Here, I’ll introduce the characters involved in the story of Senopati Pamungkar Book 1 in detail so that readers won’t feel unfamiliar and can follow their roles in the storyline.
Dewi KZ
Sanggrama Wijaya, or Naraya Sanggrama Wijaya, or Raden Wijaya. These are the names known when he defeated King Jayakatwang, who cunningly ruled the Singasari Palace and overthrew King Kertanegara. Together with loyal soldiers and generals, Wijaya successfully counterattacked the Tartar forces from China. According to historical records, he was crowned as the King of Majapahit on the 15th day of the Kartika month, around October-November 1298. His grand name is Kertarajasa Jayawardhana, which shows respect for his ancestors, the kings of Singasari.
Upasara Wulung, one of the knights trained in the Ksatria Pingitan. Ksatria Pingitan is a kind of school that aims to produce true knights who are trained in both martial arts and literary arts. The chosen knights are trained from birth in Ksatria Pingitan. According to this story, Ksatria Pingitan was founded based on the idea of King Sri Kertanegara, the last king of Singasari, with the aim of creating individuals who are not only skilled in martial arts but also have noble character, who will later become the main generals to continue the greatness of the palace and protect the people. For twenty years, Upasara Wulung was in Ksatria Pingitan, trained by Ngabehi Pandu, before entering the battlefield. His basic martial art is Banteng Ketaton, or Wounded Bull. However, it undergoes a significant change after learning Bantala Parwa or the Book of the Earth, which contains Twelve Nujum Bintang Techniques and Eight Earth-Rejecting Techniques. Bantala Parwa is considered the ultimate source of martial arts knowledge in Java.
Gayatri, or Queen Rajapatni, one of the four daughters of King Sri Kertanegara who was married off by the King of Majapahit. Before the invasion of Daha to conquer Jayakatwang, Gayatri goes with Upasara Wulung to assess the enemy’s strength. It is here that the seeds of love begin to grow. And it reaches its peak when Gayatri is captured on the fortress and Upasara bravely charges forward without caring about his own safety. However, according to the calculations and predictions of the priests, Gayatri must marry Sanggrama Wijaya, as they are the divine couple of Dewi Uma and Dewa Siwa, who will later give birth to the greatest king. This past relationship turns out to be a burden but also adds color to her life journey.
Mpu Renteng, one of the generals of Majapahit who has been fighting since the beginning. His special martial art is Bujangga Andrawina, or the Dancing Snake, using the cloth hanging from his shoulder.
Mpu Sora, one of the generals of Majapahit who has been fighting since the beginning. His expertise is Bramara Bekasakan, or Ghost Bee. This tough character has received a lot of support to become the mahapatih. Mahapatih is the highest position in the palace, second only to the king. However, he himself feels unworthy. The rank he holds is adipati, a kind of regional ruler, in Dahanapura. This is where Kala Gemet, the crown prince, is located.
Mpu Elam, one of the generals of Majapahit, who becomes a secret code warrior. The selected warriors in the secret code unit, or the secret unit, are elite soldiers whose task is to gather all reports related to security. In the government hierarchy, they are directly handled by the Mahapatih.
Dyah Palasir, one of the young generals of Majapahit. Direct subordinates of Senopati Nambi, like Dyah Singlar who serves as the king’s personal warrior. Along with Dyah Pamasi, they are young generals who are being prepared as replacements.
Klikamuka, a character who always covers his face with a klika or wooden mask. He seems to have a close relationship with the palace.
Toikromo, an ordinary resident who wants to marry Upasara Wulung.
Gendhuk Tri, a candidate dancer of the Singasari Palace who briefly becomes a student of Mpu Raganata, then trained by Jagaddhita. Her expertise is using a scarf like a dancer. Due to certain circumstances, her blood is poisoned and very dangerous. In her teens, and living in the midst of martial arts turmoil, her customs are somewhat strange.
She secretly admires Upasara Wulung and becomes jealous of every woman who approaches him.
Jaghana, one of the students of the Awan School, a school considered the source of all martial arts knowledge in Java. He has a bald head, clothes that cover his body. Patient and compassionate. His name can be interpreted as “buttocks”. This is a way of humbling oneself as “nothing, no one”, one of the characteristics of the teachings of the Awan School.
