Origin
Rochelle Pharus was born on Chicago’s southside Bronzeville neighborhood, but her favorite places was Downtown, where the vibrant energy of the city seemed to infuse her with a unique gift. From an early age, Rochelle experienced vivid visions—glimpses of the future that played out before her like scenes from a movie. Her parents, recognizing her talent as both a blessing and a burden, allowed her to nurture her abilities and to embrace her gift.
Growing up, Rochelle learned to navigate the fine line between the seen and unseen, often finding herself caught between the present and the potential futures her visions revealed. As she matured, her visions grew more powerful and frequent, offering insights into both personal and broader events. She began to realize that her gift was not only a tool for understanding the world around her, but at times she would act on what she saw when she could.
As a young adult, Rochelle’s visions began to focus on the supernatural, revealing threats and disturbances in the mystical realm that often went unnoticed by ordinary people. She saw glimpses of dark forces converging in Chicago, hinting at a growing imbalance between the mortal and magical worlds. But what was she to believe? Were these vision true or was she going insane.
Rochelle’s interest also gravitated to martial arts. In her early teens she saw a local taekwondo demonstration at a community event. Captivated by the practitioners’ fluid movements and the art’s emphasis on discipline and focus, she was inspired to sign up for classes. Her initial goal was to build confidence and self-defense skills, but as she delved deeper into the practice, she discovered a passion for the mental and physical challenges martial arts presented. This bought her calm and taught her to meditate, which aided her harness her abilities. As she progressed through the ranks, martial arts became a crucial part of her life, offering a sense of purpose and balance. This foundation eventually guided her into other disciplines like Aikido and Tai Chi, where she could further explore the philosophies and techniques that resonated with her on her journey to self-mastery.
With her gift as her guide, Rochelle dedicated herself to understanding the supernatural world and its intricate dynamics finding it to be very real and many times very scary finding demons, ghost and other worse things existed. She sought out mentors and allies in the mystical community, learning from those who shared her commitment to study.
Rochelle’s journey eventually led her to Bernadette Kedlsy and Monica Hausley, two women whose talents and dedication to the arcane complemented her own. Together, they recognized the importance of their shared study of the occult and it’s powers and dangers later forming the Lighthouse Coven, using their combined abilities to monitor and sometimes mitigate the supernatural threats facing the city. Rochelle’s visions often served as the coven’s guide, alerting them to potential dangers and helping them strategize their responses.
Major Story Arcs
In Darc issue one, the Lighthouse Coven’s path took a new turn when Bernadette and Monica presented Rochelle with the writings of a recently deceased witch named Niana. Her texts revealed a disturbing theory: an influx of succubi were becoming corporeal in Chicago, feeding off the city’s men and their sexual energy, but they didn’t know why the sudden shift.
Rochelle studied the writings closely, her believing the situation to be urgent. The coven convened to discuss their options, debating whether to remain neutral or take a more active role in policing the supernatural. Rochelle chose to investigate further, seeking to understand the true nature of the threat she sought out Dominique Darc, who she had met awhile ago, and attempted to explain her concerns and propose a partnership to address the rising threat, Dominique made it clear that she valued her independence and had no interest in being watched or controlled. Her angry rebuff left Rochelle with more questions than answers, but also with a renewed determination to uncover the truth. She left Dominique with a warning that the same thing that happened to Chicago’s vampires could happen to succubi if there was some kind of uprising brewing.
Powers and Abilities
Rochelle’s powers as a seer are the cornerstone of her role within the Lighthouse Coven. Her visions and insights guide their actions and help them navigate the challenges of maintaining balance in a world where the supernatural and the mundane are constantly intertwined. Rochelle can see glimpses of future events, providing her with insights into potential outcomes and dangers. Her visions can often manifest suddenly, during meditation or in dreams, offering symbolic guidance and warnings. Through deep meditation, Rochelle can also perceive events and locations beyond her immediate surroundings, allowing her to gather information from afar. She can sense and interpret the auras of others, discerning their intentions and emotions. Rochelle’s intuition often provides her with the wisdom to make informed decisions in complex situations without even always knowing the extent of the situation.
Rochelle is also a decent spellcaster skilled in casting protective wards and barriers to shield against dark forces. She can enhance her visions with divinatory spells, seeking guidance from the mystical realm and she also has the ability to see patterns and connections allowing her to devise strategic plans for dealing with supernatural threats.
Aside from witchcraft Rochelle is also a martial artist. Her journey began with taekwondo, where she earned her black belt, mastering the art of dynamic kicks and agile footwork. Her passion for martial arts led her to study Aikido, where she achieved the rank of first-degree dan, learning the principles of balance and redirection. Although she no longer attends formal classes, Rochelle practices Tai Chi daily, focusing on fluid movements and inner harmony. To maintain her skills, she dedicates multiple training sessions each week to various move sets, ensuring her techniques remain sharp and her body agile, ready for any challenge the supernatural world may present.