Sylum: Member

Queen was born a slave but grew up free in the city of New Orleans.

When she was twelve, she wanted to make her own money, so went door to door until she found a job working at Heather’s Pleasure Boutique in the French Quarter fetching food, drink and cigars for the clients until Heather’s Mate, Evy heard her sing. That began her new career entertaining the guests as they waited for the girls.

Heather gave her an education and opportunities. She attended the first co-ed college for black people in New Orleans where she obtained degrees in Business and Music. Though she wanted more than to ‘work’ for Heather, she found a niche at the Boutique. After college, she began working in some of the other ‘coffee houses’ in New Orleans, becoming one of the wealthiest black women in the city. She owned a house in New Orleans, a plantation in Larose, was a Chosen One for Sylum Clan, and often gathered information for Nico and Warrick to help them keep ahead of the happenings in New Orleans. She provided safe houses for those not wanting to be seen, entertained Assassins, provided a home for Riddick’s Twins, and was exhausted.

When she started coughing, Heather quickly became concerned. She contacted Claire Barton, who took care of most of the girls, when she lived in the area. She informed Queen she had what looked to be the beginning stages of Tuberculosis.

Heather Turned her under watchful eye of Claire Barton, and when she woke after her Transformation, she discovered a talent for communing with the dead.

Camelot/Sylum: Member

Harold is a very private person, so little is known about his life before he became a Vampire.

He was born in Ireland, had a wife and children.  All of it was lost, when he was taken from his home and sold into slavery.

(Dilios Note: He doesn’t talk about it, and the only person who knows everything that happened in those years is his Mate, John.  His Sires are close seconds.)

Harold realized he had an opportunity to escape when Nico and Arthur showed up as slaves.

It was during the raid and escape that he was injured, leading to the two Vampires Turning him. (Dilios Note: It is the rarity, actually this is the only case I know of, where two Vampires were involved in Turning someone).

Sylum/Camelot: Member

John Rhys was born in Abereiddy, Wales, to a fisherman family.  He was always on the edge of the society, not fitting in very well.  He fell in love with the landowners daughter, Mari.  She was forbidden to be with him, but it didn’t stop them from seeing each other.  When she discovered she was pregnant she ran away, finding herself in a Monastery seeking sanctuary, not soon after John found her.  He married her instantly, and the two stayed with the Monks, Mari cooking, while John helped with Hunting for food and taking care of the grounds.  Tragedy struck the small family, when Mari died in childbirth, leaving John with a son.  He knew he wasn’t in a position to take care of the young child, so left him with the Fr. Dewey and set out to find work.

As he made his way towards a larger city, he came across a young woman being chased by a group of men.  Without thinking he pulled his sword and confronted the attackers, defeating all of them.  He discovered the young girl was Gwenhwyfar, the daughter to King Leodegrance. He escorted her back to her castle, and her father promptly awarded (though John wondered if it was punishment) the position of Head Guard.

Over the years, John became the big brother to Gwen, and was one of the few people she trusted.   She was also one of the few that new of his son, and made sure money was sent to the Monastery for his education.

When she was set to marry King Arthur of Britain, John organized and guarded her wedding train, only to be betrayed from someone on the inside, leading to the train being attacked and Gwen being kidnapped.

John took down over half the raiders, and even with an arrow in his side traveled and fought with Arthur, Lancelot, and Galahad to get the future Queen back.  It was on the journey back, he finally fell to his wounds, and Nico refused to loose his first born child, Meridia.

Sylum: Hunter

Sam was born to John and Mary Winchester in Lawrence, Kansas. When he was six months old, Balthazar entered his nursery and killed his mother Mary Winchester. John placed Sammy into his brother’s arms and told him to run.

Raised on the road being taken care of mainly by his brother Dean Winchester, they were trained to hunt Vampires, never staying in one place. Sam hated the life they lived and wanted to stay in one school, have friends, live a normal life. Always strong-willed and stubborn like his father John, Sam fought their lifestyle through his teenage years, finally giving up and leaving for college.

Four years later Dean showed up on Sam’s doorstep with news: their dad had gone missing. After following a few leads and finding nothing, Sam went back to Stanford, only to discover that Balthazar had come back into their lives, killing his girlfriend, Jessica. Swearing to hunt the man down, Sam set out again on the hunt with Dean.

Balthazar soon found them. Dean handed his life over to save Sam’s. Determined to save his brother, Sam found himself at Cal Sci University searching for the blueprints to Balthazar’s penthouse, and ran into Charles Eppes who urged him to find Nicolaus Valerius Meridius in New Orleans.

