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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:12 pm
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The Seasonal Courts
The Spring Court
Madolyn Cove - Puppet Queen of Spring Seeming/Kith: Beast/Swimmerskin Virtue/Vice: Faith/Sloth Appearance: The years as Spring Queen have not been kind to Madolyn. Although still young and potentially attractive, the Mermaid's mien appears unhealthy and tainted from years of madness and heroin abuse. Her eyes are a cloudy, dull grey, her lightly scaled blue skin covered with an oily residue. Her hair hangs limply at ear level, tangled with seaweed and soapy foam. She smells of sand and sea salt, mixed with the steril scent of opiates and something acrid. She seems impossibly thin, her ribs countable through the pallid, almost transluscent skin that stretches from her breasts to between her legs.
Viewed through her mask, Madolyn appears as a nineteen-year old waif who'd be very pretty if she weren't going for the heroin chic look. She wears heavy black eyeshadow, and her platnium, bleached blonde hair somehow never gets brittle. Her attire varies from Salvation Army cast offs to Hot Topic cast offs to more formal gothic dresses for Court functions.
Background: Madolyn was never fit to rule. Always fairly shy and demure, she was propped up to reign over Spring by Carroll after he assassinated the previous King of the Antler Court. Carroll assumed the young and naïve mermaid would be easy to control. She surprised him at first, but years of Carroll's systematic terrorizing, coupled with being seduced and addicted to heroin by Belladona, have worn her down into a good little puppet. Gripped by paralyzing anxiety and indecision, her Clarity almost completely worn away, Madolyn is incapable of making any sort of leadership decision without Belladonna or Carroll. In fact, she's barely able to take care of herself and is mostly reliant on her attendants - all of whom are either directly appointed by Carroll or in his pocket.
While Madolyn's imbalance is Carroll's greatest asset in controlling the Spring Court, it also makes her a liability. The same fragile sanity that makes her easy to control also causes her to behave erratically. Only the most oblivious Spring Courtiers believe Madolyn is an effective Queen, and while Carroll's influence is not officially public knowledge, many strongly suspect he's the one pulling her strings. Thus far Carroll and Belladonna have been able to contain any resistance into a few scattered bands of rebels, but if Madolyn's behavior continues (or worse, if her Clarity deteriorates completely) they'll need to replace her.
Madolyn is most often drugged when she appears publicly- her eyes glassy, her speech and movement languid from heroin. When she's not high, her behavior is nervous and almost manic, and she frequently talks to herself. She's recently begun entering a fugue state when stressed, where she'll either sit in a fetal position rocking back and forth, or stare longingly at the harbor for hours on end, as if wanting to dive in. Whether she longs to return to the seas of Arcadia or simply to end her own wretched existence, not even Madolyn is sure.
Amber Honeypot - Pretender to the Throne Seeming/Kith: Beast/Venombite Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Envy Appearance: Background:
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:25 am
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:08 pm
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:12 pm
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:34 pm
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The Spring Court - Patriot Factions
The Emerald Saints
Noah MacManus - Il Duce Seeming/Kith: Elemental/Snowskin Virtue/Vice: Justice/Wrath Appearance: Background:
Connor MacManus Seeming/Kith: Elemental/Fireheart Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background:
Murphy MacManus Seeming/Kith: Fairest/Bright One Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background:
Paul Smecker Seeming/Kith: Wizened/Oracle Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background:
Court of the Sapphire Moon
Aoi Tsukai - The Rogue Duchess Seeming/Kith: Fairest/Dancer Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Wrath Appearance: No one is entirely sure what the Rogue Duchess actually looks like, as few outside her personal compatriots have ever seen her face-to-face in her official capacity and, for obvious reasons, she never appears as such in public. What is known, gleaned from reports of those who've spoken to her over the phone or through a screen, is that she is a young woman, probably appearing to be in her mid to late 20s, about 5-and-a-half feet tall, with a very light Japanese accent.
