Kimiko “Kim” Ross
Autodidactic cyborg with a fluid grasp of scientific ethics. As the estranged daughter of world-famous engineer Kaito Kusanagi, Kim once received a massive inheritance, which she promptly squandered on developing ground-breaking technologies that no one cared about. After discovering that addressing the material needs of humanity doesn’t turn a profit, Kim is left penniless and is forced to move to the technocratic Nephilopolis: the City of Giants. While initially crushed by the faceless, capitalistic bureaucracy, Kim soon found out that she was also going to be crushed by the city’s most mysterious inhabitants: the Dark Scientists, who seem to be especially curious about certain images Kim keeps seeing in her own dreams…
Xiaoling “Ling” Chavez
Left-wing terrorist and Kim’s Very Good Friend ™, Xiaoling was raised as a professional combatant in the cyborg battle arena before it was banned. Taking up the cause for cyborg rights, she helped form the Mezzode Liberation Front, a militant group that committed various crimes in Nephilopolis until it was revealed they had been infiltrated by the police. After finding out how deep the city’s conspiracies truly go, Ling has taken up with Kim to help unravel the mystery of Dark Science.
Yvonne “Vonnie” Awning
Kim’s only friend from Back Home, Vonnie certainly seems to have changed after living in Nephilopolis. A former analytical clerk for the Department of Taste, Vonnie knows every facet of Nephilopolis’s bureaucracy, and initially takes Kim under her wing. After a series of Unfortunate Decisions, Vonnie is forced to accept that she may be the only one in this city who takes her job seriously. Perpetually fashionable. Perpetually social. Perpetually on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
The Asmodea Harthrows
In truly decadent fashion, the glamorous face of the Department of Distraction, Asmodea Harthrow, is actually portrayed by three people. Or possibly one person in three different locations at once. It’s very complicated. What matters is they all know close-up magic.
- “The Talky One” – generally well-tempered. Currently teaming up with Vonnie for deranged reasons
- “The Stabby One” – ill-tempered and impatient. Not to be trifled with
- Elith Heksen – nonbinary martial arts nerd and one of Kim’s closest allies
Matthias Melchior
As an agent of the Department of Opposition, Melchior was the embodiment of Professional Villain, dedicating every waking moment to creative antagonism. Now for various convoluted reasons he’s a little head in a glass ball, and is being forced to work for Kim, reluctantly guiding her through the bureaucratic nightmare of Nephilopolis.
Morningstar the Lightbringer
The ancient leader of the Aligeri, or “Dark Scientists” as they’re known in Nephilopolis. The true scope and power of the Morningstar are unknown, but the interest in Kim Ross is undeniable. Few gaze upon the eternal Morningstar, and even fewer live to speak of it.
Leviathan the Serpent
The self-proclaimed “right hand” of the Morningstar, Leviathan is brash, reckless, and ferociously committed to proving that this Kim Ross isn’t worth the attention of the Aligeri. Able to travel to places inaccessible to other Dark Scientists, which often seems to lead to complications.
Volo the Gambler
An unusual two-in-one Dark Scientist, Volo’s knowledge is split between two bodies and minds that share a single source. Chaotic and theatrical, Volo possesses a unique control of dimensional tapestries, toying with probabilities and human perception itself.
Marquis the Conqueror
A ruthless warrior that has never known defeat, the Marquis is a master of ancient combat, channeled through his unusual sword, which seems to be able to cut through both matter and concepts. While the other Dark Scientists may occasionally work together, the Marqius operates alone, eternally guarding the walls of Nephilopolis.
Gulae the Devourer
Each Dark Scientist is never allowed to reveal their mortal identity under penalty of erasure. That is, of course, except for Gulae the Devourer. Known in the city as Marcus Antonius Claudius Dardanelles Belphegor, Gulae operates as the recruiting arm of the Aligeri, finding and vetting replacement Dark Scientists upon erasure. A master of thermodynamics itself, Gulae is immensely powerful, though his greatest talents lie in persuasion.
Fortuna the Broker
Logician and legalist of the Aligeri, Fortuna manages the delicate relationship between mortal scientists and their shadowy counterparts. Commanding space and gravity with a disturbing level of ease, Fortuna may well be the most powerful of all, but is largely disinterested in the theatrics of violence.
Somno the Dreamer
Not much is known of Somno beyond his peculiar relationship with the passage of time. A being of few words, he may know more than he lets on, or somehow less than anyone could imagine.
Azra-El Memita
An ancient warrior Kim sees in her dreams, Azra-El was known as “The Giantslayer,” and is evidently the leader of a forgotten conflict 6,000 years ago only now called “The Old War,” where humanity waged war against invaders known as the Nephilim. The body of one of these slain giants, Mim, comprises the island that makes up Nephilopolis, though modern people don’t believe such fairy tales.
Balthazar Bogan and Radnar
Former Archaeology professor, current Dean of Inquisition and perpetual snitch, Balthazar Bogan uncovered a massive conspiracy that involved undermining all scientific research in Nephilopolis and immediately went about trying to advance his own career. Balthazar has an immense for playing all sides at once while simultaneously getting nothing in return. And Radnar is Radnar.
Kaito Kusanagi
“Founder” of Nephilopolis and “inventor” of many “incredible technologies,” Kaito Kusanagi has, at least for some part of his existence, been portrayed by Kim Yeong-Soo, Kim Ross’s father. When the legendary Kaito Kusanagi was pronounced dead, this naturally complicated the nature of Mr. Kim’s existence.
Amon Harthrow
Commissioner of the Department of Congruity until it was incinerated, Amon Harthrow is an enthusiastic wielder of executive power, as the distinction between a police force and an occupying army is largely academic. he currently serves in an unspecified role under Nephilopolis’s new police force, the Department of Moderation.
Moloch
The Department of Moderation is a kinder, gentler police force. Gone are the days of random brutalization and extrajudicial executions, replaced by well-documented brutalization and extrajudicial executions with a smile. Moloch is dedicated to the fair and balanced discussion of conflicting viewpoints down the barrel of a gun.
Father Abaddon
Head of The Church of the Empty Inbox, a religion that may or may not worship Kaito Kusanagi, or possibly the giant Mim itself, or possibly neither of these things, it’s really up to you, the voter. What matters is Father Abaddon has been drinking. And if you’d seen what he’s seen, you’d drink too.
Enoch
One of only three survivors of the Department of Congruity’s incineration, the camera-headed Enoch is a lowly scrub who’s just trying to make ends meet. Maybe that means being a cop. Surely being a cop can’t be that bad. He just has to pay off his student loans, then he can get his head back. Definitely!
Nod
Self-described intellectual and Enoch’s longtime coworker, Nod isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, like “do people’s limbs grow back.” Ostensibly a police officer, Nod spends the majority of his time playing makeshift games and reading conspiracy websites. A true modern sage.
Aurem Stolas
Head of the Department of Quantification, the arbiter of all objective value in Nephilopolis, Stolas’s wealth is matched only by his fortune. His beauty and alleged magnetism landed him an engagement to Asmodea Harthrow (by fan vote), a profitable romantic arrangement Stolas will not easily abandon. While some might accuse the ambitious young upstart of purchasing one of the most powerful positions in the city, they’ve found that silence to be far more lucrative.