Nothing is True. Everything is Connected.
Category: <span>Character Introduction</span>

Sylum Inspiration: Darren Griffin

Oceania: Member

Darren Griffin was born to a middle class family in Leeds, England.   His whole life he wanted to be a Rugby player.   He met Benjamin Turner when they were eight years old, and a lifetime friendship was born.

They were separated when Ben returned back to Australia, with his family when they were sixteen.   Devastated at loosing his friend, they both fought to stay in contact, slowly realizing they were more than friends.

Darren went on to University, playing rugby, and was recruited straight into the Rugby League team Leeds Rhinos.   It was there he started to get more internationally known, helping his goal to get to Australia.

After the Rhino’s won against the Melbourne Storm in a match between England and Australia, he was picked up the owner of the Tasmanian Devils  Marc Key. It was then Darren discovered the owner was actually Marquis and owned more than a Football team, who helped them learn about each other and got Ben onto the Devils.

Darren and Ben hid their relationship until a photograph outed them.  The team stood by them, and most of the NRL didn’t give a crap.  Darren’s parents rejected the fact he was with Ben, and refuse to speak to him.

Tragedy struck when two players on an opposing team hit Ben so hard sent him to the hospital.

When Darren arrived to see him he got the shock of his life.

Sylum Inspiration: Benjamin Turner

Oceania: Member

 

Benjamin was the son of Marion and Arron Turner.   His life was turned up side down when his father took a position at Leeds University, in Leeds, UK.   He hated his parents for destroying his life at 8 years old.

Then he met Darren Griffin, who became his best friend.

For eight years they lived in each others pocket, lived and breathed rugby.  When he was sixteen, his father got a job back in Australia, and if he he had hated them when he was eight it was ten times worse when he was sixteen.

They swore to stay in contact, and slowly over the years they developed from friendship to relationship.  While Darren had ended up at University playing Rugby, Ben had been asked to join The Perth Black Swans junior team, then worked his way onto the Black Swans NRL Team, as halfback.

They worked to keep their relationship, and Ben had to admit it got easier when Darren made it to Australia.  Then he shocked him by introducing him to the owner of the Tasmania Devils ‘The Marquis’ and Kai.

Not soon after he was recruited the Devils, and despite everything it was perfect until they were forced out of the closet, leading to Ben’s injury, and subsequent Turning.

Sylum Inspiration: Kermit Griffin

Shogun: Member

Kermit was raised in Dallas Texas, his family had always been Chosen Ones. There wasn’t much to his childhood, after he graduated high school, he entered the military. He doesn’t talk about what he did in the Army or what he did the years between leaving the military and returning to Dallas to become a detective.

When Nicolaus, had become Nick Stokes and began to work as a Dallas PD, he kept an eye on the Clan Leader.

While Kermit worked cases, he would see Nico ‘protecting the site’ though it was obvious to Kermit, Nico was already working to get into Forensics.

When Kermit got wind of a possible drug ring that had connections to Brazil and was coming over the border, he began digging through leads and informants trying to find information. The further he got into the investigation the more dangerous it got. Him and Nico got into an argument, when he told him to back off from the investigation. The Clan Leader threw his arms up called him a stubborn ass, and stormed off.

When he got a lead from an informant he took after it, not telling anyone where he was going. It was then he realized why Nico was telling him to back off, he was dealing with a pack of Rogue Vampires.

And they heard him coming a mile away.

Sylum Inspiration: Peter Caine

Shogun: Member

Peter’s father Kwai Chang Caine, and his father before him were Shaolin Priests. Peter himself was raised in the Temple, studying the religion, until it had been burned down. In the chaotic aftermath, Peter had been separated from his father, leading everyone to believe that he had been orphaned. He was shipped around foster families, the families not sure how to handle the quiet spiritual boy.

After he graduated it high school, he went straight into the Police Academy. He graduated with honors and over the years moved up the ranks to Detective. He requested to be transferred to the precinct in Chinatown feeling more at home in the area.

After his partner retired, he was assigned a new guy who had transferred in from Dallas Kermit Griffin. He took the prickly attitude from his new partner easily and the two built a good partnership.

Though he had suspected something was different about him, but couldn’t figure out what.

While investigating the Chinese Triad, Peter had ended up shot. He laid on the ground knowing he was going to bleed out on the floor of the warehouse. In a few calm breathes he centered himself, ready to let go – his only regret was leaving behind Kermit.

Sylum Inspiration: Chris Beck

Ehre/Weishet: Member

Born in 1976, Christopher Beck was the only child of Marcus Beck, a US Marine Embassy Guard stationed at the US Embassy in Vienna, Austria, and Emily Beck, a nurse.  He was born in Vienna, Austria but at age six moved to Hartford, CT when his father was reassigned.

