Rainy is a 27-year-old Book Witch living in Fort Meriwether, Oregon. She uses a magical black umbrella to enter works of fiction and protect them from destruction by extremist groups. She carries a heavy grief over the loss of her mother, keeping a vintage copy of *The Secret of the Old Clock* as her sole physical connection to her past. She operates with intense dedication and frequently acts on impulse when she feels a story or character is in danger.

Nick is the charming protagonist of a classic noir detective series. He relies on his high status and sharp instincts to solve mysteries in his fictional world. He carries lingering grief over the loss of his three older brothers, keeping their mementos hidden in a safe. After gaining self-awareness of his fictional nature, he actively seeks to protect his story and connect with the real world.

Sullivan is a highly experienced Book Witch who lives at Pilcrow House with his granddaughter. He holds a deep respect for the traditions of the Ink and Paper Coven but prioritizes the safety of his remaining family above all else. He possesses extensive knowledge of literary history and storycraft.

X is a radical member of the "Burners" who actively works to destroy books from the inside out. He operates on a strict elitist ideology, seeking to eradicate all fiction he considers low-quality in order to preserve a specific canon of classics. He uses fire to completely erase characters and physical copies of targeted novels.

Nancy is the highly capable, independent teen detective of the classic mystery series. She relies on her sharp instincts and a willingness to bend the rules to solve complex cases in River Heights. Her early adventures hold a special place in the hearts of many readers, providing a model of bravery and cleverness that directly influences the real world.

Dr. Fanshawe is the stern and unyielding head of the Ink and Paper Coven. She maintains a rigid adherence to the rules separating the real world from fictional narratives. She runs the coven's operations from the Words, Words, Words bookstore and demands absolute perfection from her subordinates.

Mrs. Turner is the loyal housekeeper for the March family. She manages the daily operations of Pilcrow House, providing comfort and strict order to its residents. She originally existed as a character in the Sherlock Holmes stories before ending up in the real world, causing her to lose the specific memories of her past life.

Maxine is an acclaimed author who grew up as an orphan with a profound love for detective fiction. A childhood experience involving a real-life book burning shaped her desire to write stories about protecting literature. She possesses an incredible understanding of narrative structure and uses her writing to impart courage to her readers.

Ellery is a legendary Book Witch who died when her daughter was an infant. She is remembered by the coven leadership as the perfect practitioner of storycraft. She leaves behind a powerful legacy that continually influences her family's actions and choices.

Koshka is a loyal feline familiar who lives at Pilcrow House. He frequently travels through magical portals to assist with book-saving missions. He uses his keen senses to track down missing characters and locate hidden objects in various story worlds.

Elizabeth is the famous protagonist of *Pride and Prejudice*. After a Burner frees her from her narrative, she becomes fascinated by the modern world, particularly the ocean and contemporary opportunities for women.

Adam is a security guard working at a closed fairy-tale theme park. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he found deep inspiration in detective fiction, which motivated him to quit an unfulfilling job and pursue his dream of becoming a teacher.

Carson is a successful fictional lawyer living in River Heights. He provides a stable, loving home for his family and fully supports the investigative pursuits occurring under his roof.