diff --git a/docs/source/Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Part3/Beginner-Tutorial-Chargen.md b/docs/source/Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Part3/Beginner-Tutorial-Chargen.md
index 98ff3d0e8..a7fc661e3 100644
--- a/docs/source/Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Part3/Beginner-Tutorial-Chargen.md
+++ b/docs/source/Howtos/Beginner-Tutorial/Part3/Beginner-Tutorial-Chargen.md
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ node_apply_character(caller, raw_string, **kwargs):
     tmp_character = kwargs["tmp_character"]
     new_character = tmp_character.apply(caller)      
     
-    caller.account.db._playable_characters = [new_character] 
+    caller.account.add_character(new_character) 
     
     text = "Character created!"
     
diff --git a/docs/source/Howtos/Turn-based-Combat-System.md b/docs/source/Howtos/Turn-based-Combat-System.md
index 3c90489fc..b9168a8e9 100644
--- a/docs/source/Howtos/Turn-based-Combat-System.md
+++ b/docs/source/Howtos/Turn-based-Combat-System.md
@@ -311,12 +311,12 @@ Our rock-paper-scissor setup works like this:
 - `defend` does nothing but has a chance to beat `hit`.
 - `flee/disengage` must succeed two times in a row (i.e. not beaten by a `hit` once during the turn). If so the character leaves combat.
 
-
 ```python
 # mygame/world/rules.py
 
 import random
 
+
 # messages 
 
 def resolve_combat(combat_handler, actiondict):
@@ -326,7 +326,7 @@ def resolve_combat(combat_handler, actiondict):
     for each character:
     {char.id:[(action1, char, target), (action2, char, target)], ...}
     """
-    flee = {} # track number of flee commands per character
+    flee = {}  # track number of flee commands per character
     for isub in range(2):
         # loop over sub-turns
         messages = []
@@ -403,6 +403,7 @@ This is the last component we need, a command to initiate combat. This will tie
 
 from evennia import create_script
 
+
 class CmdAttack(Command):
     """
     initiates combat
@@ -419,7 +420,7 @@ class CmdAttack(Command):
     def func(self):
         "Handle command"
         if not self.args:
-            self.caller.msg("Usage: attack <target>")            
+            self.caller.msg("Usage: attack <target>")
             return
         target = self.caller.search(self.args)
         if not target:
diff --git a/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Character-Generation.md b/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Character-Generation.md
index caf30443d..e7ef7c823 100644
--- a/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Character-Generation.md
+++ b/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Character-Generation.md
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ def creating(request):
                 # create the character
                 char = create.create_object(typeclass=typeclass, key=name,
                     home=home, permissions=perms)
-                user.db._playable_characters.append(char)
+                user.add_character(char)
                 # add the right locks for the character so the account can
                 #  puppet it
                 char.locks.add(" or ".join([
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ def creating(request):
                 # create the character
                 char = create.create_object(typeclass=typeclass, key=name,
                     home=home, permissions=perms)
-                user.db._playable_characters.append(char)
+                user.add_character(char)
                 # add the right locks for the character so the account can
                 #  puppet it
                 char.locks.add(" or ".join([
diff --git a/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Help-System-Tutorial.md b/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Help-System-Tutorial.md
index 1864dc22b..6afbede9c 100644
--- a/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Help-System-Tutorial.md
+++ b/docs/source/Howtos/Web-Help-System-Tutorial.md
@@ -198,8 +198,8 @@ def index(request):
 def index(request):
     """The 'index' view."""
     user = request.user
-    if not user.is_anonymous() and user.db._playable_characters:
-        character = user.db._playable_characters[0]
+    if not user.is_anonymous() and user.characters:
+        character = user.characters[0]
 ```
 
 In this second case, it will select the first character of the account.
diff --git a/evennia/accounts/accounts.py b/evennia/accounts/accounts.py
index eb7e8b5d7..3f11882b0 100644
--- a/evennia/accounts/accounts.py
+++ b/evennia/accounts/accounts.py
@@ -120,6 +120,80 @@ class AccountSessionHandler(object):
         return len(self.get())
 
