recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Vadimas Likarauskas

**Professor Vadimas Likarauskas** is a supporting character in *Adara's Apostasy*. A sociology professor at the University of Stallbrook, he co-advises Adara Khan during her research, along with Jennifer Roy. Of Eastern European extraction, he speaks with a pronounced accent and uses a motorized scooter to get around. Likarauskas is a staunch empiricist, and committed to scientific and ethical integrity; when Adara shares with him the problems she uncovered with Wolfe O'Cleary's published works, he advises her on what to do with her notes in the event she would need to reveal them.
Tina Sumner

**Tina Sumner** is a minor character in *Moira's Covenant* and *Elsa's Revelations*. Vice chair of the Stallbrook Republican Party committee as well as a member of the Duquesne County Republican Committee, she is described as a "bridge builder" who uses her skills and position to mediate disputes between moderates and hardline conservatives within the local party. When that fails, she sides with the majority in embracing the designation of "Main Street Republicans" for city elections. In *Elsa's Revelations*, she is mentioned as defeating hardline conservative Kristine Manatos for the fourth district's City Council seat.
Luna

**Luna** (legal name **Charlotte Wilson**) is a recurring supporting character in *Tessa's Vision* and *Jenny's Peace.* Initially very shy, she takes on exotic dance work at Blue Jewel to supplement her income as a part-time editor for an erotic publisher, then later opens up and begins performing live peep shows. She develops a respectful friendship with a regular client, Thomas Price, and is intrigued by the fantasies which guide their role-play in her peep show booth. In *Jenny's Peace*, she is often seen by Jenny Brooks, who at one point turns to her to share some difficult information about her past because she cannot tell anyone else.
Vera Kuhn

**Vera Kuhn** is a supporting character in *Adara's Apostasy*. Described as "a perky woman with blonde hair in a fishtail braid," she works as an administrative assistant at a real estate firm, and is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. She is the resident conservative of the rented house she shares with Adara Khan, Ginny Hill and Imani Turner, and is openly critical of Chief Graham's policies around sex work, in contrast to Imani and Ginny who express support for said policies.
Taryn Feder

**Taryn Feder** is a supporting character in *Amalia's Truth*. Described as being in her late thirties or early forties with auburn hair, she is the Moderator for the Stewards of the Free Spirit Connection. As Moderator, she takes seriously her responsibility to assure both fairness and order during the discussions of the sixth Triennial Assembly. At the end of the Assembly, she relinquishes her position to Alex Gonzalez.
Eli Stutzman

**Eli Stutzman** is a minor character in *Hannah's Healing*. The father of Hannah Stutzman and her brothers (including Joosef and Samuel) he helps Bishop Zook to perpetuate silence around his sons' ongoing sexual abuse of Hannah, and later the death of Abena Gardner. He is later brought in for questioning by Sheriff Tom Harshbarger.
Justine Taylor

**Reverend Justine Taylor** is an antagonist in *Peri's Bliss*. She is the minister at First Unitarian Church, and portrayed as overbearing and manipulative, using her position to control the lay leadership in the church and restrict discussions around sexuality. After several First Unitarian members leave, with some joining the Free Spirit Local Gathering, she joins forces with Nate Roth and his "Citizens Concerned" group. Her dogmatic radical feminism is a counterpoint to the more inclusive and sex-positive feminism of Peri Winger and other Free Spirits. Eventually, Taylor's heavy-handed approach has a negative effect on the church's membership and fundraising, leading to a confrontation with the church board and her resignation. She is later mentioned in *Amalia's Truth*, *Priscilla's Transformation* and *Sophie's Wisdom.*
North End Alliance for Truth

The **North End Alliance for Truth**, sometimes known by the acronym NEAT, is an organization formed by religious conservatives (initially by members of Shiloh Baptist Church and Our Savior Lutheran Church) to oppose the establishment of a Free Spirit Local Gathering meetinghouse in the North End area of Stallbrook. While they begin by trying to create a negative portrait of the Free Spirits among North End residents, this fails to take hold. Their subsequent tactics include petitioning for an injunction to prevent construction and renovation, proposing an ordinance to limit the number of place of worship a religious organization may establish, and finally blockading a shipment of solar panels to the construction site. All of these efforts fail, and the attempted blockade is even condemned by Shiloh Baptist's senior pastor. When a disturbed individual throws a Molotov cocktail at the building, the Alliance is initially blamed for it. Still, construction goes on, and the opening of the north metro Gathering's meetinghouse renders their cause moot.

 *[For an earlier organization with similar aims, see Citizens Concerned]*
Tom Davis

**Tom Davis** is a supporting character in *Sophie's Wisdom*. He is an elderly man who represents a small group interested in forming an Ethical Culture society in Stallbrook, and serves on the Round Table of Reason. He expresses support for end-demand strategies against commercial sex, only to have Sophie Giuliani argue for decriminalization and urging Tom and the others to listen to sex workers on the issue.
Mark Vogler

**Mark Vogler** is a minor character in *Tessa's Vision*. The elected Duquesne County government's Executive, he tries to deal with the conflict surrounding the opening of the Blue Jewel erotic entertainment emporium on Creston Street in Stallbrook. Apparently a moderate, he discourages actions by some members of the Duquesne County Council which may run into legal challenges and exacerbate the conflict.
Sean O'Rourke

