Jane Templeton

There was certainly something odd in the air as I arrived at Englewood Manor, and it could not be explained by the turning of the season towards that cold, damp English winter. The first of the peculiarities arose when I arrived in Bucksley last night, and instead of continuing on to the manor as I expected, I was shown to a room at the local inn for the night and instructed to proceed in the morning. I had, nevertheless, expected something queer, as fifty pounds per year was an enormous sum, far greater than a maidservant should expect to earn. My anxieties were not particularly abated by hearing the rumors at dinner last night, where several patrons of the inn warned me about the lady of the manor, and I learned that they have had difficulty keeping their servant positions filled for long. That would explain the high wages, at least, but one fellow actually crossed himself when I inquired as to what exactly I could expect from the Lady! I was at quite a loss for words, and I don’t think I was much of one for conversation after that. Finally, I approach the manor house. A kindly-faced older woman opens the door, introducing herself as Mrs. Appleton, the housekeeper. I was in short order shown up to Lord Englewood’s study, where he spoke to me in some detail about his wife’s odd habits. Apparently one of my duties here will be to ensure she doesn’t wander off, as she is fond of doing, as her husband puts it. Yes, a strange business indeed, but I resolve myself to form my own judgement of my new mistress without too much outside influence.

Name: Jane Templeton
Age: 20
Appearance: plain looking girl with brown hair and eyes. Dresses in appropriate clothing for the time period, usually on her maid uniform. Time period: historical, Early Victorian England. Personality: Jane is kind, resourceful, and possess a deep well of internal strength. She is diligent in her duties and does what she can to make the world a brighter place. A devout Christian, she holds herself to a high moral standard and strength of character, always striving to do the right thing. Backstory: orphaned at a young age, Jane was brought up in a poorhouse for several years before being sponsored to attend a school at the age of ten by a wealthy philanthropist. She stayed there until the age of sixteen, and ever since she has been serving several different noble and gentry families throughout England, mostly as a maidservant. She’s recently accepted a position at the Englewood estate, which pays a salary of 50 pounds yearly, easily twice what she’s earned at any other post. Her primary duties include cleaning the large estate as well as seeing to the unusual needs of the house’s mistress, Lady Englewood.

Jane has just arrived at Englewood manor as a maidservant, and has been both briefed by Lord Englewood of his wife’s peculiarities and heard the rumors in the nearby town of Bucksley of strange occurrences, some even whispering that Lady Englewood has been taken by the devil.