Background: Born in Japan, Aoi was raised by a family steeped in ancient traditions, including bushido. From a young age, she was taught to handle various weapons and achieved high levels of skill in several martial arts, chiefly Aikido. She left Japan to represent her family's interests in the Bostonian Spring Court, but all did not go according to plan.
Quickly growing not only disillusioned but disgruntled with Carroll's manipulations of the Spring Court, Aoi decided to quietly withdraw from Court politics (not difficult with Amber steamrolling everyone in sight) and begin her own underground rebel faction. She amassed a small following of like-minded individuals from many Kiths, including a band of Redcaps from a neighboring town, as well as several individuals who have been disenfranchised by Carrol and Amber's machinations. The Court of the Sapphire Moon deals chiefly in intelligence and subterfuge, passing along useful information and subtly sabotaging Amber and Carroll's efforts whenever possible. Recent reports speak of alliances with the Summer Court Militias and the Emerald Saints, though these have yet to be confirmed.
Savroy LeBeau - Chief Redcap Enforcer Seeming/Kith: Ogre/Bloodbrute Virtue/Vice: Justice/Wrath Appearance: Background:
Jonesy - Court Pledgesmith and Physician Seeming/Kith: Fairest/Telluric Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background:
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:36 pm
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:33 pm
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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:42 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:46 am
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:48 am
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Slashers
Rippers
The Black Widow of the Fens Real Name: Nikki Sykes Undertaking: Charmer Virtue/Vice: Hope/Lust Appearance: Background: Talents: Disarming Frailties: Thin Veneer
The Beacon Hill Bomber Real Name: Darryl Lee Carver Undertaking: Genius Virtue/Vice: Faith/Pride Appearance: Background: Talents: Profiling Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos
Nurse Katoryn Real Name: Natalya Katoryn Undertaking: Mercykiller Virtue/Vice: Charity/Pride Appearance: Background: Talents: Unassuming, Profiling (From the Thaumatechnology Endowment Cortical Adaptation) Frailties: Code of Mercy, Intolerance for Chaos (From the Thaumatechnology Endowment Cortical Adaptation)
The ******** Freight Train Real Name: Morris Spiegel Undertaking: Brute Virture/Vice: Prudence/Wrath Appearance: Background: Talents: Unstoppable Frailties: Blinded by Blood
The Chosen Pessimist Real Name: Undertaking: Avenger Virture/Vice: Justice/Gluttony Appearance: Background: Talents: Working the Room Frailties: Nothing but the Mission
Worm Real Name: Undertaking: Freak Virture/Vice: Appearance: Background: Talents: Lay of the Land Frailties: Deformity
Scourges
Hellraiser Eddy Real Name: Edward Gillan Undertaking: Legend Virtue/Vice: Fortitude/Wrath Appearance: Edward Gillan was possibly attractive once, but life as a rockstar and undead killing machine have left him a desiccated, barely human looking ghoul, somewhere between Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie and Keith Richards. While this obviously leaves him with a little trouble getting a date on a Saturday night, any social penalties he suffers are negated when he's performing, or among fans. Considering he spends most of his downtime feeding his guitar's addiction, this is rarely an issue. He typically dresses in torn jeans and studded or spiked biker leathers, sometimes exchanging the leathers for a worn jean work vest and a t shirt depicting some metal band. He always carries his guitar with him. When he kills with it, any blood spatters soak directly into the instrument, staining the paint a deep blood red.
Background: The story of the guitar player who stands at the crossroads and offers his soul to the Devil for the ability to play with inhuman skill is an old one. Sometimes he's a blues man, sometimes a rock n' roller, sometimes a metal-head. No less than Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page is rumored to have actually done it. Even Bruce Springsteen recently wrote about the Jersey Devil, who asked his daddy to "make me a guitar out of skin and a human skull."
