Beowulf is a Gangrel of the 7th Generation from Tierburg, Indiana.
Biography[]
Successive generations of harp-playing and tale-telling scops have exaggerated and elaborated upon the legend of Beowulf. Yet that epic poem is based on a kernel of truth. Beowulf the Great did indeed sail from the south of Sweden to aid King Hrothgar of Denmark. He did wrestle with the monstrous Grendel, finally ripping off its arm. The account of him entering the underground lair and returning with Grendel's head is also true. But the tales do not explain that Beowulf was a Kindred, and Grendel was his Sire.
Beowulf clung to his Humanity like a drowning sailor to a spar. He possessed great hatred for Vampires who embraced the Beast, as Grendel had. He continued to lead his people as a mortal warrior would and soon became king of the geats. During his lengthy rule, he fed off animals and bestial Kindred. But eventually, the thirst for human vitae became difficult to resist. Beowulf feared that the Beast which stalked his soul would eventually pounce.
Then came the Wyrm.
Was it really a dragon? Or the burning sun attempting to crush his immortality in its fiery coils? He no longer recalls. Nor can he remember how he survived the inferno. The event - whatever it was - could not have come at a more opportune time. Thought to be dead and lain to rest, Beowulf left his people before the Hunger could hurt them.
For the next 200 years, Beowulf roamed northern Europe, always distancing himself from the human population. But Europe seemed too crowded. Aided by Ghoul retainers (the most loyal being Erik the Red and Leif Erikson), he retreated to Iceland in 874, to Greenland in 982, and eventually to Vinland by the year 1000. Beowulf found this New World perfect. Mortals did live here, but in smaller groups. Beowulf dismissed his Viking retainers with orders to discourage further colonization. He has wandered over much of North America, but has remained near present-day Tierburg for the past 300 years: a "place of power" drew him, and there he makes his haven.
He has been in a self-induced torpor for the last fifty years. Upon recently waking, Beowulf realized his great folly: by shunning civilization, he became increasingly bestial and less able to resist the Hunger, which in turn led to increased solitude. He has come to understand that this vicious cycle will eventually destroy him.
He has chosen to Sire a replacement, a Childe who might quickly learn the lesson which the important lesson which has taken Beowulf over a millennium to learn. But his Beast has always been so powerful that he has never been able to successfully Embrace a mortal. Each time he has drunk from a Kine, he has been driven into a frenzy.
However, not long ago Beowulf discovered two deer hunters in his forest domain, standing over the body of one of his Herd (a deer). Flying into a rage, he placed his Beast into one of the hunters, who immediately went mad and killed his friend. Now, that unfortunate mortal is being held in an asylum, with Beowulf's Beast still in him. With his Beast departed, Beowulf has finally been able to create a Childe.
Image[]
Difficult to describe but easy to remember. Little is left of his mortal form except bipedal movement. His appearance combines the size of a grizzly, the grace of a cougar, and the intelligent eyes of a wolf. His fur moves from golden on the face and chest towards dark brown on the back, with silver mane behind the shoulders. He has a small tail and prominent fangs. At 7' tall and 300 pounds, he is both beautiful and frightening. Awesome is probably the best adjective.
Character Sheet[]
First Edition[]
Haven: Pine Rock Ridge
Influence: The Lupines in the area think he is a powerful shaman, and are loosely allied to him. His Herd consists of the forest animals. While Beowulf is an Autarkis, the Elders of Chicago recognize his power and respect his solitude. Prior to the vents in this story, Beowulf revealed himself to every Kindred traveling though his Domain (much of the wilderness south of Chicago).
References[]
- WWM: White Wolf Magazine 32, p. 48