 
+class CharactersHandler:
+    """
+    A simple Handler that lives on DefaultAccount as .characters via @lazy_property used to
+    wrap access to .db._playable_characters.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, owner: "DefaultAccount"):
+        """
+        Create the CharactersHandler.
+
+        Args:
+            owner: The Account that owns this handler.
+        """
+        self.owner = owner
+        self._ensure_playable_characters()
+        self._clean()
+
+    def _ensure_playable_characters(self):
+        if self.owner.db._playable_characters is None:
+            self.owner.db._playable_characters = []
+
+    def _clean(self):
+        # Remove all instances of None from the list.
+        self.owner.db._playable_characters = [x for x in self.owner.db._playable_characters if x]
+
+    def add(self, character: "DefaultCharacter"):
+        """
+        Add a character to this account's list of playable characters.
+
+        Args:
+            character (DefaultCharacter): The character to add.
+        """
+        self._clean()
+        if character not in self.owner.db._playable_characters:
+            self.owner.db._playable_characters.append(character)
+            self.owner.at_post_add_character(character)
+
+    def remove(self, character: "DefaultCharacter"):
+        """
+        Remove a character from this account's list of playable characters.
+
+        Args:
+            character (DefaultCharacter): The character to remove.
+        """
+        self._clean()
+        if character in self.owner.db._playable_characters:
+            self.owner.db._playable_characters.remove(character)
+            self.owner.at_post_remove_character(character)
+
+    def all(self) -> list["DefaultCharacter"]:
+        """
+        Get all playable characters.
+
+        Returns:
+            list[DefaultCharacter]: All playable characters.
+        """
+        self._clean()
+        return list(self.owner.db._playable_characters)
+
+    def count(self) -> int:
+        """
+        Get the number of playable characters.
+
+        Returns:
+            int: The number of playable characters.
+        """
+        return len(self.all())
+
+    __len__ = count
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        return iter(self.all())
+
+
 class DefaultAccount(AccountDB, metaclass=TypeclassBase):
     """
     This is the base Typeclass for all Accounts. Accounts represent
@@ -219,22 +293,31 @@ class DefaultAccount(AccountDB, metaclass=TypeclassBase):
             load_kwargs={"category": "option"},
         )
 
-    # Do not make this a lazy property; the web UI will not refresh it!
-    @property
+    @lazy_property
     def characters(self):
-        # Get playable characters list
-        objs = self.db._playable_characters or []
+        return CharactersHandler(self)
 
-        # Rebuild the list if legacy code left null values after deletion
-        try:
-            if None in objs:
-                objs = [x for x in self.db._playable_characters if x]
-                self.db._playable_characters = objs
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.log_trace(e)
-            logger.log_err(e)
+    def at_post_add_character(self, character: "DefaultCharacter"):
+        """
+        Called after a character is added to this account's list of playable characters.
 
-        return objs
+        Use it to easily implement custom logic when a character is added to an account.
+
+        Args:
+            character (DefaultCharacter): The character that was added.
+        """
+        pass
+
+    def at_post_remove_character(self, character: "DefaultAccount"):
+        """
+        Called after a character is removed from this account's list of playable characters.
+
+        Use it to easily implement custom logic when a character is removed from an account.
+
+        Args:
+            character (DefaultCharacter): The character that was removed.
+        """
+        pass
 
     def uses_screenreader(self, session=None):
         """
@@ -743,8 +826,7 @@ class DefaultAccount(AccountDB, metaclass=TypeclassBase):
         )
         if character:
             # Update playable character list
-            if character not in self.characters:
-                self.db._playable_characters.append(character)
+            self.characters.add(character)
 
