Nothing is True. Everything is Connected.
Tag: <span>Sylum Clan</span>

Sylum Inspiration: Michael Westen

Sylum: Member

 

Michael Westen’s file is labeled RED, therefore most of it is classified.

What is known about Michael is that he’s the oldest son of Frank and Madeline Westen. He has a younger brother, Nate Westen. Michael and his father did not get alone, and many times Michael took a beating or two to protect his mother and brother.

At age seventeen he left home and joined the Army. He worked his way up the ranks, and became a Ranger. It has come to light recently that he was in Somalia, and his actions during that campaign had him recruited into Delta Force.

It was while he was in training he was recruited out of Delta into the CIA.

His career has been labeled classified. But it is known that he’s worked with Army Intelligence Officer Thomas Devoe and for a while was partnered with Larry Sizemore. It had taken Michael some time, but he was able to prove that he worked better on his own.

It was a mission in Ireland that he had met Fionna Glennanne. The two had fallen for each other, but Michael’s cover had been blown and he fled Ireland. He would not see her again until he was Burned and dumped in Miami.

In Miami he was reunited with Samuel Axe someone he’s worked with for over a decade. He’s also confronted with his mother, Maddie.

Between finding those who Burned him, helping others in need, and dealing with family. Micheal was ready to go back to being a spy.

‘Management’ tries to control Michael’s life by making him do jobs for them. The few times he tries to get away from them, with help from others he pulled in deeper at some points skirting that line that he’s worked so hard never to cross.

It was on one of these jobs, that he got Jesse Porter Burned.  Desperate to get Jesse re-instated, find those who Burned him, and end this game – Michael went after John Barrett.

But before that meeting was to take place Michael was taken from an arranged meeting. He was confronted by Don Jon and Larry. Tired of his life being manipulated by everyone, Michael refused their offer.

Don Turned him anyways.

Sylum Inspiration: Timothy Quinn

Advisor: Sylum

 

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: Nicolaus Meridius

Sylum: Clan Leader

 

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: Isaac Evans

Sylum: Member

 

Isaac Evans was the youngest son of Arthur and Ruby Evans. He grew up in Miami, always dreaming to own and operate a hotel. Arthur worried about his youngest, as he seemed to fancy. After his mother died, Isaac’s older brother, Edward, left and joined the Army, much to their dad’s relief. Isaac stayed by his father side, while he fought and worked for his dream.

Ike worked his way up from hotel cabana boy to building and owning the Miramar Playa Hotel, the most glamorous spot in America’s favorite playground in the 1950’s. He was twice-married. His second wife was Vera Evans. He had two grown sons, Stevie Evans and Danny Evans, and a daughter, Lauren Evans, from his first marriage. His first wife Molly, died of cancer. It was her family land that he was able to build the Miramar Playa Hotel on, after signing away the any claim to inheritances for himself or his kids from Molly’s family.

Though he had the land to build the hotel, he had a lack of cash. Going against his own rules he made a deal with organized crime figure Ben Diamond, who demanded a massive monthly payment of $65,000 from the hotel. When the law began to breath down Ike’s neck about Ben Diamond, and bodies that were starting to pop up, Ike kept his cool and handle each problem with ease.

Even when he was arrested for murder, he refused to let everything get to him and worked his way out of the situation.

He kept the Hotel alive, his family safe despite the stupidity of both his sons, the youngest Danny turning against the family and working for the District Attorney. While his oldest lived life on the edge by having a fling with Diamond’s wife.

As the 1960’s closed he felt every inch of his age. Sending his wife to bed, and his daughter up to her room despite her being in her early twenties and attending University, he settled into his office chair. He grabbed a bottle of Scotch out of the drawer and two glasses, not surprised to see his brother. Edward Morgan Blake concerned for his brother’s health, told him a tale about Vampires. Isaac had chuckled then slowly frowned as he realized it wasn’t one of Blake’s jokes.

That night Isaac was Turned.

