SchreckNet Data File
- Real/Birth Name: Eiríkr
- Known Identity/Mortal Alias: Erik Skarsgård
- Place of Origin: Öland, Kalmar County, Sweden
- Height: 6'4"
- Occupation: Bounty Hunter
- Apparent Age: Early-20s
- Embraced: Circa 1920s (unconfirmed),
- Kindred Status: Ancilla
- Sire: Anna Sgorina
- Notable Descendants: None known
- Clan: Gangrel
- Clan Status: Influential
- Sect: Camarilla
- Sect Status: Hound
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
Erik is an imposing presence the sight of whom makes mortals weak at the knees. For woman, he is the perfect male - tall, muscular, and extremely handsome, with a disarming smile and a "bad boy" intensity in his eyes that they hate they love. For men, he is an object of fear, envy, or the ideal to strive for. But he is not someone that is easily ignored or blends into the crowd inconspicuously, unless he takes great pains to do so.
Whilst he does not have an interest or eye for fashion like Toreadors and others do, he has a good sense of fashion at least as regards of what works for him. His clothing tends to be modern fashions but typical commonplace comfort wear (often because he cannot be bothered keeping a lot of clothing, moves around a lot, and clothing tends to get destroyed in his line of work). Jeans or trousers along with a t-shirt, shirt, or polo tend to be his norm - with a smart suit (though typically common make, not elite brands) when the occasion calls for it. Whatever he wears though, he cuts a dashing figure - and his clothing does not restrict his movements (or will tear easily) if he gets into unexpected combat.
His hair is typically kept medium length and is usually left naturally straight, hanging a little above his shoulders, though he has been regularly seen to put it into a ponytail, or even get a more stylish, shorter cut when he feels the urge or there is need (especially knowing it will grow back the following day).
Background
Very little is known about Erik's past. He claims to have been embraced in Sweden during the 1920s, but claims to not remember exactly when as he spent a long time in the wilderness and his sire kept him out in the wilderness for years after his embrace. It is evident he considers his past private and not something he wishes to discuss, so most wisely choose not to push it. No-one wants to upset a Gangrel with his combat skills, after all.
He has admitted to travelling most of the world and being a lover of tales, myths and legends. He is a walking book of such histories and tales, and happy to orate about them to anyone interested - leading to his nickname of Bard. He arrived in Ashford in 2016, shortly after the Sabbat Crusade - and he admits he was attracted after hearing of the great victory over the Sabbat and the interesting alleged Accord between the Camarilla, Anarchs, and a lupine sect - and he thinks there must be some interesting stories about this.
Whatever his reasons, he became a Hound within days of the new Sheriff being appointed, and has served faithfully since then - making a reputation for himself as a powerful hunter and skilled warrior. Although there are no ranks within the Hounds, he is acknowledged as "head Hound" and the Sheriff's right hand.
Mortal Society
Erik has tried hard to keep his humanity but finds it hard to relate to the kine, and finds it hard to think of them in any way other than how a shepherd might their livestock. He cares about them collectively, and might even become "fond" of some individuals but, ultimately, they're livestock. As such they're a means to an end to him - sources of both vitae and money, which he only cares about insofar as it allows purchasing the things he requires - equipment, transportation and entertainment (he is fond of cars and television - as he would say, what is the point of immortality if you are not going to enjoy it?). He works as a bounty hunter going after wanted criminals and bail jumpers, which he finds helps to keep his skills in practice, earns him money, and (somewhat ironically) keeps him connected to humanity. In the time he has been in Ashford, he has built up a reputation as an effective bounty hunter who prefers to take on the hardest jobs, and almost never uses firearms.
His mortal identity is a fake purchased to provide cover for his mortal activities and so as not to have to worry about being perceived by legal authorities (such as random policemen who may ask for identification for some reason, and enable him to work as a bounty hunter). He is well grounded in it, and has constructed a past for his persona much as though constructing a tale of a noble warrior. He knows this tale well but does not understand technology well, and so there is no little online trace of this mortal identity's existence beyond officially existing in the minimum government areas, and a never-used Facebook page purely for advertising his contact details for business. When he needs to deal with technology in any serious way, he is more likely to employ the assistance of kine or neonates with the required abilities.
