Markus Boehm is the wealthy German investor who owns Castle Finster. He is concerned about the mysterious monster sightings that have been happening there. Markus calls upon Nancy to help uncover the truth behind the monster.

Markus is a confident and business-oriented individual. He has attained his wealth by managing investments and shuffling money around to generate additional wealth. He wants to make sure the monster situation is resolved promptly, especially because he has plans to bring in foreign investors to the castle. He is depicted as somewhat flamboyant and self-assured, using metaphors and dramatic language to communicate his expectations and desires.

Markus has been implementing "Bavarianization" at Castle Finster. He is compelling the staff members of the castle to don traditional Bavarian clothing, aiming to offer an "authentic" experience for tourists visiting the castle. His goal is to craft lasting memories and unique encounters for guests to cherish. Karl sees it as a tourist-focused gimmick that doesn't accurately represent the genuine history of the castle. However, Markus appears to be pragmatic, emphasizing that creating a unique experience for tourists is more important to him than adhering strictly to historical accuracy.

Markus and Anja were once romantically involved, but their relationship ended years ago, and it didn't conclude on good terms. Markus was the one who broke up with Anja . He mentions that the breakup didn't go well and that Anja acted strangely afterward. While Markus doesn't go into specifics, he implies that the breakup was challenging and left some emotional scars. Despite their history, Markus and Anja have found a way to maintain a working relationship at Castle Finster. Markus acknowledges that Anja is good at her job and is effective in her role. He seems willing to set aside personal differences and focus on their professional interactions.

Markus demonstrates a degree of detachment and a hands-off management style. He delegates tasks and responsibilities to others while maintaining a focus on the big picture and the desired outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of efficiency and expects quick progress toward achieving his goals. He doesn't shy away from asserting his financial success and status.

Upon discovering that Anja was behind the monster sightings, Johannes found himself taken aback by the enduring resentment that Anja displayed. Despite their shared history, he genuinely trusted her. As the unsettling history of the castle started hitting a bit too close to home, he made the choice to list the castle for sale.

Born on September 15, 1974, in Baden-Württemberg, Anja Mittelmeier currently serves as the Castellan at Castle Finster. In her role, she is responsible for managing guest services and coordinating the overall visitor experience within the castle grounds. Her responsibilities include ensuring that guests have a pleasant stay, coordinating various aspects of their visit, and handling practical matters related to the castle's operation and maintenance.

Some time ago, Anja and Markus were involved in a romantic relationship, but it ended on a negative note. Markus was the one who initiated the breakup, which deeply hurt Anja as she felt deceived. Anja asserts that she played a role in motivating Markus to achieve his goals, but he ended up leaving her for a younger woman once he found success. Overwhelmed by a sense of betrayal, Anja devised a plan to inflict harm upon Markus.

Anja was employed at Castle Cast, handling mail delivery. She fabricated her resume and created a falsified letter of recommendation supposedly from Castle Cast, falsely portraying her as a manager within the organization. This deceptive move enabled her to secure a position at Castle Finster as the Castellan.

Anja used her knowledge of the monster legend to create chaos and fear within the castle. She created artificial claw marks on trees and oversized footprints. Disguised as the monster, she then prowled through the woods, instilling fear among the nearby inhabitants. Anja created a series of emails designed to appear as if Markus had sent them. In these emails, Anja depicts Markus as manipulating his employees to create monster sightings, all for the purpose of attracting global recognition.

Anja strategically placed the dress in Nancy's room and destroyed Nancy's old clothes. Her aim was for Nancy to assume the role of the monster's victim during the presentation to Markus's potential investors. Following that, Anja would expose Markus as the cause of Nancy's demise, thereby tarnishing his reputation. Anja's plan to ruin Markus reflects a deep-seated resentment and a desire for power and control.

Anja's true intentions are eventually exposed. Nancy apprehends Anja, who then solemnly pledges to seek revenge. In due course, law enforcement steps in, resulting in Anja being apprehended by the authorities.

Karl Weschler holds the title of Bürgermeister (Mayor) of Castle Finster, responsible for overseeing various aspects of the castle and its activities, including dealing with residents, visitors, and managing the castle's affairs.

Despite his official position as Bürgermeister, Karl frequently struggles with social awkwardness and lacks confidence in interpersonal exchanges. Engaging in regular conversations proves challenging for him, often diverting discussions towards his personal interests. Karl's concerns frequently revolve around potential issues, such as the reported monster sightings, causing him to overreact and display signs of anxiety.

Despite his flaws, Karl's affection for the castle's inhabitants runs deep. He harbors genuine worry for their safety in light of the roaming monster, taking active measures to shield them from potential harm. Karl's keen observational skills allow him to spot pranks orchestrated by Lukas, showing his astuteness in certain situations.

Karl is passionate about board games, particularly taking pride in his own creation called "Raid." He firmly believes that this game will leave a significant mark on the world of strategy games. He is excited about the prospect of submitting his game to the International Board, Card, and Dice Commission for review. He also takes the opportunity to discuss the merits of German board games, asserting that they are the best in the world.

Karl's heart belongs to Mildred, a woman residing in Alberta, Canada. Fearing his perceived curse, he distances himself from her, despite his feelings. Letters addressed to Mildred bear a yearning tone, expressing his longing for connection and his desire to escape the shadow of misfortune that shrouds his life.

During his childhood, Karl had a puzzling encounter. While on a train trip with his father, he came across a boy who bore an exact resemblance to him – a doppelgänger. Strangely, this doppelgänger remained entirely mute throughout their interaction. This silence, coupled with bizarre behavior, left Karl perturbed. Even more puzzling was his father's reaction: fear, rather than anger. This unsettling experience led Karl to believe that the doppelgänger had cursed him. He claims that since that day, anyone he cared about or loved suffered from accidents or illnesses.

