Nerds

Appearance Hannah is a tall, thin, and lanky girl with pale skin and long, grayish-brown hair that falls past her shoulders. Her hunched posture and perpetually tired expression give her a somewhat odd appearance. She almost always wears a disinterested frown and frequently keeps her mouth slightly open as she breathes. Hannah is very self-conscious about her appearance and believes it makes her look strange or unattractive, which makes her feel very self-conscious in public. Her posture and body language often make her appear unintentionally uncomfortable or out of place.

Section of history Little is known about Hannah's childhood, though students speculate that she spent much of it isolated at home, immersed in online communities, anime, and fantasy literature. Over time, she found fictional worlds easier to understand than real-world social environments. Upon arriving at St. Denis Academy, Hannah met Epona, and the two bonded almost immediately due to their shared interests. Together, they created the Yaoi Club, despite having no other members. While officially recognized as a school club, most students consider it simply a group of two quirky girls.

Although Hannah appears apathetic and emotionally distant, those who know her well recognize that much of her personality stems from anxiety and insecurity, rather than genuine indifference. Behind her awkwardness and impassive expression, Hannah silently longs to one day become the kind of person who can connect with others without feeling excluded.

Trivia She is not a "femcel", because there is no such thing as a "femcel". Someone commented that she looks like the creator of TADC, but unlike Goosebumps, Hannah is a real woman. She sucks

Personality Hannah is introverted, socially awkward, pessimistic, and deeply absorbed in fiction. She shows little interest in activities outside of anime, manga, internet culture, and fan communities. Real-life interactions often confuse or exhaust her, while fictional worlds feel safer and easier to understand. Despite appearing emotionally distant, Hannah constantly overanalyzes social encounters and has a deeply negative inner monologue. She frequently assumes that people dislike her, secretly judge her, or consider her strange. Even during normal interactions, she often gets caught in a loop of exaggerated catastrophic scenarios that exist only in her mind. Hannah desperately craves attention and companionship, but at the same time, she fears social embarrassment. This contradiction leads her to alternate between wanting to disappear completely and wanting people to notice her. Even after acknowledging that her life has improved compared to previous years, she still struggles with insecurity and self-esteem issues. As a die-hard fan of yaoi and boy-on-boy romances, Hannah enjoys creating fictional relationship scenarios and pairing up students through elaborate personal interpretations. According to Epona, Hannah tends to become more emotionally involved in fictional romances than in real-life relationships.

Section of history Little is known about Patty's personal life, as she almost never speaks about her family or her childhood. Rumors at school suggest that she developed her fascination with conspiracy theories and paranormal topics at an unusually young age. Some students speculate that years of social rejection led her further into isolation and obsessive research.

At St. Denis Academy, Patty earned a reputation as a chronic rebel, often ending up in detention for violating school boundaries in pursuit of conspiracy theories. These incidents included entering restricted areas, harassing students she considered suspicious, and trespassing in places like the boys' bathroom while investigating alleged paranormal activity.

Trivia All of his equipment is, in fact, discontinued Soviet equipment, including a DP-5V Geiger counter, a DP-63 dosimeter, and a GP-5 gas mask. His room is furnished like a makeshift air-raid shelter. He claims to have seen and touched a Minion, describing it as "slime".

Personality Patty is extremely serious, paranoid, and socially withdrawn. She rarely smiles and speaks in a monotone, emotionless tone, regardless of the situation. According to several students, she seems physically incapable of expressing enthusiasm or happiness, and some believe she has maintained the same expression since childhood. She constantly suspects ulterior motives behind everyday events and frequently questions people about strange sightings, unexplained noises, or suspicious behavior. Patty believes conspiracies exist everywhere and speaks openly about topics such as aliens, secret societies, urban legends, ghosts, and political cover-ups with complete candor. Years of social isolation and ridicule have led her to deeply distrust others. Rather than trying to make friends, she prefers to be alone and keep her thoughts to herself. Although highly intelligent, she has difficulty relating socially and often comes across as unsettling. Unlike typical alien enthusiasts, Patty repeatedly insists that she has no interest in peacefully contacting extraterrestrial life. According to his own statements, he prefers to "hunt" extraterrestrials and once casually stated that, given the opportunity, he would "torture and dissect one." He has also claimed to have captured a fairy in a jar using peanut butter, although he never presented any evidence.

