NPCS
The city of Meridian isn't quite as abandoned as it might seem at first. The streets may be empty and the buildings may be abandoned, but a small group of people is still around. These people, the survivors of... an incident they don't seem very willing to talk about, are the only ones around who can provide any answers about just what happened in the city.
It might be a little hard to run into them on the First Level, but the new arrivals to the city will find that it's really quite easy to catch them on the Second Level. And they're all just so very excited to see more people around.
Stephen Petrov
Otherwise known as Steve to those around him, this one's grown up... fairly normal? If you can call growing up in Chernobyl normal. Not that he'll tell you his life story - okay maybe, he will but you'll have to ask! First impressions? Don't be surprised if Steve winds up stammering, he does it to everyone. Once you get to know him though, he's a really nice guy! ...Or just a pushover, take your pick.
Solas Greine
Solas Greine (Sola for short) is one of the few survivors of the... incident... that brought the city of Meridian to its knees. Ever since then, she's worked at gardening, trying to keep the city going as best she can. She's one of the nicer survivors, fully intent on rebuilding the city and getting along with the newcomers. Every now and then, though, she acts in a way that suggests that maybe she's not as harmless as she appears... and maybe she wasn't always so nice.
Zeph
Yes, just 'Zeph'. If he has a last name, you're not getting it. And feel free to assume he hates you right from the start, because he's an asshole like that. An oddball in the sense he's hardly even on the second level and no one knows where he even goes in the meantime. Ligeia is his personal unwilling answering machine.
Ligeia Halkias
Ligeia's lived in the city for just about his whole life. Even now, when it's mostly abandoned, he's not willing to leave it just yet. Or ever, for that matter. He's not such a bad guy, really, though a bit awkward. And incredibly lazy. Don't get him wrong though. He really wants to see the city restored.
Colby Nevin
Colby's lived in this city for a while. He knows all the best restaurants - or he did before things went bad. Still, the best way to get on his good side is with food, and everyone knows it. He's also a knowledgable businessman, so don't try to pull a fast one on him - he reads the fine print.
Yulia Raskolnikov
An old friend of Steve's, also coming from the ice desert of Russia. Of all the survivors you'll meet, Yulia will be the most happy to meet you. All sunshine and rainbows, and a little bit of a space cadet. Usually found singing with birds or dancing in the park, but beware to those who make her angry.
Kiqu
Don't expect to spot him often; Kiqu's a busy man and doesn't have time to go parading around like the other survivors. Busy with what, exactly, is anybody's guess. The other survivors will assure you he's a smug self-absorbed asshole, and if you never see him then that's all the better for you. He has a well-known fondness for things that are just ridiculous, which probably explains the name. And the mustache.