Driving straight from Los Angeles to New Orleans, he barged into the Manor seeking help and refuge.

Nick and Gaius Cassius Longinus agreed to help and returned to Los Angeles to confront Balthazar. In the ensuing battle, Sam was stabbed by Cassie Robinsonand mortally wounded; he consented to be Turned.

Sylum: Hunter

Dean was born to John and Mary Winchester January 24, 1979 in Lawerence, Kansas. When he was four years old, he was excited at his brother Samuel Winchester’s birth. Six months later, his life was destroyed when Balthazar entered their home and killed Mary. John handed Sammy into four year old Dean’s arms and told him to run. Since then he has taken care of his brother, never truly letting him go.

Raised on the road, trained to hunt Vampires, Dean learned to live the life of a nomad. He barely stayed in one school long enough to make friends, but remained loyal to his father John Winchester and brother Sammy. Among the few bright moments in his life are when he and Sammy stayed with Bobby Singer who taught him everything about cars.

As he got older he began to take hunts on his own, running into Maxine Guevera and Logan Cale. Not truly understanding Vampires and the Clan System, he just figured that Vampires weren’t all bad like his father had preached. When he returned home from the hunt he discovered that Sammy had been keeping secrets, and had left the family for college.

Four years later he showed up on Sam’s doorstep with news: their dad had gone missing while hunting. After following a few leads and finding nothing, Dean took Sam back to Stanford, only to discover that Balthazar had come back into their lives, killing Sam’s girlfriend. Swearing to hunt the man down, Sam set out again on the hunt, with Dean.

Balthazar soon found them, and Dean willingly handed his life over to save Sam’s.

Sylum: Member

Humphrey Marrion was born in a small town outside Houston, Texas in 1890. He was always an active child getting into trouble for his over active imagination. He had dreams of getting off the ranch and having grand adventures.

As he grew up his family pushed for him to stop talking nonsense and settle down. Tension with his family came to a fore front when he informed them he was going to France to learn to fly. As he walked out the door he was told not to come back.

Murdock made his way to the South of France where a small squadron was being developed to help with the war effort in Europe. He was a natural. Took to the air like a bird, impressing his superiors despite the fact he was a brash American.

While he learned to fly he met a Henri Benoit, a French Captain, who he had become fast friends with. The two were inseparable, and it was Henri who kept Murdock from trouble with others in the camp.

Murdock was devastated when Henri was killed during an air strike from the Germans. Without thought he climbed into his plane and went after the raiders, only to get into a heavy dogfight with none other than the famous Red Baron.

With luck and determination Murdock was able to land his crippled plane, and barely made it to the cover of the trees before the Baron swooped down on the pilot.

Hiding in the trees, Murdock thought he was safe only to be hunted by a more deadly creature. It wasn’t until the next morning when he emerged from the forest into the arms of Council Spies, Jonathon Clavier and Carlos Alvarez broken and bleeding. Carlos gave him an offer of a new life, one he accepted as he fell into darkness.

Sylum: Member

Born Tecumseh Sherman, his father named him after the famed Shawnee Warrior. Tecumseh was one of eleven children. Following the sudden death of his father, his mother was unable to take care of all the children, and sent him to live with Thomas Ewing. Thomas’ wife Maria, a devoted Catholic, wouldn’t allow Tecumseh into her household until he was properly baptized and was renamed William.

At age 16 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the beginning of a long career in the military. In 1850 he married Eleanor Ewing, the daughter of Thomas and Marie, and they had eight children, all raised by their mother’s strict Catholic tendencies. In 1853 he left the military after pressure from his wife’s family, and moved to San Francisco to become a banker. The stress of banking and the climate finally led to Sherman leaving and taking up banking in Kansas. By 1859 he had taken the position as Superintendent of Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he resigned his commission and moved North.

He first saw combat at the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as the Battle of Mananas). His wounds and the defeat by the Confederacy led him to question himself and the war. After spending time to recover, he was assigned to General Hiram Ulysses Grant. The two struck up a strong friendship which changed the course of the War.

When Grant broke his leg entering into New Orleans, they were taken in by Sylum Manor. When the Manor was attacked by Raiders, Sherman was mortally wounded. Jack Aubrey, knowing the importance this man had on the war and on Grant, asked if he wanted to be turned. Sherman consented.

Sylum: Member

Peter Mitchell grew up wanting to be a fighter pilot. Take after his father Duke Mitchell, who served with the VF-51 squadron aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) during the Vietnam War, and was killed in action when his Phantom was shot down.

Peter graduated high school in the top ten of the class, then promptly signed up for the US Navy.

