Quincy St. Cyr

The most remarkable thing about him is how utterly unremarkable he seems.

Clan: Clanless

Society: Autarkis

"You can mould clay into a vessel; yet, it is its emptiness that makes it useful." -- Tao Te Ching

Quincy appeared in Richmond, Virginia in 2008. Although he claims no sect, clan, or coterie, he treats everyone he meets with kindness, with no expectation of recompense or reciprocity. He does not traffic in boons or favors, professing a vow of poverty and believing that actions should be motivated by wholesome intentions over self-interest. Similarly, he is heedless of status or scandal, noting that if one lives by others' standards, they may lose touch with the inner wisdom that allows them to live as their authentic selves.

Many kindred cling fiercely to existence, since death no longer occurs to them naturally, and they may try to abuse their longevity in pursuit of ever greater power, wealth, and dominion. To Quincy, such intentions are born from delusion and can only aggravate vampiric suffering, as well as the suffering they inflict on others. He maintains that all things must undergo change, and are indeed changing from moment to moment, and the truth of impermanence is inescapable (although nothing ever truly disappears). He asserts that anyone can be free at any time, for "Freedom is not something one can gain or lose; you realize it is there once you let go of the notion of gain or loss."

Insights

• "It is impossible to save all beings, yes. But if we don't attempt the impossible, we may fall short of all that could be possible."
• "Karma is like a stream from which we all drink, so be mindful with what you pour into this stream."
• "The cloud does not die when it becomes rain, the rain does not grieve when it becomes a river. A wave on the ocean is there one moment, and the next it is gone; but where does the wave end and the ocean begin? We all share one source, and with the right view, one perceives there is no birth and there is no death. There is only transformation, continuation, unending."
• "What need has one for territory when the entire universe is right where you are standing?"
• "You see another vampire, and you may think, they are from a different clan, or they are my rival. But I just see two vampires; I see two identical piles of ash. I see also two children. I see their mothers and fathers and their ancestors. I see the food that nourished them all; the earth, water, and light that made the food. I see the stars that made the earth, water, and light possible. Look at your hand: can you see your mother and father in there? Can you see the sun and stars? Can you see the other in yourself too?"
• "It is said one never bathes in the same river twice. But also the river never bathes the same person twice! It is this impermanence, really, that makes all wonders manifest."
• "Vampire and Beast: they are not one, and also not two. Regard your Beast with loving-kindness, and see if it changes the relationship."
• "When you find yourself unsure of what to do, just allow yourself to be. Sit. Practice non-ado, and set aside the ten thousand things."
• "Many vampires are fearful: of sunlight and fire, of hunters, of other vampires. It is hard to live in such fear for so long, and it enourages greed, hatred, and delusion. But upon the realization of no-self, one can also let go of fear, and be free to live."
• "I cannot describe the Golconda to you, for each seeker's experience is different. One may find salvation, another may find enlightenment, or liberation. But there is no path to Golconda. Walking the path is Golconda."
• "We vampires are afflicted by craving, aversion, loneliness, and unwholesome urges, but we are not unique in this. Without suffering, there can be no awakening from suffering. No mud, no lotus."

Speculation

• Quincy is a Salubri.
• He's an Anarch sleeper, seeking to undermine the Camarilla with radical notions of freedom.
• His humanity is just a facade, an attempt to conceal a dark past.
• Don't you think he looks older than he used to?

"This dewdrop world--

Is a dewdrop world,

And yet, and yet..." -- Issa

OUT OF CHARACTER STUFF

Player: Brandon R. (he/him/his) US2010096592

Player Email: homodm at gmail dot com

Storyteller: AJ Parker

Storyteller Email: RICCamST at gmail dot com

Location: Richmond, VA-013-D