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Difference between revisions of "Helen Quinzel (WoD)"

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One day in early 1939 an individual was brought in after he had slaughtered a family in an apparently psychotic episode. Ellen immediately realised he was a sociopath, albeit with an aversion to daylight, but sensed there was something else wrong with him... something unnatural. After a few months at the asylum, he unexpectedly made his move and slipped his bonds - after which he set about calmly murdering every living being in the asylum - except for Ellen, in who he had taken an interest. Instead, he roughly embraced her before dragging her away to be blood-bonded. As a 'present' to her, he tracked down and captured her parents, husband and two children - each time keeping her locked in a cell and beating or starving her into frenzy so she would devour her own loved ones. Despite his intent, this did not destroy her soul, though it did make her hate him as strongly as the bond forced her to love him - it made her even more determined to help others.
One day in early 1939 an individual was brought in after he had slaughtered a family in an apparently psychotic episode. Ellen immediately realised he was a sociopath, albeit with an aversion to daylight, but sensed there was something else wrong with him... something unnatural. After a few months at the asylum, he unexpectedly made his move and slipped his bonds - after which he set about calmly murdering every living being in the asylum - except for Ellen, in who he had taken an interest. Instead, he roughly embraced her before dragging her away to be blood-bonded. As a 'present' to her, he tracked down and captured her parents, husband and two children - each time keeping her locked in a cell and beating or starving her into frenzy so she would devour her own loved ones. Despite his intent, this did not destroy her soul, though it did make her hate him as strongly as the bond forced her to love him - it made her even more determined to help others.


[[File:Damien_Hobbs.jpg|350px|thumb|right]]She remained with her sire for many years in a horribly abusive relationship; and learnt enough about his madness to know how to avoid the worst of his sociopathy. In 1952 the now-renamed Helen, her sire and her blood-sister Chloe moved to Ashford. He began manipulating and killing his way up the social ladder (with the coerced help from Helen and Chloe) and within a few years took the mantle of Primogen. This seemed to entertain him, as did tormenting the other Malkavians (who Helen would then try to give help to, treating them as though patients in need who had instead been abused by the one responsible for them), and even messing with the kine contacts and allies of other kindred. Damien appeared to lose interest in abusing Helen after a few years, perhaps because she was too docile and had long since lost the will to fight him, and torment was no fun if they were so submissive; and at times Damien could even be a good sire and patron when he felt inclined to. Over time, however, his tormenting others caused his grip on the Beast to slip even further, and the atrocities he would inflict on others just worsened. Damien was disliked by everyone both inside his clan, and outside - but he was far too cunning and powerful, and played to the letter of the rules of the Traditions, therefore preventing anything more than punitive punishments from coming his way, especially as his business savvy and ruthless lack of respect for mortals or his opponents actually resonated well with Prince Kratus, who didn't care how many mortal lives Kratus ruined as long as their business relations were good, and Damien did not interfere with Kratus' operations - which Damien was wise enough not to (or at least, knew how far he could push the Prince).
[[File:Damien_Hobbs.jpg|350px|thumb|right]]She remained with her sire for many years in a horribly abusive relationship; and learnt enough about his madness to know how to avoid the worst of his sociopathy. In 1952 the now-renamed Helen, her sire and her blood-sister Chloe moved to Ashford. He began (with the coerced help from Helen and Chloe) manipulating and killing his way up the social ladder of the Malkavian clan (what little structure there was) and, within a couple of months, claimed the mantle of Primogen for himself over the ashes of his predecessor. Being Primogen seemed to entertain Damien, as did tormenting the other Malkavians (who Helen would try to give help to, treating them as patients in need who had been abused by the very person responsible for them), and even messing with the kine contacts and allies of other kindred - although careful to not step on the toes of the Camarilla elders more powerful than he. Damien appeared to lose interest in abusing Helen after a few years, perhaps because she was too docile and had long since lost the will to fight him, and torment was no fun if they were so submissive; and at times Damien could even be a good sire and patron when he felt inclined to. Over time, however, his tormenting others caused his grip on the Beast to slip even further, and the atrocities he would inflict on others just worsened. Damien was disliked by everyone both inside his clan, and outside - but he was far too cunning and powerful, and played to the letter of the rules of the Traditions, therefore preventing anything more than punitive punishments from coming his way, especially as his business savvy and ruthless lack of respect for mortals or his opponents actually resonated well with Prince Kratus, who didn't care how many mortal lives Kratus ruined as long as their business relations were good, and Damien did not interfere with Kratus' operations - which Damien was wise enough not to (or at least, knew how far he could push the Prince).


