It adds a layer of "othering" that was very real for 15th-century Bohemians. They weren't just enemies; they were aliens to the local culture.
Dealing With the "Black Knight" Archetypes
Sir Istvan Toth is a fascinating villain because he’s so... polite. He’s a diplomat as much as he is a mercenary leader. He represents the shifting loyalties of the time. In the 1400s, knights weren't always chivalrous heroes. They were landlords and career soldiers. Toth is smart. He knows the political winds are shifting toward Sigismund, and he’s positioning himself to win.
Compare him to someone like Sir Divish of Talmberg. Divish is old. He’s survived a long captivity and is just trying to keep his castle standing. He’s honorable, but he’s tired. You can feel the age in his voice (expertly acted, by the way).
How to Navigate Character Relationships
If you want to get the most out of these people, you have to stop playing it like Skyrim. You can't just barge into a lord’s hall wearing muddy clothes and expect them to respect you. The social layer of Kingdom Come Deliverance characters is tied to your "Charisma" and "Conspicuousness" stats.
- Dress the part: Wear noble clothes to talk to Hanush.
- Stay clean: Wash in a trough before a meeting. People react to the literal dirt on your face.
- Check your reputation: If you steal from the traders in Rattay, the guards will harass you, and the quest givers will give you the cold shoulder.
It’s a reactive system. If you kill a wayfarer on the road and someone sees you, that news travels.
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The Nuance of Voice Acting and Performance
The reason characters like Hans Capon or Henry work isn't just the writing; it’s the delivery. Luke Dale (Hans) and Tom McKay (Henry) have a chemistry that feels genuine. Their banter during the "Next to Godliness" quest—where you basically spend the night drinking and getting into trouble—is a masterclass in character building. It’s not about plot progression. It’s about two young men finding a moment of joy in a brutal century.
Even the minor characters, like Kunesh (the town drunk you fight in the first ten minutes), have staying power. You see Kunesh later in the game as a broken refugee in Rattay. You can choose to help him or continue the grudge. These small threads make the world feel lived-in.
Misconceptions About Historical Accuracy
Some people claim the characters are "too modern" in their thinking. That's not really true. While Henry has some modern sensibilities for the sake of the player, the worldview of most NPCs is strictly medieval. They are deeply religious, superstitious, and bound by their social class. A peasant wouldn't dream of talking back to a lord unless they were prepared to be whipped. The game captures that tension perfectly.
Practical Steps for Engaging with Bohemia’s Finest
If you’re looking to truly experience the depth of these characters, don’t rush the main quest. The side content is where the personality hides.
- Complete "The Sport of Kings": This gives you a deeper look at the horse culture and the tensions between different stables.
- Spend time in the monasteries: The monks in Sasau have a completely different social hierarchy that requires you to learn their rules.
- Talk to everyone twice: Dialogue options often change based on your progress or even the time of day.
The characters in Kingdom Come: Deliverance aren't there to serve your power fantasy. They are living their own lives, and you’re just a blacksmith’s son trying to find a seat at the table. To succeed, you have to learn their names, respect their titles, and occasionally, just like Henry, admit you have no idea what you’re doing.
For those diving back in, pay attention to the background chatter in the taverns. The rumors about the King’s captivity aren't just fluff—they're the political foundation of every motivation you'll encounter in the game. Understanding the rift between Wenceslaus and Sigismund is the only way to understand why Radzig does what he does. Keep your sword sharp and your charisma higher.