Tan-Tan is the imaginative young daughter of the Mayor of Cockpit County, initially raised in comfort by technology and household staff on the advanced planet of Toussaint. Fascinated by Carnival lore, she frequently adopts the persona of the Robber Queen. When her family situation shatters, she is forced into a harsh existence as an exile on the penal world of New Half-Way Tree, where she must quickly adapt to survive.

Antonio is the Mayor of Cockpit County on Toussaint, a man who projects civic authority but harbors intense jealousy and destructive possessiveness. Following a violent altercation, he flees to the exile planet of New Half-Way Tree, dragging his young daughter with him. Stripped of his wealth and status, his struggles with alcoholism and his toxic fixation on Tan-Tan create a deeply dangerous environment.

Ione is Tan-Tan's mother and Antonio's first wife on the technologically advanced planet of Toussaint. She is a restless woman who prefers to delegate her parenting responsibilities to automated systems and household servants. Her emotional distance from her daughter and her brazen romantic affairs trigger the central crisis that shatters the family.

Janisette becomes Antonio's second wife in the harsh environment of New Half-Way Tree. She is deeply devoted to her husband but intensely insecure regarding the overwhelming attention he showers on his daughter. This insecurity festers into a bitter, aggressive hostility, making her a relentless threat to her stepdaughter's survival.

Chichibud is a douen, an indigenous reptilian-like species on New Half-Way Tree characterized by backwards-facing knees. Unlike the human exiles who often view his kind with condescension, he is altruistic, highly intelligent, and fluent in multiple human languages. He serves as a crucial survival guide and protector for the exiles in the lethal planetary bush.

Benta is Chichibud's wife and a hinte, the female counterpart to the male douens. Due to the species' extreme sexual dimorphism, humans initially perceive her as a simple beast of burden. In reality, she is a highly intelligent, skilled weaver and a respected member of her hidden community who extends quiet hospitality to those in need.

Abitefa is the adolescent daughter of Chichibud and Benta. As a young hinte, she possesses unique sensory abilities, including a natural sonar that helps her move through the dense environment. She becomes an invaluable companion to Tan-Tan, helping the human girl adapt to an alien wilderness and providing critical emotional support.

The House Eshu is an artificial intelligence integrated into Tan-Tan's family home on Toussaint. Connected to the planet's vast technological network, it functions as a digital deity, tutor, and caretaker. In the absence of attentive parents, it teaches Tan-Tan about history, folklore, and Carnival traditions, framing the narrative through oral storytelling.

Melonhead is a pragmatic young man living on the prison planet of New Half-Way Tree. He grows close to Tan-Tan in the harsh settlement of Junjuh, offering her a partnership and an opportunity to leave her oppressive home life. Later establishing himself as a tailor in Sweet Pone, he represents a stabilizing, supportive presence.

Aislin is the medical practitioner in Junjuh and Antonio's former mistress from his time on Toussaint. Having adapted to the grueling labor of the penal colony, she lives openly in a polyamorous family unit and provides pragmatic medical care to the local population.

Quashee is a machete fighter on Toussaint and the enduring lover of Ione. His brazen affair sparks a deadly confrontation during the Carnival dueling ceremonies, serving as the violent catalyst for the Mayor's permanent exile.

Nursie is Tan-Tan's primary human caregiver on the advanced planet of Toussaint. A former stick fight dancer with a deep knowledge of traditional practices, she provides the maternal grounding that Tan-Tan lacks at home, bearing her own grief over a lost daughter.

Maka is a friend of Antonio's on Toussaint who possesses specialized knowledge of chemistry and the planet's overarching technological grid. He assists Antonio by providing both chemical advantages for his duel and a means of temporarily bypassing the planet's surveillance network.

Quamina is the daughter of Aislin and Antonio, making her Tan-Tan's half-sister. She suffers from developmental complications caused by traveling through the interdimensional veils while her mother was pregnant, but she remains cheerful and eager to play.

One-Eye is the sheriff of the exile settlement of Junjuh. He helps maintain order in a chaotic environment devoid of Toussaint's technological safety nets, sharing a household and romantic partnership with Aislin and Claude.

Claude serves as the deputy in Junjuh, assisting One-Eye in keeping the peace among the exiles. He is part of a stable polyamorous family unit with One-Eye and Aislin.

Michael is a craftsman in the exile colony who runs the local iron shop with his partner, Gladys. He uses his mechanical skills to develop new technologies and vehicles in the bush, occasionally providing specialized items to the community.

Gladys co-runs the iron shop in Junjuh. She is fiercely protective of her partner Michael and is quick to show jealousy when others interact too closely with him.

Cudjoe is a newer arrival to the Junjuh settlement who works as a carpenter. He shares a brief, casual romantic connection with Tan-Tan as she explores her independence.

Kret is a male douen who harbors deep-seated jealousy toward Chichibud. He is highly protective of his community's secrecy and strongly opposes the presence of humans in their hidden village.

Beata is a pedicab runner on Toussaint who represents the human labor force operating outside the AI-automated systems. She is part of a cooperative that uses traditional songs to secretly communicate, bypassing the planet's surveillance grid.

Ben is the gardener employed at Antonio and Ione's estate on Toussaint. He uses the planet's bio-technology to cultivate intricate, living art pieces for local festivals.

Zeke is the son of Chichibud and Benta, and brother to Abitefa. He is part of the secluded douen community living in the daddy tree.

Res is a respected elder within the hidden douen community. He offers traditional gifts to newcomers and holds significant sway over the tribe's major decisions, including migration.

Al is a young man living in one of the most impoverished exile settlements on New Half-Way Tree. He endures physical abuse from his mother but finds an unexpected defender when he crosses paths with the visiting Tan-Tan.

Al's Mamee is an impoverished resident of Chigger Bite whose harsh conditions have made her bitter and physically abusive toward her son, until she is publicly confronted.

Taya is Benta's sister, a female douen (hinte) living in the daddy tree. She is fiercely protective of her community's sanctuary and willing to put herself in danger to defend it from outsiders.