#intro.oblitus

basics

name: kang daehyun nicknames: dae, mr. kang age: twenty-six gender: cis man sexuality: heterosexual | heteromantic birthplace: mokpo, south korea religion: struggling christian occupation: primary school teacher fc: kim seokwoo ( aka rowoon )

family

parents: kang jinwoo ( alive, 48 ) || choi mina ( deceased ) siblings: none children: kang isabella, aka bella ( alive, 3 ) significant other(s): elena ramirez ( deceased, wife for 5 years )

external

eyes: brown hair: dark brown height: 6'3 tattoos: none scars: a few minor body type: well built, lean but muscled

internal

languages: korean ( fluent ), english ( near fluent ), spanish ( intermediate ), japanese ( basic ) likes: desserts, rainbows, teaching, fatherhood, the smell of old books, learning new languages, sewing new clothes for his daughter, shooting stars, making up ridiculous bedtime stories, ranch dressing ( america did right by this ) dislikes: nightmares, that awful homebrewed alcohol at the bar, the lack of ramen, nightfall ( a previous love but now its tainted ), monopoly

a history

basics.

given  name.     talia  balfour. nickname.     tally,   blondie,   give  her  some. age.     twenty-nine   (   january  29,   1995   ). place  of  birth.     manhattan,   new  york. song.     girl,   you’ll  be  a  woman  soon  by  urge  overkill. orientation.     bisexual,   give  her  psychosexual  nonsense  or  give  her  nothing.     only  a  couple  of  situationships  at  home  that  she  held  like  a  dog  holds  its  kill. occupation.     the  wicked  pharmacist  of  the  west. education.     an  over-achiever:   the  pharmacist  degree  under  her  belt,   eyeing  a  philosophy  degree  to  pass  the  time. religion.     second-generation  lapsed  catholic:   their  sunday  best  would  double  as  the  cook’s  apron.     or  the  duster  for  their  room’s  door  frame.

physical  characteristics.

height.     one-hundred  sixty-seven  centimetres,   five  foot  six. eyes.     dark  brown,   inky  in  the  shadows. hair.     sharp  blonde,   no  longer  perfectly  slicked  into  a  bun. gender  identity.     cis  woman   (   she   +   her   ). build.     not  much  curve  to  her  body:   small  chest  with  slightly  wider  hips. distinguishing  marks.     that  cold,   piercing  gaze  and  a  freckle  above  her  lip.     a  distinct  lack  of  blemishes.

personality   &   behaviour.

hobbies.     fencing,   chess,   gardening.     in  this  town,   she  fills  her  time  by  growing  her  own  mushrooms.     unsafe  to  eat,   doubling  as  failed  experiments,   along  with  her  relentless  pursuit  of  growing  medicinal  herbs.     enjoyed  sketching  or  painting  on  the  empty  pier,   at  any  time  of  day,   and  would  exclude  people  from  her  picture.     took  up  some  form  of  weaving  after  coming  to  the  town.     definitely  a  horse  girl  when  she  was  young. likes.     a  glass  of  red  wine  on  a  saturday  night,   flicking  fallen  leaves  at  her  cat,   the  mess  blood  leaves,   walking  outdoors   –   among  the  trees  specifically,   where  the  wind  whistles  instead  of  a  person’s  laboured  breath  out  in  the  cold. dislikes.     the  mess  hands  leave:   the  dry  kind  of  sticky  like  thirsty  roots,   music  trickling,   unbidden,   outside  of  its  allocated  room,   shadeless  heat  and  misty  rain. quirks.     her  eerie  facial  expressions:  unfurls  too  fast  and  flits  too  slow.      or  vice  versa,   any  mash  of  mechanics.     it’s  too  easy  to  see  her  facade’s  artifice. strengths.     no  ailment  will  go  untreated,   numbed  at  the  very  least. weaknesses.     even  when  it’s  one  she  pinches  into  your  body,   just  to  see  if  she  can  cure  it. moral  alignment.     neutral  evil. character  inspiration.     lee  harker   (   longlegs   ),   emma  frost   (   marvel   ),   sofia  falcone   (   the  penguin   ),   audrey  horne   (   twin  peaks   ),   lily   &   amanda   (   thoroughbreds   ),   little  sisters   (   bioshock   ),   mima  kirigoe   (   perfect  blue   ),   amma  crellin   (   sharp  objects   ),   eve   (   the  bible   ).

