eclipsed scholar, between the veil of salvation and damnation

Putting the Wicked to rest

"Pray, let us hope our faith and science can hold back the darkness, lest we become
the very demons we hunt."

Summary

An esteemed hunter of the Holy Order of Hunters. On the surface, Grand Inquisitor Valentine is charming, articulate, and a bit peculiar, with a wit as sharp as his mind. His pro-science views often put him at odds with the more traditional members of the clergy, but he navigates these conflicts with a disarming charisma. Underneath this exterior, however, lies a dark side. This hidden aspect of his personality is fueled by his secretive and often morally ambiguous methods in his battle against demons.

His fascination with the supernatural often leads him to dangerous moral precipices, where the ends justify the means in his relentless quest for understanding and control. This inner darkness often becomes a point of contention with Sister Halloween, whose pious and strict nature becomes a barrier as they both struggle through the muddled feelings of devotion for God and for each other.

Overview

Nathaniel is curiously enigmatic, a man of contrasts. He is known for being quite charming and eccentric yet still retaining an air of seriousness and mystery about him. Usually nonchalant, debonair, and blessed with a silver-tongue, a wicked streak lies beneath his smiling surface. His charm and eloquence make him an effective leader and a persuasive figure, whether he is delivering a sermon or negotiating with skeptical allies. Very rarely does his blasé mask slip, but when it does... it is quite frightening. He is incredibly smart and studious, quick to learn and even quicker to put new knowledge to use. Nathaniel does not trust easily, and while he seems open, he only shows his true feelings and nature to a select few. He dances around the topic of his past and more intimate topics, like his deep-felt feelings, quite often and effortlessly, his elusiveness coming off as just a part of his charm.

He likes to tease Charlotte with coquettish remarks and lingering touches, his fondness for the poker-faced woman growing each and every day they spend together. Nathaniel does have a protective and possessive streak, but he finds it unbecoming to let it show, so he usually covers it with a smile. He is a pleasure seeker by nature and misses seeking the gratification of worldly wants and needs, often lamenting this fact with the only other person that can commiserate with him, Sister St. Patrick.

Before becoming ordained, Nathaniel was a noble hailing from France. Trained from youth on handling swords, he is quite capable but still relies on Sister Halloween to do most of the fighting due to her strength and dexterity. He relies on his wit in battle and uses Holy Relics to assist him when needed.

Personality

Positive Traits: inquisitive, intelligent, creative, magnetic, resourceful, adaptative, dedicated, brave.

Negative Traits: can sometimes come off as arrogant, secretive, can be manipulative, emotionally distant (in a way that is opposite to charlotte), morally ambiguous, stubborn. a litle bit of a control freak.

Story

Born into a noble family, Nathaniel was not destined for the clergy. He was not raised with any religious fervor, rather his youth was marked by luxury, scientific inquiry, and a fervent pursuit of knowledge and wealth. Because of this, Father Nathaniel Valentine is a man of facts and science, needing evidence to validate his opinions and decisions. Contrary to this trait of his, he was inexplicably drawn to the Catholic church when his life took a drastic turn after witnessing a miracle——a person returning from the dead before his very eyes. This event profoundly impacted him, leading him to follow the path of the Church.

Nathaniel delved fully into Catholicism to explain what he saw. After gaining immense knowledge of Catholic traditions, rituals, and (hidden) history, the Vatican took notice and allowed him access to the archives under the strict premise that he become ordained and continue research for the church, lest they get rid of their "problem." So despite his noble roots, he chose the path of spiritual and literal warfare against the forces of darkness.

Extremely intelligent, with a deep knowledge of both theological texts and scientific treatises, Nathaniel becomes an expert in demonology: he combines this knowledge with innovative scientific methods to hunt and exorcise demons. After aruduous traning and schooling, he is granted the title of Grand Inquisitor (a rank within the Holy Hunter Order that includes other skilled demon-hunting Fathers.) Each Grand Inquisitor is assigned a Bride of Christ, coming from the faction within the church that trains "battle nuns" known as Penitent Brides. He instantly becomes intrigued and enamored after meeting his partner, Sister Charlotte Halloween.

Ending

Charlotte and Nathaniel are granted a rare dispensation from the Church after taking down The Black Herald. They spend the rest of their days living peacefully in the French countryside, often writing letters to Dominic who is now in the Americas. They run a small books and curiousities shop, and it is rumoured by the townsfolk that the surprisingly elaborate garden in the courtyard was planted by the shop curator in tribute of his wife's family.

Theme

Nathaniel's literary theme revolves around the conflict between religious faith and scientific reason. He grapples with the dichotomy between the comfort and moral guidance provided by his faith and the challenging, often unsettling truths revealed by scientific inquiry. For Nathaniel, phenomena like demons and miracles, which defy scientific explanation, seem to confirm the existence of a divine power.

Do scientific pursuits lead one away from divine truth, or does unwavering faith obscure the tangible, empirical truths of the world? This theme also underscores broader societal issues, such as the clash between tradition and progress, and the quest for meaning in an increasingly secular world.

Trivia

Some members of the church view him as a heretic.
His pursuit of knowledge and understanding can border on the unhealthy, driving him to take extreme risks.
He wields a cane sword 'REPENTANCE'.
He can play the lute.
He is well known for his somewhat spooky appearance.
Rumor has it he has gone grey early due to the horrors he's seen, but honestly it's just his natural hair color. Also rumored to be albino because of his pale skin, pale hair, and reddish eyes.
He thinks it's funny when children assume he's a vampire.

Likes

collecting bones and odd trinkets
reading & learning
the occult and other dogma
giving gifts
Sister Halloween

Dislikes

anti-science AND anti-faith rhetoric
dishonesty
behavior he deems meddlesome or intrusive
seeing his allies hurt, especially Charlotte

Design

Are those eyebags? Eyeliner? Who knows.
Wing motif on shoulders of cloak/mantle
Red sash across chest.
Ash cross worn under his right eye when hunting.
His build is quite lanky, though he does have musculature from his line of work.
His white hair falls just below his collar in a tousled manner that belies his meticulous nature.
He is usually dressed in long coats with intricate embroidery, blending the clerical with a touch of noble elegance.

Relationships

❤❤❤❤❤
Nathaniel's most complex and profound relationship. He usually has a nonchalant attitude, but when he sees her seriously injured, it sparks a frenzy of rage. He openly states his affections towards her but she never takes it seriously.

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