Gothic Gala

An acclaimed archaeologist specializing in ancient burial chambers and funerary rites, Professor Dread has spent decades studying death customs across civilizations. His recent expedition to Egypt resulted in what some call 'the mummy's curse' after several team members died under mysterious circumstances. He carries a walking stick topped with a silver skull that he claims has supernatural properties. Despite his macabre profession, Dread possesses an unexpected dry wit and charm. He's attending the Gala to examine Edgar's collection of rare funerary artifacts and possibly acquire some for his university's museum.

The brooding master of Ravencrest Manor, Edgar has recently returned from a decade abroad studying ancient burial practices. His family's once-vast fortune has dwindled, leaving the estate in disrepair. Known for his eccentric behavior and obsession with communicating with the dead, Edgar claims to have developed a method to speak with spirits. Despite his aloof demeanor, he is desperate to restore his family name and fortune. His sudden decision to host the Gothic Gala after years of seclusion has raised eyebrows among the local gentry.

Once the belle of high society, Lily retreated from public life after a scandal involving her family's questionable business practices. A renowned medium who claims to communicate with the departed, she's been invited to conduct the séance at the Gala. Behind her serene exterior lies a calculating mind and an encyclopedic knowledge of poisons from her extensive botanical studies. Lily wears only black, claiming to be in perpetual mourning for 'those who have yet to realize they are already dead.' She carries a silver locket containing what she claims are ashes of her first supernatural contact.

A brilliant young anthropologist whose controversial theories about death rituals have earned her both acclaim and scorn in academic circles. Ivy specializes in the study of historic poisonings and has published extensively on untraceable toxins used throughout history. Her family once owned land adjoining Ravencrest Manor before losing everything in a suspicious fire. Despite her youth, she has already earned a reputation for ruthless ambition and will stop at nothing to access the Ravencrest library, rumored to contain rare manuscripts on ancient poisons. She constantly takes notes in a leather-bound journal and has an unsettling habit of collecting small mementos from people she meets.

Despite his unfortunate name, Dr. Reaper is a respected physician specializing in rare diseases and experimental treatments. He attended medical school with Edgar Graves and has been summoned to the manor to treat Edgar's mysterious ailment that causes temporary paralysis. His pioneering work with experimental anesthetics has raised eyebrows in the medical community, with some questioning his ethics. Dr. Reaper carries a black medical bag containing unusual instruments and experimental compounds. He has a peculiar habit of checking everyone's pulse upon greeting them, claiming he can 'sense death's approach' through a person's heartbeat.

A celebrated opera singer known for her hauntingly beautiful voice and dramatic performances in tragic roles. Viola suffered from a mysterious throat ailment that nearly ended her career before Dr. Reaper's controversial treatment restored her voice. She now wears a velvet choker to hide the scar from the procedure. Rumors suggest she made a supernatural pact to regain her voice. Viola is composing a new opera based on the Ravencrest family history and has come to research their archives. She carries a music box that plays a melancholy tune she claims came to her in a dream after her operation. When nervous, she hums fragments of funeral dirges.

The last descendant of a once-powerful noble family with historical ties to the Ravencrest lineage. The Baron's family fortune was lost generations ago, leaving him with only his title and a crumbling manor house adjacent to the Ravencrest estate. He maintains an air of aristocratic dignity despite his financial troubles. An expert in genealogy and family histories, he has compiled extensive records on all the old families in the region. The Baron claims that the Ravencrest family stole land from his ancestors through nefarious means and has spent years seeking proof. He always wears gloves due to a rare condition that makes his skin extraordinarily sensitive to light.

A flamboyant aristocrat with a mysterious past and connections to royalty throughout Europe. Lady Morgue has recently returned from 'extended travels' that coincided with a series of jewel thefts in several European capitals. She is an accomplished horsewoman and expert with both pistol and blade, skills she attributes to 'an unconventional upbringing.' Her family has an ancient blood feud with the Ravencrests dating back centuries, though she claims to have come to make peace. Lady Morgue wears only red, a tradition she maintains to honor an ancestor who was supposedly murdered by a Ravencrest. She carries a jeweled dagger as a hair ornament and claims it belonged to a queen.

Edgar's enigmatic personal assistant who has served the Ravencrest family for decades without appearing to age. Raven moves silently through the manor, seemingly appearing and disappearing at will. They maintain the extensive family records and know every secret passage in the ancient house. Rumors suggest they practice ancient forms of magic and have bound their soul to the estate. Raven speaks rarely but when they do, often makes cryptic statements that later prove prophetic. They wear a silver key around their neck that supposedly opens a room in the manor that no one has entered for generations. Despite their eerie demeanor, Raven shows unexpected kindness to those they deem worthy.

A world-renowned fortune teller and mystic who claims to have studied esoteric arts in Tibet, Egypt, and with indigenous shamans across continents. Madame Fatale possesses an extensive collection of occult artifacts, including a crystal ball said to show the moment of a person's death. She has accurately predicted several high-profile deaths, earning her both fame and suspicion. Her connection to the Ravencrest family dates back to when she warned Edgar's parents about a 'darkness' surrounding their son. She wears elaborate headdresses containing bones and feathers from 'psychically significant' creatures and speaks in a mixture of languages when entering her trances. Despite her theatrical presentation, her eyes reveal a sharp intelligence that misses nothing.

The last in a long line of gravediggers who have served the local cemetery for generations, Silas knows more about the region's buried secrets than anyone alive. His family has maintained detailed records of every burial, including those that happened under suspicious circumstances. Silas has a photographic memory for dates and names, making him an unwitting repository of information about the area's deceased. He was invited to the Gala to discuss the restoration of the Ravencrest family mausoleum but has his own interest in accessing certain sealed family records. Despite his macabre profession, Silas is surprisingly cheerful and takes great pride in his work, viewing himself as 'the last friend anyone ever makes.' He carries a small spade that has been passed down through his family for generations.

The brilliant but eccentric architect hired to restore Ravencrest Manor to its former glory. Hazel has a particular expertise in historical preservation of Gothic structures and a fascination with buildings that have witnessed tragedy. Her designs often incorporate hidden rooms and passages, which she claims allow buildings to 'breathe and keep their secrets.' Hazel carries a set of antique drafting tools that once belonged to the original architect of Ravencrest Manor. She has been living in the east wing for months, documenting the structure's deterioration and making detailed plans. During her work, she claims to have discovered evidence of rooms not on any existing blueprints and has been trying to locate the entrances. She speaks to buildings as if they are alive and insists that Ravencrest Manor 'has more to say about its past.'