lizz greenbrier ★ town mayor
lizz greenbrier ran for mayor on a platform of "progress over superstition." she presents herself as rational, orderly, and determined to boost hell's economy like no other. unlike many politicians in hell who lean on old family ties or community rituals, lizz portrays herself as a reformer who won't let "sentimentality hold the town hostage." for over a century, hell held an annual tradition known as the night of lanterns, where families would place candles in hollowed gourds or lanterns along a creek in north hellport, said to guide lost souls home. the ritual had become half festival, half folklore, complete with food stalls, music, and citizens floating lanterns downstream. in her second year as mayor, lizz canceled the event, citing "safety concerns, environmental impact, and wasted funds." she claimed the creek cleanup costs were excessive and argued the town couldn't afford to "indulge in ghost stories when the roads were crumbling." her decision sparked outrage. residents accused her of disrespecting hell's history, undermining families who had participated for generations, and "trying to erase the town's soul." many feel a year later, it's no coincidence that hauntings seem to be up, as they were not able to guide their souls home the previous year.

ray cutter ★ town sheriff
sheriff ray cutter is the long-serving lawman of hell, known for his stern, old-fashioned approach to policing. he's been in office for over two decades and is often described as a sheriff out of time. cutter is a no nonsense figure who believes in authority, tradition and order above all else. to some, he's the backbone of hell's stability. to others, he's a stubborn relic who stands in the way of progress. teenagers especially dislike him for cracking down on parties, curfews, and loitering. he's been known to drag kids home by the collar to their parents' doorsteps. progressives in hell argue cutter is part of the reason the town struggles with modernization. his refusal to adapt to new policing strategies and his dismissive attitude toward social programs have made him unpopular with newer generations.

shannon clinton ★ town councilwoman
shannon clinton presents herself as the pragmatic, no-nonsense voice on the town council. she campaigns on "responsibility, order, and transparency," often contrasting herself with hell's more eccentric or scandal touched families. known for her sharp business attire and even sharper tongue, she prides herself on being "the professional in the room." on the council, she's a skilled operator who excels at cutting deals. developers like her, preservationists don't. she's especially known for pushing projects that "modernize" hell with renovations to main street, tax incentives for chain businesses, and expanded law enforcement funding. detractors whisper that she's far too cozy with outside money and that her polished image hides a ruthless ambition.

darius davis ★ town councilman
darius davis is often described as "a seat-filler, not a decision-maker." he's been on hell's town council for years, largely due to family connections and name recognition, but few residents can recall him ever pushing through meaningful legislation. his reputation is that of a man who shows up late, leaves early, and avoids responsibility whenever possible. darius is infamous for nodding off during long meetings. he frequently votes "abstain," claiming he needs more time to "consider the implications." when asked for updates on projects, he often says, "we'll circle back on that," without ever circling back. locals joke that his office door is always closed—not because he's working, but because he's napping.

martha kitt ★ leader of the fellowship cult
martha kitt is a silverhaired woman in her late 60s, always seen in floral aprons and carrying a wicker basket of baked goods. to most of hell, she's the friendly, churchgoing type who always "brings too much food" to public events. she volunteers at bake sales, attends every town fair, and knows everybody's favorite dessert. to strangers, she seems like the kindly grandma of the whole town. in the fellowship, martha is called mother spoon, a title she has held for nearly three decades. she is the steward of "the recipe book of souls" the massive ledger where every dish shared at a fellowship meal is written down, with the member's name beside it. she claims the book was started in 1976 and has never once lost a page. martha preaches that food is memory, and memory is life. at every gathering she repeats the phrase: "what we cook, we keep. what we share, we become." members are expected to treat her like the judge of which recipes are worthy enough to "live forever." she controls members through praise and shaming. she praises those who cook boldly, but humiliates those who bring weak dishes, calling their personalities and dedication t the group "forgotten flavors" to turn members against them. martha insists only she may handle the recipe book, claiming it's too fragile for anyone else. she uses town gossip to her advantage, knowing who cheated on a diet, who borrowed ingredients, who bought store-bought pie crusts and passed it off as homemade. she places punishments on the group when they aren't performing to her liking, or fawning over her the way she demands. she calls these fasting punishments where the group cannot eat again until she lifts the fasting terms. others claim she secretly rewrites recipes in the ledger, twisting them to her liking and erasing family traditions. a few believe she plans something larger for the "final supper", a meal that will seal every member's name into the book forever. but outsiders adore her pies at town events while locals joke that "you don't turn down kettle's casserole unless you're ready to starve." within the fellowship, she's seen as both beloved and feared, members desperate for her approval. she is a grandmotherly figure with a ladle in one hand and iron control in the other.