Montgomery Coven, commonly known as "Monty", is the would-be-diablerist of the methuselah Mithras.
Biography
Born as the son of Jamaican immigrants, Monty lived in a Hammersmith ghetto and came soon to despise everyone around him, the whites as well as every other immigrant. He joined gangs as soon as he hit puberty and his ruthlessness quickly ensured his rise to positions of leadership. He enjoyed the freedom of his work and continued until the local Sabbat payed attention to him. The Sabbat was establishing a beachhead in Coven's slum, and the young hoodlum seemed a perfect candidate for the Creation Rites.
Indeed, Monty rose from the earth and assumed a position in a pack, but proved an indifferent Sabbat member. It was not so much that he did not enjoy the power – he did – or that he could not stomach the violence – he most certainly could. It was more the fact that a particularly tepid Vaulderie, combined with Coven's innate cynicism, left him cold to Sabbat ideology, despising the fact that now others told him what to do and when to do it (and not getting caught by humans).
When his pack was in London and stumbled across the severely weakened Prince of the city (who had fought against an entire pack of Lupines before, despite awakening from torpor only a few hours ago) he did not hesitate. He hurled himself at the far older vampire and began to siphon his vitae. But the vitae was not so much a gift as an invader, and the Monty Coven that heaved itself out of the 3000-year-old ash heap was irrevocably changed.
The power of Mithras' blood had washed away the Vaulderie of the Sabbat and left him torn with the ancient personality of the Methuselah in his head. Left to his own devices, Monty now strives to battle all who ever dared to command him, although he must battle for control over his own body, as the ancient soul of Mithras is not devoured so easy.
V20 Timeline
| “ | Beckett: Has anyone ever told you, Mr. Coven, you have a very disturbing grin?
Coven: I’m still growing used to it myself. |
” |
By the start of the twentieth century, the battle over Monty Coven's body seems to have cooled, with Mithras gaining control. The new Montgomery Coven is in many ways greater than the sum of his parts: the original Monty was angry and driven, though relatively weak and without focus, while Mithras had almost godlike powers but suffered from the deadening ennui of millenia. Today Coven has the knowledge, wisdom, and much of the power of a methuselah, but still feels the excitement and raw emotions of the recently Embraced. Though he is quiet and subtle in his actions, the now young methuselah is more active than almost any of his ancient peers. His goal is to reclaim Britain as his own realm, independent of any Sect or power. Monty's diablerie of Mithras remains an open secret, known by many but hidden from most.
Monty founded the cyber security company Synexioi to coordinate his efforts. It uses modern technology to blackmail and bankrupt the Ventrue in Britain, who are usually too old to understand the power of technology in banking. Synexioi also researches the backgrounds and outlook of Kindred on the island, seeking out disaffected Sabbat and Camarilla vampires. Monty is slowly gathering an army that is loyal to him alone.
Coven's main target is Queen Anne of London, his former Seneschal. The bankruptcy of many Ventrue has weakened her powerbase. Coven managed to frame the Tremere Jackson Montcrief for breaking the Masquerade and then released proof that he was framed by the Sabbat. Now the Tremere are up in arms and further threatening the fragile peace in her city. Coven knows Anne is a secret diablerist, and has proof of her actions. When the pieces are correctly placed, he will reveal her abominable breaking of the Sixth Tradition, let the British Camarilla fall into civil war, and retake his domain.
| “ | The conflict between Sabbat and Camarilla is illusory, a war of words between rival elders. One Sect is ruled by open fear of mortals and secret fear of Antediluvians. The other is ruled by open fear of Antediluvians and secret fear of mortals. Both fears are legitimate. Both are overblown. Pragmatic steps can protect us all from mortals and ancients alike. Gehenna can be survived. The Kindred can rule forever. | ” |
| — Montgomery Coven, from Beckett's Jyhad Diary | ||
Effect of the Diablerie
Monty lacked the power to fully consume the soul of a Cainite as puissant as Mithras and the diablerie was incomplete. He now feels the personality of Mithras in his mind and battles with it for control over his body. His imperfect Amaranth lowered his generation to 6th instead of 4th.
Character Sheet
Gallery
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References
- CWOD: A World of Darkness Second Edition, p. 59-62
- VTM: Children of the Night, p. 34-35
- V20: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 85-94