Mona is a 14-year-old girl who lives in a small apartment above a glassblower's shop and works at her Aunt Tabitha's bakery in the city-state of Riverbraid. She possesses a minor magical ability to manipulate bread and dough. She uses this magic to make dancing gingerbread men and tend to her sourdough starter. After she is wrongfully accused of murder by Inquisitor Oberon, she finds herself pulled into a dangerous conspiracy. She is strong-willed, pragmatic, and highly skeptical of her own capabilities.

Spindle is a 10-year-old street thief who sneaks through the slums and hidden pathways of Riverbraid. Following the disappearance of his sister, Tibbie, he allies with Mona to uncover the truth. He is deeply distrustful of law enforcement and possesses a vindictive streak toward those who harm the vulnerable. His knowledge of the city's underbelly makes him an invaluable guide.

Knackering Molly is a poor resident of the Rat's Nest who possesses the minor magical ability to animate dead horses. She makes a living moving deceased animals to the rendering yards. She is highly suspicious of the government and the army, harboring trauma from her past experiences during wartime. She acts as a weary but knowledgeable mentor to younger magic users in the city.

The Duchess is the middle-aged ruler of the city-state of Riverbraid. Despite her royal title, she presents a tired, down-to-earth appearance rather than an imposing one. She struggles to maintain control over her ambitious Council, particularly Inquisitor Oberon. She often feels paralyzed by the political maneuvering within her own palace, waiting too long to address internal threats.

Inquisitor Oberon is a high-ranking member of the Duchess's Council who views all magical abilities with deep suspicion. He wears fussy metal-framed glasses and uses his legal authority to enforce a strict registry of wizards in Riverbraid. He lacks magic himself and is driven by an intense desire to control or eliminate those who possess it. He uses the threat of foreign mercenaries as an excuse to consolidate his power.

Elgar is a Royal Wizard within the Duchess's household who possesses a talent for manipulating air. This ability allows him to mask his presence and track individuals by scent. He secretly aligns himself with the anti-magic faction in the government. He uses his position to target minor magic users in the city while harboring his own ambitions for power.

Aunt Tabitha is Mona's guardian and the owner of Riverbraid's most popular bakery. She favors flowery dresses and bright colors, maintaining a polite but firm demeanor with her customers. She is a highly competent, practical woman who values propriety and decorum. She remains level-headed even when law enforcement arrives at her business.

Uncle Albert is Tabitha's husband and Mona's guardian. He is a quiet, unassuming man who helps run the bakery, though his wife does not trust him with complex baking tasks. A former soldier, he carries lingering disillusionment regarding government leadership and heroism from his time serving in a besieged fort during his youth.

Lord Ethan, known as the Golden General, is a highly powerful wizard in charge of Riverbraid's army. He is famous for single-handedly winning major battles against Carex mercenaries. With blonde hair and a charismatic presence, he frequently leaves the capital to patrol the outer towns, leaving the city vulnerable to internal political strife.

Tibbie is Spindle's older sister and a former street thief. Like Mona, she possesses a minor magical ability. Her talents unfortunately make her a target in Riverbraid's increasingly hostile environment. Her death serves as the catalyst for her brother's alliance with Mona.

Master Gildaen is an elderly Royal Wizard who works in the palace. His magical expertise centers entirely on the manipulation of water, using specialized bowls to communicate across vast distances. He acts as a patient mentor. He believes firmly that creativity and determination matter more than raw magical strength.

Joshua is a personal guard to the Duchess. He maintains a calm, unflappable demeanor even during crises, taking unusual orders in stride. He is highly loyal to the crown and pragmatic enough to follow defensive strategies proposed by young civilians when the city faces a looming threat.

Harold is one of the Duchess's loyal personal guards. Unlike his more talkative counterpart Joshua, Harold maintains a stoic and professional silence while performing his duties at the palace. He follows orders diligently and stands ready to defend the royal household.

Argonel is the head blacksmith of Riverbraid. Resourceful and open-minded, he possesses no magical abilities himself but readily collaborates with magic users. He shows no hesitation in taking defensive construction orders from a teenage baker during a city-wide crisis.

Bob is an aggressive, semi-sentient sourdough starter. He was accidentally brought to life years ago when an inexperienced Mona panic-healed him with her dough magic. He moves his own bucket, possesses doughy tentacles, and is fiercely protective of his creator.

Nag is a deceased horse reduced entirely to bone. Animated and sustained by Knackering Molly's specific magical talent, he functions as her primary mode of transportation and loyal companion through the dangerous streets of the Rat's Nest.