Herschel

Rerouting (Origins) -

Despite his newly acquired guardian status, Herschel has been around for far longer than anyone cares to admit. As long as there are sleepers, there will be those who are running, and as long as they are running they will be haunted by the promise of escape. The strange thing is that it is never specifically implied that Herschel's kingdom is that of failed escapes - indeed, he would love to help sleepers aboard and save them from their circumstances. The problem is: Regardless of what happens, no matter what he does to intervene, he will always fail to help them because their dreams will always end. For unknown reasons, Herschel was drawn into the Labyrinth and spent an extended but unknown amount of time there, causing him to shatter and fragment. During the events of Labyrinth Returns, he sensed the enthrallment of DJ Ricochet and extended his powers in a final burst of energy to help her, breaking her out of the Labyrinthine trance and giving her the strength needed to fight her way out. Eventually the Guardian found and gave him a jar which led to him being recognised and rescued by Rico, which he is immensely grateful for.

Nightmare Kingdom -

Literal Train From Hell. You want it? You got it. The Last Chance is old, very old, and has therefore appeared to sleepers in many different forms over the years; its true form is that of an old-timey steam locomotive, battered and bruised by time and stained rust red by the tears of those who never managed to board in time. After prolonged exposure to the Labyrinth, however, the "Classic" has been rendered obsolete (only appearing to those to wish to find the heart of the nightmare) to be replaced by the "Skyline" - an emerald green and white bullet train with a distinctive red band on its side, cruising along soundlessly and smoothly so it nullifies the screams and cries of the desperate. It travels on its own distinctive set of high, arching tracks built on cruel concrete pillars running high above the blazing inferno of the kingdom's hellscape, and it never stops. NEVER. If it stops, you RUN. Do not trust the train stations. You don't want to know what's inside. 

A few landmarks of note in this otherwise featureless wasteland are known, which the Last Chance makes intermittent stops (or rather slows down) at. One such is the Lonely Souls Overpass, which appears to be a bridge to nowhere running parallel to the route of the Last Chance growing splendid upside-down flower bouquets; Herschel can occasionally seen racing down its length or merely lounging upon the railings watered with the tears of lost lovers. These may or may not be connected to the Flower Globes, Herschel's personal gardens comprised of sprawling indoor gardens underneath fragile glass globes, home to many nostalgia-invoking yet dangerous plants (and gigantic daydreams) where everything is possible - at your peril. Finally the Rollercoaster Stadium and Viewing Station, a lonely platform in the middle of nowhere, seems to be the epicenter of this kingdom's most dangerous magics where the Last Chance itself warps and bends to Herschel's fancy. He usually performs concerts here, but unsuspecting sleepers are in for a helluva ride. 

Notable Connections -

DJ Ricochet (best friend and older sibling)

Herschel owes Rico their life for saving them from the Labyrinth and as such is almost inseparable from her now. In addition, Rico treated them kindly in their jar and did her best to ensure they spent time together, which further reinforced their bond. Herschel doesn't fawn over her in the slightest, but they're happy to accompany her on whatever (mis)adventures she might get up to as her partner in crime.

Circe Azalea (first friend asides from Rico, maybe crush???)

An unlikely adventuring duo consisting of happy-go-lucky newbie and seasoned NPC, Herschel and Circe Azalea met in Dream Online when Circe Azalea was plagued by a strange ailment (their OST on loop). Herschel's musical talents intrigued her and the two have formed an alliance to go questing together, though Herschel is not yet aware of Circe Azalea's true origins. Recently Herschel has confessed his admiration of Circe Azalea, though whether this is more than platonic remains to be seen.

Mara (chill friend)

Herschel met Mara in Coral Island, a completely underwater nightmare (aka Mermay), where they hung out at a deep-sea dive bar and bonded during an abyssal rave. They find Mara very cool and her gothic style and wry wit add a nice contrast to their usual zippy personality; in addition Herschel knows her girlfriend Aracelia by acquaintance and finds them so charming together they gifted them two tickets to their very first concert.

DREAM-ONLINE: RESET

Herschel, though not the best at playing MMORPGs, finds and befriends an "NPC" known as Circe Azalea, the Alchemist. Unknown to him, Circe Azalea is actually fully sentient and has escaped DREAM-ONLINE'S framework. By the end of the story mode, they discover this and accept their friend for who they are as well as tearfully embracing their doppelganger; however, Herschel's doppelganger is killed by Circe's doppelganger (who has unknowingly joined a cult started by Herschel's best friend's girlfriend). Herschel holds off her doppelganger long enough for Circe to escape, but never sees her again. He accepts his role as the true Champion of Light and escapes DREAM-ONLINE with permanent scarring from the incident.