Character:Forcas

Forcas
Real name: Michael Williamson

Forcas is a man in his late thirties, of healthy but not especially athletic build, with a touch of premature gray to his black hair that makes him appear older that he really is. Just over 6' tall he affects a straight posture by reflex, neither slouching nor leaning. Almost always found wearing business suits of high quality, his expression focused on some matter at hand, he looks more like moderately successful businessman or lawyer than anyone's mental image of a mage. Which, in addition to it being a style he feels very comfortable with, is of course the point. Due to an old leg injury he usually carries a walking stick of black metal to help him walk comfortably. Forcas' demeanor is often serious and though he does not lack a sense of humor by far he is not given to overt displays of laughter. He rarely if ever raises his voice, but with the precise articulation of a trained orator speaks just loud enough to be understood. A simple golden ring on his right hand marks him as a married man.

When Forcas uncloaks his Nimbus ambient light seems to twist around him in a strange inward-bent manner as if his body was distorting space itself. A student of physics might recognize as a strong gravity-lens effect such as might be exerted by a singularity. This visual is accompanied by a feeling of vertigo, as if leaning over a chasm and being drawn forward and down by gravity.

Traits

Path: Mastigos
Order: Guardian of the Veil
Legacy: None
Virtue: Prudence
Vice: Pride

Attributes

MENTAL: Intelligence 3, Wits 2, Resolve 4

PHYSICAL: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2

SOCIAL: Presence 1, Manipulation 3, Composure 3

Skills

MENTAL: Academics 4 (Law), Investigation 1, Medicine 0, Occult 1, Politics 2

PHYSICAL: Firearms 2, Larceny 1, Stealth 1

SOCIAL: Empathy 2 (Motives), Persuasion 4 (Deals & Compromises), Socialize 2, Subterfuge 3

Advantages

Willpower: 4/7
Wisdom: 6

Initiative: 5
Defense: 2
Speed: 6
Health: 7/7

Merits

• High Speech
• Order Status (Guardians of the Veil) 1
• Resources 1 (a well-paying job, rating currently lowered due to expenses)
• Sanctum 1 (4) (an abandoned gothic cathedral, partly renovated)
• Hallow 1 (3) (the cabal Hallow, located in the sanctum's bell tower)
• Masque 1 (The Eye of Mars)

Magic

Gnosis: 3
Mana: 7/12, max 3/turn

Arcana: Mind 3, Space 2, Life 2

Rotes:
Guardians of the Veil Rote Specialties: Investigation, Stealth, Subterfuge

• Freeing the Time of the Night (Mind 2, Life 2, Stamina+Investigation+Mind, 7 dice)
• Evidence Shroud (Life 2, Wits+Investigation+Life, 6 dice)
• Crime Scene Investigation (Life 1, Space 1, Wits+Investigation+Life, 6 dice)
• The Neuralizer (Mind 3, Life 2, Manipulation+Subterfuge+Mind, 10 dice)

Active Spells (2/6 Active Spells, 1/2 Spell Capacity, penalty -0):

• Wards & Alarms on the sanctum (Potency 8, Indefinite)
• Mask of Normality on gun and holster (Potency 5, Indefinite)

Notable Equipment

Path tool: A walking stick of black iron
Order tool: A white silk scarf

• Two smartphones with bluetooth headset, one for mundane and one for magical matters
• Briefcase with hidden compartment
• Lockpicking tools (usually in the briefcase)
• Plastic bags and rudimentary evidence collection tools
• Silenced Glock 22 (Dmg 2L 9again, Range 20/40/80, Capacity 15+1, Str 2), in shoulder holster or hidden in the briefcase

History

• Both parents still alive, one sister
• followed in his father's footsteps in pursuing a legal career
• accident in his mid-twenties caused permanent damage to his left leg
• gained a PhD in Law and became a successful lawyer
• happily married, without children. A wide circle of friends and social contacts.
• In a car accident (with supernatural cause?) his wife died while he remained almost untouched
• In the aftermath he took to drowning himself in work during the day and to drinking during the night
• Isolated himself from the world, fell out of contact with friends
• Finally nearly overdid it with pills and alcohol, suffering a vision of hell - Pandemonium - that mercilessly confronted him with his weaknesses and failures, leaving him resolved to better himself
• Discovered magic after that and came to Guardian attention after quickly dismissing several Labyrinth cults as bogus
• Recruited by Guardians, entered apprenticeship and passed through the Veils of initiation
• In the process distancing himself from his Sleeper family and the few friends he hadn't alienated already by that time. The pretext is needing a 'change of scenery' and emigrating to Australia without leaving contact information.
• Finally became a full member of the Guardians of the Veil

Goals and Motivations

• To improve himself in understanding and more importantly in character, overcome his weaknesses and attain perfection in mind and in body.
• Protect the Mysteries from Sleepers and the Abyss, protect Sleepers from supernatural threats. Do his duty in the war against the Seers of the Throne.
• Search for the meaning of the Dream, keep watch for further signs and portents, be ready to fight or assist what is coming.
• Integrate himself into magical society, make a new life for himself and find new friends.
• Research the grammar of High Speech and find out what it means to the Supernal Realms
• Help Alice in whatever way he can.

Ties to NPCs

• Richard Williamson - Michael's father is a lawyer himself, a senior partner in a prestigious law firm. Although Michael followed in his footsteps the two disagree on almost everything else and conversations often end in arguments (but never actual hostility). By unspoken agreement they avoid most arguments by talking only of trivialities or not speaking at all. As a result their relationship can seem strange to outsiders, but they love each other no less for it.
• Dana Williamson (mother)
• Cathrin Williamson (sister)
• Samantha Williamson née Dobson (wife, deceased)
• Medea - his former master is one ice cold bitch, even for a Guardian of the Veil, and Forcas has enormous respect for her. In her Sleeper cover identity she is a school teacher, a position she uses to aid in the maintenance and expansion of the Labyrinth.

XP

XP gained: 33 (5 starting with Wisdom 6, +4+5+6+6+1+6)
Arcane XP gained: 8
Spent: 27/0
Unspent: 6/8
Expenditures: Resources 1 (2 XP), Hallow 1 (2 XP), Sanctum 1 (2 XP), Space 2 (12 XP), Occult 1 (3 XP), Masque 1 (2 XP), Rote ** (4 XP)

Plans: Trained Memory, Expression 1, Investigation 2, Academics (Lex Magica)
Earmarked Merits: Fighting Style (Combat Markmanship) 1, Trained Observer 1, Bureaucratic Navigator 2, Occultation, Quick Draw (Firearms)