Eyang Sepuh, better known as the name of a powerful master who resides in the Awan School. From Eyang Sepuh, the echoes of the teachings of the Book of the Earth with powerful techniques, namely the Single Hand Clap, can be heard. The teachings are on par with the teachings of Buddha, both in the Indian, Chinese, and Japanese lands. Or even reaching the land of Turkana. Eyang Sepuh is the one who makes all the martial arts masters from all corners of the world come to Trowulan, to prove who inherits the true knowledge. But from the beginning, Eyang Sepuh never showed himself. Only a few people, Gayatri and Upasara, have heard his voice. Eyang Sepuh’s mastery has reached the level of moksha, disappearing with his body and soul.
Adipati Lawe, or Ranggalawe, one of the great generals of Majapahit. This is the son of Aria Wiraraja, whose nickname is also Aria Adikara. Ranggalawe, a name given by Raden Sanggrama Wijaya, which may indicate his rank at that time. Rangga is a position similar to a sub-district head today. The black horse and the flag with a horse symbolize his bravery when he became an adipati, a kind of ruler of a region, in the Tuban area. Another title is Patih Amancanegara, which is a kind of head in the outer regions of the palace. Patih Amancanegara shows authority outside the palace’s jurisdiction. It is divided into the western, eastern, northern, and southern regions, depending on the location of the palace.
Galih Kaliki, a character whose origins of martial arts and his school are not easily understood. His trusted weapon is a Galih Asam stick, the middle part or heart of an Asam tree. It was later discovered that his playing style is similar to that of a longsword knight from Japan. He is tough, honest, and straightforward. Throughout his life, he has been infatuated or obsessed with Nyai Demang.
Senopati Anabrang, or Mahisa Anabrang, is one of the generals of the Singasari Kingdom who traveled as far as the land of Melayu and only returned twenty years later. He continued his service to the Majapahit Kingdom by bringing two beautiful princesses, one of whom was married to the King.
Senopati Nambi, or Mpu Nambi, is one of the generals of Majapahit and the leader of the secret code warriors, or the secret unit. He was appointed as the mahapatih, the highest position after the king. The mahapatih handles the daily administration of the kingdom. He directly supervises the generals, regional rulers, and patih. His appointment as mahapatih has caused a lot of controversy, especially from Adipati Lawe, who expected himself or Mpu Sora to hold that position.
Wilanda, one of the students of the Awan School who later broke away and became a trusted warrior of the Singasari Kingdom, and then returned to the Awan School. He has noble character and has been Upasara’s companion since childhood. His unmatched skill is the ability to lighten his body like a dragonfly landing on a leaf.
Kiai Sumelang Gandring, or Mpu Sumelang Gandring, is a descendant of a skilled keris maker who traveled to the western end of Java. There, he continued his knowledge. He had twelve disciples, all of whom were called Gandring. Their special ability is to form a flexible and powerful formation. Among them is the Jiwandana Jiwana attack style, or the Song of Life.
Nyai Demang, the only female character who is often judged solely because of her charm and voluptuous figure. According to the story, she was once the wife of a demang, a position equivalent to a village head. Many knights fell victim to her smile and figure. However, behind all her physical attractiveness, Nyai Demang is unparalleled in her ability to learn foreign languages. She became the translator when the Tartar troops landed.
Halayudha, one of the generals of Majapahit who is not very prominent in warfare. His movements are full of mystery because of his close relationship with the King of Majapahit, and his cunning and successful tactics. His martial arts skills are very high because he is a direct disciple of Paman Sepuh, combined with various knowledge he acquired himself.
Tribhuana, the daughter of King Sri Kertanegara who was married to Raden Wijaya. As a princess of the palace, Tribhuana is known for her extensive knowledge and excellent speaking skills in capturing the atmosphere, earning her the title Mahalalila. As the first queen, Tribhuana should have the right to give birth to the crown prince. However, in reality, she did not, as the King of Majapahit chose another queen.
Mahadewi, Tribhuana’s sister who was also married to the King. Mahadewi is known as the princess of love for the King.
Jayendradewi, or Permaisuri Pradnyaparamita, Mahadewi’s sister who was also married to the King. She is not as beautiful as her sister, Gayatri, but her loyalty and noble character serve as an example.
Dara Jingga, a princess from Melayu who was presented to the King by Senopati Anabrang. However, she later married one of the nobles of the Keraton who continued to rule in the land of Melayu.
Dara Petak, the younger sister of Dara Jingga, who was crowned as Queen Indreswari by His Majesty. She is known as the eldest queen or the queen who is respected. By surpassing Tribhuana’s position, she signifies that her descendants will inherit the throne of King Kertarajasa.
Dewa Maut, who was originally a fierce character, had to take the lives of his opponents in every battle because his love for his beloved was unrequited. He lives alone, surrounded by fellow men, on a boat that is always on the Brantas River. In one of his battles, his knowledge disappeared, and he seemed to have lost his memory. All of his hair turned white.