             # We need to set this to have @ic auto-connect to this character
             self.db._last_puppet = character
@@ -1483,11 +1565,8 @@ class DefaultAccount(AccountDB, metaclass=TypeclassBase):
         else:
             # In this mode we don't auto-connect but by default end up at a character selection
             # screen. We execute look on the account.
-            # we make sure to clean up the _playable_characters list in case
-            # any was deleted in the interim.
-            self.db._playable_characters = [char for char in self.db._playable_characters if char]
             self.msg(
-                self.at_look(target=self.db._playable_characters, session=session), session=session
+                self.at_look(target=self.characters, session=session), session=session
             )
 
     def at_failed_login(self, session, **kwargs):
@@ -1825,11 +1904,8 @@ class DefaultGuest(DefaultAccount):
         be on the safe side.
         """
         super().at_server_shutdown()
-        characters = self.db._playable_characters
-        if characters:
-            for character in characters:
-                if character:
-                    character.delete()
+        for character in self.characters:
+            character.delete()
 
     def at_post_disconnect(self, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -1841,8 +1917,6 @@ class DefaultGuest(DefaultAccount):
 
         """
         super().at_post_disconnect()
-        characters = self.db._playable_characters
-        for character in characters:
-            if character:
-                character.delete()
+        for character in self.characters:
+            character.delete()
         self.delete()
diff --git a/evennia/accounts/tests.py b/evennia/accounts/tests.py
index 384f9f882..18b4025d9 100644
--- a/evennia/accounts/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/accounts/tests.py
@@ -105,14 +105,14 @@ class TestDefaultGuest(BaseEvenniaTest):
     def test_at_server_shutdown(self):
         account, errors = DefaultGuest.create(ip=self.ip)
         self.char1.delete = MagicMock()
-        account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1]
+        account.characters.add(self.char1)
         account.at_server_shutdown()
         self.char1.delete.assert_called()
 
     def test_at_post_disconnect(self):
         account, errors = DefaultGuest.create(ip=self.ip)
         self.char1.delete = MagicMock()
-        account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1]
+        account.characters.add(self.char1)
         account.at_post_disconnect()
         self.char1.delete.assert_called()
 
@@ -358,19 +358,19 @@ class TestAccountPuppetDeletion(BaseEvenniaTest):
     def test_puppet_deletion(self):
         # Check for existing chars
         self.assertFalse(
-            self.account.db._playable_characters, "Account should not have any chars by default."
+            self.account.characters, "Account should not have any chars by default."
         )
 
         # Add char1 to account's playable characters
-        self.account.db._playable_characters.append(self.char1)
-        self.assertTrue(self.account.db._playable_characters, "Char was not added to account.")
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
+        self.assertTrue(self.account.characters, "Char was not added to account.")
 
         # See what happens when we delete char1.
         self.char1.delete()
         # Playable char list should be empty.
         self.assertFalse(
-            self.account.db._playable_characters,
-            f"Playable character list is not empty! {self.account.db._playable_characters}",
+            self.account.characters,
+            f"Playable character list is not empty! {self.account.characters}",
         )
 
 
@@ -383,10 +383,20 @@ class TestDefaultAccountEv(BaseEvenniaTest):
     def test_characters_property(self):
         "test existence of None in _playable_characters Attr"
         self.account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1, None]
-        chars = self.account.characters
-        self.assertEqual(chars, [self.char1])
+        self.assertEqual(self.account.characters.all(), [self.char1])
         self.assertEqual(self.account.db._playable_characters, [self.char1])
 
+    def test_add_character_to_playable_list(self):
+        self.assertEqual(self.account.characters.all(), [])
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.account.characters.all(), [self.char1])
+
+    def test_remove_character_from_playable_list(self):
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.account.characters.all(), [self.char1])
+        self.account.characters.remove(self.char1)
+        self.assertEqual(self.account.characters.all(), [])
+
     def test_puppet_success(self):
         self.account.msg = MagicMock()
         with patch("evennia.accounts.accounts._MULTISESSION_MODE", 2):
diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/account.py b/evennia/commands/default/account.py
index eb0b07495..5e38dea46 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/account.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/account.py
@@ -60,12 +60,7 @@ class MuxAccountLookCommand(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
 
         super().parse()
 