Sylum Inspiration: Benjamin Gates

Sylum: Member

 

Benjamin is the only son of Patrick Gates and Emily Appleton. He grew up on legends and tales from the his father, grandfather, great grandfather, about the Mystery of the Templar Treasure. His mother who couldn’t take any more of the ‘Treasure Hunting’ divorced Patrick and returned to England, leaving Ben to be raised by his father.

Patrick wanting his son to have a normal life, tried to curtail the Treasure Hunting but the Gates family trait was already entrenched.

Ben attends Georgetown University where he earns his degrees in History. It was at Georgetown he metRiley Poole, a student in Computer Science. Ben found him late one night in the computer labs, doing other students homework. To this day Ben states that he rescued Riley, Riley on the other hand states that he was kidnapped. The two became fast friends with Riley soon finding out about the famed Templar Treasure.

It’s Riley who puts together two of the clue Ben had already possessed. Leading them the discovery of name of the ship that had transported the Treasure to the United States, the Charlotte. It was Ben’s historical paper on the Charlotte that got Ian Howe interested in their Treasure Hunt.

Ian financed their Hunt, only to betray them in the end.

Ben and Riley with the help of Ben’s dad Patrick were able to follow the clues to the Trinity Church in New York, the location of the Templar Treasure. They were ambushed by Ian, where his true identity came out.

Patrick to save their lives, convinced Ian that the Treasure was at the Old North Church in Boston.

Ian Turned Benjamin and left him laying on the floor ‘dead’ locking him in with Patrick and Riley. Stating he would be back to see which one he killed in his hunger, and then he’ll see about finishing the job.

Sylum Inspiration: Clarissa Barton

Sylum: Member

 

Clara was the youngest child of Stephen Barton, veteran of the Indian Wars in Ohio and Michigan and a selectman in Oxford, Massachusetts; and his wife, Sarah. Her siblings were Dorothy, Sally, Stephen and David.

Barton always had a passion for being a nurse. She took care of her dog when he hurt his leg. But the best example was her brother, David Barton. When Clara was 11, David was fixing the barn roof and fell off. The doctor said that he would die in time. But young Clara was determined to save him, and nursed him back to health.

Clara Barton became a school teacher in 1838 teaching in the area for a dozen years in schools at Oxford, N. Oxford, Charlton, and West Millbury. In 1850, Barton decided to further her education by pursuing writing and languages at the Clinton Liberal Institute in New York. Following these studies, Barton opened a free school in New Jersey. The attendance under her leadership grew to 603, but instead of hiring Barton to head the school, the board hired a man. Frustrated, in 1855 she moved to Washington D.C. and began work as a clerk in the US Patent Office; this was the first time a woman had received a substantial clerkship in the federal government and at a salary equal to a man’s salary. Subsequently, under political opposition to women working in government offices, her position was reduced to that of copyist, and in 1856, under the administration of James Buchanan, eliminated entirely. After the election of Abraham Lincoln, having lived with relatives and friends in Massachusetts for three years, she returned to work at the patent office in the autumn of 1861, now as temporary copyist, in the hope she could pioneer to make way for more women in government service. She was probably the first woman to hold a government job.

In 1864 she was appointed by Union General Benjamin Butler as the “lady in charge” of the hospitals at the front of the Army of the James. Among her more harrowing experiences was an incident in which a bullet tore through the sleeve of her dress without striking her and killed a man to whom she was tending. She is known as the “Angel of the Battlefield.”

After the war, she ran the Office of Missing Soldiers, at 437 Seventh Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. in the Gallery Place neighborhood.

Barton then achieved widespread recognition by delivering lectures around the country about her war experiences. She met Susan B. Anthony and began a long association with the woman’s suffrage movement. She also became acquainted with Frederick Douglass and became an activist for black civil rights. In 1869, during her trip to Geneva, Switzerland, Barton was introduced to the Red Cross and Henry Dunant’s book A Memory of Solferino, which called for the formation of national societies to provide relief voluntarily on a neutral basis.

