Peloquin

Peloquin, who goes by the nickname of The Great Virility amongst the Nightbreed, is a creature who appears in Clive Barker’s 1988 fantasy-horror novel Cabal, its 1990 movie adaptation, and much of its associated media.

Description

A lithely-built humanoid who claims to be a member of the now-extinct Qualm tribe, Peloquin is a ferocious looking being indeed. With skin the tone of dried blood, piercing blue eyes and fleshy ”dreadlocks” in place of hair, he is an intimidating figure even before he transforms to his more animalistic self. In addition, his body is covered in more lightly-coloured weals; whether these are a natural attribute for his species or some form of ritualistic scarring is unknown, although they do appear to have an element of design behind them.

Despite his outward appearance, Peloquin is not a creature devoid of more human traits: the Nightbreed refer to him as the Great Virility for a reason. Peloquin believes that any organism, whether it be animal, vegetable or mineral, is deserving of amour, and will gift any female creature with his affections regardless of their nature. This predilection means that Peloquin is one of the very few amongst the Tribes of the Moon who regularly ventures beyond the bounds of Midian, always seeking those who would accept his carnal company. Whilst Peloquin should have long ago been exiled by the Tribes for this breach of law, he has escaped such punishment as the essence of the Nightbreed runs so strongly through him, and many of Midian’s denizens call him their father.

History

When Aaron Boone first came to Midian, Peloquin was one of the first creatures he met, and was subsequently bitten by. Later, Peloquin was one of the Nightbreed who participated in the unsuccessful defence of Midian after the Sons of the Free enacted their pogrom on the city. Although badly injured by a careening police car, he survived and escaped to temporary safety with many of the other ‘Breed.

Powers and Abilities

• Shapeshifting: Peloquin is capable of altering his already fearsome form to an even more terrifying one. In the movie this manifested as a “fanning out” of his dreadlocks to appear more intimidating, and the elongation and sharpening of his teeth, whilst in the book he transformed fully into a monstrous four-legged reptilian creature.
• Scent the Innocent: Through simply breathing in the musk of an individual, Peloquin can discern whether that person is guilty of having committed murder.
• Infectious Bite: Although Peloquin appears incapable of siring children through more conventional means, his bite imbues his victim with a degree of his own essence, effectively passing on the gift of the Nightbreed.