Lilah Silver | 🌔 | Deadlock

However, the Syndicate's power was eventually "completely destroyed by Ivy," the gargoyle guardian of Spanish Harlem. Ivy's role in dismantling the Mendoza Syndicate reflects her broader mission as a protector of her community, and it demonstrates that the Cursed Apple's neighborhoods are not merely passive backdrops but active arenas where power is contested between various supernatural and criminal factions. ### The Seventh Moon

The Seventh Moon is a Yakuza crime family from Japan that has expanded its operations to the United States, looking to gain power in the Cursed Apple. The organization is led by Yamato, who was assassinated at some point before the game's events, and his sister Kaori, who took over half of the organization after her brother's death. The Seventh Moon represents the international dimension of Deadlock's criminal underworld. The supernatural has not eliminated ordinary organized crime; it has simply added new dimensions to it, with magical artifacts, supernatural abilities, and interdimensional connections becoming commodities in the shadow economy. The fact that a Japanese crime family has established a presence in New York suggests that the Cursed Apple is not an isolated anomaly but part of a global network of supernatural criminal activity. ### The Municipal Coven

The Municipal Coven serves as "the caretakers of New York," suggesting that the city has a formal, government-sanctioned magical authority. The Coven likely manages the supernatural affairs of the city in cooperation with OSIC and other institutions, providing a layer of magical governance that complements the secular authorities. The existence of a Municipal Coven suggests that magic in the Deadlock world is not merely a wild, uncontrollable force but something that can be institutionalized, regulated, and governed. Witches are not merely outcasts or rebels; they can be public servants, working for the city in an official capacity. This integration of magic into civic life is one of the more hopeful aspects of Deadlock's worldbuilding, suggesting that humanity has found ways to coexist with the supernatural rather than simply being overwhelmed by it. ### The Paradox Organisation

The Paradox Organisation is a group of time-thieves who steal priceless artifacts from across history and display them in pop-up museums. Their goal is not wealth or power but "personal challenge and satisfaction"—they steal for the thrill of it, and their "Paradox Museum" is an exhibit where their stolen relics are publicly showcased. The Paradox Organisation represents the lighter, more whimsical side of Deadlock's supernatural world. Not every faction is engaged in a desperate struggle for survival or dominance; some are simply enjoying the possibilities that a world of magic and time travel has to offer. The time-jumpers of Paradox are, in a sense, tourists of history, collecting curiosities from across the ages and sharing them with the public through their museum. ### Fairfax Industries

Fairfax Industries is a powerful corporation that operates at the intersection of industry and the occult. Described as "a powerful company spearheading the occult industrial complex," Fairfax Industries employs McGinnis and is connected to the hero Pocket. The company was founded by Maximillian Fairfax and was involved in the illegal rule of Cadenza Island, which was eventually annexed by the United States as its 50th state. The "occult industrial complex" that Fairfax Industries represents is one of the more sinister aspects of Deadlock's worldbuilding. It suggests that the supernatural has not merely been accepted or integrated but has been commodified, turned into a source of profit and power for a small elite. The fact that Fairfax Industries lost control of Cadenza Island to the US government suggests that the corporation's power, while immense, is not absolute, and that the state remains a counterweight to corporate interests in the supernatural domain. ### The Tunnel Rats

The Tunnel Rats are "a staple of New York's criminal underground" that counts Mo & Krill as enforcers and smugglers. The organization's name suggests a connection to the physical infrastructure of the city—the tunnels, subways, and underground passages that crisscross Manhattan—and their activities likely involve the transportation of illicit goods, including supernatural artifacts and substances. ### The New York Oracle

The New York Oracle is the city's newspaper, "bringing the latest news and occult discoveries to the citizens of New York." The Oracle plays a crucial role in Deadlock's worldbuilding by providing a source of in-universe news and information, including reports on political developments, supernatural events, and cultural happenings. The existence of a newspaper dedicated to occult discoveries suggests that the supernatural is not a secret to be hidden but a subject of public interest and debate. ---

