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
- Davis, Abigail (Abi)
- 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: 107 Costa Mesa, California, USA.
- Height: 5'8" (174 cm)
- 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: Davis, Abigail
Full Article: Abi Davis
- Real/Birth Name: Abigail Grace Davis.
- Preferred Name: Abi Davis.
- Mortal Alias: Abi Davis / @Ashfordabi_18 (online).
- Place of Origin: Ashford, California, USA.
- Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
- Occupation: Waitress / Social Media Celebrity.
- Apparent Age: Late teens.
- Embraced: 2017
- Sire: Paul Bairstow.
- Prognosis: Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder.
Prognosis
During her mortal life, the patient suffered from social anxiety and eating disorders, which led to depression, none of which was ever properly treated with therapy, but was managed via supportive family and friends. The Embrace appears to have suddenly ended both the depression and eating disorder, but some social anxiety remains, leading to a low self-image and innate desire for appreciation and admiration from others.
Since the Embrace, however, the patient has begun to suffer dissociative episodes and it is my opinion that she is suffering from a form of Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR). An unusual disorder that falls under the spectrum of dissociative disorders, a close relative/variant of Dissociative Personality Disorder (commonly and formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder), DPDR is similar in that stressful situations can trigger dissociation. Unlike DPD in which an alternate personality takes over control, DPDR results in the individual entering a Fugue-like state, seemingly going into a form of sleepwalking. Unlike Fugue, however, in which individuals have no personality and go into a form of autopilot, DPDR sufferers are still aware and have their own personality, aims and so forth - except they feel like they are no longer in control of their body. The patient once described it to me as "Having a dissociative episode is like being a stranger in my own life, a tourist in my own body. I forget who I am, where I live, what I'm doing. Everything around me feels like a dream or like a movie happening to someone else. Sometimes, I even forget that I exist." This means that her actions are influenced by herself, but without direct control - therefore appearing to outside appearance to be somewhere between a fugue state and confusion.
As these episodes are typically triggered by stress and the individuals are typically aware of what is occurring around them (if unable to make proper sense of it), when the patient suffers a dissociative episode she can often be helped by talking calmly to her and trying to calm her, reassociate her sense of self, and trying to assuage regarding or remove the source of stress. She is mostly a danger to herself in these episodes, so simply being escorted to a safe place and monitored is greatly helpful in itself, even if no further action is taken to pull her out of her dissociation. Typically, even after recovering from an episode, the patient remains a little confused and disoriented for a period - although no longer fugue-like.
Other Information
Abi is of the 14th generation and suffers from the condition known as "thin blood." Whilst this has little medical relevance, it is important to note that prior to the Sabbat Crusade the Scourge would have killed her on sight, without any mercy or need for justification. Indeed, the Scourge has killed many of our clanmates without remorse or hesitation, as many of our clan have been "illegally Embraced" as often the Embrace is done as a reaction to a bad feeding or death caused as a result of a child of Malkav's derangement - typically resulting in the deaths of both the childe and the sire. On occasion, when we have learnt about one of these cases before the Scourge, we have managed to make representation to the Prince. In some cases, if we have proven mental incompetence not likely to be repeated, this has resulted in only the destruction of the childe; but Kratus' stance was that if the Malkavians were too unstable to be trusted to uphold the Traditions, then they deserved execution anyhow. As part of the Crusade alliance pact between the Camarilla and the Anarchs, the position of Scourge has not been reinstated since the Scourge's death in the Crusade. Additionally, as part of the agreement between our Clan and the new Prince, Malkavians have increased Embrace rights and will not be summarily executed for spontaneous Embraces (though they may still be executed or exiled, just not arbitrarily). You will recall that I argued in Abi's defence - that she was not a willing recruit to the Sabbat, and hates her sire (who brought shame on our Clan by defecting to and aiding the Sabbat in their assault) because he killed her family then Embraced and abandoned her - and she was allowed to exist despite the conditions surrounding her Embrace. However, as she is of the 14th generation, she is effectively Outcast - not considered a full member of the Camarilla and, ironically, lower on the rights and social totem pole than Independent clans or those who associate with the Anarch Movement. This means that as far as the Camarilla is concerned, she is effectively considered an Independent (at least, when it suits their convenience - I would be willing to wager that they'll remind her she is of a Camarilla clan when it suits them to do so) and has no say or defence. Quite literally, Camarilla kindred could assault her with little fear of repercussion but, if she defended herself too effectively, she could receive punishment. She will never be allowed domain, status or Embrace rights, and will often be barred from Elysium events. However, she is a child of Malkav, as are we - and I refuse to allow an innocent victim of our Clan to be thrown to the curb because of social discrimination by the Ivory Tower and their Gehenna-paranoia. I hope that you feel the same way.
