The Colls have a storied history, one that goes as far back to when Starlight Cove was first settled. It is a tale of greed, mistakes, and atonement.

A family of fishermen and women, the Colls flocked to Starlight Cove for the abundant fish living in the nearby waters. As they had no real competition to rival them, the Colls had become reasonably wealthy from their daily catch. However, with great wealth always comes consequence and, while the Colls made off with plenty a coin, they were in turn destroying the very ecosystem they profited so freely from.

Recognizing the devastation they caused, a new generation of Coll formed from the ashes—the very ones Emma descends from. Trading their poles for education, the Colls became the stewards of Starlight Cove. United in their cause, the Colls established an aquarium on the island, with the goal to bring life back to the surrounding waters.

It is a goal that Emma still believes in now that the torch has been passed to her upon the recent passing of her father. Yet with declining visitorship, failing infrastructure and pressure from mainland competitors, Emma has begun to wonder if she is fighting a losing battle. It'd devastate Emma to give up on the place she loves, but in her heart she knows it is only a matter of time before her hand is forced to close the doors for good.

There are stories passed down in the Santorini family about their ancestor Gran-Lupo, and the magical prowess that he apparently had. Enough to grow crops in a day and a tree in a week; to divert streams, create ponds, and pile up hills. And, they say, that's how the Santorini family home came to be. Smallish, humble, made of dark gray stone, it sits atop a lakeside hill just outside of town, where Miriam lives along with her grandmother, parents, and two siblings.

Miriam doesn't quite believe in the stories of Gran-Lupo Santorini. Not really. But she still thinks that there's something like magic here.

So though the Santorini family has clearly seen better days, despite their money drying up and what prestige they had falling largely by the wayside, Miriam quite likes it here. She was always a quiet sort growing up; and even now, though she's perfectly happy socializing, she's still rather introverted, and the thought of moving to the big city that excites others her age makes her break out in hives. She's more than happy to stay here with her books and papers, devouring whole libraries and using the money that she makes by selling stories to ship yet more out to Starlight Cove. When not otherwise occupied with her books, peers, or household, she's often out in nature, rambling across the island and enjoying the island's 'magic.'

As long as she doesn't break her glasses. She's helpless without them.

Starlight Cove’s Adventurers Guild is… not in a good state. Anders is more than aware of that fact, but the red-haired young man cares little for things like sense and logic.

Or at least, not on the surface.

Anderson Louris was born on the mainland and grew up longing to be like the legendary heroes of old, the ones cemented as half fairytales and half historical figures, the type of people who looked at the world they lived in and thought “no, this isn’t good enough”. The modern day world’s adventurers guild is not what it once was, even in the expansive depths of the mainland continent, relegated to down-on-their-luck gofers with delusions of grandeur. But exploring the lost caves in the more rural parts of the world at least has a sense of adventure.

It has been years since he started his training in the essentials of an adventurer. He’s even dabbled in mining and foraging! He’s still looking for that breakthrough and he hopes Starlight Cove could be just that. If he’s wrong, well, there’s always the next job.

The Alderdice Market is the glue keeping Starlight Cove together, or at least, that’s what its progenitor, Davis Alderdice, tells himself at night. But how much longer can it really stay open when the allure of the much more efficient, convenient, and aggressive corporate supermarket has taken hold of so many people in the cove?

It’s a question that hangs over Alderdice Market.

With his failing health, Davis has left much of the legwork to his granddaughter, Luna, who isn’t particularly the best example of a people person. Where the old man is warm, the bright pink-haired girl is cold, angry, and on a path that makes him concerned. He’s tried to set the right example, but he isn’t long for this world and the both of them know it. Despite this… friction between the two of them, they keep a steady flow of customers and keep their bottom line from going into the red. But competing with a megacorporation is a dead man’s gambit. It’s only a matter of time before Starlight Cove falls into their hands unless the situation of the area changes soon.

Will it? Luna isn’t holding her breath.

Callum's family have been living in Starlight Cove for a long time. Ever since his great-grandfather moved to the island, he set up what would later be the Starlight Museum and Observatory. Which has been in the Reed family's possession and care ever since.

Callum, while from Starlight Cove, was one of the youths who moved to the mainland and lived in one of the cities. Despite living there for five years, Callum did miss living in Starlight Cove. The hectic and noisy nature of the city messed with him, and while getting somewhat used to it. He was more suited to the quiet life that Starlight Cover offered.

Which when he heard that his father had died and the Starlight Museum and Observatory was now his. Callum did not waste time heading home to grieve his father and took up running the family building.

Now, after a year of living in Starlight Cove and keeping the museum and observatory afloat, mainly by selling discoveries he makes with the observatory. It is not looking for the museum and observatory, and Callum fears the day he will have to close the place. He is trying to find a way to save the museum and make it great again.

Jane had always wanted a peaceful life. Her dream was always to have a cottage where she could grow roses and tend her own garden. She hated living in the city on the mainland with all it's noise, rush, and crowds. So as soon as she could, she saved up for that life. She studied accounting in college, worked part time jobs, got through many years of grueling monotony. But finally, she'd saved and invested enough.

She found the cottage of her dreams for sale in Starlight Cove, and purchased it. She arranged things so she could do her work from home, but otherwise, her time is now her own. She just needs to set about planning those roses, getting some fruit trees for shade and their produce, starting a little vegetable garden, and getting to know her new home. Though she's a newcomer, she already feels at home here. And she would do anything to not lose what she's worked so hard to gain.