Then one day in 2013 her sire just... vanished. No-one knows what happened to him, or if he left, but he was simply there one day, gone the next. Most kindred believe (or perhaps, hope) that Damien has met Final Death at the hands of someone he pushed too far, perhaps another kindred, or maybe Lupines or Mages. As most kindred consider his death to be a relief, there has been no real investigation into his death and, unsurprisingly (as the penalty would be execution by sunlight), no one has stepped forward to reliably claim responsibility (two Malkavians have, but one is known for self-destructive impulses, and the other is a compulsive liar who claims responsibility for things impossible to have been involved in). Perhaps the Giovanni can determine it with their magic, but no-one wants to owe the Giovanni favours to simply discover Damien's fate.  
Then one day in 2013 her sire just... vanished. No-one knows what happened to him, or if he left, but he was simply there one day, gone the next. Most kindred believe (or perhaps, hope) that Damien has met Final Death at the hands of someone he pushed too far, perhaps another kindred, or maybe Lupines or Mages. As most kindred consider his death to be a relief, there has been no real investigation into his death and, unsurprisingly (as the penalty would be execution by sunlight), no one has stepped forward to reliably claim responsibility (two Malkavians have, but one is known for self-destructive impulses, and the other is a compulsive liar who claims responsibility for things impossible to have been involved in). Perhaps the Giovanni can determine it with their magic, but no-one wants to owe the Giovanni favours to simply discover Damien's fate.  

Revision as of 10:05, 6 March 2020

SchreckNet Data File

  • Real/Birth Name: Ellen Quinn
  • Known Identity/Mortal Alias: Dr Helen Quinzel
  • Place of Origin: Santa Ana, California, USA
  • Height: 5'7" (171 cm)
  • Occupation: Psychiatrist / Owner of Ashford Behavioural Healthcare Hospital
  • Apparent Age: Mid-30s
  • Embraced: 1939
  • Kindred Status: Ancilla
  • Sire: Damien Hobbs
  • Clan: Malkavian
  • Clan Status: Primogen
  • Sect: Camarilla
  • Sect Status: Primogen of Clan Malkavian
  • Player: NPC


Appearance

Helen Quinzel.jpg

Helen is light brunette with naturally wavy hair and clear blue eyes and features that give her a simple beauty, although Helen rarely appears to attempt to capitalize on this. Her hair is usually kept hanging loose and center-parted, with it only being styled when there is a special occasion or function that requires it. Likewise, she favours attire that gives a degree of professionalism, or sets others at ease, typically trousers or skirts and blouses or similar tops. When at rest, she will favour jeans or trousers and a blouse or t-shirt. She tends to wear her make-up simple and natural-looking.

There have been times of late, especially since the Sabbat Crusade, that Helen has been sighted wearing more vamp-like clothing and make-up. Some wonder if she is experimenting with styles or something, but most just write it off as she's a Malkavian...


Background

Helen is reluctant to talk about her past as she says that, until recently, her past has been a painful one. What he has revealed is that she was born Ellen Quinn, an only child who still remembers her father being a kind, jovial and loving man until he went to fight in the Great War when she was 15 years old. Her father returned suffering from "Shell Shock" (what these days is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and a very different, and very broken man. The lack of understanding of (and even worse, lack of appropriate treatment) for the many soldiers like her father with this condition (which was often simply considered to be simply the result of cowardice) was the inspiration for her to study the developing field of psychiatry at the University of California Los Angeles medical school. She graduated from medical school in 1927 (at age 23) and passed her psychiatry residency in 1931 (at age 27) becoming a board-certified psychiatrist. She became a popular and successful psychiatrist, working at the Alameda Insane Asylum and in 1936 (at age 32) she completed her PhD in Psychoanalytic Studies.

