ANDERS MAGE PAGE 2.0

No one knows where the Knocker came from, who he is or how old. His purpose is unknown, though many have tried to guess. The Knocker is a malicious, cold-blooded creature who takes pleasure in causing pain, either physical or mental. He takes special delight in bringing terror to children, like a poltergeist or the bogey man myth. He never directly causes physical harm. Many have claimed to have killed him or banished him into the Deep Umbra and one mage even claimed to have cast him into the Abyss. Somehow he returns to create havoc amongst the Awakened. You will know when he's here. Three knocks that seem to echo in your head will come to your door, and when you open it there's no one there.

His mastery of the Spheres is superb, but he tends to prefer Mind, Spirit and Entropy to carry out his sick games. This has led some Tradition magi to believe he may have been an Oracle that has somehow been warped into a Marauder. Other magi believe he was a product of the New World Order or the Progenitors, some sort of new prototype born to hunt down the Traditions. There is some evidence to suggest this as the Knocker only attacks Tradition magi or Orphans. In fact, he seems to concentrate his efforts on young Orphans and Hollow Ones.

The Knocker always appears as a ragged old man, dressed in dirty clothes, wearing dark glasses and carrying a white walking cane. However, his race can change from one moment to the next. Sometimes he appears European, other times African or Asian. He never talks and his face is often set in a slightly crazed grin, as if he if laughing at some inner joke.

He is not alone in his work, but is accompanied by numerous small creatures nicknamed "flitters". Imagine seeing something out of the corner of your eye but when turning to look, it's gone. Then you see it again out of the corner of your other eye, and it disappears again. This is where they get their nickname. Whether they are creations of the Knocker or beings that have been drawn to his mischief is unknown. They are small creatures covered in coarse grey hair without any facial features. Each has six limbs, four of which end in hands that are similar to an ape, while the other two are prehensile tails of great strength that can stretch easily. The flitters tend to remain constantly on the move, always just out of direct vision. They are quick and agile enough to plague a single person, even if he is in a crowded room, so that only that person can see them. This is how they tend to terrorize Sleepers and young magi. Many have become paranoid or suffered mental breakdowns when the flitters have been "playing" with them. So far it is known that they use no detectable magick, but rely on natural ability and cunning. Whether they are sentient is a matter of debate, although they seem to follow the Knocker without question. He tends to use them as living tools in creating terror before he appears himself. When the Knocker is confronted they are then used as diversions to keep his prey confused and unable to act logically.

Storyteller Details

The Knocker is a character that can be used to keep the Players on their toes. Because of the way he is, he is constantly different each time he is encountered. What might have worked to defeat him one time, may not work the next. Also he can be used to taunt and mislead the players. Have him turn up in a game session, then move straight onto another scenario (they may not even face him directly, only encountering flitters). By the time the Players realize, you should be able to have them into something else. Hopefully they should get slightly paranoid.

This may sound as if I'm out to get the players. In some ways yes (the Storyteller should have fun also), but I've found that sometimes they need a kick to get them going. I've used this type of character in many games, although in different guises, sometimes as a foe, other times as an ally to the players. Something like an elusive enemy is always worth it as it never ceases to amaze me the elaborate plans they come up with to get rid of this universal foe.