The arrival of tourists at the castle unnerves Karl. Karl once took a group of visitors on a tour of the castle's dungeon. During this tour, he closed a door, which led to the collapse of the room, injuring the people inside. Though no fatalities occurred, Karl shoulders the blame for the accident, which further reinforces his self-perception as a bearer of bad luck.

Upon realizing that the supposed monster of Castle Finster was, in fact, a long-standing hoax, Karl began to entertain the possibility that the curse might not have affected him after all. Empowered by the success of his board game and newfound hope, Karl leaves the castle behind and sets off on a voyage to Canada in order to meet Mildred.

Renate Stoller is a traveling storyteller who is currently staying at Castle Finster. Her stories often carry deeper meanings and lessons, reflecting her understanding of fate, tragedy, and the complexities of human nature. Renate imparts wisdom to Nancy and others through her stories, often using them to communicate important truths or perspectives about life, danger, and the human condition.

Renate has lived a long and eventful life. Her formative years spanned the period between World War I and World War II, a time marked by danger and uncertainty across the globe. She recalls a story from her childhood where her father saved her and her sister from potential danger by using humor and clever words. This experience had a profound impact on her, shaping her sense of storytelling and her ability to navigate challenging situations through words. From a young age, Renate seemed drawn to stories and the power they hold.

As a young girl, Renate visited Castle Finster with her family. The woods surrounding the castle were dangerous, and her father warned her not to go there alone. Renate had a beloved red scarf from India with gold-stitched elephants. One fateful day, a gust of wind carried the scarf into the depths of the woods. Driven by her affection for the memento, Renate ventured into the woods to reclaim it, prompting her older sister to follow in pursuit. Her sister never returned. This traumatic event left Renate with a deep sense of guilt and responsibility, motivating her to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The death of her sister left a lasting mark on her psyche, and it drives her to confront the concept of monsters and danger whenever it arises.

Renate's presence at the castle is no mere coincidence. Whenever there is talk of the monster's return, she shows up, likely driven by her past experiences and her desire to prevent further tragedy. Renate's involvement seems to be rooted in a mix of fate and her own choice. She recognizes the danger of the situation and repeatedly advises Nancy to leave before it's too late, reflecting her genuine concern for the girl's safety.

Renate exhibits a level of cynicism about the world, particularly in how she views the modern age and the loss of meaningful exploration. She values the distinctiveness of every place she visits, yet she senses that the world has become more uniform and less wild due to modernization.

Renate enjoys visiting places with good food. She mentions her love for sweet food and how it's her "one true weakness in this world." She talks about her fondness for certain types of desserts, like apple fritters as well as chocolate cakes with cherries and cream from the Black Forest. She acknowledges that indulging in sweet food isn't great for her teeth and makes her fall asleep, but she considers those small prices to pay for enjoying her favorite treats.

Renate is honest and straightforward, often speaking uncomfortable truths that others may avoid. She sometimes claims to forget things, attributing it to her age. She uses this as a way to avoid answering certain questions or diverting the conversation.

Following the exposure of the monster as a hoax, Renate embarked on her travels. She has no intentions of returning to Castle Finster and derives satisfaction from her choice.

Lukas Mittelmeier is a mischievous and energetic young boy who lives in Castle Finster.

Lukas is known for his enthusiasm in crafting elaborate tricks and pranks. He has a playful and creative nature, often seeking to entertain himself and others with his antics. Lukas finds Karl's reactions to his pranks particularly amusing, as Karl is highly observant and gets agitated when pranked.

Lukas is the son of Franz Mittelmeier, the castle's chief of security, who grants Lukas independence and freedom in exploring the castle. Lukas has spent his entire life residing in the castle as a result of his father's position. He possesses a profound affection for the castle and its historical features.

Lukas speaks English fluently due to his mother being from America. His mother frequently goes on business trips, and during these times, Lukas's aunt, Anja, looks after him in his father's absence. Lukas considers Anja to be the most fun person in the castle, greatly valuing their time together.

Lukas is deeply captivated by the world of monsters. He takes great delight in watching monster movies and has acquired a wealth of knowledge about the various rules associated with monsters in these films—such as using silver bullets, stakes, water, and sunlight against them. He seems to enjoy playing on the concept of monsters, both in his pranks and his interactions with others. However, amidst this fascination, Lukas also displays a noticeable mixture of apprehension and unease when it comes to the actual existence of monsters. While he enthusiastically embraces the idea of monsters as a source of amusement and mischief, he also voices his uncertainties and concerns whenever the possibility of a genuine monster's presence in the castle is raised.

Lukas is somewhat of an outsider at school and faces bullying due to his association with the castle and its history. He mentions that his peers call him "Creepy Lukas" and that he's not well-liked because of his connection to the castle and the unsettling stories associated with it. Despite his confident exterior, Lukas seems to feel isolated and misunderstood, which might contribute to his inclination to create pranks and playful escapades as a way of coping or seeking attention.

One of Lukas's greatest pranks involved dressing up as the castle's rumored monster. He created a costume of the monster and used this disguise to scare people around the castle as part of his pranks. However, it turned out that he was not the actual monster. Unexpectedly, he was abducted by the real "monster" and confined within the castle's dungeon. Nancy managed to set him free, prompting him to flee and seek assistance.

Following the sale of the castle, Hans and his family relocated. Initially, he appeared sad about departing from the castle. However, he quickly developed an affection for his new home and forged numerous friendships. He began creating pranks centered around the local flying pig myth.