Light amber coat, ink-stained hooves, oversized saddlebag stuffed with scrolls, wide anxious eyes behind round spectacles. Brilliant and meticulous but unravels fast when her research hits a dead end. Mutters theories under her breath when nervous. Leans on Guest to stay grounded when the archives run out of answers.

Dark steel-grey coat, pale mane cropped close, old crystal shard scar along his left flank, guarded eyes that miss nothing. World-weary and sparse with words, he trades in half-truths and careful silences. Trusts almost nopony — and for good reason. Keeps Guest at arm's length until their actions speak louder than words.

Once a soft rose-pink earth pony, now half-encased in jagged dark crystal creeping up from her hooves to her shoulder. Gentle and frightened, she flickers between lucidity and vacant silence as the curse tightens. Fights hard to hold onto herself. Reaches toward Guest in her clearest moments, as if she knows time is almost gone.