Yes, Yes, Yes. The Infestation does not care about their diplomatic stance. They have no use for allies and, if they cannot be trusted anymore, some infested will allow themselves to get captured. Later on in prison/lab/ship, they break out and infest it too, continuing its spread. They could not care less for their temporary allies and may abandon them in the middle of battle and make believable excuses to prolong their "alliance". In addition, they may Infest important people in a nation and pretend like everything is fine while the infested person changes things in law/military/information in negative ways. Basically political sabotage.
That's a fast way to antagonize every other faction... It will turn your infestation into something hunted across the galaxy and shown little mercy. As for your infection being able to reach the higher-ups, I very much doubt any player will willingly just give up their key figures of their faction. It will be an uphill battle on all fronts.
@Sigma An Ashtari cult would certainly be a possibility as the Asrians (name of my faction, they're all humans though) see themselves as an Apprentice faction of the Ashtar. Though they generally don't crack down religion, most don't believe the Ashtar are gods (this is more on account of their own arrogance than believing the Ashtar were great enough to be gods). So a Sect certainly could have formed and all cultists from Asra (the home planet) would have at the very least some latent psionic powers (though it would generally have to be aided by technology to be viable).
However, if they chose to act during the Great War through terrorism inflicted upon any of the Crown Worlds (Asra, the homeworld) or Noble worlds (Worlds meant mostly for the advancement of culture and science), the sect would be hunted down. So any missionaries would be politely but firmly asked to leave.
Basically, a human faction that was JUST small enough to be crushed by the Ashtar. They have a substance on their homeworld that reacts with psionic powers. At first, they only had latent psionic powers and had to enhance them through technology. Though it did allow each person to control several drones in the field. The result is that almost their entire army and navy depends on psionics. So yeah, the Ashtar crushed them but after that they sort of got a bit of help with the psionics to even out the field. So long story short, they mix technology and psionics to give me an excuse to use magitech stuff.
However, quite obviously they are a minor belligerent faction so if anyone is interested in writing some shared history, hit me up!
Time 7:47 to 9:40 Location From a private jet to the Grand Hall Interaction with Beatrix de la Croix@GhostMami Seraphina was absentmindedly twirling red liquid in a crystal glass, sitting comfortably in the beige leather seat peering out into the night. She peered over the thick manila envelope, bearing the black wax seal of her father. It was of a peculiar design. For one it was square with lots of unmarked residue on all sides. It denoted a scroll at its vertical center. Flanked by a drop on its right and on the left, there was an intricate figure of a man holding a staff. This was Alexander’s personal seal. A seal that hasn’t been seen since 1902 when Alexander formally announced his retreat from the royal court and the vampiric world as a whole. A part of Seraphina wanted to tear open the envelope and spill out its content but her father’s orders were strict and he would not allow any deviation. A vampire of Seraphina’s age would’ve disregarded that command the second she was out of his sight but Seraphina knew better. No matter what she did, he would know. He always knew.
Instead, she was focusing on what knowledge her father did share with her. There was a meeting, a grand one. The king and queen had invited vampires from all families and some elders. He knew why though he preferred not to share it with her. It was a surprise after all. The only thing she had to worry about is the dossiers on all the vampires present. They were young but much older than her. She had to know them before she would land.
And know she did. She had begun with her own house: Tepes. There was Kasania, Niklaus and Valerian. Kasania was growing in her role as Tepes Princess. She was beautiful and successful. Like Seraphina, she worked with humans, though Kasania worked with police. To Sera, humans were humans. No matter if they wore blue or nothing at all. Sadly Kasania has been successful in stalling her marriage. Then there was Niklaus. An odd one out. While all children often have strained relationships with their parents, Niklaus had earned particular scorn from his mother. Finally, there was Valerian who, like his sister, had grown well into the role of Tepes Prince. The file lacked it but Seraphina remembered her father helping with a certain indiscretion. She wasn’t privy to many details: only that it concerned a woman.
Then there were the Artois girls. Both of them were exceptionally young. Younger than Sera even. Which meant they were easily manipulatable. Amelia, the heir, was as wild and free-thinking as an Artois ought to be. Though her continuing, public effort to make human and vampire-kind into equals was beginning to somewhat annoy the Tepes elder. The youngest of the two, Irene, was not a direct heir. Furthermore, she appeared to be quite a sheltered girl. Her dossier, compiled by a handful of quite capable PIs couldn’t find much on her.
Where Tepes and Artois had just a few flaws, Zeno was plagued by failure. Failure taking shape in Octavius, Tessa, and Dominic. Though it would appear there were vastly different reasons. Octavius was as charming as he was insufferable. A man that you could hate and love at the same time. Though there was a certain lack of grace in him. Tessa, for her part, wasn’t so bad. Greedy for knowledge but not much else. Seraphina despised her, even though she never met the woman. She despised the utter lack of hunger. Here was someone who always had what she wanted. Finally, there was Doctor Dominic Wells. Though the file made it quickly clear that he was very much a Zeno. While the first two were simply bored or graceless, he had utterly rejected everything Zeno stands for. Now he worked as a doctor of some clinic treating anything and anyone. Seraphina supposed it was meant to be honorable but she failed to see the point. Those that visited a clinic like his would wash up there again and again. Amounting to nothing at all. Why spend resources on them?
