Vayu
Overview
Quote: "The teachings have shown us, relying on scripture written by man is not always the path to salvation. God speaks through his agent, and I am a vessel for that agent."
Samuel Miller comes from a modest upbringing. His family wasn't poor, but they certainly didn't have it easy. He grew up on a farm, being homeschooled by parents who believed the Bible to be the absolute authority for all knowledge, and, as an adult, Samuel still attempts to reconcile everything he knows by the word of his God.
When he was old enough, he left home to go to a small, local college and learn the ways of the ministry. Everything he learned had taught him the highest ideal to live up to was to spread the word of his religion to others, hoping to save as many souls as possible during his life. He graduated with honors, and began searching for a place to practice the calling his faith demanded. After traveling for several months, he realized that the savings he's put aside would be enough to start an evangelical ministry without a permanent home; instead, he'd preach the word in every city in every stat, bringing a small group of followers with him, and attracting temporary congregations for his fiery sermons. Naturally, Awakening to Samuel was just further proof of God's will. The visions accompanying his new state of being must have been sent by the Lord, and unlike many mages, Samuel learned what he was capable of by praying for answers, not by seeking a mortal teacher. Written off as a religious zealot with no real training, he's moved around the country for a number of years staying completely off the radar. The few interactions he's had with other mages have only strengthened his image as a misguided and mostly harmless individual.
In 1997, at a conference for young Earth creationists in Arizona, Samuel met a woman who very well could have been made from his very rib. Katherine Roth was about his age, had a nearly identical background (though, as a woman, her agenda was a bit less ambitious) and had recently Awakened. She was there to support an alumni organization for her collage, but was honestly hoping to meet someone with answers about her "condition." The only marked difference between Katherine and Samuel was that she viewed the visions and strange happenings in her life as something to be wary of. They may have seemed Divinely inspired, but Katherine had been taught that while the Lord acts in mysterious ways, the Devil will outright trick you into his arms. She was frightened and confused, and meeting Samuel was probably the best thing that could have happened to her.
Samuel helped her understand what was happening, and he assured her that in prayer, all the answers would come to them. They fell deeply in love within a matter of months, and were married. There was no doubt in their minds that God had brought them together for a purpose, and together, with their Divinely inspired abilities, they would spread the word far and wide.
Two-and-a-half years ago, the couple, now in their late 30s, decided that it would be a good idea to settle down somewhere and grow their ministry in one place, rather than continuing their travels. The search led them to Indiana, not far outside Chicago, where an acre of farmland that had been untended for five years seemed to have been waiting for the Miller-Roths to arrive. Apparently, the family that originally owned the land fell victim to a horrible tragedy. The oldest son went mad, according to the story, quite suddenly, and murdered all four other members of his family with a hanging himself from the rafters of the barn.
Rather than being disheartened by this story, Samuel and Katherine felt it was the Lord's plan for them to move in, and bless the land. They poured what money they had saved into the endeavor, and created an evangelical ministry that all their parishioners testified to be simple, pure and powerful in faith.
A year passed, and Samuel was certain they'd healed many lives and saved many souls. He knew there were other "mages" in Chicago, but he wasn't sure their power didn't come from some other, less wholesome source, so he remained neutral and absent from any interactions with them. After the spirit of Nehjarra approached him in the garden one day, and promised him a greater understanding of God's will, everything changed. Samuel's sermons became less "traditional" and eventually degenerated into full-blown "trance-channeling" sessions, in which his new spirit guide would speak through him to their congregation. Of course, many fundamentalists left the flock after these changes, but many stayed, believing what they were seeing and hearing to be the truth.
Only a short time later, interactions with any other mages became even less desirable. Nehjarra showed Samuel how to protect his land from their prying Satanic eyes, and advised him to never to talk to other willworkers unless it was during a channeling session. Of course, some mages have grown suspicious of this, but the newly dubbed "Disciples of Nehjarra" have done nothing to raise any eyebrows. As long as they're not harming anyone or threatening the secrecy of mage society, the consensus is that what they believe is their business, and leaving them to their own devices is probably the wisest course of action. This is, of course, exactly what Nehjarra want them all to think.
Description
Samuel is in his mid-30s, but his black hair is prematurely graying at the temples. He has close-set, dark brown eyes and a clean-shaven face. He's in moderately good shape for his age, and usually dresses in casual slacks and collared, button-down shirts.
Samuel's Nimbus looks like an outline of golden fire around his body, representing the Divine nature of his inspiration.
Stats
Dedicated Magical Tool: Golden cross necklace
Real Name: Samuel Miller-Roth
Path: Obrimos
Order: Apostate
Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2, Wits 2, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social Attributes: Presence 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 3
Mental Skills: Academics (Theology) 3, Occult 2, Politics 2
Physical Skills: Athletics 2, Survival 3
Social Skills: Animal Ken (Livestock) 2, Empathy 3, Expression (Ministry) 4, Persuasion 2, Subterfuge 1
Merits: Meditative Mind, Resources 3, Sanctum: Size (Shared) 4
Willpower: 6
Wisdom: 6
Virtue: Faith
Vice: Pride
Initiative: 5
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Health: 8
Gnosis: 2
Arcana: Prime 2, Forces 2, Fate 1, Life 1
Manna/per turn: 11/2
Armor: 2 ("Magic Shield," Prime **)
References
- CofD: World of Darkness: Chicago, p. 374-375