Chimera

This article is about the Praetorian Archvillain. For the serpentine arch foe of Talos, see Chimera (Beast).

Overview

Praetor Sinclair
Praetor
Zone	Imperial City
Coordinates	(-915, 581, -1170)
Level Range	8-15
Introduced By	== Level 8 == Tami Baker
Introduces	None
Enemy Groups	Praetorians Ghouls Syndicate Resistance

Chimera, also known as Praetor Sinclair, is a Praetorian contact in Imperial City at coordinates (-915, 581, -1170) . His level range is 8-15.

Heroes can find him:

• on the Fix the scanner mission from Maria Jenkins (Levels 45 - 50)
• on the Take down Chimera's training facility mission from Maria Jenkins (Levels 45 - 50)

Description

Known in Praetoria as Praetor Sinclair, he is Emperor Cole's ultimate assassin. When his parents were killed by Doppleganger, Justin Sinclair was given the opportunity of a lifetime. Doppelganger took the boy under his wing and trained him to be the world's premier silent killer.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

• Tami Baker

Contact Introduces

• None

Information

Praetor

Justin Sinclair is a man that few would dare to cross. He is known for having his hand in all matters within Praetoria and is trusted by Emperor Cole himself to run various covert operations, both in Praetoria and outside of it.

Prior to Introduction

Missing Prior to Introduction Dialogue

Initial Contact

Your name is Character. I've been keeping track of your progress, ever since I received your information from Ms. Baker. I have to say, I'm very impressed. I'm well aware of what your motives might be; power, fame, glory, all or perhaps just one. Or perhaps you're actually here to protect the people and get famous while doing so. It doesn't matter to me.

I am a man who knows how to work with others. Today, I require your aid. In return, I will give you what you need. Money, power, fame, whatever it is. But you must know that what I deal with is extremely sensitive and must not be released to the public. I am putting my trust towards you, the trust of a Praetor. Do not take it lightly.

Greeting

• Let's begin, there's much to do.
• We have very little time to waste, Character

Too Busy

Missing Too Busy Dialogue

Too Low Level

Missing Too Low Level Dialogue

No More Missions

Missing No More Missions Dialogue

Store

Missing Store Unlock Dialogue

Story Arc

Missing Arc Name

Souvenir

+++ Missing Information +++

Part One: Control Lost

I will debrief you on the entirety of the situation, Character. I have my own personal and secretive strike force, codenamed Project Phoenix. Praetor White has his Powers Division, Marchand has the PPD, I have Project Phoenix. It is only fair that someone of my stature has their own force to rely upon. It was a small force, numbering only six in total. This was done to establish control and trust. However, something has gone wrong.

Earlier, an attempt was made on Praetor White's life by members of Project Phoenix, members who have gone rogue, obviously. Two members attacked him, only one made it out alive. I attempted to contact the other members of Project Phoenix, only to discover they have all fled. As you can see, there has been a small 'coup' within mu group. The press is in an uproar about this, and Praetor White is... displeased. I must do what I can to keep my connection to all of this as secret as possible, which is why I am asking for your help in this.

My help? You can't do this yourself?

It is a complicated matter, Character. I've made several deals with Praetor Tilman to hide my operatives from her Seers. As you can imagine, this recent attempt on Praetor White's life has caused her no end of trouble. She is being pressed to explain how the assasins escaped the sight of her seers. Much as it displeases me, I am now indebted to her. In order to prevent her from revealing the truth, I must provide her with my assistance.

In the meantime, I'm relying upon you to wipe out Project Phoenix. I will spread the word that these assasins are part of a new group, looking to fill the growing void left by the Destroyers that you vanquished. Once more you will bear the role of the hero looking to take a stand and protect Praetoria. You will strike them down -of that I have no doubt- and my issue will be alleviated. And any of those who know about Project Phoenix will see what happens when my trust is betrayed.

I have tracked the member of Project Phoenix who attacked Praetor White. He is in the tunnels, recovering from his injuries. I must go deal with an errand for Tilman. It is up to you to wipe out this traitor before he can flee into the tunnels, lost forever to the darkness.

