Nancy Schaal Bancroft (known by her middle name, Schaal) is the daughter of the Incarnate soldier John William Bancroft. She attempts to avenge his death by tracking down his murderer and former platoon captain, Hank, who has been hunting the "beasts" he once led. Ultimately, Schaal decides to travel with Hank in order to discover the truth behind her father's demise and why Hank believes the Incarnates are better off killed by a Beast Hunter.

Schaal was raised at her father's orphanage where she learned to mend clothes for the other children there. She cherishes her tea time (traveling with a china set in her suitcase), as well as her father's old elephant gun. She strongly believes in the humanity of the former Incarnate soldiers, who are feared and looked down upon after the civil war.