The State of the World: A Synthesis

A World Transformed

Fifty years after the First Maelstrom, the world of Deadlock is a place where the supernatural has become an inescapable part of daily life. The initial shock of the Maelstrom—the sudden revelation that magic was real, that the dead could rise, that other dimensions existed—has given way to a new normal in which these facts are simply accepted. The supernatural is not a hidden world operating behind the scenes of ordinary reality; it is the world, and everyone who lives in it must navigate its dangers and opportunities. This transformation is visible in every aspect of society. The United States government has established OSIC to handle occult threats, expanded to 52 states to accommodate interdimensional territories, and is actively negotiating with the Djinn for the sale of part of Wyoming. Corporations like Fairfax Industries have built empires on the occult industrial complex. Newspapers report on the latest supernatural discoveries alongside more mundane news. The Municipal Coven provides magical governance for New York City. Even the city's name—the Cursed Apple—reflects the profound changes that have reshaped the urban landscape. ### Tensions and Conflicts

Yet the integration of the supernatural has not brought peace. The world of Deadlock is characterized by numerous tensions and conflicts that threaten to tear it apart:

• The Ritual: The competition between the Hidden King and the Archmother to complete the summoning ritual during the Second Maelstrom is the primary conflict of the game's narrative, a cosmic struggle with stakes that could not be higher. - Human Supremacism: The Friends of Humanity, founded by descendants of John Hathorne, represents a powerful political movement that opposes the presence of non-human beings on Earth and seeks to roll back the gains made by Ixians and other supernatural entities. - Interdimensional Politics: The United States' military campaign in Ixia and its annexation of South Ixia have created tensions with other powers, including those who oppose American expansion into the Outer Planes. - Criminal Competition: Organizations like the Seventh Moon and the remnants of the Mendoza Syndicate compete for power in the Cursed Apple's underworld, often coming into conflict with heroes like Ivy and Yamato. - The Djinn Question: The Djinn's desire for part of Wyoming and the US government's willingness to negotiate represent a potentially explosive political issue that could reshape the American West. ### The Role of the Heroes

Amidst these conflicts, the heroes of Deadlock each pursue their own agendas. Some, like Warden and Venator, seek to prevent the Patrons from entering the world at all costs, believing that even a successful summoning would be catastrophic. Others, like Seven and Dynamo, seek to use the ritual to achieve personal goals—godhood, the restoration of their bodies—that they could not achieve through ordinary means. Still others, like Ivy and Abrams, are drawn into the conflict by their desire to protect their communities and bring wrongdoers to justice. Each hero's backstory is a thread in the larger tapestry of Deadlock's world, but the world itself—the Cursed Apple, the United States, Ixia, the Astral Gates—is the fabric that connects them all. The heroes are not merely individuals with personal stories; they are products of a world shaped by the Maelstrom, and their actions will determine what kind of world emerges from the Second Maelstrom's crucible. ---

Conclusion: The Future of the Deadlock World

Deadlock's lore is deliberately fragmented, delivered through hero backstories, voice lines, environmental storytelling, and in-game news reports rather than a single narrative campaign. As one source notes, the game follows the Dota 2 model: "lore is delivered through hero bios on the character-select screen, voice lines and hero interactions, environmental storytelling on the map, and short in-client vignettes. It's deliberately fragmented and still being written." This approach means that the world is constantly evolving, with new details added through updates and patches, and the community actively engaged in piecing together the story from scattered clues. The future of Deadlock's lore is, appropriately enough, uncertain. The visual novel format has been identified as "the main narrative medium to expand the world of Deadlock," with projects planned for Lady Geist, Ivy, Holliday, Infernus, and Kelvin, as well as a datamined Mina visual novel. These visual novels will presumably explore the characters' personal stories in greater depth while also expanding the worldbuilding, revealing more about the Cursed Apple, the Astral Gates, and the entities that dwell beyond them. Yet the core mystery of Deadlock—what happens if a Patron is successfully summoned?—remains unresolved. The game's lore strongly implies that a successful summoning would be catastrophic, but it does not specify exactly what would occur. Would the Patron's realm merge with Earth, transforming the world into a nightmarish reflection of its alien logic? Would the Patron's power disrupt the delicate balance of supernatural forces that currently exists? Would humanity survive the arrival of a being whose very presence is described as "paranormal supremacy"? These questions are, perhaps, the point. Deadlock's world is one of ambiguity and tension, where the lines between good and evil, human and monster, salvation and damnation are constantly blurred. The Patrons are not villains in the traditional sense; they honor their bargains and grant wishes to those who serve them faithfully. The heroes are not all righteous; many are motivated by selfishness, revenge, or desperation. The ritual is not a trap but a genuine opportunity—one that may be too dangerous to seize. In the end, the world of Deadlock is a mirror held up to our own, reflecting our fears about power, otherness, and the consequences of getting what we wish for. It is a world where the supernatural is real, but the moral complexities are all too human. And it is a world that, like all the best fictional worlds, invites us to explore its depths, to piece together its mysteries, and to imagine what might happen when the Second Maelstrom finally passes and the Patrons, for better or for worse, arrive. # Deadlock Character Lore and History

