Daisy is an independent and assertive child who prefers wearing dirty carpenter's overalls instead of pretty dresses. Her early experiences with loss lead her to view the kingdom's leadership with deep skepticism, placing her at odds with her more loyal peers. She possesses a quiet strength and a firm sense of conviction, often shielding younger children from abuse when forced into difficult circumstances.

Bert is the blond, round-faced son of the royal pastry chef and the head of the royal guard. He is sensitive and deeply loyal to the monarchy, taking immense pride in his father's military position. His unwavering belief in the goodness of the king and his desire to follow in his father's footsteps drive his early ambitions, though these loyalties occasionally blind him to the reality of the kingdom's politics.

Lord Spittleworth is a thin, cunning nobleman who uses his sharp intelligence to manipulate the vain King Fred. He operates entirely out of self-interest and greed, viewing the citizens of Cornucopia merely as sources of revenue. His ability to spin elaborate stories and quickly adapt to changing circumstances allows him to maintain control over the king and orchestrate large-scale deceptions.

King Fred is the handsome, fair-haired ruler of Cornucopia who delights in fine clothing and public adoration. Despite his title, he is far from fearless; he is a vain and easily influenced monarch who prefers to hear pleasant flattery over uncomfortable truths. His self-involvement and cowardice prevent him from seeing the reality of his kingdom, making him a willing participant in his own isolation.

Lord Flapoon is an enormous, ruddy-faced nobleman whose massive size requires six men to heave him onto his horse. As one of King Fred's closest friends, he enjoys the comforts of court life and shares Spittleworth's self-serving nature. He is generally cowardly and content to let his craftier counterpart devise schemes while he happily reaps the benefits and consumes the kingdom's finest foods.

The Ickabog is a mythical giant reputed to roam the desolate northern Marshlands of Cornucopia. According to local folklore, its appearance changes depending on who tells the story, though it is universally feared by the citizens. The creature's legend becomes a central tool for manipulation within the kingdom, generating a climate of terror that alters the course of the nation's history.

Roach is a greedy and ruthless soldier in the king's military forces who eventually assumes a leadership position. He prioritizes his own advancement and wealth over honor or duty to the citizens. His willingness to commit violence and silence opposition makes him a highly effective enforcer for the corrupt lords.

Ma Grunter is a hideous, greedy woman who manages the country's orphan asylum. She takes in children purely for the government funding, using the money to furnish her private rooms luxuriously while feeding her charges watery cabbage soup. As the country's poverty increases, her business thrives on the misfortune of others.

Mr. Dovetail is a highly skilled carpenter who carves toys for children and manages the palace woodwork. Following a severe family tragedy directly linked to the king's vanity, he harbors a quiet but deep resentment toward the crown. His practical skills eventually make him a target for the corrupt lords who require his craftsmanship for their schemes.

Mrs. Dovetail is the highly skilled royal seamstress. She is deeply dedicated to her work and feels a strong sense of duty to the crown, ultimately suffering under the crushing and insensitive demands of King Fred's vanity.

Major Beamish is the honorable and dutiful head of the royal guard. He tries to maintain peace and order within the capital, though his commitment to honesty occasionally conflicts with the desires of the king's advisors. He rides out with the king on the fateful expedition to the Marshlands.

Mrs. Beamish is the king's favorite pastry chef, taking immense pride in her culinary creations which are famous throughout the palace. She is fiercely protective of her family and firmly believes in the innate goodness of King Fred, making her initially resistant to any criticism of the monarchy.

Captain Goodfellow is an honest, common-born soldier in the royal guard. Unlike his opportunistic peers, he possesses a strong moral compass and refuses to blindly accept the questionable narratives spun by his superiors, putting him in direct danger from the corrupt lords.

Lady Eslanda is considered the most beautiful woman in Cornucopia, but she is far more defined by her intelligence and sense of justice. Despite her noble status, she pays close attention to the reality of the kingdom's politics and shows remarkable courage in standing up to powerful, dangerous men.

Roderick is the son of Major Roach and a schoolmate of the protagonists. He initially benefits from his father's sudden rise in military status, adopting a somewhat superior attitude, but eventually faces his own struggles as the kingdom's political climate grows increasingly unstable and dangerous.

Martha is a young girl originally from the northern Marshlands who ends up in the oppressive care of Ma Grunter. Coming from the desolate northern region, she holds a deep, genuine belief in the local legends of the monster and provides valuable insight into her homeland's culture.

Basher John is Ma Grunter's brutal henchman. He enforces the harsh rules of the orphanage through physical intimidation and outright cruelty toward the vulnerable children, ensuring that none of them successfully escape the miserable conditions.

Tubby Tenderloin is a butcher from Baronstown who possesses enough common sense to publicly question the official narratives coming from the capital. His vocal skepticism regarding the military threat makes him an immediate target for the lords' enforcers.

Otto Scrumble is Lord Spittleworth's butler. Driven entirely by a desire for gold, he willingly participates in his master's deceptive plots, taking on whatever tasks or theatrical roles are required to maintain the illusions that keep the kingdom in fear.