Dr. Douglas Netchurch is a vampire of the Malkavian clan, well-known worldwide as an expert on vampire physiology.
Biography[]
“ | The condition of the vampire is known to us. The fragility of mortals holds no secrets for us, either. The only riddles science has left to solve, are the mysteries of the Blood and its effects on ghouls. | ” |
Born in America in the 19th century, he excelled in his medical studies and was considered a genius even before his Embrace. He went to Europe after the outbreak of World War I, assisting in the trenches, and it was there, in 1915, that his brilliant mind caught the attention of Trimeggian, who was involved in medical matters himself.
Operating out of a facility in Research Triangle, North Carolina, Dr. Netchurch has firmly established himself as the World of Darkness foremost authority on the physiology and hematology of the Kindred. Among other achievements, he has added to his sire's catalogue of vampiric Disciplines, identified techniques to simulate the Insight possessed by the Thin Blooded, and greatly expanded Camarilla knowledge about both Thin Bloods and ghouls. He also popularized a standard (originally developed by a Tremere Professor) for measuring the potency of an individual's vitae: the "Vitae Efficacy Unit" (VEU).
Netchurch's insanity manifests as scientific detachment. He has an obsessive need to research, an inability to accept the supernatural – even in connection with vampirism – and is highly self-delusional, unable to see the brutality of his techniques and completely oblivious to his derangements. While the doctor's lab appears professional, and he seems to demonstrate a minimal amount of compassion, he is unaware of his tendency to Dominate people into signing his release forms before vivisecting them.
Netchurch considers Thaumaturgy, Noddism and the like superstitious bunk.
Appearance[]
Dr. Netchurch is an impeccably groomed man with short-cut ash-blond hair and round glasses (which, given his superior Auspex, are certainly an affectation or obsessive habit). He moves briskly and efficiently, and speaks in a level, measured tone at all times; deliberate attempts to rattle him are met with subtle, icy condescension. Within the confines of his laboratory (where he feels most at home) he dresses like the scientist he is; when forced by circumstance to leave, he wears a suit that’s perfectly immaculate, if slightly out of fashion.
Appearances[]
- Ghouls: Fatal Addiction (fluff) Netchurch writes the first research paper provided in this supplement.
- Clanbook: Malkavian Revised (fluff, stats) The opening fiction details Netchurch's Embrace of Reage, from her point of view. His stats appear in the final chapter, the first time he is fully detailed.
- Victorian Age: Vampire (fluff) Features a ghost named Dr. Cornelius Netchurch with the same scientific inclination to study vampire physiology; it cost Cornelius his life. It is implied this Dr. Netchurch is related to Douglas.
- Time of Thin Blood (fluff) Writes the introduction on the Thin Blooded and appears in the Week of Nightmares narrative.
- Gehenna (fluff, stats) The prologue features Netchurch travelling to the Middle East to assist in the birth of a thin blooded vampire's baby. Updated stats appear for him in the Characters appendix.
- Nights of Prophecy
- Beckett's Jyhad Diary (Fluff) Netchurch writes some fluff papers, claiming to have bred a Dhampir named Kadmon and "acquired" a human for him to breed with when he reaches suitable age. He also writes about Thin-Bloods who went through treatment, to thicken their blood and lose the condition. They were killed after suffering vitae addiction. The treatment is never specified, but it is implied to be Diablerie.
Character Sheet[]
Gallery[]
Genealogy[]
Caine |
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References[]
- VTM: Ghouls: Fatal Addiction, p. 15-23 - "The Physiology of the Ghoul"
- VTM: Clanbook: Malkavian Revised
- VAV: Victorian Age: Vampire
- VTM: Nights of Prophecy
- VTM: Time of Thin Blood
- VTM: Blood Sigils
- VTM: Gehenna, p. 233-235