As the world's only living natural magic user, Terra has grown up a combination weapon, slave, and test subject of the Empire. A good chunk of her life has been spent wearing a thought-deadening slave crown. Terra starts the story as a very frightened and confused young woman who has had her identity defined for her.

Locke is the Returners' resident treasure hunter and Figaro correspondant. An emergency rescue mission led him to become Terra's protector and friend. Though he wouldn't say it in so many words, Locke defines himself by his past failings. The driving force behind his actions is to atone for a memory that still haunts him. The bouts of self-loathing that this induces is rarely seen by others.

Edgar has held the powerful yet lonely title of 'king' for ten years. His three loves are for his small country, his mechanics, and his women (as a distant third). For the past few years he has been playing nice with the Empire, biding his time. Edgar hasn't seen his twin brother in ten years, and misses him.

Sabin hasn't been seen or heard of for ten years. As a child, he was a bit naive and stubborn. Edgar is sure he is alive and hopes he is well.

One of the three Empire's generals. As the youngest and only female, Celes has acquired a hardcore work ethic and scary personality in order to gain the respect of the Gestahlian military. As an infant, she was artifically infused with magical powers.