Old Nick
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This article is about a character that is deceased or otherwise no longer in play. |
Thearch of the Silver Ladder
Born:
31/08/1945
Age:
68 years
Arcana Rank:
Master of Mind
Titles/Memberships:
Deacon of the Silver Ladder
Provost of the Path of the Scourge
Alderman of the Scions of Cicero
Famulus Superior of the Silver Ladder
Factotum of the Silver Ladder
Lapsed Titles/Memberships
Alderman of The Architects cabal
Various nicknames and aliases:
Shadownamed "Old Nick" by Roman Arlington. Prior to this known as "Stone"
Physical description:
182cm tall, greying blonde hair, blue eyes, typically wears glasses. Professionally dressed and groomed. Robust build despite age.
Awakened:
New York, 11/09/2001
Initial Master:
Roman Arlington
Nimbus:
A black cape swirls and descends like smoke, wrapping about him while his eyes flare purple.
Recent events
2014
January
Old Nick has left The Architects Cabal. With the protracted absence of Remus Arlington the Cabal has had little direction or cohesion. He was offered Alderman Pro Tempore, which he accepted and held for a short time.
Attended the New Year's celebration held in the Consilium ballroom. Organised the Prosecution and Defense counsels for the upcoming trial of The Salamander.
February
The trial of The Salamander did not take place.
The gathering was held in Brigadoon with Artemis Arlington hosting. Old Nick engaged in the games of skill but mostly kept a low profile most of the evening.
Proposed the changes to the Lex Magica to allow the Hierarch to be nominated from the officers of the Consilium, orders and cabals, which was passed.
With Cassandra Arlington stepping down as Hierarch, Old Nick is securing support for his own nomination to Hierarch.
This pursuit failed, as the Lex Magica was not properly ratified and recognised by the Cabals of the Consilium.
Alemonia Arlington was elected as Hierarch and cabals have presented their seals, however the council and alderman have been scheduled to meet to discuss amendments to the Lex Magica, to make it more palatable for all the cabals.
March
The meeting happened. It was held at the Tallow Tree Sanctum and chaired by the Hierarch-Elect, Alemonia Arlington.
2013
With the union of the North and South Consilii into the Consilium of the Golden Quill, Old Nick remains Deacon of the Silver Ladder and close adviser to Cassandra Arlington, Hierarch of Perth.
The initial sessions of the Consilium of the Golden Quill have been largely administrative or diplomatic engagements, with Old Nick manoeuvring support for the new Hierarch. That is, until the emergency meeting of the City's Mastigos, confronting Orobas (current Path Master for the Mastigos) regarding his record of service and commitment to the Mastigos representation to the Path Council.
After a direct challenge, Old Nick was defeated. Orobas, magnanimous in victory, accorded Old Nick the title of Provost of the Mastigos.
Old Nick, upon being approached by Artemis for representation, went further to ensure the participants in the coming Trial of The Salamander were in place. Old Nick himself has offered Lead Factotum for the Defence to The Salamander, with Prosperous as Co-counsel advising on Moros path matters. Alemonia Arlington is the Prosecuting Factotum representing Artemis and The Consilium.
Quotes
Quotes by
"Cigar, Celestine? Cognac? No? You must have something!" by Old Nick during one of Celestine's rare visits to his Sanctum.
"I am truly getting too old for this" – Old Nick, confided to Orobas after their Duel Arcane to settle Path Mastery. Old Nick lost the duel.
"Let's play a game. I call it "Player and Played," or P&P for short. Now, let us look around the room and determine who fits where..." - to Remus Arlington on several occasions.
"I think we can work together. I am sure we can guide the Awakened and protect the Sleepers [under the Consilium's area] and work towards the greater good of all concerned." - Overheard speaking to Alemonia Arlington, (Late March 2014)
Quotes about
"It would be that only an old devil like Stone could survive that Hell. Let him be known as Old Nick, now. An old devil." - Roman Arlington, 28/09/2001, during Old Nick's convalescence at the Arlington Estate.
"He is so focussed on the pursuit of obvious power that he sometimes needs to be reminded that a more subtle approach often achieves the same goal with far less resentment from those who do not share his vision" - Alemonia Arlington
Conversations
"I am sorry Delia, but I am not the one to lead the Architects in Remus Arlington's absence. I give notice now that I am leaving." - Old Nick
Rumours
- Gives the Arlingtons a run for their considerable money when it comes to arrogance
- Formerly known as Stone prior to his Awakening
- Whereabouts of his only son are a mystery
- Rumoured to have a Sleepwalker retainer named "Wilson"
- A woman of about Old Nick's apparent age visits his Sanctum once a week for an hour or so
- Still active in Sleeper political circles
- While not possessed, rumours abound of a pact with an entity of Pandemonium
OOC Info
In the Fallen World, Stewart Dennison is a kindly if retiring old man who lives in a big old house in Victoria Park. He has lived there since he married, and while the nest is empty the Patriarch remains.
Early Life
Born on the 31/08/1945, Stewart John Winston Bradley Dennison was born to a large, relatively prosperous family. Marthe and John Dennison were local business and political figures in the Town of Victoria Park.
Stewart was a fairly average child of the period, as might be expected. He did not display any particular aptitude and was likely to follow his father into the family accounting business.
As a teenager, Stewart joined the Young Liberals, and discovered a love of political activism and advocacy. Since then, he has been resolved to be involved in local and State politics.
His middle names are for his father, John, paternal grandfather, Winston Frankland Dennison, and maternal first born great uncle, Bradley Hugh Wycliffe-Fitzgerald.
