Keep Calm and Soldier On!

Birthday: Dec. 26, 1368

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Grey, White

Room: 102

Magical Status: Innate

Major Arcana: The Tin Soldier (The Fool)

Minor Arcana:  6 of Hearts (Forgiveness)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Green, sense of humor, silver patch and gold metal eye

Mordecai’s child. Due to an accident, has difficulty speaking, flips his letters around, and gets random updates from the gods. Cheerful demeanor totally unwarranted by his experiences.

Birthday: Mar. 30, 1319

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, White

Room: 102

Magical Status: Innate

Major Arcana: The Musician (The Emperor)

Minor Arcana: 9 of Hearts (Substitution)

Temperament: Melancholic

Features: Red, smallish, three piece suits w/ tie

Erik’s uncle. Reformed manipulative bastard and participant in two wars, one of which he started. Severe emotional issues and curdled idealism hiding under a thin layer of sarcasm.

Birthday: Sep. 1, 1330

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Blue, Blonde

Room: 203

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Medic (The Empress)

Minor Arcana:  5 of Diamonds (Abandonment)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Goggles, cheap shoes, needs conditioner

Practicing ex-medic, virtuoso metalworker and compulsive fixer-of-things. Dumped in the custody of a bipolar drag queen after a childhood head injury. Prone to blaming her brain damage and ignoring her emotional damage.

Birthday: May 24, 1353

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Red

Room: 201

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Engineer (The Tower)

Minor Arcana: Ace of Spades (Failure)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Glasses, suspenders, doesn’t talk

Makes cheap watches on an assembly line, part-time. Likes pretty dresses and shoes, when in a dress he changes into a completely different person: Ann. Gets himself across with preprinted cards, gestures, and quick drawings.

Birthday: Jul. 1368-Feb. 1369

Gender, Pronouns: M, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown/Red

Room: 201

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Singer (The Star)

Minor Arcana:  Queen of Hearts (Adoration)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Frilly dresses, pretty shoes

Sings at the Black Orchid, a drag club, part-time. Essentially Milo in a dress, but more than the sum of her parts — a reflection of  what he is, and what he is not. Everyone is her “dear friend.”

Birthday: Jul. 3, 1300

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Grey, White

Room: Attic

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Seer (The Hierophant)

Minor Arcana: 7 of Diamonds (Focus)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Messy hair, robe and slippers, hates you

An ex-state augur who is no longer capable of controlling what he sees or when he sees it. Hides in the attic with his papers, dispenses strange portents, and hates Hyacinth the least.

Birthday: Oct. 31, 1354

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Black

Room: 103

Magical Status: None

Major Arcana: The Artist (The Magician)

Minor Arcana:  Ace of Clubs (Inspiration)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Reading glasses, freckles, paint stains, black trousers

An artist who got herself fired from her commercial job for deciding to give single-motherhood a try. Knows she’s weird and seems to have made her peace with it. Has a vendetta against a cartoon ant, among other things.

Birthday: Oct. 9, 1376

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Brown

Room: 103

Magical Status: None/Learned (by the end)

Major Arcana: The Baby (The Sun)

Temperament: She’s a baby. Give her some time.

Features: Tiny, pigtails, has a spider mecha

A pretty chill baby. Calliope is ‘Mama’ and Milo is ‘Da.’ Her highchair/pram is a spider mecha because the kitchen is too small. (This is Milo’s logic, he built it. It sticks to walls.)

Birthday: Sep. 10, 1381

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Room: Attic

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Designer (alternate for the Moon)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Just a brief cameo, in accordance with the prophecy. Has red hair, is shy, and likes big words and princesses.

Birthday: Jun. 17, 1366

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Brown

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Strength)

Minor Arcana: King of Spades (Confidence)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Braids, dark blue dresses, turns into a magpie

Spends most of her time upstairs with her mother, learning complicated magic and the art of warfare. Has her father’s sense of humor and her mother’s skill, which gets her into a lot of trouble.

Birthday: Jan. 23, 1338

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Brown

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The General (The Chariot)

Minor Arcana:  2 of Spades (Decision)

Temperament: Melancholic

Features: Heavyset, military bearing, turns into a golden eagle

One part cold logic, one part idealism, and two parts sheer stubbornness. Her military records are incorrect, so she sets her pension cheques on fire every month. She is Maggie’s primary caregiver and teacher.

