Leon Ludwig

Leon Ludwig is a vampiric veteran of the First World War, having fought on behalf of his native Germany and the Central Powers. After returning to his economically devastated nation, Leon was Embraced by the vampire elder Johannes Breidenstein. Having served his sire loyally for decades, Leon eventually left Germany for the United States, where his skills eventually found him employment under the potent Lucien Beauclair, who he eventually rose to become one of the foremost agents of.

## Biography

### Early Life

Leon was a young man in Munich Germany, having a common childhood he enjoyed his days playing outside with friends. Having turned 18, he expected his whole life ahead of him, wishing to be a carpenter like his grandfather. However that changed one month after his 18th birthday, the first world war began. Due to his background in hunting he was trained as a German sniper, having gone through his training he managed to survive the First World War, having fought in the battles at the Somme, Verdun, and Caporetto.

### Return Home

Afterwards when he came home Leon learned his family business was ruined, Germany was in poverty, and so was he. Initially after coming home, Leon had a job working at a slaughterhouse in the city. Unfortunately, with the newly made Weimar Republic gutted by the Treaty of Versailles, there was not enough money to go around, and Leon, as well as several other soldiers working with him, were all let go, and forced onto the streets. Though he and his fellow veterans did their best to remain honest, working odd jobs to pool together money to buy a collection of tents, work became more and more scarce. By 1919, the alleyway where Leon lived, populated by many soldiers, was known as Roststadt, or Rust Town, for the mettle the soldiers had displayed when they fought for the Fatherland was going to rust.

### Embrace

In August of 1919, Leon was shocked to find a car approaching the entrance of Rust Town. Its occupant was a youth who introduced himself as Gustav Breidenstein, a member of the wealthy Breidenstein family. Gustav stated that he was looking for strong men in need of work, before he was overwhelmed by the shouting of the crowd who'd gathered around his car. Leon, recognizing that him getting a word through the clamor was unlikely, turned to leave, which peaked Gustav's interest. When asked about his response, Leon explained that he felt all the men around him, all of whom had bravely fought for their country, were just as deserving of work as him. This response intrigued Gustav, who took Leon into his car, taking him to meet his uncle, and the leader of the family.

During the car ride, Gustav interviewed Leon about his skills, and the veteran learned that they were not headed to Schwabing, the richest district of the city where the Breidenstein residence was, but rather to the family's old countryside estate. Upon his arrival to the Breidenstein manor, Leon was awed by the wealth on display, yet also somewhat perturbed, as he encountered a senile old man who addressed Gustav, who appeared to be in his late teens, as a brother. Shortly thereafter, Leon was introduced to Johannes Breidenstein, the master of the house, and Gustav departed to allow them a private audience.

Breidenstein began to discuss with Leon the fact that he had kept able fighting men away from the front to serve him as guards at the Breidenstein estate. Unknown to Leon, Johannes used his powers in Mesmer to compel Leon's honesty. Shortly thereafter, Leon was made to explain his skills, and informed that the master was looking to replace a soldier who had served him for several decades. Leon boldly replied that he was no replacement, but rather strove to be an original, before shrewdly noting that Breidenstein's apparent age was disparate with the way he spoke, as was the youthful Gustav. Johannes noted the keenness of the observation, but at that moment, it was decided for them to adjourn and prepare for dinner.

#### Last Supper

The sniper was treated to the miracle of the shower, a relatively recent invention not yet widely available to commoners such as himself, and given a new set of garments, before he joined his host for dinner. Leon was awed by the finery of the meal set before him, but could not help but feel something was off, as the pair conversed over the state of their country after the war. His host asked Leon to recount his experience in the war, listening patiently as Leon discussed the horrors he had witnessed, commenting that the War to End All Wars had been far beyond the conflicts of his own youth, before Leon was asked to tell which battles he was present for. After receiving his answer, Breideinstein commended Leon on his survival, whilst the veteran modestly stated that he just didn't want to die in the trenches.

Impressed by Leon's recounting, Breidenstein began to inquire into Leon's personal ambitions. After being informed Leon's desire was to find his purpose, a purpose which he could devote himself to until he no longer could, his host informed him that he could provide such a purpose. One which Leon could serve for centuries. As Breidenstein commended Leon on how he had observed his and Gustav's mannerisms, Leon made as if to back away from his host, only to be Mesmerized into returning to his seat, before Johannes revealed that he was a vampire, over three centuries old. He offered Leon his Embrace, but made sure to inform him of the curses and the responsibilities it would bring. Should he wish it, Leon could have his memories of the night stripped away, and he could return to his life, such as it was. After a moment's hesitation, Leon decided that he wished to continue his existence with purpose again.

He accepted the vampire's offer, and was Embraced into Clan Malcador.

### Later Stuff (TBD)

He especially found Leon useful when WW2 popped up the maker put Leon in with the Nazis… and well we see what happened then.

In 1982, Leon left for the United States, for an as yet undecided reason.

## Personality

Leon is a very focused man, he focuses on his life and his survival. The world’s changed a lot and he’s changed with it. He can be a snarky man but most of the time comes off distant. Nobody has yet to get close enough to him.

## Relationships

### Johannes Breidenstein

Their relationship is very much business focused.

## Powers

Leon has is proficient in the three powers inherent to his Faustine bloodline to the maximum extent that he is able for his age.Additionally, he is competent in the use of Virtus and Glamour, and has command over the most basic usage of Legerity.

### Power List

Ardor: Regeneration (1), Resilience (2), Arousal (3)

Augury: Sharpen Senses (1), Stir the Blood (2), Touch Thoughts (3)

Glamour: Allure (1), Affright (2)

Legerity: Lightning Movement (1)

Mesmer: Compel (1), Command, Fog Memory (2), Alter Memory (3)

Permutation: Earthmeld (1)

Virtus: Prowess (1), Bound (2)

## Skills

Leon is trained in hand to hand combat, as well as mechanical knowledge, medical  knowledge and weaponry knowledge. Leon can speak a multitude of languages and is a skilled negotiator.

In his youth, Leon learned some of the carpenter's trade from his grandfather, and hunting skills from his father. He is a skilled tracker, gifted when it comes to sneaking up on prey, and an elite tier marksman, which lead him to be selected for missions that required stealth or accuracy during the Great War. Whether he is armed with throwing knives, a bow and arrow, or a rifle, Leon is a crack shot, able to hit his target at ranges and angles that would bamboozle lesser marksmen.

## Stats

**Name:** Leon Ludwig

**Race:** Vampire

**Date of Birth:** May 4th, 1896 AD

**Date of Embrace:** August 12th, 1919 AD

**Sire:** Johannes Breidenstein

**Clan:** Malcador (Faustine Bloodline)

**Generation:** 7th

**Blood Potency:** 3

**Power Class:** Common Blood

**Blood Gifts:**

Ardor 3

Augury 3

Glamour 2

Legerity 1

Mesmer 3

Permutation 1

Virtus 2