diff --git a/Pipfile b/Pipfile
index ca31c4b80..a7dfb4ed1 100644
--- a/Pipfile
+++ b/Pipfile
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ cryptography = ">=2.3"
 pysha3="*"
 requests = "*"
 sqlalchemy = "*"
+marshmallow = "*"
 maya = "*"
 flask = "*"
 flask_sqlalchemy = "*"
diff --git a/Pipfile.lock b/Pipfile.lock
index 59027f263..58f985ef4 100644
--- a/Pipfile.lock
+++ b/Pipfile.lock
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "_meta": {
         "hash": {
-            "sha256": "2a36b4160cdf1d70dbdb8ae0113c35e7e2f4cf97bff4088c9ca0133c45f592b1"
+            "sha256": "da7b7364c172c115fa1d88b6e6e35128dfde996366b51b08e2c3b1eacff52387"
         },
         "pipfile-spec": 6,
         "requires": {
@@ -483,6 +483,14 @@
             ],
             "version": "==1.1.1"
         },
+        "marshmallow": {
+            "hashes": [
+                "sha256:0ba81b6da4ae69eb229b74b3c741ff13fe04fb899824377b1aff5aaa1a9fd46e",
+                "sha256:3e53dd9e9358977a3929e45cdbe4a671f9eff53a7d6a23f33ed3eab8c1890d8f"
+            ],
+            "index": "pypi",
+            "version": "==3.3.0"
+        },
         "maya": {
             "hashes": [
                 "sha256:7f53e06d5a123613dce7c270cbc647643a6942590dba7a19ec36194d0338c3f4",
diff --git a/dev-requirements.txt b/dev-requirements.txt
index 505760a44..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/dev-requirements.txt
+++ b/dev-requirements.txt
@@ -1,59 +0,0 @@
--i https://pypi.python.org/simple
-aafigure==0.6
-alabaster==0.7.12
-ansible==2.9.2
-apipkg==1.5
-attrs==19.3.0
-babel==2.7.0
-bumpversion==0.5.3
-certifi==2019.11.28
-cffi==1.13.2
-chardet==3.0.4
-commonmark==0.9.1
-coverage==5.0.1
-cryptography==2.8
-decorator==4.4.1
-docutils==0.16rc1
-execnet==1.7.1
-git+https://github.com/nucypher/py-solc.git@391b8da1a6bac5816877197bda25527c6b0b8c15#egg=py-solc
-greenlet==0.4.15
-idna==2.8
-imagesize==1.1.0
-importlib-metadata==1.3.0 ; python_version < '3.8'
-jinja2==2.10.3
-markupsafe==1.1.1
-more-itertools==8.0.2
-mypy-extensions==0.4.3
-mypy==0.761
-packaging==19.2
-pluggy==0.13.1
-py==1.8.0
-pycparser==2.19
-pygments==2.5.2
-pyparsing==2.4.5
-pytest-cov==2.8.1
-pytest-forked==1.1.3
-pytest-mock==1.13.0
-pytest-mypy==0.4.2
-pytest-twisted==1.12
-pytest-xdist==1.31.0
-pytest==5.3.2
-pytz==2019.3
-pyyaml==5.3b1
-recommonmark==0.6.0
-requests==2.22.0
-six==1.13.0
-snowballstemmer==2.0.0
-sphinx-rtd-theme==0.4.3
-sphinx==2.3.1
-sphinxcontrib-applehelp==1.0.1
-sphinxcontrib-devhelp==1.0.1
-sphinxcontrib-htmlhelp==1.0.2
-sphinxcontrib-jsmath==1.0.1
-sphinxcontrib-qthelp==1.0.2
-sphinxcontrib-serializinghtml==1.1.3
-typed-ast==1.4.0
-typing-extensions==3.7.4.1
-urllib3==1.25.7
-wcwidth==0.1.7
-zipp==0.6.0
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/__init__.py
similarity index 59%
rename from nucypher/characters/control/specifications.py
rename to nucypher/characters/control/specifications/__init__.py
index 19b1f217c..c9a627069 100644
--- a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications.py
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+
+from .bob import specifications as bob
+from .alice import specifications as alice
+from .enrico import specifications as enrico
+
 from abc import ABC
 from collections import namedtuple
 
