Emerge: The Scholar: A Fully Illustrated Character Journal
Page 4
AGE: 2,126
BIRTHDATE: Sometime in 110 BCE
BIRTH STATUS: Unknown origin, not even Greyson knows the circumstances of his birth. He never bonded with a mother or father figure.
COMPLEMENT: Isabeau Delgado, bonded since 1340
CURRENT LOCATION: Cleveland, Ohio
APPEARANCE:
EYE COLOR: Jade green
HEIGHT: 6’0”
HAIR COLOR: Dirty blond
ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: German origins, but he has spent much of his life in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
OCCUPATIONS: Greyson is an Art history professor at Cleveland Institute of Art, and Music history professor at Cleveland Institute of Music. Also works closely with Greggory McBrien at the Cleveland Museum of Art. He holds a Lieutenant Governor position under Gregg and Naeemah. He works closely with George Uruk, policing the Immortal population of the Great Lakes Region.
HISTORICAL BIO: What a tragic life. During the gladiatorial age of Rome, Greyson was known as Gannicus of the arena. A slave to mortal men. For years, fighting to the death was all he knew. Then finally, after a lifetime alone, never sharing a family bond with anyone, Greyson met his Complement, Isabeau Delgado, a Portuguese Princess. Her father despised him, but even he could not deny the two belonged together. They had only five years together before Isabeau was taken captive of the Coalition.
In the coming years, Greyson was manipulated with her wellbeing to do whatever the Coalition wanted of him. His gift was in high demand among those of the Margrave and to keep them both alive, he had to work for their agenda. He was assigned to Commander Alrick Huber and by the time Emma joined them, Greyson had struck a deal with Alrick. He would work until Alrick grew too old and then Greyson and Isabeau would be set free. After Alrick retired from his active duty and was promoted to a seat on the Margrave council, he did not keep his promise. Greyson managed to escape and fled to America. To this day, Isabeau is still captive of the Coalition and Greyson is one of the Margrave's most wanted.
CURRENT BIO: He has managed to establish a life he is happy with in Cleveland, raising his daughter, Naomi alone. He’s never stopped looking for his wife or offering himself up as trade for her release, but he’s not been able to strike a satisfactory deal with the Coalition. He is stuck living a half-life without the Complement he knew only for a short while.
ABILITIES: Greyson can sense the gifts of others. It is a gift he has little control over. He sees what he sees, which is a very dangerous gift to have. He only shares this information with those he trusts. Few know the full extent of his gift.
WEAPONS: Jian sword or a Katana blade.
TALENTS/SKILLS: He is a skilled artist and musician.
KNOWN ALIASES: Gannicus of the Gladiatorial age of ancient Rome. Also spent a great deal of time in Italy during the Renaissance and was later known as Antonio Stradivari, maker of the finest stringed instruments ever crafted. He hand crafted Aidan’s violin in 1720
TOP SECRET NOTES: Greyson might not know the circumstances of his birth, but I do. He is the natural born son of the head of Queen Alísun's counsel. His parents were in hiding after The Great War, still hunted by the enemy. They met their end a few years after Greyson's birth. To give him a chance at life, his mother, a spell caster from a time when the power was Pure, cast a spell to completely remove his memory of the first few years of his life. There was no time to plan for his future, so she left him in a small village, hoping someone would take him in. Days later, his parents allowed themselves to be captured and executed, just to give him a chance to live. It pains me to know he will never understand the sacrifice they made for him.
~ ~ ~
Imogen El Sadawii
AGE: 402
BIRTHDATE: Winter of 1614
BIRTH STATUS: Unknown origin, born in India.