Birthday: Dec. 17 1336

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown/None

Room: 202, sometimes

Magical Status: None

Major Arcana: The Sailor (The Hermit)

Minor Arcana: 6 of Spades (Trade)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Big and tall, stretched earlobes, gold tattoos

Captains a small, fast vessel repurposed for trade after the war. Is not often home. Miraculously able to reconcile his freewheeling personality and sense of humor with the General’s stiffness. Has a strong marriage in spite or because of his frequent absence.

Birthday: One assumes?

Gender, Pronouns: Probably

Eyes, Hair: Maybe 

Magical Status: Unknown

Major Arcana: TBA

Minor Arcana: TBA

Temperament: Unknown

Features: Eats three meals a day, is quiet, has not eaten any people that we are aware of.

Even Erik and Barnaby can’t seem to figure out what it is. Hyacinth usually feeds it. When Mordecai attempts to do so, he breaks dishes, but nobody can ever recall hearing him scream.

Age (Year 1-3): 11-13

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Blue, Blond

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Urchin (The Devil)

Minor Arcana: 7 of Spades (Pragmatism)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Red bow tie, chequered driving cap

Can be found looking for food and fun on the streets at all hours, with no supervision or family. Teaches Maggie (and sometimes Erik) petty larceny in exchange for magic lessons. Always hungry. Full name: Anthony Rinaldi

Age (Year 1-3): 36-38

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Grey/White

Magical Status: Innate

Major Arcana: The Teacher (Temperance)

Minor Arcana: 7 of Hearts (Acceptance)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Blue, tall, thin, plaid sport coat with elbow patches

Strawberryfield’s answer to Mr. Rogers. Lives and teaches school under a bridge in Cinders Alley. Make frequent police reports and home visits. If you mess with him, the neighborhood children will get you.

Names: Ted (36-39/M), Maria (33-35/F), Bethany(4-6/F), and Pablo (0-1/M)

Temperament: Resilient and weirdness-averse

Features: Ted – Yellow with gray overalls. Maria – orange with hoop earrings. Bethany – Pink with long curly hair. Pablo – Red with sailor suit.

Bethany is the only coloured child Erik’s age within walking distance. She can be a bit aggressive and he probably wouldn’t play with her very much otherwise.

Age (Year 1-3): 32-34

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, White

Magical Status: Innate

Temperament: Phlegmatc

Features: Pink, gold mergers in palm of right hand, wishes Hyacinth would stop stealing his calendars

Owns the dry-cleaner’s and rents one of the apartments above to the Toussaints. Third-generation Xinese immigrant who is terrified of his grandmother’s cooking.

Age (Year 1-3): 21-23

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: Joker

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Purple, short, loud plaid clothes

Second generation Iroquoi immigrant and ex-starcatcher. Runs a greengrocer’s with his adoptive identical twin brother. Fields a lot of awkward questions due to being colored AND black. Full name: Frederick Moon-Raven Halsey of Coyote Clan.

Age (Year 1-3): 24-26

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown/White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: Joker

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Yellow, tall, loud plaid clothes

Ex-starcatcher, ‘kidnapped’ and adopted by a colored family living outside the city during the siege. Helps run a greengrocer’s selling his family’s produce. Pretends to be an identical twin. Full name: Georges Rat-with-Wings Bellamy of Coyote Clan.

Names: Cornflakes (Sarah), Kelly, Edie, Joe, Charlie, Josette, Emily, Henri, Petey, etc.

Temperament: Pragmatic and resourceful

Features: Dirty clothes, few safe places to sleep

Many can take care of themselves on an individual basis, but their group situation is filthy, neglectful and dangerous. A lucky few have homes and families. Seth and the street school provide an imperfect alternative, but better than a workhouse or jail.