One day in early 1939 an individual was brought in after he had slaughtered a family in an apparently psychotic episode. Ellen immediately realised he was a sociopath, albeit with an aversion to daylight, but sensed there was something else wrong with him... something unnatural. After a few months at the asylum, he unexpectedly made his move and slipped his bonds - after which he set about calmly murdering every living being in the asylum - except for Ellen, in who he had taken an interest. Instead, he roughly embraced her before dragging her away to be blood-bonded. As a 'present' to her, he tracked down and captured her parents, husband and two children - each time keeping her locked in a cell and beating or starving her into frenzy so she would devour her own loved ones. Despite his intent, this did not destroy her soul, though it did make her hate him as strongly as the bond forced her to love him - it made her even more determined to help others.

Damien Hobbs.jpg

She remained with her sire for many years in a horribly abusive relationship; and learnt enough about his madness to know how to avoid the worst of his sociopathy. In 1952 the now-renamed Helen, her sire and her blood-sister Chloe moved to Ashford. He began (with the coerced help from Helen and Chloe) manipulating and killing his way up the social ladder of the Malkavian clan (what little structure there was) and, within a couple of months, claimed the mantle of Primogen for himself over the ashes of his predecessor. Being Primogen seemed to entertain Damien, as did tormenting the other Malkavians (who Helen would try to give help to, treating them as patients in need who had been abused by the very person responsible for them), and even messing with the kine contacts and allies of other kindred - although careful to not step on the toes of the Camarilla elders more powerful than he. Damien appeared to lose interest in abusing Helen after a few years, perhaps because she was too docile and had long since lost the will to fight him, and torment was no fun if they were so submissive; and at times Damien could even be a good sire and patron when he felt inclined to. Over time, however, his tormenting others caused his grip on the Beast to slip even further, and the atrocities he would inflict on others just worsened. Damien was disliked by everyone both inside his clan, and outside - but he was far too cunning and powerful, and played to the letter of the rules of the Traditions, therefore preventing anything more than punitive punishments from coming his way, especially as his business savvy and ruthless lack of respect for mortals or his opponents actually resonated well with Prince Kratus, who didn't care how many mortal lives Kratus ruined as long as their business relations were good, and Damien did not interfere with Kratus' operations - which Damien was wise enough not to (or at least, knew how far he could push the Prince).

Then one day in 2013 her sire just... vanished. No-one knows what happened to him, or if he left, but he was simply there one day, gone the next. Most kindred believe (or perhaps, hope) that Damien has met Final Death at the hands of someone he pushed too far, perhaps another kindred, or maybe Lupines or Mages. As most kindred consider his death to be a relief, there has been no real investigation into his death and, unsurprisingly (as the penalty would be execution by sunlight), no one has stepped forward to reliably claim responsibility (two Malkavians have, but one is known for self-destructive impulses, and the other is a compulsive liar who claims responsibility for things impossible to have been involved in). Perhaps the Giovanni can determine it with their magic, but no-one wants to owe the Giovanni favours to simply discover Damien's fate.

Since Damien's disappearance Helen, who was Damien's whip, has [begrudgingly] by de facto taken over his role as Malkavian Primogen. Even when Helen's opponents attempted to challenge her position and insisted on consulting the rest of her clan on who they wished to represent them, most Malkavians (who Helen had spent decades providing psychotherapy for and protecting from Damien) stated "whoever Helen thinks best." None of the Malkavians of elder age than Helen have shown any interest in being the primogen, or are not capable of functioning in normal kindred society without assistance. As primogen, Helen has tried to help her fellow clanmates with both their personal derangements, and to help her clan gain acceptance and respect in Camarilla society.

