The Quinzel Files: Psychiatrist's Forenote
Dear AJ,
Since the disappearance of my sire (may his soul rot in hell), it has been far easier for me to have proper access to the other children of Malkav in Ashford, and provide them with proper psychotherapy to those in need. Nevertheless, this is time-consuming and my position (and seemingly endless, and often pointless, meetings of the Council of Primogen) take up more of my time than I would like.
I appreciate you helping me in keeping an eye on some of them. The following files attempt to give the most up-to-date assessment and detail on each of them. Primogen Marina Vasilyeva has been kind enough to grant us access to the Nosferatu's SchreckNET files - at least some of them (and likely redacted or limited versions - although every bit of information helps) and I have provided links to the files where available. I believe the SchreckNET files areas of biographic information and tips for diplomacy may be worth checking up.
The Quinzel Files: About the Malkavian "Clan Weakness"
Although I hate using the term clan weakness', it is un undeniable commonly-known fact that each and every child of Malkav suffers from some form of mental illness, dysfunction or derangement (if not multiple). This can vary from high-functional conditions such as Synesthesia; to extremely dangerous ones such as Schizophrenia, Self-Annihilation Impulse or Sociopathy (now technically classified as Antisocial Personality Disorder). Some learned kindred even realise that Malkavian derangements often defy conventional DSM-5 classification - there may be commonality and basis with Cainite 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 mental health ailments that 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 more so, it is possible for Malkavians to gain additional derangements over time.
Few kindred, however, know that Malkavians may even change derangements over time - even Malkavians themselves. I have documented evidence of Elder Malkavians who began their unlives with one derangement (often ailments present before the Embrace, though typically they become more severe), then years later that derangement appears cured but a totally different and unrelated derangement has formed in its place. This chance can occur due to therapy, or just natural and unexplainable recourse, much like who we were as mortal teens are not who we are as adults psychologically or emotionally. In the case of psychotherapy, I have also recorded evidence that curing a Malkavian's derangement (in the rare case that is even possible, such as with phobias) results in the patient almost immediately developing a different derangement. It appears nature is not the only one to abhor a vacuum - the blood of Malkav does too. I have long studied this phenomenon, first highlighted by the respected Malkavian physician Dr Douglas Netchurch, and use this knowledge in the attempt to try to help Malkavians functionally live with their conditions, rather than attempting to cure their mental health issues, as psychologists often attempt. This is because I understand we cannot ever completely cure the children of Malkav and believe that, for certain conditions, it is better to live with a comparatively benign and high-functionality condition, than cure it only for a possibly far more debilitating ones to take its place. As the expression goes, "better the devil you know."
The inverse applies only to those Malkavians with derangements that prohibit functionality or cause severe risk to themselves, other kindred or the Masquerade; in these cases, I am actively trying to provoke a switch in derangements - whether naturally, or by curing their derangement. As evidenced by my own sire, who's sociopathy I was at best able to mildly contain the worst excesses but never properly restrain or cure, I am not always successful. But I digress, we have an eternity to keep trying, succeeding, failing and learning, and an entire clan of patients to help and learn from...
The Quinzel Files: Active Patients
The following patients covered in this file are listed by real name, ie what they were born with or legally registered. The names they respond to, if different, are provided in brackets. Failure to use this name could inversely affect the ability to converse with them - potentially becoming hostile in some cases.
- Columban, Marcelyn
- Holgain, Tobias (Ipsissimus)
- Kliethermes, Christoph
- Ledger, Arthur
- Kunis, Lilian (Lolth)
- Landsdale, Zachary (Kelsar)
- Lantry, Andrew (Andrew/Mandy/Brick/Johannes)
- Lundgren, Maxim
- Oswig, Chloe
- Quinzel, Helen
- Taggart, Linda
- Weston, Laurence
- Zingmark, Kathleen (Astridsdotter, Evelina)
The Quinzel Files: Closed Cases
The following were acknowledged members of our clan that I either actively assisted, or secretly kept files on. All are now deceased.
The Quinzel Files: Case Profiles
Case Profile: Columban, Marcelyn
Full Article: Marcelyn Columban
- Real/Birth Name: Marcelyn Columban.
- Preferred Name: Marcelyn Columban.