Deadlock is still in development and testing. Character backgrounds and story details may change with version updates. The following is based on currently available official text and in-game dialogue.

World Overview

Before delving into individual characters, it is necessary to outline the core worldview framework of Deadlock, because nearly every character's personal history is closely intertwined with this framework. The "Maelstrom" event fifty years ago was the watershed moment of the entire worldview. A solar eclipse triggered a supernatural phenomenon known as "The Maelstrom," green storm energy that swept across the globe, tearing open dimensional rifts called "Astral Gates" in various locations around the world. New York, Puerto Rico, the Bermuda Triangle, and other locations all saw the emergence of such portals. Through these gates, supernatural entities poured into the human world, while also establishing bridges to an otherworld called "Ixia."

This event completely transformed the face of human society. Supernatural forces went from being superstition and legend to being widely accepted fact, and New York City became the center of occult and supernatural culture. Human governments established relevant institutions to deal with this new reality, the most important of which is the Office of Supernatural Security and Investigation Commission (OSIC), responsible for regulating supernatural threats and related crimes. The Ritual is the core narrative framework of the game's matches. As the second Maelstrom approaches, two teams each attempt to summon their own "Patron"—some powerful otherworldly entity—into the mortal world. The method of the Ritual is to destroy the enemy's Patron idol, thereby opening a pathway for one's own Patron to enter reality. Each character participates in the Ritual for their own reasons: most hope for a chance to make a wish, while others intend to destroy the Patron when it arrives. ## Abraham "Abrams" Agent

Abrams

Abrams is a blue-skinned, physically imposing private detective who patrols the streets of New York year-round. He has years of private detective experience and uses that experience to investigate the history of a bloody relic called "The Tomb."

Before becoming what he is now, Abrams had been a fixture of the New York detective scene for many years. From stolen artwork and missing persons to ritual murders, Abrams never picked his cases—he simply solved them all. His life has been described as "tough, stubborn, and alcoholic." However, one day he received a mysterious book, accompanied by a note scrawled in black blood that read: "Don't let them get it."

Afterward, Abrams's home was broken into, his office was ransacked three times, and his car was set on fire. He still does not know where the book came from, but given these experiences, he has a personal stake in getting to the bottom of it. Abrams is an associate of The Baxter Society. He has some kind of agreement with the Paradox organization—Abrams is investigating Paradox for certain reasons, and Paradox strikes a deal with him during the Ritual in exchange for him ceasing his investigation. ## Bebop

Bebop

Bebop is a robot, but his background is deeply defined by his bond with his "creator." According to story information compiled by the community, Bebop's core motivation for participating in the Ritual is the hope that his creator will recover their health. This wish points to a clear personal history: Bebop is not merely a machine, but a being that harbors loyalty and emotion toward its maker. His creator is likely gravely ill or in some critical condition, and Bebop sees summoning the Patron and making a wish as the only way to save them. This motivation makes Bebop unique among the cast—his history is not about ambition, revenge, or power, but about an artificial life repaying the person who gave its existence meaning. Although official details about Bebop's background are currently limited, the core premise of "the creator is gravely ill" has been confirmed by multiple sources and constitutes the entire narrative drive behind his participation in the Ritual. ## Calico

