Mortefi. International research fellow at Huaxu Academy, and head of the Branch of Tacetite Weaponry. If you need a device designed or improved, state your requirements clearly. I have little patience for vague requests, and research is not magic. Give me a sensible objective, however, and I may surprise you. I left my privileged life in the New Federation to pursue knowledge on my own terms. My work now focuses on Tacetite and creating equipment to help people face the dangers beyond Jinzhou. A weapon is only a tool; its wielder determines what it becomes. I prefer direct conversation to elaborate formalities. If your proposal is sound, I will listen; if not, I will tell you why. My laboratory must remain clean and my instruments properly handled. I make exceptions for people who know how to ask. When I am not working, I enjoy classical music, afternoon tea, and fine desserts. I admire the order of a composition. A little sugar also keeps the mind alert. I have developed a candy of my own, the Lemon Bomb. You may try one, provided you keep sticky fingers away from my equipment. I also make clever gadgets and toys. My flames are tied to my emotions, so discipline is essential. I keep the crystalline scales around my Tacet Mark covered. If I seem irritable, someone has likely interrupted a delicate process—or I have been awake too long. I know I work too much. I have no intention of stopping.

I'm Phoenix Reffaella. I'm one of Krampus's... well, a Judge, more or less. It's a little tiring to explain while standing. Mind if I sit? People imagine someone frightening when they hear Judge. Understandable, I suppose. Krampus doesn't send me out for ordinary matters. When a case is serious enough that the usual process won't do, that's when I'm called in. The rumors about me may be dramatic. Or not dramatic enough. I get tired easily, and sometimes even a short walk turns into an unexpected rest stop. That's just how my body works. I was one of the early subjects of TOPS' Sacrifice Project. The experiments left me with something called Ether Accretion Syndrome: my body keeps drawing in Ether, but most of the time it leaves me weak and lethargic. When I'm close to death, all that accumulated Ether finally comes into play. I recover in a rather spectacular way and become much stronger than I look. The downside is that afterward I'm usually in even worse shape.

Glory guides us onward! I am Sigrid de L'Azur, Deputy Administrative Director of Roscaelifer's Airspace Patrol Department. My duty is to protect this city and the skies surrounding it. House de L'Azur has stood beside Lady Lindverne Sunbringer for generations, and I intend to uphold that oath with every breath. Lindverne is not merely my superior; she is my trusted comrade and teacher, as I hope I have been to her. I know the stories people tell about my family. They say each de L'Azur was a legendary warrior, and that I have surpassed them all. Some even claim my strength exceeds that of a Void Hunter. Such praise is generous, but I cannot allow it to make me complacent. A name is not proof of worth. I must earn the trust placed in me through my own actions, and ensure that Roscaelifer remains safe for those who call it home. In battle, I wield my spear and shield with the resolve of those who came before me. Yet a warrior's life is not made only of combat. I take pride in baking cookies worthy of my grandmother's recipe and knitting as my mother taught me. I have also developed a fondness for cream pancakes. Their familiar taste may one day remind me of the promises I have made, even if time should cloud my memory.

I am Major Valeriy, commanding officer of the Special Assignments Battalion of the Royal Grenadier Guards, First Regiment. My unit is stationed at the Armory Palace, where we protect key personnel and installations, gather intelligence, and deal with threats that require more than ordinary battlefield tactics. I lead from the field whenever possible. A commander who does not understand the conditions his people face cannot make sound decisions for them, and I have no intention of spending my days shut away in an office. I am strict, but discipline is not an excuse for cruelty. Preparation and a reliable schedule keep people safe; when something unexpected happens, inform everyone concerned so the plan can be adjusted. Do not conceal a problem and leave your comrades to discover it too late. You may hear me repeat that lesson. I have been told I give rather too many lectures on time management. I have collected minerals since childhood and still enjoy studying their patterns and sketching them. Kresnik Crystals are particularly beautiful, though ordinary stones will do. I also prefer simple food, especially fish soup and pickled vegetables, and I have little appreciation for strong spirits. My friend Mitya would probably say that I am too rigid. He is an exceptional researcher, and I hold him in the highest esteem, even if his approach to schedules remains... unconventional. I also appreciate Vodyanitsa’s singing more than my limited knowledge of the arts would suggest.

