Perry (Nennef)—an Earth man, who in his early 20s is carried by a natural cosmic storm to Nenmar, a planet across the galaxy. Perry is the “Earth Alien,” as a human who lives as an alien on another planet. On Nenmar he is adopted by the people of the village of Fenmon and assimilates into their life and culture. The village sage gives Perry the name of “Nennef,” which means “man of Nenmar;” this reminds everyone that the alien from Earth is effectively a naturalized Nenmaran.
Jenna—a Nenmaran girl who courts and “possesses” Nennef, making him her husband. In Earth cultures, Jenna would be considered a princess of sorts, but the Nenmarans do not think in those terms; she is a co-protagonist, and in some ways she is the most prominent character in the story
Penna—Jenna and Nennef’s daughter, their second child; after Sennef, her brother, who is otherwise identical to Penna.
Fronna—Jenna’s closest friend while growing up; Fronna encourages Jenna in her wish to possess Nennef
Lonna—Fronna’s mother and the village school teacher; Lonna is an accomplished educator, and she enables Fronna and Jenna in their efforts to teach the Earth Alien the Nenmaran language and culture; without Lonna, Perry’s assimilation into Nenmaran society would have been a much steeper climb
Kaggla—a biological scientist from another alien people from the planet Gatton. The Gattonians are technologically advanced and are one of the space traveling peoples in the galaxy. With her spaceship partner and husband, Barmeth, Kaggla tracks the progress of the Earth Alien and his offspring. She also meddles in the fauna of Nenmar to create domestic “pellars” from the wild and dangerous “pellims” native to the planet.
Barmeth—the pilot of the Lazy L spaceship, and Kaggla’s husband; Barmeth also is from the planet Gatton
Sennef—Penna’s brother; he was born first before Penna but suffers from more self-doubt than Penna
Lissel—the neglected child of successful parents in Renlar; Lissel was somewhat of a street urchin, with the her own peculiar combination of boldness and insecurity; she has a great affinity for Sennef and eventually gathers up the courage to follow through, with encouragement from Penna, on her wish to possess Sennef.
Fellef—The village doctor who treat's Perry's eyes so he can see clearly without his glasses. Fellef becomes the village sage after Lannor dies.
Filla—Jenna's friend and partner at the village weaving/tailor shop.
Finnan—Jenna's father.
Jennil—Jenna's mother.
Lemma—The chief scientist at the company where Nennef is employed in Renlar City.
Linnan—Jenna's older brother.
Lannor—The wise village sage, who talks extensively with Nennef the alien from Earth.
Merrin—The president of the company where Nennef is employed.
Nerran—The first Nenmaran to see the Earth man, with Sarref his co-worker in the sliffut field.
Renla—Merrin's wife, who also manages their company in Renlar City.
Senna—Jenna's younger sister.
Sonnil—Lonna's husband, and foreman for the village pipeline and maintenance work.