Despite his public perception as a bounty hunter, he is known as a friendly and well-spirited man. He prefers to hunt for prey in bars, typically seducing mortals (he has lost the desire for sexual intercourse and sees seducing both females and males as the same thing - he relies on his looks and charm as a lure and catches whatever bites) but prefers to hunt criminals or other "tough guys", simply considering it more honourable and sporting than random, weak civilians. As such, he is typically perceived as the life of the party - dancing, singing, telling tales, although renown for his impressive "poker face" as Erik often forgets to pretend human mannerisms when not actively attempting to feign mortality, which can be disconcerting to young kindred or those with high humanitas.
Erik resides in a cheap and seedy motel on Union Ave, a bad part of town. One of those cheapy-enough rooms that has only one window, pointing towards the back of another block and requiring all-day-long electrical lighting because of its natural darkness. He finds amusing that the room is cheaper as a result of this "flaw", whilst he (and most kindred) would be willing to pay more for it. With most of the residents being whores, junkies or gang members, few ask questions about his activities and most leave him alone, and even less miss those who disappear after asking too many questions. All his worldly possessions fit into one large duffel bag, with room to spare, so he can pack up and move apartment in an instant if needed.
Personality
Seemingly contradictory for someone who works as a bounty hunter because he loves to hunt, and sees humanity as little more than livestock (indicating a loss in humanitas), Erik is surprisingly friendly - to other vampires. He does not particularly care about Clans and often sees them as a political hassle akin to national patriotism - a way to segregate or mark people for the socio-political intentions of others in power, without which many of the roots for Kindred intrigue/jyhad and human conflict would be removed. As such, he treats everyone equally, regardless of clan. He fully expects that most Ventrue, Tremere and Toreadors will be effete assholes with God complexes, and most Brujah will be quick-tempered, and so forth - but he kinda takes this as a "nature and nurture" thing - the clans pick certain types of people, and promote certain types of activities to gain status - so it's not a surprise most turn out that way in return... but just because your instinct is to do something doesn't mean you have to do it. This is, ultimately in his opinion, what makes humans (including kindred) different from animals. People choose to give in to their urges, and therefore "make their own beds and so have to lie in it." If they're not assholes to him, he generally won't be to them, and people will find him to be highly charismatic, enjoyable company that loves to tell (and listen to) tales, and enjoy activities common to "bar games" and similar events. Whilst he only cares about humanity in a broad sense, he still enjoys spending time with them because they can be so very entertaining, and have interesting tales - and many mortal myths and legends usually have some root in kindred activities, and as he has an apparent interest in Kindred history and mythology, these tales often give promising leads to these more interesting tales. He self-identifies as a "Skald", though his propensity for oral traditions and poetry, often via song, is what has led to his nickname of "Bard", which he thinks is a little inaccurate, but he quite likes anyhow and will respond to as a name without offence, although he will never actually use it to refer to himself.
When asked why he enjoys hunting so much (whether animals or human prey) - which he thinks is a stupid question to ask a Gangrel, but he digresses - he says that there is skill and honour in the hunt, in proving yourself superior to your prey - but that those he typically hunts are predators of their own accord. A corrupt lawyer who uses her position to get rich at the cost of bankrupting her clients is no less of a predator in his eyes than a lion seeking prey. The fact that lawyer may have no ability to fight is not his concern, and he will claim "if you go hunting, you need to learn how to kill, or be killed - if you can't, then don't go hunting!" Therefore, he sees his hunting as protecting the innocent - whether this be protecting the Camarilla from lawbreakers and threats as a Hound, or catching mortal criminals as a bounty hunter. He sees himself as the proverbial good guy.