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
- Real/Birth Name: Chloë Ōswīg.
- Preferred Name: Chloe.
- Mortal Alias: Chloe Cassidy.
- Place of Origin: Worsley, Greater Manchester, England.
- Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
- Occupation: None/Mental health patient.
- Apparent Age: Early Adolescence (embraced aged 13).
- Embraced: Unknown (believed mid-18th Century.
- Sire: Damien Hobbs.
- Prognosis: Regression.
Prognosis
Patient's complete background and medical history are unknown, but her Embrace was a tragic and more horrifying experience than most, which may have influenced the development of Regressive disorder. During her lucid moments the patient is clearly an Elder in a young body, wise and powerful. But moments of stress, or those that recall her past traumas or, sometimes, simply randomly, she enters a regressive state. When in these states she has much the same personality as she would have when she was a child, albeit a highly charismatic and intelligent one, much more self-centred and fearful of the unknown. She becomes reliant on strong "parent" figures, although she won't typically be aware of this - honest and receptive to those who are kind and entertaining towards her, and visibly disliking and antagonistic to those that are not. During these regressive periods, observation and confinement are recommended. Although this may seem unnecessary, her child mentality is too immature to comprehend right or wrong, or have a sense of discipline for the sake of discipline. Just as a young child may play games adults would consider cruel, such as cooking an ant under a magnifying glass, throwing rocks at squirrels, or shooting birds with BB guns, a regressive kindred would see the kine in much the same way - but is still Kindred and her "playing" can easily result in grievous or fatal injuries, or potential masquerade breaches. Regressive kindred still have the Beast like any other, but not self-aware enough to control it, and so are at greater likelihood of entering frenzy. Guidance by a strong parental figure with a good sense of empathy can help avert potential disaster. The patient's regressive episodes could last anywhere from minutes, to years. Her sire kept her in a near-constant state of regression for centuries, directing her to suit his sociopathic whims.
Other Information
No information available.
Case Profile: Quinzel, Helen
Full Article: Helen Quinzel
- Real/Birth Name: Ellen Pfeiffer.
- 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: [Malkavian_Derangements_(WoD)#Power-Object_Fixation|Power-Object Fixation (Seal of Solomon)]]; of late, also possibly Fugue, Memory Lapses or Dissociative Personality Disorder.
Prognosis
Foreword by H.Quinzel: Because self-diagnosis is both unethical and unreliable, rather than conceptualise as to my own condition, I have requested the assistance of Dr Alexa Schofield, a physician and magus of the Order of Hermes, whose own father is Kindred. Her speciality area is in Neurology, which she has extensively studied both the science of neurology as well as the magical metaphysics of magic that affects the mind. Therefore, I feel, is qualified to give a fair assessment.
Assessment by Dr A.Schofield: Although this is my first formal assessment of the subject, the subject has been known to me for many years. At the time, the diagnosis presented by Dr A. Romanova stated that the subject clearly suffered from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder relating to obsession for knowledge and accuracy of information and compulsion for researching - typically presented during oral conversation as an compulsion to ask constant questions probing for further information in order to satisfy the obsession to be in control and not have facts left out. Whilst I was not licensed back then, this diagnosis was apparent during this time and all the time I have known the subject.
Until now. Although the subject still maintains a desire to know as much as possible, it is no longer a compulsive obsession to do so that must be actively monitored and treated. Her control and responses to testing as to this condition show her to now be within the neurotypical range. A remarked change that would be difficult, if not impossible, for Cainille without magickal or supernatural influence.
Subject now instead suffers from [Malkavian_Derangements_(WoD)#Power-Object_Fixation|Power-Object Fixation (POF)]], specifically for her silver pendant of the Seal of Solomon (alternatively known to the lay population, especially the Jewish community, as the Star of David). Subjects with POF become invested in an external object to the point where they believe (sometimes not consciously) that they cannot function properly without its presence. This fixation, in the Cainille, is typically linked to some past trauma in which the object played a role. In the case of subject Quinzel, the pendant was a gift from her quite superstitious mother - a "good luck charm." I find this an odd choice, as neither the subject nor her mother were Jewish. This makes me wonder if perhaps the mother may have had Hermetic associations as the Seal of Solomon is a common magickal tool for my Order as it is symbolically known to ward of evil spirits, curses and trap demons). This might help explain why the subject has greater awareness (the "sixth sense" as it is commonly known) than most, even without the use of the Auspex Discipline. Alas with the murder of her family by the subject's sire over a century ago, this will be a question that will likely never be answered. Nonetheless, subject has suffered over a century of physical and, predominantly, psychological abuse at the hands of her sociopathic sire - and the pendant has been with her all this time. With the disappearance (and presumed death) of her sire in 2013, this could validate her belief that the pendant managed to protect her from demons - ie her sire - as ultimately, she has persevered and survived, and the demon has gone.
