Mark Sinclair's Questionnaire

Mark Sinclair resides in a repurposed farmhouse on the outskirts of Sherman, New York, known as "Slack Haven." This communal living space houses a small group of Subgenius followers and free spirits. The main house features several bedrooms, a communal kitchen, and living areas adorned with eclectic decor. An outbuilding serves as a meeting hall for sermons and events. The property includes a garden, a library filled with esoteric literature, and a workshop for creative projects. Life at Slack Haven balances communal activities and personal freedom, fostering an accepting and vibrant atmosphere where residents share responsibilities and express their individuality. However, normally Mark is out traveling and sermonizing (and selling merchandise) for the Church of the Subgenius.

Mark Sinclair funds his lifestyle primarily through sermonizing for the Church of the Subgenius and selling church merchandise. He travels to various events, conventions, and gatherings, captivating audiences with his charismatic preaching and spreading the word of Slack. Mark sells books, pamphlets, Subgenius memorabilia, and custom-made art pieces, generating a steady income. He uses his earnings to cover travel expenses, such as transportation, lodging, and meals, ensuring he can continue his mission. Additionally, Mark invests in maintaining Slack Haven, purchasing supplies for the communal garden, repairing the farmhouse, and supporting the residents. His financial strategy balances sustaining his travels and enriching the community life at Slack Haven.

Mark Sinclair is driven by a fervent belief in the impending arrival of the Xist aliens and the ultimate end of the Conspiracy that enslaves humanity. To herald the Xists, he dedicates himself to spreading the Church of the Subgenius's teachings, awakening as many people as possible to the truth of Slack and the cosmic significance of the Xists. Mark tirelessly travels, holds rallies, and uses every platform available to reach potential converts.

To achieve this goal, Mark employs a mix of charismatic preaching, strategic networking, and subversive actions aimed at undermining the Conspiracy's influence. He creates and distributes literature and multimedia content, organizes protests, and collaborates with other countercultural groups to amplify his message.

While Mark is primarily a man of words and ideas, he is not above taking drastic measures if necessary. Though he prefers non-violent methods, he might resort to sabotage or other forms of direct action to weaken the Conspiracy. Killing is a last resort, only considered if he believes it will prevent greater harm and advance his mission significantly.

Mark is willing to risk his life for this cause, viewing personal danger as a necessary part of his divine mission. He has faced threats, assaults, and near-fatal accidents, but his unwavering belief in the Xists' arrival and the liberation they promise keeps him resolute. For Mark, the potential for martyrdom is an accepted risk, as he believes his death, if it comes to that, would serve as a powerful testament to the truth he champions.

Mark Sinclair's conversion to the Church of the Subgenius was a transformative experience. One unremarkable afternoon in his college library, he stumbled upon a bizarre, dog-eared book filled with cryptic illustrations and subversive humor. Intrigued, he began reading the teachings of J.R. "Bob" Dobbs, feeling an immediate and profound resonance. The book spoke of breaking free from societal constraints and embracing Slack, concepts that deeply appealed to Mark's rebellious spirit. That night, he attended a nearby Subgenius gathering, where the eccentric rituals and fervent camaraderie captivated him. By the end of the evening, Mark knew he had found his true calling and embraced the Church's philosophy wholeheartedly.

Reverend Ivan Stang

Reverend Ivan Stang, the public face of the Church of the Subgenius, is a pivotal figure in Mark's life. Stang's charismatic sermons and writings were what initially drew Mark to the Church. Over the years, Mark has developed a mentor-student relationship with Stang, often seeking his guidance on spreading the message of Slack and undermining the Conspiracy. Stang's unwavering dedication to the Church's mission inspires Mark and reinforces his own commitment.

Jane "Slack Jane" Peterson

Jane is Mark's closest confidante and fellow Subgenius follower. They met at a Subgenius gathering shortly after Mark's conversion, and their bond quickly deepened. Jane is a talented artist and musician, using her skills to create Subgenius-inspired art and music that complement Mark's sermons. Her creativity and unwavering support are crucial to Mark, providing both personal and professional encouragement. Together, they travel, organize events, and nurture the community at Slack Haven.

Professor Harold Mitchell

Professor Mitchell was Mark's philosophy professor in college, the one who introduced him to the book that led to his conversion. Though not a Subgenius follower himself, Mitchell respects Mark's passion and dedication. Their intellectual debates and discussions have significantly shaped Mark's understanding of esoteric and countercultural philosophies. Mitchell continues to be a sounding board for Mark's ideas, offering a critical yet supportive perspective that helps refine Mark's approach to spreading the Church's teachings.

Mark's childhood probably wasn't altogether very different from most. He had loving parents who encouraged him, he was reasonably intelligent but not truly gifted, and he went to public schools. But Mark was a bit of an old sci-fi movie geek, and relatively shiftless. He excelled in tests and did enough of the take-home schoolwork to pass, but C's with the occasional B- were his grades, despite B's being his lowest test grades. He had the demeanor to fit in with your standard burnouts rather than the normal sci-fi nerds because they were too academic for his tastes. All of this frustrated his parents, but little in the way of disciplinary action they took had an effect. They were relatively outgoing and well-liked even outside of their normal circles, but they were far from being in the "popular crowd". This was however mostly due to inaction as they certainly had the charm to pull it off.

Yes, Mark has been in love, even married, twice as a matter of fact. He is also twice divorced. Mark is very good at the dating aspect, he has always been charming, that's not the problem. The problem is that he is not very well motivated, and partners generally don't stay long as a result. He has no kids, instead he lives in a commune where he uses his charm to flirt with whoever is nearby of the appropriate persuasion. He is involved in more than one polycule and a few affairs as a result, but he doesn't see the issue.

Well, now it's never going back home. He's pretty sure The Conspiracy and Xist aliens aren't coming for him here in The Lot, but he doesn't want to stay here forever! He doesn't belong! I mean, what did he get out of this? He saved some lives, he's no longer as pathetic as he once was, any car he wants in an endless, infinite, post-apocalyptic parking lot. No wonder Chris made a break for it! Other than being stranded in this place, Mark fears the Brotherhood of Blood. They are this settlement's greatest enemy, and they're cannibal psychos. So it's not like they haven't earned it. Before The Contract, and The Lot, his fears were more existential anxieties about mundane matters. Now Mark fears for his life rather frequently, with cannibal, possibly undead, raiders living within range of attacking at a moment's notice is far more terrifying than just never finding love, or not being stable enough to afford your own house. Now he finds himself trying to fortify the settlement he lives in and keep the whole city alive and not starving to death. Mark is on the first train out, pure and simple, and he will kill if it comes to that I think.

Chester, his suitcase, is his best friend, and it holds everything he needs, and more. Jehovah-1 meant for him to have this suitcase, that is certain. After that is the key that works on any car in The Lot. Between those two Mark's needs are mostly kept up for, well that, and The Orb of Pitatelnost, but that is not his. That he intends to keep in The Lot in his temporary home for as long as he can. Chester is a suitcase that can hold more than he has found a limit to (only five times as much as normal but still) and can disguise and hide the contents therein, the key works on every car in The Lot, and thus is his major use for gaining transportation. He also intends to use it to further fortify the settlement by gather more materials for more and larger barricades. It would be more useful if it worked outside The Lot, in fact here in The Lot it is arguably more useful than Chester, but he's magically compelled to insanely think it's his best friend. So there's that... The Orb of Pitatelnost is the only food supply of his new temporary home, so he can't let anyone take it.