Spirits of America

 Caleb Law

Law, "the Spirit of the Republic," is a ghost like assassin from Virginia who commands the spirits to do his bidding. Law moves through shadows and cloaks himself in whispering ghosts, making him an excellent spy and assassin, and a wretch of a man.

 Hamish Bean

Bean is a U.S. Army soldier from Kentucky who still thinks he's in the army. This has proved at least partly true, as he has been attached to various outfits by special command of the Union presidency, and now bears the rank of seargent. By unknown means, Sgt. Bean can form a seamingly infinite number of dopplegangers in his own likeness, creating a true one-man army corps.

 Matthew Luke Harwood

Harwood, a Methodist farmer from rural Kentucky, was raised by a devout family in the traditions of the Holiness Movement. His grandfather, a minister, believed in the doctrine of "Entire Sanctification", that through faith in Jesus man can make himself pure of heart and uncorruptible by sin. On the day Matthew was to be baptized, there was a frenzy among the congregation, with many shouting and jumping and speaking in tongues. His grandfather, feeling the Holy Ghost powerfully among them, steered Matthew away from the river, driving him instead into the revival's bonfire- a literal baptism by fire.

Harwood was burnt alive, to the horror of the onlookers. However, filled with the grace of the Holy Ghost, he survived. In the years since he has come to find that no harm is lasting to him, no damage cannot be undone.

Harwood wears his hair long and drinks heavily, in defiance of his grandfather's idea of "a holy life". He is a masochist and is filled with self-loathing, which makes him dangerous to others as well. He views God's Love as a shackle, making slaves of men, and continually tries to undermine oppression through defiance and sin. He has corrupted his body and soul in every way imaginable, only to find that the Holy Ghost within him heals both, bringing him back to state of grace. Try as he might, he can't shake his destiny, and the better nature within him. Instead he spends his time trying to help others free themselves from the tyranny of God's Grace.

 Tom Daring

Tom Daring was born on a farm in Ross County, Ohio in 1840. He was an energetic boy and excelled in everything he tried – from track and field to elocution. The son of a successful farmer and part-time Presbyterian minister, Tom was raised to be reverent, courteous, and self-determined. He enrolled in American Western University at 16 and graduated three years later, taking his degree in mechanical engineering and making many friends of all stations.

 Thomas Nast

A German-American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist working for Harper's Weekly, Nast has the amazing ability to draw people and places with startling accuracy, including detailed images of past events at which he was not a firsthand witness. This talent brought him into association with the Spirits of America.

Nast was born in Landau, Germany, the son of a musician in the 9th regiment Bavarian band. His mother took him to New York in 1846, at the tender age of 6. He studied art and became a true American with strong political views, leading him to join the secret Order of the Star Spangled Banner. Hardly a man of action, Nast is most definitely a rabble-rouser and adventurer.

 Standing Bear

Standing Bear is Lakota indian who wears a cavalry coat and a black bear skin cape. He joined the Spirits of America at President Lincoln's request during the search for General George Meade in 1863. Aside from his trusty tomohawks and true American spirit, Standing Bear has the power to adopt the form of his namesake, transforming into a ferocious black bear.

Standing Bear left his tribe at an early age. His fellow Indians couldn't understand that the White Man brought progress and opportunity, not theft and suffering as was generally understood. Standing Bear has become a fixture among George Custer's cavalry unit, fighting alongside him in Bull Run and Antietam.

His fervent desire is to acquit himself admirably through defense of the Union in hopes that the White Man might award him citizenship. He longs to be called a true American.

 Willie "Copperhead" Combs

Willie Combs was a scrappy Irish red-headed scofflaw. He had retractable fangs with deadly poison, a power inherited from his mother who was the snake girl ("the Naga") for a traveling freak show, run by Jack Straw. Coombs met his end in New Orleans in 1862 when he betrayed the Spirits and, momentarily at least, joined Straw's carnie gang. After a lengthy game of cat and mouse, Coombs was killed by Caleb Law in front of his mother's cage.

 Tabitha Randolph

A South Carolina woman from a wealthy plantation owning family who has been cast out of her family after draining a would be assailant of his vital energy. Over the course of her time with the Spirits of America, Tabitha discovered her abilities as an energy-witch extended to being able to excite energies to combustion, producing fire. Ironically enough, she was caught in the explosion of Albert Pike's New Orleans mansion and is presumed dead, along with her unlikely lover Monroe.

Albert Pike, Grand Master

A writer, a soldier, and a confederate, Pike was also most notably the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite's Southern Jurisdiction. From his estate in Charleston, South Carolina, Pike pulls the strings behind the great men of the Civil War- not the least of which are those with special talents.

