The Wayward

	Sign In Sign-Up

t h e . w a y w a r d - n i k o d e m u s

Return to the Main Characters Page.

Nikodemus (Clan Unknown)
From the East, mystery, shrouded in death.

Description:
A man in his late twenties watches the proceedings from the shadows. His face has a faintly asiatic cast to it. While his gray turtleneck is brand-new, his jeans are less so. The leather of his boots shows scuff marks and his leather overcoat needs re-dying. His long black hair drawn into a topknot appears to be in the early stages of greying. Black eyes, complete with slight epicanthic folds, twinkle with mischief...or malice.

Background:
Nikodemus - The name has been bandied about for centuries. He's been reported here, and then there, and then in both at the same time. Where does he come from, and what is he doing?

Here are the facts:

Reported sightings: Hong Kong (1142-1157, 1238, 1475-1625, 1885-1889, 1980-1995) Venice (1867-1869), Boston (1965-1969), Mexico City (1881-1883), Montreal (1910-1917), Autochthonia (1997), The Abyss (2000)

Confirmed sightings: Hong Kong (1142-1150, 1990-1995), Autochthonia (1997), The Abyss (2000)

Rumors: Nikodemus was present at the diablirization of Cappadocius (unconfirmed); Nikodemus was present at the creation of the Camarilla (unconfirmed); Nikodemus was once Prince of Boston (unconfirmed); Nikodemus was once an Archon to the Toreador Justicar(unconfirmed); Nikodemus once turned down the positino of Toreador Justicar (unconfirmed); Nikodemus was once an Archon to the Toreador Justicar(unconfirmed); Nikodemus diablerized a Ventrue Primogen at a convocation (unconfirmed); Nikodemus is a Toreador (unconfirmed); Nikodemus is a Brujah (unconfirmed); Nikodemus is an Eastern Vampire masquerading as a Cainite (unconfirmed);

Nikodemus diablerized the Arch-Bishop of Montreal in 1996 (confirmed); Nikodemus made his haven in Glacier National Park Montana, a Lupine stronghold, from 1998-2000 (confirmed); Nikodemus and a group of Lupines destroyed an Atlas International power plant outside of Seattle Washington in 1998 (confirmed); Nikodemus turned down the role of Seneschal in London (Confirmed).

Character Perceptions:
Krouser - "Niko's a typical 'moldy oldie' as Abby called them. Intelligent, but not worth wasting time, money, or modern technology on unless he has a problem he feels I need to know about."

Elijah - "This guy is one big question mark. He says very little about himself, but apparently he's on at least cordial terms with some Garou out in the midwest...which is impressive. He seems very, very knowledgable about a lot of things. So far he hasn't revealed any intentions but has managed to get me talking like I never thought I would. A bit disturbing. At the same time, he's charismatic and I find that I like him. At one time I wasn't sure how much I could trust him - well, strange to say, that incident where he almost decapitated me with his knife has convinced me that he can the trusted.

Analysis: Tread cautiously. He doesn't seem malicious but it does strike me that, if he felt it necessary, he would use me in an instant. Nothing personal, and he wouldn't go out of his way to do it, but if necessary he would without hesitation. On the other hand, while he's revealed little information about himself, he's given a lot of information about a great many other things."

Quotes to Live or Die By:

'One finds life through conquering the fear of death within one's mind. Empty the mind of all forms of attachment, make a go-for-broke charge and conquer the opponent with one decisive slash.' - Togo Shigekata.

'An effective stance is to be attached neither to the opponent's sword nor to one's own sword.' - Yagyu Toshiyoshi.

'The undisturbed mind is like the calm body water reflecting the brilliance of the moon. Empty the mind and you will realize the undisturbed mind.' - Yagyu Jubei.

'To be swayed neither by the opponent nor by his sword is the essence of swordsmanship.' - Miyamoto Musashi.

'Conqueror the self and you will conquer the opponent.' - Takuan Soho.

'The mind unmoved by external distraction produces physical mobility.' - Yagyu Renyasai

'The hands manipulate the sword, the mind manipulates the hands. Cultivate the mind and do not be deceived by tricks, feints and schemes. They are the properties of a magician, not of the samurai..' - Saito Yakuro.

'Mental bearing (calmness), not skill, is the sign of a matured samurai. A samurai therefore should neither be pompous nor arrogant.' - Tsukahara Bokuden.

'Conquering evil, not the opponent, is the essence of swordsmanship.' - Yagyu Munenori.

'An unpolished crystal does not shine; an undisciplined samurai does not have brilliance. A samurai therefore should cultivate his mind.' - Anonymous.

'When a cow drinks water, it becomes milk. When a snake drinks water, it becomes poison.' Omori often used this traditional saying in his teaching to illustrate the point that thinking about cause and effect is an empty chase after meaning. Awareness of conditions is far more useful.' - Anonymous.

'True 'no-thought, no-mind' zazen is just one thing - to have a dauntless mind.' This maxim of Suzuki Shosan was another favorite of Omori.' - Anonymous.

'The Way is a natural way of the Universe, and to learn it, one must revere Heaven, love man, and live one's life from first to last in self-control.' - Anonymous.

next character: Canis Nobile