Serapio is a young man from the Carrion Crow clan, raised in isolation and trained as a living weapon. His mother blinded him and scarred his body to make him the Odo Sedoh, a vessel for the old crow god. He possesses unique abilities, including using star pollen to inhabit the minds of crows. He travels toward the capital city of Tova to fulfill a prophecy of revenge against the ruling priesthood.

Xiala is a bisexual Teek ship captain with jewel-colored eyes and a missing finger bone. Exiled from her matriarchal homeland, she uses her cultural magic to calm the ocean and safely guide vessels. She relies on alcohol to manage the pain of her isolation. She accepts a lucrative but dangerous contract from a merchant lord to transport a mysterious passenger to Tova in record time.

Naranpa is the Sun Priest of Tova, holding the highest spiritual position in the celestial tower. Born into poverty in the Coyote's Maw neighborhood, she worked her way up from a servant to the head of the priesthood. She actively works to make the religious elite serve all classes of people. Her progressive ideals and lower-class background make her a target for ambitious rivals within her own ranks.

Okoa is the prince of the Carrion Crow clan. He trains at a military academy but returns to Tova for his mother's funeral. He maintains a close bond with a giant crow named Benudah. Torn between factions within his own clan, he questions whether his mother's death was truly natural while facing mounting tensions with the ruling celestial tower.

Saaya is Serapio's mother and a devoted member of the Carrion Crow clan. Driven by a desire for vengeance following a historic massacre of her family, she physically alters her young son to ensure he becomes the vessel for the crow god.

Lord Balam is a wealthy merchant lord who recruits Xiala for a hazardous sea voyage. He possesses deep ties to Saaya's original plot for vengeance against the celestial tower and orchestrates Serapio's travel to Tova in time for the winter solstice.

Iktan is a priest at the celestial tower and acts as the head of security for the Sun Priest. Using the neopronouns xe/xir, Iktan is fiercely protective of Naranpa, though their shared romantic history complicates their professional dynamic.

Abah is the Priest of Succor within the celestial tower. He represents the elite establishment and works openly to strip Naranpa of her title, using her lower-class background against her.

Denaochi is Naranpa's brother and a powerful crime boss in the slums of Coyote's Maw. He bears physical scars from torture and harbors deep resentment toward his sister for leaving their family to join the priesthood.

Zataya is a witch operating in the lower levels of Coyote's Maw. She practices blood magic and scrying, providing mystical services and predictions to those willing to pay the physical toll.

Yatliza is the matron of the Carrion Crow clan. Her sudden death under suspicious circumstances triggers a shift in clan leadership and brings her son Okoa back to the capital.

Esa is Okoa's sister and the new matron of the Carrion Crow clan. She holds strict views on clan politics and intends to suppress the older, extremist religious factions within her people to maintain peace with the celestial tower.

Lord Pech is a merchant who previously employed Xiala. He holds bigoted views against the Teek people and attempts to cheat Xiala out of her pay, prompting her to throw him overboard.

Callo is the first mate on the ship hired by Lord Balam. He leads the crew and serves as the primary liaison between the sailors and their Teek captain during the tense voyage to Tova.

Paadeh is a tutor hired to prepare Serapio for his destiny. He uses harsh, sometimes violent methods to teach the boy how to perceive his surroundings through wood carving.

Powageh is Serapio's third tutor. He holds deep knowledge of the clan's history and instructs Serapio on the exact timing and methods required for his solstice mission.

Benudah is a giant crow and Okoa's designated mount. She shares a deep, protective bond with him and possesses her own intelligence and connection to the crow god.