**Sean O'Rourke** is a supporting character in *Tessa's Vision*. While attending a small bachelor party, he meets the exotic dancer Miko and helps her when she succumbs to appendicitis. Later, at the University of Stallbrook, he provides advice with constructing a device for use in Blue Jewel's live peep show booths, and introduces her to Callie Cole, an activist with the Stallbrook Pirate Party. Sean and Miko later develop a romantic relationship.
Zoe Morton

**Zoe Morton** is the title character in the sixth book in the Free Spirits series, *Zoe's Quest*, and also appears in *Priscilla's Transformation* and *Sophie's Wisdom*, as well as being mentioned in *Tessa's Vision*. Twenty-one years old at the time of the first book's events, she is petite with short blonde hair, and has a large tattoo of the Grim Reaper's head on her back. Her early life is spent with her overprotective and controlling mother and stepfather, who try to keep her from having sex and becoming pregnant, as a way of preventing her from passing on the Huntington's Disease which killed her father and which will inevitably take her life. Zoe rebels, first by having a secret relationship in her hometown in Oregon, then hitchhiking to Stallbrook to stay with her cousin Ariadne. Zoe's plan is to fulfill a list of sexual escapades, then commit suicide before the disease takes effect. She falls into trouble and must stay in Stallbrook for ninety days, seeing Doctor Marshall Chasen for counseling. She finds help in fulfilling her fantasies with the city's Young Poly group and members of the Free Spirit Connection, including engaging in sex work on Creston Street. By the end of the list, where she hires Bridget for an all-day session, she has second thoughts about her plans for suicide, but finds a purpose in her life to go on with the time she has left.
Rikki de la Vega

**Rikki de la Vega** is the author of the Free Spirits series, and an online activist for sex-positive feminism, sex worker rights, LGBTQ+ equality and trans youth rights to gender-affirming healthcare.

Her first book was *The Landlady's Girl*, an erotic lesbian BDSM tale published in 2011 by Sizzler Editions. Her next book, published in 2014 by Sizzler, was *Naomi: Young Woman's Journey into Her Deepest Desires*, centered on a once-sheltered woman who becomes a submissive to a lesbian dominant and explores BDSM, group sex and other sexual practices. As of 2022, she has had two more books published, *Even the Stars Shall Rejoice*, and *The Veins of the Earth*. Her first non-fiction book, *Prudery and the War on Sex*, was released in June 2023.

The Free Spirits series began with the novels *Peri's Bliss* and *Bridget's Calling*, both published in the summer of 2016. Along with creating the Free Spirit Connection as a fictional sex-positive religion, the main setting for the novels, Stallbrook, developed as a fictional city with a more open political and sexual atmosphere than in the real-life United States.

Rikki de la Vega, who lives in Boston and openly identifies as kinky and polyamorous, draws much on her own experience for inspiration, and mentions many friends who help with research and ideas behind her stories and characters.

## External links

Rikki de la Vega's page on the Sizzler Editions website

Rikki de la Vega's personal website

Rikki de la Vega's page on Medium
Marla Gentile

**Marla Warren Gentile** is a supporting character in *Bridget's Calling*. She is the daughter of industry mogul James Warren, wife of Will Gentile, and mother of Miranda Gentile. Marla has a controlling personality and an explosive temper, leading her to emotionally and physically abuse Will; Bridget's hacker friend Charlie later uncovers that she has a prior history of abusing her boyfriends. Eventually, Frankie MacMillan prods her into another explosive episode, leading her to assault the detective and another police officer, providing grounds for MacMillan to arrest her. After she is transferred to the psychiatric ward at Stallbrook General Hospital, Marla's father agrees to have her committed to an out-of-state psychiatric hospital, with MacMillan warning that she would be re-arrested and tried the moment she returned to the state.
Todd Renard

**Todd Renard** is a supporting character in *Tessa's Vision*. The principal owner and manager of Foxy Ladies Gentlemen's Club, he initially studied law before starting the business. He arranges for Waldo Stiles and Harry "Howler" Houlihan - owners of two other strip clubs which were forced to close as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic - to become junior partners so he can reopen and expand Foxy Ladies. While he is criticized for some of his business dealings with the dancers who work at his clubs, he does draw the line on many practices, mainly out of enlightened self-interest. When Foxy Ladies still can't recover completely, he is approached by Gentlemen's Exclusive Entertainment to allow them to take on majority ownership while still allowing him to manage the club.
Stuart Nathanson

**Stuart Nathanson** is a supporting character in *Adara's Apostasy*. He is described as having "short curly red hair, faint freckling across the nose and cheekbones," and being "slightly pudgy," having put on some weight since college when he was Adara Khan's boyfriend before one or more arguments led to her leaving him. Stuart now works as a communications staffer in the office of Stallbrook Mayor Jack Oskanian. Later on, Adara finds that he is currently dating Tula Huttunen, one of her casual play partners, and after some awkward discussions, they form a temporary sexual triad. Adara's intellectual perspective also shifts closer to Stuart's, mainly because of her interaction with other friends.
Shiloh Baptist Church