background.

you’re  not  a  miracle;   you’re  barely  a  statistic.     pink  fruit  from  a  round  womb.     grown  at  a  hill’s  crest,   a  strand  of  wet  grass  below  the  peach  tree,   overlooking  a  herd  of  sun-dried  cows.     no  one  would  notice  your  cotton  cradle.     no  one  but  the  stars.     and  your  mother’s  eyes  do  not  glisten  upon  watching  your  first  blink.     nor  your  first  day  at  school.     nor  your  first  ballet  recital.     without  a  picture,   you  wouldn’t  even  know  she  was  there.     you  forget  her  youth   ––   in  your  wet  baby-toothed  way   ––   for  there’s  nothing  to  chew  from  her.     bent  from  its  frame,   your  memory  holds  a  father’s  smile,   and  his  heavy  hand  upon  your  lithe  shoulder.

the  eve  of  your  fourteenth  birthday,   your  mother  cups  your  jaw  in  both  hands.     splayed  fingers  brush  against  your  slow  pulse.     your  breath  dampens  her  skin.     you  feel  it,   now,   more  than  she  did.     her  warmth  spilled  across  your  neck  like  air-thickened  blood.     this  is  before  the  second  step-mother,   right  at  the  precipice  of  your  first.     watch  him  for  me,   your  mother  says,   watch  him  at  night  for  me.     for  me.     almost  too  easy,   your  mother  would  say.     a  simple  kiss  at  their  temple,   and  a  child  remembers  their  mother.     quiet  malice,   salted  to  taste,   by  your  father  forgetting  to  call  you  his  favourite  girl.     and  there,   the  axe  earns  its  first  swing.

flesh  is  sweet  and  bought  hostility  is  sweeter.     levied  by  her  parents,   held  like  a  serrated  knife.     where  love  should  be  milk-bathed  and  pat  dry,   your  definition  curdles  into  a  tight  smile.     rehearsed  in  the  dark  mirror  of  another’s  pupil.     by  your  twenties,   you  reach  a  third  step-mother.     and  yet,   there  is  only  one  that  you  call  father.     the  game  loses  its  fresh  scent   –   stale  like  wrinkled,   doughy  hands   –   and  your  teeth  grow  sturdy.     their  quiet  plea  for  your  return  wafts  close  to  your  ear,   like  the  sound  of  crashing  water  from  a  seashell  as  the  sea  rolls  against  your  feet.

where  was  talia  when  she  saw  the  tree  and  the  murder  of  crows?     where  was  she  going?     was  she  travelling  alone?     how  did  she  feel?

two  nights  before  thanksgiving:   she  needed  to  find  her  father’s  new  house.     a  mid-life  crisis  purchase,   no  doubt,   but  that  only  made  the  prospect  of  seeing  him  more  fun.     fawning  over  a  new  dark-wood  table.     she  was  on  the  highway,   probably  pulled  into  the  wrong  exit.     it  should’ve  been  a  quick  fix.     the  darkening  sky  barely  fazed  her.

describe  talia’s  first  night  in  town.     did  she  arrive  in  the  daytime?     was  she  warned  by  the  residents?     did  she  have  to  be  restrained?

when  late  afternoon  breaks  into  early  evening,   pruning  the  sun-yellow  yolk  back  into  its  moon-white  shell.     it  takes  one  loop  back  to  the  town  for  her  to  stop  the  car.     night  looms  overhead,   and  she  stares  at  the  endless  path  before  her.     she  would  be  deathly  silent  on  that  first  day.     somewhere  between  excited   –   about  the  idea  of  something  new,   a  challenge  for  her  to  observe  and  overcome   –   and  empty  like  a  cracked  china  doll.

what  did  she  leave  behind?     what  was  her  life  like  on  the  outside?

