The following character biographies are here for the benefit of anyone looking for quick data on the cast and their relationships. As such, THERE ARE SPOILERS BELOW, so if you want the full experience, I recommend skipping this section and going straight to the first chapter.
The cast of the Spider Cliff Mysteries...
Barlow Bean
Ever since his childhood,
Barlow has wanted nothing more than to leave Spider Cliff
behind. The lack of communication with the rest of the world
and the general lack of culture in Spider Cliff has lead to
Barlow's introversion and embracing books as an escape from
his situation. He dreams of someday joining the intelligentsia
at the University of Sprawling-Mossville and becoming a Great
Philosopher. Barlow feels that events and people have conspired
to keep him in Spider Cliff. He actively refuses to participate
in his trained role as the town's official demon-hunter. As
the last remaining member of Spider Cliff's foremost family,
Barlow is wealthy enough to not require a job, and has consequently
never learned any useful skills in his 19 years.
Crystal Gorgon-Zola
Crystal, as she prefers to be known,
is a demon from a middle-class suburb of the underworld. She
is worldly and educated, but life in the modern world has worn
her down, and she feels that her discovery of Spider Cliff has
given her a second chance in life. She works as a waitress in
the Revolving Spider Diner, where she tries to fit into the
local society. Crystal is never without her dark sunglasses,
as her eyes can turn people to stone.
Rebecca St.Spigot
Rebecca is not a native of Spider Cliff,
although her status as the owner of the Revolving Spider Diner
makes her one of the town's foremost citizens. As the proprietress
of the social nexus of Spider Cliff, she always knows what is
happening in town, and as the town's only witch, she is the
link to the town's many resident ghosts. Rebecca always strives
to do whatever is best for the town.
Alex St.Spigot
Largely viewed as the town simpleton,
Alex has nonetheless learned more about the history of Spider
Cliff than anyone alive. His pride for the town is only matched
by his hatred of anything he deems evil, and he constantly fears
an impending demon invasion. Alex's occasional psychotic episodes
make him a poor choice as demon-hunter, but feels responsible
for helping Barlow in that role.
Turnip
The most intelligent member of his
species, Turnip feels responsible for protecting his fellow
paper mammals from those who would hunt them. His feud with
the Sheriff is well-documented. Turnip learned to speak and
read English from Barlow, his best friend.
Eliza Blake
Eliza has no interest or belief in
the supernatural, and is hostile towards anyone who doesn't
subscribe to her rational, reductionist point of view. She shuns
the town, preferring to remain in the marsh where she does botanical
studies for her PhD. Her environmentalist beliefs and respect
for plant and animal life are exemplified by her refusal to
eat anyone but fungus and lichen.
Annabelle Bumbershoot
Annabelle was once a performer in the
Brimly and Bumbershoot Circus of Amusements, but now hangs around
Spider Cliff, dreaming of consuming the brains of the living.
She is quite confused by Crystal's orders not to follow her
zombie instincts, but she's being a good sport about it.
Sheriff Sluggmosse
The Sheriff likes to keep everything
in balance. He likes the idea of having both a demon and demon-hunter
in Spider Cliff, and recently seems to be trying to broker a
match between them. Since Spider Cliff only rarely requires
an officer of the law, the Sheriff spends most of his time with
at his one hobby: hunting and trapping paper mammals. His great
nemesis is Turnip.