- Mortal Alias: Ken Adachi.
- Place of Origin: 107Costa Mesa, California, USA.
- Height: 5'8"
- Occupation: Editor: [Educate-yourself.org].
- Apparent Age: Mid-40s.
- Embraced: 1957
- Sire: Daniel Moreland.
- Prognosis: Paranoia.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Holgain, Tobias
Full Article: Ipsissimus Satanus
- Real/Birth Name: Holgain, Tobias
- Preferred Name: Ipsissimus Satanus
- Mortal Alias: Ipsissimus Satanus
- Place of Origin: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
- Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
- Occupation: High Priest of Yidhra (Cultist).
- Apparent Age: Early 30s.
- Embraced: Unknown (believed to be around 1940s).
- Sire: Madam Yi
- Prognosis: Schizophrenia.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Kliethermes, Christoph
Full Article: Christoph Kliethermes
- Real/Birth Name: Christoph Xaver Gruber.
- Preferred Name: Christoph Kliethermes.
- Mortal Alias: Christoph Kliethermes.
- Place of Origin: Vienna, Austria.
- Height: 170 cm (5'7")
- Occupation: Civil Engineer.
- Apparent Age: Late-40s.
- Embraced: 1948.
- Sire: Earl Williams.
- Prognosis: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Ledger, Arthur
Full Article: AJ
- Real/Birth Name: Arthur James Ledger.
- Preferred Name: AJ.
- Mortal Alias: Arthur James Ledger.
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
- Occupation: Musician.
- Apparent Age: Mid-20s
- Embraced: 2006.
- Sire: Helen Quinzel
- Prognosis: Schizophrenia.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Kunis, Lilian
Full Article: Lolth
- Real/Birth Name: Lilian Kunis.
- Preferred Name: Lolth.
- Mortal Alias: Lilian Kunis.
- Place of Origin: NSan Diego, California, USA.
- Height: 5'4" (162 cm)
- Occupation: Musician.
- Apparent Age: Mid-20s.
- Embraced: Unknown (believed 2010).
- Sire: Unknown
- Prognosis: Grandiose Delusions; plus either Antisocial Personality Disorder or Desensitization
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Landsdale, Zachary
Full Article: Kelsar
- Real/Birth Name: Zachary Landsdale.
- Preferred Name: Kelsar.
- Mortal Alias: Kelsar.
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
- Occupation: Comic/Graphic Novel Artist.
- Apparent Age: Early 30s.
- Embraced: 2007.
- Sire: Dane Rouselle.
- Prognosis: Grandiose Delusions; plus Self-Annihilation Impulse.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Lantry, Andrew
Full Article: Andrew Lantry
- Real/Birth Name: Andrew Lantry.
- Preferred Name: According to dominant personality.
- Mortal Alias: According to dominant personality.
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
- Occupation: Artist, Fiction Author, Agent
- Apparent Age: Mid-20s.
- Embraced: 1994
- Sire: Christoph Kliethermes
- Prognosis: Dissociative Personality Disorder
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Lundgren, Maxim
Full Article: Maxim Lundgren
- Real/Birth Name: Maxim Lundgren.
- Preferred Name: Maxim Lundgren.
- Mortal Alias: Maxim Lundgren.
- Place of Origin: Spånga, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
- Occupation: Body Combat Trainer.
- Apparent Age: Late 40s.
- Embraced: 1961
- Sire: Linnea Akerman.
- Prognosis: Power-Object Fixation (Hats).
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Oswig, Chloe
Full Article: Chloe
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- Real/Birth Name: Chloe Oswig.
- Preferred Name: Chloe.
- Mortal Alias: Chloë Cassidy.
- Place of Origin: Worsley, Lancashire, England.
- Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
- Occupation: None/Mental health patient.
- Apparent Age: Early Adolescence (embraced aged 12).
- Embraced: Unknown (believed mid-18th Century.
- Sire: Damien Hobbs.
- Prognosis: Regression.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Quinzel, Helen
Full Article: Helen Quinzel
- Real/Birth Name: Ellen Quinn.
- Preferred Name: Helen Quinzel.
- Mortal Alias: Dr Helen Quinzel.
- Place of Origin: Santa Ana, California, USA.