BASIC INFORMATION

NAME: Ellington "El" Taylor GENDER: Non-binary (they/them) NICKNAMES: El BIRTHDAY: April 23, 1991 AGE: 33 ASTROLOGY: Taurus Sun, Taurus Moon, Cancer Rising SEXUALITY: Lesbian HOMETOWN: London, England BIRTHPLACE: London, England RELIGION: Agnostic EDUCATION: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEIGHT: 5'8' EYES: Green HAIR: Brown BUILD: Slim DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Large back tattoo of an airplane

PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR

HOBBIES: Model Plane Building, Stargazing, Gardening, Cooking/Baking, Vinyl Record Collecting, Photography LIKES: Routine, Neatness, Reading, Meaningful Conversations DISLIKES: Rashness, Superficiality, Crowds, Loud Noises. QUIRKS: Fidgets, Slightly Mismatched clothing, Ritualistic morning routine, Collects small objects. STRENGTHS: Patient, reliable, empathetic, determined WEAKNESSES: Stubborn, overly-cautious, emotional absorption.

BACKSTORY:

you can find the full story here.

BACKSTORY BULLET POINTS ( tw: addiction. overdose. death. )

Family: Youngest of three; parents instilled a love for precision (mother was a nurse, father an engineer). Childhood: Quiet, introverted, obsessed with model planes; early fascination with aircraft due to father’s influence; El's mother hurts her back lifting a patient and begins on a tumultuous path with prescription pain killers. Teen Years: Developed a passion for aviation; earned a private pilot's license at 18; inspired by father's military stories to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). Tragedy: Just before leaving for basic training for the RAF, El's mother overdoses on heroin. Military Career: Served as an aircraft technician in the RAF, excelling in aircraft quality assurance; served for five years. Education: Left the RAF and earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London in 2019. Post-Military: Worked as a global aerospace quality assurance engineer, conducting aircraft inspections. Personal Life: Had a serious relationship with Maude, a fellow servicewoman, but they broke up due to emotional differences. Trapped: On their way back from a work trip in 2023, encountered the mysterious tree in the road and became trapped in a strange town with no way out. Life in Town: Struggles with anxiety and the loss of routine but uses their problem-solving skills and military training to contribute to the community.

WHERE WAS YOUR CHARACTER WHEN THEY SAW THE TREE AND THE MURDER OF CROWS? WHERE WERE THEY GOING? WERE THEY TRAVELLING ALONE? HOW DID THEY FEEL?

As El returned from a work trip, their mind was still filled with thoughts of quality checks on the latest aircraft. The long day at the facility had drained them, yet the routine of their job had provided a comforting structure amid the chaos of the town they found themselves in. The evening air was cool as they drove, the familiar route easing their mind, but the calm was shattered when they encountered a massive fallen tree blocking the road. “Of course there’s a tree in the road,” El muttered, rubbing the back of their neck as they slowed the car. The sight felt surreal—like something out of a horror film rather than the mundane reality they had come to accept. The tree lay sprawled across the asphalt, roots exposed like the twisted fingers of a buried hand clawing for freedom. They parked a few feet away and stepped out, heart racing as the cawing of a murder of crows echoed ominously overhead. “What now?” El sighed, running a hand through their brown hair. The tree, large and menacing, seemed to loom over them, its presence a stark reminder that this town was anything but ordinary. El's analytical mind, trained to assess and diagnose issues in aircraft systems, began to work overtime. “This must have fallen recently,” they thought, observing the fresh splintering at the base and the disturbed ground. Their engineer instincts kicked in, but an unsettling feeling prickled at their skin. The air felt heavy, as if the tree had absorbed the darkness of the night. Stepping closer, El felt a wave of anxiety wash over them. The crows’ caws intensified, and they glanced up, trying to read the sky for answers. “It’s just a tree, right?” they reasoned, but something in their gut whispered otherwise. They took a deep breath, trying to shake off the discomfort that had settled in. “Just get past it, El,” they urged themselves, but the sight of the tree held them captive. The serene world of aircraft engineering felt a million miles away. “What if this is a sign?” El took a step back, the urge to turn around growing stronger. Their practical nature battled with an emotional intuition that had been sharpened by their experiences in this strange place. “No need to tempt fate,” they decided, finally pivoting on their heel, ready to find another route.