COMPLEMENT: Lucien Daniels, bonded since 2010
CURRENT LOCATION: Rural New York, near Niagara Falls
APPEARANCE:
EYE COLOR: Garnet
HEIGHT: 5’6”
HAIR COLOR: Black with shimmering red highlights
ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Indian
OCCUPATIONS: Imogen actively works for the Senate using her ability to conceal places and objects from mortal eyes. She is careful not to bring further Senate attention to the family. Because she works so closely with various Senate members, she sees and hears much more than Gregg and Naeemah do in their position with the Senate. She keeps them abreast with everything going on behind the scenes. If she were ever caught passing information she would be severely punished.
HISTORICAL BIO: Imogen’s early life was not a happy one. The man who raised her never bonded with her as a father would with a daughter. She grew up never knowing the love of family. Naeemah was always her true mother, but at the time of her birth, Naeemah was already married to the mortal, Prince Khurram. Had she refused her grandfather’s plan to seize the Mughal throne, Imogen may have led a very different life. Naeemah’s reluctance to follow the plan and stay in Agra, as well as her desire to be a mother at that time, was actually the overwhelming pull of her true daughter. When Imogen first sensed Naeemah on her long journey away from Agra, she followed. In her confusion and fear, she attacked the woman that should have been her mother. Naeemah was strong and powerful and should have defeated the young girl, but the moment she laid eyes on her daughter, the bond formed and Naeemah succumbed to Imogen’s attack. Eventually, the two were reunited and Naeemah worked tirelessly to repair the damage of her child’s painful past.
CURRENT BIO: Imogen was always a very lonely woman, haunted by the horrors of her early life. She longed for family—particularly a sister. She always felt a great love for Gregg, and he restored her faith in men, but she has never reciprocated his fatherly bond (which is an emotionally painful thing for Gregg, but he never mentions it). She loves her brothers, but she has a special bond with her younger sister, Sasha. Still, she always felt like an outsider even among her true family. As a young woman, she longed for a family of her own, but her Complement wasn’t born until 1976. She met Lucien Daniels when he was in high school and she recognized him immediately, but maintained her distance until he was older. They began to date when he was in college, but she never let it get too serious. She wanted him to have a life of his own before they came together. She was prepared for a long wait, but Lucien was ready for her much sooner than she anticipated. They bonded and married in 2010 and maintain a beautiful home near Niagara Falls.
ABILITIES: Imogen can create illusions to shield the secrets of the Immortal world from mortal eyes. She is responsible for guarding the location of the small Lake Erie Island that acts as a safe house for the extended McBrien family. No mortal will ever see the island or know of its existence. She has even safe guarded the island so that no one outside of the family can see it without her permission. This is an aspect of her gift that only her closest family and friends know about. She is well known for her gift and works for the Senate to help preserve the secrets of the Immortal world.
WEAPONS: A pair of curved Japanese Tanto blades.
TALENTS/SKILLS: Has a talent for storytelling and has published under various pen names throughout the years. Also has a talent for singing.
~ ~ ~
Lucien Daniels
AGE: 40
BIRTHDATE: March 2, 1976
BIRTH STATUS: Origin unknown, born in Cleveland, Ohio.
COMPLEMENT: Imogen El Sadawii, bonded since 2010
CURRENT LOCATION: Rural New York, near Niagara Falls
APPEARANCE:
EYE COLOR: Cornflower Blue
HEIGHT: 5’10”
HAIR COLOR: Dark Blond
ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Caucasian/American
OCCUPATION: Architect. He may eventually work for the Senate in some capacity, once he is Proven. He is still too young.
HISTORICAL BIO: Lucien has led a relatively quiet life, but his early childhood was a difficult one. His parents were take
n by the Coalition when he was only a few years old. He barely remembers them, but has never bonded with another family. He was raised by his uncle’s family and maintained the extended family bonds he always shared with them. When he met Imogen, he was immediately drawn to her and her family, but didn’t recognize their Complement bond until he was in college. They dated for several years before they officially bonded. Imogen wanted to take things slow because he was so young, but from the moment he recognized her, Lucien knew he didn't need or want to wait.
