Alobar is the ruler of a small ancient kingdom who faces execution according to local custom upon showing signs of aging. Rejecting this fate, he chooses to flee rather than die, marking him as a fiercely self-reliant individualist. He possesses a strong life force and a deep drive to uncover the secrets of immortality. His pursuit of knowledge leads him on an extensive eastward journey across the globe.

Priscilla is a quick-witted waitress living in a Depression-era studio apartment in Seattle. She spends her free time conducting amateur chemistry experiments in her living room, attempting to recreate a mysterious perfume from an old bottle she possesses. Driven by intellectual curiosity and an existential search for "the perfect taco," she approaches life with humor and a strong appetite for sensual experience.

Wiggs Dannyboy is the highly talkative founder of the Last Laugh Foundation, an organization devoted to reversing the human aging process. Known widely as both a visionary and a con artist, he speaks with an exaggerated Irish brogue and holds unconventional views on the mechanics of the universe. He acts as a motivating force for those around him, bringing disparate people together through his eccentric schemes.

Kudra is a headstrong young woman born to an incense-making family in India. After escaping a grim arranged marriage and the harsh social expectations placed on widows, she travels in search of higher wisdom. She possesses an exceptional intellect and an innate talent for scent-making, perfectly matching Alobar's voracious appetite for life and discovery.

Lily Devalier is a master perfumer operating Parfumerie Devalier in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Known locally as the "Queen of Good Smells," she is a self-determined small business owner who takes immense pride in her craft. She serves as a grounding, maternal presence for those in her orbit while remaining relentlessly focused on creating the perfect jasmine-based scent.

Marcel is an executive at a centuries-old Parisian perfume company, specializing in the aesthetic and sensory aspects of fragrance. He views scent as a powerful link between memory and time, valuing creative expression over sheer profit. His exceptional nose for fragrance leads him to seek out the elusive ingredients needed to revolutionize the modern perfume industry.

Claude is the business-minded half of the LeFever perfume corporation's leadership. Trained in law and corporate strategy, he focuses on the financial realities of the fragrance industry and tracking market trends. He approaches the family business with a pragmatic mindset that frequently clashes with his cousin's more artistic sensibilities.

Pan is the ancient Greek god of nature and sensuality. In antiquity, he is a vibrant force of impulsivity who enjoys the company of nymphs and travelers. As the centuries progress and the modern age of reason takes hold, his power wanes, leaving him a diminished, invisible figure who relies on others to mask his overpowering natural scent.

V'lu is the capable assistant and confidant at Parfumerie Devalier in New Orleans. She is fiercely loyal to her employer and deeply invested in the success of their business. She stands ready to eventually inherit the shop and harbors a strong protective streak regarding the shop's proprietary resources.

Wren is King Alobar's wisest concubine in his ancient, proto-Bohemian kingdom. Though she initially struggles to accept the concept of an aging king resisting the clan's death customs, she ultimately chooses to help Alobar conceal his aging and protect his life.

Frol is a wife of King Alobar who becomes deeply angered by his planned execution. Following her exile from the kingdom, she reunites with Alobar during his travels and briefly settles down with him in the Christian village of Aelfric.

Noog is the powerful court necromancer in Alobar's ancient kingdom. He firmly believes that wisdom belongs exclusively to him and diligently works to expose any violation of the kingdom's deadly execution rituals.

Ricki is a restaurant worker in Seattle and an acquaintance of Priscilla. She facilitates Priscilla's membership in a specialized support group for educated women in the food service industry, though their dynamic is highly volatile.

Huxley Anne is the daughter of Wiggs Dannyboy. She is deeply integrated into her father's unconventional life and travels, remaining his primary priority despite his busy social schedule and grand schemes.

Bingo Pajama is a specialized florist in the New Orleans area. He serves as Madame Devalier's chief supplier of jasmine and maintains an unusual affinity for swarms of bees that follow him.

Dr. Morgenstern is a notable chemist who works alongside Wiggs Dannyboy. He applies scientific methodology to the Last Laugh Foundation's esoteric goals regarding the reversal of the human aging process.

Lalo is a nymph dedicated to the god Pan. She holds strong views on the shifting values of society and passionately urges mortals to protect Pan's reputation as his influence wanes in the face of modern reason.

The Reverend Wally Lester is a drifter and occasional con artist. He left his infant daughter in New Orleans to be raised by others, wandering in and out of her life while leaving behind cryptic phrases that shape her worldview.