Mission Objective(s)

The first member of Project Phoenix is in here somewhere, amongst the ghouls. You'll have to move to catch up with him

• Eliminate a member of Project Phoenix
  • Put down the member of Project Phoenix
  • Find the static box to access the network

You put down Basilisk and encountered an odd message from a woman named BV

Basilisk

Enemies

Ghouls

Praetorians

Notable NPCs

• Basilisk (Praetorians Basilisk) (Boss)

Basilisk Dialogue

Before combat: Just need to... get to the Static... tell her... that I'm alive...
Combat start: You... are you with... Sinclair?!

Note of Contact

You found this note on the body of Basilisk. It instructs him to input a series of numbers on one of the Static boxes in the underground. Doing so will put him in contact with someone named 'BV'.

Hello?

Are you there? Hello?

...

Things must be fairly chaotic, given how your little organization was thrown into turmoil.
It's funny, isn't it? It was easy getting them to turn on you when I revealed all your dirty little secrets, Justin
I bid you a fond farewell for now. I wish I could see your face, knowing that I am alive

Debriefing

Good, you're back. I've barely finished Tilman's request. You were able to put down Basilisk, I trust?

...BV? ...no, no, that's impossible, Character, what you are telling me is impossible. That person is suppossed to be dead, many times over. The person you speak of is named Belladonna Vetrano. She should be dead, Character, she should have died in his initial assignment -the assignment she never came back from- or from the numerous assasins I have sent after her, following her 'revival', you could say. But... her presence explains everything.

Belladonna was one of my most talented operatives within Project Phoenix. I saved her from her parents and offered her a life of riches, of fame, of power. I trained her, personally, taught her everything. She followed my commands and benefitted from it time and again. It was perfect, Character. Up until she was sent to kill the woman named missing text

Part Two: In Due Time

The events that transpired with Belladonna are due to one thing and one thing alone, Character: Control. I allowed Belladonna to do what she wished, despite the dangers that some with it. And now we are all paying for it. The worst thing about this situation is that I must leave it up to you to handle these things. You should understand, Character, the amount of trust I'm giving you. I have already begun to stream to the media that you are putting down this threat. I know what it is that you want and I fully intend to give it to you.

That, really, is what this is all about. Every person, no matter who they are, wants something. You can, as in your case, give it to them - for a price. Or you can cut them down, if what they want conflicts with your own plans. In belladonna's case, it will be the latter. It is all about control and keeping it, Character.

Alright, Praetor Sinclair. Do you have a lead on the next Project Phoenix member?

That I do. There are four left, Character. One has been sighted again in the tunnels. Once more, I would deal with this myself, but Tilman requests that I deal with an urgent matter with her Seers and some other-worldly interference from psychics. As much as it pains me to do so, I must aid her. If I do not, then the balance she and I have will be shattered and become unpredictable. And that, Character, is what leads to situations that we have now.

The person you're after is codenamed Cockatrice. End him and in his last breaths make him wish that he never had the foolish idea to cross me.

Mission Objective(s)

The smell of the Resistance is heavy in the air. It looks like Cockatrice has met up with his new allies

• Take down Cockatrice
  • Find the next assasin
  • Survive the Resistance ambush

It appears you walked into a trap intended for Praetor Sinclair!

Enemies

Resistance

Notable NPCs

• Belladonna Vetrano (NPC)

Ambush!

As soon as you find Belladonna, you will be ambushed by five waves of Resistance fighters

Resistance Fighters Dialogue

Before combat:

Resistance 1: Things are gonna get serious real soon.

Resistance 2: Yeah. Now that Belladonna's out in the open, it's gonna be a whole new ball game.

Combat start:

missing text

Ambushes Dialogue

Belladonna Vetrano: What... Character? No, this was supposed to be for Justin!
Resistance Fighter: We're bringing you down today, Sinclair!
Resistance Fighter: We got word that it ain't Sinclair, it's that big name Powers Division!
Resistance Fighter: Character? You're not suppossed to be here! Where's Sinclair?
Resistance Fighter: You've taken down a lot of my friewnds, Character. I'm gonna make you pay!
Resistance Fighter: Today is the day you die, Character!

