Sunday, February 3, 2013

Protect and Serve


Even in death the mission remains the same—protect and serve. Adam’s Rupp functions as Lady Galloway’s sheriff, ensuring that her directives are enforced. Due to his relative youth, it’s not always an easy proposition, but Adam doesn’t mind. He’s accustomed to being outgunned and outnumbered by dangerous people who want to kill him.   

     Adam grew up in the Bay Area and had a relatively normal childhood. After returning from Viet Nam in 1970, he entered the police academy. The transition to civilian life wasn’t too jarring. His fellow officers became his unit, the crowded streets were a jungle and the drug dealers, car thieves and armed robbers were Victor Charles. The scenery had changed, but it was still “us versus them.”

    Adam was—and remains—an intimidating presence. His fellow officers appreciated his confidence and ability to handle himself in a scrape. Adam also possessed a quick mind and excellent problem-solving skills. This combination of assets resulted in his eventual promotion to detective.     Adam married, fathered a child and enjoyed several happy years. He managed his cases well, closed many investigations successfully and earned several accommodations. However, police work was incredibly difficult and the long hours and stress eventually took their toll.

    After Adam and his wife divorced in 1985, things quickly spiraled out of control. The divorce was devastating both emotionally and financially. Adam turned to drinking to cope with only seeing his daughter on weekends. Having to leave his house to live in a shitty one-bedroom apartment in South San Francisco didn’t help, either. Adam’s work began to suffer, but he had built up enough good will for his superiors to cut him some slack.    

     Adam met Hailey Galloway in 1987 while he was working narcotics. She was not yet Lady Galloway and was merely a mid-level member of the Invictus. Hailey was tasked by the Prince to manage a club where blood dolls, cocaine and money from drug deals were heavily trafficked. Adam was charged with investigating the establishment and by doing so met his eventual sire.    

     Hailey fascinated Adam. He was awed by her presence and captivated by her classic, 50’s era style. He knew the club was dirty and that she was in charge of it, but he couldn’t arrest her. Hailey wasn’t some degenerate drug pusher. She was perfect, like a work of art. He researched her background, but could find nothing on her. She had no criminal record nor records of any kind. She didn’t officially exist, yet there she was with her porcelain skin, raven hair and exquisite red lips.

    Adam knew that Hailey was a predator and that he was her prey, but he blindly pressed on. He didn’t bother to hide the fact that he was devastated by his divorce and longed to feel whole again. Hailey considered making him a ghoul, but decided against that. A ghoul is little more than an addict and Hailey wanted someone strong and capable. She embraced him instead, hoping to gain an eternal bodyguard. Adam was appalled by what had happened to him at first, but soon saw the benefits of preserved youth, vigor and freedom from crushing debt and loneliness.    

     After his embrace, Adam was kept on a tight leash and was quickly indoctrinated into the Invictus. In death, Adam lusted for Hailey as never before, but she has remained emotionally distant. Let the Daeva lie with their progeny; the Lords command obedience through awe, inspirational leadership and a whipping if necessary.

    In 1998 Adam’s sire was promoted to Baronet of the small city of Santa Fina. Adam looked forward to the opportunity. If he served well, he would be in line to be promoted to Knighthood. If something were to happen to his mother, then he might very well assume the title of Baronet.

    To that end, Adam has faithfully fulfilled Lady Galloway’s commands. He has quietly eliminated stray Kindred that have wandered into the city. On occasion he’s discreetly disposed of bodies that his fellow vampires have accidentally drained while in a blood frenzy. He also protects his “brother” Byron Thomas, even though it interferes with his own feeding.

    The other Kindred in Santa Fina respect Adam, albeit begrudgingly. Few have been able to get close to him, since he is laconic, displays few emotions and views every vampire he meets as a potential foe. He pays humans little mind and still refers to them as “civilians”, which is a throwback to his former careers as a soldier and police officer.    

     There is still a great deal of humanity within Adam, but he is careful to not let it show. If he is going to be the alpha predator in the city, he cannot reveal that he misses his daughter, who is nearly 40 and has a family of her own. As far as she knows, Adam committed suicide by leaping into the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay. His body was never found of course, but a convincing note was left behind.

    Although he would be punished dearly if his sire found out, Adam sends his daughter a bit of cash from time to time. The envelopes contain a few hundred dollars with a note that always reads, “Your father never stopped loving you.”

ADAM RUPP 
Concept: Even in death he protects and serves.
Virtue: Fortitude
Vice: Wrath
Clan: Ventrue
Covenant: Invictus

Mental Attributes: Intelligence 3, Wits 3, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social Attributes: Presence 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 4

Mental Skills: Academics 2, Computer 2, Investigation 4 (police work), Occult 1, Politics 1
Physical Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Drive 3, Firearms 4 (pistol, sub machine gun), Larceny 2,  Stealth 2, Weaponry 3
Social Skills: Empathy 1, Expression 1, Intimidation 3, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 2 Health: 8

Humanity: 5
Derangements: Depression
Blood Potency: 3
Vitae: 6 (12/1)
Willpower: 7
Size: 5
Speed: 12
Initiative: 7
Defense: 3
Armor: Kevlar vest 1/2

Merits: Allies (Invictus) 2, Allies (Ventrue) 2, Clan Status 2, Covenants Status 2, City Status 3, Contacts 2 (vampires in Northern California, Santa Fina PD), Resources 3, Shared Haven 4, Status 1 (vampires in Santa Fina and the Bay Area), Tactical Reload*, Double Tap*

Disciplines: Celerity 2 (pg 123), Dominate 2 (pg 124) [Command, dice pool 8 vs. Resolve + Blood Potency; Mesmerize, dice pool 6 vs. Resolve + Blood Potency]

Weapons/Attacks: 
Bite (0)L, dice pool 7

Sig Sauer P226 with hollowpoint rounds**, 2(L)(9 again), range 25/50/100 (medium and long range penalties are –3 and –5), magazine 12+1, str 2, dice pool 11 vs. unarmored targets, 8 vs. armored targets. Adam will generally double tap with his pistol to gain a +1 to his pool.

HK UMP 45 with hollowpoint rounds** and a laser sight***, 3(L), range 30/60/120 (medium and long range penalties are –2 and –5), magazine 30+1, str 2(2/3/4), dice pool 12 (13 at short range) vs. unarmored targets, 9 (10 at short range) vs. armored targets. Adam prefers to use a 10 round medium burst on a single target, so add 2 dice for each attack.

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