As the Malkavians and Nosferatu had traditionally been oppressed clans in Ashford, with Prince Kratus executing their members for offences that would have gotten Toreadors, Ventrue and Tremere far more lenient (if any) punishments, and refusing permission to embrace more often than not (an issue not prevalent in his favoured clans), Helen proposed a mutual aid pact to the Nosferatu Primogen to mutually strengthen their clans - the Nosferatu physically help protect the Malkavians, and in turn the Malkavians provide the Nosferatu with any useful information they learn. Marina is one of the few people that Helen truly trusts - and Helen feels only sympathy for the plight of the Nosferatu. She never shows any expression of disgust or horror when she speaks to a Nosferatu - for she has already seen the face of a true monster - and this, as well as their new clan relationships, has endeared her to them.

Mortal Society

Helen Quinzel5.jpg

Helen is a highly respected and influential psychiatric doctor. She is known to be the owner of the Ashford Behavioural Healthcare Hospital, although she relies on her ghoul to manage operations for her. She mostly influences overall direction, and spends time treating patients. This is not far from the truth, except that many of Helen's patients are her clanmates, but she has gotten a reputation in the kindred community as being helpful for anyone with derangements or mental health issues.

In addition to her status as the hospital owner, Helen is a known philanthropist who supports many local charities - especially those that relate to mental health, such as the Samaritans. She is renown for her expertise and mental health treatises, and has allies and contacts within both City Hall and Kern County Medical Society, giving her great influence over medical affairs in Kern County.

Helen is one of the founding members of Sanguinus, a medical/scientific-oriented coterie that work together to control medicine and related science in Ashford.

Personality

Helen Quinzel2.jpg

Helen is always polite, level-headed and incredibly patient and caring. Most would not think she was a Malkavian, and what may be her derangement is sometimes discussed behind her back. She was caring in life and undeath has not changed that. In fact, her abuse at her sire's hands has possibly only strengthened her desire to help others - and it certainly gave her strength in dark times. She treats all her clanmates as though they were patients of hers, and dotes on them and tries to help them be able to best live functional unlives, and not be a danger to either themselves or the masquerade. She is particularly caring towards Chloe (see below). This has not only endeared her to the majority of her clanmates, but has also gained her much respect by non-Malkavian kindred. It has also concerned many elders as under her guidance the Malkavians have become organised and motivated, and would be rivalling the Nosferatu in their ability to uncover information were it not for the fact that Helen has made an alliance with Marina Vasilyeva, the Nosferatu Primogen that has both clans working closely together for mutual gain, forming a power block that the Ventrue, Toreadors and Tremere are wary of; but proved crucial in the Sabbat War.

There have been times of late, however, that Helen has been known to walk around with a more vamp-like appearance. Although most cannot put their proverbial finger on it, they claim that when she dresses like this there is something different about her; more flirtatious and with an evil cunning behind her eyes. Even when being polite and friendly, this version of Helen gives other kindred the creeps, with her friendliness being compared to the parable a wolf in sheep's clothing and some kindred stating that there is a terrifying, cold cruelty in her eyes.

Derangement

Helen Quinzel3.jpg

Everyone knows that each and every Malkavian suffers from some form of derangement. This can vary from very mild derangements that allow for high functionality, such as synaesthesia; to extremely dangerous ones such as full-blown psychosis, or sociopathy. Some even know that Malkavian derangements defy conventional descriptions - there may be commonality and basis with human mental health issues, but as Kindred are undead and no longer have body chemistry that affects the mind, they should not suffer from many of the ailments mortals do. Indeed, it is possible for Malkavians to have multiple derangements that would be biochemically impossible for a mortal. As such a Malkavian may not suffer a single overriding, clinically-analytical derangement, but one or more derangements form from a mix of various conditions. Most are aware that, like any kindred but moreso, it is possible for Malkavians to gain additional derangements over time.


Few kindred, however, know that Malkavians may even change derangements over time. Helen has documented evidence of Elder Malkavians having begun unlives with one derangement, and then years later that derangement appears cured but a totally different and unrelated derangement has taken its place. In the case of psychotherapy, Helen has also recorded evidence that curing a Malkavian's derangement (in the rare case that is possible, such as with phobias) results in the Malkavian almost immediately developing a new derangement. Helen has used this knowledge in the attempt to try to help Malkavians live with their conditions functionally, rather than attempting to cure their derangements, to possibly provoke worse ones to appear. The inverse applies only to those Malkavians with derangements that prohibit functionality; in these cases Helen is actively trying to either cure or provoke a switch in derangements.

