Considering the large cast in Final Fantasy XI (a couple of starting points: this list for a brief starting point that is still pretty huge, and this list if you want the full cast), it might be prudent to split this by the nations of the characters — but not before covering an important character below.
- The Adventurer
- The Republic of Bastok
- The Kingdom of San d'Oria
- The Federation of Windurst
- The Grand Duchy of Jueno
- The Marquisate of Tavnazia
- The Empire of Aht Urhgan
- The Sacred City of Adoulin
- The Ulbuka Wilderness
- Other Locations and Independent Characters
- Beastmen
- Deities, Avatars, and Immortal Entities
- Jobs