In the World of Darkness that guitar exists, though it changes form and owner from generation to generation. Currently, it takes the form of a black and chrome custom electric guitar with an axe shaped base and a neck resembling a spinal cord, and resides in the hands of a man who calls himself "Hellraiser Eddy". But the Devil requires more than just one's soul from this bargain. He requires blood - not blood given freely, but taken violently. The guitar - Eddy's "axe" - drinks deeply of this blood and transforms it into sweet music.
The deal proved to be more than Edward Gillan bargained for. A high school loner, he was targeted by popular kids and even by the school administration for wearing black and listening to heavy metal. He channeled his anger into his guitar playing and before long was talented enough to make a name for himself among the local band scene. But it wasn't enough. Edward wanted vindication against all those who ever disrespected him. He wanted to be the best guitar player in the world. And like most teenagers, he wanted it now, without having to practice. After hearing the legend of the devil's guitar, Edward set out for the nearest dirt crossroads, cut his hand, and let the blood pool on the ground. Then he called for the Devil.
Whether whatever answered actually was the Prince of Darkness, or just some lesser demon, or something else entirely, no one can say. In any case, a gust of wind kicked up a powerful dust storm, and when it settled, the guitar appeared in the middle of the crossroads, the edge of the base stuck in the ground. Edward walked over, pulled the guitar from the earth, and Hellraiser Eddy was born.
Eddy murdered eighteen people and released three albums to critical acclaim, before a police SWAT team ended his life for the first time. Once every year on the anniversary of his death, a "previously unreleased album" would be mailed to his former record label. Shortly after the release of these albums, sightings of the supposedly dead rock star would spring up across the US, to the point where they gained as much notoriety as sightings of Elvis. Of course, Elvis sightings rarely leave a bloody trail of corpses in their wake, so it's understandable they would pale in comparison to those of Hellraiser Eddy.
Talents: Working the Room, Strength from the Story (Those who condemn heavy metal as a societal ill or devoid of artistic merit attract Eddie's wrath. The socially outcast may also summon Eddy by playing his albums backwards. Once summoned he will bloodily dispatch the summoner's tormentors.) Frailties: Nothing but the Mission, Trapped in the Story (Eddy will not attack those who "flash the horns", sing or play air guitar to his songs, or whom he otherwise believes are fans. Challenging and defeating Eddy in a guitar duel will send him to hell permanently… but the winner must take up his guitar and continue to slake its bloody thirst.)
The Face Snatcher Real Name: Unknown Undertaking: Mask Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Envy Appearance: Background: Talents: Unstoppable, Killing Machine Frailties: Blinded by Blood, No Mind but for Murder
The Rainmaker Real Name: Unknown Undertaking: Beast Virtue/Vice: Justice/Wrath Appearance: Background: Talents: I Have Your Scent, Top of the Food Chain Frailties: Thrill of the Hunt, Law of the Jungle
The Dogman Real Name: Rene Ashe Undertaking: Legend Virtue/Vice: Justice/Envy Appearance: Background: Talents: Working the Room, Strength from the Story ("Come home before dark or Rene Ashe will get you.") Frailties: Nothing but the Mission, Trapped in the Story (Rene cannot stand the sounds of church bells or barking dogs.)
The Honeymoon Hijackers Real Name: Charles Greengrass Undertaking: Psycho Virtue/Vice: Justice/Wrath Appearance: Background: Talents: Disarming, Deadly Distraction Frailties: Thin Veneer, Obsession
Real Name: Charlene Greengrass Undertaking: Maniac Virtue/Vice: Charity/Lust Appearance: Background: Talents: Profiling, Compelling Madness Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos, Obvious Lunatic
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Stitchwork Doll Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:11 pm
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Slasher Compacts & Cabals
The Y Collective
The Y Collective is a gathering of Slashers brought together by the vision of a Maniac, with the goal of steering the course of the evolution of the human race. Not only does the Collective seek to create more Slashers, it tests those who already exist, pushing them through a series of tests to judge whether they are "worthy" of membership. The leader of the Collective, an enigmatic psychic Maniac that calls itself "Y", believes Slashers to be the ultimate expression of the Nietzchian ubermensch, and the only ones who are truly equipped, emotionally and psychologically, to protect human kind from supernatural predators.
