CONTENT WARNINGS: cartoon-y fantasy violence, gaslighting, manipulation, and "death" but all of the characters are immortal so it's not a big deal.
While characters for Celestial City have existed since 2018, it didn't quite resemble the project it currently is until late-2019. It also began as a solo-project, but I enjoyed so much of the input my partner- Harley ♥- gave me that they naturally got taken in as a co-writer. Celestial City is a semi-episodic detective noir with aspects of social satire that focuses on the absurdity of celebrity worship and parasocial relationships. We intend to publish Celestial City as a webcomic or some other visual-heavy medium.
The whole of the story takes place in the eponymous Celestial City, a safe haven in the far corners of the cosmos built by gods, for gods. While it was orignally created to be a temporary getaway, some gods have taken up permanent residence in the City. On account of the fact that all of its residents are immortal, there isn't any need for a centralized monetary system. Businesses exist, but they operate on either pure passion or provide goods/services in exchange for nebulous "social capital". Reputation is incredibly important to gods, as their powers are fueled directly by others' belief in them. This belief is more than just simply acknowledging a god exists, however. What truly gives a god power is praise, love, offerings, worship... To get this from other gods, many seek celebrity status in some form or another. The desperation for this kind of attention is the source of most of the city's problems. Such cases are when a third party- like Sullivan's private-eye agency- usually get involved.
Lexi Hart (she/her)
Goddess of Truth
A private investigator who works as Sullivan's right hand. Lexi is a feared and admired figure in Celestial City, known for dishing out swift justice. She has a low tolerance for nonsense and will always be the first to speak up when something doesn't sit right with her, even though oftentimes speaking truth to power isn't conducive to being liked. Lexi is a very private person who doesn't get involved in the city's goings on outside of her job as she despises how shallow the the city's populus is.
Secretly she has a passion for making bad music with painfully earnest lyrics, but she has yet to take the leap of sharing it with anyone.
Sullivan (he/him)
God of Death
A former king of the underworld who claims he retired after realizing "that position just wasn't a good fit" for him. Truthfully, being surrounded by so much death and being unable to materially change the conditions that caused his people to suffer so much in life took a heavy toll on him. Sullivan has since found a rewarding career as a self-made detective in Celestial City. He is the only person Lexi defers to.
Russel (any pronouns)
God of Fire
Russel is a newcomer to Celestial City and Sullivan's newest hire, much to Lexi's dismay. While excited to get started, Russel has yet to adapt to City life, especially after living like mortals do for her whole life. Regardless, the young god is eager to meet others of his kind and find his place in the stars (and help some folks out while they're at it).
Vix Supernova (they/them)
Goddex of Pathfinding
The newest member of the big-name Celestial City Comets and a rising star even offstage, Vix Supernova steals the show with their general optimism and plucky attitude. The actrex also frequently works as an informant for Sullivan. Who better to send into the celebrity side of the crime scene than another celebrity?
They're very close to Ocellus and enjoy the time they spend on stage next to him- and everywhere else.
Ocellus (he/him)
God of Communications
One of the most beloved of Celestial City's entertainment icons, beloved by audiences and coworkers alike, Ocellus' trademark smile and sparkling eyes are instantly recognizable. Even to those who have never met the man in-person, he is regarded as a friend and respectable figure.
Eidri (they/she)
God of [REDACTED]
Eidri is the mysterious friend and personal assistant of Ocellus, helping him stay on top of his very busy schedule. Despite their employer's reputation as the "face" of Celestial City's television scene, Eidri is rarely ever seen or even acknowledged by the public. She doesn't seem to mind this, however, appearing content with living in relative obscurity.
Karina (she/her)
Goddess of Merriment
The owner of one of Celestial City's many bars, but her particular establishment is a favorite for Sullivan and his crew. Karina is an informal informant for the detectives as thanks for helping her with a "case" many years ago. She's a cheery, mirthful woman, but she never hesitates to kick a patron out if they get too rowdy.
Larry Loudmouth (he/him)
God of Messengers
Though the wide majority of the citizens of Celestial City tower over him, this living loudspeaker has other ways of getting noticed. A reporter and journalist by trade, Larry is always spreading the news with a grin on his... Face? Mouth? Speaker... Head? Either way, that chap's always got something to smile about, doesn't he?
After clocking out, Larry can be found at Karina's bar. Rumor has it that he's head over heels for Karina herself- But one could say it's not really a "rumor" when he openly sighs dreamily at the sight of her.
Clandestine (she/her) and Turpentine (he/him)
Gods of Gossip and Hearsay
These two gods might as well share a mind and body. One is never seen without the other and they seamlessly finish eachothers' sentences. Unfortunately, they don't work so harmoniously with anyone else in Celestial City. Clandestine and Turpentine are infamous for airing the scandals of other gods with little regard for whether the information is true or appropriate to publicize. Everyone knows the pair's tabloids are garbage, but that doesn't stop their contents from entering Celestial City's public zeitgeist.
Synemo (she/her)
The Elder Muse
Synemo has seen it all in this industry. And though she has seen the good, the bad, and the dirty of fame in multiple settings, there is one thing she still cannot stand- Bad writing.
Or, to be clearer, writing that isn't up to snuff with popular opinion (or even further, what she deems as "popular opinion"). Where there was once a time of experimentation and risks in Celestial City's entertainment scene, there is now a sense of stale repetition. Though she recognizes this, she hasn't quite made the connection between it and her own rigidity. She blames the would-be writers instead of her own perceptions. There is the feeling that the Elder Muse before her gave her an "example" to follow, but...
Oh, who is she kidding? He loved Ocellus and the people love Ocellus, so she'll let Ocellus do whatever he wants. Even if he's got a charity case on his hands, she trusts that he'll turn this "Vic" over into a respectable actrex quickly...
Amalthea (he/him)
God of Wealth
Amalthea is a traveller, a seeker of all things novel and beautiful, but he has retreated back to Celestial City in the wake of a "mid-immortal-life crisis". He has grown bored in his travels and yearns to find a new purpose. A blooming friendship with a certain Vix Supernova leads him to find a new calling: Theatre.
Amalthea is determined to shake up the creative scene in Celestial City by creating the very novel and beautiful experience he has been seeking all his life. However, not everyone is so excited to see this vision become a reality...
Faust (he/him)
God of Luck
In the upper floor of a booming casino, the owner of Faust's Folly idly looks over his winnings. In a city where the only currency is your own reputation, the stakes get considerably higher. As the reptilian manager takes inventory of blackmail, artifacts (both blessed and otherwise), and divine contracts, a floor informant knocks. Someone's hit their lucky streak, and they're not planning on cashing out anytime soon.
Faust sets his checklist down and slithers out of his seat with a smile on his face and a cocky glint in his eyes. He knows that fortune will always be on his side- But that doesn't make a high roller's hubris any less delicious.
Today's his lucky day.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Name (pr/ns)
[character bio] Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