**Shiloh Baptist Church** is a religious congregation in the city of Stallbrook, first mentioned in *Peri's Bliss*. Conservative and fundamentalist, it is initially led by Pastor Nate Roth, who founds the "Citizens Concerned" group to protest the emergence of the Free Spirit Local Gathering through pickets, leafleting and appearance on talk radio. Roth's arrest on sexual assault charges leads to his stepping down, and the more moderate associate minister Jeff Palmer replaces him. The church sponsors Free At Last, a ministry for women leaving the commercial sex industry led by Sue Billings, but given Stallbrook's atmosphere of de-facto decriminalization and the more successful work of the Jezebel Project, this effort has little success. Later, members of Shiloh Baptist help to form the North End Alliance for Truth in an effort to stop the birthing of a new Local Gathering in the city; the Alliance fails to accomplish its goal, especially after Palmer denounces some of their more extreme tactics.
Nick Saroyan

**Nick Saroyan** is a minor recurring character in the Free Spirits series. He is first mentioned in *Bridget's Calling* as the District Attorney for Duquesne County, where Stallbrook is located; Bridget discovers through a client that his nephew has been extorting bribes from restaurant owners, and shares this with Detective Frankie MacMillan. By the events of *Laurie's Liberation*, a series of scandals has led Saroyan to choose not to run for re-election, leading to a hotly contested race and the eventual election of independent progressive Nate Teixeira.
Steve Monet

**Steve Monet** is a minor character in *Tessa's Vision*. Regional Vice President for Gentlemen's Exclusive Entertainment, he and GXE's President Tony Rice try to persuade Todd Renard to sell a majority stake in the Foxy Ladies Gentlemen's Club, promising to bring in dancers and clients from across North America while still allowing Renard to continue managing the club as he saw fit.
Mort Hostetler

**Morton Hostetler** is a minor character in *Moira's Covenant*. The chair of the Duquesne County Republican Committee, he is fairly moderate in his politics and struggles to keep the moderate and hardline factions from tearing up the party from within. He voices respect for Wil Jackson's ability to discern political situations.
Will Gentile

**Will Gentile** is a supporting character in *Bridget's Calling*. Will was brought up on a farm, but pursued a new life in the city of Stallbrook. He is married to Marla Warren Gentile, the daughter of corporate mogul James Warren, who also hires Will as a salesperson in his agricultural equipment company. Will and Marla have a daughter, Miranda, who is eight years old at the time of the book's events. When Marla becomes verbally and emotionally abusive towards him, Will hires Bridget twice a month to deliver light massage and conversation, but no sex; as Marla's abuse became physical, Bridget noticed his injuries and had her assistant Charlie uncover more information about her. Bridget, Charlie, and their friends then helped Will to flee Marla, taking Miranda with him; they settle in Hawaii at the home of Leslie Waterstone, Bridget's friend and former lover/benefactor in a sugar relationship.
University of Stallbrook

The **University of Stallbrook** is the state university in the city of Stallbrook, its campus located near the city center. Adara Khan is co-advised by University professors Vadimas Likarauskas and Jennifer Roy during her research of the de-facto decriminalization policies of the Stallbrook Police Department instituted under Chief Graham, and benefits from the resources of the sociology department and other University facilities. Sophie Giuliani is also on the faculty there, as a professor of molecular biology and head of its genetics lab.
Sandy Wolinski

**Sandy Wolinkski** is a supporting character in *Peri's Bliss*, co-host (with Steve Torre) of "The Steve and Sandy Show" on WTLK Radio, where Peri Winger and Lateshia Williams talk about the Free Spirit Connection, and spar with Pastor Nate Roth and Reverend Justine Taylor. Described as looking like "Ann Coulter's brown-haired sister," she presents a thoughtful libertarian-conservative perspective on the show.
Pauline

**Pauline** is a minor character in *Adara's Apostasy.* A survivor of sex trafficking, she was raised in a middle-class family in the Washington DC area before being groomed and manipulated into selling sex by a gang member. When a physically abusive member of the gang took over as her pimp, and tried to transport her to Cleveland, she managed to escape and make her way to Stallbrook, where she received help from Shiloh Baptist Church and its Free At Last ministry. While Adara Khan points out that she arrived in Stallbrook before Delbert Graham was appointed police chief, Pauline insists that Graham's policies towards sex work would not have helped her, in spite of evidence that many trafficking victims were helped because of cooperation between Stallbrook's police and the sex worker community.
Sizzler Editions

**Sizzler Editions** is the publisher of the Free Spirit series of erotic novels by Rikki de la Vega. One of the leading publishers of ebook erotica on the internet, Sizzler was founded by the late David O. Dyer, Sr., releasing its first ebooks 1998, and having published over 2000 books since that time. The staff and authors of Sizzler pride themselves on presenting the finest in erotica for every kind of sexual interest and orientation.

## External link

Rikki de la Vega's page on the Sizzler Editions website
Marc

**Marc** is a minor character in *Amalia's Truth*. The partner of Brandon Gunn, while they have an open relationship he is either overly protective and/or insecure about Brandon joining Amalia Echevarria and Darla in a group sex session; as a result, Amalia decides not to allow Brandon to join them and Scott Stein. This in turn leads to Marc and Brandon having a deeper discussion about their relationship, and the two men express their gratitude to Amalia for encouraging them to do so. Marc also tells Amalia that her act of integrity was what caused him to disbelieve the negative rumors circulating about her.
Rocky

**Rocky** is a supporting character in *Bridget's Calling*, a friend of Charlie and Eight-Ball. She is described as being tall with spiked platinum-blonde hair. Rocky runs a garage, crewed entirely by women, where they also help people escaping certain situations by dismantling cars and providing transportation; their association with Charlie suggests they are part of Stallbrook's anarchist community. Rocky and her group are part of the network which helps Will Gentile and his daughter Miranda escape Will's abusive wife Marla.
Ruth Adler

