Some of these characters are fictionalised personas of, or are based on, actual historical figures, such as Wang Chongyang, Qiu Chuji, Duan Zhixing, Kublai Khan and Yelü Chucai.
The Divine Condor (神鵰; shéndiāo) is a giant eagle-like creature living alone in a valley and a former companion of the swordsman Dugu Qiubai.
After roaming the land for years and failing to find someone who can rival him in swordplay, Dugu Qiubai came to a cave near a forest and spent the rest of his life there as a hermit.
Several years after his death, the Condor encounters Yang Guo by coincidence while he was fighting with a giant serpent.
After accomplishing a high level of proficiency in swordplay, Yang Guo ventures out with the Condor to search for Xiaolongnü and reunite with her.