Education
Leaving Ursula Frayne Catholic School in 1963, Stewart worked for a short time in the Dennison family accounting business in various odd jobs. His parents were supportive of his ambitions to enter poltics, and Stewart was enrolled in the University of Western Australia to study political sciences.
1964 to 1968
At UWA, Stewart met his future wife, Dolores Fitzgerald. On graduating UWA, Stewart and Dolores were married at St Joachim's Chapel in Victoria Park. The couple honeymooned in Sydney, before returning to Perth, Stewart taking up a position within the still-fledgling WA branch of the Liberal Party. Dolores Dennison (affectionately called "Dee-Dee" by Stewart) joined the family accounting firm.
The '70's
Marthe and John retired to the township of York, where John Dennison was the district Chamber of Commerce chairman. Marthe and John still live there now, however have retired from public life.
Dolores Dennison has taken over the running of the family accounting business. Rather than growing it in size, she elects to instead aim at a higher class of clientele, attracting the attention of the Arlington Family. At a function held for clients to mingle, Stewart is introduced to Romulus Arlington (now known as Roman Arlington), and a friendship forms. The friendship on the surface appears to be in Romulus' favour but Stewart and his small family is treated as one of the family, invited to the Arlington Estate, where the children of the families would often play on the grounds while the ladies discussed the affairs of the day. Romulus and Stewart would often take this time to discuss politics and business, along with Hyman Arlington, a former fellow of UWA.
It was in these years that Stewart became more involved with Romulus' doings and during the split of the Consilium; proving to be a skilled interrogator and an Illuminated Sleepwalker. In this time, he learned of the higher mysteries and that it was possible to Awaken.
The '80's & '90's
Stewart and Dolores have two children, Stewart Jr and Catherine. Stewart Jr is the eldest and both bear a striking resemblance from an early age to their father. There the similarities end, for while Stewart Jr was more or less an amenable child, Catherine was a terror. It was only learned well into her teens of her Attention Deficit Disorder. The subsequent medication and counseling helped her save her grades at school and she went on to study teaching at WA Teacher's College (now known as Edith Cowan University). Stewart Jr studied Commerce at UWA and joined the family accounting firm. Stewart and Dolores attended the occasional party at the Arlington Estate, and Stewart would often go there to continue to attend Romulus' and the Silver Ladder's needs. In this time he was indoctrinated in the Elemental Precepts and Laws of the Fourfold Sceptre. He was given the name "Stone."
11/09/2001 - The Day The World Went Mad
Father and Son went to New York as part of a trade delegation on behalf the WA State Government. Stewart Sr had risen in the party ranks and was well positioned to win preselection and stand for the MLA seat of Victoria Park, and possibly a shot at a minor Cabinet appointment should the party win. Stewart Jr was on holiday, and offered to help the delegation.
Stewart Sr was walking quickly toward the World Trade Centre's North Tower. Jumior had gone ahead to get the boardroom set up for a presentation while Senior had called home to check on Dolores and Catherine.
Stewart Sr had cause to look up at the moment just before an aircraft slammed into WTC 1. Rooted to the spot, all he could do was watch as WTC 1 began to burn. The events that follow are not coherent, and it is not fully understood, even by himself, how he managed to get out of Ground Zero (as it now colloquially known) or New York alive. But when he returned it was found he had Awakened. Romulus Arlington wasted no time, inducting him into the Silver Ladder, and dubbed Stewart Dennison "Old Nick."
The Arlington Family helped the Dennisons in their time of grief and Stewart Jr was never listed among those fallen. This caused tension between Stewart and Dolores, and they eventually separated although no word of divorce was ever mentioned. By the end of 2001, Stewart Dennison lived on his own in the family house in Victoria Park. Some years later, Dolores would return once a week to visit her husband, and relations have always been warm between them, if a little frosty at first. Today, they love each other very much, and neither has ever sought another partner. Catherine Dennison has married and has children of her own, but since the split he has not seen his daughter or her new family except to attend her wedding to give her away. Father and daughter are not close, but nonetheless care for each other.
2008
Firmly entrenched in the Southern Consilium and lead advisor to Hierarch Aeshma of the Southern Consilium, Old Nick is surprised to be elevated to the position of Deacon of the Silver Ladder. Romulus (now Roman), stepped down and favoured him as his successor, which the rest of the Silver Ladder agreed to.
2013
In the reconstitution of the Awakened community into the Consilium of the Golden Quill, Old Nick worked to ensure that the Lex Magica and Council was at least functional. It would need work from both sides to ensure a true reconciliation.
The family accounting business continues to support Stewart Dennison as its CEO, but he has all but left the running of it to Dolores. He takes a modest stipend only, and leaves the rest to his parents and Dolores to do with as they will and has given her his proxy on the board.
Notes
Silver Ladder Status ••• ratified at Domain level.
Inspirations and Soundtrack
Music
In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Greig
How You Remind Me by Nickelback
Holy Grail by Hunters & Collectors
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
Ride the Lightning Album featuring the instrumental piece The Call of Ktulu’’ by Metallica
Harvester of Sorrow by Metallica
The Unforgiven by Metallica
King Nothing by Metallica
The Ecstasy of Gold’’ composed by Ennio Morricone
TV & Movies
Clint Eastwood portraying Walt Kowalski from Gran Torino (2008)
Robert Duvall portraying Tom Hagen from The Godfather (1972)
Max von Sydow portraying Chief Judge Fargo from Judge Dredd 1995
William B. Davis portraying The Smoking Man from The X-Files
Sir Anthony Hopkins portraying William Parrish from Meet Joe Black
Literary & Historical
Christian teaching about the Devil
Cato the Younger
Robert E. Lee
| Member Information | |
| Player: | Lee |
|---|---|
| Number: | 2011010003 |
| Domain: | Perth |