Biography
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John, a Chicagoan, has been in Prospect about three years now. For the past two years he's owned Off the Record, a local media shop and cafe that caters to quirky, intellectual occultists and obscure music aficionados; 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 darkly entertaining, and the coffee's outstanding. Studious and acerbic, John's got a keen intellect, and he is far more perceptive than sometimes given credit for; sharpening his wits by indulging his drive to solve puzzles at any opportunity. He is an emancipated student of Stella Amunet's, and holds the status of Third Degree Practicus within the Order of Hermes; with membership in the Chantry Fellowship of the Secret Word. Sometimes he DJs at Rhapsody, an all-ages club he owns. Recently he formed an LLC called A Balancing Act with Ethan Sienna, his manager at Rhapsody, and they purchased Steamed and Hammered Tavern. Dreaming-side, he has a storefront, Rêves à Vendre, in the Lost in Time Market, where he deals in bespoke dreams.
Also 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.
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Contacts
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- Lee: Pączek. A perfect Dream. "Buoy" - Mick Karn/David Sylvian "Over My Head" - Blind Mr Jones "When Love Walks In' - Sylvian/Karn "Catch the Fall" - Dolphin Brothers
- Stella: Reverend Mother is here, purse first, to teach the children. "Socrates the Python" - Peter Murphy
- Ethan: Best friend, 'little brother' and business partner. I get to worry about you. "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
- LaWolfe: When most other nobles fail, hit up the non-binary neo-Edwardian. "Deep in Vogue" - Malcolm McLaren
- Carolyn: I did what needed to be done. Nothing more, nothing less. "Every Colour You Are" - David Sylvian
- Locke: While you eschew the formalities I now see you deserve the title. "Big Strong Boss" - Swans
- 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
- Mitchell: Earnest. Young. Learning fast. "Shiny Shiny" - Haysi Fantayzee
- Keket: Your kindness makes me fear for the magnitude of your pranks. "Androgyny" - the Replacements
- Brian: I'm called 'Balance' for a reason. Someday you'll understand. Maybe. "Consensual Worlds" - Delerium
- Cash: Apparently when all else fails you really do call in the Marine(s). Too bad your boyfriend's a dupek. "Land of the Free" - Die Warzau
- Erin: Personal responsibility. Check into it sometime. "Whipped Cream" - Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
- Mitzi: Doctor Pole-Dancer Body-Shots Trespasser Barbie, there are consequences for ignorance. "Rules and Regulations" - Public Image Ltd.
- Sterling: Pompous, fatuous, ridiculous, egregiously self-important snob and bore.The Worst. The argent Lion weeps. "Common People" - Pulp
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RP Hooks
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- 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: 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.
- Freehold Guardian: He and Ethan are official Guardians of Rhapsody Freehold, and liaison to the Barony of the Shadowed Souls for new arrivals.
- Barony of the Shadowed Souls - John is the sworn Knight to its Baroness Philomène Antionette De LiliJudicaël of House Beaumayn.
- Arcanum: He's currently the only active ranking member in the city. Does the Owl know you? Do you want to know the Owl?
- Alternative Entrepreneur: He's the owner of Rhapsody, an all-ages club, as well as co-owner of Steamed and Hammered Tavern, a steampunk bar.
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Stereotypes
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- 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.
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Theme Songs
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Gallery
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John Balance
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Birthday:
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March, 1986
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Occupation:
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Owns Off the Record.
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Nature
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Visionary
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Sphere:
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Sorcerer/Changeling
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Sect:
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Cult of Isis/Arcanum
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Affiliation:
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Order of Hermes
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Race:
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Sluagh Kinain
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Craft Name:
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Cousin of Spiders, Torchbearer of Isis, Avatar of Tutu, Father of Dreams, Vanquisher of Nightmares.
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Title:
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Knight
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Paths/Magic
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Oneiromancy
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6
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Divination
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3
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Hellfire
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2
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Mind Shields
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2
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Pyrokinesis
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3
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Telepathy
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3
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Attributes
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Intelligence
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4
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Perception
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4
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Wits
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4
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Abilities
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Awareness
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4
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Empathy
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5
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Enigmas
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4
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Fortune-Telling
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4
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Gremayre
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4
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Intuition
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3
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Investigation
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4
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Lucid Dreaming
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5
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Melee
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4
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Occult
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5
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Research
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4
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Lores
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Demon Lore
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1
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Fae Lore
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4
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Mage Lore
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3
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Mummy Lore
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2
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Sorcerer Lore
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3
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Vampire Lore
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2
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Wraith Lore
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1
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Merits/Backgrounds
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Chantry
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2
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Demesne
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3
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Dream
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4
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Kinain
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4
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Library
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2
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Oracular Ability
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3
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Resources
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4
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Title
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2
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