Father Michael Donaldson

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Father Michael Donaldson

Background

Priest in the trenches during the First World War. Won a Victoria Cross for bravery. After the war he was unable to adjust to civilian life and became an alcoholic. His faith had been shattered by his exprinces in the trenches. Although he spent each day giving the Last Rites to the dead and dying he became convinced that no Christian God could permit such suffering. Even while he was in the trenches he felt hypocritical as he assured soldiers that a better life awaited them after death. After the war, he couldn't bear the though of all those he had sent out to die, encouraged by his 'lies' and full of false hope. When he had almost drunk himself to death, he decided to kill himself, as the ultimate gesture of contempt to the God he no longer believed in. He was found by Matthew McCrae, bleeding and unconcious, kneeling beside the Bradford war memorial with a revolver. Realising that it was impossible to save the young mortal's live, McCrae Embraced him.

The Embrace has not really cured the dislocation and distress in Michael's life. Although it provided him with temporary relief by cutting him off from the friends and family who were a daily reminder of his life in the trenches, he is still prone to terrible depression. Many times in the decades following his Embrace, Michael has tried to regain his faith. However, every time, the faces of the soldiers he 'lied to' have haunted his dreams until his attempt ended in another drunken binge, forgetting his nightmares by feeding from intoxicated mortals. On several of these occasions he has had to be restrained by his Sire from breaching the Masquerade.

Because of Michael's unstable personality, he has not been brought into the secret of the Guardians. Indeed, his Embrace was a source of some friction between McCrae and Simeon of York. Michael's opinion of his sire goes through cycles. When he is feeling well, he is grateful that McCrae didn't allow him to die. When he is down, however, he hates his Sire, particuarly his Faith, the power of which can be felt by most Kindred in the fief. However, McCrae still hopes that Michael can regain his faith and find salvation.

Clan

Brujah, generation 8th, age "36", born 1884, embraced 1920, by Matthew McCrae.

Image

Medium height and large-boned, Michael looks rather too thin for his build. Dark hair, soft green eyes and a three day growth of stubble. Dresses in casual modern clothes of no particualar style which are usually rather worn and patched. He has a very soft voice and is very honest and forthright. No True Faith, but a mean right hook.

Influence

Secrets

Habitat

Michael is very solitary by nature and frequently goes off alone into the countryside. He thus has had some contact with the Garou and has made one or two friends in the Ilkley Moor Sept (Harry Smith, a Bone Gnawer Ahroun and Alan Schofield, leader of the Sept).

He is also involved in War Veteran societies, although he often finds it very distressing. He feeds mostly on down and outs. He avoids or seeks out alcoholics, depending on his state of mind at the time.

When in his more cheerful moods, Michael can often be found with Robert Shackleton and Christopher Rainham, mortal contempories.

Ultimate Goal

To find peace.