**Ruth Adler** is a recurring character in the Free Spirits series. Originally a member of the First Unitarian Church in Stallbrook, she is one of many who leave that congregation and join the downtown Local Gathering of the Free Spirit Connection, where she meets and falls in love with Tracey Bilodeau. She is also friends with Peri Winger, Bridget Torjesen and others in the Free Spirit community. She meets Laurie Franklin at their mutual workplace, the central Stallbrook Public Library (where Ruth works in Special Collections), and introduces Laurie to Tracey and other Free Spirits.
Madge Hinton

**Madge Hinton** is a minor character in *Bridget's Calling*. She is the mother of disabled artist Todd Boisseau, having arranged for Bridget to provide sexual services to him. Madge is grateful to Bridget, not only for her escorting services, but for treating Todd as an equal and encouraging his artistic talents.
Roscoe Trainor

**Detective Roscoe Trainor** is a character in *Elsa's Revelations*. A detective in NYPD's bunco squad, he is contacted by Detective Benson to help Elsa Wahrheit identify the woman who accused Chief Graham of sexual misconduct. Trainor confirms that the woman in question is con artist Marina Lazarova, and eventually arrests her when charges are filed by staff from the *New York Chronicle*.
Robby

**Robby** is a minor character in *Bridget's Calling*. A friend of Charlie, he arranges for a session with Bridget, and benefits not only from her sexual ministrations, but her insights and advice. At the end, she also agrees to refer him to another sex worker who lives in his home town of Indianapolis.
US Marshals Service

The **United States Marshals Service** is a Federal law enforcement agency primarily responsible for protecting Federal judges and court personnel, the execution of Federal warrants, the transportation of Federal prisoners, and the Witness Protection Program. William Reeves and Denise Kwan are Deputy Marshals in *Jenny's Peace*, the latter assigned to protect witness Jenny Brooks.
Patsy Kessler

**Patrick "Patsy" Kessler** is a character in *Sophie's Wisdom*. The owner of a construction company, he is the brother-in-law of corrupt police officer Cole Friedman, who uses the company's bank accounts to launder money from bribes and other illegal sources for himself and other corrupt cops in "The Machine." Patsy also helps Friedman dispose of the body of Tina Santiago, a sex worker whom Friedman had killed to silence her. After Patsy retires, his son Ritchie sells the company to employee Ernie Tolman, who later cooperates with police when Santiago's remains are discovered.
Terry Morse

**Terence Morse** is a supporting character in *Elsa's Revelations*. The husband of Elsa Wahrheit, the couple consult with physician Marshall Chasen regarding fertility issues. When tests reveal that Terry is intersex (de la Chapelle syndrome) and infertile, he is shocked and needs time alone to process this new information about himself. Later, he is able to accept this fact, reconciling with Elsa and agreeing to let his brother Matthew provide sperm for in vitro fertilization.
Michelle Porter

**Michelle Porter** is a minor character in *Adara's Apostasy*. A student at the University of Stallbrook, and a member of the Student Coalition Against Trafficking, she shares with other members of the Coalition the view that sex work is a form of misogynist oppression, and opposes the policies of Chief Graham in that area.
Indians/Home City

This page contains all Home City Cards available for the **Indian** civilization in *Wars of Liberty*.

* **Green**: TEAM Shipment that is sent to each player in a team.
* **Purple**: Shipment that can be sent an INFINITE number of times.

All cards are unlocked by default starting from Patch 1.0.14

* Emperor's Treasury
* Fortress
* Imperial Court
* Merchant's Guild
* Customs House
Prosaic Coffee & Tea

**Prosaic Coffee & Tea** is a café in the North End of the city of Stallbrook, first mentioned in *Priscilla's Transformation* as the location where Priscilla Rhee often meets members of the Free Spirit Connection for discussion. It is noted for displaying works by local artists on its brick walls, its antique wrought-iron chairs, and its fine selection of beverages and treats.
Sunday Celebrations

Free Spirit weekly services are called **Celebrations**, and follow a relatively simple program:

1. *Welcome* - the equivalent of a prelude, a small chorus sings a simple song welcoming attendees.
2. *Message* - the equivalent of a sermon or homily, typically delivered by a Celebrant or Attendant.
3. *Reflection* - a chime signals a short interval of silent meditation.
4. *Entracte* - a brief performance involving bodily movement, such as dance or mime.
5. *Announcements* - usually delivered by the Council chair, including an appeal for donations.
6. *Coda* - the equivalent of a postlude, instrumental music to close the program.