Other Notes
Erik almost always wears gloves when around others. He does not normally remove them except in private, to key people (typically elders or Camarilla title holders), who often act in surprise when he does. Those few people who he has done this for, however, never talk about what they saw.
This leads to two general theories as to why he wears gloves - both assuming he wears them to conceal something. The most mundane theory is that he wears them to hide some kind of deformity - perhaps a battle scar or Gangrel animal mutation. Most, however, believe he has some kind of mark or tattoo of import. As this revelation has at times perceivably gotten him out of trouble with the Sheriff and elders, it is believed his alleged mark may indicate he is an agent for a powerful elder, or perhaps the Camarilla. Of course, few people are even around Erik long enough to know any of this, muchtheless hear the whispers about whatever he hides under his right-hand glove.
Combat Style
Erik is a living weapon. He does not talk about his training or experience, but says he has had plenty of both, under various tutors and different areas of practice. He seems deadly with any weapon you put in his hand - and even without weapons. his weakest combat ability is with firearms, which he admits he dislikes as he considers it to be cowardly and dishonorable - and even in this he is at least as good as any experienced police officer or soldier.
Erik's preference depends on the situation. He quickly gauges his opponents, and what he feels he needs to take them down. Against the majority of opponents, he relies on pure unarmed combat or perhaps his utility knife. He obviously has at least some levels in all the physical disciplines, especially Fortitude, and against most humans (and even vampires) his "tactic" is to let them hit him, ignore the hit, and use this to hit his opponent in turn. It is rare he needs a second attack, but a quick flurry of hammer-like punches is his common method, again whilst usually allowing himself to be hit. If he gauges the target may actually be a threat, he will attempt to use a weapon to parry, or dodge the attack, whilst putting himself in a good position for a counterattack. He has been known to say "a battle is not won by who attacks first, or the most; but by who attacked the last". Against mortals or young kindred, he usually relies on his fists or utility knife, both of which he is very skilled with.
Against more serious threats, he will either use his Dane Axe if it is available, or his Protean claws. He claims he was experienced in melee before ever learning how to use the claws, and it feels more natural to him to use his axe as a result. Since his axe is thaumaturgically warded against lupines and kindred, this makes this weapon a serious threat to most (and a mystery as to how he obtained it in the first place). His claws typically only come out against supernatural threats that the axe's wards and edge do little against.
For someone so used to being a lone wolf hunter, he is surprisingly good at fighting with others. Many have noticed in these situations he tends to naturally assume a leadership role, even when he is around kindred of higher station. An instinct and arrogance that many do not like, and make him whisper. But he seems to know what he is doing, and few want to make an enemy of such a skilled warrior because of social pettiness and mildly bruised egos.
Social Style
Erik is easy to get along with. His nickname is well-earned and he is happy to talk to others for little more than its own reward. He loves stories and tales, and will spend hours with a stranger exchanging tales, legends, and interesting stories - especially of battle and great hunts.
He has little patience and tolerance for deception and prefers to deal honestly and forthrightly with others. He can be surprisingly amenable and cooperative (for a Gangrel) if treated as such - but resort to deadly anger if betrayed or lied to. He follows the Camarilla's laws, however, and may not strike back with deadly force to a perceived insult - but it is a good way to make a dangerous enemy who, like a master predator, will remember and watch, and wait, until the right time for him to get his revenge.
Signature Equipment
- Dane Axe - bearded axe, has thaumaturgical wards vs kindred and lupines inscribed.
- Glock Perfection Utility Knife
- Leather Jacket
- Chevrolet Corvette C5 (2003 50th Anniversary RPO Z25 edition)
Signature Quotes
- "a battle is not won by who attacks first, or the most; but by who attacked the last"
- "I've tried trusting, I've tried sharing and it's just not fucking working for me. Now are you with me or not?"
- "I care about very few people in this world. A small handful of vampires and you."
- "Please, I'm a Gangrel, and years older than you. Put your baby fangs away before you piss me off."