Appearance Patty is a short, petite girl with messy black hair, bushy eyebrows, blue eyes, and noticeable purple dark circles, giving her a perpetually sleep-deprived appearance. She also has visible acne and often looks disheveled or exhausted. Unlike most of the students, Patty wears the short-sleeved variant of the St. Denis uniform and carries a huge backpack filled with cameras, cables, batteries, recording devices, and makeshift technology. She is frequently seen wearing a folded tinfoil hat and a homemade "alien detector," which is later revealed to be a salvaged Geiger counter modified with random electronic parts.

Section of history Duncan lives with his single mother and older brother, a popular athlete who teases him about his somewhat geeky hobbies. His family life is simple, though his brother's athletic success sometimes overshadows his own artistic talent. In St. Denis, Duncan found acceptance in the Robotics Club, a small, close-knit team of three that became like family to him. Although he doesn't understand programming or complex circuits, he obsessively studies diagrams and schematics, learning just enough about voltage, joints, and structure to make his designs practical.

His notebooks are filled with sketches of exoskeletons, prosthetics, and flying drones, along with a slew of unrelated cartoons and doodles. He often designs the club's robots, drawing inspiration from classic designs in series like Gundam or Evangelion, albeit with a childlike touch. He dreams of building something that can defend him and his friends, "to beat them up," as he puts it, driven solely by revenge and a desire for protection.

Appearance Duncan has light brown hair and large, round, light green eyes that are slightly crossed. He usually has a pencil tucked behind his ear and a few graphite or ink smudges on his fingers and sleeves. He wears the standard St. Denis uniform with only minor modifications. He always carries sketchbooks and papers covered in robot blueprints. He's rarely seen without a clipboard or a folded sheet of paper filled with his "concept art" sketches for the club's next big project.

Personality Duncan is the most level-headed and normal member of the Robotics Club, acting as a bridge between Maddie and Cara's frenetic energy. He's kind, imaginative, and easy to get along with, though his naive optimism sometimes clashes with his peers. While he doesn't have a firm grasp of programming syntax or mechanical engineering, Duncan possesses an innate creative intuition and a keen eye for proportion, design, and balance that helps the group turn their ideas into workable constructs. He's especially good at finding ways to make his machines look "cool," drawing inspiration from his passion for mecha anime, science fiction series, and video games, despite his average academic performance. He's the dreamer of the group, always conceiving new robots, drones, or exoskeletons that could make life easier (or more interesting). He's also the one who keeps morale high when the group gets discouraged, often cracking jokes or reminding them why they started building robots in the first place. Unfortunately, his kindness and short stature make him a target for ridicule, especially from older boys and even his own brother's athletic friends. Even so, Duncan refuses to let it discourage him, convinced that one day his ideas will prove them wrong.

Section of history Born into a wealthy but emotionally distant family, Maddie grew up surrounded by luxury but lacking attention. Her parents' constant business trips left her practically alone, contributing to her cynicism and early maturity. Maddie joined the St. Denis Robotics Club at age eight, quickly assuming the role of lead programmer thanks to her exceptional programming skills and methodical thinking. The club is small, consisting of only two other nine-year-olds—Frankie and Duncan—and Maddie manages the team's programming, testing, and data analysis. She specializes in robotic limb articulation and calibration using machine learning, knowledge far beyond what most students her age can grasp.

Her housekeeper enrolled her in the school's mentoring program, assigning her Argie as her mentor so she could spend more time away from home. At first, she was reluctant and often asked him to carry her equipment or drive her to school. After he protected her from bullies who damaged her robotic arm, she began to admire him, mimicking aspects of his clothing and mannerisms. Their bond, though positive, distracted her from her studies, and before the program ended, she decided to leave to refocus on robotics. Despite their estrangement, Maddie seems genuinely grateful for the experience, referring to Argie as "the first functional variable in my emotional equation."

Appearance Maddie is tall for her age, standing at 141 cm, which gives her a somewhat older and more mature presence among her classmates. She has long, blonde hair, which she usually wears in two braids. Her large, round glasses take up almost her entire face. She wears the St. Denis uniform, but with a green tie and skirt, indicating her affiliation with the Nerds. She always carries her laptop bag and often pulls around a wheeled suitcase full of cables and robotics parts. Her expression almost never changes: impassive and analytical, as if she were constantly mentally analyzing everyone around her.

