Minor Characters
From the Inztitut
MEROD VON ARLE: Chancellor of the Inztitut, and one of The Nine. 63,
Conzec, and former Don in the Science Skool of the Inztitut, Merod is one
of the few Chancellor's to come from a technical background (most come from
the Law, or Humanitas Skools). He is highly intelligent, with a subtle mind,
and capable of understanding all technical aspects of life and systems in
the Q. His one weakness: An occasional young "naughty girl," who
Lena Molloy is only too happy to supply. Married to Tira, an ex-Korpus Designer,
with 2 grown children. Tira pushes the social aspects of their lives, and
they appear often at Kolony parties and functions.
JULIUS CARENZ: Don in the Law Skool, and one
of The Nine. 55, Conzec, married with one daughter. Among other things,
he provided a "home away from home" on Recon 1 to Tal Remick who
was separated from his father after the Great Purges. Somewhat remote, and
with a very sharp mind, he is used to making tough decisions on complex
matters rapidly. He was a friend to Tal's father, Odel Remick, but Tal knows
little of this (he has shared few secrets with Tal). Not a mixer, or interested
in power plays, Carenz likes to live away from the "Crowd" and
tend his (and the Q's) garden.
DON RENARD VOLE: 63, Conzec, Professor of Quadthot
and Quadanalysis. This once-radical don in the Humanitas Skool is now a
cynical, well-fed apologist for The System. Don Renard scoffs at the notion
that Kronstadt, or any Director, can have much effect on the normative ebb
and flow of The Quadrant, guided by The System. Nothing really to worry
about, he tells his friends over a pint at the QuadNot; let us focus instead
on the eternal verities, such as guaranteed tenure. Vole discounts the Accelerationists
as well, feeling they are simply overheated idealists who will mellow, as
he has, with age.
DON GERMANE MUNRO ("Old Dusty"): Emeritus Professor from the Humanitas
Skool, who champions the "Past" (which few can in The Inztitut
now that it is so out of favor). 78, Conzec, with a pleasing, kind hearted
personality and obscure sense of humor, "Old Dusty," has more
friends than enemies. His outward mission is to save the few thousand "dusty"
old hardcopy books remaining in the basements of the various colleges of
The Inztitut. His other agenda is to provide counsel to Tal Remick and others
who seek wisdom from the lessons of the past. Back To: TOP
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Galadrina's circle
FAYDRA TRULL: 56, Recon, A long-time friend
of Galadrina's and a member of her inner circle, Faydra longs for a more
perfect world, but is cynical enough to doubt that anything in the Quadrant
will ever again be the way it was in her youth (she was once a skilled and
respected surgeon on Conzec Board and Chief of Medicine in the Kourtezan
Guild -- then a skool that trained young women in a wide variety of healing
arts and disciplines). Faydra, like Galadrina herself, was caught up in
the Great Purges and expelled to oblivion on the Outer Boardz. Now A medic
at the Trauma Unit in QSU 14 on Recon 3, Faydra's chief occupation is caring
for bombing victims and patching up wounded Flezz players carried in from
Nockthorn field on match days.
LARRINDA HAAKE: 47, Conzec, Larrinda is a well-to-do Kolony Private and
secret member of Galadrina's circle. A former apprentice Kourtezan with
contacts on The Nine, Larrinda is an outspoken Kronstadt opponent, and high
on his "hit list." As a long time friend and ally of Galadrina's,
Larrinda's money (inherited from her wealthy deceased husband) has helped
keep Pentacles afloat.
ALICIA ZERB: 52, Conzec, and member of The Nine,
Alicia is the former wife of Milo Zerb and mother of Sergei Zerb. She put
in her time as a Kourtezan, then married well and "divorced better."
Alicia is a close confidant and former pupil of Galadrina's, and one of
Kronstadt's most outspoken opponents in The Quadrant's inner circles. Back
To: TOP of Page
From the Underground
TREN NEEDERMEYER: Chief operative for the
Underground on Krania. 35, Conzec, with dark longish wispy hair, Needermeyer
was an Inztitut dropout in his third year due to a dispute with a Don about
his thesis on "Offpattern Behavior" in the Q. He now lives in
"The Quarter" near the Inztitut, in the basement apartment of
an old Domplex where he keeps a few old books and collects other "old"
things. He works as a bartender at the"QuadNot," one of the hot
spots of the Quarter frequented by free-thinking students, odd-ball and
liberal faculty, and others who live and work there.
