Miriam Godwinson

Sister Miriam Godwinson is the leader of The Lord's Believers.

Background

 *  Based on the Strategy Guide and the Alpha Centauri GURPS Sourcebook 

Miriam Godwinson was born in Georgia, in the Christian States of America in 2014. Her father was a high-ranking minister in the Evangelical Fire, one of the apocalyptic sects that appeared in the American Christian community after the turn of the century. Baptized in River of Fire at age 7, she attended a series of religious schools, culminating in a degree in theology from the College of the Covenant and a doctorate in psychology from Yale University.

By the time Godwinson began her own ministry, the Evangelical Fire was the largest Christian denomination in the once-United States. By the age of 26, she was the ranking Psych Priest of the Heavenly Diocese, third most senior member of the sect. In 2040, she volunteered to serve with U.N. "reintegration forces" sent to the Middle East after the Crusader Wars. Appointed U.N. Honorary Psych Chaplain, she proved to be a talented military psychologist, but at the same time, her religious ministry to the desperate people of the region backfired. Millions hailed her as a kind of messiah (the Prophet Phenomenon often coinciding with post-nuclear madness), forcing the U.N. to release her from service before her presence could further inflame local religious mania.

The U.N. authorities planning the Unity mission were reluctant to have such a controversial figure on board, but political pressure from the American governments for the reconciling of the secular and the spiritual forced them to consider her for the position of Psych Chaplain. Her undeniable talent for that role eventually won her the appointment. She devoted herself to work aboard the starship, regarding it as her opportunity to take the word of God to the stars.

Godwinson is a strongly empathetic and charismatic individual, a natural leader who can demand the attention of others. Her sole focus is on bringing hope and spiritual guidance to those who most need it, and her considerable talent as a psychologist and public speaker make her very effective in this role. Her personal spiritual vision is apocalyptic, centered on the image of an all-powerful and relentless God who will sweep aside all opposition. Beneath her smooth and sympathetic aspect, she is bitterly intolerant of any ideology but her own.

Psychological profile
Empathy and charisma make subject a natural leader; people are drawn to subject without necessarily understanding why. Able to use mannerisms and rhythms of speech to evoke deep spiritual responses in weak-minded individuals, or intelligent individuals seeking order and security in the face of chaotic events.

Single-minded focus on bringing hope and spiritual guidance to any problem she encounters makes her a strong candidate for Psych Chaplain. However, subject must be cautioned against casting spiritual matters into a personal vision of a relentless God that may personify struggles existing within her own Psyche.

GURPS stats

 * Human female; age 46; 5'6", 121 lbs.; pale skin, red hair cut short, green eyes.
 * ST 10 [0]; DX 11 [10]; IQ 13 [30]; HT 12 [20].
 * Speed 5.75; Move 5. Dodge 5.
 * Advantages:  Charisma   +3   [15];   Military   Rank  4   (Lt. Commander) [20]; Strong Will +2 [8]; Voice [10].
 * Disadvantages: Fanaticism  (Conclave  Christianity)   [-15]; Intolerance (Religious) [-10]; Sense of Duty (Those needing spiritual guidance) [-10]; Unattractive [-5].
 * Quirks: Enjoys debating "nonbelievers" on points of philosophy; Quotes religious aphorisms; Rigorous ascetic. [-3]
 * Skills:  Administration-13   [2];  Bard-20   [6]*t;   Computer Operation-13 [1]; Diagnosis-12 [2]; Diplomacy-15 [4]*; Free Fall-11 [2]; History-12 [2]; Leadership-18 [6]f; Literature-12 [2];   Performance/Ritual   (Conclave   Christianity)-14   [4]; Physician-11  [1]; Psychology-14 [6]; Savoir-Faire-16 [2]*;  Swimming-11   [1]; Teaching-14  [4];  Theology  (Conclave Christianity)-14/20 [8]; Vacc Suit-12 [1]; Writing-13 [2].
 * Languages: Arabic-12 [1]; Classical Latin-11 [1/2]; English (native)-13  [0]; Hebrew-12  [1]; New Testament Greek-11 [l/2];Spanish-12[l].

Gallery

 * Profile images