Mark was a member of the Blood Brothers and Bishop of Torrance, California. Along with his Circle: Jack, Truman, Karl, and Ilse, Mark uses his keen intellect and the money gathered from investing in computer technology at the right time to slowly expand his grip and influence of the Sect in the turbulent southern California region.
Biography[]
Mark was a military man who spent the bulk of his life gathering information, infiltrating enemy units, attending foreign political events, and bribing enemy troops. All in an era of history were there was no real classification for military intelligence work.
The United States at the end of the Civil War was ripe for clandestine activity and a cloak of disorder. The right word or coin could buy the right secrets and those secrets could be used to buy wealth and prestige. Secrets financed Mark’s lifestyle and status. It also brought about his unlife.
While in Charleston, South Carolina Mark attended a political meeting. It wasn’t new for him. He’d been spying on various groups for the better part of a decade. Even though the gamesmanship and hushed speech of politics were nothing new, vampires were. He quickly made his way out of the pub he was in as soon as he found out the aperitif of choice was human blood. He made his way back to New England intrigued and secretly terrified. He went back to what was familiar to him but his knowledge of the peculiar gathering drew the attention of another political party. Mark’s military background, his high intelligence, and no known links to the schemes of other vampires made him a perfect candidate for the experimentation that led to the Blood Brothers.
Mark was mind bended, entranced, then tortured. His tormentors were vaguely impressed that he had the strength to keep screaming for three nights, long after others had died, fallen unconscious, or reduced to gibbering madness.
When he and his Circle emerged from the ritual they were quickly indoctrinated into the Sabbat. The haze of the transformation and the hunger of the Beast left Mark little choice in complying. The Brood of eight underwent collective training to serve as front-line fighters. Two died in the first encounter with the Camarilla; the others watched, waited, fought, and learned.
Mark learned as much as he possibly could about his condition and his place in the Sabbat as the decades wore on. His knowledge of military structure and intelligence operations were brought to his circle and he rapidly became the leading voice. By World War II, Mark was the undisputed leader of the group, but he wanted more.
Mark was also quick to recognize the power of communication and information. He made use of emerging technologies such as radio and television and finally the personal computer. He and his Circle moved to California so he could watch the developments and invested in the development of computer technology. The anarchs of the free state proved no difficulty and when it became clear that the fractious vampires of California would not or could not effectively challenge his position, he quietly let the Sabbat know that he had claimed Torrance for the sect and became it’s Bishop.
Appearance[]
Head and eyebrows shaved bald for the ritual “embrace” of the Blood Brothers, Mark has a stern but nondescript face. His dark grayish-blue eyes are deeply set, which gives him an intimidating stare. He is not particularly muscular or large, at 5’10”, he isn’t very imposing, but he has a definite force of personality. Mark capitalizes on image, so when he wants to look intimidating, he dons military garb with skinhead overtones; in more urbane settings, he may don a hat or even use makeup to conceal his otherwise unnervingly hairless face. He rarely smiles. His brookmates have appearances similar, but not identical, to his; dressed identically with a little makeup, any of his circle could probably pass as him.
Gallery[]
Reference[]
VTM: Children of the Night, p. 30-31