Calico

Calico is a character who attended the "Paradox Museum Pop-Up" exhibition hosted by the Paradox organization. Like Dynamo, she expressed admiration for the exhibition. Calico's role in the story intersects with the Paradox organization, but she herself is not a Paradox member. What can be confirmed from existing dialogue and official text is that Calico has a certain reputation in New York's supernatural circles, enough that the Paradox organization would invite her to its carefully curated, invitation-only exhibition. Her specific background details have not yet been fully revealed. ## Celeste

Celeste

Celeste is a character in the game, but currently available official background information is extremely limited. In existing search results, narrative information about Celeste has not been recorded in detail by any source. Her role positioning and personal history await further revelation in future version updates. ## The Doorman

The Doorman

The Doorman is the operator or associate of the Baroness Hotel. The Paradox organization has repeatedly attempted to steal things they were interested in from the Baroness Hotel, but all attempts ended in failure. This fact itself constitutes the most important clue in the Doorman's history: he/the institution he operates possesses security forces capable of thwarting the Paradox organization—a top-tier thieves' guild capable of stealing paternity tests from politicians' children and information about Seven's hiding place. The Doorman's role is closely tied to the imagery of a "guardian" or "gatekeeper," and his background may involve the power structure of New York's supernatural underworld. More detailed historical information has not yet been revealed. ## Drifter

Drifter

Drifter is one of the characters in the game, but current search results lack detailed records of his background story and history. His role identity and motivation for participating in the Ritual await further information disclosure. ## Dynamo

Dynamo

Dynamo's real name is not directly given in game files, but his identity background is currently one of the most detailed and moving among all characters. He was once a professor at Columbia University, with a wife named Maria, to whom he has been married for thirty-one years. Dynamo's tragedy began with his research into New York's Astral Gates. During a Maelstrom event, he ventured beyond the safe distance of the Astral Gate and as a result lost his physical body, leaving only his soul in existence. But his soul refused to dissipate, and refused to atomize. He chose to remake himself into a metal construct as a way to continue living. As a scholar, Dynamo had an unexpectedly colorful past—in his youth he was involved in numerous fistfights. He is also Pocket's godfather. When he learned that Pocket was still alive, he expressed relief, because Pocket was supposed to have been assassinated on his father's orders. Dynamo's wish for participating in the Ritual is intensely personal: he wants his original body back, so that he can embrace his wife and not let go for three months. Dynamo has a strong interest in the secrets of controlling time, and his participation in the Ritual is partly driven by academic curiosity about the temporal control technology possessed by the Paradox organization. When he encounters Paradox during the Ritual, he regards them with academic attention. ## Graves

Graves

Graves is a necromancer, one of the new characters added through a player vote. Her core premise involves a deep, almost contractual relationship with the dead. Graves found the severed hand of a lich, which proved to be an invaluable ally that can be used to stab into enemies and steal their power. She is curious about everything related to the fleeting nature of life, and therefore always carries a "corpse jar" to collect the remains of the dead. When she shakes the jar and hurls it at enemies, the regretful souls inside get one last chance at revenge. Her "Death Grip" ability can tear open a deep fissure in the ground, allowing the buried dead to grab enemies' ankles and prevent their escape. "Afterlife Contract" allows her to summon the dead to fight alongside her. Graves's specific wish for participating in the Ritual is unclear, but her entire existence is closely tied to the creed that "Death is close."

Grey Talon

Grey Talon

Grey Talon's real name is Wesley Grey Talon. He is one of the founding members of The Baxter Society, an international monster-hunting organization. He spent nearly forty years hunting monsters that preyed on humans, before finally deciding to find a replacement and lay down his bow. However, Grey Talon's duties meant he never spent much time with his wife and child. When his son started a family of his own, he realized this was his last chance to reconnect with the people he loved. Just as he was preparing to retire and return to his family, tragedy struck: his family suffered an "untimely and highly suspicious death."