Rather than sit in rows, most Local Gatherings arrange "café style" seating around small tables, encouraging more personal interactions before and after the Celebration. A crew of volunteers brings lunch into the meeting hall, and other volunteers collect donations.
Stallbrook Anarchist Collective

The **Stallbrook Anarchist Collective** is an organization in the city of Stallbrook, mentioned in *Priscilla's Transformation* as sending a contingent to the sex workers' vigil on Creston Street. Previous books in the Free Spirits series have had anarchist characters, the most notable being Charlie, the hacker assistant of Bridget Torjesen.
OrizaTech

**OrizaTech** is a fictional company in *Laurie's Liberation* where Vickie Burgess worked before assuming the identity of Laurie Franklin and moving to Stallbrook. Abbie Nolan apparently manipulates another employee of the company to make it appear that a large sum of money had been embezzled in the hopes that an internal investigation would uncover the whereabouts of her ex-partner. Sure enough, OrizaTech retains Rolly Shaw to trace the missing money, only to call off his investigation when their audit reveals that no funds were missing. Abbie then resorts to other measures to track down Vickie/Laurie.
Tom Watanabe

**Tom Watanabe** is a recurring character in the Free Spirits series, appearing first in *Peri's Bliss,* then in *Amalia's Truth,* and taking a significant role in *Jeretta's Judgment*. He is in the senior staff of the Free Spirit Connection, serving as Membership Coordinator. In *Peri's Bliss*, Tom does the initial audit of Stallbrook's south metro Local Gathering, praising Peri Winger for her leadership skills. In *Amalia's Truth*, he joins other staff during the sixth Triennial Assembly, and is especially vocal in articulating the need for a bylaws amendment allowing Local Gatherings to "co-birth" new Gatherings in their area. In *Jeretta's Judgment*, he is one of five co-leaders of a training workshop for new arbiters, explaining how the Connection's system of arbitration works and the role of arbiters in handling complaints of ethical misconduct.
SEEMA

The **Stallbrook Erotic Entertainers for Mutual Aid** (SEEMA) is a workers' co-operative of erotic dancers and other performers. The co-op owns and operates the Blue Jewel erotic entertainment emporium on Creston Street in the city of Stallbrook. SEEMA and Blue Jewel were both founded as an alternative to the traditional strip clubs which operated just outside of Duquesne County.
Mike Haskell

**Mike Haskell** is a minor character in *Hannah's Healing*. He is a public defender, appointed to represent Samuel Stutzman when he is brought in for disposing the body of Abena Gardner. He allows Lateshia Williams to talk with Samuel about Abena's life, provoking his client to disclose the details behind her death at the hands of his elder brother Joosef.
List of Free Spirit Connection leaders

The following is a list of leaders of the Free Spirit Connection who appear or are mentioned in the Free Spirit series of books. The books are coded by number (1 = *Peri's Bliss*, 2 = *Bridget's Calling*, 3 = *Hannah's Healing*, 4 = *Amalia's Truth*, 5 = *Laurie's Liberation*, 6 = *Zoe's Quest*, 7 = *Jeretta's Judgment*, 8 = *Adara's Apostasy*, 9 = *Priscilla's Transformation*, 10 = *Moira's Covenant*, 11 = *Tessa's Vision*, 12 = *Sophie's Wisdom*, 13 = *Jenny's Peace*, 14 = *Elsa's Revelations*); numbers in brackets indicate that the person is mentioned, but does not appear, in said book.
Petra Harkimo

**Petra Harkimo** is a supporting character in *Amalia's Truth*. She is a delegate at the sixth Triennial Assembly, a co-leader of the Free Spirit Connection's nexus group for polyamory and other forms of ethical non-monogamy, and the husband of Scott Stein. She is supportive of her husband joining Amalia Echevarria and Darla in a group sex session; later, when rumors of false allegations against Amalia circulate among Assembly attendees, Petra must reluctantly ask Amalia to remain in the sidelines during discussions of the proposed resolution for polyamory rights.
Rachel Martini

**Rachel Martini** is a recurring character in the Free Spirits series. She first appears in *Peri's Bliss* as a friend of Peri Winger who reunites with her at the bar of Tandy's Bistro, hoping to pick up a date; later she goes to the home of Peri's triad, spends the night with Andrew Hamady, and attends the downtown Local Gathering where she meets Gabe Choi and Rajiv Nair. In *Laurie's Liberation*, Rachel is in a triad with Gabe and Rajiv; they are members of the recently formed east metro Gathering in Pattensville where they live, and rent a room to and befriend Laurie Franklin.
Triennial Assembly (TA)

The **Triennial Assembly** or **TA** meets once every three years to review, deliberate, and vote on important matters for the Free Spirit Connection as a whole. Each Regional Conference sends a delegation consisting of ten percent of their participants, with no more than 25 percent of any delegation coming from a single Local Gathering, and no more than 25 percent consisting of Celebrants and/or Attendants. The TA also elects the Stewards to serve as the Connection's executive body until the next Assembly.
Politics and Activism among Free Spirits

Free Spirits represent a broader spectrum of political thought than similar religious groups like the Unitarian Universalists and Quakers, including libertarians, anarchists, independents and radical centrists. As a result, the Connection and its constituent groups tend to avoid collective social activism, preferring instead to encourage its members to engage on issues as concerned individual citizens motivated by Free Spirit core values.

