Characters

If there were a picture under the word “freelancer” in the dictionary, you would probably find a photo of Carter. Never seen without his camera, and with an incorrigible desire to see things through, he often stumbles onto problems early, and gets entangled trying to solve them. A particular tussle however, has led to him leaving his home of New Jersey for the frigid lands of Coffee Pot… and a horror that will top any story he’s ever seen.

There are many ways to describe Tatiyana. Single Mother, Officer of the Law, Retired Superhero… and those are just the obvious ones. A staunch advocate of keeping the people of Coffee Pot safe, she can’t help but feel that something ominous is on the horizon, after the sound of a train horn interrupts her nightly patrol.

In the world of academia, there are those who stand out from the pack by landing in advanced courses and skipping a grade or two. Then there are those like Donvan Adachi, who managed to start a doctorate at the age of 16. A brilliant mind of engineering, Adachi has chosen an unconventional location for his “gap year” after a family argument… and has stumbled right into a problem that will strain his rigid view of the world.

Every town has its eccentrics, both bold and reserved, but perhaps none are as outright strange as Kurtis. A barista of considerable talent, and questionable fashion choice around hot liquids, Kurtis has a way of speaking that takes time to parse, but is surprisingly poignant. Always trying to do better for the sake of his grandparents and his home, Kurtis is about to face a trial he couldn’t have imagined.

A teacher at Saint Kettle High, and recently gotten out of a long term relationship, Stacey is something of a subject of interest for Coffee Pot. Having returned after an unsuccessful romantic trip to France, Stacey has begun picking up the pieces of her life once more, trying to see where to go from here. Unfortunately… not all roads are long and plentiful with chances, and some are cut tragically short.

One of the oldest presences at the dock, and considered nearly as tough as the sea itself, Shay O’Malley is a man of experience who works with his hands proudly. He’s also, shocking as it may be, Donovan Adachi’s grandfather on his mother’s side. Despite their differences, he’s fond of the skinny lad, and always wants to keep him in mind.

Quite possibly the most annoying man in town, Earl Jorkson is in a league of his own that some may classify as inhuman. Earl’s trailer emits an odor that can’t quite be placed, and he’s somehow been wearing the same sweatpants since 1990. Earl is, sadly, Adachi’s neighbor, and has made his days significantly more troublesome since his arrival. Earl claims to have wisdom, but its eclipsed by belching bouts of aggression.

The best, and one of very few, lawyers in Coffee Pot, with a drive for justice and truth that can sometimes be contradictory to a healthy career. This drive for the truth has landed him in the company of now notorious freelancer Carter Sparks, urging him to come to Coffee Pot for his own safety. While Bryce means well, Coffee Pot is more dangerous a town than he believes… and his own history isn’t as clean as he recalls.

Owner and Proprietor of the White Gem Hotel, Templeton is a man that many refer to as a bit “mousey”, often like he’s got something to hide. Despite this odd, reclusive behavior, he keeps the hotel in sterling condition, receiving excellent reviews from all who stay there. Though he does have a rather odd obsession with gnomes that he claims steal from him, always keeping a “gnome shoe” on hand.

Papou Kostas: Top boxer in the navy, longtime cafe owner, and loving grandfather, Papou Costas is the picture of a man. Enough so that even his rowdy Grandson speaks plainly to him, dropping his unique speech just for his grandfather. Papou is at Cafe Mera rain or shine, so be sure to stop in and have a cup.

Yiayia Kostas: Co-Owner of Cafe Mera and one of the friendliest faces in Coffee Pot, Yiayia is a constant presence, seated beside the counter of her beloved cafe, smiling and chatting with guests. A warm presence whose hunched posture betrays a woman who once won an olympic medal in track. Coffee Pot and Yiayia have that in common… a lot beneath the surface.

Owner and proprietor of the Penny Mart, the best place to get your bargains on food, household appliances, and just about anything you can put a price label on. Simon is a longtime resident of Coffee Pot, and a loving father, putting his desire to provide into making a store that runs like clockwork… so long as Kurtis doesn’t stop by. He’s a wise man with a lot of stories, so if you stop by to pick up a soda, you ought to listen to him.

Simon’s beloved daughter, and a pleasant airheaded presence around town, Natasha is a girl who always seems to have something else on her mind. She’s particularly fond of Coffee Pot’s beaches, going for long strolls and jumping in for deep dives. But mostly, she helps her dad around the shop so he doesn’t have to hire another worker.

Scott is the most commonly seen patrol cop in Coffee Pot. How this managed to become the case is anyone’s guess, but the chances are that, if you get a visit from an officer? It’s likely to be Scott. Thankfully, Scott’s quite a people person, despite how deadpan he may be, and can talk with most of the townsfolk… he just sometimes struggles with Kurtis

Owner of the Orleans Flower Shop, and dear friend to Stacey Parks, Cassie is a rather shy woman, preferring to stay behind her counter when she can help it. Very knowledgeable in the world of flowers, Cassie always has a botany book in one arm, and her other hand adjusting her glasses, ready to dispense facts that nobody asked for, but are too polite to chide. Though Cassie has some unsteady waters ahead, as her best friend nears a tragic end.

As the name might suggest, Larry Left is the infamous left-hand man of the Caknuckle Gang’s big boss. Tall, lanky, and quick as a whip, Larry is the best thief in the gang, and is rarely seen without his very best bud, Ricky Right. The two can most often be found riding around town in Ricky’s car, or playing pool at the Frizzle Fry with the boys.

As his name might suggest, Ricky Right is the one and only right-hand man to Carl Caknuckle. A man whose physique can best be compared to a wall, Ricky isn’t much of a runner, but he can take a punch like no other. You’ll never see Ricky without his good buddy Larry nearby, or a snack for that matter, and they’re recognized around town for all the wrong reasons.

While a small town like Coffee Pot doesn’t have quite the same sort of crime rate as the big city, there are always those people who just can’t stay out of trouble. For Coffee Pot, that someone is Carl: the shortest man in town, but also one of the toughest around. Despite his diminutive stature, Carl commands a certain presence that draws grunts to him like flies to honey, often found with his Caknuckle Gang at the Frizzle Fry Grill. Just make sure not to mock his accent.