Regarding Palmer...
A quick rundown of the options regarding Palmer's nature;
Fomor (specifically a Ferectoi)
Reasons for;
- Palmer works for Pentex
- Ferectoi are often created by Pentex
- Ferectoi can appear perfectly normal
- Ferectoi are quite capable of mind manipulation
- Ferectoi are extremely proud, which would explain Palmer's annoyance at Kevin's 'Einstein' jab
- Palmer was at O'Tolley's with Blair, where Francis Customer Service works and was turned into a Burgerman
- "Your father (Caine) talks to my father (The Wyrm)" This line would make the most sense if Palmer is a Ferectoi since they're mutated by the Wyrm from the prenatal stage.
- The Lantern Palmer wants is likely lifted from the Book of the Wyrm sourcebook
- The Wyrm and Fomori are clearly being set up as the antagonists of this arc
-Kevin’s line “try worming into my head” could be wordplay on the writers part
- Palmer learns about Kevin's identity from Chapman but not that he's working for D, otherwise he wouldn't have asked him to cover up the plane crash. The reason may be that his Wyrm corruption caused him to focus too much on Chapman's dark side.
- Ferectoi often have an entourage of similarly tainted subordinates, Palmer has an entourage of drugged up mercenaries and a Black Spiral Dancer. Francis Customer Service might have been working for him as well.
Reasons against;
- Thus far, none. This is the most likely answer.
Mage (Either a Syndicate Technocrat or Nephandus)
Reasons for;
- Syndicate Technocrats (More specifically the SPD) work with Pentex
- A Nephandus working for Pentex isn't unheard of
- Mages are quite capable of mind manipulation
- Palmer's use of his phone could suggest a Focus
- If the above is true, it would be consistent with him being a Technocrat
- A Nephandus might pretend to revere the Wyrm and consider it their father.
- A Nephandus might actually revere the Wyrm and consider it their father.
- Mages are extremely proud, which would explain Palmer's annoyance at Kevin's 'Einstein' jab
- The annoyance at 'Einstein' might indicate a Technocrat being offended on behalf of his own.
Reasons against;
- Palmer's possession of Chapman is unsubtle and arguably vulgar for a Mage.
- "There will be no damage from my tampering, I went easy on him for you." This line makes more sense if Palmer is a Fomor using his Wyrm powers to possess Chapman, an experienced Mage wouldn't be worried about damaging someone with the Mind sphere or need to actively restrain their power to prevent it.
- "Your father talks to my father" Assuming this is referring to the Wyrm, it's odd for a Mage. While there are Mages who worship gods, it's not common, even for the Fallen. It's doubtful a technocrat would consider the Wyrm their 'father'
- Chasing down a plane and to kill some Fomor traitor is the sort of thing a Mage would send their subordinates to do.
- Pentex/Wyrm aligned Mages might mentor a Ferectoi, which would explain Palmer's use of a Focus even if he's a Fomor.
- A Mage reading Chapman's mind should have been able to learn that Kevin isn't working for the Regent anymore. This makes more sense if he's a Fomor.
Vampire (Specifically Baali)
Reasons for;
- Palmer is on good terms with the Regent, Baali often work with Tremere.
- Palmer claims the reason he knows Kevin's shitty Camarilla roleplay name is because they're on the same team.
- Many Baali worship the Wyrm.
- Baali often work with Black Spiral Dancers, which Ross almost assuredly is.
- Kindred are extremely proud, which would explain Palmer's annoyance at Kevin's 'Einstein' jab
Reasons against;
- Palmer's phone trick isn't typical of vampiric mind manipulation.
- Palmer doesn't have visible fangs. Yes, I'm aware Kindred can retract their fangs but they're almost always shown with them visible - Kevin being the obvious example.
- Palmer apparently doesn't know Kevin is antitribu, you'd expect a kindred to have more up to date information. This is especially true for a Baali since they're often on good terms with both the Camarilla and Sabbat.
EDIT: Okay, not 'good terms' but they're often able to infiltrate both factions. Regardless, a Kindred on good terms with the Tremere regent would likely know her childer is antitribu.
- In addition to the above reason, Palmer doesn't seem to know there's an active bloodhunt on Herbertus.
- "Your father talks to my father" arguably doesn't make sense for a kindred to say to another since both should consider Caine their ‘father’ and Palmer being a Wyrm worshipping Baali wouldn't change that.
- Palmer using this euphemism is odd since he has no trouble calling Kevin a vampire.
- Palmer never calls Chapman a Ghoul, he calls him an addict or Kevin's 'creature'. A kindred would probably use the nomenclature they're familiar with.
There's like a million other possibilities Palmer could fit into, but I know a lot of people really want a Mage appearance and Palmer just doesn't strike me as one.