Ti Noël is an enslaved Haitian on the plantation of Monsieur Lenormand de Mézy. He harbors deep resentment toward his enslaver and often reflects on the stories of African kings and Vodou spirits told to him by his peer, Macandal. As a father to a dozen children, he passes down his cultural heritage and holds out hope for a rebellion against the brutal system of enslavement.

Monsieur Lenormand de Mézy is a French plantation owner in Haiti who relies entirely on the expertise and labor of the people he enslaves. He divides his time between leisure activities and Catholic prayers, remaining willfully ignorant of the humanity and growing unrest among the Black Haitians on his estate.

Macandal is an enslaved Mandingo man from Guinea known for his deep voice, commanding oratory skills, and deep knowledge of nature. Following a severe injury at the sugar mill, he immerses himself in the study of poisonous plants, natural elements, and Vodou rituals, positioning himself as a powerful spiritual and revolutionary leader among the enslaved population.

Henri Christophe is a Black Haitian man who initially operates a popular inn and restaurant frequented by French and Spanish colonizers. He eventually transitions into military and political leadership, establishing himself as a powerful figure whose ruling methods closely mirror the European systems of control and grand architecture.

Pauline Bonaparte is a beautiful French aristocrat and the wife of General Leclerc. She travels to Haiti viewing the colony as an exotic playground for her amusement, taking pleasure in her status and the desires of the men around her, before the harsh realities of the environment force her to turn to local spiritual practices for protection.

Soliman is an enslaved Haitian man assigned to serve as Pauline Bonaparte's personal bather and masseur. He harbors deep physical desires that are casually manipulated by his enslaver, and he possesses a strong connection to Vodou practices, which he shares when illness strikes the household.

Bouckman the Jamaican is a revolutionary figure and powerful orator who steps forward to lead an uprising among the enslaved population. He invokes the power of Vodou gods to inspire direct, violent action against the white plantation owners, emphasizing vengeance and solidarity over prolonged waiting.

Maman Loi is a local witch and practitioner of Vodou who provides shelter and spiritual guidance. She assists Macandal in his early experiments with natural elements and acts as a vital communication link between him and his followers hidden on the plantations.

Mademoiselle Floridor is an actress who becomes Monsieur Lenormand de Mézy's mistress and later accompanies him to his Haitian plantation. Like her partner, she treats the enslaved workers with casual abuse, drawing their intense hatred.

General Leclerc is a French military officer who arrives in Haiti expecting to maintain colonial order. His authority is quickly challenged by the unforgiving tropical environment and the spread of deadly disease.

Queen Marie-Louise is the wife of King Henri Christophe. She participates in the formal, European-style court life established by her husband, remaining by his side as his regime faces growing unrest.