"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day." -- David Foster Wallace, "This is Water"
OVERVIEW
As the Soviet Union was crumbling to pieces, a young Ukrainian boy followed his father northeast towards St. Petersburg from Odessa. When the KGB was giving way to the FSB, a young Vasyl Tometchko was entering army service. He earned himself distinction in a rifle company, became an intelligence officer, and swiftly discovered himself wrapped up in a Labyrinth of the St. Petersburg Guardians of the Veil. His awakening on the Path to Arcadia was an unexpected surprise, and an asset soon became an ally.
For over 20 years, Vasyl served Russia in the vain hope that his homeland of Ukraine would benefit from the work he did. Under the Shadowname of Yaroslav the Wise he shepherded the formation of a new consilium as one of its first Councilors, and eventually abdicated his post to resume his work as a Susceptor. East of the Danube, he earned the sort of reputation Guardians rarely achieve; egalitarian, conscientious, and patient. The latter an even rarer trait among Acanthus.
But when the Russian army annexed the Crimea and backed right wing paramilitary separatists in Donbas and Donetsk, Vasyl's dual loyalties came into conflict. With the blessing of his Epopt, he traveled to Ukraine to-- officially --confront and contend with a pylon of Seers of the Throne who had been operating with impunity in the war torn region. With the help of his cadre, the Firebirds, he was able to dismantle the Pylon member by member. Much of the violence in the east of the country ceased, and his Epopt attempted to recall him.
But seeing the writing on the wall and realizing he had cast the dice, he fled west. Through Europe, from Consilium to Consilium, moving from cover to cover, masque to masque, until at last he stepped off a gangway in New York and caught the Amtrak to Philadelphia. Since his arrival he has been involved in a great many intrigues, supported both the consilium and the Assembly, but for the most part pursued his own peculiar devices in tracking down the Seers and confronting their activities.
Early in 2022, having helped to uncover a plot in the middle of the consilium's security apparatus, he renounced his membership to the Guardians of the Veil and the Consilium both, electing to join the Assembly as a Free Councilor of all things. While the move was unexpected to most, it has so far caused minimal political strife. There seems to be an air of 'he's your problem now' about the matter.
Rumors:
Brought the sleepwalker "Ray" Clearwater in from the cold.
Commanded the assault team which attacked the beshilu warrens in Centralia.
Brought a truly massive spirit of decay under his sway. He has no Spirit magic to speak of.
Participated in the investigation and commanded the mission that brought the Scelestus Uvaush before the Interfector.
Redacted a Veil breach caused by a Seer impersonating the Interfector and apprehended the Seer in question.
Narced on his superiors in the Guardians of the Veil and then quit the consilium and the guardians both on the same day.
Part of his change of order was ditching his russo-larping. He goes by Vasyl now.
ROLEPLAY HOOKS
Refugee - Vasyl recently fled Ukraine for the United States. He is active in the Ukrainian expatriate community and can be found at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Ukrainian Sports Center up in Bucks County quite regularly.
Intelligence Operative - Vasyl used to serve as a rather highly placed officer of the FSB at their offices in St. Petersburg, Russia. Then he quit. His later career was largely concerned with the administration of CENTRAL, the Guardian Labyrinth housed within St. Petersburg's FSB, but he was no stranger to fieldwork. Perhaps you were there that one time in Budapest, or remember the time things went sideways in Vienna, or helped him beat the clock that one time in Berlin.
Fallen From Grace - Vasyl was well placed and well respected once upon a time. He was the Acanthus Councilor in St. Petersburg, and a Susceptor for the Guardian Caucus there. Whatever shreds of that former life he managed to rebuild here in Philadelphia he burned in fleeing to the Free Council. He's notorious at this point, demonstrably fickle, and possessed of questionable loyalties.
Weapons - Vasya has a wide variety of firearms and explosives in his arsenal. If you need someone to get you a shiny new boomstick, he's a good one to ask. He's also a good one to ask if you need to take out a tank for whatever reason.
AWAKENED INFORMATION
Long Term Nimbus - A tendency to discover loose change in unexpected places, particularly silver coins.
Immediate Nimbus - Time stutters and warps around the Acanthus, making him seem to be undertaking dozens of actions at once with disorienting results. (-1 Wits, -1 Composure, -1 Resolve)
Signature Nimbus - A coppery taste on the tongue, the zing of licking a battery, a whiff of cordite.
Recognized Title - Third Degree Adept Pavlichenko, Guardian and Enchanter on the Path to Arcadia, Supernal Realm of Fate and Time, and abode of Fae, Scion of the Watchtower of the Lunargent Thorn, Adept of Fate, Time, and Mind, Lorekeeper of the Firebirds
BURN NOTICE
On agreement with the Epopt, the total redaction of the Masques granted to Yaroslavl the Wise along with the times and memories related with such operation with voluntary verification and periodic monitoring for a period of one year will ensure Guardian protection of either the cessation of all counter-espionage against these masques, and the assumption of all duties and responsibilities formerly enjoyed by these masques. He will be permitted to walk away with nothing, so long as it stays that way.
Oontz Oontz
Oontz Oontz appears variously as a free floating ball of blue-white electric light which buzzes and crackles by means of speech, and a human person that identifies as a boy, appears rather effeminate, enjoys music, dancing, and playing electronics, and also completely failing to get on with other humans. Mostly.
