The shamans in my mountains call it Uchawi Mabadiliko... the changing from one skin into another. The ones so cursed do not always fully remember it, this... becoming. Is it a sickness? Or is it something else? Is it a blessing, the purpose of which we can not yet see? I say, this is what it is. For I know you my friend, Ethan Chandler, I see inside you.
Sembene
F: Rm (30)
A: Ex (20)
S: Gd (10)
E: Rm (30)
R: Typ (06)
I: Rm (30)
P: Rm (30)
Health: -90
Karma: 66
Resources: Typ (06)
Popularity: 0
Talents:
Sembene had several skills which made him quite a match for the foes that Sir Malcolm Murray faced, including:
Sharp Weapons
Blunt Weapons
Firearms
Knowledge: London
Knowledge: Upper African Continent
Knowledge: Multi-lingual
Knowledge: British Explorers.
Dual weapon fighting
Cook
Hunting/Tracking
Stealth
Unarmed combat
Marksman
Powers:
Sembene has no real powers, but demonstrates several power-like effects throughout the
Penny Dreadful series, which include:
- Strong-Willed: Sembene is a man of extraordinary will, perhaps even greater than his associates (outside of perhaps Vanessa Ives). Sembene is not easily startled or surprised by the actions or activities that he is exposed to, and has gone toe-to-toe with vampires, witches, and ultimately werewolves. Sembene is considered to have Rm (30) will to resist fear effects or to startle, and to ignore conditions or events which may make others flinch. In addition, it is suggested through the series that Sembene is resistant to mystical effects, and he is not as easily swayed as the others when the Night Witches attack or use magic. Sembene is also able to ignore his own pain and conditions with a similar FEAT roll, being able to act when others are stunned and even resist pain.
Contacts:
Sembene is a close ally of those within Malcolm Murray’s circle – Vanessa Ives, Ethan Chandler, and even Victor Frankenstein. Sembene’s role with Malcolm Murray is outwardly as a manservant, but is quite equal to Murray (See Limitations).
Limitations:
Sembene has a few limitations, such as:
- Responsibility to Malcolm Murray: Although the exact nature of Sembene’s relationship to Murray is speculated as being that Murray saved Sembene’s life, the truth is a bit more complex, as it is heavily implied that Sembene had saved Murray’s life and is now responsible for it. As such, Sembene will risk his own well-being for Malcolm Murray’s, and often will act on Murray’s instruction without real question. Sembene feels very strongly that he’s responsible for Murray’s life, and takes the role very seriously.
- Unusual Looks: Sembene has a series of marks on his face which mark him by his former profession as a slave trader. Sembene’s appearance can seem fearsome, and when first encountered, can be rather imposing (-1cs for social checks upon first encounter).
- Reputation: Sembene has a reputation as a slave trader prior to his encounter with Malcolm Murray.
- Enemies: Any enemy that Malcolm Murray has, Sembene has, and as such was considered to be an enemy of Dracula, the Night Witches, and any of Murray’s other enemies.
Notes:
I waited to do Sembene for my
Penny Dreadful write-ups because arguably he’s probably my favorite character and I felt that he was a great character whose mysterious backstory was brought out little by little. I was a little angry when they chose to kill him off, mainly because I felt he was one of the cornerstone voices of the show and in some cases, I felt he brought a real sense of morality to the group. Sembene’s FASERIP is as accurate as I think I could make it, and I debated adding other abilities but chose against it based on re-watching the series. I think Sembene rocked with the kukri knives.