Penellaphe, often called Poppy by her closest friends, is a young woman chosen as the Maiden of Kingdom Solis. Destined to Ascend on her nineteenth birthday, she lives a highly restricted life at Castle Teerman. She is naturally empathetic, possessing a unique gift that allows her to feel the physical and emotional pain of others, and she secretly practices combat to avoid feeling helpless.

Prince Casteel Da'Neer is the second son of King Valyn Da'Neer and the Prince of Atlantia. Known to the citizens of Kingdom Solis as the Dark One, he is a figure of myth and fear, commanding the Craven and opposing the Ascended. He carries deep anguish over the enslavement of his brother and operates as a formidable threat to the current power structure.

Vikter Wardwell is a veteran Royal Guard assigned to protect the Maiden at Castle Teerman. Functioning as a father figure to Penellaphe, he privately teaches her combat skills and gifts her a bloodstone dagger. He is loyal to the crown but deeply cares for Penellaphe's safety and autonomy.

Dorian Teerman is an Ascended who rules over Castle Teerman in Masadonia. He is a cruel, elitist authority figure who uses fear and physical punishment to control those beneath him. He enforces the strict religious doctrines of Kingdom Solis, particularly demanding obedience and perfection from the Maiden.

Tawny Lyon is a Lady in Wait and Penellaphe's personal maid. Given to the court at the age of thirteen, she embraces her life inside the Rise and looks forward to her Ascension. Bubbly and energetic, she shares a close, sisterly bond with Penellaphe and provides moments of levity in the otherwise strict castle environment.

The Duchess Teerman is an Ascended who co-rules Castle Teerman. She presents an eloquent, sophisticated exterior with a calm demeanor that contrasts sharply with her husband's explosive cruelty. Despite her softer approach, she remains strictly adherent to the laws of the Ascended and expects unquestioning faith in the gods.

Lord Brandole Mazeen is an Ascended nobleman residing at Castle Teerman. He frequently acts as a bully, holding grudges against mortals and using his elevated status to intimidate others. He takes gratification in the misfortune of the kingdom's citizens and frequently observes the Duke's disciplinary sessions.

Kieran Contou is a highly capable Royal Guard assigned to Castle Teerman. He performs his duties with quiet dedication and possesses physical strength and speed that distinguish him from others in his position.

Jericho is a dangerous individual operating against the Ascended. He is aggressive, unpredictable, and pursues his own personal gratification, often ignoring the larger goals of the rebellion. His obsession with inflicting pain makes him a volatile threat.

Ian Balfour is Penellaphe's older brother, who was granted a special Ascension due to his relation to the Maiden. He lives separately from Penellaphe and communicates with her solely through monthly letters filled with stories of his new life in the capital.

Mr. Tulis is a common citizen of Kingdom Solis. After losing his two eldest sons to an illness of the blood, he desperately petitions the Ascended to spare his third son from being given to the Rite. His grief and desperation reflect the heavy toll the kingdom's religious laws take on its mortal citizens.

Priestess Analia is a religious instructor responsible for educating Penellaphe about the history and doctrines of Kingdom Solis. She demands absolute faith in the gods' will and discourages any questioning of the kingdom's religious texts or history.

Rylan is a Royal Guard assigned to Penellaphe's security detail. He is reliable and dedicated, routinely accompanying the Maiden on her evening walks through the Queen's Garden and ensuring her safety within the castle grounds.

Lev Barron is a young Descenter who publicly protests the Rite. He loudly demands to know the true fate of the third and fourth children given to the gods, making him a target for the Ascended guards. He is also actively involved with the death with dignity movement.

Agnes is the wife of Marlowe, a Huntsman for the Rise who has returned cursed. She secretly displays a white handkerchief on her door, indicating her family's treasonous involvement with the death with dignity movement to spare her husband suffering.

Marlowe is a Huntsman for the Rise who was bitten by a Craven while protecting the kingdom. Rather than face a public and humiliating fate, he is kept at home by his wife in hopes of receiving a dignified, private death before his transformation completes.

Malik Da'Neer is the eldest son of King Valyn Da'Neer and the brother of Prince Casteel. He is currently held captive by the Ascended, serving as a powerful point of leverage and the primary motivation for his brother's actions against Kingdom Solis.

King Valyn Da'Neer is the ruler of Atlantia and the father of Prince Casteel and Prince Malik. He leads the remnants of his kingdom following the historic War of Two Kings.

Queen Ileana is the reigning monarch of Kingdom Solis and a powerful Ascended. She maintains immense authority over the realm and was personally fond of Penellaphe's mother, granting her special permissions that shaped Penellaphe's early life.

King Jalara is the co-ruler of Kingdom Solis alongside Queen Ileana. According to religious history, he drank the blood of the gods to gain the strength necessary to defeat the Atlantians during the War of Two Kings.

Mrs. Tulis is a mortal citizen of Kingdom Solis who has already lost two children to illness. She stands before the Duke and Duchess, weeping as her husband begs for their remaining child to be spared from the Rite.