Gendhuk Tri is considered his “lost love” and is always called Tole, a term for a boy. Dewa Maut only follows Gendhuk Tri’s orders.
Kama Kalacakra, one of the Japanese knights who is skilled in wielding a longsword.
Kama Kalandara, the fellow disciple of Kama Kalacakra. Although they have different names, they have the same meaning, which is “seeds of the sun.” When they join forces, they are respected because they can deflect attacks while spinning rapidly.
Kama Kangkam, the teacher of both Kama Kalacakra and Kama Kalandara. He came to the land of Java to test his strength against Eyang Sepuh, competing for the title of the most invincible knight in the world.
Senopati Semi, one of the generals of Majapahit. He is one of the seven dharmaputras, the sons of the palace who receive special treatment from His Majesty. The other dharmaputras include Senopati Kuti, Senopati Pangsa, Senopati Wedeng, Senopati Yuyu, Senopati Tanca, and Senopati Banyak.
Kala Gemet, the crown prince of the Majapahit Palace and the son of Queen Indreswari. Since a young age, he has been appointed as the heir to the throne and trained in Dahanapura. Fearing competition from his siblings, he forbids his half-siblings from getting married.
Mahisa Taruna, the son of Mahisa Anabrang, who is consumed by revenge since his father’s death at the hands of Senopati Sora. Feeling that his father’s loyalty to the Palace was wasted, Mahisa Taruna is easily manipulated by others.
Aria Wiraraja, a respected figure from Sumenep, Madura, was the first to extend his hand to Sanggrama Wijaya. His tactics and strategies are precise. With the death of Lawe, his beloved son, Aria Wiraraja is deeply disappointed. He then leaves the Palace and settles in Lumajang, which governs the eastern region of Majapahit.
Naga Nareswara, or the King of All Dragons, is the highest envoy from Tartar who still holds a grudge because his troops, who were capable of conquering the world, were defeated by the generals of Majapahit. However, his main purpose in coming is to fight against Eyang Sepuh, to compete for the title of the most invincible knight. To prove who is the rightful heir of the same teachings.
Kiai Sambartaka, or Kiai Kiamat, a priest from the Dutch East Indies. He came to the land of Java to compete in true knowledge with Kama Kangkam, Naga Nareswara, and Eyang Sepuh. Apparently, fifty years ago, these figures had already promised to engage in a fierce battle.
Uncle Sepuh Dodot Bintulu, also known as Bik Suka Bintulu because he considers himself a beggar priest. Dodot Bintulu is a name that signifies simplicity as a commoner. He is called Uncle Sepuh because this powerful figure is a fellow disciple of Eyang Sepuh and Mpu Raganata, and he is the one who wrote the Book of Earth or Bantala Parwa, the first part of which contains the Twelve Jurus Nujum Bintang. His face was destroyed because he was betrayed by his two disobedient disciples, Ugrawe and Halayudha.
He reappears in the martial arts world to fulfill the invitation spread by Eyang Sepuh fifty years ago. It is where all the martial arts experts, champions from all over the world, will gather. One of his famous creations, besides the perfected Banjir Bandang Segara Asat by Ugrawe, is the Timinggila Kurda moves, or the Furious Elephant Fish moves. The term “elephant fish” refers to a whale in the past.
Kiai Gajah Mahakrura, another name for Uncle Sepuh used by Halayudha, depicts his teacher as a fierce elephant.
Ratu Ayu Bawah Langit, signifies that throughout this world, she is the most beautiful without equal. Her real name is Ratu Ayu Azeri Baijani, coming from the land of Turkana. A land known as tlatah tapel wates, as it is the border with an unknown territory. Ratu Ayu travels to the land of Java because she heard that there will be a gathering of all martial arts experts. Along with her generals, Ratu Ayu wants to find a match, someone who can defeat her. She believes that with a man who can defeat her, she can free her country and the Tartar Kingdom’s colony. The problem is, during her journey, no one is able to break her knowledge, the Tathagati, or the Women’s Buddha knowledge, which is considered heretical for equating the Buddha with women. The movements of this knowledge are called Tathagata Pratiwimba or the Stiff Buddha Statue movements, similar to the movements of a puppet.
Sariq, the chief general of Ratu Ayu Bawah Langit. Sariq means yellow because when he performs his knowledge, his entire body appears yellow. The other generals are Uighur, Karaim, Wide, Chagatai, and Kazakh. Together, they can perform a formation called Lompat Turkana, or the 64 Steps Jong. Jong can mean an umbrella or covered. The Lompat Turkana formation is arranged in such a way that the backward steps are covered. They always move forward, to the right side, or to the left side. It is said that this is a common game in the land of Turkana.
