I don't know how to describe and create them though, through actions,
words, or through description.

It is interesting that you are stuck at all levels on this. It sounds as if you are just thinking out loud.

I believe I may have a way forward for you.

Set Up Some Conflict, Let Characters Live, Watch & Record

1. Move Away From Generalities Toward Specifics

It is possible that you are thinking too much about generalities and what you really need are some specifics.

How do you do that?

2. Brainstorm Some Conflicts

First think of some conflicts that the character can be placed into. They must be something outside of themselves, not just the characters sitting there worrying (which is often just the author worrying about what to write).

Here's a list of conflicts to try:

Protagonist needs something that Antagonist does not want to lose. For example, your character may need a match to start a fire to cook his meal but the antagonist is the only one who has the matches. What happens? Write it out.
Protagonist needs something that is difficult to obtain from natural resource. For example, your character needs to get a herb that only grows at the top of a mountain which will relieve the pain of someone she loves.
Protagonist has to prove his value to the community. He has been lazy and considered unintelligent, but now the warriors are away and the community is attacked. If he doesn't do something people he loves will be hurt.

3. First, Imagine The Entire Scene

First, sit comfortably somewhere and imagine one of these scenes playing out. See your character talking to people. See what your character does. Imagine specifics. Imagine what your character feels like. Is she sad but energized by anger towards protagonists? Is she smart? What does she do?
Do not skip this. You cannot write it until you see it playing out on the movie-screen of your mind. See it vividly and only then take the next step.

4. Write Out The Scene

Write out what you saw. Write the specific actions. Don't write a lot about how the character feels. Instead think of it as a movie and attempt to show the character doing things. Write down the things that will give the reader clues as to how the character feels. Yes, later you can add the feelings part. But first see if you can communicate how the character feels by what she does.

IRL - Keep It Real

That's actually how you learn about people IRL (In Real Life) because most people don't go around saying, "I feel sad right now", "I feel bitter right now". Normally you see someone cry or with a sad face and you know. You see someone grimacing and you know what is going on. Do that in your writing so it is interesting.

Question Yourself

If you do not do the exercise because it seems difficult.
It is because of one of two reasons:

You don't really want to write.
You don't want to write this story (it bores you or it doesn't seem good)

Just some things to think about and a way into your writing.
Keep on writing, keep on learning.

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