Dr. Karl Gruenwald

CLAN: Tremere APPARENT AGE: 34 ACTUAL AGE: 234 DATE OF BIRTH: December 22, 1762 EMBRACED: October 13, 1797 RACE: Caucasian NATIONALITY: Prussian HAIR COLOR: Black EYE COLOR: Blue HEIGHT: 6' 2'' WEIGHT: 220 pounds

Hair is short, his appearance is always meticulously maintained. Always dresses in dark colors, and always wears gloves (except when spellcasting). Sometimes is seen carrying a cane with an ornate gold knob on one end. Karl has an odd effect on Kine, who find his presence very eerie and uncomfortable, even though he does not cultivate such a presence.

Born in 1762 in Prussia, the son of a minor noble. Educated at the University of Heidelburg, where he studied to be a doctor. After his graduation, he became disenchanted with the state of medical science. He began to travel throughout Eastern Europe, looking for more 'modern' medical techniques. (Some of these medical techniques were considered quite radical, even heretical, by the church and government of their day.) It was on this journey that Karl met Baron August von Ostlein, a Tremere elder who was on a 'recruiting mission'. Karl and the Baron travelled throughout Europe together, Karl learning about ancient and forgotten sciences. When they reached the Transylvanian chantry, the Baron introduced him to Etrius, who offered Karl a chance to join their 'mystical society'. Karl accepted, and was Embraced on October 13, 1797. Karl studied with the Baron until his demise in 1824, during an attack by the Sabbat.

Karl's interest in non-magical sciences has been both boon and bane to his climb of the Pyramid. Many of the Traditionalists distrust his scientific side, but as the centuries progress, those skills have become more and more in demand. Karl has spent most of the 19th and 20th centuries researching and studying several science-related thaumaturgical paths, along with continued research into biomedical science (both Kindred and Kine). He holds several dozen patents for medical serums and techniques (all held through Tremere-controlled firms), and through them has amassed a large sum of money (after the Tremere have taken their cut, of course).

Karl has little interest in politics, which explains why he has never been considered for any Tremere positions of rank. He considers his undead life as a chance to continue his research, nothing more. Power does not interest Karl, and he only engages in the struggle of clan against clan if it threatens Tremere, his chantry, research or himself.

He *never* kills when he feeds. Karl considers this an issue of self-control, and greatly dislikes those who kill indiscriminately.

Philosophical changes within the Vienna chantry left the Traditionalists in control, and thus Karl has been sent to America to oversee one of their biomedical businesses there. The firm's headquarters is located in San Francisco.

Karl has always shared a close relationship with members of the Ventrue, to the point where some Tremere traditionalists have remarked that he must have received some Ventrue blood during his Embrace.