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Lineage
- Bishop Patrick Connelly, Bishop of Chicago, 1876 - Present
- Father Thomas, 1935 - Present , Bianca Tate, 1947- Present.
The living years
The Daeva known as Father Thomas was born Michael Patrick Thomas in Chicago Illinois in the year 1900. Michael spent most of his youth committing one petty crime after another in his vain attempt to prove his superiority over his friends. By the age of eighteen he was facing 15 years in prison for his crimes. Fortunately for him his father was able to "buy" his way out of the punishment. The judge however remanded him to the local church in order to "educate him in morality". Michael was shocked to discover that he truly enjoyed the comforts of the church. Truly believing in God never crossed his mind.
It was on his twenty fifth birthday that he met Bishop Connelly. The wizened priest took an immediate interest in Michael. "Your vanity is clearly etched upon your brow boy." Over the next ten years the "good" Bishop spent every night with Michael. Instructing him on the true nature of sin, the peril of eternal damnation. Michael slowly began to believe. As his faith grew stronger so did his position within the church order itself. His pleasant face, charming smile and silver tongue could coax confessions out of even the most die hard sinners.
He was in his thirty fifth year when the sin within him that he had struggled so hard to suppress came screaming to life. Michael found himself in direct competition with another young priest for a ordained promotion within the church. Laying awake at night after his lessons with the Bishop he would plot the demise of his opponent. Late at night on the fifth day of his vigil he made his move. Waiting near the chamber door to the priests room until the man came out for his nightly "constitutional". It was amazingly simple for him as he reached out and gave the man a gentle shove, sending him tumbling head over heels down the stairs. Michael returned to his room before the body even stopped rolling. Satisfied, content that he would be the new Cardinal he closed his eyes to dream of his new future.
But his sin did not go unseen. Bishop Connelly witnessed the act. Outraged that his pupil would claim such devotion to God, then would commit the gravest of sins in Gods Holy House no less...was more than the old damned could bear. Connelly kidnapped Michael that very night. Waking to find himself in a strange, dark chamber...Michael awoke terrified. Then the kindly face of his mentor appeared before him from the shadows. "Vain...Liar....Murderer.", the old damned said. In Michaels defense he did attempt to lie quite well about his crime.
His beating lasted six nights. Kindly Bishop Connelly revealed to him the true nature of sin and Gods punishment. Horrified...beaten...defeated, Michael awaited death. Calling upon the last ounce of resolve remaining he spoke three words. "God forgive me." Bishop Connelly laughed cruelly and replied "Child, there is no redemption for you. You will go to hell. You will burn for eternity. But you have a choice. Die now...burn for eternity. Or exist forever in the service of God. Damnation will still come for you, but you may serve his will before that day."
Michael began to confess his sins.
The Modern Story
In the years since that night Michael, now known as Father Thomas served the Lancea Sanctum with absolute devotion. Having tasted the wrath of God his faith is unshakable. Father Thomas served the damned of Chicago for fifty years before a vison over came him. Seeing the face of Longinus in his tortued sleep and the road marker for Interstate 75 he awoke knowing what he must do. After making his proposal to his brethern he and his trusted interrogator Bianca Tate took to the road in a pilgrimage. The two have travelled for the last 23 years together. Moving from city to city searching for signs. Preaching to the damned as they discovered them, as well as those wealthy mortals that catch his eye. The "donations" of the devoted kine he has ministered to has substantially increased his material wealth.
Appearance
Thomas is a striking man with short blonde hair and brilliant green eyes. Standing just shy of six feet tall he always greets those he meets with his disarming smile. Thomas wears simple, albiet modestly expensive black clothing. Usually with a light colored shirt that is always offset by his priests collar. He is never seen without his customary prayer beads in his left hand. He tends to fidget with them unconsciously as he talks about religion or politics...or even the weather. Perceptive individuals couldnt help but notice how his eyes stray slightly at the approach of a beautiful woman. An act that is almost always followed by more furious manipulation of the beads.