Rysn is a young Thaylen merchant and shipowner who uses a wheelchair following a severe accident in the Reshi Isles. Rather than seeking a magical cure, she focuses on actively adapting her environment to maintain her independence. As the rebsk of the Wandersail, she works to earn the respect of her crew while managing the administrative duties of her position.

The Lopen is a gregarious Herdazian Knight Radiant belonging to the Windrunner order. Formerly a one-armed man before his Radiant healing, he uses boisterous humor as a primary way of interacting with the world. He joins the Wandersail expedition to provide aerial support and protect the crew during their journey to Akinah.

Nikli is a man with distinctive white tattoos who serves as Rysn's newly hired porter aboard the Wandersail. His duties involve assisting with Rysn's mobility needs and luggage. He quickly tries to integrate with the crew by participating in their traditional hazing rituals.

Captain Drlwan is the competent and experienced master of the Wandersail. She feels a deep sense of ownership over the ship and the crew she personally trained. She harbors professional disappointment over Rysn inheriting the vessel instead of herself.

Cord is a quiet Horneater woman who joins the Wandersail voyage at the request of the Knights Radiant. She possesses the rare ability to see ordinarily invisible spren, making her a valuable scout. She takes over cooking duties aboard the ship while harboring a deep protective streak for her homeland.

Huio is a quiet and observant Windrunner Radiant who serves as a foil to his boisterous cousin. Despite struggling with the Alethi language, he possesses a keen scientific curiosity. He steadily helps with shipboard duties without needing to be asked.

Rushu is an eccentric scholar and ardent serving Queen Navani Kholin. She is often comically single-minded, getting lost in her research at the expense of her surroundings. Her deep knowledge of fabrial technology makes her essential to the expedition's investigation.

Kstled is the man-at-arms aboard the Wandersail and Captain Drlwan's brother. He is a capable fighter but openly superstitious, quickly interpreting unusual events at sea as dangerous omens. He acts as a reliable enforcer for the ship's command structure.

Chiri-Chiri is a rare winged creature known as a larkin, capable of consuming magical Stormlight. Her declining health and mysterious sickness prompt the expedition to her ancestral home of Akinah. She serves as Rysn's beloved pet and constant companion.

Navani Kholin is the queen of Urithiru and a leading scholar of fabrial technology. She commissions the Wandersail to investigate a permanent storm near Akinah and search for a lost Oathgate.

Vstim is a seasoned merchant and Rysn's former babsk, or trade master. He recently transferred ownership of the Wandersail to Rysn, a decision that causes tension among the veteran crew members he originally trained.

Talik is an envoy from the Reshi Isles. He brings urgent information regarding Chiri-Chiri's illness, explaining that the creature must return to Akinah to survive.

Kaladin is the commander of the Windrunner Knights Radiant. He expresses unease about the mission to Akinah but ultimately assigns Lopen and Huio to provide aerial support and protection for the crew.

Yalb is a sailor who discovers the derelict ghost ship First Dreams. His captain relies on him to lead the boarding party due to his past experiences with mysterious disappearances at sea.

Rua is an honorspren who serves as The Lopen's magical companion. He helps his Radiant partner locate people and scout environments during their journey.