Sam / Mahasamatman / Siddhartha / the Buddha
One of the First colonists and former Binder of Demons. His electrodirection controls electromagnetic forces, while his rebellion attacks Heaven's monopoly on knowledge and rebirth.
Yama
God of Death, supreme weapons designer, and master of the death gaze. He begins as Sam's most dangerous opponent and becomes his essential ally after Heaven's treatment of Kali destroys his loyalty.
Kali / Durga / Brahma
Goddess of destruction, former lover of Sam, and intended bride of Yama. Her appetite for chaos and power drives major betrayals; she later assumes the office and male body of Brahma.
Tak of the Bright Spear
Heaven's archivist and, in one life, Sam's son. He is punished for helping Sam by being transferred into an ape and assists in restoring him.
Kubera
Loyal friend of Yama, powerful technologist, and master of investing objects with emotion. His humor and appetite conceal formidable intelligence and physical strength.
Ratri
Goddess of Night, able to cast supernatural darkness. Her sympathy for Sam leads to exile, but she remains one of the rebellion's most durable members.
Rild / Sugata
Kali's executioner, sent to assassinate Sam. After conversion he becomes the movement's sincere Buddha and dies confronting Yama.
Taraka
Lord of the Rakasha, native energy beings called demons by the colonists. Possessing Sam gives him a conscience, but pride later sabotages the attempted alliance with Nirriti.
Nirriti the Black / Renfrew
Former Christian chaplain of the Star of India. He builds an army of soulless organic automata and wages a crusade against Heaven and its religions.
Ganesha
Court manipulator who believes he can control each new crisis. His plots weaken Heaven, empower Nirriti, and ultimately bring about his death.
Jan Olvegg
Former captain of the colony ship and one of the First. His account of the gods' transformation helps push Sam from retirement into rebellion.
Brahma
The original office of creator and ruler within the Trimurti. The holder Sam confronts was once Madeleine; after that Brahma's murder, Kali takes the role.
Spoiler Warning
The seven chapter summaries below reveal the novel's nonlinear chronology, Sam's identities, the battle of Keenset, the fall of Nirriti, and Kali's final fate.