PRELIMINARY NOTES ================= From the Journal of Anthony Brock --------------------------------- A journal? Indeed - why not? Doubtless, some folk would adduce such a record as further evidence of my supposed Egotism. Let such dullards sneer! If my beliefs prove correct, historians in ages to come will thank me for providing them with this record of deeds and times. My name is Anthony Brock. I do not intend to permit this journal to be read by others until that simple sentence will be introduction enough, but for the sake of completeness, I will elaborate a little further. Of my birth and early years, I do not propose to write; experts in language and accents, or diligent detectives, may deduce that I was born in the English Midlands, of moderately prosperous but unremarkable family, but my philosophy is that a man of sufficient determination may transcend his birth. For a fact, that is this man's intention. In early years, I demonstrated a substantial grasp of both practical and abstract studies, and I was thus able to obtain a series of scholarships and bursaries, permitting me to acquire as fine an education as my abilities demanded. Thus began my travels. For the school-rooms of my native town, and even the stolid colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, were not, I felt, sufficient to provide my mind with the breadth of understanding and formal training it demands. And so, having become adept in French and German, I took passage to the universities of Paris and Berlin, there to master those physical sciences to which, I fear, my native country fails to pay due and necessary honour. For, from an early age, I had perceived that my studies should not be an end in themselves; rather, I felt that I possessed a Destiny. (Some mock me if I let slip any mention of this perception. Let them! For consider this; either a man's Destiny is shaped by some higher power, or it is of his own making. In the former case, then why should my belief in my own Destiny - a belief based on a careful assessment of my own talents - not be correct? And in the latter - then believe that I have all the determination that is required to shape my life as I wish. And I wish this! But enough of my personal philosophy.) I am, I believe, as benevolent a man as most, and so my Destiny must surely be to assist the betterment of the Human Race. To accomplish this, I must, eventually, acquire a Position of Power - but for the moment, mastery of the Physical World will enable me to accomplish much that is needful. In pursuit of the necessary knowledge, I eventually commenced studies at the University of Berlin, whereat much marvellous work is certainly being done. For a while, I must confess, I failed to consider the ends to which the Government of Prussia might turn the discoveries made in this, their capital - until I encountered the despicable Professor Kurst Rozenvolte. The one true regret of my life is that I ever took this creature into my confidence in any way. Professor Rozenvolte is a clever man, indeed one of the world's leading experts in his field, but not, I think, a judge of human nature. He told me that he took me for a "kindred spirit", and spoke to me of the power that such as we might attain, in partnership, either for ourselves or as servants of the Prussian state. Naturally, I spurned this demeaning offer, at which the Professor became surly and threatening; it became clear that he sees any who are not his sworn friends to be his enemies. As he is a man of some position and influence, I found my condition at that University becoming increasingly untenable; however, I also realised that I was being observed - by agents of the Professor or the Prussian State, I was uncertain, and I am unsure that a difference exists. However, it takes more than blundering ruffians to overcome Destiny, especially when it is allied with Intellect. It required no great genius to deduce that the Bavarian embassy in that city must perforce contain some persons empowered to deal with irregular matters of National Interest, and I had encountered various persons, assigned to that establishment, who I believed could assist me. I despatched a letter by secret means, and within days I was contacted. Somewhat to my surprise, my visitor was a Lady, but not Human. The most attractive Ellethienne of the Sidhe declared herself an agent of the "Second Compact", and informed me, with a laugh that I soon learned to be typical of herself, that a place could be found for me at the University of Munich. I declared a willingness to accept this offer, and within minutes, the Lady Ellethienne had turned her Inhuman Powers to assisting me in slipping away from Berlin. I brought with me only the clothes on my back, and my most valued possession; a Reciprocator Pistol which I have personally re-constructed to provide superior effectiveness and accuracy. We rode Night and Day, until we were safely across the border. Ellethienne left me then, laughing still, but