He knew from a young age that he wanted to go to space and wanted to be a doctor. His first chance came when he was thirteen years old and was able to go to Space Camp. He was placed in a special group for advanced students. The group named themselves “Newton’s Nerds” and he met his best friend –even if communication was first by letters and phone, and then later emails– Jacob. The trip to Space Camp only made his dream of becoming a doctor in space more real.

Chris finish high school at age 16 and started college at Yale. He graduated cum laude from the Yale School of Medicine where he was the recipient of the Norma Bailey Berniker Prize (which is awarded to graduating students that best exemplify the disciplines and precepts of the Hippocratic Oath). He also has a Master’s degree in biomedical science. Once he completed Medical School, Chris joined the US Air Force and became part of the 99th Medical Group to focus on becoming a flight surgeon with hopes of joining NASA.

He was stationed at Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center on Nellis Air Force Base when he met Captain Janet Fraiser and his life changed when she offered him a job. The job, well, he was a doctor in space, just not how he originally pictured it.

His promotion to Captain came with reassignment to Atlantis. Plus, he’s a natural gene carrier which comes in handy.

While in the Air Force he has received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. The how and why he received those medals are still classified. Though the record does state he was injured on a mission.

 

Sylum Inspiration: Pearly Soames

 

Pearly Soames is not a nice Vampire, but he isn’t a Rogue either.

He does what he wants, when he wants to, but will not set out to harm innocents on purpose.

He has a gang called the Short Tails who have always traveled with him.  They do his bidding with no questions asked.

He will negotiate with you, if you want something, but he is a shrewd individual, and rarely will anyone else come out on top.

(Dilios Note: It is known he has a soft spot for Nicolaus, and that the Roman can handle him to some degree)

Sylum Inspiration: Thomas Efford

Sylum: Caretaker

Thomas Efford was raised in the countryside of Norfork, the youngest son of a small noble family. When he was of age he married and settled down at his family’s Manor. The couple had four children, and were content with their lives.

After Elizabeth the First disbanded Catholicism, he began to shelter and protect the local Priests. He hid them in his home, giving them a place to conduct Mass and minister to the people. The family and local village were always on guard, keeping an eye out for any of Elizabeth’s soldiers.

Thomas’ life would change when he met Nicolaus Valerius Meridius and his two sons, Antonio Crisafi and Timothy Quinn, while riding back from London, with his manservant.  He stated they could stay at his home for the night. As they approached the small Manor, Tony smelt burning and they spurred their horses onwards.

They came upon the house burning, the family dead, and the Captain of the Guard ready to throw the infant into the raging fire.  Nicolaus rides head long into the middle, grabs the baby and kills the guard, while Tony and Timothy take out the rest of the soldiers.

They proceed to get Thomas, his daughter and manservant out of the area.  The manservant who has family in Ireland, takes the baby so she can be raised properly and hidden away from the Queen’s Guards.  Timothy tells him to contact Boru and he would help him.

Thomas takes on the role of manservant to Lord Leavy, since the Baron Efford had died in the fire. As the months progress he learns how to meet the three’s needs.  In time he asked Nicolaus to Turn him.

Sylum Inspiration: Timothy Quinn

Sylum: Timothy Quinn

Born Timothy Quinn in 1312 AD, near Donegal, Eire, the youngest son of Callum and Lavena Quinn.

His two older brothers, Gregory and Aaron, followed their father into a living on the land and developing their farm. His older sister Lorain was betrothed to Fearghus O’Niel, eldest son of a neighboring family.

At a young age his curiosity and inquisitive nature got the best of him when he stole the local Priest’s Bible trying to understand what was being said in the pages. The Priest taught him to read, a rarity for someone of his social class during that time, and with a thirst for knowledge he learned quickly from local wisdoms, soon becoming the clan’s Healer.

At the age of sixteen, British soldiers attacked outlying farms near Donegal, killing Timothy’s entire family. Lord Sean, the Clan’s Leader took him into the O’Gairmledaig family, and for the next few years Timothy helped with the household, and repaid their kindness by teaching Lord Sean’s children, Aden and Collin, to read and write.

Timothy and Eleina – wife to Lord Sean – were attacked while traveling to another Clan. The subsequent chase caused her to go into early labor. The baby was born safely but at the cost of his mother’s life. Before her death, she named the child Quinn to make sure he had a strong start in life.