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS FIRST DAY/NIGHT IN TOWN. DID THEY ARRIVE IN THE DAYTIME? WERE THEY WARNED BY THE RESIDENTS? DID THEY HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED?

El's first day in town was a slow descent into confusion and dread. After arriving in the late afternoon, they felt an uneasy air of anticipation wrapping around them. The sun hung low, casting an orange hue over the streets, but as they drove through, an unsettling realization struck: every turn led them back to the same spot. It was as if the town itself conspired against them, trapping them within its confines. After several frustrating attempts to leave, El began to feel the weight of impending nightfall pressing down on them. Just as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, they spotted a townsfolk wandering by—a woman with wide eyes, her demeanor frantic and wild. Desperation surged through El as they pulled over, stepping out of the car and rushing toward her. “Please, can you help me? I can’t leave!” they exclaimed, shaking her shoulders gently. “What is happening here? Why can’t I get out?” The woman’s eyes widened in alarm, and she took a step back, her hands trembling. “You have to stay away from the trees and—” she started, but El’s mind raced, logic slipping away as panic gripped their chest. In an instant, the serene engineer was replaced by a whirlwind of anxiety. “No! This doesn’t make sense!” El gasped, their breath coming in quick bursts. The world around them began to spin, shadows stretching and creeping closer, and they could feel the pressure building in their chest as the realization of their captivity hit home. “Breathe, El! Just breathe!” they muttered to themselves, trying to cling to the remnants of their calm nature, but it felt futile. The anxiety attack washed over them like a tidal wave, and they stumbled back, disoriented and gasping for air. Within moments, the townspeople had gathered, understanding the urgency of the situation. They moved in, gentle but firm, restraining El as the darkness thickened around them. “You can’t be out here when it’s dark,” one of them said, voice steady, almost soothing amidst the chaos. El's heart raced, and they fought against their hold, a mixture of fear and frustration coursing through them. “I just want to go home!” they cried out, but deep down, they knew that was no longer an option. The sun had set, and with it, the true nature of this place began to reveal itself. As night enveloped the town, El felt the reality of their situation sink in, the comforting familiarity of their engineer’s mind now a distant memory.

WHAT DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND? WHAT WAS THEIR LIFE LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE?

Before El found themselves trapped in the mysterious town, their life outside was one of structured routine and quiet heartache. As an aerospace engineer, El thrived in their work, meticulously overseeing quality checks on aircraft and collaborating with a dedicated team. Their days were filled with problem-solving and innovation, but the weight of a recent breakup lingered heavily on their shoulders. El's life was centered in London, where they lived in a cozy apartment adorned with model planes, vinyl records, and a small herb garden that they tended to with care. Although they cherished the serene evenings spent stargazing from their balcony, contemplating the vastness of the universe, the shadows of their past relationship cast a long pall over their thoughts. El had recently broken up with Lila, an artist whose vibrant spirit had once breathed life into their more structured world. Their relationship had been passionate and creative, but the differences that once attracted them eventually created rifts that were too wide to bridge. Lila’s spontaneity and free-spirited nature often clashed with El’s need for stability and routine, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion. Their last conversation still echoed in El’s mind—an emotional farewell that left them feeling adrift, yearning for the connection they had lost. Now, facing the horrors of their new reality, El felt the ache of what they had left behind—an unfulfilled life, a job they loved, and the memories of laughter and friendship shared with Lila. Those recollections became increasingly distant, tantalizing yet painfully unreachable, as they grappled with the chilling thought of whether they would ever return to that life or if they were destined to remain in this endless nightmare, haunted by both the town and the echoes of a lost love.

