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, a recently-widowed Chicagoan, has been in Prospect for close to a decade, now. For the past six years he's owned Off the Record, a local media shop and cafe that caters to quirky, spoopy Goth-Industrial fans and adolescent occultists. You aren't likely to find much in the way of massively popular music or 'literature' there, but what he does have in stock is darkly entertaining, and the coffee's outstanding. Sometimes he DJs at Rhapsody, an all-ages club he owns as part of the LLC, A Balancing Act, that he operates with Ethan Sienna, his best friend and manager at Rhapsody. Their holdings also include Steamed and Hammered Tavern, Feather of Maat Bookstore, and Furor Poeticus, a mixed-use arts space and cafe. Dreaming-side, he has a storefront, Rêves à Vendre, in the Lost in Time Market, where he deals in bespoke dreams. He has also accepted an administrative position at the Covey-Fychell College of Fae Arts, Laws and Courtly Etiquette, a school for Unsained Kithain Nobility, Commoners, Kinain, and those undergoing their Dream-Dance. He also holds the status of Third Degree Practicus within the Hermetic House Merinita, though currently belongs to neither cabal nor chantry. Notable are the symbols he wears around his neck: the silver Owl of the Arcanum, the copper sigil of the Cult of Isis, and an unusual violet and silver starburst. Contacts Lee: Never thought I'd be a widower at thirty-two. Fucking hell. "I Want to Live" - This Mortal Coil Ethan: Best friend, 'little brother' and business partner. Respect and responsibility look good on you. Congratulations."Nightclubbing" - Reznor/Murphy/White/Pop Simone: Wish granted? "Song to the Siren" - This Mortal Coil Nicky: You're needed here. Meet me in the frunchroom. "Thieves Like Us" - New Order Ambrosine: It's gratifying when someone realizes your worth. Mortifying when you disappoint them. "Starblood" - Cranes Nova: ... "Remorse" - Front Line Assembly Emrick: It's refreshing to see the Dreaming through the eyes of someone who really wants to learn about it. "Bio-Mechanic" - Front Line Assembly Velvet: Werk it, boi. "The Dame" - Charlie Hides Larry: You're really good for her, Councilman. I approve. "Penthouse and Pavement" - Heaven 17 Chastity: He really digs you. And he's still an important part of our lives, too. Please remember that. "Blood Bitch" - Cocteau Twins Thoreau: A living, breathing myth. Holy shit, wee green dude. "Everything's Gone Green" - New Order Felicite: Barf up that many rainbows, you've gotta be destined for greatness. "Rainbows End" - Modern English Locke: While you eschew the formalities I now see you deserve the title. Y'know, when you're around."Big Strong Boss" - Swans LaWolfe: If anyone will find Arcadia, you will. "Deep in Vogue" - Malcolm McLaren Carolyn: I did what needed to be done. Nothing more, nothing less. Fly on, brave Raven Queen. "Every Colour You Are" - David Sylvian Erin: In. It. Ia. Tive. Try taking it sometime. "Whipped Cream" - Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Sterling: 50 years Chrysalized, lived through several wars, never Undone from the Banality. Also, he's a doctor. Huh. "Common People" - Pulp 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. Merchant of Dreams: Kith and Kin seeking Dreams need only visit his shop Rêves à Vendre in the Lost in Time Market. Hermetic House Merinita: He is a member of it, a Third Degree Practicus by rank. Nightmares: Do you suffer from them? He can help you with them better than drugs or a psychiatrist could. Barony of the Shadowed Souls - John is sworn to its Holder: Baroness Philomène Antionette De LiliJudicaël of House Beaumayn. Covey-Fychell College: Rumored to be teaching the Polemics Against the Prodigals class when the College opens. Alternative Entrepreneur: He owns Off the Record, an industrial record store/cafe; Rhapsody, an all-ages club, and co-owns both Steamed and Hammered Tavern, a steampunk bar and Furor Poeticus, an arts performance space. Recently acquired Feather of Maat Bookstore. 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 "I Believe" - Conjure One "Inhabits Eternity" - Rhys Fulber "The Snow (Answers Come in Dreams II)" - Coil "Psychonaut" - Fields of the Nephilim "We Live as We Dream Alone" - Gang of Four "Sumerland" - Fields of the Nephilim "Dream Aid" - Haujobb Gallery	John Balance Birthday: March, 1986 Occupation: Owns Off the Record. Nature: Visionary Court: Seelie Sphere: Sorcerer/Changeling House: Beaumayn Tradition: House Merinita 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 3 Telepathy 3 Attributes Intelligence 4 Perception 4 Wits 5 Abilities Awareness 4 Empathy 5 Enigmas 4 Fortune-Telling 4 Gremayre 5 Intuition 3 Investigation 4 Lucid Dreaming 5 Melee 4 Occult 5 Research 4 Lores Demon Lore 1 Fae Lore 5 Mage Lore 3 Mummy Lore 2 Sorcerer Lore 3 Vampire Lore 2 Wraith Lore 1 Merits/Backgrounds Homebase 5 Demesne 5 Dream 5 Kinain 4 Library 2 Oracular Ability 3 Resources 5