Stu Powell
Not to be confused with Stu
Stu Powell is a Metis Ragabash Bone Gnawer Ronin.
Biography
Stu Powell is both contemptible and unredeemable. He is a masochist who has turned his self-loathing into the most vile of crimes, the abuse and murder of children. He deceives himself into stealing them so he can "take care of them," perhaps earning redemption for his past crimes. Inevitably, they prove "too fragile" and die, after which he punishes himself in a paroxysm of flagellation and self-abuse.
Powell's past is shrouded in mystery. Even he doesn't remember his early life, though it was obviously full of abuse. His earliest memories are of Miami and the early '70's. He was responsible for the death of six children. His actions became a threat to both the Veil and the vampire Masquerade. An alliance of Bone Gnawers and Nosferatu hunted him down and trapped him in the sewers. An impromptu field court was convened and the Bone Gnawers performed the Black Ball rite (see Bone Gnawer Tribebook) on him, but this was merely a formality, since the penalty was death. A severe beating followed, but Powell managed to escape. Since that time, he has been a pariah, even among the outcast Bone Gnawers. He has stuck mostly to the countryside, since he is well known among the Bone Gnawers and would be killed on sight in the city. He has traveled extensively, spreading misery through a number of towns since then.
If the agents do some research on similar cases, they will discover parallels to Powell's St. Claire killings in many towns over the past two decades (Cindy Crawley has also figured this out).
Powell is a coward and will flee when confronted, though if trapped, he will fight like a cornered rat. He likes the sewers and the abandoned coal mine where he's taken up residence. He is a superlative swimmer and will attack pursuers where the water is deepest. If beaten, he will whine and plead for mercy.
Appearance
Stu Powell is a bedraggled, Gollum-like figure. He has deathly white skin, matted hair and bulging eyes. He doesn't walk, but slinks, and perpetually looks like he's afraid of being hit. He dresses in torn jeans, a dirty leather jacket, a baseball cap (worm backwards) and combat boots. He also wears sunglasses because he is light sensitive. He has an eight-ball wrapped around his neck. Of course, you are not likely to see him before he wraps his fingers around your throat. There is something amphibian about him. In wolf form, he is manged, almost to the point of being bald. His fangs are crooked and yellow. He has the eight-ball around his neck in any form.
Special
Powell believes he is haunted by the ghosts of the children he has murdered. He is right. They torment him and will try to distract him when his is in danger. This gives the agents an unseen ally in combat. He mutters about the "ghosties" to himself. The characters may over hear this and use it against him.
Equipment
Skinning knife, teddy bear, rattle, locket with a woman's picture in it (possibly his mother - this is his only valued possession).
Stats
Breed: Homid
Auspice: Ragabash
Tribe: Ronin (former Bone Gnawer)
Nature: Masochist/Martyr
Demeanor: Sycophant/Penitent
Physical: Strength 4 (6/8/7/5), Dexterity 5 (5/6/7/7), Stamina 3 (5/6/6/6)
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 3 (2/0/0/0), Appearance 1 (0/0/1/1)
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 4 (swim), Brawl 3, Dodge 3, Primal-Urge 2, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Melee 3, Performance 1, Stealth 5 (slinking), Survival 3
Knowledges: Enigmas 3 (riddles), Investigation 3 (spying), Occult 3, Rituals 1
Backgrounds: Rites 1
Gifts: Blur of the Milky Eye, Open Seal, Nose of the Hungry Hound, Scent of Running Water, Scent of Sweet Honey, Burrow
Rank: 0 (formerly 2)
Rites: Rite of Talisman Dedication
Fetishes: The Lost Keyring
Merits/Flaws: Pitiable, Double Jointed, Acute Hearing, Acute Smell/Haunted,, Nightmares, Severe Phobia (Bone Gnawers/Nosferatu), Low Self-Image, Sensitive to Light, Amnesia, Compulsion (murder)
Rage 6, Gnosis 7, Willpower 5
References
- WTA: Project Twilight, p. 92-93