Bishop Martin

From Gothpoodle

Bishop Martin, Regent of the Mission, Gangrel Priscus and Advisor

Storytelling Hints

Martin is a fanatic to the Lancea Sanctum’s cause and has lost most aspects of his personality that don’t have to do with his religious duties. He comes across as a soft-spoken but wild-eyed fanatic prone to fits of rage when crossed. His mannerisms are antiquated, he comports himself like a 17th century Spanish monk and has a hard time with English (and his Spanish is oddly accented). He relies heavily on his priests to deal with the Kindred of the city, preferring to spend his time in quiet meditation and prayer.

Stats

• Titles of Tribute: None
• Titles of Function: Priscus (1906), Bishop (1906), Regent (1935), Advisor (1935)
• Haven: The Monastery in the Mission
• Family: Walter Turnbull (childe), Francisco Chavez (childe)
• Virtue: Justice
• Vice: Wrath
• Humanity: 4 (Phobia: Inverted Cross)
• Blood Potency: 5
• Advantages: Martin has no links to the mortal world at all, nor does he have material resources beyond what he steals or is given by the devout. His power is entirely in his own capabilities.

Background

Chicahua’s life was dominated by the Spanish defeat of his people and he grew up filled with anger and hatred of the Spaniards and their god. Crippled in battle and impotent to further fight the occupiers, he sated his rage by destroying a Spanish chapel. Then the darkness took him. When he awoke, he found himself cursed (1497) and was told by his master that this was because he had blasphemied against the one true god. He rebelled, of course, but torturous abuse, the blood oath, and the sheer reality of what he had become eventually prevailed. He accepted his new Christian name and worked under his master, following the new Inquisition and fulfilling his role as an embodiment of the wrath of god. When the Spanish started building missions in California (1769), he left his master to follow them but soon felt the burn of his blood and entered torpor near the Mission Dolores (1797). He awoke when the city which had grown up above him burned (1906) and immediately found a criminal praying on victims in the aftermath to embrace and use to guide him into the new age. He introduced himself to the Prince, who received him coolly, and declared himself Bishop. Thus ensued three decades of power struggles as Martin tried to enforce Sanctificed Orthodoxy on the residents of the city. The situation came to a head in 1935 when the Bishop’s Inquisitor kidnapped the newly embraced Collin Blackwell and threatened to destroy him if his sire did not come to him seeking an indulgence for his violation of the Traditions. A meeting was arranged by the Invictus Judex and over the course of several months, an agreement was reached. Martin’s position as Bishop was recognized formally, he was ceded regency over the Mission District, and a limited set of powers was granted him. In addition, a Primogen was established with Martin and two of his supporters, Joanna and Cesare, as well as Knox and Collin’s sire, Julian. Since then, things have been relatively quiet, though Julian and Martin share a fair amount of enmity and the former works against the Bishop whenever he can.

Recent Events

With the eclipse of Charles, Martin is beginning to assert himself again, confident that James isn’t strong enough (in terms of power, personality, or will) to thwart him. Walter has been much more active of late, investigating violations of the Traditions, and the priests have turned more towards proselytizing than spiritual support.