At the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War, in 1870, she assisted the grand duchess of Baden in the preparation of military hospitals, and gave the Red Cross society much aid during the war. At the joint request of the German authorities and the Strasbourg Comité de Secours, she superintended the supplying of work to the poor of Strasbourg in 1871, after the Siege of Paris, and in 1871 had charge of the public distribution of supplies to the destitute people of Paris. At the close of the war she was decorated with the golden cross of Baden and the iron cross of Germany.

When she returned back to the US, she sought out her friend that she had met during the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg Rupert Giles and asked to be Turned. So she could continue her work in medicine and the Red Cross.

Sylum Inspiration: Lara Croft

Sylum: Council Member

 

Lara Croft was the only daughter of Lord Richard and Lady Lucy Croft.  Her mother died when Lara was very young, leaving her to be raised by her father.  Much to society’s dismay, Richard took his daughter on his explorations, raising her to be educated and able to handle herself.

Lara traveled all around the world, exploring new places, learning new languages and cultures.  Under pressure from friends and colleagues, Lord Croft enrolled Lara in private school so she could learn to be a Lady.  When she was ten, Lord Croft disappeared from one of his expeditions, leaving her to be raised by James Hillary, her father’s butler.

As expected, Lara finished school and took her position as Lady Croft.

She then used her family’s money to find out what happened to her father.  In her investigations she came across notes and names leading her to the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service) where she met James Bond.  He helped her with her investigation, while starting an affair with her.  It didn’t take her long to figure out something was different about Bond, and when she demanded he tell her the truth (while she had him tied to the bed and held a knife to his private parts) he found he had no real choice but to explain everything about Vampires.

She demanded every ounce of information available, then requested politely to be Turned.

Sylum Inspiration: William Lennox

Camelot/Sylum: Member

 

William was the only child of Keith and Sarah Lennox.  He was raised on a ranch, learning family values and the meaning in a good day’s hard labor.  From an early age he wanted to be a soldier, and at 18 years old he enlisted in the Army.  Tragically, just after he finished boot camp he received word that his parents were killed in a car accident, on the way to his graduation.

The Army became his family.

He met his wife Mary Ann, while on leave from Afghanistan.  The two fell in love instantly, and she could hold her own against his hardened military attitudes.  It was her love that softened him and made him a better man.

He was due to be shipped out for a second tour in Afghanistan under the command of Hiram Ulysses Grant, when she informed him she was pregnant.  He married her that very day, leaving for Afghanistan the next morning.  His main focus and single goal was to get back home to his wife and child.

When his Commander asked for volunteers for a secret mission, he didn’t hesitate.  Grant and Sherman had always been good to his men and they had earned his respect and loyalty.

Will was thrown unexpectedly into the world of Vampires, but took the challenge head on.  When wounded in battle, he accepted being Turned – all so he could see his baby girl.

Sylum Inspiration: Edward Kenway

Assassin

(It’s Assassin Month)

Edward Kenway was a Welsh-born British privateer-turned-pirate. Born to farmers, Edward sought to acquire riches and fame. He became a privateer for the Royal Navy early in his life and, once accepted, found himself stationed in the West Indies. However, a quick end to the War of the Spanish Succession and the promise of gold, glory and fame eventually seduced him into a life of piracy.

There isn’t much information after he turned to piracy. Just that he was the Captain of the Jackdaw, and his crew were the most feared on the seas.

‘Looks like a man, fights like a demon’

Sylum Inspiration: Templeton Peck

Sylum: Member

 

Left on the doorstep of Sacred Heart Orphanage in Los Angeles at the age of three, he didn’t even remember his true name. He took the name Templeton Peck because it sounded important and respectful. He learned from an early age that he had a beautiful smile and used it to get what he needed and wanted. There were very few people in the world he respected; the one man he looked to as a father figure was Father O’Malley at the Orphanage.

Father O’Malley pushed for Templeton to enter collage afraid he would be drafted into the War. Templeton enrolled at USC for the fall. During that summer, he worked his craft to earn enough to buy a ring for his high school sweetheart. When he showed up at her parents’ home to pick her up, he was informed that she had left, leaving him only a letter.