Debriefing

So, you saw Belladonna? I shouldn't be surprised this was a trap. I taught her everything she knows about deception. I apologize, Character, that this happened to you. Her ingratitude knows no bounds.

I wonder, Character, what your reaction would be to someone who could be perceived as your savior. I told you about her parents, yes? They lived outside of Praetoria, in the wilds infested by the nightmarish creatures created by Hamidon. Her life was nothing but fear and chaos. The only thing that she and her parents could rely upon was never knowing what would happen next. She lived in pure and utter anarchy. I rescued her from that, Character. Her parents refused to let me take her, refused to let their daughter live a better, safer life. And so, I did what I had to do in order to save her. She was barely nineteen when that happened; she remembers it well. And yet, here we are. She strikes against me, as if I am a monster, as if I am no better than the creatures that stalk her nightmares.

This, Character, is the reality the the Resistance would have us live. It is one that I intend to ensure never comes to fruition.

Part Three: Stronger than Family

When someone becomes a member of Project Phoenix, they swear an oath. An oath to follow my every command. This is not because I am some... power freak, like White or Keyes. No, this is done because I know what is best for the members of Project Phoenix. I am, in many ways, their father. Every single member of Project Phoenix must give up their own life when they join, adopting the name I give them. Belladonna was my Phoenix, until she betrayed me.

The current man we hunt is named Gorgon. He was once a member of the Syndicate, someone weak, someone petty, less than a man. I made him into something greater, into something legendary. But, like all the other members, he has succumbed to the lies of Belladonna. Like a son turned against a father by a traitorous sister.

I know the location of Gorgon. He has gone to meet with his former brother-in-arms, a brother who was suppossed to have shed when he joined Project Phoenix. I have done you the honor of informing TPN that you believe this new group may be part of the Syndicate, and that you plan to storm one of their main offices with help of the fish named Riptide.

Sounds like you've gone and planned out everything, Sinclair

That is the best way to handle things, Character. Careful planning, careful control. It prevents chaos, anarchy and other things that can lead to... undesired consequences. Riptide will be waiting for you in the office building. Show Gorgon no mercy, Character, and make sure to bring down his brother. The man is now wanted for many crimes within Imperial City, thanks to our mutual friend, Praetor Tilman.

Mission Objective(s)

The guards at the door quickly walked away when you entered. They seem to know that a fight is soon to come.

• Bring down Gorgon and Adept Pham
  • Defeat Adept Pham, Defeat Gorgon

You've put down Gorgon and Adept Pham

Gorgon

Enemies

Syndicate

Praetorians

Notable NPCs

• Riptide (Ally)
• Adept Pham (Syndicate Sword Master) (Boss)
• Gorgon (Praetorians Gorgon) (Boss)

Riptide Dialogue

At the mission entrance:

Good seeing you again, Character.

Wish I could've been there when you handed Reese his head.

---

Ideological fools. They'll go the way of the Destroyers soon enough.

---

Defeated:

I'm activating the emergency teleporter, you'll have to handle the rest on your own!

Syndicate Dialogue

Before combat:

Syndicate 1: Pietro has returned to us, more powerful than ever.

Syndicate 2: We will need his might to break away from the current Syndicate

Combat start:

Syndicate 2: Character! This is a new day for the Syndicate, you won't stop this!

---

Before combat:

Syndicate 1: Is it wise to go against the others?

Syndicate 2: It would be unwise NOT to. You see what's happening! The center has become weak!

Combat start:

missing text

---

Before combat:

Syndicate 1: No more working with the Resistance, now that Gorgon and Pham are taking back control.

Syndicate 2: I can't wait until I gut one of them. Their talk drove me insane.

Combat start:

missing text

Bosses Dialogue

Adept Pham:

Before combat: Much has changed with the Syndicate since my brother left. It's time that we take up arms and bring it back to what it once was.

Combat start: You will not stop this, Character!