Grey Talon picked up his bow again. When he finds those responsible, there will be a bloody reckoning. Grey Talon also founded the Hunter's Association, which the Paradox organization has repeatedly attempted to challenge, all without success. ## Haze

Haze

Haze is a secret agent of the "Sandman" division under the Office of Supernatural Security and Investigation Commission (OSIC). Her regular assignment is to infiltrate the dreams of "persons of interest" to determine what kind of threat they pose to the United States. When necessary, she is called upon to eliminate targets deemed too dangerous to be left alive. This means Haze's duties span both intelligence gathering and targeted elimination, and her targets are typically high-risk individuals in the supernatural sphere. The Paradox organization maintains a relatively restrained attitude toward Haze. Although Paradox himself enjoys provocation, he clearly does not want to provoke official forces, and therefore keeps a certain distance from Haze, who belongs to OSIC, not wanting a single theft to trigger a large-scale official investigation. At the same time, Paradox also tries to cultivate a positive image of the organization in Haze's mind, in order to reduce their own wanted level. ## Holliday

Holliday

Holliday is one of the characters in the game, but current search results lack detailed records of her background story and history. Her character background and motivation for participating in the Ritual await further information disclosure. ## Infernus

Infernus

Infernus is Ixian, but was born and raised in New York. This means he belongs to the descendants of the otherworldly people who came to the human world through the Astral Gates, a living bond connecting both Ixia and Earth. His specific personal history and motivation for participating in the Ritual have not yet been disclosed in detail, but the identity of "Ixian-descended New Yorker" itself suggests a unique cross-cultural background. ## Ivy

Ivy

Ivy was originally a gargoyle. Her awakening occurred in a moment of violence: when she woke, all she knew was that she saw a tall man and a small person being hurt. Acting on gargoyle instinct, she leapt into action and scared the attackers away. The small person thanked her and asked what her name was. The gargoyle had no name. So the small person said: "I'm going to call you Ivy." The gargoyle was covered in ivy at the time and thought the name was a bit too on the nose, but for the small person's sake, she accepted it. The family invited Ivy home to express their gratitude. Ivy went with them. That night, she learned a great deal. The family's surname was Arroyo, and the small person was named Sophia. Mofongo was the name of a delicious food. But most importantly, she learned that the organization that attacked the family was called The Mendoza Syndicate, and they were hurting good people—good people like the Arroyos. Eighteen years have passed since the Arroyos brought Ivy home. During that time, she made it her mission to dismantle the Mendoza Syndicate and liberate Spanish Harlem from their control. However, when a person devotes their entire life to a single goal for nearly two decades, once it is achieved, they no longer know what to do next. For the first time in her life, Ivy is preparing to step outside Spanish Harlem and see what the world has to offer beyond vigilante justice. ## Kelvin

Kelvin

Kelvin is an ice-based support character, but current search results contain relatively limited detailed records of his personal background story and history. During the Ritual, Paradox shows interest in the materials in Kelvin's home, suggesting Kelvin may possess certain valuable documents or research materials. His specific origins and experiences await further disclosure. ## Lady Geist

Lady Geist

Lady Geist is a being who has lived for many years, and her assessment of the museum exhibition hosted by the Paradox organization is that it is "expensive but shallow." This assessment may be related to a personal grudge between her and the Paradox organization. Lady Geist's long lifespan means she has witnessed historical events far grander than the Paradox organization, which gives her a condescending scrutiny when facing this thieves' guild that takes pleasure in "challenging the untouchable." Her specific background and historical details have not yet been disclosed in detail. ## Lash

Lash

Lash is described by the community as a "jerk," an assessment that in some ways reflects his interpersonal style. There is a certain tension between him and Dynamo: Lash once tried to insult Dynamo's marriage, and Dynamo warned him to show respect for his wife. This interaction reveals the provocative and disrespectful side of Lash's personality, while also reinforcing Dynamo's loyalty to his marriage from the side. Lash's detailed background has not yet been disclosed. ## McGinnis

McGinnis

McGinnis's real name is Maggie McGinnis. She displayed astonishing engineering talent from early childhood: at age four she recreated architectural wonders with Lincoln Logs; at age ten she built and rewired a custom lamp for her parents' wedding anniversary; at age fifteen she designed a machine that refined the souls of the dead—"that last one attracted a lot more attention than the Lincoln Logs."