LARN RASSET: 40, Recon, and dedicated "full
time" Undergrounder. Lost his wife and children and both brothers in
a raid conducted by KorpOps in the early 90's. A skilled technician with
an encyclopedic knowledge of Quadrant infrastructure systems, Larn runs
the Underground outpost located near Waste Receptor Unit 57 in the "Netherworld"
(the area between The Quadrant Boardz and Downshaft). Back To: TOP of Page
Kronstadt's Group
USKAR WEEMER: Assistant to Axon Kronstadt. Early 30's, conzec, thin,
with sharp rat-like features and close cropped brown hair. Highly intelligent,
graduating near the top of his class at the Inztitut, he pretends to be
a proactive "Accelerationist"while he keeps regular contact going
between this movement in the Inztitut and the Kronstadt camp. His real job
is "sophisticated bagman/intelligence operative" for Kronstadt's
far flung power network. A cross between "Wormtongue" and Robspierre,
Weemer is a master of duplicity and treachery, and understands that if he
helps his master prevail in the battle for political power over the Q, he
will be richly rewarded.
KARLA MONTILLE: 25, Recon, "entertainer." One of many Kronstadt
mistresses, Karla's long strawberry blonde hair and plump, well endowed
body, makes her a favorite. Discovered by Mr. K in a top holo bar in Krania,
she was immediatedly "set up" in a posh apartment in The Quarter
to service his intermittent whimsy. Not terribly bright, she actually believes
Kronstadt loves her, and reacts violently when she discovers that he has
succumbed to the charms of the notorious Lena Molloy.
EDO MEZNER: Assistant Professor in the Law Skool
of the Inztitut. 33, Conzec, he is a kind of Leader/Counselor to new students,
handling prep classes for Inztitut candidates on Conzec Board and Recon
1. The chief exponent of Accelerationism on campus, he dictates more than
he counsels, is brittle, insecure and demanding, yet brilliant. Unbeknownst
to his students (but known to some others) he is a member of Kronstadt's
inner circle, assigned to keep a watchful eye on events and people in the
Inztitut and bring back word of all he sees and hears to Kronstadt.
MILO ZERB: Wealthy Private, one of The Nine,
and owner of huge numbers of rental units on the outer Boardz. A Crusty
Recon, about 65, balding and overweight, Milo made one mistake early in
life, resolved to overcome it, grew staggeringly wealthy, and finally "bought"
his way out. He supports Axon Kronstadt against the Quadrant Establishment
because rising crime on the Outer Boardz and the Underground's calls for
rent relief jeopardize his continuing ability to generate maximum income.
He also backs Kronstadt because his ex-wife Alicia Zerb (who, with the help
of Arturo Devlin got half of his billions in a divorce settlement) supports
the Q Establishment. He has one son, Sergei, a perennial "third year"
student at the Inztitut.
IVAN AND DIMITRI NARLOFF: Early 60's, Conzecs
(so they say), fabulously wealthy Privates who control vast numbers of rental
units, both on the Outer and Inner Boardz. Reputed crime bosses, long associated
with the "Bond" and other dark groups, the Narloff brothers initially
made their fortunes largely at the expense of those who suffered during
the Great Purges. Though their great wealth has "purchased" them
seats on The Nine, they aggressively support Kronstadt because they see
a chance to benefit from the downfall and possible elimination of certain
of their "competitors" in the wake of a Kronstadt victory. Back
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The Quadrant
Establishment
BARD RAMMEL: Current Director of The Quadrant.
55, tall and distinguished looking, Conzec, outgoing. As a front man for
the establishment majority of The Nine, Rammel is a gladhanding social animal,
more interested in talking and enjoying himself at parties and official
functions, than actually pulling or pushing the "levers of power."
A relatively bright and reasonabley fair man, he (as a former Praetor of
the Purse) has assured himself of unquestioned wealth and position in the
Q. He enjoys his life and his Chief Mistress, Lena Molloy.
TARN RASK: Wealthy Private. 53, Brahmin, a snob
with a pedigree (Top of his Class at the Inztitut), one of The Nine. He,
like Milo Zerb, owns vast rental units on the Outer Boardz and a number
of properties on the Inner Boardz and in Krania. His money comes partly
from his family and partly through the "old boy" network from
his Inztitut days (several A-Dee ships and ex-Praetor positions). He detests
the crudeness of Kronstadt's personality and methods, and would "step
on him like a bug" if he could.