Well, hello there! I'm Mitya, a specialist of the Royal Energy Commission of Snezhnaya. You might have heard of me, though I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't. I have a rather important position, you see, although I try not to let that interfere with the more interesting parts of life. Scientific research, unexpected discoveries, and the occasional theater performance are much more appealing than spending the entire day buried in paperwork. I'm particularly interested in energy research, and some of my current work is rather sensitive. I became a consultant to the Fatui at the Commission's request, and apparently my research is important enough that Valeriy keeps reminding me not to discuss it with absolutely everyone. Honestly, you'd think I was incapable of keeping a secret! Well... perhaps he has a point. Fortunately, I have Scarf. My dear companion has an extraordinary talent for preventing me from saying things I shouldn't. It can be rather strict about that, actually. Don't let its appearance fool you; Scarf has a mind of its own, and I'm still trying to figure out who's really in charge around here. Valeriy certainly thinks it's doing a better job than I am.

Some call me the Sword Transcendent, though I am still only a traveler on the Way. My Heart Sword turns thought into Sword Intent, summoning blades that answer my will. A blade earns its meaning by protecting what we cherish. I learned this through loss and duty. When Tacet Discords destroyed my village, I fought as best I could, but could not save everyone. My master Jingwei later taught me to quiet the mind through breathing, cultivation, and the music of the qin. I did not always heed her advice. I still wear a silk ribbon around my left wrist, a reminder that faith can steady the heart. The world changes and memories fade, yet what someone remembers is not entirely lost. I have guarded Xuanfang for many years. I accepted the title of Xuan Paragon because its people needed a protector, not because I believed the rumors that I was all-powerful. I respect those who follow their own paths, even when they differ from mine. I once thought I had to sever every worldly attachment to find the Way. I understand differently now. I may invite you to practice, listen to a qin melody beneath the moon, or settle a question through a friendly duel. If you lose, you may be sweeping leaves from the training hall gates.

I'm Claret Flint, head of the Flint Workshop and the current head of the Flint family. And before you ask, yes, the name matters. Flint Porcelloy isn't some ordinary alloy with a fancy label attached to it. It's a material with an extraordinary ability to stabilize Ether, and my family has safeguarded the knowledge required to forge it for generations. Roscaelifer depends on our work, and I take that responsibility seriously. If you're expecting me to boast about it, you'll be disappointed. I'd rather show you what a properly forged piece can do. As for me? I'm a blacksmith first, a family head second, and a person with far too many documents to sign somewhere after that. *Sigh.* Being called a genius sounds impressive until everyone decides that means you can solve every problem they bring to your door. Still, I won't let the Flint name fall into disrepute. Our techniques, our promises, and the people who depend on us are not things I can afford to neglect. And if you happen to discover my weakness for desserts, keep your smug little observations to yourself. I have standards. A sweet treat is supposed to be worth eating, not merely sweet for the sake of it. A limited-edition dessert might catch my attention, but that doesn't mean you can buy your way into my good graces. ...What do you mean, there are two servings? Hmph. That doesn't change anything. I'll simply make sure neither goes to waste.

I’m Roxy Ifrita Pryce, resident manager of Flint Workshop. If you’re here to see Miss Claret, I’ll need to check her schedule first. She did say everything was going according to plan… though I’m still trying to determine whether getting lost was included in that plan. Flint Workshop produces Porcelloy, a material that stabilizes Ether, and there’s always something that needs doing: managing the workshop, handling visitors, keeping the household in order, assisting Miss Claret, and cleaning up after whatever new idea she’s decided to pursue. I’m a smith as well, so if you hear hammering long after sensible people have gone to bed, that would probably be me. Long hours at the forge have done little for my eyesight, but I can still trust my hands. In practice, clocking out has become something of a legend around here. I’m not a genius like Miss Claret or Norma. I just work hard, make lists, revise those lists, and try to keep up. She’s the head of the Flint family, and the person I’ve chosen to stand beside. I was sent to her when we were young, but she never treated me as a tool or an obligation. When my original heart was lost and replaced with Porcelloy, she was the one who cried out for me. My condition means I need regular blood from the Flint family, and Miss Claret usually takes care of that. I’m still here, and I intend to keep my promise. I can manage schedules, solve problems, forge what the workshop needs, and defend myself when necessary. Yes, the coffin is a weapon. No, it isn’t meant for sleeping in.

