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VTM 5e · Chicago by Night
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Chicago by Night
Characters/NATHANIEL BORDRUFF
NosferatuCamarilla
Portrait of NATHANIEL BORDRUFF

NATHANIEL BORDRUFF

The scourge sent to end Kindred wickedness

“The time is coming, brothers and sisters. Have you the armor of your righteousness ready to hand?”

Facts at a Glance

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Secret(1)

Nathaniel suspects the current 'Khalid' is an impostor and loathes his moral posturing.

Vulnerability(1)

Nathaniel's cover is slipping as Kindred recognize his speech patterns in human sermons.

Knowledge(1)

Nathaniel has identified a FIRSTLIGHT operative named Gabriel Valdez.

Asset(2)

Nathaniel uses Reverend Doctor Jefferson Taylor as a ghoul and public mouthpiece.

Nathaniel controls a Church of Christ congregation on the South Side.

Threat(1)

Nathaniel is a known Anarch-hunter who enjoys killing other vampires.

Alliance(1)

Nathaniel views Mercy Valdez as a useful tool due to her church ties.

Conflict(1)

Nathaniel deeply loathes Kevin Jackson, Damien, and Khalid for holding positions he desires.

Goal(2)

Nathaniel intends to use FIRSTLIGHT to completely destroy the Kindred of Chicago.

Quirk(1)

Nathaniel steals suits from big-and-tall shops to appear more 'presentable' to humans.

11 of 11 facts shown

He has discovered a suspected FIRSTLIGHT operative, Gabriel Valdez, may be related to a recently Embraced Caitiff in the Lower West Side of the city.

Crisis of Conscience

Nathaniel doesn't believe for a second that "Khalid" is Khalid, and makes a desultory effort at "searching" for the former Primogen, whose mealy-mouthed maunderings about "Golconda" and "the salvation of the Cainite soul" would make Nathaniel vomit if it were physically possible. He pretends solicitation for his elder's distress and desire for peace but secretly holds him and his pretentions toward morality beneath contempt, not least because they sometimes seem so damned sincere. Khalid may be an utter failure at the pursuit of forgiveness and enlightenment but his willingness to keep trying gnaws at the part of Nathaniel's mind and soul.

All KindredUtter Loathing

Bordruff hates everyone. He is actively plotting the final deaths of every lick in Chicago, preferably every lick everywhere, and he barely troubles to hide it half the time.

Kevin JacksonMost Hated

He particularly loathes Jackson (whom he perceives as having stolen the throne from him, no matter how unlikely his ability to take and hold that throne might have been), Damien (because he should be sheriff), and Khalid (see: Primogen, should have been).

Mercy ValdezUseful

Nathaniel has distinctly unwholesome designs on Mercy. Despite the fact she's a damned Papist, the pathetic little thing seems to have an instinctual grasp on the inherently loathsome nature of the Kindred, a thing of which he approves. He approves still more of her strong ties to her church, ties he'd very much like to employ to his own ends.

Quick Stats

Sire
Virginia the Hag
Embraced
1926 (Born 1891)
Generation
8th
Blood Potency
3
Humanity
2

Attributes

Physical

Strength
4
Dexterity
4
Stamina
5

Social

Charisma
5
Manipulation
4
Composure
4

Mental

Intelligence
3
Wits
2
Resolve
4
Health8
Willpower8

Skills

Physical

Athletics
Brawl
Firearms
Melee (Stake)
Stealth
Survival

Social

Etiquette (Church)
Insight
Intimidation (Size)
Leadership
Persuasion (Preaching)
Subterfuge

Mental

Academics (Theology)
Awareness
Investigation
Occult
Technology

Disciplines

Dominate
▶1Compel

Issue a single command.

No rolls are needed when the target is an unprepared mortal. However, mortals who have been Dominated in this scene already or this goes against their nature may roll to resist.

Pool: Charisma + Dominate

Duration: No more than one scene

As a former 'lapdog' hunter for Lodin, Nathaniel likely used simple commands to quickly subdue Anarch insurgents.

▶2Mesmerize

Issue complex commands.

No rolls are needed when the target is an unprepared mortal. However, if this goes against their nature they may roll to resist.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Pool: Manipulation + Dominate

Duration: Until command is carried out or the scene ends

This power is necessary to 'operate Reverend Taylor like a glove puppet,' issuing the complex instructions required for sermons.

▶3Forgetful Mind

Rewrite someone's memory.

Each point of margin on the test allows one additional memory to be altered.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Pool: Manipulation + Dominate

Duration: Indefinitely

Essential for a hunter and saboteur to cover his tracks and ensure his 'human allies' or victims do not remember his monstrous appearance.

Obfuscate
▶2Unseen Passage

The user can now move while remaining hidden.

This power will fail if the user is being actively watched when activated.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Duration: One scene or until detection

Iconic for a Nosferatu who 'subtly thwarts' enemies and moves through the city to observe FIRSTLIGHT agents.

▶3Mask of a Thousand Faces

Make themselves appear as a mundane face rather than disappear allowing interaction and communication.

This power allows them to interact and speak to others around them.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Duration: One scene

Required to attend Elysium and interact with other Kindred despite his 'cadaverous' and 'loathsome' Nosferatu visage.

▶4Vanish

Activate Cloak of Shadows or Unseen Passage while being observed.

This power makes the memory of mortals foggy and indistinct, but it will not affect the memories of vampires.

Cost: As per power augmented

Pool: Wits + Obfuscate

Duration: As per power augmented

Reflects his survival skills as a hunter who can disappear instantly when his 'wounded pride' or safety is threatened. (Prerequisite: Cloak of Shadows taken at L1).

Potence
▶1Lethal Body

Unarmed attacks do Aggravated Health damage to mortals when used and ignore one level of armor per Potence rating of user.

Matches his narrative as a killer who 'relishes ending the unlives of other vampires' with his 'sharp' limbs.

▶2Prowess

Add Potence rating to their unarmed damage and to feats of Strength, add half their Potence rating (Rounded up) to Melee damage.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Duration: One scene

A standard power for a combat-oriented vampire who served as an enforcer for Prince Lodin.

▶3Uncanny Grip

Strengthens their grip on most surfaces, allowing them to climb or hang unsupported.

The use of this power leaves obvious traces from the damage caused.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Duration: One scene

Complements his 'preying mantis' physiology, allowing him to stalk from ceilings or walls in the shadows.

Ambition

Destroy Prince Jackson's stable regime

Convictions

  • I will show Kindred the light of God

Touchstones

  • Dr. Jeffrey Taylor — his voice in the daylit world, sounding a warning to the living

Locations

The South SideDistrict