Bestiary

Harold Zettler

Division Director, Special Projects Division (SPD)

The word “sadistic” does not do Harold Zettler justice. Rumors abound of his having been a Nazi doctor at Auschwitz-Birkenau, a witch hunter in Salem, a cannibal and serial killer in St. Petersburg, and a cult leader in the Black Forest. All of these pale when compared to the experiments he has devised for Pentex. He’s overseen the production of especially infectious fomori, psychotic telekinetics, and mind-destroying psychics. Zettler finds few things more pleasing than the discomfort that even his fellow Board members display around his creations and corpselike appearance. At the request of Culliford and Rushing, he has recently attempted to draw attention away from his ice blue skin, cold unblinking stare, and thin black lips in an effort to appear more approachable.

Zettler has been a vampire since the 17th century. A member of the Sabbat and a fifth generation Malkavian antitribu, the leech deftly juggles his secretive philosophical work for the Sword of Caine alongside his service to the Wyrm. Given his inability to work in daylight hours, others consider him the hardest worker on the Board. A few of the Board object to meeting at night, but all respect Zettler’s capabilities.

Zettler remained neutral during the reshuffle that resulted in Rushing’s promotion and Kiker’s death. He knows that no matter what changes Pentex goes through, his position is secure. His vast mental powers keep many of Pentex’s abominations under control, and the vampire is content to continue his experiments. He continues to serve the Wyrm through his malicious experiments and will continue for as long as he takes enjoyment from doing so.

Were the rest of the Board aware of Zettler’s current quandary, they may take a different stance with the monstrous Cainite. Prominent members of the Sabbat have offered Zettler the role of Priscus due to what they perceive as his ability as a spiritual leader. They don’t understand the rotten entity Zettler serves. If he took the role, he could potentially spread the service of the Wyrm, but it would also expose Pentex to the eyes of the Sabbat, something the rest of the Board would not want. Zettler is in discussion regarding the matter with his childe and Chief of Pentex Security, Persephone Tar-Anis.