The Ogress is a gentle and highly educated being who settles on the edge of town. Despite the townspeople's prejudice against her kind, she is deeply empathetic and observant. She quietly watches the town through a periscope, secretly leaving gifts of food and treats on doorsteps to lift the spirits of her neighbors. She speaks little but thinks deeply about how to be a good neighbor.

A charismatic figure who thrives on sowing division and distrust among the residents of Stone-in-the-Glen. Presenting himself as the only one capable of fixing the town's problems following a devastating fire, he relies on empty speeches to manipulate the populace. He actively encourages the townspeople to blame their neighbors for their misfortunes while he quietly hoards wealth.

Anthea is the eldest of the fifteen children living at the Orphan House. Described as a tall and serious girl, she firmly believes in facts, logic, and concrete proof. Her analytical mind causes her to bear a heavy sense of responsibility for the others, and she harbors a deep fear regarding a town rule that requires orphans to leave the house when they turn fourteen.

The second-oldest orphan, Bartleby is a philosophical boy with mismatched eyes—one green and one milky-white. He consistently views situations from multiple angles, offering theoretical perspectives that complement Anthea's strict reliance on logic. He values debate and believes strongly in examining the motives behind people's actions.

Cass is the third-oldest orphan and Bartleby's sister. Unlike the older two, she is a doer rather than a talker, choosing to live entirely in the moment. She remains steadfast in her belief that the Orphan House is a safe place filled with good people, and she is fiercely loyal, willing to make enormous personal sacrifices to ensure the well-being of the other children.

Myron is the husband of the Matron. He bears visible scars on his wrists and neck from rushing into the burning Library to save as many books as possible. Despite his declining health and limited energy from lung damage, he remains deeply committed to the orphans. He is one of the few adults entirely unaffected by the Mayor's manipulative influence.

The diligent manager of the Orphan House. She is agile and fiercely protective of the children in her care. The stress of dwindling resources occasionally causes her to jump to panicked conclusions or succumb to the Mayor's manipulative praise, but she works tirelessly to teach the children thrift and responsibility.

Elijah is one of the younger orphans who possesses a unique ability to hear stories whispered by the wood of the Orphan House. He talks constantly, sharing tales that sometimes distract or frustrate those around him. His habit of listening to the environment preserves the history of the town and its people.

A paranoid tradesman in Stone-in-the-Glen who quickly becomes openly hostile toward his neighbors. Influenced heavily by the Mayor's divisive rhetoric about thieves, he harbors strong prejudices against the Orphan House and the Ogress. Despite his anger, he occasionally experiences flashes of guilt when his actions put innocent lives in danger.

Harold is a crow who lives on the Ogress's farm. While the other crows are prideful and quick to judge anything new, Harold is uniquely empathetic and curious. He is capable of forming deep emotional connections with humans and plays a vital role in communicating between the orphans and the Ogress.

An ancient rock located at the center of the town. It contains shifting pictures and words that tell stories of the past, present, and future. It serves as the story's narrator, holding boundless knowledge and observing the town's slow descent into distrust.

A voice of reason within Stone-in-the-Glen. While her husband and other townspeople succumb to panic and the Mayor's influence, she consistently insists on gathering facts before jumping to conclusions. Her practical approach to organizing help makes her a crucial stabilizing presence in the community.

The group of small children living at the Orphan House. They represent the innocence of the town's future, providing constant motivation for the older orphans to maintain a safe and nurturing environment despite the town's failing resources.

A tradesman who is easily swayed by the Mayor's influence. He is prone to jumping to conclusions and quick to assume the worst about his neighbors. He frequently requires his wife to temper his panic and keep him focused on facts during town emergencies.

The local law enforcement officer in Stone-in-the-Glen. She is highly susceptible to confirmation bias, actively twisting the words of witnesses to fit her preconceived notions about the Ogress rather than investigating the facts of a situation objectively.