Today, McGinnis is the head of the Fairfax Industries Military R&D department. She spends most of her time in the machine shop rather than the laboratory. She is not interested in theory—to her, science is magic you can touch. McGinnis's character is closely bound to Fairfax Industries, the megacorporation, and her potential relationship with Pocket (Arin Fairfax)—as the head of R&D at the same company and the company's legal heir—constitutes one of the most intriguing threads in her history. ## Mina

Mina

Mina is one of the characters in the game, but current search results lack detailed records of her background story and history. Her character background and motivation for participating in the Ritual await further information disclosure. ## Mirage

Mirage

Mirage is one of the characters in the game, but current search results lack detailed records of his background story and history. His specific origins and motivation for participating in the Ritual have not yet been disclosed. ## Mo & Krill

Mo & Krill

Mo & Krill are members of The Tunnel Rats, an organization that facilitates illegal trade and commerce between New York's boroughs through an underground tunnel network. While most residents of New York's underworld respect the work of the "rats," occasionally a gang will try to exploit the tunnel system for personal vendettas. On such occasions, Mo & Krill step in to remind the city what happens to those who disrespect their hospitality. The exact nature of Mo & Krill's relationship—whether two beings share one body or two separate individuals working in close coordination—is not explicitly stated in available materials, but their history is inseparable from the power ecology of New York's underground world. ## Paige

Paige

Paige is a character who possesses a "collection of books." Paradox shows interest in Paige's books, suggesting they may hold some kind of value—whether occult knowledge, historical records, or other types of precious documents. Paige's background story and historical details have not yet been disclosed in detail. ## Paradox

Paradox

"Paradox" is simultaneously a title, the name of an organization, and a reference to a temporal relic. The Paradox organization is a notorious thieves' guild that prides itself on carefully planned, complex heists targeting the most untouchable individuals and institutions. The Paradox organization operates in a highly distinctive manner: every member wears a mask and takes on the organization's name. They are everywhere and nowhere. If they want something, it is inevitable. As for how the Paradox organization handles the countless artifacts, state secrets, and celebrity paternity tests they have stolen, the answer is: they host pop-up museums to show the world that no one escapes Paradox's grasp. The Paradox organization has repeatedly challenged the Hunter's Association founded by Grey Talon and the Doorman's Baroness Hotel, attempting to steal things they were interested in, but all attempts ended in failure. Nevertheless, after years of operation, the Paradox organization does possess quite a few secrets, such as Pocket's true identity. On the surface, the Paradox organization was formed by a group of wealthy people looking for fun. The player-controlled Paradox was, before becoming Paradox, simply a bored wealthy young lady from Scotland. After joining the organization, she, like other members, donned a helmet and the same trench coat, abandoning her identity and name, all for the challenge and the fun of stealing anything they found interesting. The Paradox organization's structure is very loose, with members mostly operating independently, having no specific goals, and mainly following personal interest and seeking challenges. The player Paradox herself, though still carrying a young lady's lively cheerfulness and enjoying all kinds of jokes, is very serious and earnest when it comes to the affairs of the Paradox organization. Her main purpose in participating in the Ritual is to prove her strength to the Paradox organization, become the organization's leader, and show off her power along the way. Paradox herself is not very interested in stealing artifacts, but has an enormous interest in various modern precision machines. The first time she saw the robot Bebop, she developed an urge to move the big lug into her collection. The Paradox organization possesses the secret of controlling time, which Dynamo is very curious about. Paradox's "collector's habit" extends to other participants in the Ritual: the book in the blue bull's hand, the materials in the ice man's home, Holliday's revolver, Paige's collection of books, Celeste's horn, Yamato's katana, McGinnis's research results and Fairfax's secrets, Pocket's suitcase, and more are all potential targets for her. ## Pocket

