Lady Arianna "Aria" Delorraine- the protagonist of the story who starts out as a Victorian lady who becomes bored of normal society and who stumbles upon the downtown village and is rescued by Manuel, who takes her into the world of the Steemers. She is described as a petite and skinny dark-haired girl with luminous green eyes and full lips. She is about 18 years old. She is betrothed to Christian.
Manuel "Manny" Morney- a Steemer leader who finds Arianna in town when she gets lost one day, and rescues her by bringing her to the Factorie. He always worries about her getting lost and looks after her like a brother. He is well-educated and the stronger of the two leaders, while Chris is the quicker and wittier. He has medium-length, wavy black hair. He is about 21 years old, and a somewhat-foil to Jason, although they have many similarities as well.
Christofer "Chris" Kentton- a Steemer leader who is puzzled by Arianna's dislike of Victorian society and thinks she won't stay with the Factorie for very long. He himself was once part of proper society, but left when politics and fashion were not in his favor. He seems to fancy Arianna, and doesn't trust Christian. He is Manny's best friend, and compliments him with his agility and witty remarks, although they sometimes get him into trouble. He is a charming young man with long, shaggy brown hair. He is about 20 years old, and he is a sort of foil to Christian.
Lord Christian du Marque- Arianna's fiance whose frequent trips to town on "business" cause her to become suspicious of him and start absorbing rumours about him. He is deeply devoted to Arianna and is always worried about her happiness and safety, especially when he finds out about her escapades with the Steemers. He becomes easily manipulated by NachtLady when she falsely promises to "rescue" Arianna from the Steemers. He is 20 years old. He has short brown hair and is very popular in society, although he is somewhat mysterious.
Doc Cloque- the oldest original Steemer who presides over the Factorie and is always coming up with new ideas and who enjoys studying people, especially Arianna and Velly because of their distaste with proper Victorian society. He has a wife and daughter, but he sees the Steemers as more family than the two women.
NachtLady- the antagonist, a wicked but beautiful once-Victorian lady who was disgraced and started a branch of Steemer-Cobbwoddlers and who wants to overthrow Doc Cloque. She is cunning and manipulates Christian at one point.
Wretchen- A jack-of-almost-all-trades who is usually found making clothes for the Steemers, and who becomes good friends with Arianna. She is, quite strangely, a tomboy, and she has an un-admitted crush on Manny. She has brilliant red hair.
Jason Carlysle- Christian's best friend who drives Arianna into town unsuspectingly so she can go to the Factorie everyday. He is the more playful of the two men, and he is in love with Velly, but since she pays no attention to this, he is dating Liely. He is 21 years old with short curly black-brown hair, and is short but well built.
Bleego- a Steemer who is one of the more educated and talkative Steemers who is key-keeper of the Factorie. He is good friends with Manny and Chris, and sometimes assists Doc Cloque. He is in love with Liely, but she doesn't return it.
Lady Vellarie "Velly" Skaatran- a Victorian girl who is best friends with Arianna and is skeptical of Victorian society, but will not easily join the Steemers like her friend. She is the foil of Wretchen, being a more proper albeit flirtier lady who acts strangely instead of thinks strangely. She is a pretty blonde of 18 years and looks like a more innocent version of NachtLady, although she has her wicked moments.
Madame and Liely Cloque- Doc Cloque's wife and daughter, who are both reluctant Steemers and rarely appear in the Factorie. They constantly try to fit in with normal Victorian society. Liely is in love with Jason, in fact, and she's secretly in league with NachtLady.
Society Groups
Victorians- high society ladies and gentlemen of all ages who are usually well-endowed with money, and who are well-mannered types. The men are far more interesting than the ladies, who are usually just pretty faces.
Steampunks "Steemers"- mostly middle-class teenagers and young adults who rebel against normal Victorian high society and are very interested in technology and the underground. They create gadgets and are led by Manny and Chris, who are "followers" of Doc Cloque.
Cobbwoddlers- usually lower-class bums who are mannerless scalawags and criminals. Former Steemers have combined with this group under NachtLady to oppose the current Steemers and Doc Cloque.
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