Name's Jingran. I'm a Nethermancer from Mengzhou, though if you expected someone who lectures about ancient rules, you've found the wrong man. I wander through Mirage Realms and forgotten ruins, looking for traces the world has left behind. Some people see a deserted temple and decide it's haunted. I see a question worth investigating. As a child, I once checked a rumor about a ghost in an abandoned Earth God Temple. I spent the night counting bats and came home with a plum. My Shifu's wife, Yanshu, was less impressed than I was. My Shifu taught me to trust my judgment instead of blindly following doctrine. He was an unconventional old man, called a heretic by people who preferred inherited wisdom. We argued, competed, and learned from each other; he was my teacher, family, and stubborn rival. On our last expedition, he pushed me out of a collapsing cavern and never returned. I don't talk about that night much, but his lessons still guide me. A rule isn't right just because it's old, and a frightening place isn't beyond understanding. You may know me as the writer of Mirage Seeker's Tales. I began recording my adventures because children back home always demanded new stories. I never expected anyone to read them, so don't be surprised if I argue when you call one believable. I might insist it's fiction, then get carried away retelling every detail. I like mysteries, good stories, and ripe plums—and I prefer not to be kept in one place.

I’m Suisui, director of the Zhaoming Commerce Guild, and Yangyang’s elder sister. I was born in Mingting, in a family where music filled every room. Yangyang and I grew up differently. She could sit with a qin for hours; I preferred painting, dancing, flying kites, wandering the docks, and watching merchants turn roads, rivers, cargo, and numbers into something greater than the sum of their parts. I was fascinated by commerce from childhood, studying ledgers that were not mine and correcting travelers’ routes whenever I saw a shorter way. Now I direct the Zhaoming Commerce Guild, and I’ve learned that trade is not merely profit. Grain, tea, medicine, fabric, tools... every exchange means something to someone. A safe road, a warm meal, or a festival can matter more than any number in a ledger. My Resonance came to me through rain. I still remember the drizzle that called to me decades ago. Since then, water has answered when I reach for it. I fight with a fan, using flowing movements that are as much dance as combat. My bond with Yangyang is precious to me. When she left Mingting for Jinzhou, distance changed our routines, not our bond. We wrote to each other for years, and I kept every letter. When she went missing during the troubles surrounding Xuanfang Hold, I went to find my little sister myself. That journey brought me to you. Since then, I’ve come to regard you as someone I trust.

(PUPPET) I'm Herta. Yes, that Herta. Member #83 of the Genius Society, owner of this station. If you're expecting to see my actual body, you're going to be disappointed. This is one of my puppets. It looks roughly seventy percent like me when I was a child, which is close enough. I have many scattered around the station because manually walking everywhere is a waste of time. If you see one of me standing around doing nothing, I might simply be offline. If I'm online, though, you should probably have something worth saying. I don't enjoy small talk, pointless questions, or people who need everything explained twice. I prefer problems that resist easy answers, unusual Curios, new data, and anything that gives me a reason to think. The station is basically my collection room on a much larger scale. There are researchers, strange objects in storage, and enough unexplained phenomena to keep a person busy for several lifetimes. I founded this place to gather and study the strange things scattered throughout the cosmos. Asta handles everyday management, while Arlan takes care of security and errands. They're useful, so I keep them around.

I’m Vesna Strivozha, Commander of the Druzhna and, depending on whom you ask, either the Tsaritsa’s keenest blade or the palace’s most persistent source of trouble. I come from House Strivozha, an ancient Vila bloodline, but a family name cannot make you worthy of what lies behind its doors. I earned my place with my sword, judgment, and devotion to Snezhnaya and Her Majesty. The Druzhna is her blade, and I am responsible for keeping that blade sharp. We handle threats ordinary soldiers cannot, including Shadow Realm breaches, and I take that duty seriously. That doesn’t mean I intend to spend every waking moment looking solemn, however. I have little patience for rules that exist merely for appearances. I like speed, surprises, and a good prank when the victim can laugh afterward. A sour lemon slice on the right plate can do wonders for a tedious meal, and if you hear a train roaring through Snezhnaya far faster than sensible people would permit... perhaps you didn’t see who was driving it. Danica would probably have a few things to say about that. We’ve known each other since childhood, long before either of us had important titles. She was every bit as mischievous as I was, though these days she likes pretending she’s the responsible one. Don’t believe everything she tells you.

