Teaser:

Themes: integration, complicity, privilege, greater good, bullying (victim), love

Sterling was lucky for a slum kid: they got a chance at an education, allowing them to get out and even start up their own workshop as a subcontractor. They were never all that good at actually talking to people, preferring machines and numbers - the insides of what makes things tick. They have always wanted to be a part of a community, to be respected and loved - so they decided to give back to the community by providing a decent workplace where people from the slums could earn fair wages.
The idea looked great on paper and worked for a time. But now, the whole thing is balancing on the verge of collapse. The contracting companies have been putting pressure on the prices, costs have been growing, workers are louder and louder, and the payments to the local union branch are getting a bit late. Recently, Sterling tried to right the ship by installing their child, Ardor, into the position of the manager, but that has only brought the fighting close to home, as Ardor’s cutthroat, pragmatic management style often clashes with Sterling’s social sensitivities and non-confrontational nature. Things are shaking.

Factions: Apartment Block B , Theatrical Taxidermy Club , The Second Club

Player: Jakob Kneissl

Teaser:

Themes: desperate measures, obsession, poor family, hustler

Since their late spouse passed away in a workplace incident caused by a migrant worker, Ember has been trying their best to provide for the family: the young Rudi and the angry Reine. But Reine will hardly speak to their parent anymore; the money from the insurance company is running dry, and on top of everything else, they have to help support their parent-in-law, Francis. Ember has a lot of compassion for them because all of Francis' drinking problems stem from losing their partner in a work incident, but their funds are getting thinner every day. But Ember has a plan that will turn everything around.
Ember’s obsession with *another foolproof plan to turn their life around* is making the family members increasingly estranged from one another. But the payoff is near, for sure!

Factions: Apartment Block B , The Pyramid Scheme , The Second Club

Player: Laura

Teaser:

Themes: fanaticism, keeping up appearances, parental abuse (perpetrator), suzeranism

Merciless tradition has always guided Addison's life. The whole community sees them as the perfect example of genetic superiority and a great leader. Both Addison and their spouse, Paris, come from ancient noble blood and were raised following aristocratic moral principles. They married to perpetuate them. This is the purpose of their life.
When did it go wrong? And why is Addison now doubting their beliefs? Is it because of their heir, Joan, who happens to be shy and frail? Because of Frankie Baciu, the lost teenager Paris practically adopted? Or because their spouse, Paris, is now scaring them? Or even because of their growing love towards an enemy?
Addison knows they must keep up appearences, for their own good. But they feel trapped in a golden cage, where any doubt is seen as betrayal, and betrayal deserves punishment. Now they can’t stop asking themselves: is noble blood actually a blessing… or a curse?

Factions: Apartment Block A , The Suzerainists/The Globalists , The Second Club , Contemplatory bookclub

Player: Marian

Teaser:

Themes: hard choices, loss of ideals, former hero, price of success

The members of the La Rosa family always dedicated their lives to hard and honest work; it is almost a family tradition. Through sweat and tears, Bo managed to become a popular workshop foreman, always inspiring and supporting others on their shift. They even turned into a mediator between the workers and the Local Union Branch. A few days after that, Bo came home and told Robin that the whole family would be moving into an apartment in block A. Since then, things have not been the same. Bo sees their role as very useful, but many other colleagues don’t seem to appreciate their mediation. Now, rumours are spreading that Bo betrayed the working class and forgot where they came from. Some would even say that Bo allied themselves with brutes and criminals. Bo is doing all they can to counter this slander, but one cold, hard fact remains: Considering the limits of La Cage, their life is pretty good.

Factions: Apartment Block A , The Union , Church of La Cage , The Second Club

Player: Johanna Morgan

Teaser:

Themes: storytelling, pragmatism, loving

Most people know Urdr as a storyteller, but more importantly, they are also a collector and keeper of the stories that will never make it into printed books or other records. The ephemerality of these glimpses into the lives of others is what keeps them going, even now in the twilight of their life. They remember every little piece of lore they ever collected, although lately, they have started to forget their own memories and stories. Some say that they have heard Urdr tell stories that seem to go beyond what human minds can comprehend. There are rumours that the pale itself whispers to them, confiding in them the stories of the lost souls within it. But beyond that - they also need to make ends meet, bend their back in a sweatshop and take care of their family. Mysticism seldom brings food to the table.

Factions: Immigrant Housing , The Second Club , The Regulars , Polyamorous Paranormal Pursuers

Player: Maja Matuszkiewicz

Keywords: 1st half character

Teaser:

Themes: crime, oppression, extortion, blackmail, power

Elian is the boss. As the leader of the local union branch, they carry themselves around the block as if they own everything, which is not so far from reality; they are wealthy, and they flaunt it. More than the power, Elian loves the respect they get.
Elian also carefully orchestrates public displays of charity, ensuring every resident witnesses these rare acts. 
In their personal life, Elian navigates a complex, not-so-healthy relationship with a younger individual who worships them. Providing financial assistance for them comes with a condition – absolute secrecy. Elian's life is a delicate balance between maintaining influence, concealing affiliations, and managing intimate connections in the shadows. (Like the whole gang, Elian will leave the game one way or another at end of chapter 1)

Factions: Core of the Local Union Branch / The Gang (1st half) , The Second Club

Player: Carter Drost

Teaser:

Themes: coping through art, losing control, vulturism

Konrad is an innovator, a teacher, a guru, an annodic music prophet and a horrible, horrible person to actually run a music club.
A known figure of the Hardcore underground scene, Konrad has a strange way with music. While the others only listen, they really FEEL the music. The notes are words and self-vibing is a form of meditation. A producer who turns harsh life stories into sick beats and tries to find the real *themselves* with the music sounds hip and cool - until you need somebody to clean the floor, pay the bills or actually set up posters. Konrad has a posse of students that follow them around and help out, but...is this sustainable? Is this... is this... really hardcore?

Factions: Apartment Block B , Fantasy Dreamers , The Hardcore underground scene , The Second Club

Player: Freya Terpstra

Factions: The Unseen , The Second Club

Player: Alexis Bontemps

Teaser:

Themes: fragile relationships, struggling artist, trust

Luc had the bad luck of becoming an orphan - and the good luck of becoming an orphan who inherited at least some of the skills and tools of the trade. They managed to work themselves up to being a solid tailor - and then they found Hun and formed both a loving partnership and a small, struggling, but still existing clothes boutique.
And Luc has been blessed even more! They have encountered something beautiful, something larger than life, and they have been giving it their all. Something that is still very secret but all the more precious for that.

Factions: Apartment Block B , The Second Club , Polyamorous Paranormal Pursuers