Characters
Maximus Baccata Clapbut is a dedicated member of the Arboreal Commission, a group focused on conserving the valley ecosystem. He spends much of his time in the City, where he stays busy with important work. He has never been in love.
Paulo Urtica Clapbut is a recluse who lives in his Mother’s estate. He is brother to Maximus and uncle to Thurston. He has deep spiritual yearnings that go unspoken. His only friend is The Doctor.
The Doctor is a polymath; expert in medicine, robotics, chemistry, astronomy, astrology, horticulture, agronomy, and gastronomy. Her current work focuses on the creation of laboring automata — robots that will perform basic manual labor, starting with the mining of coal. She has been in love once, with a merchant who has not visited in some time.
Rufus Dionaea Wightbloom is the president of the Sportsmans’ Club - a members only leisure and business club. He delights in the life of the mind as well as the life of the body. He has often been in love.
Cindy Jo Trowel is a descendant of farmers who went to the city to seek diversion from the strain of life. She is ill at ease with the romantic attention of Thurston Clapbut III. Above all else she wishes for anonymity. Unfortunately, she has an “it” factor, and everyone is obsessed with her.
Thurston Clapbut III is the nephew of Maximus and Paulo. He has yet to find his place in the high society of Ergotton. He fell in love with Cindy Jo as soon as he met her, and is willing to sacrifice all for her.
Anne Baker is the current chairperson of the Arboreal commission. She is an lover of nature and the natural order of things, with extensive knowledge of the species and ecosystems of the valley. Her wife is a waste disposal specialist, and all too happy to fund Anne Baker’s life of learning and public service.