Overview
Dr. Erasmus Hume is the High Conductor of the London Choir of the Aeternum Canticle and the public face of the Orphean Society. Outwardly, he is a respected theorist in harmonic mathematics and sacred music, celebrated in elite musical circles. In truth, he is a fanatical cultist who orchestrates human sacrifices to perfect the Fourth Movement of the Grand Canticle, convinced that by achieving perfect harmony he will “ascend into resonance” and merge with Yog-Sothoth itself.
Hume believes absolutely that art must transcend the mortal, and he does not flinch at bloodshed—it is merely the price the score demands.
Description
Hume is tall and angular, with snow-white hair swept back from a high brow. Sharp cheekbones and a penetrating gaze dominate his features. He dresses with impeccable precision in dark frock coats, always fitted. His fingers are permanently stained with ink from obsessive composition, and they are never still—always moving as though orchestrating invisible music in the air. His eyes are fixed, calculating, and pierce through social pleasantry.
Personality & Traits
- Cold and articulate: Speaks in measured tones with musical metaphors woven throughout
- Visionary fanatic: Genuinely believes the Canticle is a path to transcendence
- Sensitive to dissonance: Cannot tolerate crying, laughter, or interruption during composition; becomes dangerously unstable if his work is disrupted
- Principled in cruelty: Regrets the necessity of bloodshed but insists “the score demands it”
- Meticulous: Every detail of the ritual must be perfect; deviations from harmonic alignment trouble him deeply
Early Campaign History (reconciled October 2026)
During the Stonehenge confrontation, Hume struck Charlotte with Spectral Razor, cutting her diagonally from shoulder to hip.
Campaign History
- Chapter 1 (June 1814): Hume led the Orphean Society as High Conductor, orchestrating the capture of Imogen Bellamy and Nathaniel Rooke, and preparing the Stonehenge ritual (Segment I of the Grand Canticle). On the night of June 12, he conducted the ritual at Stonehenge. The investigators had ridden ahead to Salisbury, recruited local farmers from a pub, and launched a two-pronged assault on the stone circle. Hume used razor spells against the PCs and his cultists fought back, but as the assault cut off the ritualists one by one, the summoning collapsed. Hume was killed during the disruption.
Appearances
Connections
People
Employed by
- Eli Tadcombe NPC hostileWorks for Hume; deeply frightened of the Society's true nature but needs employment
Served by
- Lady Octavia Danforth NPC hostilePublicly subordinate to Hume; secretly plots to usurp his position and rewrite the Canticle1 session: London
Serves
- Lady Octavia Danforth NPC neutralHume is the supreme authority; Danforth serves as deputy but secretly plots to usurp him1 session: London
Employs
- Walter Baines NPC warmFanatically loyal to Hume; carries out orders without question1 session: London
- Walter Pennyman NPC warmDirectly under Hume's authority; carries out dark operational tasks
Imprisoned by
- Imogen Bellamy NPC hostileBellamy is held in the Catacoustic Chamber; Hume orchestrates her conditioning1 session: London
- Nathaniel Rooke NPC hostileRooke is a captive; Hume has ordered him transported to Kensington for final ritual preparation1 session: London
Imprisons
- Imogen Bellamy NPC hostileHeld captive in Catacoustic Chamber; subjected to conditioning sessions1 session: London
- Nathaniel Rooke NPC hostileHeld captive in Catacoustic Chamber then transferred to Kensington; Hume keeps him alive for final ritual1 session: London
Places
Located at
- Orphean Society Building Location neutralHume's primary base of operations at 43 Grosvenor Street1 session: London
- Stonehenge Location neutralSite of the final ritual; Hume conducts the ceremony1 session: London
Events
Participated in
- Stonehenge Ritual Event