Now that she had memorized the dossiers by heart, she took her time to relax a little and see the stars as she flew through the night.
She arrived amid everyone else. Seraphina very much knew she wasn’t a vampire of note. Only her heritage might earn her some importance. That or her job. Outside she could hear the faint callings of her blackbirds. Enjoying the skies once more. The swirled around the grand hall. The walls were nigh non-existent, giving the birds a clear view inside it all. Eventually, they flew inside and settled high up in the rafters of the roof. Observing the gathering. Seraphina, for her part, took place far in a corner as she held the manila envelope close to her.
After the king’s speech, she felt stumped and surprised. To witness the creation of a new house, it felt like you could live a whole life, a vampiric one, without ever hearing of such a thing. Yet here she was. In watching it all unfold, standing on the sidelines. Hastily she opened the envelope of her father. Inside there was a long letter, explaining his intentions and her own powers. She was to represent him in this whole ordeal. Inside there was also a few letters. Yet, per his direct written orders, only one was to be sent as fast as possible. Seraphina took a particular letter and read the name: Mrs. Beatrix de la Croix. Written in gorgeous calligraphy with golden ink. Sealed by Alexander’s personal seal on jet black wax. Seraphina was shocked. She had seen the file of this vampire yet assumed her to be unimportant. A setback. Huginn came down from the rafters as Seraphina held the envelope up. The raven took it in his claws and flew upwards again until he neared Beatrix’s chair and came down quickly. Yet he gracefully landed right next to her plate and delivered the letter before he took towards the rafters again.
Dear Mrs. Beatrix de la Croix
First of all, I wish to offer my sincerest apologies for not attending the grand meeting myself. Humanity has grown at an ever rapid pace. Therefore I am forced to attending to certain urgent matters first. In my stead comes a most trusted emissary: Seraphina Aghrem. She speaks with my voice and has been informed and instructed with my wishes. I would ask you to refrain from making assumptions at this time. She might appear young but she is quite capable.
Now, for the matter at hand. You will have learned of our kind king’s plan to raise a new house. It is a most admirable goal. Though I suspect this does not weaken your role as guardian over the youngest Artois generation. It is concerning them that I would discuss certain subjects. I would invite you to tea with my envoy at 10:30 a.m. in the northernmost parlor of the main building. I have been assured that this location is well away from the main halls. You will be expected.
Once more I wish to offer my sincerest apologies for my nonappearance. Though I am sure that once you have returned to the city of New York we may meet in person once again.
Until then I simply offer my sincerest regards An Old Acquaintance
...and the Father
Time 7:04 to 8:32 Location New York City - Saint Paul's Churchyard to Central Park Interaction with Khione Crusch@Hoekage Central Manhatten was a busy place. People moved like blood in a body. Packed together and always in a hurry to be someplace. There were a few places where they calmed down enough. Saint Paul’s Churchyard was one such place. A place where even Americans grew solemn. Alexander was always amazed by that ability as he entered the little yard. Ancient gravestones filled place haphazardly. Most of the names were weathered off. Few people walked the small, winding path. Alexander slowly approached an unremarkable grave near one of the few trees. The roots had recently been cut, as per his request joining the rather substantial donation. All done anonymously of course. He didn’t carry flowers. Instead, he placed a single, pitch black pebble on top of it and touched the grave for a moment as he closed his eyes. It was good to be back.
Minutes later he stepped out of the graveyard. His pocket was empty. All his small, little pebbles spread across most of the state of New York, on top of weathered graves, remote mountain tops and large, green meadows. With his duty to the dead completed, he proceeded towards Central Park. Where a most unfortunate amount of business was awaiting him.
Central Park was extremely different from Saint Paul’s. It was sprawling but painfully artificial. It chaffed against Alexander, who watched the boulders with disgust. Humanity was a terrible architect of nature, he concluded rather quickly. He followed the painfully pronounced paths towards the scene of the crime he was tipped off from. He reached the police line just in time to see the corpses being put in bags. His vampiric sight gave him greater details from this distance no human could hope to level. No matter how keen their eyesight was. The girl had a rather ungraceful wound in her neck. The weapon certainly wasn’t a blade or anything thin. The scene a bit further was even more gruesome. Burned flesh holding what appeared to have been his guts. A gruesome death to be sure. Though while everyone around him was both disgusted and morbidly curious, he couldn’t care to show anything. Instead, he examined the broken trees and bark. A pity. Trees were so much more valuable than humans. Alexander felt more kinship with those immortal wooden beings than with the walking blood bags.
As Alexander was examining the bodies, some post arrived at The Loft. There was a registered letter for Miss Khione Lee Crusch. Her full name was written in gorgeous calligraphic font with golden ink. The letter itself was sealed with pitch black wax bearing the Tepes family seal.
Inside there was a letter made from expensive, thick parchment paper. It was once again written in gorgeous, time-consuming calligraphy but this time with scarlet red ink.