He moved up the ranks, got into flight school, and can still remember the first moment he lifted off the deck of an Aircraft Carrier. He will be the first to tell you he was a cocky son of a bitch and arrogant on the fact he really was that good.

Though despite his attitude, he’s recommended for the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, known as “Top Gun”, at NAS Miramar. He ends up going with his friend Goose, now his top crew.

It’s during training he meets Timothy Quinn, who is a civilian hired to train at Top Gun. Speed though impressed with Maverick’s skills, thinks hes a moron and calls him on it daily.

Near the end of the program, Maverick and Iceman both chase Jester. Under intense pressure from Maverick, Iceman breaks off. Maverick’s F-14 flies through the jet wash of Iceman’s aircraft and suffers a flameout of both engines, entering a flat spin from which he cannot recover, forcing both Maverick and Goose to eject. Goose ejects but his parachute fails to open.

Although the board of inquiry clears Maverick of responsibility, he feels guilty for Goose’s death, losing his aggressiveness when flying. Speed slaps him when Maverick considers leaving the Navy.

It was Speed who finally told him his responsibility was now taking care of Goose’s wife and child. That he was a born pilot and stop mopping around. He had known his father, flew brilliantly in Vietnam, died a hero.

Three days later Maverick showed up asking how Speed knew his father. Once the whole story of Vampires got out, Maverick wanted it. He wanted to be able to watch over his ‘family’ make sure Goose’s kid grows up, lives a long life.

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: Hunter

Sylum Hunter: Aveline de Grandpré

Aveline was born in New Orleans on 20 June 1747 to Philippe de Grandpré and his African placée bride, Jeanne. Granted freedom along with her mother at birth, Aveline grew up in a caring and considerate environment, protected by her father’s wealth and influence within the city. However, when her father’s business began to suffer, he married Madeleine de L’Isle, the daughter of one of his investors, in 1752.

(Dilios Note: Rumor has it that her grandmother is Annemarie, famed Pirate who sailed with Captain Jack Sparrow)

While this act put a strain on the relationship between her parents, both Aveline and her mother Jeanne were permitted to stay at the de Grandpré mansion, with Madeleine becoming responsible for the young girl’s education.

Aveline’s carefree life as a youth was cut short two years later, when Jeanne inexplicably vanished, leaving a void in the girl’s life. Despite the fact that Madeleine quickly adopted the role of doting stepmother, Aveline continued to be troubled by the loss of her mother. As a result, she frequently had nightmares about the events surrounding Jeanne’s disappearance.

Simultaneously, Aveline’s feelings and observations regarding the prevailing contrasts present within her city eventually spurred her into action. In 1759, she attempted to free a slave, but was caught in the act and set upon by sailors employed by the slave’s owner. Thanks to an intervention from Nicolaus Meridius, Aveline and the slave managed to escape unharmed. Deciding her commitment to freedom and justice was beyond compare, Nicolaus took Aveline under his wing.

Following a few months of intense training, Aveline would act as Nicolaus agent in New Orleans, using her skills to help people in need and rid Louisiana of the Templars.

Her first assignment under Nico, was to locate and find Shay Patrick Cormac, who had come to New Orleans specific to have a safe haven for Templars. They discovered that Shay was working with Governor d’Abbadie, who was determined to keep the city and providence under French Templar control.

Between the two of them, they removed the Templar influence.

She discovered his nature when, she found him with Warrick. Upset at first, at hypocrisy she was seeing, she confronted him, only to find herself faced with the Vampire. He explained who he was, and that the man she saw was Warrick, his Mate.

Seeing great potential in her, Nicolaus knew that she would need further training. In 1769 he sent her to Masyaf, along with a letter and trinket for Dastan and Altaïr.

Aveline proved her skills by taking on novices being trained. Altaïr taking Nicolaus word, set out to train her.

She learned much in Masyaf, became fast friends with Tamara.

It was her work, that established a network of woman assassins.

Aveline returned to New Orleans in 1775, and discovered Nicolaus was in New York. She traveled up to the city, to find him.

It was here she met Connor Kenway, and worked with him in dealing with Templars roaming the Eastern Seaboard.

She found Nicolaus in 1776, commanding troops. Impressed by his skills as an Assassin, a General, and the fact he had a black Mate, she requested he Turn her.

Sylum: Member

There is little information on Marcus Cole.  His father was a Paratrooper, who was station in Ireland during the troubles.  His brother was killed in combat and according to British Military records Marcus was killed in the late 1990’s.

Sylum: Member

There is very little information found on Alexander.  (DiliosNote: Even M is keeping quiet on this and I sent her chocolate!)

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: 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.