CONNECTIONS IDEAS

Mentor-Like Figure: El has bonded with an older resident who has been stuck in the town for much longer. This person could serve as a mentor, helping El navigate the strange rules and creatures that roam at night. Close Confidants: After two years, El has found people they trust deeply and they all rely on each other for survival. A Rivalry Turned Alliance: This is another resident who challenges El’s way of thinking, maybe someone more impulsive or emotionally driven. They clash over how to handle their entrapment, but after a crisis (like a close encounter with the night creatures), they realize that working together is the only way forward. Unspoken Romantic Tension: El develops a complex connection with someone in town who reminds them of what it is like caring for someone else romantically, sparking a mix of nostalgia and hesitation. Their connection could be subtle and unspoken for a long time, with moments of vulnerability and near-confession. The town’s dangerous environment could keep them from pursuing anything deeper out of fear of attachment and loss. Sibling Dynamic: El has taken a protective role over someone younger, perhaps a teenager or a young adult who stumbled into the town recently. This person could look up to El, relying on their patience and problem-solving abilities. Resource Exchange: El has a transactional relationship with another resident (neighbor?), where they trade resources, skills, or information. This person might be particularly good at scavenging or making life in the town bearable, while El offers practical engineering skills, such as maintaining equipment or building makeshift defenses against the night creatures. Newcomers: After being trapped for two years, El encounters a new arrival who refuses to accept the reality of the town, mirroring El's own initial reaction. The newcomer’s optimism might trigger memories of when El still believed in escape, creating a bittersweet dynamic.

Born into Hollywood, Catie’s life was orchestrated by her parents: her father, an unsuccessful actor, thrust her into the spotlight, seeing her as his last chance at fame.Her mother, a well-known director, supported this to appease her father, grateful that it stopped his endless complaints about his career.From a young age, Catie learned to mask her feelings; any resistance to her parents' plans led to her father calling her ungrateful, forcing her to perform a “perfect daughter” act.

As Catie got older, her anger grew sharper. She tried to push it down, and it came out in other ways: outbursts on set, arguments with fellow cast members, and eventually, an attitude problem that branded her as “difficult.” When directors or producers gave her orders that felt too controlling, she’d snap. Despite her struggles, Catie became a recognisable child actress, starring in several TV shows and movies. However, by the age of 20, she could no longer endure the demands of her career and decided to disappear from the industry.

She fled to London, wanting a fresh start. Catie dabbled in teaching an acting class, but her lack of passion (and talent for that matter) for the craft rendered her ineffective as a teacher. She also tried her hand at writing, producing a debut book that fictionalised her childhood in the industry. She attempted painting, but her works lacked depth. She ventured into photography, only to find her skills were mediocre at best. Graphic design, jewellery making, and even a brief stint as a musician followed, but none of these pursuits worked out. Each new venture would start with excitement, but as soon as things got tough or she faced criticism, her frustration would turn to rage, and she’d quit before she could "fail."

Defeated, embarrassed, Catie relocated to Manchester, hoping to carve out a more conventional life away from her past. While the book garnered some attention, it wasn’t actually all that good and she stopped doing that too.

In Manchester, it seemed manageable for a while, but with her father back in her life, her old triggers flared up. His attempts to control her life, combined with his sense of entitlement to her inheritance, stoked her anger again, yet she couldn’t bring herself to confront him outright. Instead, Catie’s anger came out in bursts: shouting at strangers, smashing dishes, leaving situations abruptly. Her impulse to keep running—to leave her anger and the people triggering it behind—was strong. She decided to take off travelling. Despite her first trip being to Brazil, she finds herself in a deceptively American town. Welcome to Oblitus!

- how did they find the tree that led them here? what were they doing?

