[hider=Charles Aldaner]
[center][h1][color=9e0b0f]Charles Aldane[/color][/h1]
[img]http://www.paperspencils.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/pdeR8rGkCuHPI9jxD1AQ1CjOmlk.jpg[/img]
[color=9e0b0f][b][sub]{ [i]"Let them writhe in the mud. Let them think they matter."[/i] }[/sub][/b][/color][/center][hr]
[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Full Name} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Charles Alexander Aldane[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Nickname} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]None, those who dare call him by any nickname are swiftly dealt with.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Date of Birth} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Fifht of May[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Age} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]For vampires, put their real age along with their apparent age. Anyone else, whatever age you choose is fine but nothing under 16.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Gender} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Male[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Sexuality} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Hetero[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Relationship Status} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Single (widower, technically)[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Role} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Vampire Elder[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Occupation} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Aldane United Offices Head of Advisors[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Face Claim} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Bill Nighy[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Dialogue Color} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent][color=9e0b0f]9e0b0f[/color][/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Appearance} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Even as a vampire, Charles looks ancient. With his receeding hairline and combed back, sandy blonde hair. The age is very appparent in his face as well, showing slight signs of rimples and other features of aging. Still, age has done little to make him less stern. A hard scowl comes very natural to him. His general height, 6'2" also makes him rather menacing. It is, however, his crippling cold voice that leaves no doubt in anyone's mind: Charles is an Elder and he demands respect. As an ancient Elder, Charles depends mostly on his supernatural abilities for physical confrontations. Meaning he choses not to look quite muscular. Just to lure the fools in so he can finish them in one, fell attack.

He dresses, what most would call, conservative. Though those with less respect inclined: old. Maybe even ancient. He's quite fond of the long mantles and doubles from the middle ages. In prive he'll wear them in the colors of the night. On street, however, he'll dress a little more timely. As in, he'll dress like he's in the 1900s. Still old and formal, but quite less prone to attracting unwanted attention.

Deep in the dungeons of his mansion there is a coffin in which he keeps his armor. This armor, forged many years ago, is still of good quality. Every year, at a random chosen night, he'll take it out for maintenance. He wears it when a war starts. In other words: if you see him in it and you're not a vampire, run like hell.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Habits & Quirks} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]For an immortal, Charles still cares quite a bit about his appearance. While the suits might be old-looking, they are well maintained. By himself. A habit spawned from ancient times, where people had to take care of their gear themselves.

Maybe not so much a quirk as an annoying happening: Charles might forget your name. Or he might flat out never have registered it. For vampires, this won't happen often over time. Powerful witches won't be called by a wrong name. But werewolves and normal humans he does not converse with on a daily basis, they will have to do something extraordinary to get their names engraved in Charles' mind. He doesn't do it to insult people (though he doesn't really care if he does), he just doesn't care enough most of the time.

As part of his nature, Charles with expose his fangs and licks them if he's hungry for blood. This never just happens as Charles is fairly adapt at containing his own urges. However, he oftentimes let it 'slip' when talking to a witch. Just to remind her that to him, she can be a very tasty snack.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Hobbies} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Playing the piano and organ. Quite ironic, he finds. But Charles is very good with a piano. In fact, he has a vast collection of pianos stored away. While in the main hall he keeps a large church organ. One of his favorite past times is playing haunting tunes as it storms, timing the flashes and playing with the howling wind. In a fit of madness, he might even demand certain windows to be opened and closed.

Hunting. A harsh and cruel monument to certain events in the past, Charles can still be seen often on horse-back with a pack of hounds with a few fellow vampires. Ready to ride into the summer woods to hunt foxes and other small game. However, Charles does not back down from large game like deer or even a boar. Game that can fight are especially his favorite, as he fights them bare-handed. Stating animals always put up such a good fight compared to humans.

Gathering Vampiric history. Vampires are, by their very nature, ancient. This means that they've been around for quite some time. Charles is obsessed with the history of his own kin. Going from the Egyptian priests of death to the infamous (but largely made up story) of Dracula, Charles gathers icons and symbols of his kin and their interaction with werewolves, witches and humans. He showcases these in an occult-looking museum in his own mansion at Salem.

He will feed his blood slaves various meals and let them participate in various activities before he feeds upon them. He does this because, just like in a fine wine, the blood tastes different. In a way, Charles is trying to create a delicious taste of blood. Though this makes introducing his blood slaves rather inhumane. For example: he might refer to one of them as: 'the Southern Italian'. Refering to the kind of diet a blood slave is put on.