Blue Elephant, a loyal general to Mpu Sora, whether in times of glory or when sidelined, just like Juru Demung, Maha Singanada, strong and brave, with a face and appearance very similar to Upasara Wulung. Only his hair is left loose and his attitude is much more unruly, not knowing etiquette. This general is part of the entourage sent by King Sri Kertanegara from the Singasari Palace (that’s why they still use the name Singa) to tlatah Campa, to the Caban Palace. They were sent to escort Dyah Ayu Tapasi, the king’s daughter, to be married to the King of Campa. Their main weapon is the kantar, or short spear. Their knowledge is derived from the Book of Earth, but their breathing technique is called Nawawidha, or Nine-Fold Inner Energy Control. Their martial arts moves are known as Nawagraha, or Nine-Star Strategy, all of which revolve around the number nine.
Pendeta Syangka, or Pendeta Sidateka, comes from the land of Syangka or Sri Lanka. They are the favorite priest of Prince Bagus Kala Gemet, which is why later on the prince uses the title Sri Sundarapandya Adiswara. The term “pandya” acknowledges the greatness of the Pandya dynasty that ruled in Sri Lanka. Since the reign of the Sriwijaya Palace, priests from Syangka have tried to exert their influence, but always failed. This time, Pendeta Sidateka, who masters the Cold Strike, succeeded.
Maha Singa Marutma, one of the generals sent by King Sri Kertanegara to the Mon Palace, in the Saluen River delta in tlatah Burma. The Mon Palace was contested between the Burmese Palace and the Sukothai Palace, from the Thai people. Maha Singa Marutma returned to Java to seek help in liberating the Mon Palace from the attacks of both Burma and Sukothai.
Pangeran Jenang, a simplified name for Pangeran Che Nam, who was pressured by the Vietnamese people. Since the Campa Palace was under the rule of Singasari, Pangeran Jenang asked for help from Java. However, when he arrived, the one in power was no longer King Sri Kertanegara. He was drawn in by Bagus Kala Gemet as one of his supporters.
Kebo Berune, respectfully called Eyang Kebo Berune by Upasara, and Kakek Kebo Berune by Nyai Demang. One of the powerful figures who lived at the same time as Paman Sepuh, Eyang Sepuh, and Mpu Raganata. They all formulated the birth of the Book of Earth. Kebo Berune is just a nickname because this figure traveled as far as tlatah Berune or Brunei, and only returned to compete and test whose knowledge is superior. A meeting that takes place every fifty years. Unfortunately, due to incorrect internal energy training, Kebo Berune is always haunted by death and unable to move. One of their techniques that is on par with the knowledge of Weruh Sadurunging Winarah Mpu Raganata, on par with the technique of Tepukan Satu Tangan Eyang Sepuh, and on par with the perfected Banjir Bandang Segara Asat by Paman Sepuh, is the Pu-Ni Strike that they created. Pu-Ni is just a reminder that the knowledge was created in the land of Pu-Ni or Berune or Brunei. It is said that these techniques were created as a counter to the Twelve Jurus Nujum Bintang.
Pulangsih, or Princess Pulangsih in Nyai Demang’s terms. According to the story told by Kebo Berune, Pulangsih was a girl fought over by Mpu Raganata, Eyang Sepuh, Paman Sepuh, and Kebo Berune. This mysterious woman chose Eyang Sepuh, who was called Bejujag or the disrespectful one, but it was actually Eyang Sepuh who rejected her.
This rejection inspired the birth of the last part of the Book of Earth, called the Book of Earth Rejector, or Tumbal Bantala Parwa. Pulangsih is surely a term among the four young knights of their time, because the true meaning of pulangsih is the union of physical love.
Cebol Jinalaya, the black-skinned cebol. Representing devotees who still worship Sri Kertanegara, so they believe that when they die, they can continue to serve the King. Jinalaya itself is the name used to indicate a place for the dead.
Senopati Agung Brahma, an old nobleman respected by the Keraton community, but also distant from power because he prefers seclusion. His heartache remains unhealed by marrying Dyah Dara Jingga, who is thus the King’s sister-in-law. He is one of the senopatis sent across by King Sri Kertanegara. Only one thing causes him to come out of his “hiding place,” mainly because he heard news of the arrival of messengers from Keraton Caban in Campa, in addition to the turmoil that befell the Keraton.