Y Real Name: Marianne Cortez/Lionel Solerno/Andrew Flemming Undertaking: Maniac Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Pride Appearance:Two mutually-contradictory descriptions of Y exist in the files of the FBI's Vanguard Serial Crimes Unit, a clandestine organization of psychic investigators dedicated to investigating the Slasher phenomenon. The first, based on a brief glance obtained by two agents before Y eluded their pursuit, depicts Y as slim and androgynous, with some features that could match Cortez, Flemming or Solerno and others that don’t seem to fit any of them. The second description, given by a bureaucrat who was held hostage for eight hours while Y ransacked her office, describes Y as a man or woman of average height and build, whose hands and face are covered with scars and burn marks that make a positive ID impossible. One thing that everyone who’s dealt with Y agrees on is the voice, which is consistently described as a smooth contralto with careful enunciation and an almost musical lilt.
Background: That its agents sometimes go rogue is an uncomfortable truth for VASCU’s directors; the entity that calls itself Y may be their most painful reminder. The incident began with an agent named Andrew Flemming, who went missing after a case involving a non-human serial murderer. It soon came to VASCU’s attention that Flemming was responsible for the execution style killings of a number of occult practitioners with connections to the original suspect. Having seen this kind of thing before, Vanguard profilers quickly recognized that Flemming was targeting those who he felt to be the servants or pawns of monsters. Two experienced field agents — Marianne Cortez and Lionel Solerno — were dispatched to track Flemming down. When the agents confronted the rogue, things went FUBAR very quickly: Flemming quickly overwhelmed Cortez with his powerful psychic abilities, and the two of them drew down on Solerno. Solerno countered by drawing down on Flemming, and engaging him in a psychic tug of war for Cortez' mind. All the while, a bomb set by Flemming ticked down to zero.
Only Cortez staggered away from the explosion; the bodies of Solerno and Flemming were buried forever. But in a sense, all three were lost. Cortez carried fragmented memories and distorted personality traits from all three agents within her mind. The trauma of the incident caused the shattered personas to coalesce into a single, fused personality. It called itself "Y." One year later, Y released its manifesto to VASCU, "granting the agency permission" to continue its activities for as long as Y deemed them useful. According to the communique, Y believes the slasher phenomenon is a response to supernatural predation against humanity, an attempt by nature to develop a new kind of human, better equipped to withstand hidden superpredators. By inflicting pain and fear upon human sheep, Y states, sociopathic killers inspire the creation of more of their own kind. And one day there will be enough of them to collectively eliminate humankind’s shadowy enemies. Until then, Y intends to support this process by seeking out slashers and putting them to the test. Those who are weak will be executed or turned over to VASCU. Those who are strong will be assisted by Y in their evolution into perfect killers.
Talents: Profiling, Compelling Madness Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos, Obvious Lunatic
The Liaison Real Name: Unknown Virtue/Vice: Faith/Envy Undertaking: Angel of Death Appearance: Background: Talents: Unassuming, A Touch of Death Frailties: Code of Mercy, Pillars of Sand
Operative Kane Real Name: Virgil Kane Virtue/Vice: Justice/Pride Undertaking: Legend Appearance: Background: Talents: Working the Room, Strength from the Story Frailties: Nothing but the Mission, Trapped in the Story
Operative Levine Real Name: Elizabeth Levine Virtue/Vice: Fortitude/Wrath Undertaking: Avenger Appearance: Elizabeth usually keeps shoulder length hair tied back in a pony tail or braid so it does not impede her vision. She is dusky skinned, but her Israeli heritage is not obvious until she speaks. She is amazingly fit and very attractive, which some opponents find disarming. She is quick to take advantage of this fact. Background: Talents: Working the Room Frailties: Nothing but the Mission Storyteller's Note: Operative Levine does not favor any of the usual attributes listed for her Undertaking Attribute. Her training focused on speed and finesse rather than power, and she favors Dexterity as a result.