Gathering dues. Especially from witches, whose variety of abilities can serve as a great boon. In a way, Charles can be seen as the devil in disguise. He preys upon the lone and the exiled. He promises them what they want: wealthy, fame, love. But in return they must give him a vial of their blood. Which is more symbolic than anything else really. If Charles has a vial with your name on it, know that someday he will come knocking on your door. And when he does, you better open.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Likes} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent][i]Freshly killed game[/i]
[i]Warm summer nights[/i]
[i]Terrible storms[/i]
[i]Metal music[/i]
[i]Classical music[/i]
[i]A fine meal[/i]
[i]Material wealth[/i]
[i]Schemes[/i][/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Dislikes} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent][i]Garlic[/i] - It doesn't burn or repel him. He just finds it disgusting and can't stand the smell.
[i]Autumn & Spring[/i]
[i]Vermin[/i]
[i]Demands[/i]
[i]Short-sighted people[/i]
[i]Holier-than-though people[/i]
[i]To much attention[/i][/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Fears} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]That his secret will be known to his enemies so they can abuse it.

Vampires (especially his vampiric line) being threatened and killed off.

The supernatural world being exposed towards the whole world.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Secrets} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]What secrets does Charles [i]not[/i] have? The man lived for more than a millenia, so obviously he carries around his own bag of corpses. There are many things Charles swept under the rug. But there is one, one he will keep secret for everyone but his closest children. A secret that is so deeply rooted in him, that it can completely control  him if handled right.

He had a half-sister. Long, long ago. As a human. A bastard daughter born from his father. Even though she was never legitimized, it was the only family member back then that cared an inkling about him (as he was the youngest child and she the daughter of a local maid). On his father's deathbed, the man confessed. Even before this confession did Charles love her very much. After that, he swore he'd do everything to protect her. His oldest brother refused to acknowledge her but still, she had it easier than other maids. However, Charles eventually was send out to a war. When he returned he found that his half-sister was murdered. Her daughter was gone too. After many years, Charles never found her again, but he did find her family.

Since then, Charles has kept that one certain family (the McKains) safe. Often from the shadows. Their house was never broken into and quite often a mysterious donation was made. Charles claims that the beauty of his sister flows through the female line. And when another child is born that looks just like her, he often gets in closer. Becoming an old friend to the family. Paying tuition and putting up good worse. Since 1700 Charles can sometimes be seen in the backgrounds of portraits and recently, in some very old pictures. Recently a female grew up by the name of Amelia and almost like a prophecy, she looks like his sister. Once more Charles is carefully approaching the family.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Abilities} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]As an elder, his abilities are quite a bit stronger than that of a newborn vampire. He moves a little faster and hits a little stronger. However, his true talent rests in him compelling others. After years of experimentation, practice and studying human psychology and physiology, Charles is the closest damn thing to a mind-bender. In days he can make people addicted to him and his bite or spill the truth. If you give him enough time to interrogate his subject, they will talk eventually.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Limitations} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Charles lacks any hand-to-hand training. He has a history of fighting with a sword but once it comes to fighting a vampire or werewolf, he will need to depend entirely on his innate strenght. A weakness to be sure, as anyone who did martial arts can easily use his strength against him.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Personality} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[center][h3][u]♦ [color=9e0b0f]Protective[/color] ♦ [color=9e0b0f]Tyranical[/color] ♦ [color=9e0b0f]Balanced[/color] ♦ [color=9e0b0f]Aloft[/color] ♦[/u][/h3][/center]
[indent]Charles is a great many things. To common humans he often looks like the staple image of old money. Finely dressed, polite but with an aura of greatness about him. He even invokes a sense of noblesse oblige. As he often talks about donating to various charities and doesn’t shy away from throwing a fundraiser for the right causes. However, when it’s time to work he’s all business. He’d never yell at you, he doesn’t need to. If you do right you’ll be praised with soft words and a pad on the shoulder. Screw up and you will feel icy punishment. Those that let him down know that his soft voice can be worse than any yell.

In his supernatural life he is this and so much more. Pragmatic and protective of his coven, he will do everything to ensure their safety and the safety of vampirism in general. He employs a very Machiavellian mindset for this. As the end justify the means. Which often make him appear ruthless but very, very effective at what he does. However, as he pushes his kin further, he also demands absolute loyalty and blind obedience. A few vampires have risked questioning his decisions. To those, they swiftly saw their favor evaporate. Still, his decisions are generally for the greater good.

If not actively managing the coven, Charles can be a very open and inventive person. Always trying something new. Immortality had delivered him with boredom in the past. But he knew that if he let it rule him, he’d perish. Thus Charles has a great many ways to spent his time. Playing the piano, creating a nice blood-taste in one of his slaves or hunting on small game. He’s quite open during those activities and talks about his life. Or rather, the last 400 years of it.