The interesting tell in this theory applies to Helen herself. Traditionally people knew that Helen suffered from a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but for a few years now her actions and mannerisms seem to indicate that she no longer suffers from this derangement. Indeed, most kindred are hard-pressed to even guess at what is wrong with Helen. There must be something, of course, but those that did not know Helen was a Malkavian would often mistake her for a Ventrue (the Ventrue, of course, find this suggestion preposterous and insulting). It is believed that many Malkavians, over time, change derangements and, as such, some wonder if perhaps her derangement has something to do with that strange, sudden shift in personality that she seems to be exhibiting these days, where she seems to become colder and crueller - or "darker" as those in the know have nicknamed it. Those that may know what is actually going on with Helen, however, aren't telling.

Relationships

Chloe

Chloe(WoD).jpg

Often found around or near Helen is a girl known only in kindred society as Chloe (though thanks to Helen she has the mortal identity of Chloë Cassidy). Chloe is known to be Helen's blood-sibling, ie Chloe and Helen share the same sire - Damien Hobbs. Chloe was embraced around the age of 12, and is physically still in a child's body, despite being a kindred of an estimated 280 or so years (which in fact makes Chloe the eldest known Malkavian in Ashford). No-one knows why Damien would embrace a child, but worse things have been attributed to him so few are surprised - more are surprised by the fact that she has survived despite him. Chloe suffers from regression, and when this occurs she mentally reverts to the mindset of a child even younger than she physically is. Whilst this may seem cute, in practice it can be terrifying as you have the power of an elder in the hands of a child with no real concept of right and wrong, or self control, as children tend to be.

Chloe and Helen are close. Despite Helen being less than half Chloe's age, Helen acts very much like the elder sister in the relationship, taking care of Chloe (especially when Chloe regresses) and her needs. When Chloe is lucid and not regressing, however, she is a powerful elder in a child's body, and her support for Helen is likely a factor in Helen's stable support. During these times, Chloe naturally imparts to Helen wisdom gained from her many more years of observing her sire, and being kindred.

Damien used to keep Chloe almost perpetually locked up in the Rosamond Insane Asylum, which was almost Chloe's own private little den where Damien encouraged her regression, and to indulge in her whims. to mortal society, the Rosamond Insane Asylum was a place where only the poor, downtrodden and non-functional or criminally insane are committed; a place with poor record of actually helping people, and where accidental deaths and rumours of atrocities abound. The asylum has such a torrid history, that it is believed that the place is haunted. Despite this, mortals were always surprised that the asylum still existed, and had never been shut down by any health authority, inspection, committee or law suit. Most legal programs that popped up seemed to... disappear.

A few months after Damien's disappearance and Helen's ascension to Primogen, Helen used her influence and the Rosamond Insane Asylum was officially and permanently closed down. Patients were transferred to newer, better, mental health hospitals around the area. Likewise, Chloe was moved to the Ashford Behavioural Healthcare Hospital where she now resides when she has regressive episodes. Although in her moments of lucidity, Chloe lives with her father in their Ashford apartment. Her father is known to be a middle-aged middle school teacher who adopted Chloe - although many wonder how a man who has been accused (but never found guilty) of child abuse could be granted adoption rights, and fear for her safety. Helen, however, does not seem concerned (at least, not for Chloe's well-being).

