Robert Ladlevane

Tall, handsome, unpolished; something of a local celebrity with the ladies at the Red Fox. Ladlevane is a middle aged batchelor who lives alone in his carpenters shop. During the day he works hard making all manner of artefacts to order and is seldom approachable for his work consumes him, but during the evenings, he can be found in one of the many local taverns, inns or cat houses where he becomes festive, rowdy and humorous. Ladlevane is a country man who came to the city in his early adulthood. He speaks with a broad country accent, and wears his rural character like a garment. Of an occaision he can be seen here and there, mending houses but the rumour is, he services other mens wives more often than their homes.

Meg Plum

A large, fat, old woman, her silvery grey hair tied at her neck, Meg Plum labours constantly in Friars Gate courtyard, washing and drying clothes, surrounded by children and usually talking to the local women. Old Meg owns a boarding house, the top floor of which is currently rented by Cristobal Sebastiani and Franco Ballenciaga whilst Meg lives on the ground and first floor along with Molly Cutlerstub (rumoured to be a relative of some kind) and her five children. Meg is something of a local fixture, not least for the women and children of the neighbourhood, and many consider her a healer for she knows a great many old remedies and folk cures for all manner of ailments. Rumoured to have once been a prostitute herself, Meg also provides the meals for the girls at the Red Fox. Always busy, always smilling. Meg is apparently wealthy enough to own her own house, but she dresses in the old worn out garments of a char woman.

Isabelle

Beautiful, smug and self assured, Isabelle is the youngest of the prostitutes at the Red Fox and widely regarded as the prettiest. Somewhere in her mid to late teens, she can often be seen cavorting with wealthy old men in the boxes of the theatres, usually laughing merrily at the vauadville acts. About the town she wears pearl and cream garments of rich fabrics, adorned with lace and finery, turning the heads of many an amourous man and jealous wife. Since she has never cared to moderate herself, Isabelle has a great many critics amongst the local women and has on several occaisions gotten into public brawls and cat fights. Isabelle was born in Takshendal but speaks with a Skavvian accent. She is tall, strong, very blonde and quick of temper.

Aimeé

Bright eyed, blonde, optimistic, happy-go-lucky. Aimeé is a young cheerful woman who has found comfort and security as a prostitute in the Red Fox. Tall and plain, she makes up for her lanky figure with her charm and wit. Intelligent, and quicker than most on the uptake, she is known to help many of the older women in the neighbourhood. Because of her willingness to help, she is regarded by the locals as ‘better than her circumstances’. Her accent betrays her rural origins, which she was born to a poverty stricken family in Gallowe. Having fled her family home with the help of a band of Gypsies she reached Takshendal in her fourteenth year where she quickly learned that the city was no place for innocence. As a consequence of her having helped other people, Aimeé is known to be able to read, write and even keep simple accounts, but how she came by these skills is a mystery.

Marissa

An exotic woman from a far away land, bold, mysterious and alluring, she has rich, dark hair, a full pouting mouth and almond eyes which sparkle with delight when in the presence of men. Well endowed and almost wanton with her exclusive clients her reputation as an expensive foreign prostitute has become widely known in the Armorial Quarter due to her flamboyant character, easy laughter and cheerful disposition. Marissa can often be seen perusing the stalls and shops of the district with her even more exotic friend Sandrine. Obviously from strange lands, Marissa has the appearance of a Sabean, but if asked from whence she came she will merely reply with an enigmatic evasion.

Marissa works at the Red Fox.

Sandrine

Dark and mysterious, silent and sensual. A short woman with a plump figure. Broad across the hips, with long curling hair. Sandrine of Kwala is as unusual and strange as any woman in Takshendal and far more than most. Usually only seen in public in the company of her friend Marissa, who usually does any talking to strangers, Sandrine attracts stares and comment where ever she passes by. Even in the broad minded Armorial Quarter, her Jungolian complexion challenges and excites attention. As a prostitute working at the Red Fox, she is in high demand from men seeking novelty, but since her command of Norlish is limited, she makes few friends.

Bertram Turnbull

A placid, solid man, heavily built with a wide face, Bertram Turnibull wears dark, sombre clothing of quality manufacture, hinting at a level of affluence above most of the locals. He is a lawyer, a merchant of sorts and some kind of financial supporter of The Arrow Theatre. He is seldom seen locally as he lives a busy life, but has been known to frequent The Red Fox on occaision. To the locals he is a respectable, but anonymous face, usually associated with the upper levels of society. Amongst the acting fraternity he is usually described as being a frightful bore, a dullard and a tiresome accountant.

Bertram Turnibull is married to the mysterious Odette Turnibull who was a renown actress until she lost her left leg in a boisterous performance of 'The Lovers of Lady Archmole'.

Hilda Grimbleflax

A slender, yet sturdy woman in her middle years. Her strength of personality is immediately evident in her bearing and open manner. Quick to voice her opinion she can often seem fiery and aggressive, but lurking beneath the spitfire one may glimpse a perceptive and prudent woman. Hilda Grimbleflax is the proprietor of the Red Fox coffee house, which is known locally as a private bawdy house. She is usually well dressed, if some what casually. She wears no make up and despite her profession she is not a prostitute. She was once married to a young soldier, but he was killed in some distant war.

Due to her candour and general disposition, Hilda Grimbleflax is very popular with the locals, both amongst the back street poor, the armorial district academics and the many actors, artists and other petty intellectuals.

Note that prostitution is legal in Takshendal due to the teachings of both the Church of Holy Law and the Church of Divine Grace, though it is generally considered something of a shabby, unimpressive trade. Some few prostitutes do make a name for themselves however and one or two become rather famous due to the company they keep. Hilda Grimbleflax is known to employ five girls; Aimeé, Isabelle, Sandrine, Marissa and Kit Kindle.

Note also that coffee is a rare drink in Takshendal, imported in limited supply from Axor.

Captain Anton Fouquet

Formerly the Master and Commander of the trading ship Molly Carbuncle, now retired. Born in Guisseny (see map) in 1571, he served the House of Treadstone for most of his adult life and in 1620 he settled in the Armorial Quarter. In 1624 he purchased the Friars Gate property and moved into the old gate house tower. For the last few months he has cultivated the local neighbourhood and become something of a minor celebrity, much given to visiting the Red Fox coffee house where he often holds court for numerous sycophants and followers.

He is a tall, fat man with a strong personality and a powerful charisma. There is something of the patrician about him, but also a touch of the criminal. He lives with his young wife Anaïs, but is known to be a chronic adulterer.