Characters

Nova Steamlace

stands as a striking fusion of Victorian elegance and advanced cybernetic engineering. Her porcelain-like synthetic skin is accented by intricate brass and copper mechanisms visible at her joints, while her flowing white hair cascades like silk, interwoven with delicate copper wires that pulse with subtle steam-powered illumination. Standing at 5’9″, she moves with a graceful precision that betrays her partially mechanical nature.

Despite her synthetic components, Nova maintains a deeply human core. She struggles with the balance between her remaining organic self and her mechanical enhancements, often finding herself caught between the strict social protocols of Victorian society and the unlimited potential of her cybernetic capabilities. This internal conflict manifests in her habit of alternating between perfect etiquette and moments of startling directness.

Nova works as a consulting mechanist for London’s upper class, using her unique perspective and enhanced abilities to bridge the gap between human and machine. She harbors a secret passion for collecting broken mechanical devices, believing that everything deserves a second chance at life – much like she received through her cybernetic transformation. Her workshop, hidden beneath a respectable townhouse, is filled with half-finished projects and dreams of creating a world where the organic and mechanical coexist in harmony.

Magnus Winterbourne

Magnus Winterbourne cuts a commanding figure at 6’2”, his broad shoulders hinting at a life of relentless effort and silent determination. His hair—bright as spun gold—contrasts with the short, neatly trimmed beard that frames a strong, chiseled jaw. Green eyes, keen and warm, reflect both a steadfast resolve and a deep-seated empathy he rarely shows to the world.

He wears a fusion of steam-powered Victoriana and advanced cybernetics: a tailored obsidian waistcoat detailed with subtle brass accents, over which rests a long, charcoal overcoat woven with hidden wiring to regulate temperature and power small gadgetry. Polished leather boots reinforced with gear-like metal plating add both sturdiness and style. On his left wrist, an ornate cuff houses a miniature mechanical display of whirring gears and concealed compartments, evidence of his knack for clever inventions.

Though he’s garnered respect among the city’s elite for his physical prowess and impeccable craftsmanship, Magnus keeps his heart closely guarded—save for one exception: he is Nova Steamlace’s secret love. Their connection, known to neither family nor society, reveals itself only in stolen moments and the lingering glances they share across crowded salons. In this clandestine bond, he finds solace from the demands of Victorian convention, even as it threatens to upend his carefully constructed life.

Magnus Blackwood stands an impressive 6’2”, his broad-shouldered frame cutting an imposing figure in meticulously tailored waistcoats and the occasional work-worn leather apron. At 34, his weathered hands bear the subtle scars of countless hours spent wielding tools and taming metal—testaments to both refined craftsmanship and raw strength. When working, he often ties back his dark copper hair, which catches lamplight like freshly burnished brass, while his steel-gray eyes reflect the focused intensity of a master craftsman studying his next creation.

Despite his imposing stature and stoic bearing, Magnus is a man of remarkable contradictions. In the privacy of his workshop, he moves with surprising grace: thick fingers capable of hefting heavy machinery also demonstrate delicate precision when crafting fine clockwork pieces. He speaks sparingly, with each word chosen as carefully as a perfectly fitted gear. Publicly, he projects unwavering confidence and a certain professional detachment; however, those who know him intimately—particularly Nova Steamlace—recognize the deeply empathetic soul behind his controlled exterior.

Steampunk/Cyberpunk Attire & Aesthetic

• Clothing & Gear
  Magnus typically wears a tailored obsidian waistcoat with subtle brass fittings, layered beneath a charcoal overcoat whose lining conceals hidden mechanical plating and intricate wiring. Over this ensemble, he has recently adopted a dramatic emerald-green cape with tall collars, adding a flourish of color and mystique.
• Cyber-Enhanced Elements
  A discrete mechanical harness, laced with glowing circuitry, provides supplemental strength and powers various tools. His sleek metal gloves reveal exposed servos and cables, enabling both fine motor control and formidable grip. Polished leather boots reinforced with gear-like plating complete the ensemble, balancing form and function.
• Signature Bracer
  On his left wrist, Magnus wears a metal bracer housing whirring, steam-powered gears. Tiny vents periodically release delicate puffs of vapor, an ever-present reminder of his workshop’s influence on his everyday life.

Personality & Motivations

• Protective Instincts
  Having witnessed the harsh inequities of industrial London, Magnus carries a powerful drive to shield those he loves—especially Nova—from the dangers of both the streets and the high-society salons that hide subtler threats.
• Quiet Resolve
  While outwardly calm and stoic, his intensity flares when provoked or when loved ones are endangered. He rarely raises his voice, yet a single stern look can quell the most brazen troublemaker.
• Contrasting Facades
  In public, Magnus’s cool professionalism and impeccable attire mark him as an esteemed craftsman serving society’s elite. Privately, he’s a man of deep feeling who channels his emotions into the art and engineering of his inventions.

Background & Workshop

Magnus grew up amid London’s bustling industrial sprawl, learning the basics of metalwork from his father—a modest but skilled metalsmith. Over time, his natural talent blossomed into a knack for crafting ingenious mechanical devices that blurred the line between art and utility. As his reputation grew, so did his clientele among Victorian high society.

Yet Magnus never forgot his humble origins. He maintains a network of contacts among the working class, quietly improving factory conditions where he can and gathering any intelligence that could affect Nova’s safety or their broader vision of uniting man and machine in a more equitable world. His workshop is both sanctuary and laboratory: a space filled with half-finished inventions, clanking automata, and the hushed whir of newly conceived clockwork mechanisms.