CURRENT BIO: Lucien works in Buffalo, New York as the lead architect of his own firm. He still trains consistently with his brother-in-law and mentor, Aide and anticipates he will reach his Proving within the next few decades.
ABILITIES: Lucien has a unique understanding of physics and engineering, which aide him in his career as an architect. He can tangibly see the science and mathematics that allows a structure to stand.
He is also very earth-minded. He has a gift for creating clean energy from various sources. He can draw energy from the wind, the power of ocean waves and other such natural sources. He dreams of a way to provide the world with free clean energy, but it would take more than his gift alone to accomplish it (and a really good cover story with lots of sciency explanations).
WEAPONS: Tonfa - a pair of white oak, blunted, melee weapons
TALENTS/SKILLS: Lucien has a deep love for history and ancient civilizations and has always diligently studied the past. He has a knack for making history come alive for others listening to his stories. He is able to make it seem like so much more than just boring facts and dates.
~ ~ ~
Seamas McBrien
AGE: 191
BIRTHDATE: May 4, 1825
BIRTH STATUS: Unknown origin, born in Scotland, near Inverness. Gregg found his infant son in a basket, left on the doorstep of the Inn where he and Naeemah stayed during their time there. Seamas’ birth was eerily similar to his father's.
COMPLEMENT: George Uruk, bonded since 1950
CURRENT LOCATION: Cleveland, Ohio
APPEARANCE:
EYE COLOR: Jade
HEIGHT: 5’10”
HAIR COLOR: Blond
ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Scottish
OCCUPATIONS: Artist - he has a studio and gallery in the Coventry area and teaches art at a local elementary school.
HISTORICAL BIO: Seamas lived in Paris during the height of French Impressionism and learned from masters such as Renoir and Degas; and later from Cezanne and Van Gogh.
CURRENT BIO: Although Seamas is the oldest of the McBrien children, he is unable to teach his younger siblings. His erratic Awakening came upon him too early, leaving it extremely difficult for him to control his power. He lives a very quiet life with his Complement, George. He cannot wait to be a father.
ABILITIES: Seamas has a finely honed sense of danger. He is rarely caught unawares and can always give you a heads up when danger is lurking nearby. His art manifests much like his brother, Scott's writing. While he has the skills of a gifted artist, he can also transfer his thoughts onto the canvas before him, creating the most unique works of art anyone has ever seen. He is careful not to allow his works into the mainstream art world. His patrons are always Immortal.
WEAPONS: Prefers a Katana or a Jian Sword
TALENTS/SKILLS: Seamas has a talent for teaching young children. He can motivate them to focus on academics when it's time to learn, but he can also inspire their creativity when it's time to play. And when it's naptime, his students are always sleepy and quiet.
TOP SECRET NOTES: Seamas and his husband, George enjoy competing in Ballroom dancing competitions, but George has threatened to divorce him if Seamas ever tells anyone about their hobby or their secret trophy room.
~ ~ ~
George Uruk
Few Immortals survived the tumultuous and perilous centuries after The Great War. George was among the first generation that truly began to move on and embrace the world as it was, rather than mourn for what was lost and would never be again. He was born a prince and later a king in his own right. George has known great luxury and prestige as well as great poverty and injustice. I've always admired and respected him from afar, as our paths have never crossed. I do know he has much to offer this new generation and I hope they will accept and appreciate his quiet wisdom.
AGE: 4,716
BIRTHDATE: Sometime in 2,700 BCE
BIRTH STATUS: Origin unknown, adopted by the King of Uruk
COMPLEMENT: Seamas McBrien, bonded since 1950
APPEARANCE:
EYE COLOR: Jasper
HEIGHT: 6’0”
HAIR COLOR: Dark Brown
ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Mesopotamian
CURRENT LOCATION: Cleveland, Ohio
OCCUPATIONS:
Business partners with Liam. They co-own several bars and clubs throughout the city and surrounding boroughs. George manages the more sophisticated nightclubs frequented by mortals, while Liam sticks to the dive bars that attract the Immortal crowd.
