Benjamin Jacobs
“I keep seeing phantoms of the past. Tangible illusions like a titanium daydream call me back to my hometown in Iowa…”
Age: 32 Sign: Scorpio
Born and raised in Sleeper’s Edge, Iowa, Benjamin is a 6’4” all-American boy of promise turned brooding man of destiny. After completing a philosophy degree at Seaside University of Iowa, Benjamin set out to travel the world, seeking not only to accrue skills and strengthen his character, but to discover his true purpose, a purpose made elusive by the psychic daydreams that have haunted him since childhood. As his daydreams turned increasingly sour, and an irresistible urge to return home took root, Benjamin realized his gestation of the self was complete. Now, bolstered by his worldly perspective, he has come home to find the town he loves has fallen to darkness, a darkness that he believes is his life’s true purpose to lift.
Cassie La Rossa
“Tell me who you were and I’ll never forget you. No one deserves to disappear.”
Age: 31 Sign: Aquarius
More than just Benjamin's crush since childhood, Cassie is relentless in her efforts to brighten the days of the increasingly dour citizenry of Sleeper’s Edge, whether that’s volunteering around town, spending time with the elderly, or hosting her weekly DJ nights at the Fish. Before her passing, Cassie's mother was a well-liked regional blade toss champion, and Cassie fears she doesn’t have what it takes to fill her role in town. Unlike most of Sleeper’s Edge’s bright young minds, Cassie refuses to move away to greener pastures, and sees her dream of one day opening a cafe downtown as the first step in bringing back the light of better days.
Dante Tyler
“Is that the Honda S-2000? That’s my dream car.”
Age: 30 Sign: Sagittarius
Computer whiz and movie enthusiast, Dante is quickly becoming a valued friend and ally to Benjamin. Dante believes technology has the power to not only lift his Curse of Form (a curse he has had since childhood) but to solve the riddle of dreams, what they mean and how they can be used for good. An eternal optimist, nothing will stop Dante from fighting for his friends or from valiantly puzzling out the hidden meanings of the world around him.
Naomi Grace
“Does the shadow of the subject share its pain?”
Age: 40 Sign: Virgo
Obsessed with her work, Naomi hopes to wield the scientific method to crack the great mysteries of life, death, and the human soul. Though she seldom talks about it, Naomi suffered a great loss in her childhood and believes that science holds the answer to ridding her of her long-held pain. Without the resources of Vanth, Naomi believes her work could not be completed, and so tries not to ask too many questions about Ithiel’s interest in her experiments.
Jace
“You’re an animal, Ryken!”
Age: 27 Sign: Aries
A local tough, Jace is always up to no good, especially if his best friend Ryken is around. With nothing better to do in Sleeper’s Edge, Jace tends to get wrapped up in whatever Ryken’s latest criminal scheme is. Though he doesn’t like to talk about it, Jace finds solace in gardening at the community center garden, especially since he was laid off from his job at the docks.
Man in Black
A dark spectre that haunts the daydreams of Benjamin Jacobs. On a few rare occasions this entity has displayed the ability to take physical form. The true nature of the Man in Black remains a mystery to Benjamin.
Opposum
Though most consider the creature an urban legend, numerous reports have been made to animal control concerning an unusually large, albino opossum, sickly in appearance, reaving the waste bins of Sleeper’s Edge late at night.
Ryken
“This is our club, our town, our rules, beluga…”
Age: 29 Sign: Leo
The resident bad boy of Sleeper’s Edge, Ryken seems to be involved in just about everything criminal or unsavory around town. Unlike many of his peers, Ryken has never left his hometown and appears to be unphased by its steady decline, in fact, he seems to think it's funny. Ryken is often seen loitering outside the Jazz Fish or down at the docks with his accomplice since childhood, Jace.
Ithiel Vanth
“The dreamer returns… skipping right into the mouth of Saturn.”