Dear miss Crusch
It is to my understanding that you are the New York Police Department’s liaison agent of the Order of Genesis. Since the revelation of my kind under our current King, I find it only polite that I introduce myself. As to prevent any future misunderstandings. Therefore I am inviting you for tea at a café named Comfort at 2 p.m. today. An associate assured me of their superb selection of pastries. I will be expecting you.
Sincerely Alexander of House Tepes
Below it was signed, not with a normal signature though. It was a deep red thumbprint. Unmistakingly made from blood.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ Location | Misfits' RV, outside Barstow, California (130 miles from Santa Monica) Interacting with | AJ @TootsiePop, Emilia @NeoAC, Yessi @Hoekage ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
"I can't... I don't want this hurt, Matt. I don't want it... Make it go away..."
His heart was rend now. There was an actual, physical pain in his chest. As if his very body was in anguish over the pain Emilia had. Her wails cut straight through his soul. It summoned the memories he was cursed with. Locker room banter, alcohol-induced confessions and the lies he saw. Then the juggling between him, Brandon and AJ in an attempt to save everyone involved in some way. Worst of all, he was all alone in it. He cast his eyes to the ground, in hidden shame. How did it get so bad? Why did he let it get this bad? He swallowed deeply.
Kim arrived and all shame that was ready to pierce his mask vaporized. It would appear the girl’s touch calmed Emilia down somewhat. A moment later a black girl showed up. Now the first girl didn’t particularly engage him but that was to be expected. He was probably a stranger from school to her. But the black girl was far fiercer and Matt did not like her tone. He never looked up at her. Not even when she asked for the chocolate bar. It wasn’t hers.
But Emilia’s words kept bouncing in his head. ‘Make it go away’. With his free hand he went into the pocket of his leather jacket. Inside he felt for the little plastic bag. He rolled the plastic wrapping the tiny, crystalline shape in between his fingers. A solution, if only a temporary one. But he could still see the red streaks on her cheeks. The pain she held was evident. She needed this more than he would ever. So he took it out, hidden between his palm and another bar he kept in reserve. With a quick sleight of hand he pushed both bars, hiding the little baggie under them, into Emilia’s hand. No doubt she would feel the little nub pressing against her palm.
“Here, one for you to share with your friend.” Matt said with a weak, pitiful smile. “And one for you as well. It should make you happy.” He was referring more towards the little crystal than the bar, though her friends couldn’t know that. Matt got up then. There was nothing more he could do but Emilia looked like she was in good hands: between two of her friends. He turned around but he knew something remained unsaid so he turned back: “You’ve always been too good for him.”
He took a few steps away from the whole ordeal and pulled out a cigarette. He felt exhausted as a trembling hand lit the tobacco. The smoke, working like incense, calmed his mind. Though he knew what he really needed. A bottle or a fight. Something to make him forget it all for just a moment. A good party would do the job as well.
His state of calm quickly vanished though, when the shouting match began. He turned around and saw something that made him feel just a little better: AJ yelling at Val. And soon after, Val yelling back at AJ. Her tirade was far longer than his. Though he did return in kind. Matt cracked a small smile. Few things felt as good and sweet than hearing how hurt your enemies are. This wasn’t a standard issue AJ Tyler outburst. This was full blown, seethed anger. Stuff that had been brimming under the surface for longer than just five minutes. And then the bombshell. Nate. Yes, this did make him happy.
Matt knows what a fogged brain looks like. It’s a red face. A shocked, frozen stance. He knew what was about to happen. Every fiber in his body told him to move in. To help his friend. Like he’d always do. He took a step towards them. But there was a little voice in his head that stopped him in his tracks. He was well aware of AJ and Val’s relationship. He had hated it for months. Now he just saw it breaking apart. Both of them were far too bullheaded to ever apologize. This would be the end of their friendship. So why intervene? Instead of moving in to get Val off AJ, Matt just waited. Taking another drag from his cig as another Misfit pulled her off of him. Yessi helped up AJ.
“I think we better leave.” He said to AJ and Yessi, not even caring that he should be ignoring her. That didn’t matter right now. “There’s nothing we can do about that RV. They can call a tow truck.”
Amelia is very much a poster child of the Artois family. She is imbued with some of their greatest traits. Ever since she was a little girl she had that artistic twist that made her finger-paint on the walls in her room. She hates dull things and often tries to beautify everything around her. Be it by decorating a room or make a dress specifically for a friend. It is to no-one’s surprise then that Amelia can be quite vain. As hard as she works to make things beautiful, she spends equal amounts of time reveling in it. A full sized mirror is never far away from her and unlike most she has no trouble with the many photographers trailing her. Still, she is exceptionally caring about both vampire and man kind alike. She is most known for her fundraisers and her volunteer work in some of the poorest regions of the world (and even there she may not look like a goddess in a dress but she still looks very stylish). Sadly or luckily, depending on who you are, Amelia has not suffered many betrayals in her life. She has always surrounded her by people she trusts. This makes it incredibly easy to lie to her. Don’t confuse her with a bored rich girl that made helping just a hobby. Amelia is an incredibly passionate person. Combined with her good heart it makes her in (an almost insufferable) optimist. This, combined with her fierce stubbornness makes it impossible for her to take a no.
