Vanessa Ives from 'Penny Dreadful'

”Do you believe there is a demimonde, Mr. Chandler? A half world between what we know and what we fear. A place in the shadows, rarely seen but deeply felt. Do you believe that? “

The heroine of Penny Dreadful, Vanessa Ives is both the terrified victim and the stoic, tortured hero whose path through the shadow world often makes one wonder if she’s not the villain as well.

I appreciate Vanessa quite a bit, and she epitomizes both the Victorian heroine who is tortured by the actions of the past and the modern heroine who must make difficult choices but does none the less. In many ways, Vanessa is the heart of Penny Dreadful, and as such is as much responsible for driving the action forward in the adversities they engage again as she is a victim of those very things.

Vanessa also represents danger – The danger of someone on the brink of great darkness that is always openly tempted by it, and always finding that such temptation is more alluring and more dedicated than she initially believes. The real danger is never if Vanessa succumbs, it is when she does and takes over that darkness what will she do.

Vanessa Ives

 

Vanessa Ives

F: Gd (10)

A: Gd (10)

S:  Typ (06)

E:  Rm (30)

R: Gd (10)

I:  Am (50)

P: Am (50)

Health: 56

Karma: 110

Resources: Rm (30)

Popularity:  0*/40 (In occult circles, especially extra-dimensional circles)

Talents:

Vanessa is well-skilled in a variety of esoteric occult-related skills, which combined with her training include:

Occult Lore*

Knowledge: Demonology

Knowledge: London Underworld Locations

Knowledge: Victorian Society

Knowledge: Multi-Lingual

Knowledge: Fortune Telling

Knowledge: Places of Power

Knowledge: Herbology

Knowledge: Symbology

Knowledge: Victorian Literature

Knowledge: Victorian Spiritualism

Knowledge: Zoology

Artist: Taxidermy

Firearms

Markswoman*

Sharp Weapons

 Powers:

Powerful Medium and Witch:

Vanessa is clearly the most sought after figure by the powers of evil due to her extensive abilities and powers, some of which are discovered during the course of the Penny Dreadful series. Vanessa’s witchcraft and capabilities with the Verbis Diablo actually make her more than a match for several of the entities that attempt to sway, control, or destroy her….but her unwillingness to concede to her inner darkness and the physical cost associated with such limits her willingness to use those powers. Still, Vanessa has displayed the following abilities:

• Precognition: Vanessa’s precognitive powers allow her to foretell the future, occasionally occurring in flashes, but usually through the use of her custom Tarot deck or through tassomancy – the study of tea leaves. Vanessa leaves nothing to chance, and consults her deck on every major decision prior to undertaking such (especially for ‘night work’ as it is called). Vanessa has Am (50) ability to foretell the future.
• True Sight:  Vanessa can, when directing herself to do so, perceive the true nature of someone or some thing. To do so, Vanessa must make an opposed Psyche FEAT against herself, as she often does not trust her vision or her decisions about such. Once Vanessa has perceived something as it truly is, it cannot hide from her again – Vanessa sees it pure and simple as it truly is represented. Vanessa will never willingly use the sight to check, it is something that the Judge will determine and make a roll regarding.
• Medium: Although not a practicing Medium of the era, Vanessa is able to channel powerful spirits (and even demons and gods) through her, acting as a conduit for their will being ‘possessed’. Vanessa cannot control this ability, as it is more of a possession than an actual channeling. Vanessa has been nearly killed while being possessed. During such times, Vanessa must make Psyche FEATS vs. her rank intensity. If she gets anything less than a Yellow result, Vanessa is ‘possessed’ and must be restrained.
• Witch: Vanessa is a witch of the highest order, capable of manipulating the Verbis Diablo (The Devil’s Tongue) naturally while at the same time using the dark powers to banish the devil. Vanessa’s potential with magic is noticible to any who can see it, and comes naturally to Vanessa. Vanessa has used her witchcraft (and the Verbis Diablo) to read the minds of others, use her blood to create impassible wards against witches and spirits, command animals to do her bidding, banish demons, witches, and devils, cast flame and fire, create hardship or issues, destroy the physical form of the Devil and other fallen angels, and even manipulation of people. Vanessa’s skills are so natural that she’s able to perform complex abilities with no training….although she had formal training at the hands of one of the most powerful witches in England. Vanessa’s command over the Verbis Diablo is so powerful she can even command/defeat/destroy demons who use it as a native tongue.

Contacts:

Vanessa Ives maintains a close and connected set of contacts within her circles. Sir Malcolm Murray is a second (and perhaps real) father to her, although there was tension. John Clare (The Monster) is also close to Vanessa, as is Membe and Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Vanessa’s major contact is with the American sharpshooter Ethan Chandler, whom she has a strong connection to and perhaps the only person she truly loves and trusts. At one time, Vanessa could call upon Dorian Gray, but it is uncertain as to her relationship. Ironically, Dracula himself would answer Vanessa’s call should she ever willing choose to ask…

Limitations:

Dark Fate

Vanessa’s fate is always bound into darkness – Everyone that knows about it believes that Vanessa will ultimately be the cause of the end of the world and the reign of dark forces. Vanessa herself believes this herself, and is proven right on more than one occasion.

Susceptibility to Possession:

Vanessa’s gifts are so strong that powerful forces have taken a great interest in her and attempt to sway or possess her if she shows the slightest bit of relaxing her mental and spiritual controls. Vanessa was once possessed for over eight days, blinding a priest in one eye and requiring several strong men to hold her in check while such. Vanessa’s will allow her to fight the spirits and gods, but she cannot free herself from their hold completely.   

Target of Interest:

Vanessa is sought after with zeal by the forces of darkness, which causes a fight between ‘brothers’ as to who will have her. Vanessa is also sought by the Nightcomers, the witches dedicated to darker powers as both a sacrifice and membership within the order.

Loyal:

Vanessa is extraordinarily loyal to those whom she considers friends, risking life, limb, and her immortal soul if her friends and ‘family’ were in danger. Indeed, Many times Vanessa dips into the darkness to save those closest to her.

Guilt:

Vanessa feels extraordinary guilt over her choices and her actions. It is Vanessa’s guilt which drives her as much as the need to see things through. Vanessa’s guilt is as strong as Vanessa’s loyalty – Vanessa often finds herself in situations due to her sense of guilt and will often be blind to certain situations due to it.