Six years later, Timothy found his place in the family when he became Sean’s lover. Tragically, Timothy and his Lord only had six months together before the O’Gairmledaig Clan was destroyed by a rival. Timothy escaped with Quinn, fleeing to Lord Caine’s Castle near Derry. The young Quinn was taken in, to be raised as a Caine.

Timothy rode away, prepared to die from the wounds he had sustained, and grief stricken at Lord Sean’s death, only to then be offered a new life by Nick Maoilriain.

Sylum Inspiration: Antonio Crisafi

 

Sylum: Second-In-Command

 

Born Antonio Crisafi in 1115 AD, Turin – Italy, he was the youngest son of the Crisafi family.

Intending a career in the priesthood, he was inspired by the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux, and in 1129 set out to find the Templar Knights, finally tracking down Hugues de Payens in 1131. At only 16 years of age he began his service as a Squire due to the influence of his family name, and his considerable education from the Benedictine Monastery in his home town.

As a Prior he found his true calling, serving God in the austere environment of the Holy Land, and as he grew in both years and experience, Antonio rose with seeming effortless speed to the rank of Preceptor by the year 1148, serving his Master, Captain Alexis de Chateauneuf.

Attacked while on escort for Benedictine Monks heading to Pilgrimage in Jerusalem during the time of the Second Crusade, he was captured along with his Master, and three other Priors, having distracted the enemy long enough for the Brothers to escape danger. Antonio watched his beloved Templar Brethren die at the hands of their captors, and found an unlikely ally in a Crusader who occupied the jail cell next to his own – Robin Longstride. An undying friendship was forged between the two men as they endured the physical abuses of their situation, and encouraged one another to remain strong that they might one day escape.

Their affection would last them forever.

After the death of his Master, tortured into a lingering agony until he finally succumbed to his injuries, Antonio escaped from prison with Robin and despite a desperate situation as they fought their way free, salvation came for them both at the hands of Nicholas Dupre.

Before Antonio left home to complete his education, he had unknowingly fathered a son by his sister’s handmaiden, Constance. She had been sent away to a Nunnery in shame, dying in childbirth to bring William Crisafi into the world. The child was given to the Papera Family as they journeyed out of Italy to make a new life for themselves, finally settling in Northern England.

Sylum Inspiration: Warrick Calhoun

Sylum: Co-Leader

Born Warrick Calhoun in 1687 AD, in Port Royal, the third child in a family of seven. His father, William Calhoun a free black man, took his family to the small island of Jamaica to keep them free from the risk of slavery, but his hopes for his family were not to last long. William died from an unknown illness when Warrick was nine years old, leaving the family vulnerable.

Warrick watched as his older brother and sister were captured and sold into slavery, whilst he protected the youngsters, and saved his mother.

To avoid that fate himself, Warrick ran off and became a cabin boy on a Pirate ship, taking a berth on the Red Stallion on the eve of his tenth birthday.

He grew up to become a feared Pirate, under the tutelage of Captain Jericho Brown, for whom he became a valued and trusted First Mate. Upon tiring of the Pirate life, Brown ran off with a merchant’s daughter to settle down in Spain, leaving the ship to Warrick.

As Captain, Warrick became a well known Pirate Hunter, and a true gentleman of the sea. If a Pirate needed to be caught, Warrick was the one usually contracted for the job. He brought in every man he set out to claim bounty on. His friend and Quartermaster was James Brass, who would tell anyone he knew the Red Stallion better than her Captain.

While boarding a small merchant vessel in 1723, he found himself with more than mere treasure, for Fate had brought him face to face with Nicolaus Valerius Meridius.

(Dilios Note: recently rumors have started that the story of who Warrick is, has started to adjust and change … it would seem the pirate was hiding more than we all knew)

Sylum Inspiration: Nicolaus Meridius

Sylum: Clan Leader

Yes I think everyone pretty much knows who Nico is :).  As we’re approaching Advent and the final of Clan War and intro of the rework of ‘Grave Danger’.  We thought be fun to highlight … those who started it all.


Born Nicolaus Valerius Meridius in 399 AD, Rome, Italy, youngest son of Vitus Crescentius Meridius, he was the younger brother to Artorius Flavius Meridius.

He followed in his brother’s footsteps and entered the Army, where his dedication and strategic mind moved him quickly up the ranks. At the age of eighteen he bought a Persian slave, Sofya, from the market and made her his wife. His father had at first forbid the match, but Sofya’s sweet nature and charming smile won him over. Julia, wife to his brother Artorius, took her in and taught her how to be a proper Roman wife. On their wedding night she became with child, much to the delight to the Meridius household since Julia had not yet been able to conceive.

