Sergei Zerb
23, 3rd year student at the Inztitut,
Conzec. The "Prince" of the Quarter, Sergei is a lithe, handsome
young man, extremely playful, without a care in the world, as befits the
heir to incredible wealth. The only son of wealthy Privates Milo and Alicia
Zerb, Sergei (in his fondness for "fun") pushes their patience
to the limit, often falling out of favor with one or the other.
Sergei attends classes at the Inztitut when
the fancy strikes him, but more often can be found at the QuadNot, quaffing
ales, eyeing the young women, and teasing the overly serious bartender,
Needermeyer.
Sergei's digz in the Quarter are always stocked
with the latest in high tech plezzhur gear -- the newest toyz, the hottest
chem setz, even early private label vidz of Lena Molloy at her seamy best.
It is in large part due to Sergei's patronage
that The Quarter is home to a thriving avant-garde. Performance artists,
absurdist vid writers, chem bandz, and surreal holopoets all profit from
Sergei's generosity, the chief example of which is the refurbished Amazon
Ballroom. Sergei purchased the old building when it was about to be torn
down, and rebuilt it into a first-rate performing arts theatre (a field
of entertainment frowned on by a growing number of "Accelerationists"
in The Quadrant who prefer not to be reminded of "history").
A young man of startling breadth, Sergei is
a crack Flezz Player, highly skilled skimmer pilot, thoroughly experienced
Q-hog hunter, and serious collector of Quadrant weaponry (Brodstiks, StingStiks,
etc.). Along with his studies, he even finds time to take a special interest
in the work and career of performance artist Grimaldo Ruz, whose genius
(as some say) is less disputed than his sanity.
Whenever things get too dull, Sergei rounds
up his friends, including his long-time "partner in crime" Roland
Rask, and goes pranking. It's common knowledge that the identity of the
masked man who terrorizes the halls of power in Krania with daring, and
often amusing, escapades is none other than Sergei Zerb, but since his father
Milo steadfastly refuses to believe his son could be doing such things,
no one dares to "unmask" him or act against him.