Name: Ulric Hurvolf Johansen
AGE: 53
DOB: 17 July 1945
Origin:
Ulric Johansen was born in Helsinki, Finland in the aftermath of the inhuman chaos of the second World War. Raised in a strict Catholic family, Ulric came into the world at the start of the Cold War as the Soviet Union converted a number of east European countries to Communist governments. Fearing the possibilities of Finland being in the Soviets’ sights, Ulric’s parents immigrated to America, eventually settling in Rhode Island.
As he grew up, the young Johansen eventually decided that he wished to serve God directly. After graduating from college in 1967, Ulric formally became ordained as a priest of the Catholic Church. By 1975, Ulric began to feel as if there were something more he could do, both with his life and to bring the word of God to others. After months of deliberation, he asked for (and received) permission to join the Navy as a reservist. Over the next fifteen years, Ulric quietly served in his church in New York, his best friend being a fellow priest named Garrow. When Garrow left for the Midwest, Ulric smiled for his friend on the outside, but felt somewhat empty that he was losing his best friend. But, as is his way, Ulric stoically went on, tending his flock as best he could. Seen by most in the Church as a moderate in most areas, this seemingly unremarkable man was loved by his congregation for his ability to help people with their problems simply by listening to them. One such person was a young woman who had contemplated suicide after being raped. The woman had refused to go to the police out of fear for her life, and for the first time in his life, Ulric was torn between his vows of silence as a priest, and his sense of morality as a man who hated to see such a crime go unpunished. The troubled priest spent many hours praying to God, hoping for an answer for his troubling dilemma.
God gave him one.
Another priest, Jonathan Smith, joined the church that Ulric served at. Over the period of a few weeks, Jonathan and Ulric became quite friendly towards one another. Ulric also met an acquaintance of Jonathan’s, and ex-police officer named Mark Gordon. The two spent a fair amount of time with Ulric before Jonathan saw the woman come to give confession with Ulric. Ulric walked in on Jonathan and the woman talking about the rape. Incensed at Jonathan’s violation of confession, Ulric demanded to know how Jonathan could break the vows of silence of a servant of God. Joanthan’s answer was very simple.
He was doing what God had sent him there to do, to convince the young woman to go to the police, before her rapist struck again.
When the woman asked how the other priest could know such a thing, Jonathan revealed to them the truth; he was an angel, sent by God to resolve both the woman’s and Ulric’s dilemmas. After the initial shock (and understandable doubt), the woman was convinced to press charges on her rapist. Between them, Jonathan praised Ulric for adhering to his vows, but added that occasionally a greater vow needed to be heeded. With a friendly goodbye, Ulric, Jonathan and Mark parted company. Ulric came out of the situation with a feeling of gratitude towards God for what He had done for the woman, and for helping him overcome his crisis of faith.
Scant months later, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, and Ulric volunteered to be one of those reservists who went on active duty during the operations known as Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During this time in the Gulf, Ulric performed his duties for dozens of GI’s and also helped numerous Iraqi POW’s when Desert Storm occurred.
When he returned to the States, Ulric quietly ended his tenure with the Navy, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Upon returning to the Church, his immediate superiors asked Ulric if he would be willing to take the position of pastor at a church on the West Coast. Willing to do anything to serve God, Ulric agreed to serve in the First Catholic Church of Sunnydale, California.
Ulric arrived in the town in May of 1992, and quietly lived and performed his duties for several months before realizing that something was out of the ordinary in this quiet little suburb of Los Angeles. It took being attacked by a vampire, a former member of his congregation, to show the good Father what populated his new home. Knowing no one would ever believe his story, Ulric quietly began to take measures to ensure the safety of his flock and Church. By doing research on the subject of vampires, Ulric attempted to ensure that he would lose no more of his faith to the undead. Using only his faith and information gleaned from numerous (and often contradictory) sources, Ulric has somehow managed to keep over eighty percent of his congregation alive over the last six years.
Ulric was not attacked again in the intervening years, living what was almost a perfectly normal life. Little did he know it was about to become very interesting.