-        playable = self.account.db._playable_characters
-        if playable is not None:
-            # clean up list if character object was deleted in between
-            if None in playable:
-                playable = [character for character in playable if character]
-                self.account.db._playable_characters = playable
+        playable = self.account.characters
         # store playable property
         if self.args:
             self.playable = dict((utils.to_str(char.key.lower()), char) for char in playable).get(
@@ -155,8 +150,8 @@ class CmdCharCreate(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
             if (
                 not account.is_superuser
                 and not account.check_permstring("Developer")
-                and account.db._playable_characters
-                and len(account.db._playable_characters) >= _MAX_NR_CHARACTERS
+                and account.characters
+                and len(account.characters) >= _MAX_NR_CHARACTERS
             ):
                 plural = "" if _MAX_NR_CHARACTERS == 1 else "s"
                 self.msg(f"You may only have a maximum of {_MAX_NR_CHARACTERS} character{plural}.")
@@ -184,7 +179,7 @@ class CmdCharCreate(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
             "puppet:id(%i) or pid(%i) or perm(Developer) or pperm(Developer);delete:id(%i) or"
             " perm(Admin)" % (new_character.id, account.id, account.id)
         )
-        account.db._playable_characters.append(new_character)
+        account.characters.add(new_character)
         if desc:
             new_character.db.desc = desc
         elif not new_character.db.desc:
@@ -223,7 +218,7 @@ class CmdCharDelete(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
         # use the playable_characters list to search
         match = [
             char
-            for char in utils.make_iter(account.db._playable_characters)
+            for char in utils.make_iter(account.characters)
             if char.key.lower() == self.args.lower()
         ]
         if not match:
@@ -243,9 +238,7 @@ class CmdCharDelete(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
                     # only take action
                     delobj = caller.ndb._char_to_delete
                     key = delobj.key
-                    caller.db._playable_characters = [
-                        pc for pc in caller.db._playable_characters if pc != delobj
-                    ]
+                    caller.characters.remove(delobj)
                     delobj.delete()
                     self.msg(f"Character '{key}' was permanently deleted.")
                     logger.log_sec(
@@ -314,13 +307,13 @@ class CmdIC(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
         else:
             # argument given
 
-            if account.db._playable_characters:
+            if (playables := account.characters):
                 # look at the playable_characters list first
                 character_candidates.extend(
                     utils.make_iter(
                         account.search(
                             self.args,
-                            candidates=account.db._playable_characters,
+                            candidates=playables,
                             search_object=True,
                             quiet=True,
                         )
diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/tests.py b/evennia/commands/default/tests.py
index c499e6ada..774bd8333 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/tests.py
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ class TestAccount(BaseEvenniaCommandTest):
         ]
     )
     def test_ooc_look(self, multisession_mode, auto_puppet, max_nr_chars, expected_result):
-        self.account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1]
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
         self.account.unpuppet_all()
 
         with self.settings(MULTISESSION=multisession_mode):
@@ -609,14 +609,14 @@ class TestAccount(BaseEvenniaCommandTest):
         self.call(account.CmdOOC(), "", "You go OOC.", caller=self.account)
 
     def test_ic(self):
-        self.account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1]
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
         self.account.unpuppet_object(self.session)
         self.call(
             account.CmdIC(), "Char", "You become Char.", caller=self.account, receiver=self.char1
         )
 
     def test_ic__other_object(self):
-        self.account.db._playable_characters = [self.obj1]
+        self.account.characters.add(self.obj1)
         self.account.unpuppet_object(self.session)
         self.call(
             account.CmdIC(), "Obj", "You become Obj.", caller=self.account, receiver=self.obj1
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ class TestAccount(BaseEvenniaCommandTest):
         # whether permissions are being checked
 
