Paul Cordwood was the spy master of Ceoris during the Omen War.
Biography[]
Born under the name Harald the Thin in Norway, he was the son of a Thane, who had four other sons who delighted in tormenting their little brother with tongue and fist. As a result, Harald learned not to draw attention to himself and fell under the sway of his uncle, who began to instruct the boy in hedge magic and further abused him.
His uncle eventually introduced him to to House Diedne, which was part of the newly founded Order of Hermes. Disdaining his former people, he changed his name to Paul Cordwood, symbolizing the beginning of his new life. In 1003, Epistatia, a mage from House Tremere, noticed his growing talents and brought him under her wing.
Using the boy to gain information about the Diedne to inspire the Wizard's March against the House, Epistatia introduced him into her own House. Refraining from the power games within the house, Cordwood instead dedicated himself to astral projection, eventually traveling to Ceoris and managing to stay neutral in the bloody feud between Goratrix and Etrius.
In 1023, he was among the first outside the Inner Circle to receive the Embrace on demands of Tremere himself. Cordwood adapted quickly to his new unlifestyle, enjoying the power and confidence his new condition brought him. Slowly, he began to join in Chantry politics, demanding harsh actions against the Tzimisce who began to raid the lands around Ceoris.
Focusing solely on the Omen War, he began to send spies into the ranks of the Fiends in order to learn about their weaknesses and tactics. Although he nominally supported Goratrix stance in that the whole of House Tremere needed to be brought across the threshold of undeath, he stayed away from the conspiratorial circles within Ceoris who sought out to oust Etrius and his followers.
Cordwood vanished during the Gargoyle Revolt; rumors claim that he joined the Tremere antitribu and acts as a Bishop of the Sabbat.
Character Sheet[]
Paul Cordwood, Master of Spies
Sire: Epistatia
Nature: Loner
Demeanor: Autocrat
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 1023
Apparent Age: Mid 30′s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 4, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 1, Brawl 1, Dodge 1, Intimidation 3, Leadership 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Melee 4, Performance (Acting) 2, Ride 1, Stealth 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 5, Linguistics 2 (English, Norse), Medicine 1, Occult 5
Disciplines: Auspex 5, Dominate 3, Thaumaturgy 5
Thaumaturgical Paths: Lure of Flames 4, Path of Blood 4, Countermagic 2, Way of Passage 2, Weather Control 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Retainers 5, Status (Tremere) 3
Virtues: Conviction 5, Instinct 2, Courage 3
Morality: Path of the Devil 7
Willpower: 7
Gallery[]
References[]
- House of Tremere, p. 79