Anya is the young princess of the Argen family, living on the island of Dousha. Raised initially in the forest by her father, she despises the strict courtly education forced upon her by her grandfather. She possesses dirt-encrusted fingernails and scars from interacting with her beloved gagana birds. She is fiercely loyal to her father and the creatures of the natural world, seeking to clear his name after a sudden political betrayal.

Christopher is a boy from London who previously visited the magical Glimouria Archipelago and maintains a deep connection to its creatures. Because he is an outsider from the human world, the dragons trust him to investigate a mysterious illness sweeping through their kind. He is courageous and observant, carrying supplies like a sphinx tooth and dragon obsidian to survive the magical environment.

Claude is the younger son of King Halam and the uncle of Princess Anya. He projects a charming, meticulously groomed persona, often wearing signature white embroidered gloves at court events. Beneath his polite exterior, he harbors deep resentment toward his older brother's position as heir to the throne. He views humans and magical creatures merely as resources to be exploited for wealth and control.

Prince Argus is King Halam's eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne of Dousha. Rather than engaging in court politics, he prefers living in the forest as a plant scientist, cultivating flora like the unlocking herb rascovnic. He believes all living things are sacred and instills this philosophy in his daughter. His gentle nature places him at odds with the rigid traditions of his royal family.

Irian is a nereid woman and a scholar of the ocean. She helps maintain a palace made of living sphinx stone as a safe haven for injured and orphaned magical creatures. She approaches problems methodically, balancing out the impulsive actions of her companions while advocating for careful planning during times of crisis.

Nighthand is a giant-like Berserker who physically cannot experience fear. He possesses immense strength and a volatile temperament, yet he shows remarkable gentleness toward the vulnerable creatures sheltering at the Palace of Glimt. He strictly avoids emotional vulnerability, believing that feelings like love are dangerous for a warrior.

Jacques is a sparrow-sized jaculus dragon who travels to the human world to retrieve Christopher. He adopts a haughty, demanding attitude, insisting on being treated like royalty to mask his insecurities regarding his lost ability to breathe fire. Despite his tiny stature, he bravely faces dangerous situations to protect his fellow dragons.

The royal gaganas are a flock of crow-like magical birds that reside near Argen Castle. They serve as Anya's chosen family, educators, and protectors, teaching her history, mathematics, and philosophy. They value loyalty above all else and possess sharp claws that they readily use to defend those they care about.

Gallia is an elderly gagana who serves as one of Anya's primary caretakers and closest confidantes. She provides practical advice and fierce loyalty, maintaining a constant watch over the young princess. She actively risks her own safety to warn Anya of approaching threats within the castle.

King Halam is the 70-year-old ruler of the island of Dousha. He enforces rigid court protocols and insists that his granddaughter remain at the castle to be admired as a royal asset rather than living freely in the forest. His reign involves an unexplained influx of gold, raising suspicions among his subjects.

Naravirala is a powerful sphinx who serves as Christopher's initial guide back into the Archipelago. She speaks in riddles and acts according to the signs of the stars, demanding answers to puzzles before offering her physical strength. She provides Christopher with a dragon-forged sword and aerial transport across the islands.

Frank is Christopher's grandfather and a human guardian tasked with protecting the Scottish portal to the Glimouria Archipelago. He previously attempted to prevent Christopher from returning to the magical world, prompting his grandson to sneak past him during his current mission.

Arach is a massive, blind dragon living on the island of Edem. Suffering from the effects of a mysterious sickness, he relies on his remaining senses to detect intruders and aggressively defends his territory. He holds a deep distrust of humans, believing their desire for gold inevitably corrupts them.

Dr. Ferrara is the royal physician at Argen Castle. She possesses extensive knowledge of magical ailments and geography, providing crucial information about the portals to the human world. She attempts to uncover the origins of foreign substances brought into the royal court.

Chancellor Gerund is a high-ranking political official in the Dousha court. He prioritizes his own safety and adherence to protocol, carrying out uncomfortable orders while avoiding direct eye contact with those he knows are being wronged by the current regime.

Captain Roegan is a strict, obedient guard in the Argen Castle military force. He enforces the regent's will without question and demonstrates a willingness to use lethal force against both magical creatures and humans to secure his own position.

Aellope is a harpy who serves as the guardian and librarian of the Palace of Glimt's secret library. She takes her role seriously, demanding equal exchanges for information and expressing intense horror at the presence of dark, banished texts.

Meri is a talking mouse who works as the assistant librarian at Glimt. He possesses specialized linguistic knowledge, helping visitors translate obscure runes and ancient dictionaries to uncover hidden meanings.

Ratwin is a ratatoska, a squirrel-like creature known for uncovering the world's secrets. He resides at the Palace of Glimt, helping to spread word of the refuge to other animals in need and offering blunt advice to its caretakers.

Sarkany is a great red-winged dragon residing on the island of Edem. Facing a mysterious illness ravaging her species, she specifically requests a human from the Outerlands to investigate, believing the local inhabitants cannot be trusted.