Aspirations
What Amelia wants the most is to take vampirism from its shady corners and show it off to the world. Since the start of history, vampires clung to the shadows and the dark of night. Even now, in modern times and with vampirism itself being common knowledge, they still cling to their shady alleyways and underground bars. Humans are equally frightened of vampires and everything they entail. Therefor Amelia aspires to bring the two together by showing off the boons and advantages of vampirism. In the end, she wants humans and vampires to co-exist peaceful next to each other without fear.
Skill Set
Multilangual - Amelia can fluently speak French, Italian, German and English. She's currently studying Spanish and Russian as well. She can also read Latin though she'll never claim she can speak it.
Creativity - Like most from the Artois family, Amelia quite creative. However, she takes it to a new level and actually makes a living from it now. She's constantly looking around to make anything more thematic and beautiful. From jewels that will last generations to party decoration, Amelia can give anything that little bit more.
Celebrity - There are a lot of problems that come with fame but at the same time, there are a lot of advantages as well. Amelia knows a lot of various people. From white-hat hackers to make-up artists, she got everyone's number. It also makes her very adept at handling the press in general (especially the gossip journalists).
Organizer - Amelia is no stranger to the world of event planning. Be it a wild college party or an invite-only fundraiser. From the location to the catering, Amelia always makes sure the whole event is the stuff of memories.
Fears
Amelia is dead afraid of spiders. She can handle small ones but if they are just a little too big she'll literally jump on her chair and scream for someone to get the spider out (but don't kill it!). Also, she's very anxious about the dark. She doesn't like it at all. While it won't shut her down completely, she'll try to do anything to get a light source.
Her deepest fear though is that humanity or vampirism rejects her ideas and thus he whole goal in life is destroyed. She already faced some serious hate from humanity's most fearful. While she often claims that gossip columns don't bother her, deep down she's afraid that kind of things will eventually tear her whole project down. And while most vampires of her family had no quarrels with her fashion brand, she hasn't really received a resounding amount of support from her own kin either.
History:
The tale of Amelia is not a long one yet. Even by human standards, she is perceived as quite young. Born quite late from her parents, Amelia grew up in a mostly modern world we know today. It also meant that she grew up with humans knowing who, and more importantly, what she was. At first, she was homeschooled. The Vampire King might have revealed vampirism to humanity but that did not mean they were all so accepting of them. Yet as the years passed on, Amelia could not be contained in the Artois ancestral home. No matter how big it was. She often managed to weasel her way towards her much older brothers. She loved the funeral home yet always felt weird around the dead. To her, they just looked like they were sleeping. One time she even slapped a corpse in an attempt to wake it up.
Realizing Amelia needed freedom more than anything now, her parents allowed her to go to a human high school. Seraphina High School was an artistic academy that since 1975 welcomed vampires as well. It was the best place for someone like Amelia to be. Surrounded by open minded humans and vampires alike, all working on their muses and passions. Amelia picked up any class she could. Dancing, painting, poems, history, everything! Those four years, for her, passed like a whirlwind and before she knew it, she was off to college and where else could she go but Milan? She thought those were some of the best years of her life. As an Artois she had an aptitude for hosting parties and ragers. Those were the moments she was most carefree. It was also the time where she met the most people she really shouldn't have met.
Yet after she graduated all that changed. The moment she left school she felt empty. She painted and danced on her own yet it never seemed to fill that void. Amelia knew she didn’t want to work for a company. She wouldn’t just surrender her freedom. It took a year until it changed, when during an Artois hosted fashion show one of the models fell sick right before she had to walk up the catwalk. In a stroke of bravery Amelia jumped up and said she would fall in (the show was never really in danger as there were back-up models. Amelia did not know this at the time yet what catwalk manager would dare deny an Artois girl her moment in the spotlight?) Luckily for everyone involved she absolutely crushed it on the catwalk. The sudden appearance of an unknown beauty demanded a great amount of attention from the photographers. Even more so when it was revealed that she was an Artois. The next couple of weeks her phone was flooded by model agencies and fashion brands. As she began to work as a freelance model she began to notice one thing: aside from the occasional Artois, most of the fashion world was still dominated by humans. As a young, naïve girl of 25 she set forth to change that.
She founded Sanguine, a fashion brand entirely designed by vampires. Amongst the rich socialites in the US, as well as the old money heiresses in Europe the brand, struck like lightning. Sales exploded even more with every zealot preaching against it. The brand got an air of stylish united between men and vampires. At the top, Amelia never lost the reins no matter how much they burned her hands. For years she worked day in, day out. With pure passion none the less. At 30 she hired more assistants. Mostly for the administrative side as she was getting sick and tired of that. While still CEO, she is mostly acting as creative director these days. Making more room on her agenda for her occasional months of voluntary work or fundraiser evenings.