- Height: 5'7" (171 cm)
- Occupation: Psychiatrist / Owner, Ashford Behavioural Healthcare Hospital.
- Apparent Age: Mid-30s.
- Embraced: 1939.
- Sire: Damien Hobbs.
- Prognosis: Fugue.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Taggart, Linda
Full Article: Sanguinus: Linda Taggart
- Real/Birth Name: Linda Taggart
- Preferred Name: Linda Taggart
- Mortal Alias: Linda Taggart
- Place of Origin: Arvin, Kern County, California, USA
- Height: 5'3"
- Occupation: Charge Nurse, Ashford Heart Hospital
- Apparent Age: Late-20s
- Embraced: 2008
- Sire: Carlota Kaspar (deceased)
- Prognosis: Sanguinary Animism
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Weston, Laurence
Full Article: Laurence Weston
- Real/Birth Name: Laurence Weston.
- Preferred Name: Larry.
- Mortal Alias: Laurence Weston.
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 5'8"
- Occupation: Night Auditor, Emerald Inn.
- Apparent Age: Late 30s.
- Embraced: 1985.
- Sire: Allan Nolton.
- Prognosis: Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Zingmark, Kathleen
Full Article: 1337 5kw4d: B00kw0rm
- Real/Birth Name: Zingmark, Kathleen
- Preferred Name: Astridsdotter, Evelina
- Mortal Alias: Astridsdotter, Evelina
- Place of Origin: Umea, Sweden
- Height: 5'3"
- Occupation: Librarian II at Kern County Library (Beale Memorial Library)
- Apparent Age: Early-20s
- Embraced: 1989
- Sire: Viktoria Engdahl
- Prognosis: Borderline Personality Disorder
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
The Quinzel Files: Closed Cases
Case Profile: Bairstow, Paul
Full Article: Paul Bairstow
- Real/Birth Name: Paul Bairstow.
- Preferred Name: Paul Bairstow.
- Mortal Alias: Paul Bairstow.
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 5'8"
- Occupation: Escort/Bodyguard.
- Apparent Age: Late-20s.
- Embraced: 1977.
- Sire: Aliyah Shaw.
- Prognosis: Borderline Personality Disorder; Power-Object Fixation
Prognosis
No information available.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Cohan, Graciela
Full Article: Grace Williams
- Real/Birth Name: Claimed: Graciéla Cohan;Actual: Grace Williams.
- Preferred Name: Grace.
- Mortal Alias: Graciéla Cohan.
- Place of Origin: Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA.
- Height: 5'7"
- Occupation: Claimed: Chauffer; Actual: Black Hand Assassin.
- Apparent Age: Late 20s.
- Embraced: Claimed: 2011; Actual: 1927.
- Sire: Claimed: Unknown; Actual: Santiago Nocera (Sabbat).
- Prognosis: Paranoia (faked).
Prognosis
Patient had struck me as strange from the beginning. She was highly reluctant to receive therapy, obfuscating this as part of her paranoia and claiming that I was "an Illuminati stooge" seeking to keep tabs on her for the Illuminati. She was reluctant to talk about herself under this claim, although she always attempted to steer the conversation towards learning about other kindred - at times being difficult to keep professional and confidentiality due to the subtle nature she was able to steer conversations to extract the information she wanted - a lesser psychologist would have likely have been successfully manipulated. I believe she attempted to Dominate me on at least one occasion but was unsuccessful - leading to her frustration and faking paranoia episodes to cut the sessions short.
Ultimately my suspicions proved correct, though she managed to deceive me nonetheless. I came to suspect she was not actually a child of Malkav and that her paranoia was a (very well faked) act to deflect probing into her background, which I assumed may have been likely that she was a Caitiff or perhaps had gone rogue from a clan that dominates and supervises its cainites, such as the Tremere. However in the end it was revealed that her real name was actually Grace Williams and that she was a Lasombra as well as the Sabbat Black Hand war-leader of the Crusade in Ashford.
Other Information
I can't help but feel that had I perhaps been less concerned about diagnosing and treating her paranoia I may have got some hint of the truth - and perhaps unlives could have been saved. But ultimately I am grateful simply that my clan suffered less than most, and that she did not kill me when she had (many) opportunities to do so. Nonetheless, I feel a degree of shame and guilt as to my self-perceived failings, which I suspect I may now be suffering from "survivor's guilt."