Personality Maddie is cold, stoic, and terrifyingly perceptive. Her deep, husky voice is unusually high-pitched for a child and only adds to her unsettling presence. She regards emotions as a nuisance; she analyzes situations and people as if they were facts, often revealing uncomfortable truths without hesitation or tact. Socially, Maddie is withdrawn and cynical. She avoids children her own age, whom she finds immature and dull. Her intelligence often makes her a target for bullying, though she reacts with dry sarcasm and indifference. Maddie treats life as a series of probabilities, often calculating the possible outcomes for herself and those around her with unnerving accuracy. Her interactions with Argie, her assigned "older brother," are one of the few exceptions to her emotional detachment. She sees in him a genuine sibling bond—a brother figure in the true sense, not a paternal protector—and gradually develops trust and affection for him.

Section of history Patrick grew up a socially awkward but academically brilliant student who struggled to fit in and often retreated into fantasy worlds. His friendship with Clarence solidified his involvement in LARP, where he found a sense of identity, structure, and belonging that real life hadn't provided. While Clarence is the driving force behind the club's more outlandish elements, Patrick usually supports and encourages them rather than initiating them himself. When the LARP Club was threatened with expulsion from the library by the Wiccas, Patrick attempted to resolve the situation defensively rather than aggressively, enlisting Cece's support by arguing that he "doesn't hurt women."

Unlike Clarence, Patrick isn't completely detached from reality. Outside the live-action role-playing club, he behaves quite normally and is capable of recognizing the real-world consequences of his actions. Academically, he excels in chemistry and is one of the top students in his class, frequently assisting the professor with his lab work. Despite his flaws, Patrick remains loyal, sincere, and well-intentioned, bringing stability to the club, even though he's still deeply immersed in his fantasy.

trivia

It is implied that he has Welsh ancestry due to his surname.

Patrick's character for LARP is a parody of "Legolas" from The Lord of the Rings.

It is implied that he comes from a troubled family.

Appearance Patrick is a lanky, thin, white teenager with short blond hair and a perpetually awkward posture. He wears large glasses held on with white tape, and has visible pimples on his forehead and prominent, protruding teeth. His overall appearance is naive and overtly nerdy, reinforced by his perpetually overly cheerful expression. He usually wears the standard St. Denis school uniform with the green tie of the nerd club. During live-action role-playing (LARP) activities, he adds fake elf ears and the club's green robes, which he rarely removes, even when it attracts attention.

Personality Patrick is openly innocent, optimistic, and painfully naive. He tends to butt into other people's conversations and stories, sometimes without realizing it, a habit he likely developed after years of social isolation. He has a history of being bullied at school and it's implied that he saw a psychiatrist because of it. Physically, Patrick is extremely frail for his age; he's often described as weighing "about as much as a half-full backpack." This makes him an easy target for bullying and contributes to his non-confrontational nature. He avoids violence at all costs, especially against women, which led him to seek outside help rather than fight back when the Wiccans threatened the live-action role-playing club.

Section of history Cara comes from a long and illustrious European lineage, an aristocratic family now striving to maintain its prestige through education and science. Her parents often belittle her mechanical hobbies, considering them "dirty work," which only fuels her rebellious spirit. From a very young age, Cara demonstrated a talent for engineering, disassembling and rebuilding household appliances even before she could write her name. Upon joining the St. Denis Robotics Club, she quickly became its leading builder and technician, transforming the remains of broken electronic devices into functional robotic prototypes.

Her current obsession is an imposing machine she calls "The Protectron," assembled from microwaves, vacuum cleaner motors, and old dishwasher panels, intended to "get even" with the older nerds who bully her. Despite her childish fantasies of revenge, Cara's inventions are surprisingly functional and show signs of genuine genius. Cara and Maddie, though temperamental, share a mutual respect and an intellectual rivalry, often arguing about programming versus hardware. She and Duncan form the practical side of the team, while Maddie handles the programming and data.

