Characters

Cain Cain has killed his own brother, in an impulsive act born of ego and resentment. His future holds both redemption and danger, whether he wants them or not.

Cerb Cerb is Cain’s sarcastic guard dog, assigned to protect him and keep him humble. He is one “head” — one persona — of a multipersonal creature called Cerberus who straddles time.

Stela Stela is clever, resourceful, ambitious, and a bit impetuous. These are all qualities that make her a talented thief. Her past just might be catching up with her. Can she outrun it again?

Gether Gether is the Prime of the Borough named Binyan, a town known for its craftworks and creativity. Thoughtful, stable, yet firm, he will brook no mischief in his town. Does he suspect Cain’s dark chapter, and what might he do if he knew?

Jerrel Jerrel is Gether’s deputy in Binyan Borough, a position he attained through persistence, not courage. Skittish by nature, he has a Skill to sense others’ emotions by their latent scent. This makes him a convenient walking lie detector, useful in his job.

Lyda Lyda is young, gregarious, and ready for any challenge. She’s athletic, quick, stronger than she might seem. Her Skill is Sightsharing, the ability to connect remotely with an animal’s nervous system and see through its eyes.

Anash Anash is a craftsman and innovator, trading his works across the Boroughs. Quick to laugh, outspoken and opinionated, he crafts words with as much art as his woodworks. He loves birds and they appear to love him, coming when he mimics their calls.

Kenan Kenan is a loner, all about solitude. He has learned more than most about how the mind works, and has even invented something called Verbalglyphics that captures a person’s spoken voice in a complex inked pattern. Townsfolk employ him to make signs and graphics.

Mandenaar Mandenaar is a metalsmith and knows everything that can be known about fire. Rumor has it that he is often a bit too fascinated with his subject, occasionally starting a blaze just for the pleasure of it. What else might he be up to, under cover of night?

Abel’s Resonant When Abel was killed, that violent act left an impression on the fabric of nature, called a Resonant, a snapshot of his personality and some memories. Not a ghost, more like an AI, one can talk to a Resonant under the right circumstances. What might Abel’s Resonant reveal?

Dovo Dovo is the cantankerous Keeper of Signal Rise, a peak at the center of the Boroughs. He uses a large heliograph mirror to flash messages about everything from impending weather to business opportunities, thereby keeping the towns networked and informed.