HISTORICAL BIO: George has an ancient and colorful past. His earliest life is recorded in the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest written literature to survive to modern times. But that was just one account of his long history. Once a King of the cradle of civilization, George migrated to Egypt where he lived as a nobleman under the reign of Hatshepsut. Later he migrated into the wilds of Africa where he ultimately became the captive of Coalition slave traders. He was sold into slavery and was trapped by the system. He attempted escape numerous times, but the color of his skin dictated his place in life. George lived as a slave until the end of the Civil War in America when his previous “owner” gave him a large piece of unwanted property near the Savannah swamps. George took many of his fellow freedmen under his wing and they lived and thrived together as a community. He maintained ownership of that property until 2012, when he sold it for a king’s ransom.
CURRENT BIO: George never gave much thought to his Complement. Throughout his long life, he knew Seamas wasn’t born yet. In 1825, when Seamas drew his first breath, George knew his other half lived. They recognized each other in 1947 and were bonded in 1950. George had known the McBrien’s for many years and worked closely with Liam in their business ventures. When Gregg and Naeemah became Governor of the Great Lakes Region, George became one of their most trusted Lieutenants. Seamas and George now live in Tremont and enjoy a quiet life together, looking forward to adopting their first child.
ABILITIES: George has little need for sleep and only rests when it is convenient. He also has a gift for misdirection and can lead a person astray when it becomes necessary. The Senate calls on him from time to time to dissuade a particularly curious mortal or to lead the Coalition on a goose chase. George does have a rather sinister gift he isn't proud of. To sustain himself, he must draw strength and power from the living. To refrain leaves him violently ill. He pulls his vitality from the life force of others, but only shaves a few seconds from their lifespan. He exists on the few seconds he takes from plant life and animals, and will only draw from mortals when he absolutely must. In times past, he was ruthless and uncaring in the lives he took to sustain his strength, but he has lived long enough to learn from his mistakes and takes only what he absolutely must to survive.
WEAPONS: Bow and Arrow
TALENTS/SKILLS: George is physically stronger than most Immortals. He is also a gifted writer. He has a talent for taking the historical events he’s witnessed and turning them into entertaining stories. His first book, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is one of the oldest surviving written works in the world.
KNOWN ALIASES: Gilgamesh, King of Uruk (ca. 2100 BC)
TOP SECRET NOTES: The Senate and Coalition have offered him access to an unlimited supply of mortals to sustain his strength in exchange for his cooperation. He steadfastly refuses the offer, but fears he may have to retreat from the world to avoid such a fate. They grow more insistent with each passing year. He has never divulged this information to hi
s young husband because he doesn't want to be the reason Seamas has to leave his family. But George is not a man who will submit to the control of either group.
~ ~ ~
Scott (Fitzie) McBrien
Poor Fitzie. He led such a full and adventurous life in his early years, he had to become a recluse once that short life in the limelight passed. Now he's almost afraid to leave the comfort of his home because he hasn't yet connected with the modern world. I, however, am a card-carrying fan of the glorious technology mortals have managed to produce in the short span of their most recent history. Give me air conditioning, an unlimited supply of microwave pizza, high-speed internet and an iPhone and I could rule the world.
AGE: 179
BIRTHDATE: July 25, 1837
BIRTH STATUS: Unknown Origins, born near Paris. He was found crawling around the stables when Gregg and Naeemah arrived for a visit with Ming Lao and Jin Jing. He was nearly a year old.
COMPLEMENT: Unknown
CURRENT LOCATION: Cleveland, Ohio
APPEARANCE:
EYE COLOR: Purple Alexandrite
HEIGHT: 5’10”
HAIR COLOR: Brown
ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: European American with French ancestry.
OCCUPATIONS: American Literature teacher (primarily teaches online college courses and works from the safety of his home.)