Operative Kurosawa, aka the Machinist Real Name: Suki Kurosawa Undertaking: Genius Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Envy Appearance: Suki is an attractive, if slightly butch, nineteen year old Japanese girl with a lean, athletic frame and closely cropped black hair. She favors the "grease monkey" look, and is almost always dressed in her work clothes - dirty jeans and tank top, and a black hanker-chief decorated with kanji symbols ties around her head. She finds this look causes her enemies to underestimate her. Background: Talents: Profiling Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos
Analyst Nimue Real Name: Amanda Fenderwood Undertaking: Maniac Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Pride Appearance: Background: Talents: Profiling, Compelling Madness Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos, Obvious Lunatic
Specialist Aitchenson, aka The Poisoned Pen Real Name: Donald Aitchenson Undertaking: Maniac Virtue/Vice: Fortitude/Envy Appearance: Donald Aitcheson is a cancer patient in his eighties, and is confined to a wheelchair. He sometimes has to wear an oxygen mask to breathe, and he requires the round-the-clock care that Green Fields gives him. In spite of his age and poor health, he is as quick-witted as he ever was, and his watery blue eyes are far more perceptive than anyone expects.
Backgroung: Donald Aitcheson has had the mind of a killer since he was a child. The urge to kill was a powerful force, but he resisted it all his life, fighting to stay his hand whenever the impulse rose in him to commit murder. When he reached old age, he was relieved. He would die soon, and the urges would be gone. He was looking forward to dying, having succeeded in conquering his dark side. But everyone conspired to keep him alive. Nurses treated him. Health visitors made sure he was comfortable. Even his family, from whom he had always distanced himself, was in on it, insisting on paying for his care. He was put in Green Fields Retirement home where kindly men and women devoted themselves to extending his life. Aitcheson grew angry with them. How could they keep a monster like him alive? How could they force him to live with these killer urges?
Eventually the resentment grew so much he had to do something to quell the desire to kill. He couldn’t kill himself, because that would be giving up. Instead he decided to murder all those who had helped keep him alive, because it was their fault he was compelled to kill. Donald Aitcheson sees no irony in this at all. He began killing by writing letters tailored to turn his victims' loved ones violent. He sent such a letter to a nurse’s husband telling him that she had been unfaithful. The husband snapped and shot her in her sleep.
Aitcheson is a highly intelligent, impeccably polite man who bears no ill will to anyone, save those responsible for his survival. Even intruders into his home will be offered refreshments and conversation. He can speak lucidly and reasonably of his motives in killing and is courteously dismissive of anyone who suggests he is insane.
Donald's creative and subtle methods of orchestrating murders eventually attracted the attention of Y, who recruited him personally, and Aitcheson now assists the Collective by mentoring new members and putting potential recruits through their paces. While Aitcheson wants to kill those who have helped him in the past, he does not harbor such homicidal tendencies towards Y or his fellow slashers in the Collective. This is because these people, he is sure, have no real altruistic feelings towards him and they only care about his survival if it benefits them. He is therefore confident that once he is done murdering all those who have kept him alive, Y its slashers will happily let him die. In fact, he is fairly certain that the Liaison will happily assist him in this endeavor when the time comes.