@@ -33,6 +38,32 @@ class CharacterSpecification(ABC):
             k: spec.get(k, ())
             for k in ['input', 'optional', 'output']})
 
+    @classmethod
+    def get_spec(cls, interface_name: str) -> tuple:
+        if cls._specifications is NotImplemented:
+            raise NotImplementedError("Missing specifications for character")
+        try:
+            spec = cls.specifications()[interface_name]
+        except KeyError:
+            raise cls.SpecificationError(f"{cls.__class__.__name__} has no such control interface: '{interface_name}'")
+
+        return spec
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_specifications(cls, interface_name: str) -> tuple:
+        spec = cls.get_spec(interface_name)
+
+        if isinstance(spec, dict):
+            return SpecificationTuple(**{
+                k: spec.get(k, ())
+                for k in ['input', 'optional', 'output']})
+
+        return SpecificationTuple(
+            [k for k, f in spec.load_fields.items() if f.required],
+            [k for k, f in spec.load_fields.items() if not f.required],
+            list(spec.dump_fields.keys())
+        )
+
     @classmethod
     def specifications(cls):
         if cls._specifications is NotImplemented:
@@ -65,56 +96,14 @@ class CharacterSpecification(ABC):
         _, _, output_specification = self.get_specifications(interface_name=interface_name)
         return self.__validate(specification=output_specification, data=response, error_class=self.InvalidInputField)
 
-
 class AliceSpecification(CharacterSpecification):
 
-    __create_policy = {'input': ('bob_encrypting_key', 'bob_verifying_key', 'm', 'n', 'label', 'expiration'),
-                       'optional': ('value', 'rate'),
-                       'output': ('label', 'policy_encrypting_key')}
-
-    __derive_policy_encrypting_key = {'input': ('label', ),
-                                      'output': ('policy_encrypting_key', 'label')}
-
-    __grant = {'input': ('bob_encrypting_key', 'bob_verifying_key', 'm', 'n', 'label', 'expiration'),
-               'optional': ('value', 'rate'),
-               'output': ('treasure_map', 'policy_encrypting_key', 'alice_verifying_key')}
-
-    __revoke = {'input': ('label', 'bob_verifying_key', ),
-                'output': ('failed_revocations',)}
-
-    __decrypt = {'input': ('label', 'message_kit'),
-                 'output': ('cleartexts', )}
-
-    __public_keys = {'input': (),
-                     'output': ('alice_verifying_key',)}
-
-    _specifications = {'create_policy': __create_policy,  # type: Tuple[Tuple[str]]
-                       'derive_policy_encrypting_key': __derive_policy_encrypting_key,
-                       'grant': __grant,
-                       'revoke': __revoke,
-                       'public_keys': __public_keys,
-                       'decrypt': __decrypt, }
-
+    _specifications = alice
 
 class BobSpecification(CharacterSpecification):
 
-    __join_policy = {'input': ('label', 'alice_verifying_key'),
-                     'output': ('policy_encrypting_key', )}
-
-    __retrieve = {'input': ('label', 'policy_encrypting_key', 'alice_verifying_key', 'message_kit'),
-                  'output': ('cleartexts', )}
-
-    __public_keys = {'input': (),
-                     'output': ('bob_encrypting_key', 'bob_verifying_key')}
-
-    _specifications = {'join_policy': __join_policy,
-                       'retrieve': __retrieve,
-                       'public_keys': __public_keys}
-
+    _specifications = bob
 
 class EnricoSpecification(CharacterSpecification):
 
