( angela sarafyan, 38, cis woman, she/her ) — Look who it is! If you take a look at our database, you’ll find that MERCY GRIGORYAN is a NURSERY ASSISTANT that works in SECTOR 4. According to the file, they’re a mutant with the power of PURITY EMBODIMENT. That must be why they’re CURIOUS and NEEDY. If you ask me, they remind me of old incense crushed between stones, moonlight sighted through a narrow window, and a powder haze blurring the air. They are affiliated with NOBODY.
basic information:
character name: Mercy Grigoryan
nickname (s): Back in the cult they would sometimes call her Merciful Mother : )
face claim: Angela Sarafyan
mutation status: Gen II mutant
birthday: february 26th
sexuality: bisexual
moral alignment: true neutral
occupation: nursery assistant
work sector: 4
affiliation: neutral
3 positive traits: Curious, forgiving, patient
3 negative traits: needy, naïve, martyr
biography (optional):
tw: general religious insanity and cult behaviour, death
Mercy's mother decided, from her birth, that Mercy was special. Within weeks of her birth, her mother had formed a cult around the child; Mercy never knew anything else but worship at her feet. Forgiveness was hers to give.
The Merciful Church of Luke's Divine Love soon moved to a ruined church in the Expanse, where they could worship privately (and Mercy's mother could more easily isolate the followers). An obedient child, Mercy gave sermons and sacramental wine; she forgave the flock for their sins, purified their corruption, loved their imperfections.
But still they were not saved. Mercy's mother knew, eventually, what to do. As a teen, they held a funeral for Mercy's earthly life and then bricked her into a cell within the church building. There was a small window through which food and water could be passed to her, and through which, in turn, she could pass the eucharist into the eager mouths of her lambs. Mercy would save them from this hell on earth, they were sure. After being trapped in this purgatory, they would surely ascend to God's side.
The rest of Mercy's life was, really, uneventful. Imprisoned, happily, in her small cell, she spent her days in quiet contemplation, poring over Luke's Gospel and whispering forgiveness through her tiny window. That only changed recently.
When the church was attacked by mutated animals, there was no fear. The congregation welcomed death with open arms, ready to finally meet their Lord. And then it was only Mercy left, untouched in her impenetrable cell. The beasts did not make any great effort to break in anyway, perhaps influenced by her mutation.
Later, before her meagre supplies ran out but not before she could suffer in hunger and solitude, a party from Sol City came upon the ruins of her church (this party included our own Adrian Walker Jr.). They saved her, they say, and Mercy is grateful. But she is mournful, too: because her earthly body was saved, but her immortal soul remains here in pain while her blessed flock has ascended.
questionnaire:
how do they feel about living in sol city? have they always lived there or did they travel from another settlement?
Mercy is quite a new arrival. She has very mixed feelings. A part of her loves to Feel The Rain On Her Skin (no one else can feel it for her, only she can let it in) after a life lived in a tiny cell. And she is fascinated by the breadth and variation of people here. But she is also in pain, because those she considered her family are gone. She cannot stop wondering why she was left behind, when she sacrificed her freedom and her life for their salvation. Was she not good enough to be saved herself?
do they trust the council’s leadership? why or why not?
Nope! There's only one entity that can tell Mercy what to do: GOD! She doesn't misbehave for the sake of it, and is generally a very Good Person, but she marches to the beat of her own drum. She does what she thinks is right, and pays little regard to the council.
if they chose their sector and profession, why did they make that choice? if they didn’t, why not? were they happy with their assignment or not?
She did choose it. Mercy loves children, and children love her. She feels truly happy at work and loves telling stories and playing games. She feels she has much to learn from the children, as they live lives she never had the chance to. Nobody in the nursery is more engaged with their games and their art and their progress than Mercy.
what’s one object that they always keep on their person?
Her rosary. It was carved by a devoted follower, out of rough waste wood. Nobody had ever given Mercy a gift before. It is not necessarily a thing of beauty, but it is the most wonderful thing she owns. The beads are rubbed to a soft, warm sheen from years of her loving fingers working prayers over them.
(mutant only section)
what is your character’s ability (or abilities)?
Purity embodiment.
are they gen i or gen ii?
Gen II.
what can your character do? what are their strengths?
The most distinctive feature of Mercy's mutation is just Vibes. She radiates an aura of purity and trustworthiness, and her pure heart is totally immune to malice.
She gains strength from cleanliness (ablutions are vital to her wellbeing, and she is very much a 'will wash her devotee's feet' sort of gal). She is stronger, faster, and more durable when she and her surroundings are clean.
She has divine water manipulation: she can consecrate water, ensure it is free of impurities. It can be imbued with healing powers, and damage anything (or anyone) corrupt. She can purify and heal, just in general.
She can detect lies.
what can’t they do? what are their weaknesses?
Purity and corruption are such intangible concepts that her powers don't always work as expected. A truly horrible person might be totally palatable to Mercy, so long as their moral compass is unwavering and they truly believe in their cause.
Dirt makes her weak. If she is exposed to dirty conditions, she totally wilts.
Her healing abilities are not always a forever cure, and degenerative illnesses will return in time.
is there anything else you’d like to specify about them?
Just that she is God's favourite sacrifical lamb <3