I believe that we will meet again. If my Destiny is as noble as I believe, I will surely have worthy company in my rise to glory. Now, I am in Munich, having taken up the proffered University post. My scholarly duties are worthy of my talents, but not strenuous, leaving me with ample opportunity to exercise and train my talents. I have spent a few hours with agents of the Bavarian Secret Service, providing them with all the intelligence I have of Professor Rozenvolte's work for their Prussian foes - a fair exchange for the rescue, I think. This city is much more aesthetically pleasing than Berlin, and my talents are more appreciated here than in my native land. I think that I shall work out the next chapter of my Destiny in Munich. As for my personal capacities; my dilligent studies have left me with superior knowledge of both scholastic and practical matters - the single accomplishment of which I am most proud is my Mastery of the Physical Sciences. I also realise that my Life's Work may demand superior physical attributes at times, and I have thus acquired a good working training in athletic activities, marksmanship, and the arts of quiet stalking and evasion. I am also told that I have a pleasant visage, which helps me in dealings with those lesser folk who are not impressed by more substantial matters. My weaknesses are few; having a slight aversion to the vulgar, I have never received any training whatsoever in brawling or fisticuffs - an ommission that I may some day attempt to remedy. Furthermore, my impatience with trivia has left me with no talent for the performing arts. However, I hold that any personal limitations of any kind can always be counteracted by determination and intellectual dilligence. I once heard a fellow scholar, who thought me departed the room, describe me as a "Saturnine Egotist". Others, a little more sympathetic, have accused me of a deliberate dark flamboyance in my dress and manner. Such trivia are unimportant; I mention them only to show that I am aware of what is said. I believe my great virtue to be a detached, precise focus; let others accuse me of arrogance or coldness. I enjoy the rich wine of Success more than I desire applause. I hold that Consistency, in morality, dedication, or honour, is the highest aim to which a being can aspire. That which I despise is the thin gruel of Mediocrity, which abandons Consistency for the exigencies of the moment. These high principals have left me with few close friends or allies, although there are a handful of scholars, around the continent, who I have found share somewhat of my Vision. Furthermore, the Bavarian Secret Service have hinted that they feel that they have a debt to me, as I have to them; I hope that this means that I shall have further contact with such as the Lady Ellethienne, my partner in that night ride, when I felt the breath of Destiny on my neck. For now, I occupy a small but comfortable room in Munich's academic quarter, which I share with a Persian Cat that I recently acquired; something about the creature's manner apppealed to me. (If the dumb beasts include a spirit to match mine, it resides in this feline.) I am plotting my future; my ultimate goal is to Rule Wisely, and to be recognised by my peers for my intellectual creation of perfect plans; at that time, I think that a worthy bride will be at my side. ********* GAME MECHANICS: -------------- Athletics: Good. Comeliness: Good. Education: Great. Fisticuffs: Poor. Marksmanship: Good. Performance: Poor. Stealth: Good. Tinkering: Great. PERSONAL ACCOUTREMENTS: ---------------------- Dark, well-cut clothes, including a black silk opera cape; a walking-cane with compartments for gadgets, usually a flash bomb and a toolkit; a well- hidden holster with that hand-rebuilt reciprocator. ********* Out-of-character thoughts: It's obvious that Anthony Brock isn't quite conventional Hero material. Actually, he's a would-be Mastermind, with the ego to match - but he's restrained by a rudimentary sense of morality, a definite if personal code of honour (he recognises a large debt to Bavaria), a shortage of resources, and the lack of the Charisma or other manipulative skills he needs to become a Leader figure. Being shrewd enough to recognise some of his own failings, he'll work to remedy these lacks, along with his limited training in Fencing and his outright ineptitude as a fist-fighter. On the other hand, he is genuine in thinking that his Rise to Power should enable him to be good for other people, and he sees no reason why he shouldn't hitch his star to Bavaria's wagon. In the short term, he can trade his skills for aid; in the long term, he sees himself as leadership material, and wiser heads in Munich should think about trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. His weakness for Lady Ellethienne of the Sidhe, an agent of the Second Compact (who probably thinks that he's a whatever-Victorians-call-a-nerd) is one hook that the forces of virtue have in his soul.