         # Add char to account playable characters
-        self.account.db._playable_characters.append(self.char1)
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
 
         # Try deleting as Developer
         self.call(
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/character_creator.py b/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/character_creator.py
index 354769823..8ebc49435 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/character_creator.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/character_creator.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class ContribCmdCharCreate(MuxAccountCommand):
         session = self.session
 
         # only one character should be in progress at a time, so we check for WIPs first
-        in_progress = [chara for chara in account.db._playable_characters if chara.db.chargen_step]
+        in_progress = [chara for chara in account.characters if chara.db.chargen_step]
 
         if len(in_progress):
             # we're continuing chargen for a WIP character
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class ContribCmdCharCreate(MuxAccountCommand):
             charmax = settings.MAX_NR_CHARACTERS
 
             if not account.is_superuser and (
-                account.db._playable_characters and len(account.db._playable_characters) >= charmax
+                account.characters and len(account.characters) >= charmax
             ):
                 plural = "" if charmax == 1 else "s"
                 self.msg(f"You may only create a maximum of {charmax} character{plural}.")
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class ContribCmdCharCreate(MuxAccountCommand):
             )
             # initalize the new character to the beginning of the chargen menu
             new_character.db.chargen_step = "menunode_welcome"
-            account.db._playable_characters.append(new_character)
+            account.characters.add(new_character)
 
         # set the menu node to start at to the character's last saved step
         startnode = new_character.db.chargen_step
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/tests.py b/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/tests.py
index 4ff180a3d..5cdaaa0ec 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/rpg/character_creator/tests.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class TestCharacterCreator(BaseEvenniaCommandTest):
         self.account.swap_typeclass(character_creator.ContribChargenAccount)
 
     def test_ooc_look(self):
-        self.account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1]
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
         self.account.unpuppet_all()
 
         self.char1.db.chargen_step = "start"
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/tutorials/evadventure/chargen.py b/evennia/contrib/tutorials/evadventure/chargen.py
index 26f3df646..ab440d2f4 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/tutorials/evadventure/chargen.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/tutorials/evadventure/chargen.py
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ def node_apply_character(caller, raw_string, **kwargs):
     """
     tmp_character = kwargs["tmp_character"]
     new_character = tmp_character.apply(caller)
-    caller.db._playable_characters.append(new_character)
+    caller.characters.add(new_character)
 
     text = "Character created!"
 
diff --git a/evennia/objects/objects.py b/evennia/objects/objects.py
index ffd9e2165..f8f98b552 100644
--- a/evennia/objects/objects.py
+++ b/evennia/objects/objects.py
@@ -1149,10 +1149,7 @@ class DefaultObject(ObjectDB, metaclass=TypeclassBase):
         # sever the connection (important!)
         if self.account:
             # Remove the object from playable characters list
-            if self in self.account.db._playable_characters:
-                self.account.db._playable_characters = [
-                    x for x in self.account.db._playable_characters if x != self
-                ]
+            self.account.characters.remove(self)
             for session in self.sessions.all():
                 self.account.unpuppet_object(session)
 
@@ -2562,8 +2559,7 @@ class DefaultCharacter(DefaultObject):
                 obj.db.creator_ip = ip
             if account:
                 obj.db.creator_id = account.id
-                if obj not in account.characters:
-                    account.db._playable_characters.append(obj)
+                account.characters.add(obj)
 
             # Add locks
             if not locks and account:
diff --git a/evennia/server/initial_setup.py b/evennia/server/initial_setup.py
index ffec79ab1..cfd79fea0 100644
--- a/evennia/server/initial_setup.py
+++ b/evennia/server/initial_setup.py
@@ -98,16 +98,15 @@ def create_objects():
 
