Angel is a highly skilled mercenary known as a "water knife," working directly for the state of Nevada. He operates out of Las Vegas, executing violent missions to cut off water to rival cities to protect his boss's monopoly on the Colorado River. Born in Mexico, he fled north with his father as a child, carrying severe physical scars and deep psychological trauma from the collapse of his home country. He maintains a hardened exterior and assumes people will always do the wrong thing when pushed.

Lucy is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who relocated to Phoenix to document the city's environmental and societal collapse. While she possesses the necessary identification and resources to leave for a comfortable life in Canada, she chooses to stay, feeling deeply rooted in the dying city. She attempts to maintain professional distance from the tragedies she reports on, but the brutal murder of a personal friend forces her directly into the line of fire.

Maria is a young migrant from Texas doing whatever she can to survive the harsh realities of Phoenix's refugee camps. After losing her family during her migration west, she focuses entirely on hustling enough money to secure passage across the Colorado River. Unlike her idealistic father, she approaches her brutal environment with clear-eyed pragmatism, calculating risks and refusing to rely on false hopes.

Case is the calculating manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, widely known as the "Queen of the Colorado." She orchestrates the luxurious Cypress developments in Las Vegas, aggressively deploying agents to destroy rival cities' infrastructure and secure water resources. She relies on constant intelligence gathering to maintain her power and views massive casualties as merely a byproduct of business strategy.

The Vet is a sadistic gang leader who controls the slums and refugee camps outside the Taiyang Arcology. He uses a pack of hyenas to torture anyone who defies him, enforcing a strict system of daily rent and taxes on desperate people trying to survive on his turf. He treats the collapsing city as his personal kingdom.

James is a legal associate working for Phoenix Water who specializes in the complex laws governing the Colorado River. He acts cynically toward the public's ignorance regarding the impending drought, preferring to play high-stakes games with vital resources for his own gain. His ambitious maneuvering quickly puts a target on his back.

Michael is a senior hydrology specialist working for a California company called Ibis. As a wealthy "fiver" residing in the Taiyang Arcology, he lives completely insulated from the heat, dust, and desperation of the refugee camps below. He uses his wealth to purchase companionship and views the water crisis primarily as an economic opportunity.

Toomie is a physically imposing former construction worker who lost his livelihood when the housing market dried up. He now runs a modest food stall in the refugee camps, offering a rare source of genuine kindness and stability. He serves as a protective figure for vulnerable migrants, understanding the brutal rules of the slums while trying to maintain his own moral compass.

Julio is an operative working for Catherine Case, sent to Phoenix to establish intelligence networks and monitor rival factions. The extreme stress of operating in a collapsing city has severely degraded his mental state, leaving him paranoid, desperate, and eager to flee his assignment at the first opportunity.

Timo is a local Phoenix photographer who documents the human cost of the water wars. He moves smoothly through the dangerous urban environment, trading exclusive, grisly imagery to high-profile news outlets and journalists. He maintains a professionally detached attitude toward the horror around him to do his job effectively.

Sarah is a Texas refugee who uses her physical appeal to survive the harsh conditions of Phoenix. She secures money and temporary comforts by sleeping with wealthy men living inside the insulated arcologies, frequently urging her friend Maria to join her in escaping poverty through sex work.

Charles is a lawyer and bureaucrat working for the Southern Nevada Water Authority. He researches obscure legal precedents to provide the official paperwork required for Catherine Case's aggressive water acquisition operations.

Anna is Lucy's sister, living safely in Vancouver, far removed from the drought and violence of the American Southwest. She constantly worries about Lucy's safety and repeatedly urges her to abandon her dangerous journalism career.

Damien is an enforcer working for the Vet. He patrols the refugee camps, ensuring that vulnerable residents pay their arbitrary rent and taxes on time.

Esteban is a violent thug who works for the Vet, specifically controlling the turf directly around the Taiyang Arcology. He aggressively shakes down anyone attempting to conduct business in his designated zone.

Cato is a cruel thug who works alongside Esteban to enforce the Vet's territorial claims. He uses physical intimidation to steal directly from desperate refugees under the guise of collecting taxes.

David is a dangerous operative working for the state of California. He actively monitors journalists and suppresses stories that frame California's aggressive water policies in a negative light, using both bribery and severe threats.

Alexander, also known as Vos, is a hydrologic engineer working inside the Salt River Project. His valuable access to infrastructure makes him a target for various intelligence operatives until he meets a grisly end.

Christine is the medical examiner in Phoenix, tasked with processing the overwhelming casualties of the water wars and desert border crossings. She maintains a grim professionalism despite the horrific nature of the murders she investigates.

Simon is the supervisor for the water-treatment plant in Carver City. He desperately attempts to reason with heavily armed forces to maintain the water supply for a hundred thousand dependent citizens.

Ellis is an operative tasked with helping set up Nevada militias and monitoring rival state activities. His sudden silence causes deep concern for his superiors regarding his loyalty.

Charlene is a local friend of Lucy who maintains access to squat tenements in the dark zones of the city. She provides essential shelter and transportation when Lucy needs to disappear from the authorities.

Ray is a local police officer who attempts to maintain order in the rapidly collapsing city. He serves as an early mentor figure to Lucy, warning her about the severe dangers of investigating cartel-style murders in Phoenix.