-    __encrypt_message = {'input': ('message', ),
-                         'output': ('message_kit', 'signature')}
-
-    _specifications = {'encrypt_message': __encrypt_message}
+    _specifications = enrico
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/alice.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/alice.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0bf390668
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/alice.py
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+from marshmallow import Schema
+from .fields import fields
+
+
+class PolicyBaseSchema(Schema):
+
+    #required input fields
+    bob_encrypting_key = fields.Key(required=True, load_only=True)
+    bob_verifying_key = fields.Key(required=True, load_only=True)
+    m = fields.Integer(required=True, load_only=True)
+    n = fields.Integer(required=True, load_only=True)
+    expiration = fields.Date(required=True, load_only=True)
+
+    # optional input
+    value = fields.Integer(load_only=True)
+    first_period_reward = fields.Integer(load_only=True)
+    rate = fields.Integer(load_only=True)
+
+    #output
+    policy_encrypting_key = fields.Key(dump_only=True)
+
+
+class CreatePolicy(PolicyBaseSchema):
+
+    label = fields.Str(required=True)
+
+
+class GrantPolicy(PolicyBaseSchema):
+
+    treasure_map = fields.TreasureMap(dump_only=True)
+    alice_verifying_key = fields.Key(dump_only=True)
+    label = fields.Str(load_only=True, required=True)
+
+
+class DerivePolicyEncryptionKey(Schema):
+
+    label = fields.Str(required=True)
+    policy_encrypting_key = fields.Key(dump_only=True)
+
+
+class Revoke(Schema):
+
+    label = fields.Str(required=True, load_only=True)
+    bob_verifying_key = fields.Key(required=True, load_only=True)
+
+    failed_revocations = fields.List(fields.Str(), dump_only=True)
+
+
+class Decrypt(Schema):
+    label = fields.Str(required=True, load_only=True)
+    message_kit = fields.MessageKit(load_only=True)
+
+    cleartexts = fields.List(fields.Str(), dump_only=True)
+
+
+class PublicKeys(Schema):
+
+    alice_verifying_key = fields.Key(dump_only=True)
+
+
+specifications = {
+                    'create_policy': CreatePolicy(),
+                    'derive_policy_encrypting_key': DerivePolicyEncryptionKey(),
+                    'grant': GrantPolicy(),
+                    'revoke': Revoke(),
+                    'public_keys': PublicKeys(),
+                    'decrypt': Decrypt(),
+                    }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/bob.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/bob.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..adee13df5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/bob.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+
+__join_policy = {'input': ('label', 'alice_verifying_key'),
+                    'output': ('policy_encrypting_key', )}
+
+__retrieve = {'input': ('label', 'policy_encrypting_key', 'alice_verifying_key', 'message_kit'),
+                'output': ('cleartexts', )}
+
+__public_keys = {'input': (),
+                    'output': ('bob_encrypting_key', 'bob_verifying_key')}
+
+specifications = {'join_policy': __join_policy,
+                    'retrieve': __retrieve,
+                    'public_keys': __public_keys}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/enrico.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/enrico.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ee9ec3332
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/enrico.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+
+__encrypt_message = {'input': ('message', ),
+                         'output': ('message_kit', 'signature')}
+
+specifications = {'encrypt_message': __encrypt_message}
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/__init__.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..10bde3533
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+from marshmallow import fields
+from .key import *
+from .treasuremap import *
+from .messagekit import *
+
+
+
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/key.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/key.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8128d34b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/key.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+from marshmallow import fields