Age (Year 1-3): 16-18

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Black

Magical Status: None

Major Arcana: The Paint Man (The Hanged Man)

Minor Arcana: 9 of Spades (Guilt)

Temperament: Melancholic

Features: Big dark eyes, embroidered shirt collars, lost expression

Technically owns a convenience store but his mother, Gita, runs it. Has a younger brother and sister, Tommy and Jenny, and a dog, Argos. Is trying very hard to make amends after he and another boy, Eddie, hurt Erik.

Age (Year 1-3): 25-27

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Sandy Brown

Magical Status: None

Minor Arcana: Ace of Hearts (The Murderer Actor)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Nice suits, dented top hat, beauty mark under left eye

Actor who gets regular supporting (and occasional starring) roles at the Slaughterhouse, San Rosille’s answer to the Grand Guignol. Made friends with Ann and Milo after Ann landed a role in a play. Kind, but a bit vain and flighty.

Age (Year 1-3): 25-28

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Green, White

Magical Status: Innate

Major Arcana: The Silver Swan (The Wheel of Fortune)

Minor Arcana: 8 of Spades (The Dancer)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Dark pink, cherry barrette with rhinestones, endless supply of cotton candy pink wigs

Works as a dancer at the Black Orchid, friends with Ann and Milo. Must dress as a man for her housing and other job. Tends to be abrasive, overdramatic and overdefensive, and has difficulty maintaining her relationships. When dressed as a man, goes by ‘Charlie.’

Age (Year 1-3): 41-43

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Blue, White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: Ace of Diamonds (The Materialist)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Yellow, nice hair, runs towards screaming

Ex-medic and competent self-taught material-worker. No credentials, no pension, and no job prospects outside unskilled labor like dishwashing. Met Hyacinth because her house was the nearest magic storm shelter.

Age (Year 1-3): 33-35

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Grey, Blonde

Magical Status: Learned

Minor Arcana: 10 of Spades (The Broken Sword)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Bad teeth, right arm made of white marble (later metal composite) and carried in a sling

Caught a bomb meant for the General and sustained injuries which make her life very difficult. Often homeless, but too proud to accept much charity. Later makes friends with Lola through Ann, Milo and the General.

Age (Year 1-3): 18-20

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Blue, White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: 4 of Diamonds (The Beggar)

Temperament: Phlegmatic

Features: Blue, fake glasses, low self-esteem

Calliope’s ex and Lucy’s biological dad, but more of a friend/babysitter to both of them now. Does large art installations but has a tiny personality, except during magic season. Typical starving artist who only works to afford studio space and supplies. Calls Calliope “Mars” from her middle name, Marshmallow

Age (Year 1-3): 59-61 & 62-64

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Blue/Brown & Brown/Black

Magical Status: None

Minor Arcana: 2 of Cups (Partnership)

Temperament: Sanguine & Choleric

Features: Cute couple, more kindness than business sense

Own and run the Black Orchid, but spending more time playing with their new grandson these days. Their son Harry minds the club four days a week.

Age (Year 1-3): 37-39

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: Jack of Diamonds (The Technician)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Orange, reads magical notation, playfully unhelpful until there’s a real emergency

Sanaam’s favorite first mate, a legacy from the war like Sanaam’s favorite boat. Also functions as Maggie’s Boat Mom. Volunteered his skills and has very little military training or discipline. His attention to detail and technical ability are an asset. Always calls Sanaam ‘Cap.’

Age (Year 1-3): 26-29

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: 8 of Clubs (The Innovator)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Blue, short, tap shoes, thinks he’s funny

A dancer at the Black Orchid. Often paired with Cerise because they’re both very good and look cute together. They despise each other.

Age (Year 1-3): 23-25

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Blonde

Magical Status: Learned

Minor Arcana: Jack of Diamonds (The Modifier)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Glass left eye, metal left arm, gloves for formal and casual wear

Met Ann at the Black Orchid’s bar. An ex-starcatcher, had an accident during the siege which ended her career. Now does metalwork and custom mods.

Age (Year 3): 30

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Brown

Magical Status: Learned

Minor Arcana: Two of Diamonds (The Handyman)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Agile, slightly under four feet tall, surrounded by lights and electrical cords, refrains from strangling the “talent” solely due to a sincere love of horror fiction.

The Slaughterhouse’s new electrical guy, hired sometime after Ann’s performance and before Milo’s. Both acting and actor-averse, but happy to play around with anything technical.