Pocket

Pocket's true identity is Arin Fairfax, the eldest heir of Fairfax Industries. Arin was shot on their eighteenth birthday and left for dead. For five years since then, Arin has been living in hiding. Arin does not know who is preventing them from taking over their parents' company—but in Fairfax Industries, this viper's nest driven by greed, anyone could be behind it. Arin adopted the name "Pocket," desperate to conceal their true identity—not only for personal safety, but because they want to forge an identity independent of their parents. There is a godfather-godson relationship between Pocket and Dynamo. Dynamo felt relief upon learning that Pocket was still alive, because Pocket was supposed to have been assassinated on their father's orders. ## Rem

Rem

Rem is one of the characters in the game, but current search results lack detailed records of his background story and history. Rem's role positioning and personal history await further information disclosure. ## Seven

Seven

Seven is an extremely dangerous being who was once imprisoned in "Lost Whisper," an oubliette designed to hold the most dangerous occultists. There are many rumors about what Seven did to be imprisoned in Lost Whisper. But about what happened on the night of his execution, there is no question at all. The ward runes placed by the most powerful ritualists of seven nations—designed not only to prevent mystical intervention in the execution, but also to simultaneously annihilate Seven's soul, so that he could never be contacted, resurrected, or exploited by anyone who might wish to emulate him—all failed. Bystanders watched in horror as the head of the U.S. Army's strongest spiritualist burst like a grape. They screamed as they witnessed Scotland Yard's premier occult investigator—the man credited with capturing Seven—turn to ash. Seven's body twisted and struggled against his bonds, his skin scorched by otherworldly currents... but he did not die. He laughed. He laughed as he tore free of his restraints. He laughed as he watched his captors cower in fear. He laughed as he slaughtered his tormentors. He laughed as he breathed fresh air that had been denied to him for years. He laughed as he thought about what he was going to do once he reached New York City. Seven's wish for participating in the Ritual is to become a god. The Paradox organization once stole information about Seven's hiding place and used it to demand ransom from its target. ## Shiv

Shiv

Shiv is a loyal member of The Baxter Society—an international monster-hunting organization. He travels across North America, seeking out and destroying creatures that prey on the living. Shiv's less polished demeanor and criminal record make some of the more traditional members of the Society wary of him, but no one can question his efficiency. Shiv's history reveals an interesting tension: a man with a criminal past who has become one of the most efficient members of an ancient organization dedicated to protecting humanity from monsters. The friction between his "by any means necessary" style and the Society's traditional norms forms the core dynamic of his character background. His relationship with Grey Talon—both members of the Baxter Society—also suggests he may be part of Grey Talon's retirement plan. ## Celeste

Celeste's alternate spelling or related character Celeste—her character possesses a horn. Paradox initially thought it was a magic item and listed it as a potential theft target. Celeste's background story and historical details have not yet been disclosed in detail. ## Venator

Venator

Venator is a character capable of reading minds. He accepts an arrangement to work with one Patron to destroy the other, believing in his conviction that the other Patron will eventually perish with time. Venator's background forms a direct contrast with Warden. Warden believes the Ritual is a far more critical event and seeks to destroy both Patrons simultaneously. Venator takes a more "pragmatic" stance: cooperate with one side to destroy the other, trusting that time will resolve the rest. Venator's specific history and origins have not yet been disclosed in detail. ## Victor

Victor

Victor is one of the characters in the game, but current search results lack detailed records of his background story and history. Victor's role positioning and personal history await further information disclosure. ## Vindicta