Catie was drifting from town to town with no particular plan. After a few weeks in Brazil, she booked a budget bus ticket to a coastal town. Somewhere along the route, the bus took a detour. While most passengers seemed unbothered, Catie grew restless. The landscape felt disorientingly wrong—dense forests pressing in on both sides of the road, with no sign of towns or rest stops. After hours on this unfamiliar route, the bus finally halted at a strange wooded clearing. They’d stopped to help someone change a flat tire. Impatient and wanting to stretch her legs, Catie wandered off into the trees.

She spotted an enormous old oak tree, its roots coiled and twisted, partially rising from the earth as though inviting her to step closer. She reached out, touching the bark—and suddenly felt a rush, almost like a sharp tug. She stumbled forward, losing her footing. When she straightened and looked around, the forest seemed different—too quiet, too dense. She looked back for the bus, but it was gone, replaced by eerie silence.

- describe your character’s first day/night in town? 

Catie's first day in the town is surreal, unsettling. When she first stepped out of the trees and into the heart of the town, it was too unbelievably quiet. The buildings look worn, faded, as if they hadn’t been touched for years. As she wanders the streets, Catie feels like she‘s walking through the set of an abandoned movie.

She eventually comes across a group of people gathered in what looked like a town centre. Relieved to see anyone, she approaches, half-expecting them to recognize her from her old acting days. Instead, the townsfolk just exchanged wary glances. She asks the way out of town but is met with, ‘There is no way out.’

what is their biggest regret since arriving in town?

“It’s not what you’d expect. It’s not even about the people here, really.” You remember being called out to the farm—somewhere outside Colony House—and finding it lying in the gravel, just… sprawled out. Its leg was twisted, all mangled from whatever hit it. The sheep’s fur was so soft in your hands as you gave it a final comfort, petting it as if it could somehow remove its pain. You knew it was beyond saving, but something in the way it looked at you held you there. The poor thing was still holding on, desperate, almost pleading. You knew what had to be done—“I should’ve done the right thing, should’ve ended its suffering. But… I didn’t. I hesitated.” The farmer wanted you to put it down, but you kept thinking, What if? What if some miracle would come along and somehow pull it through? You didn’t want to be the one to give up, to choose the end. And so you waited. “But it slowed its movement in my arms, and the fear in its eyes went out in an instant.” You can still feel the whole farm watching, every animal, every shadow of that place knowing what you did. Or, maybe worse, what you didn’t do. And now, no matter where you go, you can’t shake the memory of that poor creature. You let it suffer, and that’s on you.

describe your character’s first day/night in town?

what is their biggest regret since arriving in town?

"Probably not trusting anyone sooner, and not keeping in contact with the family that saved me." The family members were a curious mix, almost too perfectly aligned with the unsettling nature of Oblitus. The matriarch’s eyes seemed to pierce through your defenses, searching for the cracks in your façade. The way she moved—deliberate and graceful—made you feel like a stray dog being evaluated for adoption; she saw every flaw, every scar. Then there was the son, whose laughter echoed with a hint of madness. He possessed an infectious energy, yet it felt like a thin veneer covering something darker. You often caught him staring out of the corner of your eye, his gaze lingering a moment too long, as if he were sizing you up for some unspoken game. Sometimes, when you passed him in town, his expression would shift to something resembling pity, making you feel exposed, as if he could see the tangled threads of your past laid bare. The daughter, meanwhile, had a way of drifting in and out of conversations, always observing but rarely engaging. Her silence felt heavy, as if she carried secrets so burdensome they could bend the very air around her. Their presence in town served as a constant reminder of the familiarity of your circumstances, each interaction laced with an undercurrent of tension. You knew, deep down, that you owed them your gratitude—a debt that remained unfulfilled. "When I rolled into town, I thought I'd be fine just keeping to myself—stay under the radar, do my job, and get out. But there are people here I could’ve connected with, maybe even trusted. I should've let my guard down a little. But now… it feels too late." The weight of regret hung in the air, a reminder of the connections that could have been, now lost in the shadows of your isolation.

describe your character’s first day/night in town?