SchreckNet Data File
- Real/Birth Name: Cassandra Lucy O'Neil
- Known Identity/Mortal Alias: Cassandra Chen
- Place of Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Height: 163 cm (5'4")
- Occupation: Private Detective / Reserve APD SWAT officer
- Apparent Age: Early-30s
- Embraced: 1982
- Kindred Status: Neonate
- Sire: Pearce Morgan
- Clan: Senya (Children of the Light)
- Clan Status: Ippotis (Paladin)
- Sect: Camarilla
- Sect Status: Hound
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
Cassandra is a little under average height but has a good physique from an active childhood followed by thorough training for her job in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Generally considered attractive in a girl-next-door kind of way, her Chinese heritage is notable in her appearance with classic features such as naturally dark brown hair and eyes. Although incredibly fit, Cassandra's figure is not a size 0 and, although she could change it if she wishes, has no inclination to do so. Like most Senya, Cassandra can change her appearance to anything she wants - but rarely does so. For the last decade she masqueraded as "Miranda Kales" and that persona was more slender and had blonde hair, but since she retired that persona has kept her appearance almost natural (she admits to having "correctively tweaked" a few minor details).
Cassandra isn't fashion-conscious and, although she enjoys spending time with her friends and allies, does not usually dress to impress. She wears what she finds comfortable, which is almost always trousers or jeans of some sort, along with t-shirts, shirts, blouses and hoodies of various types. She does not have any one identifiable style and, although on occasion she might be spotted in a more renown fashion clothing, most of her clothing is off-the-shelf Walmart or Macy's. Nevertheless, she does seem to have good taste and looks attractive in what she wears - though she's unlikely to ever impress at Elysium. She does have a respectable array of earrings, however, and these vary - with studs and similar being common when she's working or casual, and hoops or other dangling types when she's being more sociable or glamorous.
When on Ashford Police Department (APD) duty she wears her standard midnight blue uniform and ties her hair up - both to look professional and because it makes it harder for opponents to grab and use against her, but when off duty leaves it loose where it hangs to about halfway down her back, although natural waviness in the extremeties make it appear shorter when she does not straighten it. She rarely wears much make-up, a little gloss or light lipstick, typically in natural colours, is about typical. When she makes the effort to dress up - typically for an appropriate event as even when going out with friends jeans, a nice blouse and a leather jacket are her norm - she still prefers trousers and an evening shirt or blouse, or one-piece trouser dress, with an appropriate jacket or shawl. In these occasions, she is likely to use a little more cosmetics - red lipstick or similar and a little eyeshadow and blush, and often uses her Apparitionem discipline to give her hair highlights. It is the rare occasion that Cassandra wears a skirt, though she has been known to, on occasion, when making the effort for some reason.
Background
Cassandra was born to a Canadian father of Irish descent and an ethnic-Chinese mother who's family migrated from Hong Kong to Vancouver before she was born and resided in Chinatown. Cassandra likes the story of how they met whilst her father, a regular member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), was on patrol in Chinatown - which means in a way if it wasn't for the Mounties, Cassandra would not be around. An only child to a police officer, it is not a surprise she led an active childhood, being keen on sports, especially baseball, soccer and ice hockey. She was always in physically good shape and her father taught her self-defence and how to shoot for sport, so she could handle herself better than most men. She was raised on her father's tales of his exploits with the Mountie, and their legends and ethics so developed a life-long desire to protect and to serve, and a strong moral code of honour. She worked hard in High School to get good grades and joined the RCMP shortly after graduating high school. Unfortunately, the RCMP didn't allow women as regular members, so she worked principally as a Telecommunications Operator, administrative aid or Matron (jailer) for the RCMP until in 1974 she was pleasantly surprised when the RCMP announced they would be accepting applicants for their first female intake, "Troop 17" - which she immediately signed up for. She can't take credit for being the top in her class but she did win the 'best effort' award and was one of the first female Mounties to make Corporal in 1981.
Her excellent service record and dedication to duty made Cassandra quite renown, and she came to the attention of Peace Morgan, a kindred knight from the Dark Ages who had been searching far and wide for someone with the same dedication to duty and passion to protect others that he himself had. Something he had been searching for hears in vain as it appeared none could match his exacting standards. But the more he stealthily got to know Cassandra (using various disguises) the more impressed he became. He gave her his blood when he felt appropriate, testing her as a Potential as per clan traditions, and found that with her newfound abilities, Cassandra only used them to perform her duty better. A few months of monitoring later, he offered her the Embrace and an eternity of duty and protecting others, and she accepted with only the request to be allowed to bid her family farewell.
