Gerhart Kestel, ”Die Vampire”

Player: Miguel

Nature: Romantic

Nationality: German

Allegiance: (formerly) Wolkswagenstiftung

Strength: 3

Dexterity 3, melee 2, stealth 3

Stamina 3, endurance 3, resistance 3

Perception (observant) 4, awareness 2, investigation 1

Intelligence 3, Academics 2, computer 3, intrusion 2, linguistics (English) 1, science 1, psychology 1

Wits (cunning) 4, arts 2, biz 2, rapport 1

Appearance (gothic) 4, intimidation 3, style 3

Manipulation 3, streetwise 2, subterfuge 2

Charisma 3, copmmand 2, etiquette 2, performance 2

Backgrounds: Node 2, resources 5, attunement 1, followers 1, fame/infame: 4

Willpower: 4

Taint: 7 (originally 3)

Aberration: blood-drinking (replenish quantum or health)

Quantum 4

Megastamina 2 (adaptation, regeneration), Megaappearance (awe-inspiring). Megastrength 2 (shockwave), Megadexterity 1 (catfooted)

Powers: Flight 1, Invisibility 2, Shapeshift 2, Forcefield 1, Infection 1

Gerhart was the child of wealthy industrial executive parents in München. He grew up to become a promising young man who unfortunately found being a stylish goth much more interesting than becoming a software developer or executive. At 18, in a fit of romantic angst, tried to end his life by cutting his wrists in the bathtub. Instead of dying he re-emerged as one of the undead – permanently pale, beautiful and deadly. After spending a few nights prowling the neighbourhood and enjoying his new unlife the media got wind of “die Vampire” and made him a celebrity – also to his liking. While he could not avoid being called a nova by everybody else, he steadfastly claimed that he had been “chosen by the Darkness” and that other people could also be chosen. He began to build a small cult following among Goths, while at the same time raking in money from German research institutions in exchange for being studied.

Later events: ENA was another convenient meal ticket, and brought him in contact with Despairing Venus, a real soul-mate. Unfortunately for the pair, when in Johannesburg they began to play around with their powers causing massive stampedes and riots – and when the nuclear child they carried got frightened Venus was killed and Gerhart severely wounded. He was apprehended by the authorities and the full wrath of South African society descended on him. He was kept imprisoned in near total isolation. At first it was somewhat romantic, then merely boring and finally excruciating. But rather than going mad he got even: he listened to his inner darkness and erupted into the outer world again. He was the first European nova to have a secondary eruption, and he did his best to bring darkness into the world. Unfortunately his strategic sense was not as good as the combined forces of ENA and NATO, and he was killed, all of him. Traces of his person remain within Pratelli and The Saviour, but that is all.

Powers: Die Vampire exhibited many "vampiric" powers such as flight, seduction powers, enhanced physical abilities, invisibility and the ability to extend fangs, claws and bone spikes. By drinking blood Gerhart could restore his health, although this was at least initially just a psychological need. Later he became able to gain quantum power from blood and to infect people with himself.