Darius Dark is actually an inmate in a mental asylum who's crafted a fantasy world in his head, interweaving aspects from real life. He has seen the apparition of a clown (Mister Giggles) since childhood, but no-one else sees "him". Therefore, Mister Giggles was the reason for his initial admission: Darius views "him" as a friend, but drawings and descriptions of "him" that he shares are terrifying to others, which Darius doesn't understand.
Elissandre Deville is a nurse, who wears a face veil and hat for hygiene reasons, and long clothes to help prevent being bitten and scratched by inmates as she has in the past. Darius perceives these hidden wounds as tattoos.
Samson O'Toole is an orderly. His only real distinguishing feature is his beard, so Darius imagines it as his talent.
Thumbelisa is a small toy doll from Darius' childhood that is kept with him in his cell. The inmate in the room opposite has a bizarre habit of singing opera at all hours, which Darius overhears. In his confused state, he believes that the doll is alive and singing.
And when he's being examined under bright lights by the doctors, he believes himself to be giving a performance under the carnival spotlight. Since the imaginary world of the Den is being constructed by him, he naturally takes centre stage as the ringleader.
