Gareth Van Helsing

PERSONALITY

"A philosopher and a metaphysician, and he has, I believe, an absolutely open mind. This, with an iron nerve, a temper of the ice-brook, and indomitable resolution, self-command, and toleration exalted from virtues to blessings, and the kindliest and truest heart that beats, these form his equipment for the noble work that he is doing for mankind, work both in theory and practice, for his views are as wide as his all-embracing sympathy."

Gareth van Helsing is often torn between his dedication to the finer aspects of human altruism versus his duty towards the catholic church, a fact in which he finds bitterly ironic in the fact that his duties to spread peace and good will towards the world is impeded by the very faction with a paradoxical method of execution that is far different from the original teachings of Christ.

Technically a Christian, Gareth holds his religious views in somewhat of a relative contempt due to the abuse and corruption of power within the hierarchies of the church. He has however, recently begun admiration for the work of Pope Francis.

Gareth is an individual who will act upon impulse to do what is the right thing to do without any desire or want of a reward in return. He does so not because he wants to feel good in return, nor from a sense of responsibility due to his ethical or moral views, but because it is inherent within his nature to help or assist people in need. 

While ultimately an altruistic individual, Gareth can also be somewhat oblivious. He is somewhat blunt in his delivery of speech, and often leaves an individual confused in conversation as he never seems to change his outer appearance regardless of whether or not he may feel happy or depressed. Also, due to a lack of exact material wants or desires, Gareth is slightly segregated from the social world, as he has little to no discussion to contribute to. 

Overall, Gareth maintains a fine balance between two conflicting lifestyles provided by the Vatican. Stuck as a match between a philanthropist and a homicidal maniac, Gareth balances his work and his ethical dilemmas with equal parts uncertainty and guilt. Gareth is a moral paradox, as a man who desires to help, but causes as much, if not more suffering, through his duties towards a God he is not entirely sure is wholly good.

HISTORY

Doctor Gareth van Helsing is a church appointed emissary of the Quincy and Paladin-Inquisitor of the Sancta Sedes (Holy See).  Aside from his church duties, Dr. Van Helsing also runs a free small medical clinic and an orphanage in Rome, funded primarily by the Church, which he operates with multiple caretakers and hospitals for free. He operates these businesses primarily with the help of multiple other doctors and charity workers in which he pays full time.

Gareth is also the last direct ancestor to the legendary exorcist Abraham van Helsing, famed for the killing of Count Dracula, and a part of the half-blooded family of the van Helsing. Gareth was one of the few individuals within the family that were born with spiritual awareness and inherited the Helsing's True Holy Attribute. Due to the connections that the Van Helsing's family had to the Catholic Church, Gareth's early path in life was set before him at birth, to which he had anticipated with an optimistic fervor that has somewhat died throughout his life.

Gareth was raised in the van Helsing family as a Quincy, finishing his training at the age of eighteen before moving into the holy Vatican as a young inquisitor. There he studied the arts of exorcism and the knowledge of supernatural activity and subsequently, demonslaying methods. From the age of eighteen until the age of twenty three, Gareth studied under Paladin Father Lionel Cersine until he graduated with a PhD in Exorcism and Spiritual Healing. From that point onwards, Gareth dedicated much of his time to the activities of the church, regardless of the extremity of the action, while dedicating his remaining time in creating a small orphanage and medical clinic.

Gareth's skill is exceptional in two areas, firstly, his ability to heal others and secondly, his vast proficiency and experience and usage of unconventional devices passed from his van Helsing lineage. While somewhat lacking in his capability to combat straight up individuals physically, Helsing more than makes up for it with consistent training in other fields of skills, such as stealth, hand-to-hand, long range sniping and mental conditioning. '