Charlie is a 17-year-old high school student and biathlete who assumed a premature caretaker role following his mother's tragic death. After his father recovers from severe alcohol addiction, Charlie feels an intense drive to pay forward the miracle that saved his family. He is courageous and resourceful, though he secretly fears he is fundamentally bad due to his past misdeeds with childhood friends. His dedication to his elderly neighbor and a frail dog pulls him into a fantastical situation.

Mr. Bowditch is a reclusive, crotchety old man who lives in the mysterious house at 1 Sycamore Street. He guards a massive stash of gold pellets and a secret portal in his gardening shed. Despite his initial gruffness, he forms a genuine connection with Charlie, eventually trusting the teenager with the incredible secrets he has kept hidden for decades. He carries profound regrets regarding how he handled the magical resources available to him.

Leah is an extraordinarily beautiful woman and a former princess of the fallen Gallien royal family. Cursed to lose her mouth, she communicates by ventriloquism, projecting her voice so it seems to come from her horse, Falada. She is stoic and resilient, mourning the loss of her family while protecting those around her. She serves as a crucial ally and guide to Charlie.

Elden is the youngest child of the Gallien royal family. As a child, he suffered severe bullying from his older siblings due to his physical differences. Ostracized by all except his sister Leah, he harbors deep, festering resentment. His isolation leads him to explore the forbidden, darker areas beneath the palace, where he seeks out ancient, corrupting magic to exact revenge on those who wronged him.

Charlie's Dad is a widower who spiraled into addiction but has since committed to sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. He is a loving father who worries about his son's habit of taking care of others before himself. He tries his best to rebuild a stable, supportive life for them in Sentry's Rest.

Radar is an aging, frail German Shepherd who originally belongs to Mr. Bowditch. She is loyal and sweet-tempered, forming an immediate and profound bond with Charlie. Her declining health and limited mobility become the primary catalyst for Charlie's incredible journey into the unknown.

Christopher Polley is a short, dangerous man driven by intense greed. Speaking with an exaggerated affect and a fake laugh, he is willing to commit robbery and violence to uncover the source of Mr. Bowditch's mysterious wealth. He represents the mundane, human evil present in Charlie's everyday world.

Dora is a kind woman who lives near the well of the worlds. She suffers from a wasting curse that has cruelly deformed her features, making her face look as if it has been drawn and erased. Despite her affliction and difficulty speaking, she offers essential guidance and hospitality to travelers.

Hana is a terrifying, 20-foot-tall giantess who resides in the city of Lilimar. She acts as an enforcer and a major obstacle for anyone trying to travel through the city, guarding crucial pathways with brutal force. She is nightmarishly ugly but fiercely protective of her kin.

Red Molly is the giantess daughter of Hana. She operates a motorcar and acts as a ruthless executioner for the ruling forces in the palace, using her massive size to crush opposition without hesitation.

Woody is Leah's uncle and a surviving member of the Gallien royal family. As a result of the curse placed on his bloodline, he has lost his sense of sight. Living quietly by the sea, he provides crucial lore about the city's downfall and the nature of unaffected people.

Claudia is Leah's formidable cousin and a survivor of the Gallien royal family. Cursed to lose her ears, she is nonetheless incredibly tough and fiercely defends her home from wild animals. She aids travelers by providing safe harbor and strategic advice.

Peterkin is a cruel, chaotic dwarf encountered on the road. He delights in causing pain to weaker creatures and bears a striking physical and behavioral resemblance to Christopher Polley, representing senseless malice in the magical realm.

Kellin, also known as the Lord High, is the chief of the night soldiers who guard the palace in Lilimar. Unlike his spectral subordinates, he is a living, healthy man who oversees the cruel operations and interrogations within the palace dungeons.

Hamey is a sickly, battered prisoner in the Deep Maleen dungeon. Despite suffering ongoing illness and frequent abuse from the guards, he acts as an early mentor, explaining the rules of the dungeon and the lore of the royal family.

Eye, also known as Iota, is a tough prisoner in Deep Maleen. Though he begins as an adversary attempting to delay a deadly combat event, he warms up and becomes a steadfast ally and key strategist in the fight for survival.

Pursey works as a cook in the palace dungeons. He secretly harbors sympathies for the prisoners, providing them with hidden notes, extra food, and crucial intelligence to aid in their survival and escape plans.

The Snab is a magical red cricket who serves as the king of the small world. Capable of communicating with both humans and animals, he proves to be a valuable and resourceful ally after being rescued from torture.

Gogmagog is a slumbering, ancient entity buried deep beneath the city of Lilimar. Possessing dark, corrupting magic, it represents the ultimate evil that threatens to consume the world if fully awakened.

Bertie Bird is a former childhood friend of Charlie. The two frequently engaged in cruel pranks and bullying, and Bertie serves as a constant mental reminder of the darker, less compassionate parts of Charlie's personality.