The regulars in Uncle Penne's orbit.
Little Italy's formidable trattoria matriarch and Uncle Penne's oldest friend. She feeds him, scolds him, and fact-checks his stories in real time — usually mid-sentence, always correctly. He adores her. She tolerates him, which in Nonna terms is a declaration of love.
A 13-year-old rigatoni and Uncle Penne's self-appointed expedition assistant. Ricky believes every word of the stories, which makes him both Penne's favorite audience and Nonna's biggest worry. Penne has promised to take him on a real expedition "when he's older, and the map is ready, and Nonna says yes." None of these conditions have yet been met simultaneously.
Retired sailor of the Marinara River, owner of the leakiest boat in Pastalia. He and Penne compete annually for the title of Biggest Tale Told at the winter lantern festival. The Captain is winning, which Penne disputes, which is itself a story.
Al Dente's long-suffering mayor, who has banned Uncle Penne from three official ceremonies and then personally invited him to all three. "The children expect him," she sighs.