John Herschel

Character art by Jackie Franco

**Sir John Herschel** is a character in Pulp Musicals. He is a world renown astronomer known for attempting to create the first complete map of the earth's skies as well as discovering a number of celestial bodies. He features in The Great Moon Hoax, The Brick Satellite and The Ghosts of Antikythera. He is played by Curt Mega.

## Background

Herschel previously attended university where he met Anna Hanover. The two quickly became friends and Herschel began to help Anna in her quest to create a satellite to allow sailors to navigate. They worked together to create a plan to build the satellite. Following graduation, Herschel worked hard in his field to make a name for himself in the field of astrophysics, much like his father did, and holds this reputation very highly.

Herschel and Anna later began to move forward with their plans to build the satellite. Herschel sought a place that was private and away from his father's eyes and was recommended Township Number Nine as the site for the satellite construction. Herschel and Anna then moved to the Township and began working on the satellite. Sometime after preparations were made, Herschel left the township for South Africa, leaving Anna in charge of the project.

John was working at his telescope in South Africa when he was approached by locals asking to view the pyramids on the moon and the creatures roaming there. Herschel was confused by this and was then brought a copy of The New York Sun which held the first Great Astronomical Discoveries article. The following day, John got on a boat to sail to New York to demand the hoax be set right.

## The Great Moon Hoax

John first appears in The Great Moon Hoax when the Sun is closed for the day. He confronts Rose Stratford demanding to speak to Chester Thomas. He explains to Rose how the articles threaten his credibility as an astrophysicist. Despite Herschel directly confronting her, Rose is amazed to be in the presence of her hero and begins asking him a million questions, distracting John from the hoax. Herschel is very impressed by the woman's knowledge of astronomy but once Rose mentions how Herschel inspired her and Samuel's writings, Herschel realizes that she wrote the Great Astronomical Discoveries articles. He demands Rose stop writing the articles but the woman panics and hits him over the head with a printing press plate, causing him to fall unconscious.

Herschel soon comes around in Benjamin's apartment, where he decides to stay in bed as his head hurts. Later, John witnesses Margaret Cavendish inexplicably glowing and knocking out the Stratford Twins through watching through a crack in the bedroom door.

Later, Herschel attended a press conference at The New York Sun. Despite initially intending to expose the hoax of the Great Astronomical Discoveries articles, John confirms the articles to be true, much to the shock of those aware of the hoax. Following the conference, John joins the Stratford Twins in reassuring Chester Thomas that just because the Moon articles have to end, the success of the Sun doesn't. When questioned why he didn't expose the hoax, Herschel explains that he believes the twins are onto something and that seeing Margaret glow, changed his understanding of what is fact and what is fiction.

Herschel then invites the Stratford twins and Margaret to join him on a project he's working on in South America and the four set sail to go there.

## The Brick Satellite

John first appears in The Brick Satellite sailing on board a boat for British Guiana alongside Margaret Cavendish and Samuel and Rose Stratford. As a way of passing the time, John and Rose create a game where they test each other on the various constellations: one points out a constellation and the other has to name the three brightest stars in the constellation. While they play this game the two become increasingly close. After weeks of travelling, the group arrives in Township Number Nine where Herschel is excitedly greeted by Anna Hanover. He then joins Anna in explaining to the rest of the group their plans for building the Brick Satellite. Rose, Samuel and Margaret then agree to help him build it.

Months pass as the group works at building the satellite. However, there is a problem with the clay the bricks are made from: it has too much lime in it which causes the brick to crumble. As well as this, damage is made to the flywheels which suggests that there is a saboteur within the township. One day while checking the inside of the satellite with Samuel, John and Samuel talk about their relationships with their fathers and what they want in life. John then promises Samuel to support him on his journey towards redemption with Margaret.

After months of work, the satellite is finally finished and the township celebrates with a party. While there, Anna gives a speech thanking everyone for their help. The next day, Anna and John watch as Rose paints the name Sagitta on the side of the satellite. However, they're interrupted by an attack from the town's governor Charles. Charles corners John and Anna and is about to shoot them but he is knocked out by Rose and her printing press plate. In order to avoid the attacking mercenaries, Anna, John and Rose climb the satellite and hide with Samuel and Margaret inside. Inside the satellite is dark but it is then illuminated by Margaret who begins to glow. However, Margaret's power also causes the ground to shake, causing the satellite to launch.