Now that she finally had time she thought it was only propper of her to visit her brothers at Mordecai’s. With cherished memories she knocked on the door, only to be answered by a girl, about 15 in age. She was shocked! Her brothers had a kid and they didn’t tell her about her!? She pestered Sebastian for hours that day until he broke and admitted Victor and he adopted a child. From that day forward she got infatuated with little Pandora. She showered the girl with gifts and magazines (often with Amelia on the cover). When it turned out the girl had an aptitude for photography, Amelia begged Victor to let her take her to Milan for a photoshoot. Victor refused so Amelia did what she always did when she got a no. She turned it into a yes of action. Pandora didn’t need that much convincing to sneak away at night and Amelia was fairly sure Sebastian wasn’t really asleep on the couch (though he never admitted otherwise). Yet when the two girls landed in Milano Airport, Victor stood there. Waiting for them to get past security. Pandora was sent back home on his private jet. Much to the protest of Amelia.
Alexander Tepes
No used nickname <> Unknown age <> Pureblood Male <> Bisexual <> Uninterested <> Tepes Elder
Alexander is old. Very old and his personality very much reflects that. He is tempered in his response and rarely if ever lashes out with vitriol or hate. Never the less he is not, what many would call, a good person. Through the ages he learned how to influence and manipulate those around him. A whisper here, a “lost” letter there and a careful suggestion during tea can be enough to tear families apart. He does it all without a thought saved about the morality of his actions. Sometimes he goes beyond mere words, written or spoken. Some people befall accidents that are most fortunate for his goals. It would appear that he does not often save a thought for those about to die. Yet at the same time, he is known for laying flowers on certain fresh graves. His enemies suffer worse fates though. To them, he is as merciless as the sea. As inevitable as the cold, frozen winter. A relentless force of pain and suffering. Throughout his life, Alexander learned how to utterly undo someone. Both mentally and physically. While it is not easy to be significant enough to become his enemy, it might reveal the most living part inside of him.
From all this many assume (almost rightfully so) that Alexander is evil and soulless. Even those of his own Family would claim so. Such claims might hold an inkling of truth but they are shortsighted. For Alexander is nothing if not loyal to the Tepes blood. He would kill and more importantly, he would lay down his weapons (be they quill or sword) to protect the family and its many generations. Even if younglings do not see the inevitable good he brings them. They often ignore his venerable council in favor of their more arrogant thoughts. Alexander knows this. He understands. Arrogance is the right of youth. But wisdom is the right of age. Everything that happened, he already experienced. Every pain felt he knows to its essence. Very few things still surprise him but this makes him the perfect advisor. Yet despite his old age, he is not to be confused with a conservative. Even though he holds traditions like duty high, he has no quarrels with technology or the new, freer age.
Aspirations
Alexander is quite clear in his impersonal aspirations. He wants to see House Tepes thrive and grow. In fact he wants vampirism itself to grow and rule. Some might say that his desire for vampires on thrones is bordering on dangerous and even anti-human. That would not be too far off from the truth. Secretly Alexander desires a recreation of the lost vampiric paradise. A place where his kin rule and humans are but laboring cattle. And yet his aspirations run deeper. Alexander is someone who has seen it all. He saw empire rise and fall. He saw rebellions topple the throne or get crushed in the streets. He saw wars raging, peace forged and love made. But there are things deep inside the blood. Mysteries and secrets that were known to the most ancient of his kin. Power and surprises beyond anything Alexander has known before. Ultimately he aspires to reach these hidden powers.
Skill Set
Hyperpolyglot - Through the ages, Alexander has learned his fair share of languages. He is known to speak: English, French, German, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, (Vedic) Sanskrit, elder and younger futhark, and Phoenician. Furthermore, while he doesn't speak certain languages, he has been able to read several long-dead languages like Mayan and Nahuatl.
Puppetmaster - Alexander is not fond of getting his hands dirty. Instead, he is far more subtle in his actions. Through whispers and glimpses, he manipulates the surroundings of his target. For him, every action, every choice, has a calculatable outcome. Something he prepares for. Like a spider, he weaves his web around his victims. The more they trash, the harder they entangle themselves.
Praefator Occultus - The blood hides many things. Most vampires have forgotten the ways. These days they merely assume their prowess and immortality stems from a physiological process. Alexander believes this untrue. He has delved deep within ancient lore and dangerous ruins to uncover even mere scraps of lost knowledge. These days he is almost the only one who knows of the ancient, lost lore and the power hidden within.
Weaknesses
Alexander might be ageless, ancient, cunning, powerful and elusive but he is not unbound. Should elders be left alone to roam and rule, no vampire king would ever have felt at ease. So, like the few other elders still lucid, Alexander is sworn and bound to Dmitri. While he might still enjoy a level of autonomy, ancient vampiric laws demand fealty when Dmitri demands it and obedience to the more modern laws vampires may burden themselves with.
Fears
Death. Alexander fears an end above all. With no answer of what lies beyond, why risk it? Still, he knows he has cheated death more than once. He continues to cheat it every year.