Whilst all Senya undergo the Adoption period, during which their sires mentor and teach them, most learn about kindred and clan lore, and how to be good clansmen - but, although Cassandra's included this, her entire Adoption period has one two-decade long intense training session in combat skills as well as clan tradition. She was selected, embraced and trained for the purpose of one day becoming an Ippotis (Paladin) - and someday perhaps even an Epitheorit (Enforcer/Securitor). Whilst she may be young, she had an experienced mentor and intense training (which involved actual combat experience against traditional enemies of the Clan; such as the Sabbat, Setites and marauding Lupines) that would break humans and vampires of lesser will and dedication. As a result, although Cassandra is a neonate, she is considerably more martially experienced and powerful than most Kindred double her age. Although it normally took a further three decades before Senya her age are considered old enough to be worthy of "The Becoming" and full membership of the clan, the rules had relaxed somewhat after the 1994 Grand Conclave. Once again being fortuitous and driven to prove herself after rules changed in her favour, Cassandra was granted The Becoming only 11 years after her Adoption ended.
Cassandra's ambition to become an Ippotis (Paladin) was accomplished during the Sabbat Crusade, where she fought with loyalty and bravery against the Sabbat, helping save and protect many non-combatant Senya. Only four years after her early Becoming, she was recognised as an Ippotis (Paladin), and shortly after became one of the new Sheriff's Hounds, helping to protect the Camarilla from external threats. Cassandra is proud that her sire has recently been appointed as the new Clan Senya First Judge and Camarilla Justicar, and plans to continue to fulfil her role as Paladin with distinction. Who knows... maybe someday, like her sire, she can become a First Judge.
Mortal Society
Cassandra has two occupations involving law enforcement. The Sabbat Crusade changed the structure of Camarilla control in Ashford with the Sheriff and Kratus' deaths, as they controlled the APD. The most influential kindred is now the new Sheriff who has enough direct or indirect influence to direct/redirect investigations, control shift patterns (to have Kindred on night duties) and take other actions to protect the Masquerade or pick up on activity that could be related to the Sabbat or other threats to the city. The Prince and previous Sheriff managed to introduce a shift controller and the few kindred in the APD are assigned to "Special Assignment" - which is common in most police departments, and often vague in role. This allows kindred to be in this group and assigned shifts that rotate every 3 months (like all APD shifts), except that kindred will always be on shifts during Ashford's highly-variable night-time hours, overlapping with the regular officers enough to be visible, yet the fact they only overlap at nights is a coincidence. When required, officers who manage to piece things together are Dominated to put them back on track. As common for Ventrue, the system is a well-oiled machine with key personnel, and although it was disrupted by the crusade, The Board quickly helped the Sheriff repair it, and it still holds strong.
Cassandra took the identity of Miranda Kale when she moved to Ashford in 1997 and joined the APD, eventually getting onto the APD SWAT team and becoming a 5-man Element Leader and later Sergeant in charge of a 2-element squad, reporting directly under a Lieutenant that was in the Sheriff's control. As SWAT only trains monthly, and get callouts as required (typically about once a week, mostly for high-risk warrant issuing, with only about a monthly callout that is a more serious situation), Miranda spent most of her duty time as a regular Patrol Officer.
It has been 20 years since then and, even with shift changes and using Apparitionem to age her appearance, it got to a point where Miranda had to either become a Lieutenant - harder to do working only nights - or be retired, as a SWAT assaulter pushing 50 was a stretch, no matter how fit and capable. As Cassandra prefers being in action (because SWAT or APD activities may stumble across kindred or lupine activity, therefore this is where she is needed) she decided to retire Miranda. The Sabbat Crusade made this easy, as many officers died during "The Riots" and Miranda was officially one of these lost in service. Cassandra has actually restored her original appearance (more or less, she admits to "fixing" a few minor defects) and was introduced as Cassandra Chen, with Chen being her kine mother's family surname. Since becoming a Paladin and a Hound, those have become Cassandra's chief priorities, and as such she has accepted employment in 40 Shillings Investigations, a detective agency owned and ran by Emrys Evans (the new Sheriff) and functions as a Reserve officer in the APD and its SWAT team - allowing her to spend her time investigating threats to the Masquerade or the city, or enforcing the law on Emrys' behalf (as well as her clan), whilst still keeping her connections within the APD so she can be quickly called in to duty when needed. An an APD Reserve officer she is expected to undertake 20 hours of duty a month, although she actually does more than that, typically carrying out a weekly 8-hour shift, plus SWAT callouts.