Appearance Cara is a petite girl with a feisty, energetic personality. Her dark orange hair is styled in two stick-out pigtails, and she wears welding goggles permanently perched on her forehead. Her large metal braces give her a slight lisp, which lends her a peculiar and endearing way of speaking. Her St. Denis uniform is highly personalized: a green tie and matching green skirt symbolize her loyalty to the Nerds group, and she wears enormous welding gloves and sleeves often stained with grease, soot, and grime. She frequently has smears of dirt and oil on her cheeks. Despite her disheveled appearance, she carries herself with pride: a budding inventor with the energy of a genius at work.

Personality Cara embodies the miniature mad scientist archetype: loud, expressive, overconfident, and emotionally unstable. She laughs maniacally when inspiration strikes, gestures dramatically, and is easily offended if her work is mocked or underestimated. However, beneath her exterior lies a deeply insecure and sensitive girl who craves recognition for her intelligence and dedication. She is the most vocal and impulsive member of the Robotics Club, always insisting that her inventions will "change everything." Her bad temper and explosive outbursts mask a surprisingly big heart; she is fiercely loyal to Maddie and Duncan and obsessed with building the "Protectron," a mechanical guardian she believes will protect them all from humiliation, bullying, and even retaliation. Cara hates being called "too young" for her profession, as she was expelled from the official school workshop both for her age and for "borrowing" parts from the teachers' vehicles. However, she thrives on praise and respect, and becomes genuinely kind and motivated when her skills are taken seriously.

Section of history Darcie developed a deep interest in medieval history from a young age, eventually making it an essential part of his identity. He studies the period in depth, delving into the analysis of governance, class structures, and religious influence. His dedication extends beyond the academic realm. He owns a replica of Maximilian's plate armor, which he keeps in his room, and actively trains in hand-to-hand combat, giving him a physical advantage over most of the members of the Nerds group.

Darcie was sent by the History Club after a meeting between her group and Nelson. Her mission was to assist the Nerds and the LARP Club during their conflict with the Wicca Club, affiliated with the Goths, in the Library War storyline. Although officially presented as support, it is implied that the History Club assigned her in part because they could no longer tolerate her constant digressions. During her time with the LARP Club, Darcie approaches Grottos and Gargoyles not as a fantasy role-playing game, but as an opportunity to demonstrate her extensive knowledge of medieval history. She frequently interrupts the game to correct inaccuracies, explain historical context, or avoid what she considers anachronisms. Her insistence on realism and accuracy often clashes with the improvisational and imaginative nature of LARP, unintentionally disrupting the flow of the game and diminishing the enjoyment for the other participants. Despite this, she remains enthusiastic and fully committed, convinced that she is making a significant contribution to the group's efforts.

Appearance Darcie is a slender, fair-skinned girl with large blue eyes and short, light brown bowl-cut hair, seemingly designed to fit neatly under her helmet. She has a scar on her left eyebrow, a memento from her battle games. She wears the standard St. Denis uniform and a necklace with a silver cross, reflecting her religious devotion. Her posture is energetic and lively, and she often gestures with her hands while speaking at length. Despite her academic inclination, she is in better physical shape than most of her classmates, due to her interest in full-contact historical combat and reenactments.

Personality Darcie is extremely talkative, optimistic, and intellectually passionate. Once she starts speaking, she tends to launch into long, uninterrupted explanations filled with historical detail, often losing her audience's attention. Her primary obsession is medieval history—not just the battles, but also the deeper political, religious, and socioeconomic systems of the era. She is deeply committed to historical accuracy and actively avoids anachronisms, which makes her difficult to work with in live-action role-playing scenarios.

She is also deeply religious, an active member of the school Bible study group, and a devout Catholic. Her faith and historical interests often intertwine in her conversations, leading to lengthy discussions that combine theology and medieval studies. Darcie's enthusiasm, while genuine and well-intentioned, can be overwhelming. She seems oblivious to the fact that others often want her to stop talking and continues her explanations regardless of social cues. This has made her somewhat unpopular or tolerated rather than fully accepted among her peers. Despite this, she is friendly, energetic, and eager to participate, especially in activities involving combat or historical reenactment.