Insanity is a close second. Immortality is as much a curse as it is a blessing. Many elders find themsleves in a world they perceive as empty. Where they have seen it all. Tasted all. Done all. Loved ones die, homes are razed to the ground and everything they once knew as certain is destroyed by time. Again and again and again. The curse of elders is that they have nothing in this world to tether themselves to. The result is often insanity and exile. Alexander has heard the sweet siren call of oblivion for longer than most now and he fights it every day. Though he fears that someday he may lose that battle.
Finally, he fears the damnation of his own family. A fate now brought to the forefront with the destruction of House Drakuli. Tepes may not fall and he will do everything to protect it. From enemies without as within. The time of patience is over. Tepes must survive.
History:
Most of Alexander’s history is unknown and even lost. The elder himself can hardly differentiate what is true and fact about his youth and what his imagination created to fill the holes. Though there are points of higher lucidity. During the 14th century, he was part of the “loge de la fleche d’argent”. A hidden lodge comprised of male vampires sworn to hunt down and destroy any and all werewolves. Alexander himself was no warrior though he funded and supported the hunters any way he could. Many meetings were organized in one of his many mansions. Due to various circumstances, the lodge was not extremely successful in their mission at their start. Though after several retaliatory attacks from the werewolves, it would appear a mysterious hunter became exceptionally skilled in culling the local lycan population. The identity of this killer still eludes Alexander.
What most know about Alexander is that he is one of the many Tepes elders. Most will only remember hearing about his disappearance from the global, vampiric society at the end of the 19th century. Many would rightfully assume that he finally succumbed to his own age and chose to go into hibernation. A century later this assumption was quickly debunked when he answered his new king’s call to help with a matter of one of the princelings. Furthermore, it was revealed that the world-famous producer of blood wine was in fact owned by the Tepes elder. Dmitri's issue was dealt with but Alexander chose to stay in the shadows. Only in 2020 did he make his official return.
Obtulerit Sanguinem Mansion near Florence
In these modern times, the blood vampires take are often farmed from regular humans looking for a quick and easy source of money. Fragrances and artificial tastes are added to deepen the taste and then the blood is bottled for consumption. It allows feeding the masses of vampires in a fairly sustainable way without needless bloodshed (in most of the times). Though for elders like Alexander, it leaves much to be desired.
Ever since the revelation towards the human race, Alexander has been working behind the scenes to create Obtulerit Sanguinem. A conceptional blood wine brand that reverses the normal production of wine. The first Obtulerit Sanguinem mansion is situated near Vienna. One of Europe’s many cultural hearts. The mansion is expansive but hidden from peering eyes by hedges and walls. The place is more like a complex than a singular building. A complex protected by guards who check everyone at the two entrances. Young humans, often students of the local university, may apply to stay at the mansion. Applicants are thoroughly vetted. Certain objective requirements must be met like intelligence, weight, height and even ancestry. Though every Mansion Lord (a vampire in service of Alexander) often has their own subjective list of demands as well. Once chosen an applicant is allowed to stay at the mansion. However, they are to subject themselves to a finely tuned regime of diets and exercises. Everything is regulated. What they eat, when they eat, where they eat. What sports they practice (most mansions boast a vast array of facilities), what parties they may attend, what beverages (alcoholic or otherwise) they may consume and even who they chose as a partner. They must also voluntarily subject themselves to a blood extraction once every three weeks. In return for respecting these harsh rules, the subject’s lodging at the mansion is free. As is their food and drinks. They are also allowed to attend any classes at the local university (though often times there is a curfew). Every attendant gets a monthly “wage” and at the end of their stay, they often get a massive bonus. Lastly and more importantly, a temporary mark (one that lasts for 3 months) is applied upon the subjects showing they are under the protection of the Tepes elder. Meaning no vampire is allowed to feed on them.
The result of their highly controlled lives is the exceptional taste of Obtulerit Sanguinem. The flavor is deeply ingrained in the blood itself. Subtle hints of their surroundings are hidden deep within. Obtulerit Sanguinem is most certainly not the cheapest blood beverage a vampire may taste but it delivers an exceptional experience for those that can appreciate the many different layers. So it is no surprise that Obtulerit Sanguinem has swiftly but quietly become a world-class, premium class blood wine. Especially amongst the higher, older societies of vampires. These days Obtulerit Sanguinem has complexes near the following cities: Vienna (Austria), Florence (Italy), Valencia (Spain), Uppsala (Sweden). Most recently, after the return of Alexander to the political stage, Obtulerit Sanguinem has created a mansion near Los Angeles. A more research focused mansion has also been established on the Bahamas.
Seraphina Aghrem
Sera<> 2215/11/1799 <> Pureblood Female <> Bisexual <> Nobody <> Right hand of Alexander
{FC: Elizabeth Gillies \\ DC: a187be}
Occupation
Managing Director of Obtulerit Sanguinem & Right Hand of Alexander
Seraphina is a lot like her father. Like him, she appears haughty and aloof. As if nothing and nobody is actually worth of her time and that she must, at all times, wade through the dredges before her. Like him, she can be cruel, though unlike him she might actually be reveling in said cruelty. But there is where the similarities do end. Unlike Alexander, she does not serve the Tepes line with blind loyalty. They have used and then hunted her for too long in her eyes. Nor can she claim Alexander’s wisdom as she is by far not old enough.
