Chernovkin
Overview
Quote: "You have only your magic to save you. I fight with the strength of gods in my soul. Prepare yourself for the afterlife."
Chernovkin learned firsthand how deadly magic can be. As a teenager growing up in Chicago's Lithuanian neighborhood, Chernovkin became a fan of pagan metal music, listening to such dark, gothic metal bands as Old Gods' Legions, Light vs. Dark and Shredded Angel. Soon he and some friends formed their own band, Chernobyl Lullaby, to indulge in the ponderous rhytms and dark lyrics of their favorite music.
The band's lead singer, Estovan, fancied himself a pagan shaman (or sami, the Eastern European name of nature priest) and, in fact, was an Awakened mage who had refused to participate in the larger society of mages in Chicago. He insisted he preferred to learn from his own dark gods. He began inserting ritual chants into the lyrics of his band's songs. Chernovkin felt uncomfortable when Estovan started singing these magic-impregnated songs. One evening during practice, a mist started to rise up around the band. Estovan motioned for the band to keep playing, and his singing got more and more frenetic. When Chernovkin saw the hideous figure take form from the mist and burst into flame, he screamed and dropped his bass guitar. At the same time, Estovan stumbled and fell across the protective circle drawn in chalk and powdered blood around the band. Immediately, the singer was caught up by the fiery entity and he burst into flames. Screaming, he disappeared in a blinding flash of fire.
Chernovkin passed out from the shock of what he saw. His band-mates fled as soon as Estovan and the creature disappeared, leaving Chernovkin to lie unconscious in the broken circle. When he regained consciousness, Chernovkin had Awakened. Soon afterward, he was contacted by Father Lumen and told that he was the final piece that completed Father Lumen's cabal. He now had a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim and a pagan who had reasons to eradicate magic and sorcerers from the world.
Chernovkin found that his best contributions to the Other Side lay in his physical prowess. He could provide the necessary muscle for grabbing their targeted mages and for protecting his weaker cabal-mates in a fight. He uses his magic sparingly, afraid of what unexpected side effects he might bring forth and looks forward to the day that he can join the Sleepers once again.
Description
Chernovkin has the build of a football player. His sandy blond hair hangs nearly to his waist, while his wide face and long-lashed green eyes make him an eager-looking, pleasant-faced young man. He dresses in lots of black, lots of leather and studded wrist guards, and high leather boots, regardless of the season or weather. He carries himself with the swagger of a rocker and still listens to his favorite bands but has given up playing music for a more important task.
His Nimbus is gunmetal gray with spikes piercing it at regular intervals. When he uses vulgar magic, loud power chords sound in his vicinity.
Stats
Dedicated Magical Tool: Small, smooth, palm-sized stone
Real Name: Anton Dilsek
Path: Thyrsus
Order: Apostate
Mental Attributes: Intelligence 3, Wits 3, Resolve 4
Physical Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social Attributes: Presence 4, Manipulation 2, Composure 3
Mental Skills: Academics 2, Crafts (Guitar Repair) 2, Medicine (First Aid) 2, Occult (Eastern European Paganism) 4
Physical Skills: Athletics (Team Sports) 4, Brawl (Streetfighting) 4, Drive 2, Firearms 1, Weaponry 2
Social Skills: Empathy 2, Expression (Music) 3, Intimidation 4, Persuasion 2, Socialize 3, Streetwise 3
Merits: Danger Sense, Hallow 3, Resources 2, Sanctum: Size (Shared) 3, Strong Back
Willpower: 7
Wisdom: 7
Virtue: Fortitude
Vice: Sloth
Initiative: 6
Defense: 3
Speed: 12
Health: 9
Gnosis: 3
Arcana: Life 4, Mind 2, Spirit 3
Rotes: Life - Cleanse the Body, Healing Heart; Mind - Misperception; Spirit - Second Sight, Harm Spirit
Manna/per turn: 12/3
Armor: 2 ("Misperception," Mind **)
Magic Shield: None
References
- CofD: World of Darkness: Chicago, p. 393-394