January 2, 2024 – 8:08 PM
Last modified: January 2, 2024 – 8:38 PM by Melody Stanwell.
Melody Stanwell — Played by Elaine
A CHURCH BELLS INTEREST CHECK
I figured this would belong better here than in Plottable Characters, even though it includes basic character information. If I'm wrong, let me know.
So by now most of you know about my interest in running a plot based on Carrie Underwood's song Church Bells, released in 2015 — gods it's almost ten years old now, and I've wanted to run this plot since I learned of its existence. The song can be found here, for anyone who hasn't heard it. But a plot can't exist in a bubble, not really. That's why I've decided to expand the cast! But first, a little about our young "Jenny."
Information under spoilers to keep this a little smaller, because my gosh, there's a lot going on here.
Temperance Langshore née Hare
b. 1875 | UCHB | Ravenclaw — dropped '88
Show

Until recently, Temperance was a waitress at the Three Broomsticks. In the summer of 1893, she met Dexter Langshore, an upper class gentleman, at work, and only four weeks after meeting her, on his fourth visit to the pub in as many weeks, he shock proposed to her. She isn't sure if it was a dare or not, but he kept his word — and she quit her job to learn the ways of the upper class.
In the first weeks of January 1894, they married, and went on a glorious Italian honeymoon — but the bliss was not to last long. Shortly after returning from the continent, Dexter revealed his true colors...
Of course, there's the essential role that I won't inflict on anyone, primarily because I don't want to have someone get attached to him as a character. There are other reasons, but for trigger reasons, I won't list them explicitly outside of the below spoiler. He is slated to die as part of the plot.
Dexter Langshore
b. 1867 | UCHB | Gryffindor Class of '78
Show
A violent and abusive drunk, Dexter proposed marriage to a waitress and kept his word mostly to spite his father. As his only son, Dexter was spoiled as a child, and it has led to a man who does not respect his parents. When sober, Dexter is almost kind — but his sobriety is most often for days of societal obligation.
And finally, the expanded cast! There are other roles beyond this, of course — household staff, acquaintances of Dexter's, their parents — but these are pretty significant roles in the plot for a variety of reasons..
The Mentoring Sister
b. 1865 | UCHB | OPEN Class of '76 | Socialite
Show
Dexter's older sister. A married woman of society, Dexter's mother enlisted her eldest daughter to educate young Temperance, a former waitress, in the ways of society. She didn't much enjoy it, but she respects Temperance and her willingness to learn. This character's tentative name is Amelia.
His Other Sisters
UCHB | OPEN HOUSES | Debutantes
Show
Tentatively named Cordelia and Ophelia, their personalities are largely open — what is fact is that they like their new sister-in-law, much better than they like their brother. Though he's never been violent towards his sisters, they have borne witness to his drunken temper. Their tentative birth years are 1870 and 1873.
Her Siblings
WCHB | OPEN HOUSES | Open Occupations
Show
Temperance has four siblings, all open, save the fact that their mother has given them all virtuous names. With a housekeeper for a mother and a mediwizard for a father, at least one of them has completed their OWLs and is in an advantageous career.
The Lady's Maid
WCAB | OPEN HOUSE | Lady's Maid
Show
Temperance's closest confidante, the lady's maid tends to Temperance's injuries, treating the cuts and concealing the bruises. She is older than Temperance by at least three years and has completed Blishwick's Cosmetic Techniques course.
I plan to submit Temperance's application in late February. The accompanying characters can be applied before or after I submit her; the only one I'd recommend having submitted before Temperance is The Mentoring Sister, to give her some established connection to existing characters.