Age: 49 Sign: Capricorn
With a gnawing interest in spiritual science and a powerful family name, Ithiel Vanth was a natural choice to head the experimental projects division at Vanth Industries. At first, his iconoclastic ideas found little support within Vanth’s internal architecture, but after years of hubristic toil he has finally secured his position within the company's legacy…so long as he continues to deliver results.
Vanth Drones
Where there is one there are many. The worker drones of Vanth are seldom seen beyond the Vanth facility boundaries. Though many Sleeper’s Edge inhabitants must work at Vanth in this capacity, none openly admit it, opting to hide behind the masks provided to them as part of their uniform.
Shannon Fury
“If you want to pursue a claim, I can represent you.”
Age: 38 Sign: Taurus
A patent attorney specializing in IP litigation, Shannon and her husband Evan are some of Sleeper’s Edge’s few upper middle-class residents. From her chic top-floor apartment in the business district, Shannon operates her practice on a “one for them, one for me” policy, representing the downtrodden folks of Sleeper’s Edge whenever she can find the time.
Evan Horn
“Sleeper’s Edge has it all!”
Age:40 Sign: Leo
A real estate agent, local patron of the arts, and marital partner of Shannon Fury. Evan doesn’t understand why anyone would want to move to California City when Sleeper’s Edge has everything you could ever ask for.
Leon
“If you’re game, we need a real lounge lizard to man the keys on Thursday nights.”
Age: 41 Sign: Cancer
The most recent owner of the Jazz Fish, Leon is a barkeep extraordinaire, always willing to lend a kind ear to his increasingly troubled patrons. A rare optimist in Sleeper’s Edge, Leon is on a mission to clean up the Fish’s reputation as a place for rascals and return it to its former glory as a storied jazz venue.
Mrs. Love
“My mitts would be swollen, without my arthritis drugs.”
Age: 74 Sign: Libra
The owner and operator of Love Mart, one of the oldest convenience stores in town, Mrs. Love has been the beloved bedrock of the Sleeper’s Edge community for decades. Almost everyone in town has been touched by her kindness at some point in their life, and she maintains a cheerful eagerness to help others, even after her husband's passing a few years ago.
Pastor Westwood
“Sometimes you open a door and everything changes.”
Age: 51 Sign: Pisces
Having lived in Sleeper’s Edge for only a year, Pastor Westwood has yet to find a foothold in the hearts of the townsfolk. After seeing the state of the town, he now believes he was sent to Sleeper's Edge for a reason. No one in town has had the courage to ask him about his facial scars, and many rumors have been spread concerning them. Pastor Westwood finds this amusing.
Sailor
“I’m just a sailor!”
Age: 25 Sign: Cancer
A simple sailor. He comes from a long line of seamen and is one of the lucky few to have kept their job at the port despite its dwindling job opportunities. He simply could not imagine doing anything else and lives in fear of the day the port will be shut down for good.
Thomas
“Chianti Rose, look how big!”
Age: 23 Sign: Gemini
A townie manchild that most people find annoying and some find endearing for his lighthearted goofiness that reminds them of happier days. Thomas is incapable of taking anything seriously, except maybe his prize tomato collection. Thomas can most often be found at Love Mart examining the tomatoes or at the community center garden growing tomatoes of his own.
Tina Vancouver
“I’ve got a lead.”
Age: 36 Sign: Leo
FBI agent and renowned fretless bass player, Tina Vancouver travels the country laying down exceptional grooves and solving the cases no one else can. Don’t let her laid back demeanor fool you - beneath her sly smile lies a steely resolve and obsessive need to get her man. Against her superior’s orders, Tina has come to Sleeper’s Edge to investigate the shady dealings of Vanth Industries.
Mr. Winker
“Hate can only get you to the shore. Love can walk on water.”
Age: 88 (deceased) Sign: Aquarius
A once beloved pillar of the community, Mr. Winker, now deceased, spent his life teaching the youth of Sleeper’s Edge not just to play piano, but to dream. Benjamin has been seeing the ghost of Mr. Winker ever since he arrived back in town, but even in death Mr. Winker seems to be his same old self, quick to offer poetic advice and a comforting smile.
