Overview
Clara Fen is a nineteen-year-old vocalist of considerable talent who was once a star pupil in Lady Aurelia Danforth’s circle at the Orphean Society. Promising and gifted, she was subjected to intensive “vocal conditioning” and harmonic exercises designed to refine her voice into a perfect instrument for the Canticle.
However, something went wrong. Whether through her own resistance or some failure of the technique, Clara developed a tremor that “spoiled her resonance.” Danforth deemed her a failed experiment and dismissed her brutally—possibly not before exposing her to traumatic harmonic techniques as punishment. Now broken and bitter, Clara works as a singer under the false name “Anna” at a humble coffeehouse in Soho, struggling to find work and haunted by nightmares.
She is a crucial witness to the Orphean Society’s methods and a key source of information about Danforth’s recruitment practices. However, she is deeply traumatized and requires careful handling.
Description
Clara is pale and elegant, trying to maintain poise despite obvious instability. She dresses above her economic station, in faded but well-kept gowns that hint at her former refined circle. Her features are delicate and expressive, and her voice—when she can sing—carries a hauntingly beautiful contralto with an underlying crack or tremor.
Her eyes are frequently red from crying. She clutches at her throat anxiously, especially when discussing her voice or the Society. Her hands tremble when stressed. She has a habit of breaking into bitter or manic laughter at unexpected moments, signaling her fragile mental state.
Personality & Traits
- Proud and wounded; maintains dignity despite poverty
- Angry and bitter, especially toward Danforth
- Unstable; oscillates between composed conversation and emotional collapse
- Still harbors strange admiration for Danforth (“divine, until she looked straight through me”)
- Protective of others who might be subjected to similar harm
- Intelligent and observant; her trauma has not dulled her intellect
Mental Condition & Recovery
- Suffers from PTSD and dissociation; loud or harmonic sounds trigger flashbacks
- Shows signs of Stockholm syndrome (mixed loyalty toward Danforth despite abuse)
- Substance use (laudanum or similar) likely as coping mechanism
- Without support and distance from the Society, her condition will worsen
- With protection and compassionate treatment, she can recover and become a valuable asset/ally
Campaign History
- Chapter 1 (June 1814): The investigators found Clara performing as “Anna” at The Laughing Fox coffeehouse in Soho. They also retrieved her songbook/notebook from Greaves and Sons pawnshop on Poland Street. After the disruption of the Orphean Society, Clara was taken to Hartwell House by the Order of St Aelfric for treatment and recovery.
Appearances
Connections
People
Enemy of
- Lady Octavia Danforth NPC hostileFormer student and protégé; discarded and traumatized by Danforth's conditioning; mixed feelings—resentment and strange admiration1 session: London
Employed by
- Lady Octavia Danforth NPC hostileFormer student and protégé; discarded after vocal 'failure'; left traumatized by conditioning1 session: London
- Mr Tipple NPC warmLets Clara stay rent-free; protects her from rough patrons
Knows
- Imogen Bellamy NPC neutralMay have interacted with Bellamy during Bellamy's infiltration; possibly trusted her with fragments of information1 session: London
- Tobias Greaves NPC warmHolds Clara's pawned music notebook; recalls she seemed 'unnatural' and disturbed
Places
Located at
- The Laughing Fox Location neutralCurrent residence and workplace; performs nightly under the alias 'Anna'1 session: London