"We could've had everything, but you... you just threw it away for a sect
that'll only use you."
- Christine, the Fallen Ductus.
During the infantile years of the Sabbat, a young Tzimisce rose to
prominence in North America. While she wasn't the most powerful of
kindred, she was blessed with a silver tongue and an aura of
invincibility. Her uncanny ability to unite the bickering antitribu under
her banner impressed even the highest of Sabbat command and everyone had
big plans for her.
But in those days, power was as fluid as water. The very moment people
established themselves, others would rise up to claim their spot.
Christine's prime was unfortunately wasted on these petty, usurping
affairs. Year after year, her talents were courted and or forcibly
acquired by some ambitious Archbishop or Cardinal promising great spoils of
war. When her master's plans for power didn't work out, Christine was
chastised for allowing herself to follow these "traitorous leaders." When
her master's plans did pan out, Christine was cast aside because they
feared her manipulative nature.
By the time the Sabbat had any sort of balance, Christine's aspirations
for advancement were gone. Because of her various allegiances, she was at
odds with every leader of the day. Too smart to be a lowly grunt and too
conniving (due to reputation) to earn the trust of any elder, she was
relegated to pack leader without hopes of moving up.
This infuriated Christine. Had she not given everything to the
Sabbat? Did she not follow her leaders' requests? Was she not Tzimisce, a
clan which ruled the sect? Centuries passed her by, passed her by so much
that those she considered mere children were advancing faster and farther
than her. That wouldn't do. Ever so slowly, she planned her ultimate
revenge.
With the utmost patience, Christine cultivated multiple alternate
identities and created connections to the Camarilla. The city of Chicago
became her second home. All the while, she searched high and low for
capable individuals she could easily manipulate into blind loyalty.
When the 70s rolled around, she was ready to spring into action. A
long time rival, Rowyn Dagger, found a brilliant killer, Trent Dresdond. A
long time annoying thorn, Bishop Michael LeCroix, embraced a tenacious
investigator, Evelin Vanderford. Christine chose these two to be the
founding members of her new "pack."
After capturing Rowyn's partner, Madeline, and luring the Gangrel off
to her supposed demise, Christine proceeded to tweak the mind of the
frightened Trent. Two nights later, Christine acquired Evelin: by calling
upon her Chicago allies to stage a false assault on New York, she was able
to dispose of the loud mouth and take Evelin under her wing. To test these
two's worthiness, the Tzimisce laid out an intricate game that pushed each
of their skills to the limit. The game culminated in Evelin planting an
explosive on Christine during a duel and blowing her to unidentifiable
chunks.
At least, that's what appeared to happen. The real Christine hid in
the shadows, satisfied at the actions of her new proteges. Within three
short weeks, Trent and Evelin formed a new pack, the Elysium Swarm, and
rose to prominence both in their pack and in the Sabbat. Using fleshcraft
to assume the form of Jessica (one of her many alternate identities),
Christine seduced Trent and wormed her way into the Swarm.
On the surface, it seemed one of Rowyn's friends, Hildy, was the pack
leader. In reality, Christine was the one calling the shots, manipulating
those she didn't see fit to their death. Finally, as the pack
disintegrated, she felt it time to unfold her master plan.
New York was taken over by the Camarilla; due to Christine's actions,
it was also quickly retaken by the Sabbat. This window of opportunity
allowed the Tzimisce to place some of her pawns in commanding positions.
Through those pawns, she lured Trent and Evelin to Chicago, and there, she
revealed her identity and intents to them.
What was better: eternal servitude or limitless power? The Sabbat was
a collection of users worse than its Camarilla counterpart. What would
life be like if they decided to stay with these cretins? Christine offered
glory in a dozen cities and even hinted that she had the Prince position
within grasp in most of those places. Together, they could mold a world
they deemed appropriate. "Together," she stressed, because she needed
people she could trust implicitly.
Trent appeared to be receptive while Evelin desperately fought against
the "lies." When an irate Christine ordered Trent to silence Evelin, he
turned his gun on Christine and blew his former lover's head off.
Till this day, the legacy of Christine lives on. Although they deny
it, Trent and Evelin still carry the scars from that night. It is perhaps
the only subject which they openly agree: Christine should be buried in the
past. They say that, but Trent secretly hopes that somehow, some way, his
first vampiric lover survived and is only biding her time to make a
remarkable return. Meanwhile, Evelin always casts tentative looks over her
shoulder, afraid her former mentor still lives and wishes revenge.
Obviously, more happened in Chicago than either of them let on, but so
long as Christine remains buried, no one has the inclination to ask them.
- This profile was written by Don (casiiianman@hotmail.com).
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