[UA] Your Alex Abel.

[John Sullivan]

My Alex Abel is a little more positive than many you'll find on the 
list.  I see him as someone whose early drive for wealth at any cost 
was born from bitter cynicism about a world that consistently failed 
to live up to his expectations.  When he became aware of the occult, 
and the ability of his wealth to translate into real power in that 
sphere, he saw it as a very redemptive experience.  He's very bitter 
about his own complicity in that world, angry at himself for becoming 
just another shark in the pool.

With his discovery of the occult and the clergy and so on, he began 
to see the chance to really make a better world.  He really wants to 
redeem himself.  He really wants a better world, and Alex knows how 
to get what he wants.  He buys it.

So yes, there are some dark sides to all this.  Alex's billions are a 
lot like the One Ring.  Amazing power, and he really thinks he can 
use it for good without being corrupted by it if he's really, really 
careful.

So this Alex very much wants to make it up to Mona, but can't because 
she's too far gone for him to rescue.  So  yes, he takes the daughter 
in, or at least sees her through school, and yes he takes her into 
his organization, and sees that Mona is as comfortable as he can make 
her.  He never even thinks of a physical relationship with the 
daughter because that's not what she represents to him.  What she 
represents is the kind of person he used to be, and a reminder of the 
consequences of corruption.  (It would be even better if he could 
realistically believe that he's her father, but I suppose he'd just 
have a DNA test done to make sure.)  She would never know any of 
this, and I imagine would come to play a significant role in his 
work, but mostly he keeps her nearby to remind him of the need to 
stay on top of his power rather than give in to its temptations.

Would PCs ever get to understand the nuances of this relationship?  
Probably not, unfortunately, but I like it anyway.

John Sullivan


John Sullivan
mp2000 at erols.com
www.sff.net/people/john-sullivan