By Simon Foston (auribon@aol.com)
Summary: Dr. Albison is a moderately well-known medieval historian, hillwalker and English eccentric, in the fine tradition of Patrick Moore, David Bellamy and the Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe. Having gone straight from a somewhat unconventional family background to an equally unconventional school and then on to the hallowed halls of Oxford, he has remained on the fringes of the academic establishment ever since, supporting himself by writing articles for highbrow magazines and occasionally lecturing, and spending the rest of his time wandering all over Britain, hunting down obscure myths and legends. It’s his latter occupation which has given Dr. Albison something of a standing within the occult underground.
As a general rule, Dr. Albison minds his own business and doesn’t seem to know all that much about what’s really going on, which is why he’s been left alone so far, but he does fancy himself as something of a mystic detective, and he’s very attracted to the idea of solving mysteries and righting terrible wrongs. His interest in the occult isn’t selfish, but neither is it entirely academic: he is ultimately hoping to become an adept, but true magickal enlightenment has so far eluded him.
Albison currently lives in a Seventeenth Century Oxfordshire farmhouse, purchased with the money left to him by several elderly relatives. This is where he does most of his writing and research, and it’s quite clear from the cluttered state of the place that he has always been a confirmed bachelor. Nevertheless, he’s often away on hillwalking expeditions or on one of his many quests for lost lore, and he’s been all over the country in a battered Range Rover, with only a map, a notebook, a camera and his mountaineering equipment for company.
Personality: A typical Sagittarius. Albison’s defining trait is his wanderlust and individuality, and he doesn’t have much time for the nuances and inconveniences of ‘ordinary’ life - he always has to have a grand crusade to focus his attention on, such as a mystery which must be solved, or a search for the Holy Grail. Needless to say, that while he is genuinely well meaning and often tremendously likeable, he doesn’t always relate terribly well to other people. Nevertheless, he tends to be bold, brisk and plainly spoken, with a wry sense of humour which some find endearing - others find it irritating.
Obsession: Self-discovery, and revealing the eternal truths to be found in history, mythology and folklore. There’s so much allegory and symbolism floating around that there just has to be something to be learned from it. Of course, such knowledge, when discovered, should also be shared, and Albison does not believe in keeping his learning to himself.
Passions
Rage Stimulus: The destruction of knowledge. More specifically, this can be taken to include burning books, destroying films and demolishing places of historical or even mystical significance. The past should not and cannot be blotted out, and Albison is likely to fly off the handle at anyone who disagrees.
Fear Stimulus: (Helplessness) Crippling physical disability, such as paralysis or a serious stroke. Albison cherishes his mobility because his independence depends upon it, and he’s terrified by the prospect of being prevented from going freely wherever he wants.
Noble Stimulus: To add to the knowledge of humanity.
Stats
Body: 60 (husky build)
Speed: 40 (takes his time)
Mind: 60 (keen mind)
Soul: 60 (astute and intuitive)
Skills
Body Skills: General Athletics 20%, Mountaineering 30%, Struggle 25%.
Speed Skills: Dodge 15%, Drive 30%.
Mind Skills: General Education 55%, Notice 35%, Occult 45%.
Soul Skills: Charm 30%, Hunches 15%, Lie 15%.
Madness Meter
Violence = 0H/0F
Unnatural = 0H/0F
Helplessness = 0H/0F
Isolation = 0H/0F
Self = 0H/0F
Possessions
An old Range Rover which invariably contains a camera, a variety of books and mountaineering equipment, including a compass, binoculars and a stout walking stick.