---

Gorgon:

Before combat: It's been too long... I'm finally free from Sinclair's iron fist.

Combat start: You won't bring me back to Sinclair!

Gorgon's Last Words

Gorgon collapsed to the ground and looked up to you. He removed his mask and uttered these final words...

So... Sinclair refused to let me go... he never could stand someone... going against his plans, having a will of their own. His eyes show no fear... but his plans, his movements, they show it all. He is terrified... terrified of losing control, losing his grasp on reality. Such a man... I could never continue to serve. I have... no regrets in my death... I can only... be happy that... I lived my last moments... free from him.

Debriefing

It is too bad that things had to end like this with Gorgon. He was a promising student, one who I rescued from mediocrity. If it were not for me, he would have spent his life licking the boots of those above him in the Syndicate, the boots of those who would never dare to get their hands dirty. No, I made Gorgon into something greater than he was before. Or, perhaps, I thought I did. His betrayal shows that clearly he was too weak to meet my standards in the first place. Unlike you, Character. Everything you have done up to this point has proven to me that you are a man who has the ability to know what you want and take it. You do not doubt yourself, you do not question your motives. That is a very powerful aspect to have. Very powerful.

TPN is running reports about your actions against Adept Pham and Gorgon. They hail it as your next blow against 'the mysterious group' that is arising. It is all too easy to control the people, Character, to make them think what you think. That is what makes them both a very powerful and very dangerous resource. Powerful in that they are easy to control, dangerous in that those people who are less than men can also control them. I should warn you now, Character, not to relay on the praise of people to get you power for too long. It is best for you to rely upon me. If we work together, I can help you become something far greater than you could ever imaginate.

Part Four: Thicker Than Blood

Connection to family makes people weak, Character. It clouds their judgement, allows them to be controlled by outside circumstances. Gorgon was controlled by his desire to be with his family in the Syndicate. Cockatrice, the man we lost track of in the tunnels, went through all the effort to hide from us, only to reveal his position by trying to track down his sister, who has become a seer. He joined Project Phoenix with the promise that he would be close to his sister, a promise that I kept. You can, as in your case, give it to them -for a price. Or you can cut them down, if what they want conflicts with your own plans. In Belladonna's case it will be the latter. I allowed him to see his sister in the times that I deemed fit. Eventually, his visits to her stopped, once he realized she was not his sister anymore: she was a seer, emotionless, attached to nothing but her job. The perfect human being, you could say.

It appears now that Cockatrice wishes to free his sister, to try to return her back to normal. This is something that will never happen, but yet he still clings to this hope, this faith that it somehow will happen. It will be the end of him. Here is the location of the lab. The Resistance are raiding it as we speak.

And what will you be doing?

I have appeased Praetor Tilman, for now. While you are out dealing with Cockatrice, I will be narrowing down the location of Belladonna. Her time is going to come to an end soon, Character. This, I swear.

Mission Objective(s)

You can feel the presence of the Seers in the lab, reading the thoughts of all those who enter

• Put down Cockatrice
  • 3 seers to recover

You've put down Cockatrice, preventing him from reuniting with his sister.

Cockatrice

Enemies

Resistance

Praetorians

Notable NPCs

• Seer 0871 (Seers Tracker) (Minion) (Ally)
• Seer 6789 (Seers Tracker) (Minion) (Ally)
• Seer 3871 (Seers Visionary) (Boss) (Ally)
• Cockatrice (Praetorians Cockatrice) (Boss)

Seers Dialogue

Seer 0871:

... is today the day I die?

Character, I require your assistance in this matter.

... Kill if we have to, but don't need to.

... I didn't think this would be how it ends.

... not going to work as we thought it would.

... wish it was a sunnier day.

Thank you for your aid, Character. I will provide as much support as I can.

Returning to base.

---

Seer 6789:

... bring in Sinclair if I have to.

Excellent timing, Character.

Your help is appreciated and broadcasted to all, Character. I shall aid you in whatever way I can.

... bringing the big guns in now.

Returning to base.

