Mark ReissBackgroundAn American journalist who spent most of the 20's and 30's in Germany, he was a fervent supporter of the Third Reich. His many pro-Nazi articles reached the attention of Houston Stewart Chamberlain, who liked his vitriolic style. When America joined the war in 1941, Reiss decided to remain in Germany. This act made up Chamberlain's mind and he resolved to Embrace the young man as soon as Germany has won the war. However, Chamberlain's dreams were soon to be shattered by the reversals in Russia and the eventual Allied landing in Europe. At first, the Bertesgarten Seven, immersed in the wierd atmosphere of the Nazi inner cabal which they had helped to create, refused to see the end. By the time of Reiss' serious injury in a bombing raid on Berlin, however, even Chamberlain had admitted the inevitable and was preparing his escape with the aid of his new Sabbat friends. Chamberlain visited his mortally wounded protegee in hospital and offered him a chance of eternal life amongst the elite of the World. However he didn't reveal his true identity. If Reiss had had any suspicions since they left Germany he had kept them to himself. Since settling in York Reiss has drifted appart from his Sire. He finds Schumann's esoteric literary interests tedious. Mark has continued to write, mostly articles for right-wing publications. While researching Pagan worship he came across references to blood cults which immediately convinced him that there had been Kindred influences at work. Continuing his research into such occult practises he eventually met up with Alistair Crowley, from whom he borrowed some interesting and unusual books. However, Crowley had a greater influence on Mark. The Ventrue was intriegued by the cults of both Kindred and Kine which flourished around Crowley and where he was worshipped by various groups as a god, a witch or an devil. Through the important Kine who joined these cults, the deranged Malkavian exerted tremendous influence in mortal society. Reiss realised the potential power that a Vampire could wield over the minds of mortals and returned to York full of plans. Once there, he quickly realised that any attempt to openly establish a cult would be met by the severe displeasure of the Prince and Council. So he set to work in secret, first deciding which mortals he wished to target and then devising the tenets of his own blood cult. Reiss mixed the occult knowledge he had gained from Crowley with Kindred mythology and the Aryan supremecist beliefs of his mortal days to create a cult which was open to influential white businessmen and political figures of the fief. After much thought, he established The Order of the Blood of the First Sacrifice. Reiss realised it was vital to keep the group small, to minimise the risk of discovery by the Elders. Over the years, he has managed to gather a moderate degree of influence through his blood bonds (see groups.wri). He has actually created two Childer over the years who have moved to other cities to spread his 'beliefs'. Needless to say, if any of this is discovered by his Sire or the Council, he is in deep shit. ClanVentrue, generation 10, age "29", born 1916, embraced 1945, by Rudolf Schumann, arrived 1946.ImageHas a very severe limp as a result of the leg and back injuries which his Sire did not fully heal before his Embrace. He usually walk with a cane, although he sometimes uses Blood to heal the injuries when he awakes. However, this takes 3 points and the wounds always return when he rests during the day. Looks innocuously like a tall blonde American college boy and he still has a very faint trace of an American accent, mixed with slight German, which underlays his mostly British accent.Influence-SecretsThe Order of the Blood of the First Sacrifice. These pawns have access to much of the mortal business and political information in the fief, although at a middle management rather than senior level.Habitat-Ultimate GoalTo become the leader of a great mortal cult which will sweep him to power in the Kindred world. Mark is actually beginning to believe in some of his own propaganda.Immediate GoalGet more information about Elder's business and mortal contacts. In the aftermath of the Sabbat invasion, Mark is hoping he will be able to pick up some of the late Primogens' retainers and contacts. He may even be able to get some inside knowledge of the Elder's doings from such abandoned pawns. He understands well the fear of death which develops in ghouls dependant on Kindred blood for their immortality.Resources- |