Grace was killed at the end of the Sabbat Crusade; although the actual killing blow that ended the Crusade was dealt by Valerie Leigh of Clan Senya, the childe of the Senya Primogen, I take pride and satisfaction in knowing that the attack was led by my childe AJ (at least insofar as the Camarilla kindred involved were concerned) and made possible by the assistance of former-Autarkis (and Grace's former mentor) Tatjana who he tracked down and convinced to negotiate with the Camarilla to provide the assistance and information that ultimately ended the war.
As for Grace - may the Abyss take her soul and consume it utterly.
Case Profile: Hobbs, Damien
Full Article: Damien Hobbs
- Real/Birth Name: Unknown.
- Preferred Name: Damien Hobbs.
- Mortal Alias: Damien Hobbs.
- Place of Origin: England, UK (believed Worsley, Lancashire).
- Height: 5'9"
- Occupation: Business entrepreneur.
- Apparent Age: Early 50s.
- Embraced: 1590.
- Sire: Unknown.
- Prognosis: Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Prognosis
Although the term has now fallen out of favour, Damien was a textbook sociopath. I suspect he may have been a natural psychopath since before the embrace, but have no evidence to support this theory.
Other Information
Damien admits to having been a former Camarilla ghoul to a Ventrue who's sire abandoned him - as this could endanger the Masquerade, I suspect that Damien had been a ghoul for long enough that his domitor expected him to crumble to ash after a missed feeding, which would make Damien about a century older than his already claimed 400 or so years of unlife. Regardless, he was cunning enough that he claims he not only managed to secure a new domitor in the brief time remaining after his domitor's refusal to re-infuse him with vitae, but convincing this new domitor to embrace him.
Damien disappeared in 2013.
Case Profile: Nowack, Seth
Full Article: Seth Nowack
- Real/Birth Name: Seth Nowack.
- Preferred Name: Seth Nowack.
- Mortal Alias: Seth Nowack.
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 5'9"
- Occupation: Private Security.
- Apparent Age: Mid-20s.
- Embraced: 1968.
- Sire: Unknown.
- Prognosis: Grandiose Delusions.
Prognosis
Patient suffered from Grandiose Delusions. Perhaps as a result of being a former Toreador ghoul, and the events surrounding his Embrace (see other notes), patient believed he was a Toreador. Although he was courteous to the Malkavian Clan, he was adamant that he was a Toreador and Genevieve Montclair was his sire - and if pushed too hard or given evidence to the contrary could get hostile; although he was otherwise a popular and likable man.
Other Information
Patient used to be a US Marine during his mortal days, enrolling at the minimum statutory age and serving two tours with distinction. He retired from the military to get into private security. This led to him becoming one of Genevieve Montclair's security details and ghoul. He was embraced during one of Montclair's PR PR events by an unknown kindred - likely a feeding gone wrong, or perhaps a stalker/troublemaker he had to handle and was overpowered. He has no recollection of the actual Embrace (likely due to Dominate reprogramming of his memories by his sire to cover the illegal embrace) and believes that he was Embraced by Genevieve herself (see prognosis). He developed an enfatuation for her that came close to obsessive, and was constantly with her as security or a groupie.
Unfortunately, the patient was with Genevieve Montclair during the Opera House massacre and gave his life to protect her from the Sabbat Attack. Although Ms Montclair seems to have little qualms or grief over Seth's sacrifice for her, it would at least have made Seth happy to know that his sacrifice did enable Ms Montclair to escape unscathed.
Personal Addendum: I think the wrong kindred died that day.
Gallery
Columban, Marcelyn
Holgain, Tobias (Ipsissimus)
Kliethermes, Christoph
Ledger, Arthur
Kunis, Lilian (Lolth)
Landsdale, Zachary (Kelsar)
Lantry, Andrew (Mandy/Brick/Johannes)
Lundgren, Maxim
Oswig, Chloe
Quinzel, Helen
Taggart, Linda
Weston, Laurence
Zingmark, Kathleen (Astridsdotter, Evelina)
Bairstow, Paul
Cohan, Graciela (Grace Williams)
Hobbs, Damien
Nowack, Seth