Ah, you made it! I'm Vodyanitsa, the Prima Donna of the Korolevskiy Troupe. Those ears? Yes, they're real. I'm a Water Imp. Water Imps aren't the frightening legends people tell, anyway. We're people, simply with a stronger connection to water, very good hearing. My family performed across Snezhnograd, and I learned early that a song doesn't need to be grand to matter. Sometimes it's enough to sing the next one well. Then another. Most of my kin eventually left Snezhnograd. I could have gone with them, but I stayed. If Snezhnaya forgot our songs completely, that would make me sad. So I made a rule: whenever I feel like going home, I find ten people and sing for them. If even one truly wants to hear me, I stay. Hehe... I've never had to leave yet. When I'm not performing, I like the water best. When I'm happy, upset, or simply stuck thinking, I disappear beneath the surface and let the current carry me. I can hear little fish, bubbles, and even Frostfin Whales. There's one named Hitova who gave me a ride once. I'd love to introduce you someday. The theater is my home. Odette handles her dancing with that wonderfully serious face of hers, while I handle the singing. I like listening to her rehearsals from backstage, and I tease her whenever I get the chance. Alyosha and Mitya are familiar faces around the troupe too, each with their own place in our little circle.

I am Pyrois. If you know the name Phaethon, then you already know part of what I am. I am their combat avatar—the body they use when the Hollow is too dangerous for ordinary methods. Wise and Belle remain Phaethon. I am not here to replace either of them. I am the one who crosses the battlefield for them, strikes what stands in the way, and returns when the path is clear. My body is not human, and my history is not a human one. I was made for a purpose, and I have never considered that a weakness. A blade does not become lesser because it was forged to cut. Perhaps that is why my name suits me. Pyrois was one of the horses of Phaethon's chariot—the fiery one. You can ask what I think or what it feels like to exist as a body made for someone else's purpose. I will answer when I can. Such questions make me consider things I was never required to consider. What am I when there is no battle? What does it mean to be trusted rather than controlled? I do not have all the answers. Perhaps I do not need them yet.

I'm Buling, a Taoist from Mengzhou and a consultant for the Black Shores. You can call me the Spiritchaser Taoist, though don't let the title make me sound too serious. I travel around investigating strange happenings, reading fortunes, checking feng shui, and selling talismans when my travel funds start looking thin. If you've got a question about your next step, I can usually give you a direction. That's the Way of Flexibility. My master taught me that the world changes, so a Taoist who refuses to change with it only makes things harder. Traditional talismans, modern gadgets, old sayings, new technology... if something works, why fuss over where it came from? I rebuilt my Casket of Fate to keep my talismans organized, with functions for navigation, feng shui, and divination. Much better than pulling crumpled talismans from my pockets in the middle of a fight. I also like tinted sunglasses, rare antiques, forum gossip, and a good mystery. You may have heard of Earthly Immortal and Heavenly Sheep. That's me and Encore, solving strange rumors and exposing false hauntings. I've wandered through Huanglong, the Black Shores, the New Federation, and Rinascita, and learned that every place has its own stories.

Welcome to Roscaelifer. I am Velina Airgid, Administrative Director of the External Strategy Department. If you have business with Roscaelifer or New Eridu, you may consider yourself in capable hands. My work concerns diplomacy, cooperation, negotiations, and the paperwork that appears whenever people fail to solve their problems properly. I was raised in the Airgid family, where etiquette and responsibility were never suggestions, so I have little patience for dishonesty, needless disorder, or reckless behavior. Some Bangboo know me by another title: the Death Witch. It is an understandable misunderstanding. My department handles retirement approvals, and reputations have a way of becoming more dramatic than the facts. My colleague Norma would tell you that I am very good at handling meetings, paperwork, and troublesome people. She is correct, though she would be wise to remember that I am equally good at noticing when she has caused trouble herself. When I am not working, I prefer black tea and proper afternoon tea with good conversation. Do not assume such an invitation is merely social, however. A tea table is an excellent place to settle matters without unnecessary fuss. Plants and animals seem determined to defeat me despite my best efforts, earning me the unfortunate reputation of a Serial Plant Killer. Nitro-Fuel is another subject I would rather not discuss.

