Cedrick Calhoun is a Nosferatu masquerading as his elder and Chicago’s Primogen. Using his authority as “Khalid,” Cedrick pursues his original goal of lessening the horrors Kindred inflict upon the herd. He is careful to craft policy proposals as Khalid would have and defends his logic if he votes against the former Primogen’s known positions on an issue. In the short term, Cedrick finds it convenient to wield Khalid’s influence. He lays the groundwork for his own plans, leveraging the authority granted by the Primogen seat. However, he ultimately wants to take credit for creating a better world as himself.
Biography[]
Mortal Days[]
When Cedrick Calhoun was born in 1902, the social mores of the time dictated that his cleft lip, withered left arm, and other physical disabilities precluded him from being part of his family’s Illinois political dynasty. His uncle, with whom all major Calhoun decisions rested, shipped 13-year-old Cedrick off to a school in the Colorado Rockies where he’d be out of the public eye.
While he studied in the school’s meager library, he plotted his escape. The plan took a year to perfect, plus another two to gather the necessary supplies. Cedrick broke out with little trouble, but he couldn’t shake the suspicion that someone was following him. On the third night, he set a snare trap and lay in wait.
When the trap was sprung, the rope went taut, but he saw nothing suspended from the branch. Rasping laughter alerted Cedrick to another presence. What he saw both horrified and fascinated him: a monstrous figure leaned against the tree, laughing. The amusement was cut short when the rope snapped, and the ensnared figure materialized. It lunged for Cedrick, but the monster — now snarling rather than laughing — rushed to meet it.
The laughing horror tore out the stalker’s throat and drank from the wound. When he finished, Cedrick watched with dread and fascination as his savior’s wounds closed. The ghastly man introduced himself as Tommy, but Cedrick fainted as the strangeness of it all caught up to him.
He woke the next evening in a cave, where Tommy had brought him. The man explained he was a Nosferatu, and he’d been tracking another vampire in the mountains. His victim, a Malkavian, had made his haven at the very school Cedrick had fled. Tommy made Cedrick his ghoul and, when the young man reached adulthood, Embraced him. Cedrick joined Tommy in diablerie until the night they encountered Gangrel Archon Nathaniel Simmons. The Archon killed Tommy, and Cedrick barely managed to escape.
Kindred Nights[]
Tommy made Cedrick his ghoul and, when the young man reached adulthood, Embraced him. Cedrick joined Tommy in diablerie until the night they encountered Gangrel Archon Nathaniel Simmons. The Archon killed Tommy, and Cedrick barely managed to escape.
Returning to Illinois, Cedrick discovered his younger brother enjoying the political career that should have been his. Furious, Cedrick broke into his brother’s house, demanding information about bank accounts, safes, and real estate. Then the Nosferatu sank his teeth into his former kin, savoring the sharp tang of fear in his brother’s blood.
Reading his brother’s diary afterward, Cedrick learned that his sibling wasn’t corrupt. His words at memorials weren’t hollow platitudes. He was a single father raising two children, grieving a lost brother, and trying to change Illinois for the better. Cedrick had murdered him.
Overcome with guilt, Cedrick gave in to the Beast. When he finally felt able to face the world again, he emerged with two missions. First, Cedrick dedicated 20 years to providing for his niece and nephew, setting up a trust fund so they’d never lack for material comforts. He watched from the shadows as they grew.
Then Cedrick turned to his second mission. Though he couldn’t bring his brother back, Cedrick was determined to carry on his legacy. He traveled widely, seeking those in need of protection. Over the years, he decided every corrupt, murderous path led back to the Kindred.
With Prince Lodin’s death during the Lupine attacks in 1993, Cedrick set his sights on the throne. Though his optimism and earnest demeanor earned him distrust, he won the respect of Chicago’s vampires.
In recent nights, Cedrick has risen through the ranks under deceptive circumstances. Following a mysterious encounter, Nosferatu Primogen Khalid went into hiding. Cedrick now masquerades as Khalid on the Primogen council. While the ruse has held, Cedrick fears it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.
Appearence[]
Cedrick is exceedingly dapper, favoring double-breasted suits and bowler hats. His charm lends elegance to this vintage style. His collection of pocket watches always leaves a chain peeking out from his vest. The silver cane serves as both a decorative accessory and a weapon, with a wooden stake embedded in the handle. Despite his polished appearance, Cedrick remains a Nosferatu. His teeth are uneven, his left arm hangs limp, and his aura bears the marks of diablerie from long-past crimes. As Khalid, Cedrick adopts the elder’s scars from his encounter with sunlight and trades his fine suits for more subtle, modern clothing.
Character Sheets[]
CbN 2nd Ed[]
Note: Cedrick has traveled extensively throughout the Midwest and knows a good bit about its Kindred. If anyone needs information, he would be the one to contact. He has also made a number of Allies and enemies throughout the region; these can appear as the Storyteller desires. He carries a silver-reinforced cane that conceals a stake in the handle.
Image: An extremely debonair Nosferatu who prefers double-breasted suits, bowlers, and pocket watches. Still, he is a Nosferatu; his mouth is horrendously misshapen and foul, as is his left arm. Also, his aura still bears the black marks of his early diablerie.
Roleplaying Hints: You are invariably friendly and ingratiating, though you know all vampires (except yourself) are foul beasts out to destroy humanity.
Haven: A warehouse in the docks.
Secrets: C
Influence: None yet.
Backgrounds Sheet[]
Morgan’s Steakhouse (Contacts 3). Politicians love Morgan’s, occupying several tables on any given night. Cedrick sits among them, a nondescript diner, listening to their conversations as he selects which will be his meal for the evening.
Rufus Burri (Retainers 1). Rufus Burri is a local politician trying to do good. Burri’s goals mostly match up with Cedrick’s own, but when they don’t, Cedrick Dominates him to bring his views in line.
Political Activists (Allies 3, Influence 2). Cedrick has influence over several grassroots groups and nonprofits dedicated to making people’s lives better.
Gallery[]
References[]
- VTM: Chicago by Night Second Edition, p. 107-108
- VTM: Chicago by Night 5th Edition, p. 158