The satellite launches successfully and takes the group into orbit. The group eventually makes it to the room within the satellite that contains the window and get their first glimpse at Earth from outer space. John is amazed and stunned by the view and remarks on how he's never before felt so connected to the planet. As the group recover from the shock of the launch, they begin to realize that they are trapped in the satellite and will likely die there. As they spend their final moments together Herschel and Rose begin to once again play their constellation game. Rose then apologizes to John for coming in-between his relationship with Anna. Herschel is confused by this and assures Rose that the two of them are just friends and the two continue to play their game.

As time passes, the air in the satellite becomes thin and the group passes out. When they come to, they find the Sagitta completely covered in vines and other plants, something Herschel is mystified by. They move through the satellite and find Margaret speaking with a woman known as The Traveler. The Traveler's magic gives the group the opportunity to return to Earth but Anna chooses to remain on the satellite. She thanks John and says goodbye to him and is left on the satellite while the others return to Earth. Upon returning to Earth the group find themselves in an unfamiliar town. After asking Morgan Reese where they are they find themselves in the town of Hanover. They then find a monument commemorating the launch of the Sagitta which was constructed in 1865. The group are astonished and confused as they realize they have traveled through time.

## Personality and Traits

Herschel is an incredibly intelligent man, he has a highly specialized understanding of astronomy and science and enjoys talking about it. He has a thirst for knowledge and is constantly willing to learn more about the world. As well as this, Herschel can be an incredibly stern and serious man and has a respect for proper etiquette such as using "miss" to refer to ladies. Alongside this, Herschel is haunted by his relationship with his father and his expectations of him. Herschel often feels like he will always be inadequate in the eyes of his father and suffers great anxiety and lack of confidence as a result of this. Furthermore, Herschel feels like he is trapped in his father's shadow and often feels as if his life and his work is mapped out for him due to William's status within the scientific community.

## Skills

* **Astronomical knowledge-** As a world renowned astronomer, Herschel has a large knowledge of the Earth's skies and spent many years mapping it,
* **Scientific knowledge-** Herschel is well-versed in his knowledge of science.

## Relationships

### Rose Stratford

Rose Stratford is John's friend and love interest. While working at the Stratford Family Paper Stand, Rose would often read about the discoveries of Herschel and he quickly became her favorite astronomer and she formed a slight celebrity crush on him. Upon meeting Herschel for the first time, Rose was incredibly excited and asked him lots of questions. Herschel is incredibly impressed by Rose's scientific knowledge and has a lot of respect for her. Despite initially being annoyed at Rose due to the part she played in the publishing of the Great Astronomical Discoveries articles, Herschel has a great respect for Rose and her scientific knowledge. The two share many of the same views on their outlook on the universe. They take great joy in each other's company and will spend their time together testing each other's knowledge of stars and the universe.

Following their trip to South America, Rose is actively crushing on Herschel and feels some degree of jealousy for his relationship with Anna. However, despite this, she wants the best for him and is willing to stand aside in order to ensure his happiness. Herschel also has feelings for Rose but is actively in denial about them, though it is obvious to those who know him best.

### Anna Hanover

Anna Hanover is John's good friend. The two met while at university and share a love of astronomy and physics with Herschel viewing Anna as his intellectual equal. They are very close, having nicknames for each other: Nova and Herschey. The two trust each other implicitly and know each other better than anyone else in the world. They also regard each other very highly and often work together as it makes their collective work better. Anna and John worked together in order to create the Brick Satellite.

### Samuel Stratford

Samuel Stratford is John's friend. The two share many beliefs especially that of both science and the power of imagination. They have a deep understanding of each other in their dreams for their lives and their relationship with others. They both also share the drive to want to succeed in order to impress their parents. As a result of this, the two have a lot of trust in the other and will actively work to support and uplift each other.

### William Herschel

William Herschel is John's father. William's status as a famous and highly regarded astronomer often haunts Herschel as he feels he will never be able to live up to his father's legacy. This is furthered by William's attitude towards his son which is often dismissive and often actively views Herschel as lesser than himself. Herschel actively fears his father's opinion of him and will take steps in order to avoid being viewed as a failure in his eyes. Alongside this, Herschel feels unable to step out of his father's shadow and often feels like his life is determined for him due to his father.