John Endicott is the unyielding governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and leader of the Puritan community. Clad entirely in iron armor, he operates as a warrior for divine justice who views his neighbors as heathens. He watches the local pagan festivities from the shadows, prepared to enforce his strict moral code upon the dancers.

Edgar is the youthful May-lord of the Merry Mounters. Despite living in a settlement devoted to constant pleasure, he recognizes that their current joy is temporary. He loves his bride deeply and prioritizes his honest connection with her over the superficial celebrations surrounding them.

Edith is a young woman preparing to marry Edgar in a flower-decked ceremony. She stands apart from the forced cheerfulness of the other colonists, harboring a quiet mystery and a sense of anxiety about the future. Her connection with Edgar allows her to value authentic emotion over the empty festivities of her peers.

The nameless English priest serves as the social leader of the Merry Mounters. Operating like a mythological god of revelry, he commands his followers to engage in continuous, uninhibited celebration. He wears traditional religious garments mixed with pagan decorations, angering the nearby Puritan settlers.

Peter Palfrey is an older Puritan and John Endicott’s trusted associate. He demonstrates a zealous dedication to religious law and eagerly advocates for severe physical punishments. His quickness to demand violence highlights the rigid strictness of his settlement.