---

Seer 3871:

Seer 3871:

... think Cole is the best.

... bring down the tyrant.

... bring in the sister, she's the important one

Resistance Fighter:

Just shut up! We're not gonna put up with your jabberin' and thought-readin'! Why're we doin' this for some assasin?

Aggroed:

Seer 3871:

I appreciate the assistance that is about to be rendered.

Resistance Fighter:

Great, Character! Just what we needed!

Once free:

Thank you for your assistance . The Seer Network has been notified. I've been granted authority to assist you.

Defeated:

Returning to base.

Cockatrice Dialogue

Before combat: No wonder these Resistance fools haven't won yet, their lack of discipline astounds me.
Combat start: Hmph. Character. Let's end this.

Cockatrice's Final Gasp

Cockatrice gasped for air in his final moments, turning to you...

Sinclair... he knew that my sister... would become just another tool for Praetoria... yet he led me to become this... I thought... I thought I could save her. I just... I just...

Cockatrice's eyes shut.

Debriefing

Welcome back, Character. TPN is once again reporting on your efforts to combat this new threat, just as we planned. Cockatrice's fate is a sad one. It is something that I hope you can avoid. You should not become attached to anything that you cannot control, Character. Cockatrice, Gorgon, they were attached to people, free people. Human beings who, when given the chance, would let them down. It is the way of life, as you have seen with Belladonna; given freedom, those you place trust inwill ultimately fail your expectations. It is a lesson hard learned, but learned nonetheless. But come, we should not dwell on somber matters. I have excellent news. I have tracked down a possible location of Belladonna and the two remaining members of Project Phoenix.

Finale: This is the End

Belladonna is no fool, Character. She tried to distract me with false leads, meant to simply delay me. In the end, I was able to track her and my other two agents down to two possible locations, meaning that you and I will have to split up to cover them. Belladonna will be at one location, at the other will be a decoy. Both of us will have support from members of the PPD whom I control. I will not risk Belladonna escaping, not this time. If you encounter her, Character, do not kill her. Just bring her in. She will not die... oh, no, she will not die, not when there is so much left to do. Here is the location where you will be going to find her.

Looks like we'll see what happens, Sinclair

Yes, luck of the draw. The exact situation that I am not fond of, which is exactly why she created it. We're almost at the end though, Character. We finish this, it mens the end of Project Phoenix, your rise to glory, and my chance to do things right.

Members of the Resistance working undercover for Calvin Scott should inform him of what is happening.

Mission Objective(s)

According to Sinclair's information, if Belladonna is here, she'll be on the roof of this building

• Capture Belladonna (Single Player)

missing text

Enemies

Resistance

Belladonna:

Character. I should have figured that Justin would send you.

I was like you once. Until Justin tried to kill me. As you can see, it didn't take.

He wants you to capture me, but I'm here to give you a different offer, and some insight...

Once you become a threat, Justin will kill you, just as he has done to so many others in the past.

Join with me and the Resistance, and we will give you more power than you could ever dream of!

And... unlike Justin, we won't try to kill you when you get too powerful. What do you say, Character?

Moral Choice

Players are presented with a moral choice: to aid the Resistance or aid the Loyalists.

• Join with Belladonna. Accept Belladonna's offer of power. Aid the Resistance. Perhaps Belladonna's words are true. You've certainly experienced how controlling Praetor Sinclair is; almost every single action you've taken in dealing with Project Phoenix has been set by him. Is it worth it to have great power if Sinclair is using you as his puppet? Save Belladonna and see just where the power that the Resistance offers will take you! (As the story of Praetoria unfolds your character will have opportunities to change their mind and switch sides.)

• Take down Belladonna. Capture Belladonna for Sinclair Aid the Loyalists It's true that Sinclair may be controlling, but he's not going to control you. Belladonna's offer is interesting, but in the end, what power can the Resistance truly offer? They dwell in caves and fight a war they cannot win. Bring in Belladonna, earn your fame, and then you can break away from Sinclair. Nobody controls you - not the Resistance, not Sinclair! (As the story of Praetoria unfolds your character will have opportunities to change their mind and switch sides.)