He joined the Army the next day.

His test results had the Army putting him in Officer Candidate School (OCS). The skills he showed during training led to his recruitment into Special Forces. It wasn’t long before he was shipped over to Vietnam holding the rank of Lieutenant, where he was recruited into a SOG Unit. After a failed mission, his unit was dismantled and he was placed under the command of Major Hannibal King. He became fast friends with the small unit, especially their pilot Humphrey Marrion Murdock.

On a routine mission they were ambushed and captured by the Vietcong and sent to a POW Camp. For reasons Templeton couldn’t explain, he was singled out of the unit to be interrogated. Each day it got worse and harder for him to hold on. After another grueling session he was thrown back into the cell. He knew he wasn’t going to live to see the morning. All he wanted was to say goodbye to Murdock and tell him he was sorry for leaving him again.

When Hannibal gave him another option, Templeton Peck took it and never looked back.

Sylum Inspiration: Michael Westen

Sylum: Member

 

Michael Westen’s file is labeled RED, therefore most of it is classified.

What is known about Michael is that he’s the oldest son of Frank and Madeline Westen. He has a younger brother, Nate Westen. Michael and his father did not get alone, and many times Michael took a beating or two to protect his mother and brother.

At age seventeen he left home and joined the Army. He worked his way up the ranks, and became a Ranger. It has come to light recently that he was in Somalia, and his actions during that campaign had him recruited into Delta Force.

It was while he was in training he was recruited out of Delta into the CIA.

His career has been labeled classified. But it is known that he’s worked with Army Intelligence Officer Thomas Devoe and for a while was partnered with Larry Sizemore. It had taken Michael some time, but he was able to prove that he worked better on his own.

It was a mission in Ireland that he had met Fionna Glennanne. The two had fallen for each other, but Michael’s cover had been blown and he fled Ireland. He would not see her again until he was Burned and dumped in Miami.

In Miami he was reunited with Samuel Axe someone he’s worked with for over a decade. He’s also confronted with his mother, Maddie.

Between finding those who Burned him, helping others in need, and dealing with family. Michael was ready to go back to being a spy.

‘Management’ tries to control Michael’s life by making him do jobs for them. The few times he tries to get away from them, with help from others he pulled in deeper at some points skirting that line that he’s worked so hard never to cross.

It was on one of these jobs, that he got Jesse Porter Burned.  Desperate to get Jesse re-instated, find those who Burned him, and end this game – Michael went after John Barrett.

But before that meeting was to take place Michael was taken from an arranged meeting. He was confronted by Don Jon and Larry. Tired of his life being manipulated by everyone, Michael refused their offer.

Don Turned him anyways.

Sylum Inspiration: GIl Grissom

Sylum: Member

 

Gil was raised by his mother, who was deaf, after his father died when he was nine. Never good at making friends, he was a social recluse while growing up. He graduated early and became the youngest Los Angeles Medical Examiner at 19. Decades later he moved to Las Vegas, taking the Las Vegas Crime Lab from near the bottom of crime lab rankings to the #2 Lab in the country, second only to the FBI lab at Quantico.

Grissom is a renowned forensic entomologist and for fun likes to race Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

He took over the Night Shift as Supervisor after Brass was demoted to Detective after the death of Holly Gribbs. He has tried to instill in his CSIs the ability to find a balance between science and emotion, at times losing that balance himself.

Gil doesn’t talk about his obsession with Nico during the years in Vegas. It was this obsession that had him researching things into Nico’s past, discovering the world of Vampires. He was pulled into the world when his team was attacked by Rogues who were looking to harm Nick Stokes and Warrick Brown, the leaders of Sylum Clan. After discovering about Vampires he was pulled into a Clan War. He soon saw the men he trained in a different light.

His life once again changed when he had a confrontation with Harvey Spector.

Sylum Inspiration: Isaac Evans

Sylum: Member

Isaac Evans was the youngest son of Arthur and Ruby Evans. He grew up in Miami, always dreaming to own and operate a hotel. Arthur worried about his youngest, as he seemed to fancy. After his mother died, Isaac’s older brother, Edward, left and joined the Army, much to their dad’s relief. Isaac stayed by his father side, while he fought and worked for his dream.

