Tom Natsworthy
Tom Natsworthy, 15, is an apprentice at the London Museum of History. He is strong and fearless, frequently taking risks to protect others he cares about. He is devoted to London, but he is also open-minded and eager to hear the opposing viewpoint. Tom is willing to make difficult choices, such as collaborating with Hester Shaw and the Anti-Traction League to preserve the static cities from London's attack.
Tom also exhibits a strong sense of morality, even when it contradicts his interests, such as when he refuses to use a stranded airship to flee the Anti-Traction League. He is also a devoted friend who is willing to put himself in danger to defend Hester and Katherine. He is a natural leader, leading the charge against MEDUSA and inspiring his friends to join him in his mission.
Guild of Engineers
The Guild of Engineers is a shadowy, powerful organization in Mortal Engines. Engineers handle the city's technology and are the only ones who understand how it works. They are a secretive group that operates behind the scenes and is rarely seen, but they are believed to have a great impact on city officials. Engineers are motivated by a desire to expand their expertise and understanding of technology to produce formidable weapons and tools. MEDUSA and the Stalkers are two examples of such weaponry.
The engineers are also in charge of developing new technologies, like airships, which the characters employ throughout the novel. The Engineers wield enormous power, as evidenced by the mayor of London's willingness to allow the Engineers to test MEDUSA although it might potentially murder many innocent people. The Guild of Engineers is a formidable force in Mortal Engines, demonstrating the value of technology and intellect in their dystopian future.
Thaddeus Valentine
Thaddeus Valentine is portrayed as a charismatic and ambitious leader determined to make London the most powerful traction metropolis in the world. He is portrayed as a man of action, ready to take risks and take command of circumstances when necessary. He is willing to go to any length for the sake of London, even if it involves lying, manipulating, and killing to achieve his goals. He is a master of disguise and deception, and he uses his persuasion skills to recruit people to his cause.
Thaddeus is also a passionate guy, greatly adoring his daughter Katherine and mourning her death when it occurs. He is a dual-personality character whose actions frequently reflect his wants.
Hester Shaw
She is driven to avenge her parents, who were slain by the novel's major antagonist, Thaddeus Valentine. Despite her rough and traumatic upbringing, she is tenacious and never gives up. She is a courageous and resourceful character who employs her courage and intelligence to help her achieve her objectives. For example, when she and Tom are pursued by a Stalker, Hester devises an escape strategy and outwits and outruns it. She is also a superb warrior, having defeated Thaddeus Valentine in a sword fight.
Hester is also a sharp observer, capable of deducing the truth behind Valentine's malicious intentions. Despite her harsh and tough exterior, Hester is also a kind-hearted person who is willing to help and protect others, such as when she shields Tom from a bullet during their battle against Valentine.
Katherine Valentine
Katherine Valentine is the daughter of Thaddeus Valentine, the head of the London Guild of Historians. She is courageous and resolute, willing to go to any length to safeguard her family and the city she adores. Despite her father's shortcomings and questionable actions, she remains devoted to him. Katherine is courageous enough to stand up for what she believes in, even if it means going against her father and the city of London.
Katherine is also prepared to take chances and make difficult choices, such as choosing to defend Hester Shaw above her father and sacrificing her life to save Hester and Tom. Katherine is a strong-willed and brave character, and her actions reflect this.
Stalker
Stalker is a resurrected robot from the Sixty Minute War. Its goal is to track down and 'hunt' down people. Stalker is a persistent and cruel machine that is trained to find its target at any cost or danger. It is willing to travel through any terrain and will not stop until it has reached its destination. It can also attack with its weaponry and can be highly lethal to those who get in its way.
Stalker's tenacity is demonstrated by the fact that when it was deployed to pursue Tom and Hester, it continued to track them even after they had evaded its grasp several times. It ultimately tracked them down and attacked, only to be defeated by Tom and Hester. This showcases Stalker's unwavering commitment to fulfilling its mission, no matter the cost.
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is a tyrant who wants to unleash the ancient weapon MEDUSA to take over Anti-Traction League communities, giving London access to vital resources. He is power-hungry and vicious, eager to go to any length to attain his objectives. He is a firm believer in London's power, thinking it to be the greatest city in the world and prepared to go to any length to safeguard it.
The mayor is also a superb manipulator, wielding power and influence to control people around him. He is frequently perceived as cold and calculating, rarely displaying emotion. He is willing to sacrifice anybody and everything to achieve his aims, including his daughter. The Mayor of London is a prime example of the power of a corrupt leader, and his actions drive much of the plot of the novel.
Guild of Historians
The Guild of Historians is a collection of experts and scholars-in-training who examine the world's past and present. They are committed to preserving history and comprehending how the past has impacted the present. They are in charge of the London Museum of History, where they give seminars and conduct research on the world's history since the Sixty Minute War.
The Guild also serves as a source of knowledge for the government, assisting in shaping the city's political policies. Thaddeus Valentine leads them, and his aims for the Guild are not always in the best interests of the people. Valentine utilizes the Guild for his gain throughout the novel.
Anti-Traction League
The Anti-Traction League is a coalition of static cities that have teamed together to oppose Europe's movable cities, also known as traction cities. Shrike, a former stalker, and Pandora, a former Londoner, lead the League. The League opposes the use of the MEDUSA weapon as well as the environmental devastation produced by traction cities. They are willing to use violence to safeguard their way of life and the natural world when required, but they are nevertheless guided by a strong sense of justice and morality.
The league are devoted and courageous, willing to put themselves in harm's way for the greater good and the protection of the innocent. They appreciate cooperation, knowledge, and understanding, and they work to promote peace in the world.
Pirates
Pirates are nomadic bands of criminals and scavengers who are fiercely autonomous and move on land and sea. They are willing to go to any length to obtain what they desire, including invading cities and towns. They have a reputation for being untrustworthy, and the powerful frequently recruit them to do their dirty deeds. Examples are the pirates who assault London and the scavengers whom Tom and Hester meet on their voyage.