     # Create the in-game god-character for account #1 and set
     # it to exist in Limbo.
-    character_typeclass = settings.BASE_CHARACTER_TYPECLASS
     try:
         superuser_character = ObjectDB.objects.get(id=1)
     except ObjectDB.DoesNotExist:
-        superuser_character = create.create_object(
-            character_typeclass, key=superuser.username, nohome=True
+        superuser_character, errors = superuser.create_character(
+            key=superuser.username, nohome=True, description=_("This is User #1.")
         )
+        if errors:
+            raise Exception(str(errors))
 
-    superuser_character.db_typeclass_path = character_typeclass
-    superuser_character.db.desc = _("This is User #1.")
     superuser_character.locks.add(
         "examine:perm(Developer);edit:false();delete:false();boot:false();msg:all();puppet:false()"
     )
@@ -118,11 +117,6 @@ def create_objects():
     superuser.attributes.add("_first_login", True)
     superuser.attributes.add("_last_puppet", superuser_character)
 
-    try:
-        superuser.db._playable_characters.append(superuser_character)
-    except AttributeError:
-        superuser.db_playable_characters = [superuser_character]
-
     room_typeclass = settings.BASE_ROOM_TYPECLASS
     try:
         limbo_obj = ObjectDB.objects.get(id=2)
diff --git a/evennia/server/server.py b/evennia/server/server.py
index 8407ff118..c5bd6da95 100644
--- a/evennia/server/server.py
+++ b/evennia/server/server.py
@@ -647,9 +647,8 @@ class Evennia:
             for guest in AccountDB.objects.all().filter(
                 db_typeclass_path=settings.BASE_GUEST_TYPECLASS
             ):
-                for character in guest.db._playable_characters:
-                    if character:
-                        character.delete()
+                for character in guest.characters:
+                    character.delete()
                 guest.delete()
         for mod in SERVER_STARTSTOP_MODULES:
             if hasattr(mod, "at_server_cold_start"):
diff --git a/evennia/server/serversession.py b/evennia/server/serversession.py
index 9eeb186a2..1ea0778f9 100644
--- a/evennia/server/serversession.py
+++ b/evennia/server/serversession.py
@@ -444,3 +444,4 @@ class ServerSession(_BASE_SESSION_CLASS):
             return self.account.get_display_name(*args, **kwargs)
         else:
             return f"{self.protocol_key}({self.address})"
+
diff --git a/evennia/utils/ansi.py b/evennia/utils/ansi.py
index cfa719247..c68dc1846 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/ansi.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/ansi.py
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ from evennia.utils.utils import to_str
 
 MXP_ENABLED = settings.MXP_ENABLED
 
-
 # ANSI definitions
 
 ANSI_BEEP = "\07"
diff --git a/evennia/utils/utils.py b/evennia/utils/utils.py
index 4a2d6ead4..f5338ba24 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/utils.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/utils.py
@@ -2941,3 +2941,4 @@ def str2int(number):
             # invalid number-word, raise ValueError
             raise ValueError(f"String {original_input} cannot be converted to int.")
     return sum(sums)
+
diff --git a/evennia/web/admin/objects.py b/evennia/web/admin/objects.py
index 1545add8e..48e5fe99e 100644
--- a/evennia/web/admin/objects.py
+++ b/evennia/web/admin/objects.py
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ class ObjectAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
         This will:
 
         - Set account.db._last_puppet to this object
-        - Add object to account.db._playable_characters
+        - Add object to account.characters
         - Change object locks to allow puppeting by account
 
         """
@@ -319,10 +319,7 @@ class ObjectAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
 
         if account:
             account.db._last_puppet = obj
-            if not account.db._playable_characters:
-                account.db._playable_characters = []
-            if obj not in account.db._playable_characters:
-                account.db._playable_characters.append(obj)
+            account.characters.add(obj)
             if not obj.access(account, "puppet"):
                 lock = obj.locks.get("puppet")
                 lock += f" or pid({account.id})"
@@ -331,7 +328,7 @@ class ObjectAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
                 request,
                 "Did the following (where possible): "
                 f"Set Account.db._last_puppet = {obj}, "
-                f"Added {obj} to Account.db._playable_characters list, "
+                f"Added {obj} to Account.characters list, "
                 f"Added 'puppet:pid({account.id})' lock to {obj}.",
             )
         else:
diff --git a/evennia/web/website/tests.py b/evennia/web/website/tests.py
index fc1073a58..230d4442f 100644
--- a/evennia/web/website/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/web/website/tests.py
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ class EvenniaWebTest(BaseEvenniaTest):
         super().setUp()
 
