John Holt

Background

If there is one way to describe John Holt it would be faithful. When his daddy was fighting in Vietnam, John would pray every night to ensure he was kept safe. During his school life, John worked hard for his grades to make his mother and granny proud, to repay the love they had given him. And as an adult, he joined the US army to serve as chaplain and bring his strong belief to his fellow soldiers.

For 15 years, John provided support for the soldiers on Colorado Springs’ military base, as well as their families, on spiritual matters, counceling and morale. He was also on hand to assist officers in their duties. He’d like to take part in the various exercises and competitions, not only to keep fit but to bond with the troops around him.

When John’s first change came, the chaplain was busy preparing the following day’s service in the base’s chapel. As he worked he was interrupted by a Private he recognised as having recently returned from front-line duties and as John was about to speak, the words died when he saw the pistol in one hand, can of gasoline in the other and a twisted, evil smile on his face.

“There is no God,” was all the soldier said before raising his hand but in that brief moment, John witnessed a second being, almost super-imposed over the Private, a twisted, alien figure with many tendrils that were attached the to soldier’s spine. The second John laid his eyes on it, he felt revulsion followed swiftly by a sudden savage fury that he couldn’t control and as he leapt towards the soldier, he heard the gun fire and felt the bullet hit his body but still this wouldn’t stop him. He had to kill the abominable spirit controlling the Private.

When he regained his bearings, the chaplain was being held down by two men he recognised. One was Captain Dawson, an officer John had spoken with on many occasions, while the other was ‘One-Ear’ Jones, one of the base’s military chefs. They told John of his true nature as one of the Uratha and how he’d killed the Private along with the hate-spirit that had been riding him. He learnt about the various Tribes and Auspices, the Shadow and the Law, and all John could think about was how he’d been forced to kill a human being because of a spirit’s dark hungers. The thought filled the chaplain with an anger that he’d never, ever felt in his entire life, completely contradictory to his beliefs.

Despite this, however, John excepted his new life, joining the Blood Talons out of a sense of responsibility, for were they not the soldiers of the Uratha? Surely they would need inspiration and a sense of guidance in their war?

It was several months later when an outsider arrived in Colorado Springs, a Cahalith who went by the deed name of Digger. He explained his dreams to the elders of the devastation that besets Sacramento and after his initiation into the Lodge of Swords, John approached Digger and asked him if he’d want some company back to Sacramento, eager to help the man on his quest and perhaps offer some support in these dark days. Since then, John has picked up a little bit of driving and combat experience from his Alpha in the Crusaders and aims to talk more new blood into the fold when they reach Sacramento, and despite retiring from the military, John has ensured he’s kept his clerical standing in good order. Who knows when the Almighty could be called on?

Description

Strong of body with sturdy shoulders, John has tried to keep some level of fitness up as a chaplain in the US Army. More than this, however, is the devout nature that seems to shine from John's very bearing and stature. His words are usually calm, reassuring but he is still a hunter in God's great tapestry. Scars run along both forearms, angry and thick, marks from his initiation into the Blood Talons.