She fiercely protects human autonomy, physically overpowering her challengers. Despite trying to mediate between the Oankali and humans, she faces deep suspicion from her own people, is ambushed by Curt, loses Joseph, and ultimately strips naked on a battlefield to help heal a severely wounded Nikanj.

An Oankali male who first introduces Lilith to the reality of the ship, their genetic trading, and her mission. He patiently helps her overcome her xenophobia.

It drugs and calms Joseph, converses deeply with Lilith about human nature and the training floor, shares a profound emotional burst of grief over Joseph's death, and suffers a brutal dismemberment of its sensory arm during the camp skirmish.

It skillfully handles Tate and Gabriel without drugs, later drugs Curt and Gabriel in the battle, and instructs Lilith to strip naked to heal Nikanj's severed arm.

Jdahya's female mate who speaks to Lilith in broken English about her preferences between Jdahya, Kahguyaht, and Nikanj.

A survivor from Denver who was awakened by the Oankali at age fourteen and has decided to stay with them rather than return to Earth.

A human child with an eidetic memory whom Lilith spent time teaching previously.

Lilith's husband who died from brain damage after a car accident before the war.

Lilith's son who was killed in a car accident before the war.

A human whom Lilith attempts to find by wandering into the Tiej area of the ship.

Sister of Dichaan; a large Oankali female who helps carry Nikanj during its metamorphosis.

Brother to Ahajas; promises to adjust the walls of their home so Lilith can open them.

A highly controlled and formidable man who calmly promised to kill his captors, making Lilith wary to awaken him early.

A quiet, patient, and intensely stubborn woman who initially attacks Lilith upon awakening but proves to be hardworking and unshakeable.

He defends Lilith's actions but remains fearful of the Oankali's influence. He eventually joins the escapees to explore the environment, goes missing after the ambush, and is implied by Nikanj to have been killed.

A woman who panicked in isolation and broke her own arms trying to escape her cage.

He forcefully demands male-female pairing, eventually escaping the settlement with Celene. He later ambushes Lilith, hitting her with a machete, and fights the Oankali with an ax at his rebel camp.

A 23-year-old former nature photographer from Australia.

She befriends Lilith but distrusts the aliens. She tentatively accepts Kahguyaht's touch, later secretly informing Lilith of the group's plan to escape into the forest.

A fearful woman who becomes highly dependent on Curt for protection immediately upon awakening.

Suspicious of Lilith's relationship with the Oankali, he orchestrates the group's departure to explore the forest. In the final battle, he tries to kill Nikanj with an ax but is drugged by Kahguyaht.

A woman who avoids the men sexually but participates in discussions and adopts Joseph's learn-and-run mentality.

A large woman who violently attacks Lilith over the meatless diet and is effortlessly knocked unconscious by Lilith.

He capitalizes on Derrick's disappearance to rally a faction against Lilith, but his arm is broken by Lilith when he tries to force Allison to pair up. Joseph later mentions he died human.

She violently refuses to be forced into pairing with Gregory by Peter's faction, later joining the escape group and directly confronting Lilith about whether they are still on a ship.