Vindicta

Vindicta is one of the victims of John Hathorne during the Salem witch trials. Her soul was brought back to the mortal world during the first Maelstrom—the very event in which supernatural beings were introduced to the public eye on a massive scale. Vindicta is waging a one-woman, one-ghost war against The Friends of Humanity, a new inquisition composed of Hathorne's descendants. Vindicta is dedicated to protecting supernatural beings from the likes of Hathorne, and is not afraid to stack as many bodies as necessary to do so. Her history spans three centuries: from seventeenth-century Salem, to the Maelstrom fifty years ago, to present-day New York. This makes Vindicta one of the characters with the longest historical depth in the game. ## Viscous

Viscous

Viscous's origins are directly tied to the truth of the Bermuda Triangle. The Bermuda Triangle was never a myth, but rather a shadowline nexus deep in the Atlantic. Most things that escape from this Astral Gate are benign (such as the Loch Ness Monster), but now some dark, predatory entity is hunting marine life... and the inhabitants of the ocean are terrified. One of those inhabitants—a psychic sea anemone—wanted to do something about it. It psychically constructed an ectoplasmic slime body for itself so it could survive on land. Viscous is desperately trying to summon the Patron to protect the Deeps from the adversary lurking below. Viscous's history reveals a unique perspective: it is neither human nor a traditional supernatural entity, but rather a collective will or representative of marine life, entering human Ritual politics for an ecological mission. ## Warden

Warden

Most people believe the supernatural came to this world fifty years ago. They are wrong. Supernatural existence has shaped folklore for generations... as long as there have been people afraid of the shadows, there have been people dedicated to fighting in the shadows. Warden comes from a bloodline of combat alchemists. His family trained for generations so that one day they would have to prevent a mystical apocalypse... but as time passed, the importance of those lessons seemed less and less significant. What was once regarded as a sincere warning gradually became an amusing anecdote told by superstitious elders. When the portal in Central Park opened, Warden's parents realized: not only was everything they had been told true, but they were utterly unprepared. Refusing to let the next generation sleep on the job, Warden was trained from birth to be a supernatural killing machine, with a single purpose: prevent the Patrons from entering our world. Warden trained himself to resist the Patron's mind-reading. He has reason to: his wish is likely something capable of causing the Patron's own destruction, so he cannot let the Patron know his intentions. ## Wraith

Wraith

Wraith is a cornerstone of New York's gambling scene. Her organization is an open secret. However, through considerable bribery, blackmail, and extortion, Wraith knows she stands above the law. Her history is deeply bound to the underground economic ecology of New York. In a city where supernatural forces are widely accepted, gambling, as a "traditional" gray-market industry, is intertwined with occult crime and underground trading networks. The fact that Wraith's organization can operate openly in such an environment indicates that her influence penetrates multiple levels of law enforcement and politics. Her specific origins and path into the gambling world have not yet been disclosed in detail. ## Yamato

Yamato

Yamato's real name is Kaori. She and her brother Yamato were born into the family of a crime syndicate boss. After their father's death, the siblings always knew their fate was to inherit the operation of "Seventh Moon."

They ran the organization as a two-headed system for many years, bringing profit and success, and planned to expand into America. The plan was simple: Kaori would stay in Japan to control the domestic side, and Yamato would go to America to establish an international foothold. However, the siblings' misfortune lay in this: some subordinates did not like the plans Kaori was directing in Japan. The rebellion was swift and violent. Yamato sacrificed his own life to protect Kaori, allowing her to escape from Japan to America with a small group of loyal subordinates. The person waiting to greet Kaori's group in America was supposed to be the one greeting Yamato. That man was not familiar with Japanese names and called Kaori "Yamato." Kaori wanted to correct the mistake, but she decided: the best way to honor her brother is to inherit the name Yamato and fulfill his dream. Paradox lists Yamato's katana as a potential theft target. The character background stories of Deadlock construct a layered, interwoven narrative network. Starting from the Maelstrom event fifty years ago, each character enters the Ritual carrying their own historical wounds, missions, and desires. Dynamo wants to regain his body and embrace his wife, Grey Talon wants revenge for his family, Ivy is lost after completing her mission, Seven walks toward New York laughing after his execution, Yamato lives under her brother's name—these personal narratives collide and intersect in New York's supernatural underworld, forming a narrative depth far beyond that of a mere "shooter."