The subject's fixation is relatively benign, at least as regards ability to function in society. Although she will argue that the pendant is just a good luck charm and decorative piece, the subject is constantly touching the pendant, checking to ensure it is with her and will become notably agitated if she removes it from her person. She will only allow those within her circle of trust to even touch it, abjectly refusing to allow those outside to touch it. If it is removed from her against her consent, this will trigger panic and insecurity at best, and anger at worst depending on how the item was taken (such as "as a prank" or accidentally by another, or as theft), by who, and if it is quickly returned or not. It is very possible that over extended periods, or in the right circumstances, this could actually trigger the subject to "Frenzy." Forcible removal is therefore inadvisable.
Of late, however, the subject has been suffering from memory loss. There are periods of which the subject is not aware of, but there are witnesses that she has been active. This could potentially be Memory Lapses, although that diagnosis typically results in random memory loss at inopportune times, whilst these memory lapses - though random in their occurrence - are losses about specific and consistent periods of (recent) time. That is to say, ML sufferers may lose a memory of an activity one moment, but regain the memory a few hours later; whilst the subject will remember her activities with perfect clarity (especially as she has eidetic memory) but not remember a specific time period, and that memory will never return. This would make the condition more similar to Fugue, except Fugue is typically triggered by stress and results in individuals taking on a form of "autopilot" similar to sleepwalking - whilst those who have witnessed the subject during these periods state that she is lucid and active. They have also stated that, during these periods, the subject has appeared to manifest a "darker" personality - more aggressive, ambitious, and less compassionate. Notably, during these periods the subject has been witnessed consistently without her pendant, and instead carrying a silver Bowie knife - once owned by her sire and which had been used as a tool to inflict physical and psychological torture on Helen for many years. I therefore am beginning to suspect that the subject may be in the early stages of developing Dissociative Personality Disorder, developing a personality that is "tougher" in character than her natural one - perhaps to cope with stress or adversity. When this personality is dominant, I believe her power-object fixation is "transferred" to the Bowie knife, with the tool that once signified her torture now becoming a symbol of her new personality's strength and dominance. Attempting to separate the subject from this knife is also inadvisable.
Other Information
Personal note from Alexa to AJ: Hi AJ. We've never met in person, but Helen has spoken of you a lot. I've known her most of my life, as my father was a kindred of Clan Senya (a long story for another time) and Dr Romanova - Helen's best friend - was my mentor and practically godmother growing up in Ashford. Unfortunately these days I am based in Vancouver, Canada, and I'm doing important work here (I've even been given a research grant by the Technocracy, if you can believe that!) but will try to pop in occasionally if I get the chance. However if things "hit crisis point" regarding Helen's Fugue/Memory Lapses/Disassociative Personality Disorder (sorry I cannot give more information or accurate prognosis, but it's hard from this end of the continent and limited exposure - I would appreciate updates on this) then give me a call and I'll do whatever I can to get there and help. Nonetheless I would be remiss if I did not point this out: the information I have provided is for YOUR benefit ONLY. Do not share this information with anyone, possibly excepting Nastya (Dr Romanova) or the Nosferatu Primogen (who I have not met in person, but know Helen trusts). These are the only two kindred that can be trusted will move the heavens to protect Helen if need be. Your sire has many enemies, and until we know what her blackouts are (and more immediately important, what she does during these blackouts) that needs to be kept very close. If this information gets out to Helen's detriment I will not be happy. I will go to Ashford personally. I will find you. And paradox-be-damned I will engulf you in a magical conflagration of such intensity that it'll pop up on the radar of every Iteration X satellite in the hemisphere! So, let's not let it come to that?
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 since the publication of the DSM-5, Damien was a textbook sociopath (now known as Antisocial Personality Disorder). I suspect he may have been a natural psychopath (a term that is contested to be an inherited form of ASPD rather than developed social form of ASPD, commonly referred to as Sociopathy) even before his embrace, but have no empirical evidence to support this hypothesis.
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)
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Bairstow, Paul
Cohan, Graciela (Grace Williams)
Hobbs, Damien
Nowack, Seth