Balance

“For I am I...my own sphinx, conflict, chaos, vortex — asymmetric to all rhythms, oblique to all paths. I am the prism between black and white: mine own unison in duality.” - Austin Osman Spare
Biography John's been in Prospect about three years, now. He's assumed proprietorship of Off the Record, a local media shop and cafe that caters to the quiet, intellectual occultist and obscure music aficionado; you aren't likely to find much in the way of massively popular music or 'literature' there. However, what he does have in stock is fascinating, and the coffee's outstanding. Studious and acerbic, John's got a razor-sharp wit, and he is far more perceptive than sometimes given credit for. His wits are sharpened by indulging his drive to solve puzzles at any opportunity. He is being tutored by Stella Amunet; Traditionally speaking, he is a Third Degree Practicus of the Order of Hermes, part of the chantry Fellowship of the Secret Word. Sometimes he DJs at Rhapsody a nightclub he owns, and has also been found hanging out at the Sideshow, assisting its owners in various tasks. Recently he formed an LLC called A Balancing Act with Ethan, and purchased Steamed and Hammered Tavern. Also notable are the symbols he wears - the silver Owl of the Arcanum and the copper sigil of the Cult of Isis. He's started another venture, Rêves à Vendre, in the Lost in Time Market, where it is rumored that he deals in bespoke dreams, and Nova operates a chimerical tattoo shop upstairs. Contacts Stella: Reverend Mother is here, purse first, to teach the children. "Socrates the Python" - Peter Murphy Ethan: I just might have a new best friend, and business partner. "Nightclubbing" - Reznor/Murphy/White/Pop Nova: So this thing is an actual thing, now. "City" - Legend and "Haunted When the Minutes Drag" - Love and Rockets Simone: I wish you could remember, too. "Song to the Siren" - This Mortal Coil Locke: While you eschew the formalities I now see you deserve the title. "Big Strong Boss" - Swans Ambrosine: When a Seer tells you she wants to discuss your future? Well. "Fluffy Tufts" - Cocteau Twins Keme: You're a breath of fresh air. Your arrival is fortuitous. "Thoughtforms" - Lush Gate: The shambling horror speaks! I'll invest in an actual working gas mask for future parleys. "Nemesis" - Shriekback Cara T.: Welcome to Prospect! I promise it's more interesting than I made it sound. "Surfin' USA" - Jesus and Mary Chain Salimah: I should be helping you, but instead you are helping me. Thank you. "Hand of Fatima" - Muslimgauze Eloise: Nice that you've developed a taste for serious coffee. Nope, not giving you the recipe. "Witchcraft" - Book of Love Erin: Personal responsibility. Check into it sometime. "Whipped Cream" - Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Blaze: The Field Marshall's goals are frightening, but she is still fascinating. I hope I don't piss her off. "Feurio" - Einsteurzende Neubauten Martine: Being in love is no excuse for selfishness. Do not force the Warlord's hand. "Selfish Rubbish" - Public Image Limited RP Hooks Occultism: How far down that rabbit hole do you want to go? The Art of Divination: He practices it - to rather eerie and uncomfortable effect. He's no charlatan, but a Cassandra. Industrial Subculture: He's neck-deep in it. He'll deign to go to Neofolk/pagan and Goth events, too. Problem-Solver: Got an enigma to deal with? Perhaps a conundrum? He's brilliant with puzzles. Esoteric Media: Like weird books and weirder music? So does John. He could probably even sell you some. Mummies: It's odd that he's not exactly an Egyptian scholar, isn't it? How does he know what he knows? Hermetic House Merinita: Do you know of them? He is desperately seeking them out. Possibly for hereditary reasons. Nightmares: Do you suffer from them? He can help you with them better than drugs or a psychiatrist could. Welcome Wagon: He's the unofficial liasion between the Grove of Tethys and Snow Fang Peak freeholds and new arrivals to the County. Arcanum: He's currently the only active ranking member in the city. Does the Owl know you? Do you want to know the Owl? Nightclubbing: He's the new owner of Rhapsody, an all-ages club in the city. Stereotypes Changelings: Give sanity a longer leash, some of us have sharper teeth. Shifters: The tenderness of wolves. Vampires: Under shivering stars the sickness is gliding. Sorcerers: Seduce, let loose the vision and the void. Psychics: See the future leaking through. Mages: At the heart of it all. Wraiths: Who should I say is calling? Demons: This is not paradise lost, but paradise disowned. Mummies: Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you. Theme Songs "The Snow (Answers Come in Dreams II)" - Coil "The Missing" - Arcadia "Psychonaut" - Fields of the Nephilim "We Live as We Dream Alone" - Gang of Four "Sumerland" - Fields of the Nephilim "Dream Aid" - Haujobb "Noise Inside My Head" - Assemblage 23 "Mirrors Fade" - ∆AIMON "Mind" - Hyperdex-1-Sect Gallery	John Balance Birthday: March, 1986 Occupation: Owner-Operator Off the Record. Nature Visionary Sphere: Sorcerer Sect: Cult of Isis/Arcanum Affiliation: Order of Hermes Race: Sluagh Kinain Craft Name: Cousin of Spiders, Torchbearer of Isis, Avatar of Tutu, Father of Dreams, Vanquisher of Nightmares. Paths/Magic Oneiromancy 6 Divination 3 Hellfire 2 Mind Shields 2 Pyrokinesis 2 Telepathy 2 Attributes Intelligence 4 Perception 4 Wits 4 Abilities Awareness 4 Enigmas 4 Fortune-Telling 4 Intuition 3 Investigation 4 Lucid Dreaming 4 Occult 5 Research 4 Lores Demon Lore 1 Fae Lore 2 Mage Lore 3 Mummy Lore 2 Sorcerer Lore 3 Vampire Lore 2 Wraith Lore 1 Merits Chantry 2 Demesne 3 Dream 2 Kinain 4 Library 2 Oracular Ability 3