+
+class KeyField(fields.Field):
+
+    def _serialize(self, value, attr, obj, **kwargs):
+
+        return value
+
+    def _deserialize(self, value, attr, data, **kwargs):
+        return value
+
+fields.Key = KeyField
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/messagekit.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/messagekit.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0eb6fe0df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/messagekit.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+from marshmallow import fields
+
+class MessageKitField(fields.Field):
+
+    def _serialize(self, value, attr, obj, **kwargs):
+
+        return value
+
+    def _deserialize(self, value, attr, data, **kwargs):
+        return value
+
+fields.MessageKit = MessageKitField
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/treasuremap.py b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/treasuremap.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5bb43d9af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nucypher/characters/control/specifications/fields/treasuremap.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+from marshmallow import fields
+
+class TreasureMapField(fields.Field):
+
+    def _serialize(self, value, attr, obj, **kwargs):
+
+        return value
+
+    def _deserialize(self, value, attr, data, **kwargs):
+        return value
+
+fields.TreasureMap = TreasureMapField
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 2023eca76..e69de29bb 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -1,102 +0,0 @@
--i https://pypi.python.org/simple
-appdirs==1.4.3
-argh==0.26.2
-asn1crypto==1.2.0
-attrdict==2.0.1
-attrs==19.3.0
-autobahn==19.11.1
-automat==0.8.0
-base58==1.0.3
-blake2b-py==0.1.3
-bytestring-splitter==1.3.0
-cached-property==1.5.1
-certifi==2019.11.28
-cffi==1.13.2
-chardet==3.0.4
-click==7.0
-coincurve==13.0.0
-colorama==0.4.3
-constant-sorrow==0.1.0a8
-constantly==15.1.0
-cryptography==2.8
-cytoolz==0.10.1 ; implementation_name == 'cpython'
-dateparser==0.7.2
-eth-abi==2.1.0
-eth-account==0.4.0
-eth-bloom==1.0.3
-eth-hash[pycryptodome]==0.2.0
-eth-keyfile==0.5.1
-eth-keys==0.2.4
-eth-rlp==0.1.2
-eth-tester==0.4.0b1
-eth-typing==2.2.1
-eth-utils==1.8.4
-flask-limiter==1.1.0
-flask-sqlalchemy==2.4.1
-flask==1.1.1
-hendrix==3.2.5
-hexbytes==0.2.0
-humanize==0.5.1
-hyperlink==19.0.0
-idna==2.8
-importlib-metadata==1.3.0 ; python_version < '3.8'
-incremental==17.5.0
-ipfshttpclient==0.4.12
-itsdangerous==1.1.0
-jinja2==2.10.3
-jsonschema==3.2.0
-limits==1.4.1
-lru-dict==1.1.6
-markupsafe==1.1.1
-maya==0.6.1
-more-itertools==8.0.2
-msgpack-python==0.5.6
-multiaddr==0.0.9
-mypy-extensions==0.4.3
-netaddr==0.7.19
-parsimonious==0.8.1
-pathtools==0.1.2
-pendulum==2.0.5
-protobuf==3.11.2
-py-ecc==1.7.1
-py-evm==0.3.0a12
-py-geth==2.2.0
-pyasn1-modules==0.2.7
-pyasn1==0.4.8
-pychalk==2.0.1
-pycparser==2.19
-pycryptodome==3.9.4
-pyethash==0.1.27
-pyhamcrest==1.9.0
-pynacl==1.3.0
-pyopenssl==19.1.0
-pyrsistent==0.15.6
-pysha3==1.0.2
-python-dateutil==2.8.1
-pytz==2019.3
-pytzdata==2019.3
-pyyaml==5.3b1
-regex==2019.12.20
-requests==2.22.0
-rlp==1.2.0
-semantic-version==2.8.4
-sentry-sdk==0.9.0
-service-identity==18.1.0
-six==1.13.0
-snaptime==0.2.4
-sqlalchemy==1.3.12
-toolz==0.10.0
-trie==1.4.0
-twisted==19.10.0
-txaio==18.8.1
-typing-extensions==3.7.4.1
-tzlocal==2.0.0
-umbral==0.1.3a2
-urllib3==1.25.7
-varint==1.0.2
-watchdog==0.9.0
-web3==5.4.0
-websockets==8.1
-werkzeug==0.16.0
-zipp==0.6.0
-zope.interface==4.7.1
diff --git a/tests/characters/test_specifications.py b/tests/characters/test_specifications.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..61891afba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/characters/test_specifications.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import pytest
+from marshmallow.exceptions import ValidationError
+from nucypher.characters.control.specifications import AliceSpecification
+
+
+def test_alice_spec_validate(federated_alice, federated_bob):
+
+    createPolicy = AliceSpecification.get_spec('create_policy')
+    specs = AliceSpecification.get_specifications('create_policy')
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as e:
+        result = createPolicy.load({})
+