Nahum ben Enosh is a fourth generation vampire of clan Salubri.
Biography[]
Nahum ben Enosh started out as a Talmudic scholar, spending his days in yeshiva, studying and arguing the fine points of Jewish law. One evening, as he was headed home, he was overheard to say that he regretted his rapidly approaching death. Old age was catching up to him, and Nahum mourned all of the knowledge that he had not the time to acquire. It was Saulot who overheard, and who Embraced him.
Nahum spent the following centuries learning and passing his knowledge on to others. While he despaired of ever reconciling the blood-prohibition with his Cainism, he is reconciled to the fact that Yahweh’s plans were far beyond his meager, mortal understanding. Blood feeding notwithstanding, Nahum could not imagine his existence as a Salubri warrior, so followed the healing path instead.
Before long, Nahum slightly turned his inquisitive nature from being wholly devoted to Torah studies, to include the study of demonic pacts too. What, exactly, are demons? Why does Yahweh allow them to continue to exist? What purpose do they serve? Is it possible to control them? Or are Cainites and kine alike merely fooling themselves into believing that it is possible to control a demon?
A scholar of considerable repute, Nahum ben Enosh has been at his trade for century upon century. He is, however, greatly distressed by the events of the past 50 years, and is having difficulty with the current lack of leadership in the clan. Several years ago, he heard that Aisha bint Wahiba was providing underground services for other Salubri, passing along messages and directing Salubri to safe havens. He began considering the possibility of traveling to Jerusalem to meet with her. If there were a likely successor to Saulot, perhaps Aisha would know that Salubri’s whereabouts. Another motivation to go to Jerusalem came from the knowledge that Moses Maimonides — a Torah scholar of international repute — was in residence in Jerusalem, serving as Salah al-Din’s personal physician. Unfortunately, by the time Nahum reached Jerusalem, Salah al-Din had died, and Maimonides had left the city. Nahum regrets that he could not discuss demons with Maimonides, Nahum had hoped that Maimonides’ knowledge would guide him through his perplexity. It was not to be.
Aisha bint Wahiba would like for Nahum to stay and help her in the hospital (although that Malkavian, Bernardus, seems demonically possessed, which is something of a deterrent), but Nahum thinks that he will keep heading north. If the militant Christians are here in Jerusalem, then it must be fairly safe in their northern homelands — or so he reasons. So Nahum is just passing through Jerusalem. He is not going to stay unless something drastic happens to change his mind.
One bit of recently gathered intelligence does intrigue Nahum. He has heard rumors that a Cappadocian elder, Abraham, has in his possession an ancient religious parchment. Nahum has recently contacted Adam, Abraham’s childe, to learn more of this matter. Adam sees Nahum as another potential mentor in more powerful and practical aspects of mysticism, and is willing to bear the risk of traveling with the Salubri should he choose to leave the city in search of answers and peace.
Some time during the Dark Ages, Nahum slips into torpor shortly after leaving Jerusalem and vanishes from the pages of history.
Appearance[]
Nahum appear to be a harmless old man, dressed in traveler's robes and carrying a walking staff. His hair and beard are quite white.
In VTES, he looks much younger than his VTM version where he dresses in a suit with black hair and a goatee.
Character Sheet[]
Image: Nahum appears to be a harmless old man, dressed in traveler’s robes and carrying a walking staff. His hair and beard are quite white.
Roleplaying Hints: You are old, feeling your years. You are tired from your journey and a bit daunted by the journey ahead of you.
Haven: At the moment, Nahum is cadging a room near Aisha in the al-Bimaristan al-Salahi Hospital.
Secrets: Nahum is tired. He would like to be enthusiastic, support the cause and help rebuild the Salubri… but Nahum is tired. Since the diablerization of Saulot, Nahum has lost most of his enthusiasm. He is beginning to think about torpor as a possible compromise; perhaps things will look better in a couple of centuries.
Influence: Nahum once had a considerable amount of influence under Saulot. Now, however, he is becoming a bit mythical himself; other Salubri are surprised to hear that he is still active. Sometimes, he is, too.
Destiny: Nahum ben Enosh does decide to retreat to torpor not long after leaving Jerusalem, and vanishes from the pages of history.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Ashirra have protected seven al-Amin from destruction into the Final Nights thanks to an accord between the Old Man of the Mountain and Nahum. They are protected as long as they live in Ashirra territory and their numbers never surpass seven. The seven are treated as royalty, but are always watched, something that has begun to grate on the younger generation that want more freedoms.
- In his VTES card, he is depicted significantly younger than when he was introduced. This is likely due to his advanced mastery of Obfuscate with the Mask of a Thousand Faces.
References[]
- VTM: Jerusalem by Night, p. 98-99
