John 'Skiz' James
John "Skiz" James was an Assamite who was killed during the raid against Darius Marcus.
History[edit | edit source]
Much of the history of John James prior to his arrival on Caliburn Island is unknown.
First Darius Marcus Estate Raid[edit | edit source]
John acted as a mercenary for hire, as most Assamites do. John was hired on by Darius Marcus to act as a retainer at some point in time. During the first raid on the Darius estate, John helped the other retainers and Darius Marcus himself, repel the joint raiding force that comprised of kindred from most sects on the island. The raiding force ultimately retreated with heavy injuries while John was mostly unharmed. Afterwards, he came to the realization that Darius Marcus was not the man he thought he was, and chose to leave his employ to join the Camarilla of Caliburn Island.
Presentation to the Camarilla[edit | edit source]
John presented himself to the Camarilla on March 23rd, 2052. After the initial interview with Seneschal William Bagg, he was accepted into the Camarilla.
Within the Camarilla, he was known to be working on tasks to try to make up for his previous wrongs against the Camarilla and the other kindred on the island.
Final Death[edit | edit source]
John courageously took part in the second raid on Darius Marcus's estate, as was openly requested by the Blood Hunt declared on Darius by Seneschal William Bagg. John entered through the roof along with leaders and officers of the Camarilla. After entering into an engagement with a kindred retainer on the second story, John was unfortunately staked and tossed into a roaring fireplace. The other kindred taking part in the raid were unable to save John in time, given the extreme injuries sustained while paralyzed at the hands of Darius Marcus. John ultimately met final death to the actions of Sammie Okra while being compelled through the mind-controlling means of Darius Marcus.
The Seneschal William Bagg had his ashes collected, to be delivered to the resting place of his choice as was communicated by his interview during his initial presentation to the Camarilla. A wake is to be held in the coming week at Chalice Hill Cemetery for kindred to share in remembrance of John.
Letter from Boston[edit | edit source]
I have already been told of the death of John James. His death was valiant and in service to the Camarilla. His soul surely shall live forever in the battlegrounds of the afterlife.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ فِي الْمَهْدِيِّينَ ، وَاخْلُفْهُ فِي عَقِبِهِ فِي الْغَابِرِينَ ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ ، وَافْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ ، وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فِيهِ
Linguistics (Arabic): O Allah, forgive him, raise his rank among those who are guided, and take care of those he leaves behind him. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds; expand his grave for him and illuminate it for him.
Memorial[edit | edit source]
A memorial was held for John on the evening of May 4th, 2052 at the Chalice Hill Cemetery. Many kindred came together from all sects to attend, as well as some wraiths and fera. During the memorial, many kindred shared their memories of John. Most kindred shared about how they didn't know John well, but that they all enjoyed the short time they had known him. It was a touching moment shared around the wall where Johns name had been added to the list of the others recently lost on Caliburn. Brujah Primogen Tristian Allerdale awarded John with the status of Loyal posthumously.
"I kicked in the door, he ran in, and unfortunately we were unprepared for the ambush beyond it. Taken very quickly, he felt nothing, he was staked immediately and tossed into the flames. He never stood a chance.
I'm not sure how many of you are aware of this, but John James dedicated the last month and a half of his life into guarding our places of meeting, more often on the Camarilla side. But he did so also unknowingly in the Anarch territory, keeping it safe from incursion from the agents of the Morningstar. For that, I posthumously award John James the status of Loyal as Primogen of the Brujah."
- Brujah Primogen, Tristian Allerdale
"Look, I didn't know John very well, but he was always nice to me when we talked, and he would repeatedly... like, pat me on the head, and talk about how he was planning on killing some people, or something. He was very devoted to the Camarilla. I hope he's resting well in the abyss or wherever it is that assamites go after they meet their final death. Onto the next battle."
- Sophia 'Soot' Hirak
"John James, he was a pretty cool guy. I only got to talk to him 3 or 4 times, but even in those 3 or 4 times, and also threatening to kill the Seneschal... I mean, pretty cool guy. I'm gonna be honest. I don't know who has the balls to threaten the Seneschal in an open chat, but I mean, if he got balls then I'm certain he has something about him we can all appreciate.
The level of honesty and honor when it comes to dealing with problems, dealing with your enemies, or I guess, temporary enemies that didn't really exist after us anymore. And even he was honorable, fighting to the death against Darius Marcus. Someone who now will no longer threaten us, and breaching whatever levels of safety we have when on this island we are stuck together."
- Warden of Blood, Damien Blackfeather
"I don't know John. I met him once with Wrath. He was a nice person as far as I've seen. And while I cannot speak about what his character is, as I have not had the time to learn it. While I cannot speak about the life he has chose to live as I have never learned it. What I can speak of is the voices I have heard tonight. The honor that he has displayed, and the great power that he felt that he could have attained if he had done just one more thing.
I feel sadness knowing not this person, who has touched so many of us passively. I find that more difficult, don't you think? To touch hearts without ever trying to grab them? To touch sights and scenes without ever trying to walk in front of someone? I've heard the Assamites do their best not to be heard. I think I'm proud to have heard everyone else's voices of him. And I hope I'll hear one day.
How about a moment of silence for John, as he would have walked."
- Morgain