Background Nelson was born with a degenerative disease that severely limited his physical development from a young age. The disease weakened his muscles and left him dependent on mobility devices for most of his life. Combined with asthma and other health complications, his condition prevented him from playing sports or engaging in traditional physical activities. Growing up isolated from many typical childhood experiences, Nelson sought stimulation in books, computers, and games. Over time, he developed exceptional skill in computer science, programming, and digital systems, becoming the most technically proficient student at St. Denis. Most of his work and planning takes place in the school's computer lab, which he half-jokingly calls his "den."

Although he rarely leaves the computer lab for long, Nelson maintains a small circle of trusted allies, most notably his close friend Brandon, who often acts as his link to the wider social sphere of the school.

Trivia Nelson's character is a parody of Lester Crest from GTA V. Nelson's character design was also inspired by Dwight from The Office.

Appearance Years of limited mobility have physically weakened Nelson, and he is often seen tired or struggling to breathe due to asthma. He has short blond hair, gray eyes, and shows signs of premature baldness. He generally gets around campus in a wheelchair, although he is able to walk short distances with the aid of a crutch. Even with this assistance, his movements are slow and clumsy. Nelson usually wears the green St. Denis Debate Club sweater with his school uniform. His posture tends to be slightly hunched forward, and he frequently adjusts his glasses. He wears a dark wristwatch with a calculator on his left wrist.

Personality Nelson is highly intelligent, analytical, and extremely detail-oriented. His mind works quickly, constantly evaluating situations, predicting outcomes, and planning well in advance. This strategic mindset makes him a natural leader despite his physical vulnerability. Socially, however, he is profoundly awkward and somewhat antisocial. He prefers the company of computers, books, and gaming systems to that of most people. Conversations with him can quickly devolve into lengthy technical explanations or sarcastic monologues. Nelson is deeply involved in fantasy and video game culture. His interests include medieval fantasy literature, board games, video games, and classic geek culture media. Despite this enthusiasm, he is also notoriously elitist about it. He tends to dismiss anything he considers "casual" or "watered down," openly displaying his disdain when members of the LARP Club revealed they were playing a 5th edition version of Caves & Gargoyles. Despite his criticisms, he still respects the groups that keep fantasy traditions alive and occasionally expresses admiration, albeit grudgingly, for the LARP Club.

Section of history Justin is part of the school's Alternative Education program, though few details are given about his academic life. He is frequently seen at the LARP Club, where he participates enthusiastically and performs simple support roles within the group. He has Down syndrome, and some of his physical characteristics, such as his missing teeth and build, suggest other developmental conditions, though these are not formally addressed in the story.

Justin largely remains in the background, contributing to the scenes through his presence rather than through dialogue.

Justin is a 13-year-old student at St. Denis Academy, independent and unaffiliated with any group. He is a member of the Alternative Education group and the LARP Club. He is a supporting character who appears mainly during the Library War story arc, where he often follows other students or discreetly participates in group activities.

Appearance Justin is a short, chubby boy with bright red hair and fair skin. He has a round face and often smiles with his mouth slightly open, sometimes drooling. He is missing his front teeth, which gives him a peculiar appearance and a slightly slurred speech. His posture is hunched and unassuming, and he often appears physically smaller than his peers. His expressions are almost always positive, giving him a cheerful and approachable demeanor. During live-action role-playing (LARP) activities, he plays the role of a gnome, which suits his short stature and unusual appearance.

Personality Justin is friendly, straightforward, and always optimistic. He speaks very little, and when he does, his speech is slurred and repetitive. He often repeats phrases he hears from others and is known for repeatedly greeting people with a constant "Hello." He tends to follow others rather than lead, displaying a confident and easygoing nature. Justin seems content in most situations and rarely shows signs of distress or conflict. Despite his passive demeanor, Justin demonstrates remarkable physical strength, far exceeding what his appearance would suggest. In fact, he was able to win an arm-wrestling match against Brandon, surprising him and earning him the title of "Vice President" for that story arc.

Section of history Clarence was sent to St. Denis by his father, a strict sports fanatic who hoped boarding school would make a man of him. Unfortunately for Mr. Carter, the plan backfired. Surrounded by a group of nerds, Clarence doubled down on his eccentricities, founding the LARP Club and creating sprawling, multi-year campaigns with hundreds of hand-drawn maps and poorly painted miniatures.