Personality
To those that don't know her, Cassandra can come off as a little intense. She was raised with a healthy respect for duty and responsibility, and service in the RCMP and two decades of intense training in preparation to one day become a knight in service of the clan has not tempered this any. This is her passion, her calling, and the sole purpose for her existence. Everything else is secondary. She will drop anything and everything not absolutely essential to fulfil her duty. So dedicated is she to her purpose, that many erroneously believe she may be on a Path of Enlightenment such as many of the Children of the Dark, who follow the Paths of Honorable Accord, or the Path of Gehenna (a clan Senya variant of the Road of Kings). But neither is true - Cassandra has not forsaken her humanity - she embraces it. Yes, her job often involves having to kill enemies, but she will point out that her soul is at peace with this as she is a protector, not an assassin, and if she has to kill it is because there was no choice and against an aggressor. When on duty (either as an APD officer or in her role as a Hound or Paladin), she typically comes off as serious and humourless. But most of this is a front. A veneer of professionality and confidence reflecting the seriousness with which she takes her roles - but not her underlying personality.
Despite her driving goal, Cassandra is, at heart, a friendly and caring person. She does not do what she does because she is a robot trained to kill - it is because she cares about people (even the kindred - for all their flaws, she thinks that most of them, at least those of her Clan and most in the Camarilla, are just fighting daily battles to keep the Beast at bay) and wants to protect them. She is bold and fearless in this pursuit, but to those who get to know her she is a good friend, loyal ally, always ready to laugh at a joke or go our with friends for a night on the town. She enjoys sports, martial arts and firearms (even though physical activity no longer has the same enjoyment it once did when she was kine), still follows the Canadian Ice Hockey leagues, and is happier in a sports bar with friends than in Elysium. She enjoys dancing, having a few drinks (in this case, seducing an inebriated mortal to enjoy becoming a little inebriated herself) and singing - a good Ice Hockey match followed by "drinks" and karaoke is a perfect night out for her.
Other Notes
In addition to being a Paladin for her clan, which is her primary duty and responsibility, she is also a registered Hound for the new Sheriff. This means that she is an official Camarilla status holder that gives her enforcement powers to apprehend and, at times, even carry out justice and executions when required in clear cases (such as located Sabbat or those marked for Lextalionis). Likewise, anyone attacking her without just cause would be attacking the Camarilla and Sheriff by extension. In addition, since becoming a Hound and working for the Sheriff's detective agency, she appears to have become favoured by the Sheriff, and is likely to be able to get away with more than her position would allow her to (not that Cassandra would abuse of this, but it does give her a little leeway, which actually makes enforcing her position as Paladin - which may clash with her role as a Hound - a little easier). It has also led to her developing a friendship/alliance with [Mohini Vinchhi (WoD)|Mohini Vinchhi]], a neonate Assamite of the warrior caste and fellow Hound who, like her, serves as a Hound principally as a way for their respective clan to show they are serious about being Camarilla members and helping enforce the Camarilla's traditions, by sending one of their own to participate in this enforcement. These two together, although both neonates, make a very deadly and powerful combination that should make any would-be aggressors think twice about meddling with them.
Combat Style
Cassandra's fighting style reflects what she is - a peacekeeping warrior. She has been well trained in melee combat - self-defence classes from her father when she was young, primarily reflecting his RCMP training, and then further training when she joined the RCMP. The emphasis on her training was on overcoming threats and defence, rather than offence. She was also trained to be highly proficient with firearms. It was only after her Embrace, during her 20-year Adoption period that she learnt more aggressive methods, such as classical fencing and swordplay from her sire, who used to be a Crusader during the Dark Ages. During her time with the APD, she had to undergo training regularly with the SWAT teams, leading her to become substantially more proficient with assault tactics. As such, Cassandra is a modern-day knight - her side-handle baton (aka nightstick or Tonfa) and pistol are her typical weapons of choice against most threats, and she is a highly accurate shot and very experienced shooter and melee combatant, both from training and real experience. She generally fights in a defensive manner, however - taking measures to limit her exposure to firearms and threats from a defensible position, then using her firearm for best effect. When the situation calls for it, if on duty, she can call on her support shotgun (or if on SWAT duty, her M-4 carbine) for added effect - but most commonly she will have only her 9mm pistol, although she has a variety of specialized ammunition that can make this weapon quite effective - silver bullets and incendiary rounds are a danger to most threats she would typically come up with, and she is a good shot. Even if caught unprepared, the standard ammunition used by the APD (and therefore what Cassandra uses both when on duty and off-duty according to department regulations) are Hollow Point rounds, which increase the stopping power of her 9mm to be comparable to larger-calibre handguns, which can be a surprise to kindred expecting the normal effect of a standard 9mm round. When paired with reasonable levels of Celerity (for a neonate, and a non-clan Discipline), this makes her fast, efficient and potentially extremely deadly in a firefight.
