Abel Prescott, the town elder Abel Prescott, the town elder, is one of the town elders. He has lived here as long as anyone can remember. He disappeared without any warning about 11 months ago. Everyone is worried about him, and the void that he has left in the town leadership has been difficult to fill, though there is no lack of people trying to do so. Henry Hurlbut, the Doctor Dr. Henry Hurlbut says he is a medical doctor. Some believe him, some don’t. He gained some credibility when he was seen regularly with Abel Prescott, one of the most powerful men in town. Now that Elder Prescott has vanished without a trace, some suspect that Dr. Hurlbut had something to do with it. His remedies have not always been known to help the sick. Grace Perry, the Indian advocate Grace Perry works in Perry’s Dry Goods and Hardware for her sister. While she is an amiable church-going woman, she is also outspoken about her Indian heritage and deeply committed to researching the history, medicine and beliefs of “her people” who once lived near present day Clairemouth. She recently had her cousin, Thomas Cooke, move in from Gayhead Reservation, presumably to assist with research. Johanna Perry, the shop owner Johanna Perry doesn’t talk much about her Indian heritage. She runs the family store and runs it well. She’s a practical, no-nonsense woman and respected for it. She sincerely hopes this Wrecker hysteria will end soon, so things will return to normal, but will ship in and sell any good needed for villagers or visitors alike in the meantime. Peter O'Sullivan, the fisherman Peter O’Sullivan is a dockhand down at the warehouse. He is very honest and liked by everyone. He spends a lot of time down on the shore, exploring the coast, and it is said that no one knows the coastline quite as well as he does. Celia Wortham, the Innkeeper Celia is owner of the Whaler’s Inn. Her bread, chowder, and beer are like no other, and she can keep even the rowdiest sailors in line. Nothing happens in town that she does not know about. Her inn is the place to go for food, information, and social life in this little New England town, and is frequented by almost everyone. Benjamin Masters, the warehouse owner Ben Masters runs the warehouse in town. Recently, he has amassed a great deal of wealth due to salvage from the many shipwrecks. He is known to be a hard-drinking, quarrelsome man, but it’s also been said that he’s one of the fairest employers you’d ever find. Thomas Cooke, the indian Thomas is a strange Indian fellow from the Gayhead reservation visiting his cousins and working at Perry’s Dry Goods and Hardware. He doesn’t speak much and keeps to himself, often disappearing for rambles in the woods North of town. His appearance has stirred up divisive opinions on the ongoing Indian Wars in the west. Lydia Browne, expecting mother Lydia Browne is very pregnant with her first child, due any time now. The pregnancy has not been kind to her, and it shows. She does not seem at all happy lately. She has been spending a lot of time with her friend, Clarissa Peacock, especially now that Clarissa’s father has died. William Browne, expectant father Lydia’s husband. About a year ago, his ship didn’t return when expected. He returned home several months later, and after a joyous reunion with Lydia, he swore to her he would never go to sea again, though he has told no one what befell him and his ship. He and Lydia are expecting their first child any time now. Bernard Gray, the lighthouse keeper Bernard Gray is the Clairemouth lighthouse keeper. He was also Walter Peacock’s best friend and confidant. He is understandably upset about the death of his friend. He is under great scrutiny because of all the shipwrecks. Anne Gray, the midwife Bernard Gray’s daughter. Anne is a skilled herbalist and midwife, and has cared for the residents of Clairemouth for years. Lately though, she has had competition from Dr. Hurlbut, and the strain is beginning to show. Claudius Lawhead, the Naval Investigator Claudius Lawhead has been in town for about a month. The Navy sent him to investigate the shipwrecks. He seems to be constantly asking random questions of everyone he encounters without really getting to any point. The general impression is that he’s not particularly good at this, and won’t find any answers anytime soon. Sarah Elizabeth Loring, the cartographer Sarah Elizabeth Loring arrived in town late last night with her Uncle Jeremiah. No one knows much about either one of them. She seems pleasant and intelligent. Rebecca Rumsey, the widow Widow Rebecca Rumsey moved to Clairemouth a few months ago from Newport Rhode Island. She says she had come here to flee the memories of her recently departed husband. She is young and beautiful, and quite rich. Samuel Case, The Novelist Sam Case is a novelist, though he has yet to publish anything. He is poor, and currently does odd jobs to support himself while he writes. Recently he’s been working for Widow Rumsey, helping her with minor repairs and work on her new home. Clarissa Anne Peacock, the inheritress Clarissa Peacock’s father, Walter Peacock, died last week, leaving her the family fortune as her brother is presumed killed in the Civil War. Her father was a collector of oddities, and Clarissa has decided to auction off many of his unusual belongings later this evening. George Boothe, the shipwreck survivor George “Bad Penny” Boothe is a sailor who can’t find work anymore after surviving 12 shipwrecks. Two months ago he wandered into town looking for work, but his reputation preceded him. He’s currently working for Ben Masters at the warehouse and extremely close to Peter O’Sullivan. Jeremiah Loring, the monster hunter Jeremiah Loring arrived in town late last night with his niece, Sarah. Rumor has it that he thinks a monster is responsible for the shipwrecks, and he’s here to hunt it down. Josephine Smythe, The Virginian Lady Josephine arrived in town three months ago. She comes from a wealthy Virginian family who abandoned the South early in the Civil War. She says she is an amateur historian with an abiding interest in the tall tales of the sea. She’s always willing to listen to a story of ghost ships, sea monsters or pirate battles. Jane Pryor, the Genealogist Jane Pryor is new in town. She says she’s looking for some long lost relatives, and therefore has been asking a lot of questions about genealogy. She seems like a sweet girl. Nathaniel Perry, the shipowner Mr. Perry is the owner of a line of merchant ships. He is here in town for one thing – to find out what is causing the shipwrecks and how to stop them. Thomas Graves, the journalist Tom Graves is a journalist here to investigate and write about the shipwrecks. Father Ames, the town Priest Father Ames is the town priest. He is loved and trusted by all, and would certainly do anything he could to help anyone in need. Oliver Turner, the tale collector Oliver arrived in town last week. He is a publisher looking for traditional songs of the sea. His book of Southern Anthems was a great success. He is friendly, outgoing and quite interested in town gossip. Gideon Hopkins, the sheriff Gideon Hopkins is the town sheriff, town clerk and keeper of the peace. He is a strong believer in the wreckers being caused by a sea monster. He is known to be a headstrong man who leaps into danger before he looks, but this has brought him a good deal of renown and the reputation of bravery.