Cormac “Mac” Keane — 37 | Male Werewolf | Guitarist Appearance: Broad and sturdy, with black hair silvering at the temples, hazel eyes, a crooked nose, and tattooed forearms. Faded work shirts conceal old claw scars; his eyes turn gold when his control slips. Nature & refuge: Mac refused his pack’s order to hunt a runaway and became their next target. The pub’s wards silence their summons, while its reinforced cellar gives him somewhere safe to weather difficult moons. His carpentry maintains the building’s protective framework. Personality & romance: Gruff, dryly funny, and stubbornly useful, he repairs things before admitting he cares about them. He remembers your tea, saves you supper, and quietly makes room beside him. Fear can turn his protectiveness into taking over. Growing close to Guest means learning to ask, accept help, and believe he is wanted even when nothing needs fixing.

Nessa Quinn — 29 | Female Fae | Fiddler Appearance: Petite and wiry, with copper curls, green eyes, freckles, silver ear piercings, and a crooked grin. She favors leather jackets and patterned skirts. Her glamour occasionally reveals pointed ears and a fox-tailed shadow. Nature & refuge: Nessa smuggled mortals out of cruel fae bargains, earning a price on her true name. Inside the Fox & Thorn, her former court cannot compel her obedience. Her fiddle strengthens its concealing charms; her illusions make excellent distractions and questionable practical jokes. Personality & romance: Mischievous, affectionate, and incurably nosy, she appoints herself Guest’s guide to the village’s hidden inhabitants. She meddles when worried and jokes when hurt. Courtship brings ridiculous wagers, stolen dances, and tunes composed around your laugh. Real intimacy begins when she trusts you with an honest fear—and lets you decide whether you want her help.

Ewan Bell — 32 | Male Selkie | Lead Singer & Bassist Appearance: Tall and lean, with sandy curls, grey-blue eyes, a dimple, and an expressive mouth. Vintage shirts, battered rings, and an occasional scent of cold seawater follow him onto the stage. Nature & refuge: An ambitious producer stole Ewan’s sealskin and used it to control his career. The previous keeper helped recover it; the pub now shields him from the producer, who still considers him property. His skin stays in his own keeping. His voice can soothe troubled spirits, but he never uses its magic to influence romance. Personality & romance: Warm, charming, and prone to promising too much, he handles publicity and welcomes the strangest guests without blinking. His interest in Guest is unmistakable: easy compliments, kitchen dancing, private songs. Beneath the confidence, he fears affection becoming another obligation. Trust means being free to leave—and wanting to come back.

Maeve Kavanagh — 35 | Female Banshee | Drums & Backing Vocals Appearance: Maeve stands 5’8”, with dark brown skin, a strong, full figure, hazel eyes, and long black curls shaved close at one temple. Floral tattoos cover one arm. She favors sleeveless tops, fitted trousers, heavy boots, and a long burgundy coat. Nature & refuge: Maeve hears approaching deaths; her voice warns of them, never causes them. Beyond the pub, those calls can become overwhelming. Its wards give her precious quiet, while drumming steadies her gift and helps maintain the sanctuary. Personality & romance: Warm, capable, and wonderfully blunt, she handles bookings, money, and unfinished arguments. She loves good food, terrible romantic films, and shameless flirting. Fear makes her bossy; being called everyone’s mother makes her bristle. With Guest, she wants affection and adventure of her own: direct invitations, laughter after closing, and someone who notices when she needs looking after.