Arctos is a mage from the book, The Hunters Hunted. A mage before the publication of the Mage: The Ascension Rulebook in 1993.
Biography[]
On a side street in Greenwich Village, New York, the center of the modern world, there is a house that belongs very much to the ancient world. It is the headquarters of a Covenant of Magi, the Order of the Mysterious Conjunction. Here reside Magi, those most mysterious of mortals, who not only study the secret powers of the world, but act to use them, and change them to their own ends.
Of those in this house, called the Raven's Nest by its residents, there is one who is known as Arctos. His specialty is Dominions and Offices. His part in the Great Work is in the gaining of power and authority over the other Beings who inhabit the many worlds known to Man. This brings him into conflict with the Kindred. The Kindred do not like being played as puppets. especially by a mortal.
Arctos has devised many powerful and unique spells by which he has brought certain Kindred under his command. He has magically Blood Bound a pair of Licks to him, and they are fiercely loyal to him because of it. But even if the bond were broken, they would still stay with him, for in return for their service he has offered protection and many things unavailable to other Kindred (the deep Rest to be found in Faerie). They both believe themselves to have found a comfortable niche in eternity, and will not willingly lose it.
Another of Arctos' servants is Daniel Archer, whose other name is Whines-At-Moon. Daniel is a werewolf. He was long the scapegoat of his pack, but he had a place among them, and that was important to him. But his pack lived in a sick place, a place dying from man's poisons, and they in turn began to die. Arctos came to them and offered them magic to ward off the poison. In return, he asked for one of their number to serve him faithfully. Of course, they chose Whines-At-Moon.
He is happy, though, for he has a new place. where he is important. He also has respect, for both Arctos' Vampires fear him. He has tried to befriend them anyway, regardless of their foul nature.
Currently, Arctos is in a war of sorts with the Kindred of New York. They resent his powers and his dangerous (to them) motives. They do not like being puppets. The war is a slow one, with "blows" being exchanged only once every few years, when an opening is seen by one of them. Arctos is defensive, except when he retaliates for an attack, or when he wishes to use a Kindred for a task (willingly or unwillingly). Any players who wander into town may get caught up in these machinations.
He is apparently the same mage as Christopher Barrow from The Red List.
Stats[]
Name: Arctos
Real Name: Christopher Barrow
Age: 102
Physical Age: 57
Nature: Autocrat
Demeanor: Confidant
Motive: Control/Curiosity/Power
Method: Mystical/Manipulative
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4, Charisma 5, Manipulation 5, Appearance 2, Perception 4, Intelligence 5, Wits 4
Abilities: Acting 3, Alertness 4, Empathy 2, Leadership 5, Etiquette 4, Melee 3, Music 3, Finance 3, Linguistics 5, Occult 5
Backgrounds: Allies 5, Contacts 5, Resources 3, Reputation 4, Retainers 4
Numina & Other Traits: Magus Lore 5, Kindred Lore 4, Lupine Lore 4, Spirit Lore 4, Faerie Lore 4, Alchemy 3, Taste of Blood 5, Move of Mind 4, Spirit Thaumaturgy 3, Weather Control 3
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Notes: Among his retainers are Ferdinand (Ninth Generation Brujah), Stemislav (Eleventh Generation Gangrel), Daniel Archer/Whines-At-Moon (Lupine) and Gerald Toomis (apprentice mage). His allies include three fellow Covenant Magi - Jubatis (Beast mage), Haemlox (Star mage), and Fairtanis (War mage) - one Lesser Imp (Georgio) and one Elvish Prince (Raimion). Additionally, Arctos knows many spells of different Thaumaturgy paths, all adapted for his own uses. One of them is the Cauldron of Blood (listed in Vampire rulebook), Some rituals unique to Arctos are listed below.
Invigorate Vitae (Level Four Ritual): Allows caster's blood to Blood Bond anyone who drinks it, whether mortal, Kindred, or Lupine. The rules are otherwise the same as for Vampiric Blood Bonds.
Sway Beast (Level Five Ritual): Allows the caster to take command of the Beast in a creature whose Beast has awakened (Vampires, werewolves, and some psycho killer mortals). He can bring about Frenzies in the person, and control the direction and duration of that Frenzy. The caste rolls hos Leadership (or Intimidate) plus his Wits against the Willpower of the creature targeted. One success allows the caster to take control of a person already in Frenzy. Three success allows the caster to initiate a Frenzy.
Geas (Level Four Ritual): Allows the caster to force the target to perform a deed for him, such as "Rescue the Princess and bring her to me." The bewitched person will be unable to sleep or heal wounds until he heeds the call, and begins to perform it. Only when the deed is accomplished will he be free. This acts like a version of the Dark Fate Flaw also. The bewitched one will be haunted by horrible visions until he performs what he has been commanded to do. The caster rolls Leadership + Manipulation versus the target's Willpower. If he gains three successes, the target must perform the mission.
Equipment: Arctos always carries three daggers upon him: one of Lupine bone, sharpened to do aggravated damage to Kindred, one of silver (for werewolves), and one of iron (for Faeries).
References[]
- VTM: The Hunters Hunted, p. 81-82
- VTM: Dread Names, Red List, p. 40-43