In *Peri's Bliss*, Amalia Echevarria emphasizes this difference between Free Spirits and the Unitarian Universalists she recently left, but also realizes that her commitment to social justice issues would find support in the Local Gathering she decides to join. *Bridget's Calling* gives examples of individual Free Spirits engaging in activism for LGBTQI and sex worker rights. In *Hannah's Healing*, Hannah Stutzman learns from Peri, Andrew and Lila about the diversity of political beliefs among Free Spirits, and the emphasis on ethical guidance and meeting spiritual needs over collective activism. In *Amalia's Truth*, the tension between those committed to the Connection's spiritual focus and those who believe its core values should be expressed in the wider world is highlighted by the presence of nexus groups and their influence in supporting or opposing proposed resolutions on various social issues. In *Laurie's Liberation*, many Free Spirits in the Stallbrook area support independent candidate Nate Teixeira for District Attorney, reflecting a less ideologically rigid approach which favors implementing workable solutions; Tracey Bilodeau uses the label "practical heretic" to describe those who are willing to embrace such an approach. *Adara's Apostasy* illustrates how support for sex worker rights among Free Spirits is an extension of their sexual ethic more than any political ideology.
Resolutions

The system by which the Free Spirit Connection reviews and passes resolutions starts with endorsement by individuals and/or groups within the Connection, followed by review and passage by the Triennial Assembly, and final ratification by the Regional Conferences of the Connection.

## Endorsements

A proposed resolution must receive two hundred "endorsement points" to be put on the agenda of the upcoming Triennial Assembly. These points are determined as followed:

* One point for endorsement by an individual Connection member.
* Ten points for endorsement by a Local Gathering Council of 3-5 members.
* Twenty points for endorsement by a Local Gathering Council of 7-9 members.
* Forty points for endorsement by a Regional Conference.
* Eighty points for endorsement by the Stewards.

## The Triennial Assembly

Once a proposed resolution has received 200 or more endorsement points, it is put on the agenda for the upcoming Triennial Assembly for review, deliberation and vote by its delegates.

## Final review and ratification

After three-fifths majority passage by the Triennial Assembly, the proposed resolution is sent to the Local Gatherings for review, then to the Regional Conferences for final ratification by three-fifths of all RCs before the next Triennial Assembly.

## Bylaw amendments

Amendments to the Connection's bylaws follow the same system of endorsement, review and ratification, only they are required to receive 350 endorsement points and a three-fourths majority of votes in the Triennial Assembly and among Regional Conferences.
Thomas Tran

**Thomas Tran** is a minor character in *Adara's Apostasy*. A moderate Democrat, he is a member of the Stallbrook City Council, and was initially ambivalent regarding Chief Graham's policies in dealing with sex workers. After Angel Portillo's speech before the final vote, Tran was persuaded to vote in support of Graham's policies.
Tala Jackson

**Tala Jackson** is a minor character in *Moira's Covenant*. She is the daughter of Wil and Daria Jackson, a social worker who lives in Seattle with her partner. Daria credits her coming out as inspiration for the couple exploring their own sexuality. Tala is initially concerned about her parents' relationship with Moira Cloutier, as she thought their involvement in BDSM was only experimentation, but after talking with Moira herself she is more assured and accepting.
Wilma Roth

**Wilma Roth** is an antagonist in *Peri's Bliss*. She is the wife of Pastor Nate Roth, and leads members of Shiloh Baptist Church and the broader "Citizens Concerned" group in picketing the Free Spirits at their downtown Local Gathering. She is portrayed as a fanatically devoted fundamentalist Christian who sees any opposition to her beliefs and actions as "persecution" of her faith. When she is confronted with her husband having sexually abused young women in his church, she first refuses to believe, but then breaks down emotionally, and afterwards divorces him and leaves Stallbrook.
Officer Carvalho

**Officer Joanna Carvalho** is a recurring character, appearing in *Zoe's Quest,* *Adara's Apostasy* and *Elsa's Revelations*. She served with the Baltimore police before moving to Stallbrook and joining that city's police force. She expresses her disdain for how she saw sex workers being treated in Baltimore, and her support for the progressive policies of Chief Graham. Carvalho is one of the officers who arrives in response to an assault on Zoe Morton by Tito; she tells Zoe not to let anyone make her feel as if she is unworthy of respect and dignity because she is a sex worker, and offers her business card in case Zoe wants to talk with her again. Carvalho is one of several officers interviewed by Adara Khan for her thesis, eloquently expressing her support for the Chief's many reforms, include and especially those in support of sex workers. Later, she represents the police union as one of eight members of the "Ultra group" during the 2023 municipal elections.
Sabine Moràn

**Sabine Moràn** is a recurring character in *Zoe's Quest*, *Priscilla's Transformation* and *Jenny's Peace*. She is of mixed Mexican and Irish background, equally proud of both ethnicities, and skeptical of political as well as religious dogma. A friend and secondary sexual partner of Connor Lightfoot, she meets Zoe Morton during a Sunday celebration at the Stallbrook downtown Local Gathering of the Free Spirit Connection, and they have a threesome in one of the communion rooms. Sabine then introduces Zoe to the Young Poly group, which helps her to fulfill many of the sexual fantasies on her list. Sabine eventually joins the Free Spirits and becomes part of the north metro Gathering upon its formation. She engages in a series of discussions with Priscilla Rhee over many weeks, and this develops into a friendship and mutual attraction.
Liz Peterson

**Liz Peterson** is a character in *Laurie's Liberation*. A friend of Tracey Bilodeau, she is first shown arguing with her about the chances of Nate Teixeira winning the District Attorney election, even making bets with her about the future standing of Nate and another candidate in the polls. A liberal Episcopalian, Liz is able to see the value of the Free Spirit Connection and how members are encourage to live out their core values.
Persimmon

**Persimmon** (vanilla name **Sharon**) is a recurring character in *Adara's Apostasy* and *Sophie's Wisdom*. She is one of Sophie Giuliani's five submissives, and also assists her in the PowerPoint portion of her presentation on the Free Spirit Connection for the University of Stallbrook's Interfaith Council.
Thomas Price

