Martin Soldan is a Bystander.
Overview[]
Many bystanders never even learn that hunters exist. They might witness a monster or a horrific event, but they may not see or understand that people exist who do respond to the experience. Those bystanders who are left alone and helpless can suffer self-loathing or feelings of betrayal for being exposed to a deadly world without any ability to do anything about it. Still others react with anger - infuriated that a truth exists that they glimmer only momentarily. Martin Soldan is one of the latter.
The son of a Catholic pastor, Martin grew up in a Hispanic district of Miami. While Martin's faith was as strong as his father's, it was more superstitious than religious, centered more on a fascination with demons and angels, heaven and hell, than on Christ and a way of life. By the age of 16, Martin had fallen into street life, much to his father's despair.
It was during a gang rivalry that Martin actually saw the demons that fascinated him. In one horrifying, life-altering moment, Martin realized that things ranked among the opposing gang members, and they were instrumental in wiping out Soldan's group. He stood paralyzed by childhood fears while his friends were beaten to death and violated horribly. Perhaps he would have died, too, if he had not been saved by fellow gang member Alrilio Salas - who also recognized the creatures that attacked them. Salas' response was to rescue the one person he could before it was too late.
The boys went their separate ways as they tried to come to grips with what they'd seen. Martin sought solace and answers through prayer. Salas soon learned that monsters were everywhere, and he came to believe that his gang must have been betrayed from within by creatures as well. When the survivors searched for a traitor, Martin grew angry that God had apparently blessed Salas with the strength to see and respond to the demons, yet left him powerless. Why had Salas - a bad Catholic - been rewarded when Martin had not?
Before long, however, Martin believed that he had found the answer. Salas eventually encountered other people who could see, hear and respond to the creatures, but none of them understood what the things were or where they came from. Thanks to the theology that his father had taught him, Martin offered answers in God and the Devil. Less religious and informed of the Scripture, the others accepted Martin's explanation and began to rally to his beliefs and teachings.
A handful of Miami imbued now look to Martin for answers about monsters, the world and God. Although these people might have come from different backgrounds and belief systems, they are quick to put credence in Martin's Biblical explanations for reality, given the complete lack of answers that they alone can provide.
References[]
- HTR: Hunter Players Guide, p. 73-74