Gen is a skilled, observant, and frequently complaining thief. He spends months chained in a cell before the king's advisor offers him freedom in exchange for his unique burglary talents. Though he acts obnoxious and lazy to irritate his captors, he remains highly capable and fiercely protective of his own interests. He resents being treated as an inferior instrument by the educated men of Sounis.

The Magus serves as the chief advisor to the King of Sounis. As a scholar, he believes his extensive reading makes him superior to uneducated citizens and foreigners. He organizes an expedition to a neighboring kingdom to retrieve Hamiathes's Gift, a mythical artifact rumored to grant immortality. He views the people around him primarily as instruments to achieve his political and historical ambitions.

Ambiades is the older of the two apprentices studying under the Magus. He comes from a formerly wealthy family that lost its status and fortune due to his father's gambling and a political scandal. This loss leaves him perpetually angry and sensitive to any perceived slights regarding his rank. He despises Gen and constantly attempts to assert his superiority over the thief.

Sophos is the younger, quieter apprentice to the Magus. The son of a prominent duke, he prefers reading books to practicing combat or engaging in politics, much to his father's disappointment. His family sends him on the journey to toughen him up. Innocent and sheltered, he lacks practical world experience but possesses a genuine curiosity about others that makes him approachable.

Pol is the pragmatic, highly capable captain of the guard for Sophos's father. He accompanies the expedition specifically to protect the young duke's son. He approaches his duties with serious professionalism, functioning as the group's muscle and practical caretaker. While he treats Gen like a prisoner, he also shows flashes of basic decency when addressing the thief's physical needs.

The ruler of Sounis is an ambitious monarch who relies on his advisors for counsel and strategy. He desires Hamiathes's Gift to gain political leverage over the neighboring kingdom of Eddis, aiming to secure trade routes and military advantage against Attolia. He holds grudges regarding ancient territorial invasions and strictly enforces his laws.

The monarch of Attolia rules a kingdom that adopted the new gods following an ancient invasion. She commands a formidable military force and controls the land where the expedition must trespass to find the mythical stone. She is known by reputation as a lovely but cruel leader who fiercely protects her borders from outsiders.

Hephestia is the Queen of the old gods, born of Earth and Sky. According to Eddisian myth, she wields the power of earthquakes, a gift given by her mother to prevent further destruction of the mortal world. She is the deity who supposedly gifted King Hamiathes the stone of immortality that the expedition seeks.

Earth is one of the primordial old gods who created Sun, Moon, and Sky. In the ancient myths, she took pity on weak humans by giving them fire and tools, but grew enraged when they offered their gratitude to the Sky instead, creating massive earthquakes in retaliation.

Sky is a primordial god created by Earth, who in turn accidentally created humans during a cosmic battle. He hoards destructive thunderbolts and frequently argues with Earth, demanding worship from the mortals below.

A prominent figure in the old pantheon and Gen's namesake. Born as a mortal son offered to a woodcutter by Earth, he tricked the Sky into surrendering his destructive thunderbolts, earning a drink from the spring of immortality as a reward.