After fleeing persecution and burning by the Aesir gods, the amnesiac witch takes the name Angrboda and makes a secluded home in a cave within the giant territory of Ironwood. She is a giantess who possesses a forbidden form of divination magic called seid. Wanting only a quiet life, she focuses on surviving in the wilderness and building a stable domestic existence.

Loki is a trickster god and shapeshifter who is counted as Odin's blood brother. Though originally a giant, he lives among the Aesir in Asgard. He constantly seeks their approval while causing chaos through his mischievous schemes. He possesses a charming but restless demeanor.

Skadi is a fierce and pragmatic giantess known as the Huntress. She establishes a mutually beneficial trading partnership with Angrboda, exchanging the witch's healing potions for household goods. She values independence and holds a highly practical worldview.

Hel is the first child of Angrboda and Loki. She is born with a physical condition that leaves the lower half of her body lifeless and blue. She requires constant care with magical salves to preserve her legs and prevent them from rotting.

Odin is the All-Father and chief of the Aesir gods in Asgard. He is consumed by a relentless desire to acquire prophetic knowledge. He governs with absolute authority and views giants and forbidden magic as threats.

Fenrir is the second child of Angrboda and Loki. Born as a wolf, he grows rapidly and communicates mind-to-mind with his family. He hunts in the Ironwood forest and exhibits a naturally wild disposition.

Jormungand is the third child of Angrboda and Loki. Born as a serpent, he quickly grows as long as a person is tall. He maintains a quiet, watchful presence in the cave.

Sigyn is an Aesir woman from Asgard who is married to Loki. She upholds the traditional values and social expectations of the gods. Her position creates a parallel, hidden life for Loki.

Gerd is a giantess and Skadi's cousin. She holds proper, traditional views on society and initially judges Angrboda's living conditions in the cave. She proves capable of providing practical assistance when she serves as a midwife.

Thor is the Aesir god of thunder who resides in Asgard. He possesses a notoriously violent hatred for giants and wields a heavy hammer called Mjolnir. He acts as the primary enforcer of Odin's will.

Freyja is a goddess originally of the Vanir who comes to live among the Aesir following a truce. She learns the magic of seid from the ancient witch.

Thjazi is a giant who resides in a mountain stronghold called Thrymheim. He is a formidable figure among the giants.

Baldur is a son of Odin who lives in Asgard. He is the subject of a fateful prophecy that drives his father's obsessive search for knowledge.

Njord is a Vanir god of the sea who resides among the Aesir. He prefers the ocean and coastal regions over the mountains, which causes friction in his marriage.

Sleipnir is an eight-legged colt born to Loki while the trickster is in the shape of a mare. He is given to Odin as a steed.

The Nameless She-Wolf is an ancient, telepathic giant who belongs to the Jarnvidjur, the legendary wolf-witches of Ironwood. She carries deep historical knowledge of the giants.