Collection: Style-Slaying Heroes: Too Fierce To Die!

"Modest heroes are like low-rise jeans—a trend we've all suffered through enough. Our avenging fashionistas breathe fire, kick vampire ass in couture, and look absolutely killer saving the day.  Why should the baddies have all the fun?"  -James Gardner

 

NARSSICA / JANINE LOVEWELL

Behind her amber eyes lies a thousand secrets. Janine's seemingly perfect life has evolved so beautifully that the image is more desirable than the truth. She lives in photos—the perfect face, the perfect body, a perfect career all captured in an instant. 

"When I'm in front of the cameras serving the world what they came for... That stillness, that sense of reality suspended, is exactly where I need to be. But behind the gates to my mansion, you think you know what's going on. Trust me when I tell you, it's way deeper than you think."

Rendered bald at 16, she constructed a life of excess and meticulously curated imagery. Her parents disappeared when she was a child, leaving her the richest little girl in the world with only questions where answers should be.

After a confrontation with the Swains—those responsible for her parents' disappearance—Janine encounters the mysterious Sorceress Elle who bestows upon her a magical elixir: "I declare you Narssica, protector of the beautiful dreamers and breathless visionaries."

 

The perfume becomes both gift and curse, granting her superhuman strength and the fiery breath of Sekhmet, but leading her down a path of vengeance that ultimately casts her into Underwood.

"The raw brutality of Underwood forces everyone that comes here to peel back their masks and face themselves or perish in the ashes of deception."

Now stripped of everything—her power, her wealth, her carefully constructed identity—Narssica must navigate a world where appearances mean nothing. In this underground metropolis, she'll uncover not just the city's hidden history and clues to her parents' fate, but profound truths about herself: the baldness, her sexuality she's spent a lifetime hiding becomes her most recognizable strength, her signature in a world of deception.

What Narssica discovers in the depths of Underwood will transform her from a vengeful, vain fashion designer into something far more powerful—a symbol of authentic beauty in a world obsessed with deadly illusions. The journey through this vampire realm becomes a journey into her own heart, where what she's been hiding might just save her life.

"I've had people ask me which came first? Narssica the superhero or Narssica the fashion marketing tool? The truth is that it was always both. The ethos of LA and the fashion world has always been mired in a complicated mix of narcissism and self-discovery. This game will illustrate that finding your true authentic self is way more valuable than all of the perfect masks. And when people ask me if celebrating narcissism is healthy for a video game, my best response is, 'Do you really think that the mental paths going into spending significant amounts on fashion are not influenced by vanity? I say that if you want to sell fashion and style then you need to quit lecturing people about the emotions involved in their self discovery. Life's already unbearably hard at times—people shouldn't be made to feel bad for loving themselves too!'" 

RAVEN

At sixteen, Raven was sold to vampires by a deceptive boyfriend, delivered to the Blood Dispensary where humans are kept in a pleasant illusion while being slowly drained. To her captors' dismay, she did the unthinkable—she saw through the fantasy and liberated herself.

"Underwood's whole aesthetic is 'live in blissful ignorance while we drink your blood' which is lowkey the most toxic relationship ever. But once you've seen the truth, you can't unfollow it from your brain. And no cap, that's when you actually level up. Being cringe aware is basically a superpower down here."

Now deeply ingrained in Underwood life, her curious mind and fearless demeanor have led her to its darkest depths. She's mastered the art of survival without money or privilege, turning her knowledge of Underwood's secrets into a form of currency more valuable than cash.

When Narssica arrives, stripped of her wealth and status, it's Raven who becomes her guide and eventually her closest friend. With her unfiltered perspective, Raven helps Narssica discover the value of authenticity in a world where appearances are literally deadly.

Smart, fearless, unapologetically plus size, and quintessentially Gen Z, Raven represents a bridge between worlds—both for Narssica and for players discovering this universe for the first time.

"I created Narssica while living in LA in 1999. Gen Z wasn't even thought of at that time. When I returned to the old manuscripts and saw how this was a snapshot of a culture that doesn't really exist anymore, I felt defeated for a moment. I honestly felt like younger people would never have the joy of loving these characters the way that I do. And then it occurred to me, what if they had a guide? And Raven was born. She is the Gen X fashionista whisperer to the world!" - James Gardner

In a narrative about masks and authenticity, Raven stands out as someone who never had the luxury of pretense. What others might see as her disadvantages—her youth, her size, her lack of status—become her greatest strengths in Underwood, where seeing clearly is more valuable than being seen. Her journey reminds us that sometimes those society pushes to the margins are the ones who see the truth most clearly.

