Bret Stryker was a seventh generation Toreador, childe of Annabelle Triabell. Bret’s love for Annabelle has turned into an abiding bitterness. Love and hate, after all, are never far from each other. He wants revenge but still loves her and is Blood Bound to her. Trapped and unable to come up with a workable plan, he is caught in an emotional and mental limbo.
If someone could ever help him, he might finally get what he truly desires—freedom. He’s desperate to find someone who can break the bond and would repay them in any way he could, no matter the cost.
Biography[]
Mortal Days[]
Bret was born incredibly handsome, but this, combined with some feminine behavior at a young age, meant he was bullied hard by his peers. When he was repeatedly called various shades of gay, he fought back hard, discovering a nasty streak as he enjoyed breaking bullies’ noses and ripping their earlobes a little too much.
As a teen in the ‘70s, he began bodybuilding, spending time at the gym to escape his so-called “sissy femininity.” Ironically, he found a community at the gym within which his extrovert nature felt at home, but he rejected the affection and attention he received there. He couldn’t come to terms with what he wanted, his bisexual nature, or his emotional vulnerability.
Bret’s perfect body and natural grace led him to the life of a professional dancer, courting public shows during the day and turning on tables at clubs come nighttime. He loved the attention and the notoriety it brought him, and for a while, he truly felt beautiful instead of just looking the part. The show scene called him “the bad boy of ballet,” while several of his night patrons hired him for their private parties, taking care of him in exchange for part-time sex work. Bret wasn’t very good at taking care of himself, easily falling into a destructive cocaine habit.
When Bret met the gorgeous Annabelle at a private party, he was astounded by her beauty. It was easy to fall under Annabelle’s spell. Bret somehow knew he was her prey, but didn’t care. To be desired like Annabelle desired him, compelled to let down his guard, was all he ever wanted. When she offered him eternity, he saw an escape from his powerless life, and finally a chance to be something more. He was in a love so deep and obsessed that he couldn’t imagine any life besides one with Annabelle. She turned him, and he became her childe.
He tends to be very sullen at Annabelle's parties. He will sit in the corner and glare at anyone who looks like they are going to talk to him. That is, unless he thinks he can get something he wants from someone – then he will be one of the most charming young men you have ever met. It can be quite startling to watch the transformation.
Kindred Nights[]
For a while, it seemed Annabelle was truly in love, too. They were inseparable, seen at every Kindred society event. Bret performed when he desired, instead of for a buck or a room for the night. The two vampires seemed happy in their excesses, taking mortal couples into their bed and feasting in every possible way. It was exciting. It was them against the world.
As any vampire watching from the outside could’ve predicted, though, Annabelle grew tired of him. She wanted to focus on her Primogeniture, and Bret’s neediness was just standing in her way. Bret was devastated, and to this day is still trying to win back her affections, since he is still Blood Bound to her. Annabelle uses this to her advantage, as she has made him swear to protect her.
Bret maintains a good connection with his herd, which tends to consist of club kids and the patrons of strip clubs where he still sometimes dances. It’s as though he’s stuck in a limbo, at the stage in his life when Annabelle turned him, and cannot progress. He does all the things he used to do with Annabelle by himself, and no matter how many other Kindred or mortals he tries to love, nothing ever compares. He wishes for some kind of escape, and plots numerous ways he could try to get Annabelle back.
He’s required to attend Annabelle’s parties still, and usually watches her sullenly from the shadows of whatever grand environs they’re in. It was at one of these parties that he met the neonate Portia, and the two of them seemed to connect. Portia grew to trust him, and she revealed to Bret her true power and glory.
Bret procures people from his herd, turns them into vampires, and then brings them back to the Succubus Club for Helena to feed on. It’s the only thing that brings him excitement now, and he is mostly content in their relationship. The Blood Bond to Annabelle has not completely faded yet, however, meaning he could become a bone of contention between the two older Toreador.
Appearence[]
Bret is gorgeous by any century’s standards, though he does fit the classic, white, blonde status quo of American beauty. He gets clocked by all kinds of people and genders, and he loves the attention.
He dresses more androgynously in his old age, flaunting his flexible preferences loudly. Everything he owns is fashionable to the week, and his hair is always perfect.
Character Sheet[]
† Chicago by Night applicable stats
‡ Chicago by Night Second Edition applicable stats
Notes: Bret carries two heavy pistols in shoulder holsters.
Image: A handsome, blond, athletic young man with long curly hair and blue eyes. He is tall and muscular, with a wry smile. He only dresses in the sharpest suits.
Roleplaying Hints: If you're talking to someone who is either good-looking or rich, charm her to death (do such a good job that even someone who knows you will be swayed). Otherwise, ignore her; better yet, snub her.
Haven: The Ponytail Club, where he still dances. Annabelle bought the club and made him manager, but he did a rotten job of it and now just strips there. He can often be found at the Succubus Club.
Secrets: A-‡/B+ †
Influence: Helena and Annabelle will give him almost anything he wants. His Retainers are two old cronies from his breathing days.
Trivia[]
- Bret’s relationship with Annabelle is legendary in the Kindred scene of Chicago. Everybody knows almost all the details of their relationship since they’re both such drama queens and talk endlessly about their relationship problems. Annabelle is clearly the one in control, and while Bret wants out of that, he can’t help but continue to adore her.
- Bret was once David Bowie’s lover. Bizarrely, this might be true, though rumors about Bret’s lovers are popular and endless.
- Bret once killed a man by ripping his head off his body. Chicago’s Kindred know he’s strong, but is he that strong?
Gallery[]
References[]
- VTM: Chicago by Night, p. 109-110
- VTM: Chicago by Night Second Edition, p. 114-115
- VTM: Chicago by Night 5th Edition