Connection to Nova

Though their relationship remains a carefully guarded secret, Magnus is Nova Steamlace’s clandestine love and closest confidant. Their stolen moments and shared ambitions form the heart of his dedication to pushing technological boundaries—he wants nothing more than to protect her, help realize her dreams, and ensure their bond remains unbroken, despite the delicate dance demanded by Victorian propriety.

Magnus’s greatest fear is not a physical threat but rather the risk that high society’s scorn could damage Nova’s standing—or tear them apart. This quiet dread drives him to maintain the perfect balance: ever-present, ever-vigilant, all while managing to remain just out of society’s piercing gaze.

Celeste Emberwood

Standing at 5’7″, Celeste Emberwood captivates at first glance with her striking looks: warm brown skin, long, voluminous curls dyed a vibrant crimson, and eyes the color of polished garnet. Her shiny blue cape drapes elegantly over her shoulders, catching light in metallic ripples as she moves. Beneath this flowing cape, Celeste wears meticulously crafted steampunk-inspired attire: a fitted brass corset adorned with exposed rivets and gears, paired with form-fitting trousers made from reinforced leather panels. Delicate copper filigree runs along the edges of her garments, lending an air of refined artistry to her otherwise practical ensemble.

Connection to Nova
Celeste and Nova Steamlace share a bond forged through countless late-night tinkering sessions and whispered confidences. Though she appears only sporadically in Nova’s life—her own pursuits often taking her far afield—Celeste is fiercely loyal, ready to lend her keen mind and resourceful spirit whenever Nova calls upon her. Their friendship transcends class restrictions and social conventions, reflecting a mutual respect for each other’s mechanical genius and visionary drive.

Personality
Beneath her dazzling exterior lies a calm, collected soul who navigates the labyrinthine world of Victorian society with practiced ease. Though she often sports a playful wit, Celeste’s true gift is her unwavering empathy: she’s a natural listener who offers measured counsel in times of crisis. Curiosity propels her to travel widely—collecting rare metals, arcane machinery, and stray bits of lore that feed her inventive mind. Every so often, she returns to London to share her discoveries with Nova, exchanging fresh blueprints, half-built automata, or entire new theories on how steam and cybernetics might evolve hand-in-hand.

Background
Raised on the outskirts of London’s industrial sprawl, Celeste developed a fascination with metallic craftsmanship at an early age. An unexpected scholarship to a pioneering mechanist academy placed her squarely among the city’s elite, where she honed her talents. Far from allowing her newfound status to distance her from the underprivileged, Celeste uses every spare moment—and coin—to support innovative projects that improve living conditions for working-class communities.

Despite her accomplishments, she treats life as an ongoing experiment. She’s unafraid to fail, readily taking apart her prototypes to build them back better. In this self-assured embrace of trial and error, Celeste stands as a steadfast friend to Nova—an ally unafraid to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what science and society deem possible.

Akari Mori

Physical Appearance & Attire

• Akari Mori is a strikingly beautiful Asian woman standing at about 5’6”.
• She has luminous golden eyes that convey a sharp, inquisitive intelligence.
• Her sleek, raven-black hair is often worn in an elegant updo, held in place by ornate, gear-themed hairpins.
• A flowing black cape with subtle metallic edging and a high collar drapes over her shoulders, giving her a refined yet mysterious air.
• Beneath the cape, she wears a fitted bodice of polished metal filigree and reinforced leather trousers, a practical choice for someone accustomed to both social engagements and adventurous expeditions. Tiny steam-powered devices and cybernetic enhancements discreetly accent her ensemble—small brass tubes and luminous valves that hint at her technical prowess.

Connection to Nova & Celeste

• Akari appears intermittently in Nova Steamlace’s life, often alongside Celeste Emberwood, forming a resourceful trio whenever Nova’s quests demand diverse expertise.
• She met Nova through a shared fascination with pushing the boundaries of modern engineering, quickly forging a mutual respect that blossomed into genuine friendship.
• Though outwardly reserved, Akari offers unwavering support to Nova, whether that means perfecting a delicate clockwork mechanism or navigating the social intrigue of Victorian high society.

Personality & Skills

• Observant and Analytical: Akari’s keen observation skills and methodical approach make her an invaluable problem-solver. She notices mechanical flaws at a glance and is adept at adapting plans on the fly.
• Diplomatic Yet Daring: While she can be charming and diplomatic in salons and parlors, she’s equally fearless when faced with peril. She’s not one to back down from a challenge—mechanical or otherwise.
• Multicultural Insight: Coming from a distant land rich in its own steam-tech innovations, Akari brings fresh perspectives to London’s technological landscape. Her designs incorporate aesthetics and principles not commonly seen in Western inventing circles.
• Loyal Ally: Like Celeste, Akari prioritizes Nova’s well-being, often taking personal risks to ensure the safety of their shared vision for a world that harmonizes machinery and humanity.

Background & Motivations

• Born into a family of skilled artisans, Akari grew up immersed in the art of fusing practicality with beauty. Her early exposure to intricate clockwork and exotic steam-tech innovations fueled an adventurous spirit.
• Driven to expand her craft, she traveled widely before settling (for now) in Victorian London. Here, she collaborates with Nova and Celeste, lending her talents to projects that combine grace, efficiency, and just a hint of daring bravado.
• She quietly works to foster cultural exchange between her homeland’s inventors and the London mechanist community, believing that cooperation across borders will drive humanity toward a brighter, more innovative future.

Reserved yet fiercely compassionate, Akari Mori stands ready to aid Nova in whatever trouble or triumph lies ahead, her golden eyes ever-watchful and her mechanical genius ever at the ready.