History
Valerie was the wife of Albert Rinkov, a renowned artist and painter who led a secret life as of the Aldermen, a secret society of eight who have manipulated the world from the shadows for hundreds of years. Albert possessed the Shepherd's Staff which allowed him to control any animal.[1]
After all seven other Aldermen have been killed by the Assassins Cooperative with the help of Monkey, Albert grew tired of life and wished to pass the legacy of the Aldermen to others. He invited the Cooperative to a dinner at his estate, but only Bryce had shown up, with everyone else waiting outside and expecting an ambush. Albert and Valerie had a pleasant meal and conversation with Bryce, after which Albert had shot himself in the head. Valerie had been aware of his intentions and picked up the staff, becoming the next Shepherd.[1]
She moved on to attack the Cooperative and their allies who have been waiting outside, enlarging several desert scorpions and spiders to fight them with. She also went on to alter the Monkey, enlarging him to the size King Kong, which send the Cooperative assassins running and scrambling. Boone was able to break her telepathic link and get through to the Monkey's real feeling, which led him to turn on Valerie and crash her into a bloody pulp.[1]Attributes
Powers
- Animal Control: The wielder of the Shepherd's Staff can call upon and dominate the will of any animal species other than Homo sapiens. She can enlarge the animal to a gigantic size with monstrous features and send them to attack her enemies or perform other tasks. There is no known limit to the number or size of the animals the Shepherd can control. Upon their deaths, the animals return to their original form, and the same happens should the Shepherd himself be killed.[1]
Weaknesses
- Her powers are only active in the Shepherd form.[1]
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- The Shepherd's Staff