Bio

Phase One: Background: Zachary is from a small town in Iowa. His early childhood was fairly typical. His parents, James and Betsy, had two boys; Zack and Ian. As a baby, Zack was quiet, happy, and always had a smile. He began school, like any boy, at the age of 5. Shortly after school began, he woke up to the sounds of muffled cries and smashing dishes. Zack ran downstairs to find his family being savagely beaten by unseen assailants. Zack only saw shadows and blurs of motion as he looked for the attackers. With a cry of command from his father, Zack ran upstairs to his room, locked himself inside, and recited The Lord’s Prayer in the corner until the noise stopped. With no one left alive in his family, Zack was sent to the local church, of which his family was very involved, to be cared for and educated. The police couldn’t figure out why Zack wasn’t attacked as well. After the incident. nobody called him Zack anymore, it was always Zachary, his baptismal name.

Phase Aspect: “Have a little Faith” (Faith provides protection)

Phase Two: Rising Conflict: Zachary spent the rest of his youth being raised in the church. The only prominent people in his life at this point were Father Limek and the various nuns who prepared the food and took care of other “sisterly” duties. There were a few other boys, also orphans, who lived on the church grounds with Zachary. He got along with them all well enough but never felt close to any of them in particular. He felt God was his true friend during these times. Zachary spent much of his youth questioning Father Limek about what really happened to his parents. At first, the Father didn’t have any answers, but slowly Zachary was separated from the other boys and began learning other, more obscure, lessons. He took classes on Demonology, hand-to-hand combat, basic weapons training and Catholic lore. Zachary knew there was a reason he was being separated but no one would tell him why. He embraced these lessons with the hope of using them to track down his family’s killer. He never questioned the teachings, he simply had faith.

Phase Aspect: Demon Lore (Knowledge of evil creatures)

Phase Three: The Story: When Zachary was 17, Father Limek told Zachary it was time to test his faith. If the test was passed, Zachary would have his faith rewarded and all of his questions would be answered. With a simple nod, Zarchary said, “I am ready.” Father Limek gave him an envelope and inside was an address and a time. This was where the test was to take place. Was it to be another test of hand-to-hand with one of the deacons or perhaps a written test on the details of the succubi? Zachary showed up to the address which was an old hardware store in town that had been closed for two years. A Wal-Mart had moved in about that time and was slowly driving out the local merchants. This one was one of the first to close. With a motion of his hand, Father Limek said, “After you, my son.” After Zachary was inside, he heard the steel door shut and latch behind him. He felt panic rush into him until he remembered the Father’s words, “It is time to test your faith.” Zachary moved through the aisles from the old store looking for a clue, some hint as to what to do. As he turned a corner near what used to be the owner’s office, he saw a shadow and a blur of motion from the corner of his eye. In that instant, he was 5 years old again, back at home and hiding in his room. He then heard whispered words, “Be strong, my son.” “Father?” But there was no answer. There was a crash behind him and Zachary turned to see a figure, not quite human, staring at him with huge black eyes. With another blur, the figure rushed Zachary but he was already moving back to accept the attack. He grabbed the creature’s outstretched hand, planted his foot and with a twist of shoulders and hips threw the thing into the opposing wall causing old tools to come crashing to the floor. When Zachary turned to run, he saw on the shelf to his right an old hammer and chisel. Thoughts of his family and their fate flooded his mind. He grabbed the chisel and quickly carved a cross, the symbol of his true faith, into the handle. As the creature began to rise behind him, Zachary turned to face it and the hammer began to emit a soft silver-white glow. The creature grabbed its right shoulder with the opposite hand and there was a sudden pop as if setting it back into place. Zachary rushed the figure with a snarl of righteous fury. The hammer blows fell like hail during a storm. Wherever the hammer struck the would-be monster, silver flames erupted on the creatures body. The test was over shortly. Breathing heavily while standing over the mangled mess on the ground, Zachary heard the door click open. “It would seem we chose wisely this time.” Father Limek said. “Come boy, its time for answers.”

Phase Aspect: Banish the Darkness (Bonus against fighting evil)