The swarm is a deuteragonist and a highly dynamic character whose arc is a central exploration of The Erosion of Identity as the Price of Survival. Initially introduced as a non-sentient biological weapon sent to infiltrate the Carryx, the swarm’s consciousness is born from the memories and personalities of the humans it consumes, Ameer Kindred, Else Yannin, and Jellit Kaul. For much of the narrative, it operates as a composite being, experiencing the world through the conflicting perspectives of its hosts. While inhabiting Jellit’s body, it struggles with the remnants of its hosts’ individual desires and traumas, particularly Else’s love for Dafyd and Jellit’s anger and grief. This internal discord highlights its nature as a collection of selves rather than a unified entity.

The swarm’s relationship with Dafyd is key to its evolving sense of self. Believing that Dafyd’s rejection is based on its physical form, it reshapes Jellit’s body into Else’s, only to be rejected again. Dafyd’s assertion, “You aren’t Else. You’re the spy” (296), forces a moment of deep self-realization. By looking inward at the chaotic consciousnesses of its hosts, it understands that a singular, core self is an illusion for humans as well. This insight allows it to move beyond being a mere collection of voices. It synthesizes the memories and traits of Ameer, Else, and Jellit into a new, singular identity, choosing the name Clae Audin. This final step integrates the swarm’s experiences into a new, emergent being who can finally refer to herself as “I” with a sense of ownership.

As Clae, the character shifts from a covert operative to an active participant in Dafyd’s conspiracy. Her access to the Carryx archive and her unique understanding of information systems make her an indispensable asset. Her primary motivation evolves from completing her mission to a more complex desire for connection, understanding, and self-definition. She’s no longer just a weapon; she’s a person with a unique past forged from the lives of others. This journey from a set of instructions to a self-aware individual with her own agency and desires makes her a representation of how identity is constantly constructed and redefined by experience and relationships.

Jessyn is a dynamic, round character who undergoes a significant transformation from a cautious academic into a ruthless and capable field operative. At the start of her assignment on the planet “World,” her primary concern is decanting the daily dose of slurry that treats her mental illness. This reliance reflects her initial vulnerability. However, once thrust into the unpredictable environment of the field, she discovers a resilience and capacity for violence that she didn’t know she possessed. Her intellectual curiosity as a biologist quickly adapts into a tactical mindset focused on survival.

The turning point for Jessyn is her discovery that the “deathless enemy” of the Carryx are human, a revelation that reorients her loyalties. Her capture by the soldier Corvall forces her to engage in Subversion as a Means of Resistance. She demonstrates cunning by feigning helplessness while secretly planning an act of sabotage. Her decision to shoot herself to make her story of a violent attack more convincing is a display of her new pragmatism. It marks the completion of her transformation from someone who feared her own mind into someone willing to inflict severe physical harm on herself and her enemies to achieve her goals: “Somewhere in her journey between Anjiin and this planet, she’d become someone who could kill her jailers and enjoy it” (355). By the end of her arc, Jessyn has become a hardened, effective agent in the secret war against the Carryx, her former identity as a fearful academic almost entirely overwritten by her new role.

Tonner is a foil to Dafyd, a static and round character who represents the unyielding mindset of the old world. A brilliant scientist, Tonner is defined by his professional pride and his resentment of Dafyd’s authority. He sees Dafyd as an unqualified usurper who now holds power over him, and he struggles to adapt to the new social hierarchy. His focus remains fixed on scientific achievement and maintaining the standards of his pre-captivity life, which makes him effective in the lab but oblivious to the larger political and existential threats surrounding the human moiety. His dedication to his work, such as developing a stable food supply and overseeing the lamb-sack project, is critical to the community’s survival, yet his arrogance and inability to grasp the delicate power dynamics ultimately lead to his death.

Tonner’s fatal flaw is his scientific curiosity untampered by political caution. When he discovers the Soft Lothark’s secret method of communication, he sees it as a fascinating scientific puzzle and a way to impress Dafyd. He fails to recognize it as a dangerous secret that the Lothark would kill to protect. His murder forces Dafyd into an alliance with the Deep Lothark and illustrates the brutal consequences of failing to adapt to the lethal rules of their new environment.

Campar is a static, round character who is a moral and emotional anchor for the human captives. He’s defined by his empathy, resilience, and unwavering belief in the importance of human connection. While others, like Rickar, succumb to despair or, like Dafyd, adopt a brutal pragmatism, Campar consistently prioritizes caring for those around him. This is most evident in his relationship with Ghati, whom he nurses through a depressive episode, and in his selfless act of taking Ghati’s place on the dangerous mission to the enemy command ship. His defining moment comes when he volunteers to act as a lure for the reactivated enemy weapon, willing to sacrifice himself to save Ghati and Vaudai. Though he survives, the experience leaves him physically and emotionally scarred.

Upon returning to the world-palace, Campar represents an alternative path to Dafyd’s. He argues that instead of a long, painful war they can’t win, humanity should accept its role as a “domestic beast” and focus on building “the best version of what can” be (428). This perspective is born of a deep weariness with suffering and a desire to preserve what little life and happiness they have. He acts as the conscience of the group, questioning the high cost of Dafyd’s secret war and suggesting that survival itself, even in captivity, might be a more worthy goal than a bloody and likely futile rebellion.

Garral is an archaeologist whose academic knowledge becomes an important tool for survival and communication. As a static, round character, he remains fundamentally a kind and intellectually curious man, but his circumstances force him to apply his skills in a high-stakes environment. His initial interactions with Jessyn show him to be a person seeking connection in the face of deep loss, as he grieves for his family on Anjiin. His significance escalates when he’s captured by the human enemies of the Carryx. His expertise in ancient languages allows him to recognize their numerical system and establish a linguistic bridge, confirming that these “enemies” are culturally related to the people of Anjiin.

Garral’s role is to be the emissary between the two separated branches of humanity. He makes the difficult choice to leave with the refugees and Corvall, sacrificing his own chance to return to the world-palace in order to become a living repository of intelligence for the other side. He’s the first link in the communication chain that Dafyd and Jessyn hope to establish, representing the possibility of a united human front against the Carryx. His final appearance shows him being interrogated by his new allies, beginning the slow process of sharing the truth about Anjiin and the nature of their common enemy.

Tomos is a folklorist and social historian who is a pragmatic mentor figure to Dafyd. A sharp-tongued and cynical woman, she’s initially resistant to Dafyd’s leadership, viewing him as a collaborator. However, Dafyd recruits her into his conspiracy by appealing to her expertise and giving her the critical task of creating a secret culture of resistance. Her role is to use myths, songs, and stories, particularly the Ke Cycle, to embed the ideals of rebellion into the new generation of children born in captivity. This project is a central part of the theme of Subversion as a Means of Resistance. While she remains a sharp critic of Dafyd’s methods, she becomes one of his most trusted advisors, offering him the “wisdom stories” that give context to his suffering and reinforcing the grim necessity of his actions.