**Thomas Price** is a supporting character in *Tessa's Vision*. Co-owner of Engelbert & Price antiquarian booksellers, he enjoys fantasy role-play around the theme of "school headmaster and naughty student," and becomes a regular peep show booth client of Luna. Later, when he suspects that Harry "Howler" Houlihan may have been involved in getting Blue Jewel's license suspended, he passes along the information to Tessa Cabrera, who relays it to Stallbrook police for investigation.
Officer Rashad

**Officer Tarika Rashad** is a member of the Stallbrook Police Department, having transferred from an unnamed city. She first appears in *Hannah's Healing*, arriving at the house where Hannah Stutzman is staying to escort her to see her friend Sarah Yoder. Rashad returns in *Laurie's Liberation*, where she shares details of the community policing practices instituted by Chief Graham with Tony Graham and his sister Zari. Rashad is committed to Stallbrook's "radical experiment" in policing, having witnessed rampant corruption and racism in her previous department. In *Adara's Apostasy* she shares that, while an officer in another city, she stopped her partner from beating a suspect, but was punished for it, and even considered suicide before Chief Graham contacted her and offered a position in Stallbrook's police force.
Ling

**Ling** is a minor character in *Peri's Bliss*. She attends the Sunday Celebration, along with other members of the swinger community, where Peri Winger formally joins the Free Spirit Connection. Later, Ling and the other swingers join members of the Local Gathering for threesomes in the communion rooms of the meetinghouse, then talk about forming their own Gathering where they live.
The Machine

**"The Machine"** is the nickname given to the network of corrupt officers which operated in the Stallbrook Police Department from the latter decades of the twentieth century until the appointment of Chief Graham by then-Mayor Allan Phillips in 2013. The name comes from its members' desire to operate "like a well-oiled machine" in fighting crime by any means at their disposal, especially the Russo crime family of the Mafia. Ironically, such efforts led to the Machine displacing the Russo family and other groups as the leading source of organized criminal activity, from bribes and money-laundering, to intimidation tactics and even assault and murder to protect their interests.

Members or suspected members of the Machine include:

* Cole Friedman - involved in protection rackets for prostitution and drug rings, money-laundering of payoffs, suspected of police brutality, found after his death to have murdered sex worker Tina Santiago to prevent her from disclosing the extent of his activities.
* Gus Smith - longtime president of the local Fraternal Order of Police, and suspected of participation in or knowledge of abuses and corruption by many officers; eventually compelled to retire.
Zebra

**"Zebra"** is the codename for a minor character in *Jenny's Peace*, a member of the Righteous Work sent to infiltrate the US Marshals Service Witness Protection Program to locate Jenny Brooks. The individual is diverted to a decoy operation run by Harmon Griffin, and is later apprehended at the same time as would-be assassins at Rancho Trampa and leaders of the Work at their compound in northern Mexico.
Stallbrook Citizens for Accuracy in Political Advertising

**Stallbrook Citizens for Accuracy in Political Advertising** is a nonprofit political organization formed in 2023 principally to counter misinformation by the Committee for a Better Stallbrook. The principal organizer was Wil Jackson, supported by a cross-party group which received leaked information about the Committee from an anonymous source. SCAPA was thus effective in countering efforts to discredit Chief Graham and his management of the Stallbrook Police Department, contributing to the defeat of a slew of right-wing candidates in that year's municipal elections.
Marshall Chasen

**Doctor** **Marshall Chasen** is a recurring character in the Free Spirits series. A medical doctor originally from Britain, he is described as gangly with salt-and-pepper hair and a crooked nose. He first appears in *Peri's Bliss* when Peri Winger sees him, based on his acceptance of alternative sexualities and relationships. He appears again in *Bridget's Calling*, as a volunteer medical consultant for the Jezebel Project outreach to street-based sex workers, in *Zoe's Quest* providing counseling to Zoe Morton after her arrest in Stallbrook, in *Adara's Apostasy* where he and other consultants for Jezebel are interviewed by Adara Khan, and in *Elsa's Revelations* where he is consulted by Elsa Wahrheit and Terry Morse regarding fertility problems.
Warren Foyle

**Warren Foyle** is a minor character in *Priscilla's Transformation*. He is a member of the Stallbrook Pirate Party, elected as an at-large member of the City Council in the 2019 elections. Foyle participates in a community cable program, hosted by Steve Torre, where he counters claims by Elise Amble of the North End Alliance for Truth regarding solar panels being installed at the Free Spirit Local Gathering meetinghouse in the city's North End.
Sheila Knox

**Sheila Knox** is a minor character in *Bridget's Calling*. A professor of psychology at Riesenburg University, she is chair of the committee which has organized the debate on prostitution, and moderates the debate itself. Knox endeavors to enforce the rules of the debate as fairly as possible, yet also shows flexibility in allowing Bridget to respond to comments and questions from Eliza Ferguson, then later changing the format at the suggestion of Walter Rosen.
Ritchie Kessler

**Richard "Ritchie" Kessler** is a character in *Sophie's Wisdom*. The son of construction company owner Patsy Kessler, he is a career Marine Corps officer who has no interest in succeeding his father in the business. He sells the company to employee Ernie Tolman, apparently with no knowledge of his father's involvement with the crimes of Cole Friedman, a corrupt and abusive police officer who murdered a sex worker to silence her.
Nate Teixeira

