Claire is a 14-year-old girl with red-gold hair and gold-flecked eyes living in a strictly regulated community. Assigned as a Birthmother at age 12, she is reassigned to the Fish Hatchery following complications during her first delivery. Because she is never assigned the daily emotion-suppressing pills, she feels deep, forbidden emotions, particularly a maternal bond toward her newborn child.

Gabe/Abe/36 is Claire's son, initially known only by his birth number. As an infant, he is restless and fails to adjust to the community's strict sleeping standards. He grows into a teenager living in a village of outcasts, possessing a unique empathetic ability known as veering, which allows him to experience life through others' minds.

Jonas is a young boy born in the same highly regimented community as Claire, possessing distinctive pale blue eyes. He eventually becomes a mentor and leader in a new village of outcasts, protecting the community's books and history. He has a special ability to see beyond and forms a strong protective bond with the infant he rescues.

The Trademaster is a seemingly ordinary, narrow-shouldered man in a neat suit who exudes a rancid smell. He possesses the supernatural ability to grant people's deepest desires, but always extracts a terrible, corrupting price in return. He feeds off the suffering and tragedy caused by the unfair bargains he strikes with vulnerable individuals.

Alys is a toothless, wrinkled midwife and herbal healer in the seaside village. Childless herself, she readily takes the amnesiac Claire under her wing and teaches her the ways of the village. She is a stabilizing force who understands the harsh realities of life and death.

Einar is a young, physically disabled shepherd living on the outskirts of the seaside village. He endured a harsh childhood with an abusive father before briefly escaping over the treacherous cliff. Though he appears aloof, he demonstrates deep kindness and patience toward his sheep and eventually toward Claire.

Dmitri is the supervisor at the Fish Hatchery in Claire's community. He is a pragmatic worker who expresses frustration over not being assigned a spouse by the community leaders.

Sophia is a girl Claire's age who works at the Nurturing Center. She provides care for the infants and cheerfully explains the facility's operations to Claire, unaware of her true motivations.

The male nurturer is a gentle caregiver in Claire's original community who takes a special, unusually strong interest in a difficult infant. He frequently takes the infant home at night to prevent it from disturbing the other children.

Marie is a large, sarcastic cook on the supply boat who physically contrasts with the strictly weight-monitored citizens of Claire's community. She demonstrates kindness to Claire during a chaotic moment.

Old Benedikt is an elderly resident of the seaside village who rescues Claire and brings her to safety. He shares a fond, nostalgic history with Alys and frequently checks on the village's well-being.

Tall Andras is a healthy, seventeen-year-old villager who quickly takes a romantic interest in Claire when she arrives. He is hardworking and supports his ailing parents, but harbors rigid views on morality and reputation.

Bethan is a young girl in the seaside village who grows up admiring Claire. As she matures, she begins studying under Alys to become the village's next midwife and herbalist.

Bryn is a woman in the seaside village who requires Alys's herbal treatments to sustain her pregnancies. Her eventual labor acts as a powerful trigger for Claire's lost memories.

Kira is a skilled seamstress and Jonas's wife, living in the outcast community. She possesses a unique ability to craft wondrous items and provides a warm, loving home environment for her family and young wards.

Mentor is an educator in the outcast village who deeply cares for his students. He carries a dark, shameful history related to a trade he once made to change his physical appearance, a mistake he eventually recovered from.