Pike's ultimate goal appears to be to use the Masons to destroy the current authority and infrastructure of the United States through war, in order to rebuild it according to masonic principles. Although many agree with this in principle, his methods are highly suspect, and he is known to surround himself in dark magic.

Col. Lewis Washington

The great, great nephew of George Washington, Lewis is a high member of the Freemasons and a bit of prick. Also, he can apparently fly. He has a close personal servant- a free black man named Billy- who was captured and interrogated by O'Brien.

Monroe

A superior servant formerly in the employ of Albert Pike, Monroe is an enormous black man in a powdered wig. He is a font of unending strength, and has been known to throw men through walls and turn bullets with his flesh. In the prison escape at Andersonville, where he'd somehow been placed in charge of the Confederate soldiers, Monroe lost an eye to Matthew Harwood and his heart to Tabitha Randolph. He was caught in the explosion of Albert Pike's mansion in 1862, along with Tabitha Randolph and others, and is presumed dead.

Major General Benjamin "Beast" Butler

The Federal commander of New Orleans during the Civil War, Butler has been subjecting the city to a rigorous martial law so tactlessly administered as greatly to intensify the hostility of South and North. Butler is a member of the Northern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, and thus finds himself in a position of supporting Albert Pike's operations without especially endorsing his tactics.

Seamus O'Brien (The Charmer)

Another member of Manus Deus, O'Brien is an Irish immigrant who was a poor potato farmer from County Cavan fleeing certain death. A nobody in Ireland, after a year in New York, something happened to him and he became "The Charmer." Now, he is a man no one can say no to. He can convince anyone to do what he likes just by talking to them � something about his voice. He ran the gangs in New York and when the New York Lodge tried to bring him into the fold, he turned the tables on them and made off with their treasury. A vain Meglomaniac. O'Brien generally poses as a wealthy businessman and successful Faro player.

The Servant

A Cree man known only as "The Servant", this member of the Manus Deus organization was shunned by his people for being touched by the god Esaugetuh Emissee (the Master of Breath), the creator of man (A Cree version of Prometheus). He can shape clay into any existing living being and by breathing on it, give it life for a day � it will obey him.

"Yin and Yang", the Liu brothers

These twin Chinese brothers in their early twenties hail from San Francisco, where they were working gold country. As it happens, they are quite powerful- one is a telekinetic, the other controls explosions. . When they discovered their talents, they became mercenaries, and took up work with Manus Deus. They are not currently attached to anyone in particular.

 Robert John "Atalante" Hussey

Robert John Hussey, AKA L'Atalante, John Atalante, and The Great Atalanta, was a stage magician who first worked as a stage hand for Bartolomeo Bosco during his 1841 American tour before Bosco learned of Hussey's great gift. Hussey is a true illusionist - he can create realistic objects with the power of his mind. He had hoped that Bosco would recognize his talent and catapult him to fame, but the master magician turned him over to the Freemasons instead.

Hussey is a mulatto - his mother is a free black - and he once billed himself as a Tuscarora Indian, having learned the secrets of a great medicine man.

Once a reluctant member of both the Freemasons and the Spirits of America, Atalanta was weak and easily influenced by magnetic personalities such as John Brown and Seamus O'Brien. During a particularly trying adventure where he struggled with O'Brien, bent on extracting revenge, Atalanta's mind cracked. As he choked the life out of O'Brien, he heard his dying words, which changed his world forever. Now he as left the Spirits and taken O'Brien's place in Manus Deus, swearing to bring down his former companions before they destroy America.

Jack "Straw" Shaw, Carnivale Boss

The ringleader of a traveling carnival show, Straw is a powerful man operating through puppets- literally. Although few have ever seen his true form, Straw manages his people through animated simulacrums made of sand, claw, and straw. Straw also had a personal relationship with "Copperhead" Coombs, as Coombs' mother ("the Naga") was a part of the Carnival.

Perry "the Inferno" Halleck

A scrawny geek who can produce and control fire at will. He works for Jack Straw.

Benjamin Sweet

A thick-necked carny with an almost-supernatural talent for getting under other people's skin.

The Enigma

A mysterious agent ostensibly working with O'Brien or Jack Straw. It would seem he can appear to be anyone he pleases, including Col. Washington or O'Brien himself. He was instrumental in tricking Willie Coombs into joining Straw's gang by pretending to be Atalanta.

Nick, Nack, Paddy and Wack

Four midget clowns who work together in elaborate costumes, complete with hidden compartments and guns. One of them was presumably killed by Thomas Nash during the 1862 fight aboard the Carnival's boat.

