Fan is a sixteen-year-old diver who works in the fish tanks of the labor settlement B-Mor. Physically small but remarkably fit, she moves through the water with ease and can hold her breath for extensive periods. When her boyfriend disappears, she chooses to leave the structured, safe environment of B-Mor to search for him. Possessing a quiet confidence and a strong moral center, she approaches the dangers of the outside world with unyielding determination.

Reg is a nineteen-year-old worker in the B-Mor grow facility who tends the plants hanging above the settlement's fish tanks. Tall and athletic, he is known for his kind nature and dedication to his household. He spends his free days with his girlfriend, Fan, enjoying simple pleasures like shopping in the underground mall. He possesses a highly unusual physical trait, rumored to be entirely free of the genetic diseases that plague the rest of the population.

Quig is a doctor and former veterinarian who runs a medical compound in the open counties. A large, bearded man with a stern demeanor, he commands authority in his settlement by providing life-saving medical care to the desperate people of the counties. He carries a tragic past from his time living in a Charter village, which hardens his exterior, though he retains a fundamental desire to heal the sick.

Oliver Cheung, originally named Bo Liwei, is a highly successful blood specialist and researcher in a Charter village. Having been promoted from a labor settlement in his youth due to exceptional test scores, he now negotiates lucrative pharmaceutical patents. He attempts to recreate the communal, multi-generational household structure of his childhood within the rigid, status-obsessed culture of the Charters.

Joseph is a ten-year-old boy living in B-Mor who shares a close bond with Reg. Despite their age difference, he frequently plays soccer with the older boy and looks up to him. He is well-liked by his neighbors and peers in the settlement, maintaining a brave and protective attitude toward his younger brother.

Loreen is an imposing, heavy-set woman who resides at Quig's medical compound. She serves as an assistant and partner to Quig, though she possesses a harsh and quick-tempered personality. She views outsiders with suspicion and treats newcomers with hostility, making the compound a challenging environment for those seeking refuge.

Sewey is a pale, curly-haired thirteen-year-old boy living at the medical compound in the open counties. He works by passing out tickets and organizing the line of patients waiting for medical care. Talkative and friendly, he eagerly seeks out companions who are willing to listen to his endless stream of stories and questions.

Eli is a young boy living at the medical compound with his mother and younger sister. He spends his days exploring the streams and woods with his friends, demonstrating a reckless and adventurous spirit. He develops an immediate infatuation with Fan upon her arrival, seeking to impress her during their hikes.

The Nickelmans are a family of acrobatic performers traveling through the open counties. Consisting of a middle-aged couple, an elderly man, and numerous athletic children, they present themselves as a cheerful and hospitable troupe. They live in a hidden, self-sustaining grotto in the woods, though their welcoming facade masks darker intentions toward weary travelers.

Mister Leo is a wealthy businessman and art collector living in a lavish Charter village mansion. He oversees a large mining operation and projects an aura of extreme confidence and command. He frequently trades resources with individuals from the open counties, leveraging his wealth and influence to maintain strict control over his household.

Miss Cathy is the wife of Mister Leo, residing with him in their sprawling Charter mansion. She appears melancholy and drug-addled, spending much of her time secluded from the rest of the house. Despite her frail appearance, she maintains a rigid and controlling influence over the young female servants living on the estate.

Mala is the head servant at the estate of Mister Leo and Miss Cathy. She manages the extensive household operations, including cooking and mentoring the younger girls brought into service. She works long shifts to provide for her family in the open counties, making significant personal sacrifices to secure their financial future.

This group of young women resides in a specialized chamber within Miss Cathy's home. They have all undergone cosmetic procedures to alter their appearances, conforming to a specific aesthetic standard. They spend their days creating collaborative art on their walls and following the strict routines set by their keeper.

Dr. Vikram Upendra, often called Vik, is the young chief of emergency medicine at a prominent Charter medical center. He enjoys a wealthy lifestyle, spending his income on high-end electronics and athletic gear. A skilled swimmer and dedicated physician, he frequently bends the rules of his privileged society to offer aid to those in need.

Betty is the elegant and petite wife of Oliver Cheung. She supports her husband's ambitious plans to build an expansive, communal home for their extended family. Kind-hearted and observant, she quickly embraces newcomers to her household, eager to build strong familial bonds despite the financial pressures of their lifestyle.

Penelope is a resident of Quig's medical compound in the open counties. She contributes to the settlement by maintaining the facilities and caring for her children. She holds a favored position within the compound's hierarchy, frequently spending time in the leader's private quarters.

Glynnis is a trained veterinarian and the wife of Quig. Following a sudden ban on domestic pets in their Charter village, she adapts to their plunging social status by seeking out illicit business opportunities to maintain her family's standard of living.

Trish is the daughter of Quig and Glynnis, raised within the competitive environment of a Charter village. A talented viola player with a strong grasp of history, her parents place immense pressure on her to succeed in local pageants and secure her social standing.

Hilton is a young, athletic girl traveling with the Nickelman family in the open counties. She participates in the family's acrobatic performances and assists in maintaining their hidden settlement in the woods.

Josey is the young daughter of Oliver and Betty Cheung. Raised in a wealthy Charter village, she enjoys the luxuries of her parents' success while eagerly welcoming new members into her growing household.

Ludmilla is the girlfriend of Dr. Vikram Upendra. She rarely spends physical time with him due to their demanding schedules in the Charter village, leading to distance in their relationship.

Gordon is a well-known elder living in the labor settlement of B-Mor. As economic instability causes rising tensions in the community, he becomes a target of unexplained hostility and mistreatment from his fellow citizens.

Landon is a meticulous and fastidious proprietor of a colorful hostel in the open counties. He operates the business alongside his partner, providing exceptional hospitality and dining to travelers cast out from the Charter villages.

Dale is the co-owner of a hospitable waystation in the open counties. Older and quick to dote on visiting children, he manages the business and survives the dangers of the lawless region alongside his partner.

Star is a young child living at the medical compound run by Quig. She spends time in the communal living spaces with her family while her mother attends to duties around the settlement.