BRUXTON LANEER: 45, Conzec, well-heeled Lawyer
and ex-Praetor of the Quad Information Bureau. Ambitious, confident, and
well-connected, Laneer's Kolony upbringing and sterling credentials (including
a long and "productive" relationship with Tarn Rask) make him
the Quadrant Establishment's ideal choice for the next Director. The problem:
Only 5 of the Nine support him in his campaign to fend off a surprise challenge
from Axon Kronstadt.
MEERNA MOLLOY: 60, Conzec, Former Head mistress
of the Kourtezan Guild, and member of The Nine. Rose to prominence in The
Quadrant shortly after the Great Purges (some say at the expense of many
others). Strangely, Meerna bore a daughter -- current Head Mistress of the
Kourtezan Guild, Lena Molloy -- but never married. With big plans for her
daughter (and for other hidden reasons) she leans toward the Kronstadt camp
in the coming battle for political power in the Q. Back To: TOP
of Page
From
Downshaft
EMIL ZARG: The "Beast" of Downshaft. Chief of the Security
Enforcement Unit in charge of Downshaft and Kommander of over five hundred
Enforcers who keep order in "Hell." Recon, in his 40's, Zarg is
a large, burly man with the desire to hurt people. He brutally rules the
netherworld of the Q with an iron fist, often personally "Zapping"
poor Anteeks and other Disconz at will, and taking true delight in permanently
reconnecting Disconz who "make trouble" to The System (has executed
hundreds in this way). Tolerates no "back-talk" from his men,
and can be ruthless, even with those who try to get on his good side.
HOFFER BUZWILL: Deputy to Zarg. 30's, medium build, light hair, and glasses,
Conzec (actually an Inztitut graduate, where Zarg is not -- and Zarg hates
him for this). Essentially a "good cop" in a bad situation, Buzwill
is tough, but fair with his men, and tries to deal in as rational a way
as possible with the overwhelming problems of Downshaft and its unruly and
disorganized population. Friendly with Mackenzee, the Quadrant Power Systems
Manager.
GROM THRONK: The other Deputy to ZARG. Late 30's, muscular, dark hair and
skin, Recon. The "bad cop" who takes bribes from professional
criminal recruiters and other Privates who use Downshaft for their own ends.
He's built up his own network of agents and informants so he can maximize
personal gain from his tour Downshaft. Also, in the mold of Zarg, he has
a sadistic side, and enjoys torturing various lawbreakers who won't talk.
DRAKMAR "THE BLIND": Disconnected long ago and forced to work
for years in the slag heaps of the "Pitz," Drakmar was blinded
in a fit of pique by the notorious Zarg ("Beast of Downshaft,")
and later escaped into the Bogz. His recent re-emergence as a prophet of
"Doom" in Downshaft strangely co-incides with the unexpected rise
of the forceful Axon Kronstadt on the Boardz and in Krania (for more on
Drakmar, visit the "Bogz" in Downshaft).
REN MACKENZEE: Power Systems Manager, Downshaft.
60's, energetic, Conzec. Runs the Power System Group, which maintains all
power generators, equipment and networks servicing Downshaft. Competent,
intelligent, firm, yet open minded. He has had to learn tolerance of the
way Downshaft works in order to get compliance from his Disconz and Anteek
labor force. Works secretly with Bertie Glindar because they are old friends
from long ago, and provides him with a way to "enter and leave"
Downshaft undetected. Doesn't "buy" all methods the Undground
uses to work towards its ends, but is a definite "sympathizer."
Reports to Harla Penn, Praetor of Quad Operations ("QuadOps").
Back To: TOP of Page
Other Characters
TERG IVESTER ("ti"): SysProg reporter,
Conzec, about 30. Carries his vidpak with him everywhere to capture the
late-breaking news of The Quadrant. His job -- as the anchor for the explosively
fast-growing Q-Log news brief, is to synopsize the
"the news of the day" to save enfranchised inhabitants
from having to endure the otherwise long-winded (and decidely boring) coverage
generated by SysProg's normal reporting channel.
Trading on the up-coming "hotly contested" telelection in the
Q, and the recent sharp rise in Underground bombings, Terg's aggressive
reporting style and natural nose for news (including a talent for self-promotion)
has turned him -- as Q-Log spokesman -- into a kind of "personality"
of the Q. However, Terg straddles a dangerous fence: If he plays too fast
and loose with the "news" he risks potentially deadly reaction
from a number of different quarters in the Q. Back To: TOP
of Page