note: character biographies will be expanded on as the story progresses.

	Piper Pax is a class .3 sorceress, making her the least talented sorceress in the Pax family tree and dooming her to a life of sudsy servitude as a University dishwasher. She is cranky, bitter, self-centered and impulsive; she has a big imagination, and a tendency to drink too much. Piper is painfully aware of her moral failings - although she tries to be a good person, she often finds herself making the wrong decision. Part of Piper is jealous of anyone who can do magic.
	Professor Eli Belvidere is a passionate but socially underdeveloped archaeologist who is obsessed with finding the Balshem Tome, the first book of spells and the missing link in the sorcery timeline. He can be difficult to deal with, as he is fanatical, focused and dismissive to anyone he doesn't need. His eccentricities are numerous and range from everyday weirdness to an unprecendented level of surreality, making him ideal for his job.
	Balbina, Piper's stammering, self-conscious co-dishwasher, has a heart of gold and nerves of glass. Because her speech impediment made it impossible for her to become a sorceress, she too is trapped in servitude to the University. In her spare time, Balbina enjoys knitting hats, saving small animals from death, and proclaiming everyone's doom. She is staunchly religious.
	Professor Amelia Aarons is a beautiful young professional - ambitious, cunning and ruthless. She works at the University teaching offensive sorcery, and has fabulous hair. Her seemingly sinister intentions regarding Professor Belvidere are somewhat trumped by her obvious attraction to him. She has an unfortunately loud voice.
	Sommers is Professor Tungsten's assistant, but would much rather belong to Professor Aarons. He is somewhat effeminate. He is also a hypochondriac; his only real physical ailment is a severe allergy to fur, which is a cruel irony considering that part of his job is cat-sitting Tony.
	Professor Tungsten is batty, cat-loving Librarian. He is overtly religious and carries a portable bookcase on his back, so as to never be without his favorite books. He and Piper have a long-standing friendship; he considers her a waste of a good mind, and she considers him a convenient source of information.
	Tony (short for Plutonius) is the ginger incarnation of the devil himself. Blessed with insanely quick reflexes and muscles like sprung steel traps, Tony has killed many men and will kill again. He is Tungsten's adorable little cuddlemuffin.
	Tula Maldega, the University's linguist, is an accomplished diplomat and foreign relations officer. She is also Mistress of Defense. Most of her power comes from how harmless and friendly she looks.
	Corzo Maldega is Tula's faithful husband, and a University doctor. He worships the ground his wife walks on and is usually tasked with carrying heavy things. No, he's not winking - one of his eyes does not open.
	Penelope Pax (or Penny), Piper's oldest cousin, was valedictorian of her class, and now works as an elementary school teacher. She is cool and haughty, and hates children (and Piper). She is very proud of her magic; she is an accomplished seer, and a promising addition to the faculty.
	Prudentia Pax (or Pru, as she likes to be called) is Piper's middle cousin. She has the same unfortunate prejudices as her sisters, but she is much kinder to Piper. Prudentia is still in school at the University and specializes in growth sorcery.
	Prisca Pax (alias Prissy) is Piper's youngest cousin. She is a bit of a brat. Although she is gifted at offensive sorcery, she does not take school seriously, and is easily bored.

Headmaster Eduardo Kelsas V - aging Headmaster of Brunnhold. Though mostly fair-minded, he has a tendency to fire people for small offenses.
Emperor Nolyneux XIV - the reigning Emperor of Anaxas.



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