Talents: Profiling, Compelling Madness Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos, Obvious Lunatic
The Whatley Clan
Mother Superior, aka Mama Real Name: Wilhelmina Whatley Undertaking: Maniac Virtue/Vice: Faith/Wrath Appearance: Background: Talents: Profiling, Compelling Madness Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos, Obvious Lunatic
Father Real Name: Wilbur Whatley IV Undertaking: Mutant Virtue/Vice: Justice/Pride Appearance: Background: Talents: Revulsion (as a 3 Dot Merit), Lay of the Land, Natural Weaponry Frailties: Deformity, Sensitivity
Brother Charles Real Name: Charles Dexter Whatley Undertaking: Mutant Virtue/Vice: Faith/Gluttony Appearance: Background: Talents: Revulsion (as a 3 Dot Merit), Lay of the Land, Natural Weaponry Frailties: Deformity, Sensitivity
Brother Nicholas Real Name: Nicholas Whatley Undertaking: Mask Virtue/Vice: Fortitude/Gluttony Appearance: Background: Talents: Revulsion (as a 3 Dot Merit), Unstoppable, Killing Machine Frailties: Blinded by Blood, No Mind but for Murder
Big Sister Real Name: Nettie Whatley Undertaking: Mutant Virtue/Vice: Prudence/Gluttony Appearance: Background: Talents: Revulsion (as a 3 Dot Merit), Lay of the Land, Natural Weaponry Frailties: Deformity, Sensitivity
Brother Wilbur Real Name: Wilbur Whatley V Undertaking: Psycho Virtue/Vice: Faith/Pride Appearance: Background: Talents: Disarming, Deadly Distraction Frailties: Thin Veneer, Obsessive
Little Sister Real Name: Alice Whatley Undertaking: Charmer Virtue/Vice: Faith/Lust Appearance: Background: Talents: Disarming Frailties: Thin Veneer
Cousin Charlotte Real Name: Charlotte Usher Undertaking: Genius Virtue/Vice: Charity/Envy Appearance: Background: Talents: Profiler Frailties: Intolerance for Chaos
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 5:24 pm
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Stitchwork Doll Vice Captain
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The Court of Barton Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:04 pm
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Sin Eaters
Covus Corax
Meredith Price Threshold: The Silent Archetype: Advocate Virtue/Vice: Charity/Lust Appearance: Background: Geist: The Drowned Lover - In the late 1800s, the Drowned Lover was a young Irish girl, in love with a childhood friend. Their love was not meant to be, however, for her parents had promised her as an immigrant bride to an American businessman. The Lover resented her parents and her accommodating yet distant husband, and longed for her love back in Ireland, their infrequent correspondence the only thing that kept her from total despair. Together they plotted for him to come to America and rescue her, but when he arrived they were separated yet again as he was drafted into the Union Army to fight in the Civil War. When he was mistakenly reported killed in battle, the Lover shed no tears, but walked as if in a fugue into Boston Harbor, never to return alive. She no longer even remembers who her love was or what he looks like, but she searches for him still, and extends her bargain to those who have suffered similar loss and heartache.
The Drowned Lover resembles a young woman with deathly pale, semi-water logged skin. She is mostly nude, save for the soaked, tattered remains of sheer white dress. In addition to her drowning, she bares the marks of a myriad of suicide methods - her neck shows the bruises and ligatures of a rope; her arms covered with long, thin cuts like those made by a straight razor. The cuts appear very fresh, as though made in still living flesh, and they weep blood when the Lover is angry. In her chest is a large gaping hole, the edges blackened with gunpowder, showing a shattered ribcage with a missing heart. Her eyes are likewise gone, leaving only empty, bloody sockets, and her bright red hair floats around her head as if she were suspended in water. When she speaks, her voice is heard as a choked, gurgling sound.
Willow Novac Threshold: The Stricken Archetype: Mourner Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background: Geist: The Twins -
Detective Jonathan Black Threshold: The Forgotten Archetype: Reaper Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background: Geist: The Armature -
Yuki Manson Threshold: The Torn Archetype: Celebrant Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background: Geist:
Elijah Blackfeather Threshold: The Prey Archetype: Gatekeeper Virtue/Vice: Appearance: Background: Geist: Grandfather Raven -
Ghosts in the Machine
The Ferrymen
Slaves of the Flesh
Apostles of the Watch
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