Annabelle "The Naga" Coombs

Annabelle, mother to Willie Coombs, has been the resident "snake lady" in Jack Straw's carnival for more than two decades. Her relationship with Straw was initially friendly and cooperative, but like many great manipulators, he eventually took control of her life and made her a virtual slave. In recent years, Straw had come to rely on her clairavoyant talents quite heavily, and although still his prisoner, Annabelle has been well kept. Her one great solace was keeping her mind's eye on her son, William, hoping he would turn out to be a good man, letting her love blind her to the truth.

Annabelle was freed from Straw's ship in 1862 by Sgt. Bean, after watching Caleb Law murder her son.

Dr. Robert Morris

Founder of the Order of the Eastern Star. Morris broke with the Masons to create his own order which included women. He's now involved in a power struggle with Pike, both working to influence the course of events for their own ends. Keeps close company with the troupe of women known as the FATAL Five. His entourage also includes the Eunich -- a young man with the voice of an angel.

Adah

A celestial with a masterful ability to cut things using one of the two scimitars she carries on her back. The pen may indeed be mightier than the sword, but one can't write when their hands have been severed.

Ruth

Quiet, reserved, inconspicuous. She moves through shadows. Ruth was killed in the explosion of Albert Pike's mansion, but she keeps a close eye on Caleb Law nonetheless.

Esther

Formerly Miss Eustace, Esther has taken to wearing all white and following the counsel of Dr. Morris. She has the power to read the minds of others.

Martha

Deferred to as the leader of the FATAL Five. Her ability to heal wounds both physical and spiritual seems to have no limit. Named after the sister of Lazarus, a man brought back to life by Jesus. She has developed some affection for Sgt. Bean, despite the fact that he is married.

Electa

Though all her sisters would be considered attractive by any standard, Electa's beauty has the power to make men forget themselves ... and their friends. Harwood's fevered advances seem to have made some impact on her, though only a fool would doubt that Electa maintains full control over the relation.

The Eunich

Often found in the company of Morris. He has the voice of an angel.

2LT Frost

A commander of the 17th Kentucky. A stickler for the rules and discipline, and therefore a bit of a prick.

Sergeant Nate Kipling, USA, Buford’s cavalry, York Pennsylvania

President Abraham “beard cannon” Lincoln

General George Gordon Meade, USA – kidnapped!

Ward Keene, reporter for the NY World and friend of Tom Nast

Kate Reynolds, daughter of Union General John F. Reynolds and fiance of Tom Nast – kidnapped!

Dr. Thaddeus Lowe, Lincoln’s scientist

Major General Abner Doubleday, USA

General Beauregard

A commander of the Confederate armies. Especially fond of Tabitha Randolph, who he regards as a Rebel spy.

Colonel James Pettigrew, CSA cavalry, riding with Paul Revere’s spurs

Ellie

Ellie is an eight year old slave girl who is daughter to one of the kitchen slaves at Hotel Derniere. She sees terrible things coming and is haunted by what she sees. Her mother is Della, a Voodoo priestess who does nothing but according to M. Champomier is the best servant he has.

Della

Della is a Voodoo priestess for real, she can make zombies, stick dolls and compel people to do what she wants. She is nominally in charge of the kitchen and maids work in the Hotel, but she doesn't do a damned thing but lie around and tell people what to do. She can deceive and sway by spitting the tobacco stick she is always chewing on. The other slaves fear and respect her. M. Chapomier is enthralled by her.

Mess. Champomier

A cordial and social man, in his 50s. Manager of the Hotel that once stood on Last Island and well respected by the wealthy New Orleans patrons. His only weakness is Della.

Andronikos Kontostephanos

An arrogant Greek Count. He makes rediculous claims of being the son of Poseidon. He possesses a necklace with a trident on it. Without the necklace, Andronikos gorws more and more ill, to the point of sweating water and flooding the room. He claims to be a son of Poseidon, and he is clearly powerful beyond measure with his medallion (if incredibly weak without it).

Frederick Cooper

A former Pinkerton agent turned mercenary, Cooper is a hard-as-nails professional who (usually) gets the job done. Working for O'Brien, he was beaten by a pack of Beans in the Astoria Hotel, and was almost murdered by Coombs and Law atop of the Washington Monument site. Bean saved his life.

Dr. Winfield Suttridge, NYMZA fever-genius

Gustav Freyer, Sonora Aero Club fleigenmann

A flying agent of the Sonora Aero Club.
http://www.charlesdellschau.com/links.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dellschau)

Dr. Herschel Healing, biologist, NYMZA, friend of Nast