Emily is a tenured dryadology researcher at the University of Cambridge who recently completed an encyclopaedia of faeries. She struggles with social interaction and prefers the isolation of her academic work. She is currently compiling a map book of faerie territories and seeking a nexus to the Silva Lupi kingdom. A previous expedition left her with a missing finger, and she carries a reputation for scientific obsession.

Wendell is a dryadologist at Cambridge who is secretly an exiled Faerie King of the Irish Silva Lupi kingdom. He seeks a backdoor into his territory to reclaim his throne from his usurping stepmother. He possesses an elegant frame and golden hair. He frequently complains about physical labor while demonstrating a deep fondness for domestic comforts.

Dr. Farris Rose is the dryadology Department Head at Cambridge. He is an eccentric scholar who spent decades compiling an unfinished encyclopaedia of the Folk. He relies strictly on traditional methodology and expresses immense distrust toward faeries. He joins the St. Leisl expedition hoping to prove Wendell's academic fraudulence.

Ariadne is Emily's 19-year-old niece who attends Cambridge to study dryadology. She has hazel eyes, a light brown complexion, and a relentless enthusiasm for her studies. She appoints herself as Emily's assistant for the upcoming expedition. She is one of the few family members who actively seeks a relationship with her aunt.

The unnamed stepmother of Wendell Bambleby sits on the throne of the Silva Lupi faerie kingdom. She actively seeks to assassinate Wendell to cement her rule. She deploys various faerie creatures to track and eliminate her political rivals. She views mortal scholars as potential threats to her reign.

Shadow is Emily's large, affectionate animal companion. He is a grim, a deadly faerie hound, who uses a glamour to appear as a normal domesticated dog. He travels with Emily on her expeditions to provide protection and companionship. He prefers simple comforts and possesses a distinct aversion to cats.

Danielle de Grey is a missing scholar who vanished from the Alpine region's Grumahorn mountain in 1861. She was studying the local tree faun before her disappearance. Her past research guides Emily's current search for a faerie door.

Bran Eichorn is a lesser-known male scholar who disappeared while searching for Danielle de Grey decades ago. He occasionally appears as an apparition adorned with ribbons. His movements correlate with a magical faun artifact Emily carries.

Julia is the host running the guesthouse in St. Leisl where Emily and her companions stay. She understands the dangers of the local wilderness and provides the academics with strict rules for surviving the night. She advises visitors on local customs and folklore traditions.

Roland is Julia Haas's father-in-law and a resident of St. Leisl. He possesses deep knowledge of the local wilderness and the ribbon system the townspeople use to avoid getting lost among the faeries. He acts as an initial guide for the visiting researchers.

Astrid is one of Julia Haas's daughters living in St. Leisl. She assists her family in running the guesthouse that hosts visiting researchers. She observes the strange behavior of the academics from a distance.

Elsa is Julia Haas's daughter. She lives in St. Leisl and helps manage the accommodations for traveling dryadologists investigating the Alpine region. She follows her mother's strict rules regarding the nocturnal faeries.

Orga is Wendell Bambleby's pet cat who remains in the Silva Lupi territory. She possesses a prickly disposition and shares personality similarities with Emily. Wendell trusts her with his life despite her abrasive nature.

Poe is a small tree faerie who previously lived in Hrafnsvik. He values his friendship with Emily and maintains contact through a magical silver key necklace he gifted her. He provides Emily with baked goods and valuable information about faerie politics.

Snowbell is a fox faerie, or fuchszwerg, inhabiting the St. Leisl region. After Wendell spares his life, he owes a debt to the scholars and acts as a local guide. He has a distinct affinity for sweets and baked goods.

Lilja is a resident of Hrafnsvik whom Emily befriended during a previous expedition. She sends Emily a magical compass to assist with the search for Wendell's door. She acts as a distant but supportive ally to the Cambridge scholars.

Margret is an acquaintance of Emily from her time researching in Ljosland. Her ancestors received a special compass from the Tall Ones, which she shares with Emily to aid her journey. She remains a loyal contact from Emily's previous academic success.

Agnes is a resident of St. Leisl who understands the immediate danger posed by the local nocturnal faeries. She organizes a group of locals to rescue the wandering academics from a tree faun attack. She expresses clear frustration toward the arrogant scholars.

Eberhard is a brave local from St. Leisl who assists Agnes in retrieving the scholars. He finds himself caught in the middle of a chaotic supernatural confrontation while attempting to help. He suffers an unprovoked attack during the confusion.

Callum is a lucid human man residing inside the Silva Lupi court. He recognizes Emily is faking a magically-induced daze and offers her unexpected assistance navigating the hostile faerie environment. He maintains his sanity despite living among dangerous supernatural beings.

Lord Taran is the brother of the usurping queen of the Silva Lupi. He is engaged to a human mortal and resides within the castle, displaying a surprisingly helpful demeanor toward intruding academics. He uses his faerie magic to assist visitors despite the political risks.

Razkarden is the leader of the gargoyles sworn to protect the current ruler of the Silva Lupi. He relentlessly pursues targets across borders on orders from the throne. He functions as a terrifying physical enforcer for the crown.