Sibling Dex is a nonbinary monk dedicated to Allalae, the God of Small Comforts. Driven by an unnamable restlessness, they leave a stable life in the city to become a traveling tea monk. Dex travels the rural roads of Panga in a bicycle-powered wagon, offering custom-brewed teas and a sympathetic ear to people in distress. Despite finding success in this new vocation, Dex remains unfulfilled and seeks out the deep wilderness in search of extinct cloud crickets.

Splendid Speckled Mosscap is a seven-foot-tall robot belonging to the fourteenth generation of wild-built machines. Like all robots on Panga, it is constructed from the repurposed parts of previous generations and named itself after the first wild thing it saw upon gaining consciousness. Mosscap acts as a volunteer emissary for the robot population, tasked with finding out what humanity needs.

Sister Mara is the keeper of Meadow Den Monastery, an inner-city sanctuary dedicated to the god Allalae. She oversees the monks residing there and handles administrative and spiritual guidance for her order. She displays calm understanding when her monks seek new paths.

Sister Fern is a monk dedicated to Chal, the God of Hard Labour. She is responsible for providing Sibling Dex with their intricately designed, bicycle-powered tea wagon. Her structural work allows other monks to transition safely and efficiently into new roles across Panga.

Ms. Jules is a water engineer living in the woodland village of Inkthorn. Her demanding profession involves managing local crises, such as a muck mite infestation in the village piping, while also caring for her sick dog. She seeks out the tea monk's wagon for a brief moment of rest.

Brother Baskin is a monk who previously resided in the city with Sibling Dex. The two shared a brief, mutually beneficial sexual and romantic connection that ended without complication.

Mr. Cody is a villager living in Inkthorn who is raising twins. Exhausted from his parental duties, he visits the tea wagon seeking a sympathetic ear and a restorative blend of herbs to help him manage his daily fatigue.