His personality comes from his extreme old age. Charles has done it all. He has gone obsessed with power, running amok in the wilderness. He has partied like there was no tomorrow, getting drunk on blood and wine. He’s been with more women than most men can handle in a single life time. But he has also walked through the valley of darkness. For years he fought depression and suicide. When he thought there was nothing left to live for. Of course, suicide for a vampire is a bit trickier. Eventually he realized that whatever he thought that was beyond him was just in his head. Immortality erased all limits, in the long run. This realization re-ignited his heart. A few decades later and he was ruling a small country for a time. Of course, time made him flee the place. Immortality was also a bit of a curse. He had become sick of life and drunk on power. He was terrible and benevolent. Charles had been everything and more. Even almost mad. But now, after 2 millennia have passed, Charles’ personality eventually balanced out completely.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Place of Origin} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]On the island of Sicily in the Mediterranean, in the Empire of Rome[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Background} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Born in a Roman noble family, Charles (who then went by the name of Maximus) was given quite a few opportunities but also had quite some responsibilities. As the youngest son of the family, he was tasked with taking care of his elders. And while he received formal education in writing, history and philosophy, he would never inherit the villa or the family’s prestige. That was something reserved for his older brother: Brutus. When their father got incredibly ill, Brutus was groomed to take over the family as patriarch. While Charles had to take care of his dying father. He did so and was thus the only person to hear the final words of their father. He admitted that he had an affair with one of the maids. The daughter of said maid, a great friend of Charles, was actually his half-sister. This shifted Charles’ focus entirely. Not only was the daughter a great friend but now she was family. Family that apparently cared more about him than his real one. So vowed to protect her. Years went by and Charles grew older. His brother Brutus was making a jump towards Senator. To show the family’s dedication to the Republic, Charles was ordered to become officer in the army. He joined the campaign for Gaul and in doing so, brought glory to his family. But when he returned, he was shocked.

His half-sister was murdered. Her child given away for adoption. The night of his discovery, a figure appeared. Promising vengeance. Charles accepted the proposal and vanished that night. A decade later Senator Brutus was found slaughtered in his countryside villa, together with almost his entire family. But the offer did not come cheap. Charles, after extracting his vengeance, was sworn to his sire for 3 centuries. There were some darker demands in those centuries and Charles’ hands certaintly weren’t clean. When his paid his dues, he returned to Rome. By chance or fate he met a girl that was the spitting image of his half-sister. A bit of research led him to believe that the daughter’s line continued on. He swore he’d protect it and through the ages, that is exactly what he did.

Centuries past and Charles was responsible for a great many things. He had negotiated with hunters, destroyed hostile covens and even chased packs all around Europe. In the 1600s it was safe to say that Charles had built himself quite a network. But he failed his oath. He had protected the half-sister’s line through time. Every now and then he come a bit closer to the family. Sometimes he is even named in a diary. Eventually the family went to find a new life away from Europe and Charles followed. The family settled in Boston and Charles made Salem the home of his operations. Spreading vampirism through the new world. While he certainty wasn’t the only Elder to be in the Americas, it was clear that there were a lot more opportunities. In fact, after killing a few of the local Elders, Charles’ European brethren quickly came to evenly rule the US and Canada. The elders were slaughtered upon ‘invitation’ of the European hunters. Who received the tips and knowledge to slaughter them from Charles and several other Elders. However, the Hunters proved to be a dangerous weapon. A double edged sword. When the local, native American elders were dealt with, they turned against Charles’ brethren. Salem was not the start. But it was the peak and Charles lost nearly half his coven to the Trials. He fled for New York (which was, back then still New Amsterdam) and established a new base of operations. Realizing the hunters were far more competent and uncontrollable than he anticipated, he started what he will forever call: ‘pruning the hedge’. He knows that hunters are like sharks. If they smell blood, they go in for the kill. But with too many, they are piranhas. Without them the witches and packs would prosper though. Probably prosper a little bit too much. So Charles decided that a few hunters in the world wouldn’t hurt anyone. Too many would be dangerous.
After the witch trials, he began killing off a few hunter families. Slowly. Sometimes he didn’t even send his own vampires. Humans, opposed to other supernatural, were quite willing to do Charles’ bidding. As long as he offered enough money. So instead of using the hunters as his weapon, he began to establish himself amongst the humans. So they would become his blade. They were a lot more willing and never really cared why he wanted a place shot up. As long as he kept paying in gold. Charles established a nice front towards the human world in the form of ‘Aldane United Offices’. A fusion between banking, lobbying and legal. Aldana’s “immortal guidance since the 1800s” made sure they are a very established corporation these days. Charles remains on the background and spends quite a bit of time in Salem. Keeping a finger on all the pulses he can get.[/indent]

[color=9e0b0f][b]|[u] {Extra} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Anything else we need to know about said character? Make sure you've read the rules, too.[/indent]
[/hider]