If engaged in melee she prefers to use her retractable baton. She is highly proficient with these weapons in a variety of martial styles learnt in her various police training, as well as from her sire. Combined with her Celerity and Potence, she is highly effective at defending herself. Some have noted that she does not carry any melee weapons that can quickly drive kindred into torpor or final death, but she would argue that she fights to protect, not to kill - and a baton to the head will crack a kindred skull as damagingly as that of the kine... and the extra effort to subdue a kindred simply enables the greater likelihood of capturing them alive, rather than accidentally killed or put into torpor in the heat of battle. If she really does want to kill a kindred, she can simply use her special ammunition to do so from range or after an opponent is rendered immobile. Cassandra is good at targeted aiming to disarm and incapacitate.
Overall, Cassandra is an asset in any combat. Although best at range with her special ammunitions or APD weapons (especially her SWAT weapons), she is equally capable in melee weather with or without weapons. She is durable due to her clan's Fortitude and Apparitionem disciplines, able to not only soak damage well but also heal quickly via the expenditure of vitae, and enough Celerity and Potence to stand toe-to-toe with any Gangrel, Brujah or Tzimisce fleschrafted monstrosity, even those considerably older than her.
Social Style
Cassandra can be either very easy to deal with, or nearly impossible - depending on what side of the proverbial fence you are on. If your interests align - generally meaning to protect others, enforce Clan/Camarilla laws or assist her when fulfilling her role in the APD or 40 Shillings Investigations, then she is naturally helpful, friendly, loyal and, literally, willing to put her unlife on the line for others. If you're on the other side, a lawbreaker to Clan or Camarilla lwas (or, if kine, Ashford laws) or a threat to the city, then she is terrifyingly uncompromising, stubborn and fearless. If you broke the law, and her job is for you to go in, the only thing that can get her to back off is clear evidence that further pursuit would cause the situation to escalate to an even worse problem (such as breaking the masquerade or costing the lives of innocents). And even then, this would be a temporary reprieve - she would not "let it go" unless told to do so by an acknowledged superior. In this regards, years of service have instilled in her a natural disconnection from Cassandra the person and Cassandra the lawkeeper. If told by a superior to drop something, or to apprehend someone, it is not her place to ask why or refuse the order - she carries it out (although she may voice her opinion on it).
Therefore Tradition-abiding kindred find it easy to get along with her. She is refreshingly unduplicitous and treats everyone with politeness and respect (even, if not especially, the kine) and expects the same in return. If she can help and it does not detract or conflict with her duties, she will. If asked something that would compromise even the integrity (or perception of) her duties, then best not to even ask, as asking could raise her suspicion and end up with her investigating and becoming an enemy.
That said, Cassandra is no robot terminator. She believes in what she is doing, convinced it helps others and makes things better - but has been known to be swayed to a cause if she feels it is the more morally correct. Needless to say, she does not have many friends amongst the Anarch Movement and often holds them in poor regard.
Signature Equipment
Not on APD duty:
- Glock G19 Compact (9mm); Hollow Point rounds.
- Monadnock AutoLock X3 expandable 26" baton
- Reinforced Leather Jacket (level II-A ballistic mesh layer)
- Ford Taurus
When on APD patrol duty:
- Glock G19 Compact (9mm) with tactical light; Hollow Point rounds.
- X-26P Taser
- First Defense MK-4 Pepper spray with high-capacity load
- Monadnock AutoLock X3 expandable 26" baton
- Remington Model 870 shotgun (12ga) - kept in trunk of patrol car; BRI Slug and Rubber Shot rounds.
- Second Chance Level III-A Body Armor (armoured vest)
- APD Police Interceptor sedan (police-version modified Ford Taurus)
When on APD SWAT duty:
- Glock G19 Compact (9mm) with tactical light; Hollow Point rounds.
- Cold LE6933 M-4 Commando Carbine (5.56mm) with Tactical sights and Tactical Light; Hollow Point rounds.
- Crye Precision MultiCam camouflage tactical response uniform (SWAT tactical uniform)
- APD Police Interceptor sedan (police-version modified Ford Taurus)
- APD SWAT Bearcat (SWAT armoured van)
Signature Quotes
- "Maybe you're right and I'm not powerful enough to kill you, Keith. Maybe. But before you kill, me I'll sure as hell kill your three childer. So ask yourself, is the cost worth it? Or should you just fuck off whilst you're ahead?"
- "I'm always polite. I'm Canadian."
- "Well, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn"
- "You hate the system because it’s designed to punish people not care for them. But that will never change unless people like me step up and make it change."
Gallery
Cassandra typical look
Cassandra in APD uniform
Cassandra training
Cassandra casual look
Cassandra glamorous look
Cassandra in her signature jacket