Age (Year 1-3): 18-20

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Black

Magical Status: None

Minor Arcana: The Lunatic (The Moon)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Looks a lot like Calliope, but he has a hat

Calliope’s favourite little brother, considered the weird one in the family. Often a drifter with no real address. His middle name is Circus Peanut.

Names: Steven (58/M), Rinswell (56/F), Thalia (33/F), Melpomene (33/M), Urania (31/F), Clio (29/F), Erato (27/M), Terpsicore (25/F), Polyhymnia(25/F), Calliope (23/F), Euterpe(20/M), and Hikaru “Raquel” Fujita (78/M)

Temperament: Single-minded, self-confident and weird

Features: Dark hair (except for Steven), interesting middle names (except for Raquel) and interesting jobs

One flew South, one flew West, and Euterpe flew over the cuckoo’s nest. Terpsichore is the Jack of Spades (The Scientist). Polyhymnia is the Jack of Hearts (The Humanist).

Age (Year 1-3): 36-38

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, Black

Magical Status: None

Minor Arcana: 7 of Clubs (Perseverance)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Long dark hair worn in a coiled braid, large pistol

An enlisted soldier assigned to Sanaam’s boat during the war. Still sends a card on Yule.

Deceased: 1368, Age 19

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Grey, White

Magical Status: Innate

Major Arcana: The Driven (Justice)

Minor Arcana: 9 of Clubs (The Paladin)

Temperament: Choleric

Features: Pure white, sense of humor, bloodstained uniform with a single smear of gold paint.

Erik’s mother, died shortly after he was born. Called gods to help hold the wall during the siege, was quite good at it. Mordecai looked after her in particular, she asked him to take care of Erik.

Deceased: 1371, Age 52

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Green, White

Magical Status: Innate

Major Arcana: The Monster (The High Priestess)

Minor Arcana: King of Hearts (Faith)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Blue, faith in humanity, Our First Colored Prime Minister

Stayed in San Rosille during the siege and volunteered to help hold the wall. Seems to have had a relationship with Mordecai.

Deceased: 1351, Age 49(?)

Gender, Pronouns: M, he/him

Eyes, Hair: Green, Black

Magical Status: Learned

Major Arcana: The Firebird (Death)

Minor Arcana: 3 of Spades (Endurance)

Temperament: Deeply Unstable

Features: Long hair, striped trousers, blown pupil in right eye

Hyacinth’s guardian. Saved her life when she was injured, then took her to live with him when her parents were displeased with the results. Not a particularly kind or stable personage, but a brilliant metalworker who taught Hyacinth his skill. Sometimes wore dresses, among other idiosyncrasies. Had a long and mutually destructive relationship with Barnaby, whom he called “Gray.” He called Hyacinth “Alice.”

Lost: 1367, Age 34

Gender, Pronouns: F, she/her

Eyes, Hair: Brown, White

Magical Status: Innate

Minor Arcana: 5 of Hearts (The Road Not Taken)

Temperament: Sanguine

Features: Dark blue, knotted yellow bandana with red flowers, sense of humor, Screamin Jay Hawkins cylinders

Partnered with Hyacinth during the war and often called Auntie Enora to help. Maybe the only woman who ever really loved Hyacinth. Hyacinth deserted the army to get away from her.

Lost: 1368

Names: Janice, Jim, Jimmy, Linda, Kurt, etc.

Temperament: Fun-loving and fatalistic

Features: Blue uniforms, low ranks

Young soldiers who went with Mordecai on supply runs during the siege. Undoubtedly all dead before age 27. Jim or Jimmy may have been Erik’s biological father. Jim and Janice died with Alba and Mordecai at the hotel.

Lost: 1371

Names: Gregory, Bill, Natasha, Babbette, etc.

Temperament: Determined and willing to help

Features: Hungry, sick and injured, dirty clothes

Gregory was colored and in a relationship with Bill. Natasha and Hyacinth fooled around, but nothing serious. Babbette was an old woman who helped take care of Erik and did not survive the siege. Those who did survive certainly can’t be blamed for fleeing the city and abandoning Hyacinth yet again.