X is a Malkavian native of Santa Monica, LA. He currently lies in torpor just off the coast of Venice Beach.
Biography[]
Who exactly the Kindred known as "X" was before the Embrace is difficult to discern: even he doesn't fully remember. He knows that he's from Santa Monica, being particularly fond of it's bohemian Venice Beach neighborhood. He knows that X isn't his real name, but can't recall what his original name was. He knows that it was Therese Voerman who "took" his name from him, but he can't (or won't) elaborate on how exactly that occurred. At some point he even Embraced a childe of his own, only to panic and lock them away in a hidden location just off of the waterfront. Either that or it was an entirely "hypothetical" scenario he made up on the spot. It's hard to tell with X.
Regardless, X dwelled within Baron Voerman's domain, feeding on local "beach bums" and performing odd jobs for various other licks in LA. He had a particularly good working relationship with Jasper Heartwood, as X was one of the few vampires whom the Nosferatu didn't outright despise. It was while repaying a favor for Jasper that X first met the fledgling Annabelle Li - tutoring the Brujah on the basic ins-and-outs of her new undead existence. He'd accompany Annabelle and her coterie on several occasions afterwards, proving invaluable in his own strange, meandering way.
X's relationship with his own Baron, meanwhile, only continued to depreciate. Therese frequently abused and terrified X, often while insisting that she was trying to "help" him. His much more cordial relationship with Therese's twin sister Jeanette hardly improved matters. When it came to light that Therese might have potentially sold out the rest of the Anarch Movement for a seat on Prince Vannevar Thomas' Primogen Council, X leapt at the opportunity for some very cathartic payback. Unfortunately, this vendetta sent the Malkavian on a vicious downward spiral as he attempted to acquire enough power to finally challenge Baron Voerman - culminating in him attempting to diablerize Annabelle of all people.
Therese herself would vanish after being put under a Blood Hunt by Prince Thomas, leaving her territory in the hands of Jeanette, who together with X lorded over Santa Monica as "Co-Barons". While the other Voerman sister was far more appreciative of X, she'd continually enable her clanmate's worst impulses over the course of the next year, only increasing his inner turmoil. When the Second Inquisition arrived at The Asylum's doors during the 2021 assault, X actually went with the Leopoldites willingly after they promised to help him "make the voices finally stop".
Of course, these promises naturally proved to be empty. Unintentionally re-united with Annabelle within the holding cells of the San Fernando Cenaculum, the two Kindred would stage a jailbreak and come face-to-face with Adrian Clairmont, with X being scourged by the ex-Bishop's True Faith multiple times.
Though the Anarchs would succeed in driving back the SI, it was a pyrrhic victory for X. Feeling himself slipping further and further into the thrall of the Beast, X asked one last favor of his old friend Jasper - to help him lock himself away in an old hatch just off of Venice Beach. There, he could sleep, and perhaps be free of the voices that tormented him. Presumably, X still slumbers under the waves even now...
Description[]
X is a Malkavian with an uncertain history. He claims to be a fledgling, but his rich knowledge of Kindred society suggests otherwise. "X" isn't even his real name; it's just what he calls himself.
His main haven is in Santa Monica, where he is part of the coterie of beach vampires known as the Drum Circle. X befriended the Valley Coterie when Jasper asked him to look after Annabelle for a few nights.
Afflicted by perpetual visions and premonitions, X attempts to make sense of the strange omens and portents with varying degrees of success. He claims that anything he says three times is true, leading some to believe he has unusually strong oracular powers.
Though previously spying on the Coterie of the Valley for Baron Therese Voerman, X recently sought their protection and now helps them safeguard their domain at Griffith College.
Loresheet[]
The Sound of Music: Like X, you have an unusual aptitude for music. Once per session, you gain a 1-dot specialization in any Performance roll involving a musical instrument you have never played or a song you have never sung.- Down But Not Out: X's connections to the mortal homeless population extend surprisingly far beyond Los Angeles. Your association with X, whether out of friendship or a boon, gives you cred among the homeless subculture. Whenever you invoke his name when interacting with the homeless of your city, you gain the equivalent of 2 dots of Allies, Contacts, or Influences (your choice).
- Guilt By Association: You've met X at least once and made a good impression. Because of this association, once per story you may call in a major boon someone in your city owes him. The Storyteller decides who owes the boon, limited by what is possible in the domain.
- Signs and Portents:It is no secret that X has an unusual degree of insight when it comes to predicting the future through visions, dreams, and omens. His predictions are not always easily understood, but they are unusually powerful. If you do not possess it already, gain the Level 2 Auspex power of Premonition. If you already have Premonition, you may actively provoke a premonition without making a Rouse Check.
- Friends and Family: Because you were once kind to X or someone he esteems, X remembers your generosity. Once per chronicle, he will travel to wherever you are and use his supernatural powers of precognition on your behalf. He will provoke a premonition to read your future or the future of another Kindred or person you designate. Your Storyteller determines what you must do to help X visit you if you are not in Los Angeles, how the vision manifests, and what it means.
Trivia[]
- X was introduced as the player character of special guest Xander Jeanneret in LA by Night S1E3: Fear No Monsters. He'd appear in several more episodes throughout the chronicle, eventually becoming a part of the main cast by Season 4.
- X is one of several L.A. By Night characters who possesses their own official Loresheet, released as part of special promotional deal with Dog Might Games.