Lord Asriel

Lord Asriel is a member of the English aristocracy in a parallel universe, dominated by an oppressive version of the Christian Church.

He is described as being “a tall man with powerful shoulders, a fierce dark face, and eyes that seem to flash and glitter with savage laughter”. Possessed of enormous determination and willpower, he is fierce in nature and commands great respect in both the political and academic spheres, being a military leader and a fellow of Jordan College in his world’s version of Oxford.

Later, it is discovered that he is Lyra’s father, while her mother is Marisa Coulter. His dæmon is a snow leopard called Stelmaria.