Carthoris
Prince of Helium and son of John Carter, determined to save Thuvia without compromising her honor.
Thuvia
Princess of Ptarth, politically valuable to her abductors and steadfast in resisting them.
Astok
Prince of Dusar, whose possessiveness drives the kidnapping and the war-producing frame-up.
Kar Komak
An imagined Lotharian bowman who acquires substance and becomes Carthoris's loyal comrade.
Jav
A Lotharian who explains the city's mental creations but later tries to possess Thuvia.
Tario
The unstable jeddak of Lothar and Jav's rival in projected warfare.
Kulan Tith
Jeddak of Kaol and Thuvia's betrothed, whose final generosity prevents a loveless marriage.
Vas Kor and Hal Vas
Dusarian father and son whose infiltration and recruiting operation Carthoris uses to reach Astok.