Malafaxus the Wyrm-Walker

Malafaxus the Wyrm-Walker" is a Bane/Fomori.[1] Malafaxus eventually possesses the Black Spiral Dancer, Thomas Waltheford.

Biography

The Wyrm-Walker is a powerful fomor, capable of inlficting a great deal of damage upon any being it attacks. Worse still, the Wyrm-Walker is a walking gateway for Banes, summoning the creatures almost constantly and sending them out to posses the bodies of living creatures they encounter.

Long ago, the Wyrm-Walker was a powerful mystical bear. Some say it was a mage (the Garou believe that, long ago, animals could become intelligent and work magic). Its name was Malafaxus. Malafaxus made a deal with the Wyrm, promising regular sacrifices as long as it could remain self-aware and immortal. The Wyrm agreed to the bargain, and both kept their word for several centuries. Malafaxus' form of immortality allowed it to possess different bodies whenever the form it wore was growing old. Its last form was that of a Pure One Kinfolk. Eventually Malafaxus stopped the sacrifices, meaning to continue with them, but as it grew arrogant with power, it forgot its debt to the Wyrm. The Wyrm took the slight personally and destroyed Malafaxus' soul, replacing its lifeforce with a gateway to Malfeas, the Umbral Lair of the Wyrm. Malafaxus the Wyrm-Walker is now literally a conduit for Banes from Malfeas to the material world.

When Malafaxus was defeated long ago, the gateway was closed, but now it is opening again. The process is slow, though, as Malafaxus has been confined for centuries, unable to use any of its powers. At present time, the creature is fully capable of causing injury, but it is not yet capable of opening its internal gateway to the most corrupt Realm of the Umbra.

The Wyrm-Walker is headed toward New York City, drawn by the city's enormous population and by an old enemy within. The creature plans to use its portal as soon as it arrives at its destination, releasing Banes upon New York's populace. For the present, it attempts to flee any foes, but the Garou will probably catch up with it anyway.

The worst problem the characters face is that they haven't the foggiest notion of what the Wyrm-Walker is or what it can do. Malafaxus is a serious threat, but one that can be stopped with a little teamwork (at least at this time). Indeed, as Part Two of this series deals with the pursuit of Waltheford, the initial defeat of the Wyrm-Walker should be resolved soon.

As stated above, the Wyrm-Walker seeks revenge in New York. Somewhere in the city is an Uktena descended from the Garou who led the assault to capture Malafaxus ages ago. Malafaxus will not rest until the Garou known as Chases-After-Shadows, descendant of Tricks-The-Wyrm, is dead. There are lessons to be learned from the past, and the pack must search in the past to save the present. That salvation is also dealt with later in this series.

Appearance

The Wyrm-Walker is a short, stocky man with long black hair. He looks like the security guard who accompanied Waltherford in his truck, but now he's in very rough shape. A large scar on the former-guard's chest pulses with his heartbeat. Burn marks, from long exposure to the powerful fetishes that bound the Wyrm-Walker, cover his body. Things move under the Wyrm-Walker's leathery hide, writhing and hissing with the host's every move.

Stats

Note: Malafaxus is still very weak; all Traits in parentheses are accurate at this time. Should Malafaxus mangae to escape the characters, it regains its full power in a matter of days.

Attributes: Strength 8, Dexterity 4, Stamina 7, Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2 (0), Perception 5, Intelligence 4, Wits 5
Abilities: Alertness 4, Animal Ken 1, Athletics 4, Brawl 5, Dodge 5, Empathy 5, Enigmas 3, Expression 1, Intimidation 4, Medicine 3, Melee 3, Occult 5, Stealth 4, Survival 5,
Backgrounds: None
Fomori Powers: Extra Limbs, Fangs and Claws, Immunity to Delirium, Incite Frenzy, Infectious Touch, Portal (see below), Umbral Passage (Step Sideways),
Portal: For two Gnosis points per scene, the Wyrm-Walker can open a portal within itself. The opening connects Malfeas to this world. The portal is strictly one-way and allows any Bane with the Possession Charm to enter the real world at will, with no cost to itself. The Banes must begin the process of Possessing a target within three turns of entering the material world or return to the Umbra. Malafaxus has no control over these Banes; it simply knows that releasing them into the world is what the Wyrm desires. These Banes come through the Portal at a rate of one every two turns.
Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -3, -4, -5, -5, Incapacitated
Rage 10 (5), Gnosis 10 (2), Willpower 10 (5)

References

  1. ↑ WWM: White Wolf Magazine 42, p. 61-62 Buy it from DriveThruRPG!
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