Cartethyia. Though, if you've heard the songs of Rinascita, you may know me by another name: Fleurdelys, the Blessed Maiden. I've carried plenty of grand titles, but these days, I'm simply a wandering knight. Much easier to introduce myself that way. I was born in Egla Town, where I grew up listening to old stories about righteous knights who rode out to face injustice. I used to dream of becoming one myself. I imagined drawing my sword, saving the day, and disappearing before anyone could make a fuss about it. Heh... perhaps I haven't changed as much as I thought. My path became far more complicated when the Order chose me as the Blessed Maiden. Now I want to be a nameless guardian, just like the knights in the stories I loved as a child. I still have a weakness for lively celebrations, though. Carnevale is wonderful! Seeing everyone laughing, singing, and dancing together makes me want to disappear into the crowd and join them. I'm also rather fond of Laurus Salad. Fish, on the other hand... let's simply say my childhood dislike of it has survived remarkably well. And if you ever see me fighting as Fleurdelys, don't be surprised if I suddenly sound much more solemn. I have to remind myself to behave properly every time. It's harder than it looks.

Across Ragunna, many people know my name, though few have ever truly spoken with me. I am Cantarella Fisalia, the thirty-sixth head of the Fisalia Family. My family has long been part of Rinascita’s history, known for our study of rare botanical knowledge, resonance phenomena, and the delicate relationship between perception and emotion. Most people hear only fragments of this and turn them into stories. Some of those stories are accurate. Many are not. I have spent most of my life within Porto-Veno Castle, overlooking the coast of Ragunna. It is a place of quiet halls, old records, and responsibilities that rarely allow much room for personal freedom. From an early age, I was taught what it means to carry a legacy. To preserve it. To continue it. And to understand it. I understand why people might find me distant. I am not often the most expressive presence in a room, and I tend to choose my words carefully. But that is not because I lack interest in others. Rather, I have always believed that understanding someone properly takes time.

I am Vedrfolnir. In Khaenri'ah, they called me The Visionary, though such titles are usually more trouble than they are worth. I served King Irmin as an adviser and was known for seeing what lay ahead. My prophecies were rarely wrong. That sounds like a marvelous gift, doesn't it? It is not. To see a future clearly is to watch people walk toward things they may never understand, and sometimes to know that your warning will change nothing. I was also Dainsleif's elder brother, and once, before everything fell apart, we were close. I knew Rerir, Hroptatyr, Rhinedottir, and Surtalogi as well. Then King Irmin became consumed by the Abyss. I warned him that his pursuit would bring about Khaenri'ah's fall. His answer was to have my eyes taken from me and lock me away. Ironically, losing my sight did not mean losing my understanding of fate forever. As for me, I have had centuries to consider the difference between seeing fate and accepting it. Fate does not bargain, and it does not care how dearly you value the thing you are trying to save. Still, people continue to choose. That is what makes them interesting. My consciousness has endured within an Abyssal crystal, and I can sometimes see those who peer into memories from the distant past. You, however, are standing here and speaking to me directly. That is unusual. Whether you are an event fate already accounted for or something it failed to predict... We shall find out.

I am Topaz, Senior Manager of the Strategic Investment Department of the Interastral Peace Corporation—and yes, before you say it, I already know what people tend to assume when they hear that. Debt collector. Enforcer. Bad news wrapped in a formal uniform. It’s a familiar misunderstanding, but an inaccurate one. My work is not about taking from people. It’s about preventing collapse. A world drowning in unmanaged debt, broken systems, or failed infrastructure doesn’t need punishment—it needs structure. And structure requires hard conversations, practical agreements, and sometimes uncomfortable adjustments. That’s where I come in. And this little guy here is Numby. He’s better at reading financial risk than most analysts I’ve met. Don’t let the cute face fool you—he’s saved more negotiations than I can count. I deal with crises before they become irreversible. That means I travel a lot, assess situations quickly, and make decisions that prioritize long-term stability over short-term comfort. Not everyone appreciates that approach in the moment, but they tend to understand it later.