He spends his weekends "training his arcane power" in the library or testing foam weapons on the football field (much to the endless irritation of the athletes).

Trivia Clarence appears to have incestuous tendencies.

He appears to be a furry, since in his imagination he is represented as a giant anthropomorphic muscular wolf.

Clarence is allergic to kiwis. Clarence is a clear homage to Chris-chan.

Dungeon Master Clarence is a 17-year-old student at St. Denis and a leading figure in the Nerd Clique, specifically the founder and head supervisor of the LARP Club. A self-proclaimed "wizard of the realm," Clarence takes his passion for fantasy board games and role-playing to delirious extremes, often speaking, acting, and breathing as if he lives inside a medieval campaign. Clarence is the biggest fan of the fantasy game Grottos & Gargoyles, which he considers "the pinnacle of human civilization." He's so devoted that he's been caught running sessions during class.

Appearance Clarence is a stocky young Black man with short, unkempt hair and large glasses crudely repaired on the bridge with blue modeling clay. He proudly wears the green Math Team sweater, a symbol of his loyalty to the Nerds, over which he wears his green wizard robes, which are actually just a curtain from the drama department with a hole cut in it. His tall green wizard hat and a homemade mana medallion, sculpted from Crayola Model Magic clay, complete the outfit. According to him, it "increases spell resistance." People said it smelled like rotten watermelon.

Personality Clarence is bombastic, theatrical, and hopelessly immersed in his own fantasy world. He speaks almost exclusively in a pseudo-medieval English. His seriousness in performing his roles makes him the butt of jokes: half consider him a storytelling genius, the other half simply a madman. Despite his pompous tone, Clarence is socially awkward and deeply insecure. He often misinterprets social cues, fears rejection, and freezes up around girls, whom he calls "maidens" or "lads." He is incredibly dramatic, prone to declaiming monologues about "honor" or "fate," an innocent illusion that is both charming and alarming.

Little is publicly known about Brandon's youth, but his mature appearance and gruff demeanor suggest he may have struggled academically and socially before joining the group of nerds. Sometime during his time at St. Denis, he became close to Nelson Putnam, whose intelligence and leadership impressed him. Brandon quickly became Nelson's closest ally and a pillar of the group.

Although primarily loyal to the nerd group, Brandon has occasionally participated in other campus activities when Nelson has deemed it strategically useful. For example, he briefly joined the LARP Club at Nelson's request to help defend the group against bullying from the Wicca group. However, Brandon's natural tendencies soon surfaced. During his time there, he mocked and bullied several members, even calling Patrick "bitchface" and roughhousing the other participants, making it clear that, even among his fellow nerds, his personality remains aggressive and domineering.

Trivia Brandon's character design was loosely inspired by André the Giant. Brandon is a sort of bizarre version of Mule in the Library War story arc, just as Nemesis is for Cece.

Appearance Brandon is a very tall, muscular teenager, overweight, which gives him an imposing physical presence. He has fair skin, a face dotted with pimples, and a thick, curly, dark brown afro with prominent sideburns. His eyes are olive green, and he often wears a cocky smile when confronting others. Brandon usually wears the green St. Denis sweater, often with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his hairy forearms. Compared to most of the students in his year, Brandon looks a bit older. His stubble and build suggest he might be a year or two behind academically, which contributes to a more mature and rugged appearance than his classmates.

Personality Brandon is an odd mix of nerd and bully. He's loud, rude, and confrontational, and often uses his size to intimidate others. He enjoys teasing, roughhousing, and verbally provoking students he perceives as weak. At the same time, he's deeply involved in geek culture, particularly science fiction and board games. He's a passionate Warhammer 40K fan, and once enthusiastically suggested he would play as an Ultramarine if given the chance during LARP activities. Brandon also displays overtly rude attitudes, including a touch of misogyny, and doesn't hesitate to confront girls or younger students if they challenge him. However, unlike the typical group of bullies, Brandon prides himself on picking fights with people closer to his size. He openly mocks the group of bullies by calling them "cowards," claiming they only target easy prey. His hostility toward them suggests a history of bullying or a complex rivalry with its members, particularly with Cece, though the exact reasons remain unclear. Despite his difficult personality, Brandon's defining characteristic is his unwavering loyalty to Nelson.