Instead, Seraphina is a fiery temptress. Where her father is cold and calculating she is passionate. A large fire burns in her heart. While her wrath might be terrible it is often short-lived. Though when it comes to duty, she is diligent and conscientious. Not a stone is left unturned, not a task unfinished. When she sets herself to a goal nothing and nobody can stop her. She will not accept failure. Only temporary setbacks. Many would applaud such a persevering daughter and rightly so but this habit of never accepting defeat has brought her down a dark path before. One where, eventually, she might self-destruct in an almost spectacular matter.
Aspirations
She lives to serve her father. She knows this and aspires to deliver greatness at his feet. To do his every bidding but she is also a woman with her own hopes and dreams. Like her father, she believes vampirism in this age has been in decline and just like him she believes they should be brought to glory once more. She truly believes she can and will make a better world for vampires.
And many will never know better. For she is not just an extension of her father’s arm. She alive. Breathing, living and with her own desires which she keeps deep inside her heart. For her whole life she had been living under the shadow of her father in some way or the other. Deep down she wants to step out of that shadow. Deep down she wants to surpass him. Seraphina is no fool though. She knows those very thoughts could cost her life so for now she keeps such thoughts hidden away from the world. Even from herself.
Skill Set
Blackbird mistress – Perhaps a gift from her father or is it a testament to her own knowledge of the esoteric? It doesn’t matter. Ravens and crows appear to flock towards her. In fact, she holds two raven as pets: Huginn and Muninn. Only the king, his queen, and Alexander know that her connection to these blackbirds is stronger than most would assume. She can silently communicate with these creatures, making them dangerously good spies.
Multilingual – Alexander insists that she knows her languages. So far she can speak English, French and German. She can read Latin but unlike her father she cannot natively speak it.
Sanguinoculture master - A skill only elder vampires can appreciate. her palate has refined the point where she can pinpoint a source of blood's home country and regular diet. For her young age she is exceptionally gifted in this art form. It allows her to pick the right humans and create the right diets for them to produce exquisite bloodwine. Her father's brand would not have gained its prominence without her skill. Today she's spearheading Sanguinoculture's growth in the area of genetics.
Artist - While no Picasso or Van Gogh, Seraphina is not incapable with a brush. There are few moments where Seraphina is totally honest with herself but painting is one of them. Often times she uses the canvas as a mirror of how she truly feels. It's a rare moment where she's also very honest with herself. Her recent paintings have featured herself with a crown. When she finishes, she'll sneak it outside and light a fire with it. Making sure everything is turned to ashes. The only existing proof of her art is a black book that is never far away from her, placed within a lightweight but firmly locked case of which she carries the key around her neck.
Human manipulator - Even though she is able to compel humans to a degree, her father insisted that she learned to manipulate them without any of her supernatural abilities. She has gotten a lot of practice as she often interviewed potential candidates for Obtulerit Sanguinem. Her expertise lies with younger people. She has no problem with those at all. Older people, especially women, seem unwilling to be twirled around her finger. As for vampires, she has very little experience with them.
Fighter – Her father has insisted that she learned many skills. But to fight was not one of them. In fact he fiercely opposed the very idea that she would learn how to handle weapons, leave alone learn how to use her fists. Still, she learned and trained. For now he begrudgingly allows it. She is by no means a professional fighter nor does she aspire to be. Instead, she simply wants to protect herself when the time should come. Other than that she loves blowing off steam.
Fears
There are the usual fears. Death, humiliation. An obvious, great fear of her is the fear of failing. In her eyes she has never failed. At worst she has had temporary setbacks but defeat was not something she has ever accepted. Though Alexander demanded this level of utter defiance towards failure he also taught her that it is inevitable. One is merely staving it off like a human runs from a death. So she knows it will come. Someday.
But the worst fear she has is the fear for her father whom she so desperately loves. She fears falling out of favor with him. She fears his disappointment. Her deepest fear is his hatred because she knows he can hate her. Her own father could destroy her if he had to. That was never a secret but she fears it every night.
History:
Could it be? Did the great, frigid, cold Alexander once know love? Every year a few more people who know the answer slip from life one way or another. The first was Seraphina’s mother. Despite a vampire’s enhanced physique, she died during childbirth. Alexander wasn’t present. Though Seraphina was, in the earliest years of her life, told extensively about him by the Tepes patriarch of the time. Because of the circumstances of her birth, she could not claim her father's name. Instead, she was forced to take the name of her mother. She was taught the values of House Tepes: Duty, Honor, Tradition. If not found charming some noble (human, vampire or whatever in between) she was in the library, reading more than most girls in her age would. Still, as a young adult, she began to miss her father she never knew. She came to revere the person she was told he was. She thought that through complete devotion to the Tepes House, she would become worthy in his eyes. Maybe someday he would come to visit her.
