Roland is a wandering gunslinger, the last of his kind from the Arthurian-style feudal society of Gilead. He traverses a post-apocalyptic desert in relentless pursuit of his target. Emotionally closed off and strictly focused on his goals, he relies on his inherited revolvers and harsh training to survive the desolate environment.

Walter is an enigmatic, dark-robed figure who stays constantly one step ahead of the gunslinger across the desert. He possesses potent magical abilities, capable of commanding dangerous forces and manipulating the minds of those he encounters. He views the pursuit as a grand game, leaving cryptic traps in his wake.

Jake is a young boy who originally comes from a completely different world resembling modern-day Manhattan. He finds himself abruptly transported to the barren desert environment with fragmented memories of his rich family and private school. Despite his disorientation, he proves resilient while traveling across the harsh terrain.

Alice runs a dusty saloon in Tull and provides the gunslinger with food, information, and a temporary reprieve from the desert. She carries a heavy emotional burden from living in the desolate settlement and becomes dangerously entangled in the dark magic affecting her town.

Sylvia is a physically imposing, charismatic preacher in the town of Tull. She holds immense sway over the townspeople by using religious fervor to control them. She believes she is executing divine will after an encounter with a powerful stranger.

Nort is a tragic resident of Tull who suffers from a fatal addiction to devil-grass. He is subjected to a dark miracle, serving as a grim demonstration of the unnatural forces permeating the land.

Sheb is a piano player at the saloon in Tull. He harbors a history of romantic involvement with the bartender and grows violently jealous when the gunslinger arrives in town.

Cort is the demanding teacher of the young gunslingers in Gilead. He uses physical punishment and verbal abuse to train boys into hardened warriors. His approval is necessary for any boy hoping to come of age.

Brown is a pragmatic corn farmer living alone in the barren wastes. He offers a brief respite, sharing water and news of the desert with passing travelers. He accepts the harsh reality of his world without question.

Zoltan is a pet raven residing at a desert farm. The bird has been trained to speak and frequently squawks random phrases, sometimes echoing religious language that unnerves visitors.

Cuthbert is a childhood friend and fellow gunslinger-in-training in the ancient city of Gilead. He is part of the close-knit group of boys who endure brutal lessons together.

Susan is a beloved figure from the past in Mejis. She represents youthful affection and exists in the narrative primarily through painful, recurring recollections.

Steven is the highest-ranking gunslinger lord in Gilead. He is a commanding leader who carries the weight of a crumbling society and tries to impart practical lessons to his son.

Hax is the cook in Gilead who forms a bond with the young trainees. He harbors dangerous political secrets that eventually force the children to confront the harsh realities of justice in their society.

Kennerly is an aging man in Tull who takes care of livestock. He gossips endlessly about the town's religious fervor and lives in a deeply disturbing family dynamic.

Soobie is a resident of Tull who works around the local barn. She acts wildly and inappropriately toward strangers, reflecting the pervasive degradation of the town's inhabitants.

David is an aging hunting hawk used in training exercises. The bird acts purely on instinct and represents the unsentimental nature of the gunslingers' world.

Alain is a childhood friend of the gunslinger in the ancient city of Gilead. He is part of the close-knit group of young trainees who study under the brutal tutelage of Cort.

Jamie is another boy from the gunslinger's youth. He crosses paths with his peer during a tense and emotionally charged moment in the castle-city.