Mark is a thirteen-year-old survival enthusiast whose solo camping trip is interrupted by a mysterious blue phenomenon. Transported to a strange, hostile world he calls Transall, he relies on his knowledge of wilderness survival to find food, shelter, and water. He attempts to orient himself among aggressive animals and strange vegetation while searching for a way back home.

Leeta is a member of the "arrow people," a tribe of humans living in the jungle. She has distinct physical features, including an extra fold of skin over her eyelids and webbed feet. After Mark rescues her from a predator, she introduces him to her village, though they are both soon captured by a raiding tribe.

Megaan is the daughter of the Tsook chief, recognizable by her long black braids. She holds a position of high status in her village and claims Mark as her enslaved person when he is brought to the auction pit. She maintains a strict and often harsh demeanor, keeping Mark chained and expecting complete obedience.

The Merkon is the supreme ruler of the Tsook tribes, demanding regular tribute from the surrounding villages. He keeps his face hidden behind a metal mask with tiny eye slits. He maintains tight control over the territory through his mounted soldiers and executioners, taking a suspicious interest in Mark's origins.

Dagon is the chief of the Tsook town and a commanding warrior. He leads raids to capture people from weaker tribes to use as forced labor. Despite his practice of enslaving others, he operates by a strict tribal code and takes an unusual interest in Mark's strange appearance and defiant behavior.

Sarbo is a skilled Tsook warrior and the tribe's official executioner. He enforces discipline among captives and is tasked with killing those who cannot keep up with the march. He is highly proficient with a sword and riding beasts, representing the martial strength of the Tsook people.

Willie is a "monkey-bear," a small, furry native animal of Transall. After an initial misunderstanding, he demonstrates how to crack open hard seed pods to extract edible meat and liquid, teaching Mark a vital survival skill in the jungle.

Barow is Megaan's younger brother and Dagon's son. He is curious about the outside world and listens eagerly to Mark's stories about technology and distant places, even when his family dismisses them as fiction.

Tukha is a young hunter in Leeta's tribe. He takes Mark under his wing, showing him the village's hunting practices and including him in the men's routines. He participates in the tribe's violent raids against neighboring villages.

Yonk is an enslaved person owned by a Samatin warrior named Short Man. He endures poor treatment and frequent threats of violence from his enslaver while maintaining the household.

Short Man is a portly Samatin warrior who lives in the run-down town of Trisad. He acts outwardly hospitable to visitors but is quick to violence against those he holds power over.

Pet is an old, bedraggled shaman who holds the inherited oral histories of his people. He speaks in cryptic terms about ancient times, a "blood sick," and mass deaths that altered the world.

Roan is an outlaw living beyond the control of the Tsook tribes. He bears a distinct facial scar marking him as a traitor, a punishment received after a failed attempt to run away with the Merkon's daughter.

Mordo is the Merkon's son and the commander of his soldiers. He is fiercely loyal to his father and uses his military force to track down anyone who threatens his father's rule, utilizing tracking beasts and large patrols.

Francle is an outlaw who travels with Roan. He survives in the barren lands outside the jurisdiction of the Tsook, hiding from military patrols and participating in outlaw raids.