**Nate Teixeira** is a recurring character in the Free Spirits series. He first appears in *Bridget's Calling* as a transgender rights activist and attorney who also volunteers for the Jezebel Project to provide pro bono legal advice to street-based sex workers in Stallbrook. Later, he joins Bridget Torjesen and Jane Hardesty on a trip to Riesenburg University to attend a debate on the decriminalization of sex work. In *Laurie's Liberation*, Nate runs as an independent candidate for District Attorney, eventually winning against four other candidates, and pledging to support the innovative community policing practices of Stallbrook's Chief Graham. It is mentioned that Angela Dubuisson replaces him as legal advisor for the Jezebel Project. In *Sophie's Wisdom*, he decides to run again as an independent, with Democratic consultant Lisa Townsend as his campaign manager and Main Street Republican consultant Wil Jackson as senior advisor.
Progressive Caucus

The **Progressive Caucus** is a group of left-of-center members of the Stallbrook City Council. founded in 2013 by Rhonda Carver. Originally composed of Democrats who were co-endorsed by the Working Families Party, they would later welcome members of the Green and Pirate parties. By 2023, the Caucus included four Democrats/Working Families, three Pirates, and one Green.
Young Polys

The **Young Polys**, or **Young Poly group**, is a network of polyamorous young adults in the Stallbrook area. They are first alluded to in *Peri's Bliss*, and are a significant presence in *Zoe's Quest*. Members of the group include:

* Amalia Echevarria
* Andrew Hamady
* Connor Lightfoot
* Kitty Sung
* Lila Jaworski
* Luis Bermudez
* Sabine Moràn
* Wanda Marcelin
* Willow Flaherty
Regency Hotel

The **Regency Hotel** is Stallbrook's premier luxury hotel, with an upscale restaurant named the Tiara on its top floor, a coffee shop on the mezzanine level, and the comfortable Oak Lounge bar off the lobby. Bridget Torjesen frequently refers and meets clients there, and is friends with a concierge named Richard. Before Chief Graham discouraged stings against escorts, a team of detectives had put Bridget under surveillance there; she not only thwarted their efforts, but made an arrangement with Detective Frances "Frankie" MacMillan to provide information in exchange for being left alone.
The Stewards

The **Stewards** are the nine-member executive body of the Free Spirit Connection, its main responsibility being oversight of the Connection's finances, especially its unrestricted Endowment. Candidates for Steward are nominated by petition, with each petition requiring the names of ten people who are either current Local Gathering Council members or former Stewards, and no individual may endorse more than one candidate per election period. After the entire body has been elected by the Triennial Assembly, three officers are chosen by and from its membership:

1. *Moderator* - chairs all meetings of the Stewards, serves as chief spokesperson for the Connection, and moderates the next Triennial Assembly.
2. *Clerk* - maintains all records and serves as parliamentarian.
3. *Treasurer* - administers the Connection's Endowment and finances.

Other positions may include a liaison for unaffiliated members of the Connection, chairs of various committees, and leaders of special projects.
Tommy Raval

**Tamas "Tommy" Raval** is a major character in *Jenny's Peace*. A man of Indian descent, he is partnered with Marcie Tran, both of whom moved to the Stallbrook area from New Jersey when she took a new job as a human resources specialist; he previously managed a casino restaurant in Atlantic City, and now works in restaurant supply. He and Marcie are members of the North End Gathering of the Free Spirit Connection, and meet Jenny Brooks there. Over time, the three develop a polyamorous triad.
Valerie

**Valerie** is a minor character in *Peri's Bliss*. She attends the Sunday Celebration, along with other members of the swinger community, where Peri Winger formally joins the Free Spirit Connection. Later, Valerie and the other swingers join members of the Local Gathering for threesomes in the communion rooms of the meetinghouse, then talk about forming their own Gathering where they live.
Stallbrook Working Families Party

The **Stallbrook Working Families Party** is a center-left party in the city of Stallbrook, and the local chapter of the national party. Explicitly progressive, they often co-endorse Democratic candidates who agree with their positions on important issues. These co-endorsed Democrats make up the largest group within the Council's Progressive Caucus.
Sarah Yoder

**Sarah Yoder** is a supporting character in *Hannah's Healing*. A childhood friend of Hannah Stutzman, she later marries Hannah's brother Samuel. When she witnesses Samuel and his older brother Joosef in suspicious activity, and links it to the disappearance of Abena Gardner, she is later expelled from her Amish community. Sarah meets Hannah in Stallbrook, and they travel with Lateshia Williams and Detective Shaughnessy back to their Amish community to uncover the truth. When Samuel and Joosef are brought to justice, Sarah finds support in the Amish community, and is saddened when Hannah chooses to go back to her new life in the city.
Marian Edmonds

**Marian Edmonds** is a character in *Zoe's Quest*. An elderly upper-class woman, she is the wife of Corliss Edmonds, with whom she shares a desire to have a threesome at their home in Glen Hills. She is the first to approach Zoe Morton on Creston Street, but does so somewhat awkwardly; her husband then clarifies matters, and Zoe agrees first to discuss the possibility, then to engage in an all-night threesome with them. Marian then relaxes and thoroughly enjoys the time she and Corliss shares with Zoe.