Ike worked his way up from hotel cabana boy to building and owning the Miramar Playa Hotel, the most glamorous spot in America’s favorite playground in the 1950’s. He was twice-married. His second wife was Vera Evans. He had two grown sons, Stevie Evans and Danny Evans, and a daughter, Lauren Evans, from his first marriage. His first wife Molly, died of cancer. It was her family land that he was able to build the Miramar Playa Hotel on, after signing away the any claim to inheritances for himself or his kids from Molly’s family.

Though he had the land to build the hotel, he had a lack of cash. Going against his own rules he made a deal with organized crime figure Ben Diamond, who demanded a massive monthly payment of $65,000 from the hotel. When the law began to breath down Ike’s neck about Ben Diamond, and bodies that were starting to pop up, Ike kept his cool and handle each problem with ease.

Even when he was arrested for murder, he refused to let everything get to him and worked his way out of the situation.

He kept the Hotel alive, his family safe despite the stupidity of both his sons, the youngest Danny turning against the family and working for the District Attorney. While his oldest lived life on the edge by having a fling with Diamond’s wife.

As the 1960’s closed he felt every inch of his age. Sending his wife to bed, and his daughter up to her room despite her being in her early twenties and attending University, he settled into his office chair. He grabbed a bottle of Scotch out of the drawer and two glasses, not surprised to see his brother. Edward Morgan Blake concerned for his brother’s health, told him a tale about Vampires. Isaac had chuckled then slowly frowned as he realized it wasn’t one of Blake’s jokes.

Clan Location: Sylum


It was suggested that I could work up a series of why each location was chosen for the different clans.  

So of course we’re going to start off with the first one.

Sylum.

When this story first started over 15 years ago (where has the time gone) there was only one place a Clan of Vampires would be located in the US.

New Orleans.

Where else would they be?  

I also have a lot of personal history with the city, and no my way around it and the surrounding area, which helped when building the Manor and the city Sylum would call home.   As story developed other cities became important parts of Sylum – Vegas (for obvious reasons :D), Washington DC, Los Angeles, and at times New York (despite how much Nico despises the city).  

But New Orleans is home, and will always be the home for Sylum.

Oak Alley Plantation is only partial inspiration for the Manor itself, the other is Monmouth Plantation in Natchez.

So there you have it.  The reason why – Sylum is in New Orleans.

Any questions?  Or curious about technical Sylum history within the city?

Sylum Inspiration: Daryl Dixon

Sylum: Hunter

Daryl was raised by his father and brother in the back hills of Georgia.  His mother died when he was five, and all he remembers was that her name was Lily.

He doesn’t talk much about his childhood, when asked he will tell you the day he met Rick Grimes on the first day of high school, was the best day of his life.

Being with Rick gave him a purpose, he had finished high school despite the beatings and looked to find work that he could rely on that wasn’t breaking the law.

The two had planned on leaving once Rick received his degree in Forensic Science, but when he returned to Woodbury because of his father’s death, they had decided to stay to take care of Emily Grimes.

Rick ended up helping Daryl set up his business Dixon Honey, despite his own fear of bees.  The two kept their relationship a secret knowing full well the town and Merle would kill them both.

The only time they were apart was when Rick married Lori due to pressure from their parents and the town.  A year later, they came back together, needing each other too much to be apart.

As years went by they kept hidden in the shadows waiting, and when Emily Grimes died, they set their plans to motion.  Then Merle returned home and brought a gang of thugs.  At first Daryl thought they were fighting zombies, only to learn it was Vampires.

It hadn’t mattered to him, as they fought for their lives.

Making their last stand, Rick and Daryl were saved by Sylum Hunters.  But before they could overtake Joshua Hickok, Rick was shot.  Daryl watched in horror as the only thing in his life worth saving was dying.  He pulled his own weapon only to fall next to his lover.