Abraham Van Helsing, Doctor and Vampire Hunter.

The legendary nemesis of Count Dracula, the metaphysical professor and doctor was actually based on an earlier character by Sheridan Lefanu and adapted again by the Irish writer Bram Stoker. Van Helsing has served as the foil for Dracula since his creation, and has seen multiple actors play with their own take on the Dutch doctor, from the original knowledgeable grandfather to the intense version of Peter Cushing and the more recent and slightly mad Anthony Hopkins. Van Helsing has served as the prototype for other great horror heroes: A knowledgeable, strong willed adversary who can hold their own against the darkest of supernatural powers.

So, it seems fitting the original Van Helsing be featured counting down to Halloween! I'm going to feature the 'other' Van Helsing (Gabriel Van Helsing from the movie 'Van Helsing') later...but for now, the original. As with most write-ups, this is an amalgam of the original source and media versions, focusing heavily on the novel and the Hammer Films. Before discussion begins on the attributes of Van Helsing, let me address the high psyche: First, Stoker himself cited Van Helsing's impressive psyche and the ability to resist Dracula's mesmerism wholeheartedly. In the original omnibus of Dracula, Van Helsing's will is considered to be absolute, and is capable of holding Dracula at bay. Second, in most media interpretations of Van Helsing, Van Helsing has been more than a match for the Lord of Vampires, especially as seen in the Hammer films. Van Helsing's strength is also expressly mentioned within the novel and movies, as he is able to decapitate the Brides of Dracula with a single knife stroke, and his grip is mentioned to like steel when holding Arthur Holmwood back from the vampiric Lucy Westenra. Stoker gives greater than human abilities to Van Helsing, even so far as showing that Van Helsing is at full strength after two seperate and back to back blood transfusions, hence the higher endurance. Van Helsing is the undisputed mind when it comes to metaphysics, medicine, psychology, and early forensics, and possesses a wide knowledge as expressed in the book and in the movies. As such, his stats reflect the actual descriptions of the character from the creator and the adaptations.

Abraham Van Helsing

 

Abraham Van Helsing
F: Gd (10)
A: Gd (10)
S: Gd (10)
E: Rm (30)
R: Ex (20)
I: Ex (20)
P: In (40)

Health: 56
Karma: 70
Popularity: 15 (as Medical Doctor and expert in supernatural)
Resources: Gd (10)

Talents:
Doctor*
Knowledge: Hemotology
Knowledge: Occult Lore: (general)
Knowledge: (Vampirism)
Mesmerism
Resist: Domination*
Sharp Weapons
Knowledge: Victorian Occultism
Knowledge: Old World customs
Multi-lingual
Horseback riding
Knowledge: Ancient Languages
Knowledge: Ancient History
Knowledge: Alchemy
Psychology
Guns
Knowledge: Religion
Faith*
Knowledge: Botany

Equipment:
Van Helsing maintains a library of older text in his home and base of operations, but also includes the following:
Ghurka Knife: Gd (10) material, can do 10 pts slashing damage
Medicine Bag: Outside the usual trappings of a medical doctor, the bag contains several wooden stakes, crucifixes,
vials of holy water, pieces of the host and sacrament, garlic and assorted herbs, mirrors, journals, and silver bullets.

Contacts:
Survivors of the Dracula incident
Various medical contacts throughout Europe
Various scholars throughout Europe