Thomas is a Native American from the Pacific Northwest who enlists in the army during the Vietnam War, leaving behind his pregnant wife. He struggles with the legacy of his powerful grandfather Witka and the expectations of his community. Burdened by memories of his time in combat and his life overseas, he faces profound internal conflict upon his eventual return to America.

Ruth is a resilient fisherwoman who lives on a boat named the Marco Polo after her husband departs for the war. Born with physical gills that signify her profound bond with the ocean, she is deeply anchored in her community's traditions. She works fiercely to protect the local whale population and uphold the spiritual practices of the A’atsika people.

Dwight serves as the tribal chairman of the A’atsika people and pushes for a return to whale hunting. He frames his decisions around treaty rights and cultural revival, though his motivations involve concealed commercial interests. He carries a long-standing jealousy toward his old friend Thomas, creating tension that affects the entire community.

Marco is the son of Ruth and Thomas, raised by his mother on the water while his father serves in the military. He inherits his mother's affinity for the ocean, complete with webbed toes that mark his physical connection to aquatic life. As he matures, he displays a strong sense of destiny and leaves regular schooling to learn traditional ways from the community's elders.

Lin is Thomas's daughter, born overseas and raised in the aftermath of a war zone. She works as a florist and interpreter in Ho Chi Minh City, carefully building a stable life with her husband. Despite her adaptability, she carries a deep longing to find her American father and understand her divided heritage.

Witka is a revered ancestral figure in the community who possessed an almost mystical connection with the sea. During his life, he communicated directly with whales and ensured the success of the tribe's traditional hunts. His legacy casts a long shadow over his descendants.

Aurora is Ruth's mother, a woman who understands the old stories and the physical manifestations of the tribe's bond with the ocean. She provides practical support to her daughter and later helps welcome visitors to the community.

Thomas's mother is the daughter of the legendary whaler Witka. She views the natural world with reverence, interpreting the arrival of a land-walking octopus as a holy event. She honors the creature by offering it her father's prized pearl, linking her son to the sea's guardianship.

Ma is a Vietnamese woman who builds a life with Thomas during his time overseas. She raises their daughter in a chaotic environment, providing what stability she can before severe hardship strikes the family.

Wilma is an elderly woman in the A’atsika tribe who remains staunchly protective of the community's traditional values. She joins other women to publicly oppose the commercial exploitation of whales, demonstrating a willingness to challenge the current leadership.

Delphine is a respected elder within the village who actively resists the modernization and capitalization of the tribe's cultural practices. She stands on the shore with other women, silently hoping the whales will stay away from the hunters.

Vince is an older fisherman in the Dark River community who keeps a watchful eye on his neighbors. He possesses a deep familiarity with the ocean's patterns and often brings news from the water back to the village.

Lin's husband is a stabilizing presence in her life overseas. He understands the shadows of their country's history and offers his wife a safe, loving environment where she can process her complicated family background.

Feather is an elder in the community who holds a special bond with the younger generation. He possesses a deep understanding of the tribe's spiritual laws and reads the signs of nature to interpret the consequences of the community's actions.

Dimitri is a local fisherman and a fellow veteran who shares a history with Thomas and Dwight. He experiences the direct environmental consequences of the community's internal conflicts as he tries to maintain his livelihood on the water.

Lin's grandmother is a survivor of severe wartime trauma who provides snippets of their family's past to her granddaughter. She maintains a strong presence in Lin's early life, passing down fragments of history despite the chaotic environment.

The Rain Priest is a mysterious man who arrives in the community during a prolonged drought. He exhibits a calm, unusual demeanor that sparks intense curiosity and speculation among the local residents regarding his potential connection to natural forces.