Priscilla Gibbs, more widely known as Madame Zharinsky, or simply Madame, was a Caitiff from Chicago.
Biography[]
Priscilla Gibbs was extremely happy running her brothel for the businessmen of Chicago. She was happy, her clients were happy, and if one of the girls ever needed to be disciplined, Priscilla was more that happy to do it herself. Pain was what made her most happy, and she was good at it.
One of her many happy clients had been Gordon Keaton, who, because he so often used Priscilla's employees in his business plans, had become a close friend. Indeed, Priscilla's swank Arlington Heights brothel was the young Caitiff's first Haven after he left his houseboat, and he became one of the most popular features of her renowned "Punish and Judy" parties - S&M affairs which catered to the elite of Chicago society.
Priscilla was fascinated by what the young ad exec had become, and game him a safe place to stay in exchange for his aid in wiping out some of the competition. She had been a secret admirer of his for quite some time before the change, but his new form was even more enchanting. Soon the only price he had to pay in the mansion was a taste of his immortal Blood, a taste which would send Priscilla swooning in ecstasy.
One night, at the end of an especially successful party, feeling particularly flush with alcohol and her own self-importance, she made a move. She stalked into Gordon's private retreat, where he was resting in preparation for the rising sun. Laying on top of him, she licked the blood still dripping from his lips and asked him to turn her into a Vampire. At first he demurred, and told her to ask another night. Refusing to accept rejection, and still high from the party, she parted his shirt-front and bit him just above his right nipple, drawing some of his potent Vitae. Invigorated by the taste, she tore open her nightgown and insisted he do the same to her. Hoping this would quiet her demands, he gently pierced her bosom and began to drink.
However, the alcohol and drug-rich Vitae he took from her, added to that he had feasted on during the party, soon proved too much for him. He was barely aware that she had sunk her own teeth into the back of his neck. Within moments Gordon had torn all the intoxicating blood from her body. Then he felt his own Blood being drawn from him. He tore her from his body and threw her across the room before he fully comprehended what had happened. Angered by her trickery, but unwilling to lose his Haven, he fed her some more of his immortal Blood before retiring for the day.
The next night, when Priscilla asked if she were now a Vampire, an evil grin crossed Gordon's face. He told his Childe that she must drink his Blood twice more before she could truly walk among the Undead. With no reason to doubt his word, Madame soon found herself Blood Bound to Gordon, and under the control of a man more cruel than she ever was.
Madame continued to run her escort service and brothel, which served as the primary feeding ground for her Sire and herself, but slowly she became more and more detached from it. Gordon kept his control of her as subtle as possible, but she was still aware of it. and after feeding on the blood of drunken mortals, he took great delight in forcing her into acts of greater and greater degradation. She had taken to heroin addicts to keep the pain of her lost freewill to a minimum, but she rapidly became suicidal. Very soon it was only Gordon's domination which kept her alive.
Priscilla was killed and decapitated by werewolves in 1993 during the War of Chicago[1].
Character Sheet[]
Image: A beautiful raven-haired woman, a little past her prime but with striking violet eyes to die for. She is buxom and still in good shape, thanks to regular exercise.
Roleplaying Hints: You are used to being in charge, and most of your statements come in the form of commands. However, recent events have left you extremely frustrated, and this frustration often comes out in your tone of voice.
Haven: Her Arlington Heights brothel.
Secrets: C-
Influence: Madame's contacts and influence stem from the many politicians and local business leaders who have employed her girls. This includes a large number of Chicago's most powerful men. She wields power with the whip and the caress, using incriminating photos and promises of future favors.
Her control over her clients deepens with every visit to her pleasure den—they are intoxicated by what she offers through her Vampiric powers, even though they do not understand how she does it. Her web of influence is slowly expanding, making her easily the most powerful Caitiff—perhaps even the most powerful Anarch.
In a future crisis, her influence could prove crucial, whether it be Methuselah vs. Methuselah, Elders vs. Anarchs, or even Lodin vs. Modius. If someone were to free her from Gordon Keaton’s control, she might come to realize the true extent of her power and would likely be appreciative of her "savior."
References[]
- VTM: Chicago by Night, p. 74-76
- VTM: Chicago by Night Second Edition, p. 60
- ↑ VTM/WTA: Under a Blood Red Moon, p. 62