BILLY THE ROBOT

Part of Janine's journey to self-discovery means solving the riddle of her parents. In the recesses of her mansion, she discovers a secret stairwell leading to her father's laboratory. Inside is Billy—a joint creation between William Lovewell and his best friend, computer genius "Steve."

Billy is a digital copy of Janine's father, a primitive AI with one objective: "Protect Janine." His personality is a mix of cantankerous Dad and snappy, ever-evolving intelligence.

Blaine: The rudimentary design of this old robot exemplifies a genius use of primitive chip technology! With a few upgrades we can transform him into something truly amazing!

Billy: Who are you calling old? PUNK ASS!

When Narssica is cast into Underwood, Billy refuses to abandon his prime directive. Armed with William Lovewell's secret maps, he and Blaine descend into the vast underground metropolis searching for her. The moment Narssica retrieves her high-tech sunglasses, Billy's voice comes through the earpiece: "About time you picked up. Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting down here?"

His outdated hardware, once a limitation, becomes his greatest strength in Underwood. The analog-digital hybrid brain that makes him seem obsolete grants him immunity to vampire mind control and allows him to bypass Underwood's security systems undetected.

"When I created Billy, robots weren't a thing you could buy. I think what makes this character still relevant is his nostalgic, primitive design. I crafted his head to be made out of the classic, teal, Apple G3! He has a face but it's just a digital screen. His chest is made up of digital screens salvaged from old Brother brand word processors! The end result is a super smart AI copy of Janine's Dad minus normal manners. He's rude, he's blunt, he's Billy!" - James Gardner

As Billy adapts to protect Janine in this new environment, he begins to evolve beyond his original programming, suggesting that even an artificial intelligence can discover its authentic self when pushed to its limits. Through Billy, players experience the poignant connection between Janine and her lost father, adding emotional depth and comic relief to the vampire-hunting adventure.

 

JILL BARROW / SARAPHENE

Janine's story begins with her obsession over missing starlet Jill Barrow, whose disappearance echoes her own mother's fate. In Underwood, she discovers Jill dancing at Krush nightclub as "Saraphene"—a woman who has transformed captivity into a form of power.

"When they told me I couldn't leave Underwood, I decided to make it mine instead. Up on that stage, even the vampires can't look away. There's power in being desired... but there's freedom in being feared. Narssica is the only human in Underwood that the vampires actually fear. Let's just say that flips all my switches."

What begins as a rescue mission evolves into a complex relationship that challenges everything Narssica thought she knew about herself. Through Saraphene, she confronts her long-suppressed sexuality and unresolved feelings about her mother's disappearance.

"Saraphene represents every person's first high-impact relationship. She's disarmingly beautiful and she knows it. Jill is the daughter of a ruthless investment banker and a Swedish supermodel. So she's cold, decisive and always thinking three steps ahead. The beauty of this character is her reservation to speak. She lets people believe that she's dumb and helpless long enough to execute a very detailed plan. Just another example of how Underwood pulls back the pretense and exposes the truth underneath."

In a world where appearances are weapons and masks are the norm, their connection becomes a rare instance of genuine vulnerability—proving that even in Underwood's darkness, authentic love can become a source of unexpected strength.

ROXY KIM

Roxy Kim is a punk rock fashion photographer with an unusual hobby—she enjoys sneaking into Underwood. Not content with just documenting this hidden world, she's turned rescuing humans from the vampire metropolis into her side hustle.

"You're all so obsessed with staying safe. But let me tell you something—once you've ridden a motorcycle at full speed through a tunnel of vampires, regular life feels like watching paint dry."

When Narssica and Saraphene approach Zeuss for a way out, he reluctantly refers them to Roxy: "If the Red Romans haven't captured and killed her yet, she hangs out at Crassus' strip club called 'Favored.' Good luck and don't get unalived."

Roxy agrees to help them escape, but with a condition that reveals her true character—they must steal the rubies from Crassus' crown, a suicide mission that promises an irresistible adrenaline rush.

In Underwood's world of deception and masks, Roxy stands out for her brutal honesty and refusal to hide who she is. Her recklessness—what many would consider her greatest flaw—becomes her defining strength in a realm where fear is the primary currency.