In late July, Ulric received a phone call from Jonathan Smith, the angel who had helped him years before. This time, the situation was reversed; Jonathan needed Ulric’s help with a student of his, who would need a place to stay while performing a mission given to her by God. The woman would be registered as an exchange student under the sponsorship of another of Jonathan’s friends, and Ulric would be her guardian. Ulric happily agreed, even though the history Jonathan gave him about the woman was almost too wild for just about anyone else to believe.
In late August, Ulric met the woman who he would be providing shelter to in his home. Shaw Hunter took up residence in Ulric’s small guest room, and began to familiarize herself with the situation in Sunnydale. On his own side, Ulric let Shaw do things in her own fashion, but quietly offered advice when she asked, and indulged her own curiosity about the legends of Finland, as her Goddess had once been worshipped by his own ancient ancestors.
After two weeks, Shaw asked Ulric for a favor; if she failed to survive the battle she instinctively knew to be at hand, she wished for Ulric to pass her possessions on to Amy Madison, who was related to Shaw. Ulric agreed, but as Shaw won her battle it was not needed for him to perform that task.
Over the next few weeks, Shaw continued her education and while their arrangement was originally meant to be temporary, Ulric was loathe to make Shaw give up what he could tell was coming to be, in the child’s eyes, the first home she had known in a very long time. During this time, Shaw and Ulric’s friendship continued to grow.
Near the end of November, Ulric received a phone call from Shaw, who told him that something had come up that required her to leave town. Ulric agreed to cover for her absence from school. When Shaw returned a few days later, it was in the company of Amy and her boyfriend, Robin Goodfellow. The two Slayerettes informed Ulric of the entire episode, and Ulric spent some time talking with the two. At the end of the talk, Ulric offered to provide whatever aid he could (mainly holy water, as he has "connections"), and revealed to Robin that he recognized that the fairy seemed to have developed an almost brotherly protectiveness towards Shaw (since Ulric has two younger sisters of his own, he was speaking from personal experience).
That night, Ulric spoke with Shaw, who essentially gave confession to Ulric over much of what she had discussed with Amy the previous day. Ulric told Shaw of his perceptions, including that she was owed for her service to the forces of good (a talk they repeated in miniature on Thanksgiving), and he expressly forbade her from leaving his home. With this order, Ulric became Shaw’s guardian in fact as well as on paper.
By the last weeks of the year, Ulric had been through a few sleepless nights, as Shaw suffered from nightmares, and the priest spent much time talking with and comforting the half-elven woman. It was in the days following Christmas, when on her way to recovery, that Shaw shocked Ulric by doing the unthinkable.
She brought a vampire into his Church.
Shaw quickly explained that this vampire, an Englishwoman named Drusilla, had just had her soul restored and wished to commit suicide because she didn’t wish to live with the guilt she felt over the crimes committed by the demon in control of her body. Having been Catholic during her mortal life, and turned on the very day she was to take her holy vows as a nun, Drusilla was torn over what to do as suicide is against the tenets of the Catholic faith. Upon realizing that Shaw had brought the vampire to him because only he could help her, Ulric took the guilt-wracked Dru into a confessional. The two spoke for well over an hour, and while neither has talked about what they discussed, it is known that Ulric convinced Drusilla not to commit suicide, and set her on the path of self-forgiveness.
In recent weeks, Ulric has continued to provide comfort to Shaw over her ordeal, and it is known that Dru has spoken with Ulric on more than one occasion. Also, Ulric has told Drusilla that she is welcome to come to his Church as often as she wishes, to pray, give confession, or simply to talk about how her new life is progressing. This offer was enthusiastically (and tearfully) accepted by Drusilla.
Amid all these events, Ulric himself has continued to do what he has always done; serve God, tend his congregation, and listen to those who need his help.
Race: Human
Description:
Ulric stands five feet, ten inches tall, and weighs between one hundred seventy and one hundred eighty pounds. Ulric is not particularly thin or stocky; in fact, most would consider his overall appearance unremarkable. His once blonde hair has gradually faded to white, and Ulric tends to keep it neatly cut short. His gray-blue eyes can convey the immense compassion of which he is capable, and this trait can often calm the most nervous or uncertain of parishioners who come to Ulric for advice.
