Wise

From Circle Of The Crone

Wise is the public name of a Kindred once called 'Reuben Weiss'. A slight mispronunciation of the name led to him being referred to in his current appelet, and he has not seen fit to correct it. Wise is a Guardian of a great and malevolent force, keeping it hidden and secret for the service of the Circle of the Crone. Moving from Texas to Florida in the 1940s, he moved into business, expanding industry and shipping concerns all around the city, causing it's economy to skyrocket, and helping to ensure that Gainesville is a city uniquely respondent to manipulations of the Kindred. His immediate interest gained the respect and attention of his former mentor, a now torpored Acolyte by the name of 'Ogham'. Ogham initiated Wise into the Circle in bloody, traditional fashion, and instilled in him many of the 'Radically Traditional' beliefs the former cult-leader now holds dear. Passing control of the massive storehouse of demonic and obscure arcane artifacts to his successor before he went under, Ogham left Wise with a sacred charge that he has never abandoned since. In the course of fifty some years, Wise has become one of the most gifted Sorcerers in the Circle, mastering the powers of Cruac and even attempting to design more than a few of his own rites, or allowing 'forbidden magics' to be practiced on him.

Along with his charge as the Guardian of the Black Library, he has a reputation as one of the most resilient creatures walking the earth. Stories still circulate of him wading through hails of bullets, shrugging off the impact of a speeding truck, and even dragging Kindred from their havens to burn in broad daylight. He has been quoted: "The scorching of the sun and the burning of flames is but the slashing of knives to me, and the slashing of knives as the beating of fists, and the beating of fists harms me not at all. The Crone is awakened in my heart, and the bounty of her warden is alive in me, as in no other Kindred before me. I pray the price has not been too high..."

Wise currently serves as Scourge, Primogen, and Priscus in Gainesville, as the most well connected Ventrue of the city, and also as Heirophant of the Circle. He claims responsibility for the status of Ascendancy that the Circle of the Crone enjoys in Gainesville, and the Acolytes of his coven seem enamored of him, more organized than most any in the state.