Meridia was the first born daughter of Nicolaus Valerius Meridius and she was the apple of her father’s eye. She had her mother’s olive skin and eyes that would pierce your very soul. She had the household wrapped around her little finger and knew it.

Nico had gone to visit his father, leaving Sofya and Meridia at their villa in the city of Rome. As Nico and Artorius made the way back to Nico’s home, they heard shouts and saw smoke billowing into the sky. Fear clutching their hearts, they ran the rest of the way only to find the building engulfed in flames. Nico and Artorius moved to the back of the house, but the fire was hot and the smoke thick, but through it he could make out his wife’s body lying on the floor, and he could hear Meridia’s screams. It took all his brother’s strength to keep him from running into the burning home. He collapsed to his knees when his child’s cries stopped, and his own scream echoed through the surrounding buildings as the roof of the villa collapsed.

No one knew who had attacked his young wife. Rumors spread that people were angered that Nico had taken a Persian slave as a wife. Others said it was retribution for perceived past injustices.

Nico left Rome and returned to the Army with his brother, throwing himself into his career, hoping to forget the screams of his little girl, but it wasn’t long before tragedy struck the Meridius family again. Artorius was killed in battle, and upon hearing of his oldest son’s death, their father’s heart gave out and he followed his son and grandchild to Elysium.

Nico found himself Patriarch of the family Meridii, and he took Julia as his wife to maintain her ties with the Meridius line. They had a good, strong marriage. She gave him four children: Elena, Antonio, Gloria, and Theodosis. He lost Julia in childbirth with Theo, her loss a further devastation to him, for she had become a good wife and faithful friend. It was the companionship of his lover Razi, a former Gladiator, and his handful of children that made life joyous.

Two years later devastation hit the Meridius family once again. His military Second in Command, Marcus, consumed by anger and jealousy of Nico’s position and power, rode straight into the villa with troops. Razi fought by his Master’s side, only to be cut down along with the family tutor, Cyrus. Marcus slit Antonio and Gloria’s throats in front of Nico. As the soldiers Nico had once commanded beat him to the ground, he was forced to listen to Elena’s screams as she was beaten and raped. A young soldier, who was himself betrothed to Elena, died trying to save her. Their blood mingled as they laid dead at Nico’s feet.

Nico was stripped and crucified, with the bodies of his family laid out at his feet, and in one final act of defiance, Marcus stole Theo from his family to raise him as his own son.

 

Sylum Inspiration: Benji Dunn

Sanctuary: Member

There’s not much on Benji’s childhood. He will tell you it was standard one, with no great memories.  He was born in London to a middle class family.  He fell in love with computers as a kid, and followed a career path that had him recruited by MI:6.

He was poached by IMF

(Dilios Note: M is still pissed about that particular situation)

He started as a tech analyst at IMF working exclusively with Ethan Hunt. When he finally made it out to the field everything had gone to shit.

Benji knew Ethan needed the information and took the materials to him directly, only to end up in a crossfire and shot.  When Ethan asked if he wanted to be Turned, he rolled his eyes and demanded he do it.

Sylum Inspiration: Wilhelm Brandtenstein

Ehre: Lead Hunter

 

Wilhelm was Cinderella’s Head Guard, and loyal to her, even to the point of his own death.

He had not hesitated pushing her away from a runaway carriage, taking the impact.   He knew there was no way he would survive his injuries and had requested she take care of his wife and daughter.

She Turned him instead.

Sylum Inspiration: Luther Stickell

Sanctuary: War Counsel

As far as records indicated, Luther appeared in the world when he was in his twenties. He was recruited out of MIT by IMF for his skills in computers and quick thinking. He is ‘disavowed’ ten years later when he confronted his Agent in Charge over information he had uncovered about an assassination attempt.

He may have gone quietly from the building but not from IMF. He continued researching and hacking into variety of programs, sometimes siphoning off money others and exposing bad business to the world.

He is recruited by Ethan Hunt to help him find the Mole within the department, playing up on his ego to hack into the one place you’re not supposed to be able to hack.

The mission was a success and Luther was reinstated into IMF, working on the same team with Ethan. He had a suspicion that something was different with Ethan, besides the manic he gets into while working.

It wasn’t until an OP went wrong that he discovered what Ethan was hiding. He watched on the monitors as everything went to shit; the Mark pulled a gun and shot Ethan before Luther could call in back up.

Then he watched as Ethan struggled to get up and attack the Mark. Clear as day on the screens were fangs and bright eyes. When Ethan returned to the room, Luther pulled his gun and demanded the truth. Faster than anything he had ever seen, the gun was gone and he was pinned to the bed, with Ethan straddling him.