Aid the Resistance

Speak with Belladonna

Belladonna Vetrano

Briefing

It's good to see you choose the right side, Character. Sinclair would offer you all the power in the world, but it would be with you held thightly on his leash. I'm sure you've seen it just in the way he acts; everything planned, everything perfectly controlled.

I'm sure he told you about my parents, that he 'saved' me from that lifestyle. It's true. He did save me from Hamidon and the monsters, but I loved my parents, Character. I was a stubborn girl back then, but they only wanted to protect me. That is what makes me different from Sinclair. He had nothing but contempt for his parents. Even at such a young age, all he ever wanted was control over all he had, out of fear that he would lose it all.

Sorry, I tend to be very... agitated when it comes to Sinclair.

It's fine. But what now? I need to report back to Sinclair.

Knowing Sinclair, he would not want me dead. And I assume there will be backup coming at any minute.

We will say that you were attempting to negotiate with me when this so-called 'backup' arrived. They became overzealous and intended to kill me. Following orders from Sinclair, you did what you could to prevent this, even if it meant fighting off the PPD. Of course, because of their interruption, I was able to escape. I believe that's a fairly sound plan, don't you?

Sounds good to me. We'll have to be ready to handle the PPD

You hear the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs - the backup has arrived!

(Handle the ambush)

Fight off the incoming ambush

Enemies

Praetorian Police Department

Notable NPCs

• Belladonna Vetrano (Ally)
• Phoenix x2 (Praetorians) (Boss) (Ally)
• Sergeant Giacona (Praetorian Police Department Sergeant) (Boss)
• Investigator Framon (Praetorian Police Department Investigator) (Boss)
• Interrogator Canto (Praetorian Police Department Interrogator) (Boss)

Belladonna Vetrano Dialogue

After choosing the Resistance's side: Let's speak about this, Character

Ambushing PPD Dialogue

Sergeant Giacona: FREEZE!
Investigator Framon: Don't let Vetrano get away!
Interrogator Canto: Pin them down, NOW!

Talk to Sinclair

Praetor Sinclair

Debriefing

Character. I did not find Belladonna. Did you find her? Is it over?

(Explain to Sinclair how Belladonna escaped)

...I knew it. I should have never had the PPD join us in our hunt. Those men were under my control, but again, as Cole has told me, the PPD cannot be depended on. They are either too zealous or not zealous enough. You did your best in the situation, Character. You felled Belladonna, which is no easy feat. But, I must admit, you are partly to blame in all of this. I regret that you and I will cease our time together now. We will go our separate paths; I shall continue the hunt for Belladonna, and you... well, you will do whatever it is you wish to do. Perhaps you'll look for more power, or perhaps you'll simply fade into the nightsky of Imperial City.

Your fate is your own, Character. I have others that I will be dealing with.

Alright then. Goodbye, Sinclair

Aid the Loyalists

Enemies

Resistance

Notable NPCs

• Belladonna Vetrano (Resistance)
• Phoenix x2 (Praetorians) (Boss)
• Riptide (Ally)

Riptide Dialogue

On spawn: I've got your back, Character! I was tipped off that you'd be here. Let's take down this terrorist.

Phoenix Dialogue

Combat start: Attack!

Debriefing

missing text

Missions

Chimera does not have any regular missions out of his story arc.

Badge

Dimensional Warder

You have made yourself legend by defeating the Praetorians, an evil version of the Freedom Phalanx from an alternate dimension.

Historical

This article or section contains information that no longer applies to the current version of City of Heroes/Villains. It is provided for historical purposes.

Prior to Issue 18, the following was the description for Chimera:

When his parents were killed by the villain Doppleganger, Chimera was given the opportunity of a lifetime. Doppleganger took the boy under his wing and trained him to be the world's premiere silent killer.

Notes

• Chimera's Praetorians profile for a list of his powers.
• Chimera's Primal Earth counterpart is Manticore.
• Before the introduction of an Archery powerset in City of Heroes, Chimera used a katana in battle.