Aeroblade
“Let my aim be true.” - Cassie La Rossa
An elegant blade, as beautiful as it is deadly, the Aeroblade is a weapon that requires great skill and dedication to master. Designed to return when thrown, It is said that the blade can only be caught by someone whose heart holds no doubt. Cassie inherited this Aeroblade from her now deceased mother, a regional blade toss champion of great acclaim.
Father’s Gön
“To wield it is in my nature.” - Benjamin Jacobs
A seemingly ordinary CZ 75B 9mm handgun that once belonged to Benjamin’s father, now deceased. The gön has become a vessel for his father’s ghost, who Benjamin attempts to commune with in his more troubled moments. Benjamin has never fired his fathers gön, but believes it is his destiny to one day wield it in a moment of critical need, and only after he has become worthy of his fathers legacy.
Fucshia Tech
“I think Fuchsia can be used for good.” - Dante Tyler
Invented by Dante Tyler, Fuchsia Tech is designed to bridge the gap between science and dreams. Originally conceived as a way to lift his Curse of Form, the tech has now taken on a life of its own. The sum of its uses remain a mystery, but its power is undeniable, even intoxicating. Until recently, Dante was sure that his impressive tech had been kept a secret, but now he fears that power, once unearthed, will inevitably seek the hand of those who dream only of darkness.
Statue
“No one’s quite sure where it came from.” - Mr.Winker
An ten foot tall obelisk that looms over the inhabitants of Sleeper’s Edge. Located in the exact middle of town, the statue is carved from some unidentifiable black stone. Depicting a mass of distressed faces and gnarled hands clawing at escape, no one can recall when the statue first appeared. Benjamin Jacobs has been seeing it in his darkest daydreams for months.
Wrathbrand
“To parry, protect, or punish, the knight awakens the Wrathbrand.” - Unknown
Gifted to Dante by the strange statue in the center of town, the Wrathbrand is an ancient weapon that, despite being forged from heavy stone, is as light as a feather. Dante, after discovering the sword emanates a constant stream of dark energy, has attached a Fuchsia Tech apparatus to the handle designed to negate any dark side effects the sword may have on its wielder.
Jazz Fish
Besides Jazz performances, The Fish also hosts DJ nights, comedy nights, and poetry nights
Sleeper’s Edges’ oldest operating bar and jazz world fixture of modest acclaim, the Jazz Fish has been a pillar of townie nightlife for decades. Once a place of ill repute reserved only for rascals, its latest owner, Leon Ng, has overseen a rapid widening of its core clientele. Whether due to his many cheerful theme nights, or the general depression that has taken root in town, there have never been more souls driven to the Fish to drown their worries through spirit and music.
Sleeper’s Edge
A hodgepodge of architectural styles, Sleeper’s Edge was built up over many decades of now-squandered optimistic growth
Once a cheerful small town on the grow, Sleeper’s Edge is one of Iowa’s often forgotten coastal townships. Now, Sleeper’s Edge falls into decay as its once thriving port industries fail and its promising youth harbor no dreams for their futures. The older folks of Sleeper’s Edge still remember a time when everyone here knew each other's names and festivals would fill the streets on warm summer days. Like a thick fog, the malaise of a promise squandered hangs in the air here. But, like all forgotten places, there yet remains a quiet hope that someday the dreamers will return and bring with them better days.
Vanth Industries
Vanth conducts its most important research deep underground, away from the prying eyes of the general public
A recently built satellite facility for the multinational megacorporation Vanth that specializes in research and development. Located just outside of town, Vanth Industries’ above ground campus is unassuming in both size and appearance, but its subterranean floors are expansive, twisting, and dark. The citizens of Sleeper’s Edge know little about what goes on here, and the few locals who do work for Vanth tend not to advertise it.