         # Add chars to account rosters
-        self.account.db._playable_characters = [self.char1]
-        self.account2.db._playable_characters = [self.char2]
+        self.account.characters.add(self.char1)
+        self.account2.characters.add(self.char2)
 
         for account in (self.account, self.account2):
             # Demote accounts to Player permissions
@@ -44,15 +44,15 @@ class EvenniaWebTest(BaseEvenniaTest):
             account.permissions.remove("Developer")
 
             # Grant permissions to chars
-            for char in account.db._playable_characters:
+            for char in account.characters:
                 char.locks.add("edit:id(%s) or perm(Admin)" % account.pk)
                 char.locks.add("delete:id(%s) or perm(Admin)" % account.pk)
                 char.locks.add("view:all()")
 
     def test_valid_chars(self):
         "Make sure account has playable characters"
-        self.assertTrue(self.char1 in self.account.db._playable_characters)
-        self.assertTrue(self.char2 in self.account2.db._playable_characters)
+        self.assertTrue(self.char1 in self.account.characters)
+        self.assertTrue(self.char2 in self.account2.characters)
 
     def get_kwargs(self):
         return {}
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ class CharacterCreateView(EvenniaWebTest):
     @override_settings(MAX_NR_CHARACTERS=1)
     def test_valid_access_multisession_0(self):
         "Account1 with no characters should be able to create a new one"
-        self.account.db._playable_characters = []
+        self.account.characters.remove(self.char1)
 
         # Login account
         self.login()
@@ -233,9 +233,9 @@ class CharacterCreateView(EvenniaWebTest):
 
         # Make sure the character was actually created
         self.assertTrue(
-            len(self.account.db._playable_characters) == 1,
+            len(self.account.characters) == 1,
             "Account only has the following characters attributed to it: %s"
-            % self.account.db._playable_characters,
+            % self.account.characters,
         )
 
     @override_settings(MAX_NR_CHARACTERS=5)
@@ -252,9 +252,9 @@ class CharacterCreateView(EvenniaWebTest):
 
         # Make sure the character was actually created
         self.assertTrue(
-            len(self.account.db._playable_characters) > 1,
+            len(self.account.characters) > 1,
             "Account only has the following characters attributed to it: %s"
-            % self.account.db._playable_characters,
+            % self.account.characters,
         )
 
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ class CharacterDeleteView(EvenniaWebTest):
 
         # Make sure it deleted
         self.assertFalse(
-            self.char1 in self.account.db._playable_characters,
+            self.char1 in self.account.characters,
             "Char1 is still in Account playable characters list.",
         )
 
diff --git a/evennia/web/website/views/help.py b/evennia/web/website/views/help.py
index 677328d57..98ef5cbcb 100644
--- a/evennia/web/website/views/help.py
+++ b/evennia/web/website/views/help.py
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def collect_topics(account):
     cmd_help_topics = []
     if not str(account) == "AnonymousUser":
         # create list of account and account's puppets
-        puppets = account.db._playable_characters + [account]
+        puppets = account.characters.all() + [account]
         # add the account's and puppets' commands to cmd_help_topics list
         for puppet in puppets:
             for cmdset in puppet.cmdset.get():
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 9c74ce2cf..2120d3ced 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ dependencies = [
   "anything ==0.2.1",
   "black >= 22.6",
   "isort >= 5.10",
-  "parameterized ==0.8.1",
+  "parameterized ==0.8.1"
 ]
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]