Fixation

Fixation

**of Note**

Although the madness of his clan certainly grips his mind, the good doctor’s scientific genius is unmistakable.

Douglas Netchurch was born before the turn of the century, to an affluent New England family with a long history in the medical profession. Although his older brother was something of a disappointment to the family, Douglas turned out to be everything they could have asked for, easily flying through school with top marks. Several Chapter Three: Shards of a Broken Mirror universities offered him quite generous scholarships, but ultimately he chose no single one; instead, he chose to spread his higher education out over a number of schools, including study abroad.

When the First World War erupted, Dr. Netchurch chose to leave his Boston practice and return to Europe, assisting the local hospitals in the treatment of fallen soldiers as best he could. He came to know the diseases and infections of the filthy trenches firsthand, as well as the horrors of chemical warfare — and he never so much as flinched.

It was there that he was drawn into the orbit of Trimeggian, a powerful Malkavian and fellow scholar of the medical arts. Trimeggian, who had been drawn to the Great War out of curiosity, was quite impressed by the resolve and insight of the American doctor. It seemed only natural that such a prodigy of modern medicine would prove most useful in applying the cutting edge of medical science to analyze the human and Kindred condition alike. And he was not disappointed — his childe rose to the occasion with all the dedication and rationality one would expect from a Netchurch.

Today Dr. Netchurch operates a covert (but quite professional, mind) facility in the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle area, where he turns “research grants” of blood, money and volunteers into highly credible findings about vitae, ghouling, revenants and many other subjects of interest. He is primarily assisted by his childe, Dr. Nancy Reage, a brilliant psychologist whose fixation with her sire and former domitor survived — and was even strengthened — by her Embrace. Netchurch is apparently quite unaware of her amorous obsession; then again, perhaps he knows and has simply classified it as an understandable and nonproblematic behavioral pattern. Whatever the case, her bedside manner is certainly more…generous than his own: yet another asset which makes her invaluable.

Image: Dr. Netchurch is an impeccably groomed man with short-cut ash-blond hair and round glasses (which, given his superior Auspex, are certainly an affectation or obsessive habit). He moves briskly and efficiently, and speaks in a level, measured tone at all times; deliberate attempts to rattle him are met with subtle, icy condescension. Within the confines of his laboratory (where he feels most at home) he dresses like the scientist he is; when forced by circumstance to leave, he wears a suit that’s perfectly immaculate, if slightly out of fashion.

Roleplaying Hints: You are consumed with a drive to understand the Kindred condition in all its permutations.

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that you’ll achieve this goal any time soon, but you do have all the time in the world. You are decidedly contemptuous of the more “occult” beliefs of your fellow Kindred, and patently don’t believe in Gehenna; even your connection to the Network is vestigial.

However, although you consider Thaumaturgy, Noddism and the like superstitious bunk, you have enough tact not to mention your feelings in front of others. Be reserved, speak only when you have something that needs saying, and keep clear of politics as much as you can; ultimately, only the pursuit of scientific understanding of the preternatural matters, and everything else is a distraction.

Sire: Trimeggian Nature: Visionary Demeanor: Director Generation: 7th Embrace: 1915 Apparent Age: 30s Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3 Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2 Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 5, Wits 3 Talents: Alertness 5, Dodge 2, Empathy 2, Expression 2, Intimidation 4 (bloodless stare), Leadership 2,