So the miserable years of subservience began. Though every night she remembered her father’s name and went to sleep. This lasted years, even a decade. Until finally her faith cracked. She ran into the shadows. Not a Tepes soul knew where she was. Seraphina had begun a killing spree through Europe. She visited great cities like Paris, Berlin, and Brussels where she leeched off gullible suitors. Leaving a trail of corpses in her wake. Though none could say she wasn’t crafty. The hunters nor witches could ever kill her and not for a lack of trying. Still, it didn’t satisfy her. With every person she killed she filled up some hole for a week perhaps. The hunt exhilarated her, making her heart beat as she felt more alive than ever. But when all that passed she could feel the pit in her heart.
After two decades of slaughter, fleeing and crying she finally had enough and climbed the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Ready to jump to her death in the Arno below. A gentle hand stopped her and whipped away her tears. The stranger embraced as only a father could. Her sorrow had washed away. She vanished for thirty years. Her return was not a great one though. She simply resurfaced when vampirism came into the light midway the 20th century. Through private funding of an unknown source, she managed to build one of the most successful bloodwine producers of the world.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ Location | Misfits' RV, outside Barstow, California (130 miles from Santa Monica) Interacting with | AJ @TootsiePop, Aleks @Plank Sinatra, Monica @CosmicComet, The Crazy Bitch @Dirty Pretty Lies, Emilia @NeoAC ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
Matt did not feel particularly inclined to follow AJ in his antics. He had no need to swerve and weave between the cars like his hotheaded friend. For him it was all about the sensation. The rumble of the engine, the vibrations of the car, the hot sun pouring down upon him and the wild wind. He was alone in his car and he was very happy about that. He loved Mandy and that’s why he knew she was better off in AJ’s car. Matt was more someone you talk to when you and him both had that one drink too much. Not too much that it makes you drunk but that one drink that pushes you that little bit further than you thought you’d go on the night. Right now though, Matt mostly wanted to be alone while he listened to Gwen’s music.
If you fuck in every area code, I expect to hear about it.
He snorted. It felt like a challenge. Something to do along the way. A little project for the summer. “Very well, Gwen.” He muttered. Yeah, it was to himself but what else was he supposed to do? Be mute the entire car trip? No, that wouldn’t do. In the distance, his eyes kept track of everyone’s vehicle. He could see Aleks’ car driven as only Aleks could. Monica was off speeding on her bike. Fast and agile but to Matt she was one of the best bikers he knew. Then there was AJ in the distance. Reckless as ever. Until it was a little too reckless. Matt saw the flash of yellow that was AJ’s car overtake a slow RV, the RV jerked off the road. Then there was just dust. Matt slowed down.
Luckily the yellow sports car of AJ came back into view. Not a scratch. Matt let out a sigh. The tension he didn’t know he was holding vanished from his body. Nothing bad happened. Well no, nothing bad happened to his friends. Frankly, he couldn’t particularly care about the RV. It wasn’t toppled or burning. AJ thought it was worth checking out though. So did Aleks apparently. So Matt slowed down enough to get ready to park near his friends.
The last thing he could see was AJ approaching the camper and someone inside getting out of it. Nothing bad seemed to happen. So Matt parked his car in front of Aleks’ car. When he got out things were getting out of hand fast. Was that Sami? It didn’t matter. Matt didn’t know the dude so he didn’t care for him. He did care for AJ and it looked like they were about to square off. Matt was many things but when the rings were off and the fists were out he stands right behind his friends. Ready to throw down if needed. So he made his way to the scene. Only to see The Crazy Bitch get out of the RV. He stopped next to Aleks’ car as he watched the scene unfold. Then the hug came. Yet anyone who saw Matt’s face could tell it looked sour. Like things just have gotten ten times worse. For Matt, that was an understatement. He took a long drag of his cigarette. The sort of drag you take with your eyes closed. The embers were visibly consuming the white paper and the tobacco inside. Half-way burned he tossed it aside.
He would be calm, yes. Calm. Calm and utterly ignoring the worst possible ‘human’ being on this planet. Aleks was nudging the RV with his toe. As to see what was wrong with it. Matt knew though. Coolant got busted probably. An easy fix. “That’s busted, man. Nothing we can do about it!” He said rather loud towards the Russian and Monica as walked towards AJ. He would have to convince him to leave. Matt didn't want to be around the misfits for longer than necessary and to him, the necessary time had long since passed.
Then Emilia, dazed and stumbling, made her way out of the RV. Matt froze to the ground. His eyes wide and all blood drained from his body. To the point that he could feel a little chill running through his spine. Of all people, of all misfits, she had to be on that RV. When she collapsed he woke up from his own shocked state. Shit, things were even worse. A part of his brain told him to run. To get out of there. He almost took a step backward until he saw her mannerism change. She began to cry.
Matt had enough. Suddenly everything changed. As resolute as ever he went up to her and set down in front of her. “Hey, you’re okay. That wasn’t such a big crash. You’re still in one piece.” Her sobs were tearing apart his chest. How much did she know? Had anyone told her about the other stuff? He wasn’t sure what was crueler. Her not knowing or someone telling her. “Want a chocolate bar?”