Father Merrin from 'The Exorcist'

” The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us. The attack is psychological, Damien, and powerful. So don't listen to him. Remember that - do not listen.”

I’ve not ventured very far into the supernatural yet, sticking closer to the heroic figures of horror. There are a number of them, and some terrible things are on the horizon, but before we get there I thought I’d include one more horror hero.

Father Merrin represented the noble and heroic figure who is mentor, confessor, sinner, and most importantly, exorcist. Merrin is a figure who has grappled with the forces of darkness in his past, seeing many things and yet devoted to the fight against evil and darkness. There is something tragically noble about Father Merrin, and at the same time very human. It’s Merrin’s faith that makes him strong, but it is his faith, which he questions at times, which makes him truly powerful.

Father Merrin

Father Lankester Merrin

F: Typ (06)

A: Typ (06)

S:  Typ (06)

E:  Pr (04)

R: Gd (10)

I: Ex (20)

P: In (40)

Health: 22

Karma: 60

Resources:  Typ (06)

Popularity:  0

Talents:

Father Merrin has a lifetime of experiences and skills, including:

Archaeology

Religion

Occult Lore:

Knowledge: Multilingual

Knowledge: Rituals

Knowledge: History

Knowledge:

Powers:

True Faith:

Father Merrin is a man of the cloth and truly believes in his faith. Although there are moments in which Merrin may question the nature of his faith, he does not doubt it. Merrin’s faith grants him several abilities against the supernatural, including the ability to perform a true exorcism. Merrin can perceive the nature of creatures with a FEAT, although Merrin’s ability to perceive it is not instant. Merrin cannot be swayed, controlled, or manipulated by infernal creatures.

Contacts:

Merrin has many contacts throughout many different walks of life. Merrin was well connected within antiquities community, as well as being a controversial member of the Catholic church.

Limitations:

Father Merrin has several limitations, including:

 Weak Heart: Merrin had a weak heart that plagued him towards the end of his life, reducing his effective Endurance rank and rendering him dependent on heart medication. As such, whenever Merrin is under physical or emotional stress of Gd (10) or higher, Merrin must make an Endurance FEAT. Failure results in Merrin beginning the Dying process.

Enemy: Pazuzu: Merrin made a powerful enemy in the demon Pazuzu while in his younger days, making a life-long enemy.

Age: When encountered in his final encounter with Pazuzu, Merrin is in his elder days.

Reputation: Father Merrin has a reputation within the church, and is treated with occasional controversy.

Notes:

I placed Merrin’s Psyche at In (40) due to several reasons, chief among them was that it was his body which failed and not his spirit….and he was holding his own against Pazuzu. I felt Merrin’s Psyche and Faith were intertwined, and more importantly, were greater than a normal man’s willpower. I initially thought this was too high, but I figured it was probably more in line on how Merrin was presented in the books and how he was presented in the movie.  I felt his faith abilities were more implied but formidable enough. Merrin’s knowledge was his other strong suite, he was well-versed and I debated other talents to include.