DATA
Name: Velma Eugenia Dinkley
Residence: Arkham Mental Health Center, Arkham, Massachusetts
Date of Birth: September 20, 1964
Height: 5’3”
Weight: Approximately 130 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Physical Description: Short, with glasses and an unassuming demeanor that betrays her confidence and self-righteousness. She often wears frumpy cardigans and turtlenecks and carries a leather messenger bag as a purse.
Known relations: Currently none, though her mother still visits her from time to time.
Education: Studied forensic biology and Criminal Justice at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Episodes of Madness: Intermittent Catatonia and fugue states. She shows signs of severe PTSD as well as delusions about invisible demons possessing her and taking control of her body. Is highly dangerous to herself and has, at times in the past, been dangerous to others.
Scars, tattoos or other markings: Has strange scarring, possibly chemical burns, on her thighs, stomach, breasts and palms.
Income and Savings: None to speak of. Velma is a ward of the state.
PERSONAL HISTORY – BEFORE THE INCIDENT
Velma was born to Dale and Angie Dinkley in 1964. She was an outgoing and bright child, excelling in school. While she didn’t make many friends, she was confident and carried herself well. Friendships didn’t come easily to Velma however, as she considered herself much smarter and motivated than her peers. It wasn’t until her college years, (83-87) when she met Daphne Blake, a Journalism student at Smith College, that Velma formed a lasting friendship. By the time she reached college, Velma had become somewhat more withdrawn, having essentially given up on making friends. Daphne brought her out of her shell, and while she may or may not have known it, Velma developed a deep and unrequited crush on her.
During their years at Smith, Velma and Daphne formed Mysteries Incorporated, an amateur private investigation service. Together they investigated various mysteries and crimes that occurred on and around campus. They gained a reputation as smart and ambitious young women, which wasn’t necessarily good for their social lives, as they also became known as snitches that would expose drug use, drinking, and cheating. Velma and Daphne didn’t let that bother them though, as they’d found a much more fulfilling friendship in each other, built on mutual respect and admiration.
After graduating, Mysteries Inc. brought on Daphne’s old boyfriend Fred Jones and his best friend Norville “Shaggy” Roberts (and Shaggy’s dog, a Great Dane named Scooby-Doo). Over the next five years, Mysteries Inc. traveled the country solving mysteries and gaining notoriety.
In 1989, Velma, Daphne, Fred, and Shaggy agreed to sell their likenesses to Hana Barbara, who made a children’s cartoon based on their adventures. While the cartoon was an exaggerated and dumbed-down version of what they did, it also amplified their fame, gaining them bigger and more lucrative cases. However, Velma and Daphne agreed that their integrity was the most important characteristic of Mysteries Inc. and maintained that they only take jobs that they genuinely believed in and could offer real assistance.
Mysteries Inc. was active from 1987 to 1992, when they encountered a case that ended in a horrific incident. While the details of the incident are not spoken of, it is known that all members of Mysteries Inc. were deeply traumatized, and they went their separate ways.
PERSONAL HISTORY – AFTER THE INCIDENT
Velma suffered most from the incident in 1992, undergoing a complete mental and emotional breakdown. Following the incident, Velma was taken to her family home in Ohio by her Mystery Inc. partner, Norville Roberts.
Velma spent two years with her family in little more than a catatonic state. Her family attempted in vain to bring her around but was unable to get her to do more than eat and bath herself.
In spring of 1996 Velma’s mother awoke to find Velma gone. They searched for over three months and found nothing.
In August of that year Velma was found and arrested attempting to burn down the library at Miskatonic University in Arkham Massachusetts. In the fire, a nighttime security guard died of smoke asphyxiation and Velma was put on trial for manslaughter, defended by her old friend Fred Jones, who was then working as a public defense attorney. She was quickly deemed unfit for trial and admitted to the Arkham Mental Health Center, where she currently resides.
At the time of this writing, Velma continues to exist in a near-catatonic, nonverbal, and capable of only basic functions, like dressing, feeding, and washing herself.