The only distinguishing marks Ulric is known to have are a scar on his abdomen (the only indicator of having his appendix removed at age fifteen), and the mark of a smallpox vaccination on his left bicep.
Abilities (uncommon): Ulric has no supernatural or paranormal abilities of his own, but it has been revealed that both he and his residence have various protection spells placed upon them by Shaw Hunter. According to Shaw, nothing evil can touch Ulric’s person. Although originally taken somewhat aback by this information, Ulric has accepted the gift for what it is.
Ulric’s greatest ability, however, is the ability to completely analyze a situation or problem that someone has, and to help them with their troubles, no matter how deep, simply by listening to them.
Abilities (learned): Ulric’s primary skill is his knowledge and experience as a Catholic priest. He also possesses the training and experience to run a church; military training and experience (U.S. Navy); some moderate knowledge of vampires and demons; languages (Ulric speaks four languages fluently; English, Latin, Finnish and Spanish. He also speaks a smattering of Arabic).
Current Status: (include here if the person is immortal or not): Head pastor at First Catholic Church of Sunnydale. Lieutenant Commander, United States Naval Reserve (retired); Legal status is naturalized citizen of the United States and legal guardian of Shaw Hunter, exchange student from Great Britain. Graduate of Loyola University with degree in Theology and Religious Studies. Ulric is not Immortal, nor is he a Pre-Immortal.
Proficient weapons: Ulric does not have intensive hand-to-hand combat training, but it can be assumed that he received some such training as part of his basic military training.
Current beliefs:
In current times (January 1999) Ulric’s life has not changed too much from just six months ago, around the time Shaw Hunter arrived in Sunnydale. He continues to preach the word of God at the First Catholic Church and live his life as he has always done.
The one change that does seem to be occurring lately, perhaps without his knowledge, is that he may be becoming an unofficial member of Section Seven, much in the way that Joyce Summers and Sydney Greene are. Whereas Sydney is the psychiatrist, and Joyce the extended den mother, Ulric may likely be turning out to be the personal confessor for certain members (such as Shaw Hunter and Drusilla).
Another change is his relationship with his ward. Whereas they started out just as acquaintances, and then became simple friends, Ulric’s relationship with Shaw has evolved beyond that of friends into something more. While neither of them truly realizes it (although Brenna, Shaw’s telepathic Guardian Spirit, probably does), Ulric is slowly coming to be something of a father figure towards Shaw, much akin to Giles’ relationship to Buffy.
But, for the most part, Ulric continues to do what he has always done; serve God and his fellow man without thought to reward or ambition. And that is what makes this seemingly unremarkable man all the more remarkable.
What is the one most important thing you can say about the character?
It’s amazing how things change over the course of a story or two. My original plan was for Shaw to leave Sunnydale and become a free agent member of the Section. But, by the end of Born to Raise Hellmouth, it made more sense for her to stay on the Hellmouth, and attempt to find a life on Earth, as well as a relationship with Amy.
Which leads to the changes with Ulric. First, he was originally from Norway. But, when remembering how Mielikki was a Finnish deity, I thought it might be more fun to have that little coincidence that Ulric was from Finland. So he moved. If Shaw had left Sunnydale, it’s unlikely we would ever have seen Ulric again. But, now he’s evolving along with Shaw Hunter, as he is her guardian in name as well as legally, and their relationship, originally that of mutual respect (as priests of their respective God and Goddess), then friendship, and now somewhere in between friendship and parent/child. As Shaw evolves as a character, so does her relationship with Ulric, and as a result so does Ulric as a character and a person. He doesn’t seem to have many faults, but he’s not perfect. And as I said above, with how unremarkable he seems (he has no powers, he doesn’t have magic, he isn’t strong enough to punch a vampire or channel Keanu in the Matrix), but how much he cares, and how he’s able to help people with their problems, is what makes him more remarkable than most.
It’s going to be very interesting to see where the future leads.
Favorite quote: "One should always look for the good and the sign of God in something, as it is through Him, and through good, that all things are possible."
Nicknames: Father, Padre.