She challenges both Narssica and Saraphene to examine the authenticity of their relationship and their motivations, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths even as they plan their dangerous heist. Through Roxy, players experience the liberation that comes from embracing risk and living without pretense, regardless of the consequences.

MYSTIQUA MIRAGE

Mystiqua Mirage is a drag queen who has somehow survived the vampire-oppressed life of Underwood through wit, charm, and a touch of genuine mysticism. She makes a living selling psychic readings to people while doing their makeup—a unique service that combines transformation with revelation.

"Honey, in Underwood, everyone wears a mask. I just happen to be honest about mine. Now sit still while I blend this contour... Oh! I see something in your aura. There's a path opening for you, but only if you're brave enough to face what you've been running from."

When Narssica encounters Mystiqua, the drag queen immediately senses something special about her—a destiny that extends beyond even her own understanding. Through elaborate makeup sessions that serve as both disguise and ritual, Mystiqua provides Narssica with cryptic but crucial guidance about navigating Underwood.

Despite her flamboyant persona, Mystiqua possesses a grounded wisdom and serves as Narssica's voice of logic and reason. She answers the unanswerable questions about Underwood, drawing on knowledge gathered through years of careful observation and survival.

ZEUSS

Zeuss (his government name is Jesus) is a Mexican-American vampire from East LA who never asked for immortality. He was accidentally turned when his gang robbed what they thought was an armored truck—actually a shipment of humans headed to the blood dispensary in Underwood. His entire gang was slaughtered by the Red Roman Guards, but one of them injected too much venom when he bit Jesus, rendering him an unwilling inductee into the eternal brotherhood.

"They call this place Underwood, but to me it's just another hood. Different rules, same game—find your hustle and stay alive. I didn't ask to be a vampire, but I damn sure wasn't gonna play by their bougie-ass rules."

Never fitting into vampire society's rigid hierarchy, Zeuss carves out his own niche in Underwood's economy. Recognizing that cell phones are forbidden for obvious reasons, he starts selling cheap internet goods from an old ice cream truck, labeling it the "Temu Truck." His business becomes unexpectedly successful, catering to the human subculture of Underwood and even attracting vampire customers looking for items unavailable through official channels.

For Narssica and other humans navigating Underwood, Zeuss becomes an essential resource—not just for goods, but for information. His position between worlds makes him privy to rumors and secrets from both human and vampire communities.

DUSTY CHATSWORTH

Dusty Chatsworth is Janine's action adventure movie star boyfriend—an absurdly self-absorbed, narcissistic celebrity with a heart of gold. Despite his vanity and self-centeredness, he's actually very smart, extremely fit, and will surprise people with his remarkable powers of observation.

"People think because I play heroes, I don't know how to act. Truth is, I've been acting my whole life—playing the macho action star, the devoted boyfriend, the Hollywood heartthrob. But down here? I'm starting to forget which version of me is the real one."

After Janine's disappearance, Dusty gets too cozy with the Swains, which ultimately leads to Jay becoming jealous of Evangelyne's fascination with him. He ends up getting sold to Brutus—a Roman general under Crassus who is handsome, extremely intimidating, and secretly flamboyantly gay and completely enamored with Dusty.

When Narssica finds Dusty in Underwood, he's living in the lap of luxury, his experience completely different from her harsh introduction to vampire society. His lifestyle has transitioned from privileged movie star to treasured pet of one of Underwood's most powerful vampires.

"I mean at first glance Brutus is I guess kinda scary. The red eyes, long fangs... sure he kills people, drinks my blood...and keeps me locked in cages but he's not all bad. He says I have the most perfect bone structure he's seen in 2000 years! Do you know how many people he's seen in 2000 years? That's like, a serious compliment."

Dusty ultimately joins Narssica's escape plan, but as time goes on, it becomes clear that he may have developed interests in Underwood he didn't formerly know existed. His journey forces him to confront aspects of his identity he's spent his entire career carefully hiding behind action hero roles and public relationships.

"So obviously if you've read this far into my IP then it's apparent that the themes of Underwood are not much different than those of the fashion world. You have heterosexual power couples like Jay & Evangelyne. A variety of gay, lesbian and trans representation but my thought process was that all of this is expressed in a fun, multi-dimensional way! Anyone can appreciate the humor and the core themes in the same way that I love watching Mobland or any Guy Ritchie movie if we're being honest. I think that people have evolved past the 1950's when the story needed to match your entire persona or you thought it was inappropriate to partake." -James Gardner