Name: Dr Gabriel Olding 
Occupation: Cryptozoologist
Nationality: British
Clearance: Green Alpha
Department: Archive Support
EDU 20 POW 13 CON 8 DEX 6
HP: 8
MP: 13
SAN: 60
Experience: 13 (spent)
SKILLS
Language: Spanish 20
Library Use: 21
Mathematics: 20
Biology: 20
Chemistry: 20
Medicine: 20
First Aid: 20
Forensics: 21
Occult: 20
Anthropology: 20
Cryptozoology: 21
Background
Born in London, Gabriel was raised in a happy,
normal environment by his Father a physicist and
his mother a veterinary nurse. After completing his
schooling and attaining exceptional grades he went
to Cambridge University. After gaining doctorates
in both zoology and forensics Gabriel was headhunted
by an Oxford University Department of Zoology as a
perfect candidate to investigate all the reports
of strange new animals which occasionally surfaced.
He spent the next couple of years following up these
reports and in particular spent a lot of time in South
America. His work led to the discovery of a number of
new species and he became known as one of the experts
in his field. It was whilst working on a case, which
involved a number of attacks on people and animals along
the coast of Cornwall, that he managed to photograph a
strange creature that appeared to be a bipedal form of
Dolphin. Upon his attempt to publish this photo he was
contacted by representatives of Cassandra 23. They showed
him similar photos and explained that if the public found out
about this it would cause a panic. He agreed to withhold his
picture and to become a member of C23.
Personality/ Lifestyle
Gabriel is normally laid back and easy going, he enjoys
clubbing and activities such as reading (mainly sci-fi),
drawing (he is not actually much good), playing computer
games and fell walking. His laid back attitude quickly
vanishes when he is working on a case and is replaced by an
intense curiosity and complete professionalism. His regular
travelling has led him to develop many acquaintances but few
close friends and whilst he would like a family in the future
he has no significant other at present. He is used to
working on his own in the field or with a team under his
command. Due to this it has been a long time since he has had
to take orders and he is not looking forward to this part of
working with C23. Despite the seemingly occult nature of
some of his work Gabriel has no belief in the occult or 'Magic'
himself and is certain that a rational scientific explanation
exists for everything. He has no qualms about working for the
government and believes that what they are doing is
for the publics safety. He is very excited about finally
being contacted by C23 and is looking forward to finding out
what they want from him.
Update : Gabriel has been significantly changed by his first
experience with C23. Due to the phenomena he encountered he
has been shocked into completely revising his views on the
occult. He has changed overnight from a complete sceptic to
a firm believer due to the intensity of his experiences. He
has even gone so far as to begin researching the occult
himself in a desperate attempt to try and understand what
he has seen. His hospitalisation and erratic behaviour
after the events of a Midsummer Nights Dreaming have
led to him losing most of the friends he had and he has
become a much more paranoid, withdrawn individual. A large
amount of the paranoia is due to his acceptance of the fact
that there are malignant things and forces out there, which
despite his best efforts he cannot fully understand. In spite
of this paranoia he eagerly awaits the next call from C23,
as he sees this as his best opportunity to learn more about
this strange new world he has entered.
Update : The most recent outing with C23 has had a very
profound effect on Gabriel. The last mission opened his
mind and gave him proof that 'things' existed which most
of mankind were not aware of, but this mission showed him
that even the most fundamental rules of space and time can
be manipulated by occult powers. His faith in science has
been sorely tested and he has begun research into both
quantum physics and the darkest of esoteric volumes in
a desperate attempt to find any explanation for what
happened. Due to the experience he has become noticeably
less stable and more paranoid. He has also gained an
obsession about good timekeeping, leading to him constantly
checking his watch and intense outbursts at anyone who
arrives to appointments at anything other than the
specified time. He is dreading the next time he is
contacted by C23; but knows that he will go none the
less, desperate to learn more.
Mark, 2000
Return to C23 Personnel Index.
Last Updated: 23rd October 2000