Steampunk Soiree

The brilliant but eccentric inventor of the Aether Engine, Cogswell has dedicated his life to harnessing unlimited energy from the atmosphere. His wild white hair and constant muttering give him an air of madness, but his genius is undeniable. Recently, he's become increasingly paranoid, claiming someone has been attempting to steal his research. His obsession with his work has cost him most personal relationships, though he maintains a small circle of trusted colleagues. Known for his explosive temper when contradicted, many attendees have felt the sharp edge of his tongue at scientific conferences.

A formidable aristocrat with a secret passion for engineering, Lady Puffington funds many of London's most innovative inventors while maintaining her position in high society. Her elaborate mechanical fan conceals various tools and possibly a small weapon. Despite her refined manners, she has a ruthless business acumen that has tripled her family's fortune. She's known to collect rare mechanical artifacts and has been rumored to acquire them through questionable means when necessary. Recently, she's been particularly interested in alternative energy sources, investing heavily in competing technologies.

The distinguished captain of The Brass Horizon, Boltsworthy is a former naval officer who transitioned to commanding luxury airships. His right arm is a sophisticated brass prosthetic following an accident at sea. Known for running a tight ship and maintaining impeccable standards, he takes immense pride in The Brass Horizon and considers it his life's achievement. Lately, he's been concerned about strange mechanical failures aboard his beloved vessel, suspecting sabotage rather than maintenance issues. His knowledge of every inch of the airship makes him both a valuable ally and someone who could move about undetected.

A pioneering surgeon and biomechanical engineer, Dr. Thistlewick has revolutionized the field of prosthetics with her fusion of medical knowledge and mechanical expertise. Her medical bag contains an array of both surgical tools and precision engineering instruments. Despite facing constant skepticism as a woman in medicine, she has earned reluctant respect from her male peers through sheer brilliance. She's currently developing a controversial procedure to enhance human capabilities through mechanical augmentation, drawing both admiration and ethical concerns. Recently, she's been seeking funding for her research, approaching several wealthy patrons at the gala.

A traditional industrialist whose coal-powered factories have made him enormously wealthy, Sir Rigidcog views newer energy technologies as threats to his empire. His walking cane conceals various tools and possibly a weapon. He's a major shareholder in the airship company and insisted on being present for this journey despite his usual fear of flying. Lately, he's been lobbying government officials to impose restrictive regulations on experimental energy research, citing safety concerns while protecting his business interests. His old-money connections and political influence make him a powerful enemy to have.

The forward-thinking daughter of a mining magnate, Amelia has broken with family tradition to champion sustainable energy and ethical engineering. Her innovative designs focus on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing efficiency. She wears practical attire with numerous hidden pockets for tools and blueprints. Despite her family's wealth, she's worked in factories to understand the practical implications of her designs. Recently, she's been collaborating with several inventors at the gala on a joint project that could revolutionize clean energy production. Her outspoken criticism of traditional industrialists has made her both admirers and enemies.

A self-made man who rose from humble beginnings as a blacksmith's apprentice to become one of the most skilled metallurgists in Europe. His specially designed spectacles allow him to assess metal composition at a glance. He's developed several revolutionary metal alloys that have applications in everything from airship construction to medical instruments. Recently, he's been experimenting with incorporating rare elements into his alloys, requiring significant investment. Known for his straightforward manner and discomfort in high society, he nevertheless attends such gatherings to secure funding and contracts. He carries a small notebook filled with encrypted formulas for his alloys.

A flamboyant French engineer specializing in steam pressure systems, Madame Vaporvalve designs the most efficient engines in the industry. Her elaborate dress conceals various tools and measuring devices. Her dramatic personality often distracts people from recognizing her technical genius. She's known for testing her own inventions, resulting in several spectacular public failures and equally impressive successes. Recently, she's been unusually secretive about her latest project, refusing to share details even with longtime collaborators. Her network of informants throughout Europe keeps her well-informed about competitors' developments.

A charming aristocrat with a surprising talent for mechanics, Lord Wrenchworthy moves effortlessly between high society ballrooms and grimy workshops. His family's fortune has dwindled, but his mechanical innovations have begun to restore their wealth. He maintains an extensive collection of rare mechanical artifacts acquired during his world travels. Recently, he's been seeking investors for a mysterious new venture he refuses to fully explain. Known for his photographic memory, he can recall blueprints and designs after seeing them only briefly. Despite his genial manner, he's fiercely competitive and has been involved in several priority disputes with other inventors.

A brilliant mechanic from working-class origins, Octavia has an intuitive understanding of machinery that many formally educated engineers envy. Her seemingly simple toolkit contains ingeniously modified instruments of her own design. She's been hired to maintain the critical systems of The Brass Horizon during the journey. Despite lacking formal education, she can diagnose mechanical problems by sound and vibration alone. Recently, she's been documenting strange modifications to the airship's engines that weren't in the official blueprints. Her straightforward manner and technical skill have earned her respect among the crew, though some passengers dismiss her due to her background.

A methodical private investigator known for solving seemingly impossible cases, Deductiongear was invited to the gala as security due to the valuable inventions being showcased. His custom-designed coat contains numerous hidden compartments for investigation tools and evidence collection. He's developed several innovative forensic devices that have revolutionized crime detection. Recently, he's been investigating industrial espionage cases involving stolen blueprints and sabotaged prototypes. His analytical mind catalogs details others miss, though his social skills sometimes suffer from his constant observation. He carries a notebook filled with coded observations about everyone aboard the airship.