AJ

Malkavian - AJ.jpg

In 2006 Helen embraced Arhur James Ledger, a young street musician with rustic charms commonly known as AJ. No-one knows why exactly she did it, possibly not even herself. It is known that he was being considered for the embrace by Dorian Gray, who had allowed AJ to perform at his nighclub on occasion and had already begun trying to corrupt him, intending on moulding him to be a rock superstar. Perhaps it was because Helen would know this likely meant turning him into a cliche of an 80s rock star who would become corrupted by Dorian's hedonism and the fame lifestyle. Perhaps it was listening to AJ singing, and somehow understanding the messages of loss and sorrow buried subtly in his music. Or perhaps it was simply to spite the Toreador clan/Dorian because shortly prior Dorian had made disparaging remarks about the Malkavian Mandy Lantry to the Primogen and other Toreadors in Elysium, ridiculing her and "it's artistic ability" for their entertainment, and no Toreadors expressed disapproval. Regardless, she requested permission for the embrace and, despite the low number of embrace rights granted by Prince Kratus to the Malkavian clan, was granted it due to her being the Malkavian whip over Dorian and the Toreador clan's official objection (as in his hubris Dorian had not officially registered intent to embrace, ask for permission, or even ghouled AJ - therefore having no official claim that Dorian could use to claim his superiority right as Harpy).

Whatever her real motivations, Helen has taken her duty as sire seriously, especially as she appears to feel remorse for AJ developing Schizophrenia due to the famed clan weakness. She works much like his personal therapist and is quite protective of him and trusting as he has shown loyalty to her various times. Although he is only a neonate, after her ascension to Primogen of the clan she appointed him as Whip. Many feel that AJ does not have the age, personal power, political maturity or social skills to be the Whip and that it is a mistake - but Helen believes that a Malkavian whip needs a more subtle touch and different criteria than a Whip for most of the other clans, and that AJ has the personality to succeed. Unfortunately, whilst intending to ease him into the role, the Sabbat Crusade resulted in a baptism by fire for the young Whip but, as evidenced by the improved status of the Malkavian clan in Ashford, he has proven to be up to the task.

Combat Style

Unsurprisingly, Helen is against violence - but she's a realist and knows that there are many violent people, and desperate people, and of course angry lupines and rival vampires - so she always keeps her Smith & Wesson M640 revolver in her handbag, unless going someplace she knows will be well protected or it would be problematic to take her revolver.

That said, she's not a particularly good shot, and has the unarmed experience of someone who's been in a handful of high school fights, or a kindred who's had to grapple the occasional kine to feed; and she herself admits she has the dexterity of a sloth. Therefore in combat Helen is more likely to attempt to use her disciplines to cause confusion or distract opponents, or hide, and either sneak away or user her gun if needed. If push came to shove, Helen would likely need to rely heavily on using her vitae to empower her physicals, then hope she could recover the loss by feeding from those that would have harmed her (if mortal).

Some have noticed, however, that when she has those "darker" moments, she appears to carry with her a silver Bowie knife, which she appears to wave around and play with for self-amusement with a flourish of someone who is an experienced knife fighter... making them wonder how capable she might actually be with that knife during these moments.

Social Style

Helen is naturally kind and caring, so responds naturally well to those who are respectful, especially if they show a kind or compassionate side. She has a lot of sympathy and respect for the mentally ill, and treats them like people who need help rather than those who should be pity-helped; and she tends to get a little irate at people who are rude or dismissive of the mentally ill, although she's also a pragmatist and understands that there is still a lot of work to be done for kine (and especially kindred) to treat the mentally ill (which in this case, means her entire clan) with normalcy and respect.

All Helen wants is for herself and her clan to be treated like normal people, and not feared or bullied. Those that do so, or at least are kind and sympathetic, will easily curry her favour.


Signature Equipment

  • Silver amulet jewelry with a Star of David pendant
  • Leather Coat
  • S&W M640 handgun
  • Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet


Signature Quotes

  • "Ignore those who say just get over it. Healing is a process."
  • "People are always selling the idea that people with mental illness are suffering. I think madness can be an escape. If things are not so good, you maybe want to imagine something better."
  • "You cannot recover from anxiety by just staying calm. You cannot recover from depression by just being positive. You cannot recover from anorexia nervosa by just eating more. If mental illnesses were that simple we wouldn’t be struggling in the fist place."
  • "Those who suffer from mental illness are stronger than you think. We must fight to go work, care for our families, be there for our friends, and act ‘normal’ while battling unimaginable pain"


Gallery