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Well Known Character Facts (at game start)
Still Under Construction
- Jillian is the CEO of a Conservation Foundation founded by one of her family members back in the day.
- She's fluent in German and English, but despite her rearing and her travels, she speaks without accent, each word articulated properly...
- May or may not be in some sort of deeper relationship with Quang Wu. If not, there's definitely something there worth noting.
Lineage
Background
Born on a balmy, autumn day in 1972, Jillian Esme Lyons-Dawson is the daughter of Edward Jameson Dawson, CEO of the Dawson Wildlife Conservation Fund (Founded 1915), and Clara Rose Lyons-Dawson, a young woman of good upbringing with a strong Irish background. She was their second born, and whereas her elder brother Patrick was her father's pride and joy, nothing could compare to Clara's incessant doting and refining of her little angel, Jillian.
Despite her privileged childhood, Jillian matured without taking much for granted. Her academic marks were earned, and though she was constantly surrounded by the grandeur of her family's success, she wasn't one to flaunt her advantages. She attended etiquette lessons and was enrolled in an elite, all-girl's Catholic Preparatory school in Richmond, eventually being inducted into society during the debutante ball in 1988. Rather than reaping a generous allowance by her parents, Jillian spent her free time advocating for various causes, learning and refining her skills in public speaking, advocacy, and persuasion. "It's not about what I say." she was quoted saying in an interview with her high school newspaper, "It's how I say it that is key. Once you understand what I say, there's no need for convincing."
In 1989, Jillian was accepted into Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island where she studied Ecology. During her four years, she participated heavily in the Debate Team, rising to the Vice President position during her sophomore year, but stepping down to Secretary in 1992 when she accepted an internship with the state governor's office. She also gained quite the reputation on the Brown University Fencing Team, bringing home three consecutive titles and bragging rights to her school while popularizing fencing as a sport. Meanwhile, her tenure in the governor's office was short and after four weeks she resigned stating "unresolvable ethical differences" as the reasoning behind her departure from his campaign. To fill up her newfound spare time, Jillian approached her father, requesting a minor position within the public relations department. He reluctantly agreed, placing her under the management of Henri Baddens, the Vice President of the division who was known for his harsh attitude and treatment of interns. Much to her father's surprise, Baddens was impressed with Jillian's enthusiasm and dedication and submitted a letter of recommendation on her behalf for permanent employment.
By 1995, she'd risen to the title of Assistant Vice President of Public Relations for the Dawson Wildlife Conservation Fund and had added to her credentials a Master of Science degree in Political Ecology. Unable to doubt his daughter's qualifications, Edward promotes Henri Baddens to Executive Vice President, and promotes Jillian up to replace him as head of the Public Relations Department. Between April and September of this year, Jillian hosts an array of charity ball events and concerts to raise both public awareness and support of the Dawson Wildlife Conservation Fund across the region, bringing in over $5.2 million cumulative throughout the fiscal year.
With success, however, came the media, and whereas free publicity was always welcome, the constant invasions of privacy and the stalking of her private residence forced her to relocate, choosing Carcosa, Virginia as her new remote base of operations.
Her success continued, though it seemed that with Jillian out of sight, she was also out of her father's mind, being overlooked for promotion to CEO when he retired in early 1997. Instead, her brother, Patrick Lyons Dawson timidly stepped up to shoulder the responsibilities previously held by his father, and as consolation offers Executive Vice President to her.
"No, Patrick. I can't do that to Henri." she said as he approached her with the offer.
"He'll understand. You're family, Jill."
"Henri is every bit a part of this family as I am. He earned his position, and I'm not taking that away from him. Of course he'd understand. It's his job to make sense of things no matter obtuse the presentation...or the presenter."
After that little meeting, Jillian and Patrick's relationship grew distant; cordial rather than warm despite the continued efforts and pleas of their ailing mother for them to mend the relationship.
Unfortunately, in June of 1998, any hopes of reconciliation were lost when both Patrick and their father were involved in a fatal boating accident off the Boston coast in which the boat collided with a wave at high speeds and an awkward angle, flipping it 5 times across the surface before capsizing. Three days after the incident, the National Guard recovered the bodies, and funeral arrangements were made.
Clad in a custom made little black dress and black birdcage veil, Jillian, alongside her mother dropped the first bit of earth over the cherrywood coffins, turning slowly and closing a chapter in their lives.
By the end of the month, Jillian stepped up as CEO of the Dawson Wildlife Conservation Fund, changing the name to the Dawson Conservation Foundation, or DCF for short. Henri Badden remained in his position as EVP, having proven himself able and capable over the years, as well as having been her mentor and springboard into the company from the beginning. She ordered a complete restructuring of the hierarchy, beginning with the top by eliminating multiple unqualified or 'grandfathered' in officers, and reorganizing to replace them with both old and new qualified candidates from various backgrounds. Educational benefits and opportunities were offered to employees and their immediate families, and a recreational budget was established in each department for annual celebrations and office parties. Despite the costs and increased workloads associated with the restructuring, Jillian refused to downsize, arguing alongside Badden to her Board of Advisors that content employees were more productive.
"Give a little, gain a lot. I have faith in DCF, and trust that my employees, including each and every one of you, should strive to great lengths for its success." It was more an order than a statement as she stood at the head of the conference table eyeing her Advisors down individually. Her arms were crossed neatly over her chest, her emotionless expression making her difficult to read. Henri rose from his seat opposite Jillian.
"And what Miss Dawson has yet to reiterate, gentlemen," He began, winking over at her, "...is that there is always a price for abusing the privileges granted."
Dawn of Endless Nights
By the end of the year in 1998, DCF's Corporate restructuring project was completed and a new prospective idea was presented to Jillian by her EVP Henri Baddens: Open up 40% of the Foundation to public trade on the stock market. Her Advisory Board was skeptical at the idea, so Jillian took it upon herself to research and analyze the potential risks and benefits for the company and present it on New Year's Day..
December 27,1998 It was a cold, dreary evening, and she was sitting alone on the second level of some classy cafe with her laptop, PDA, and notes strewn about. This was her 'quiet' time away from the hustle and bustle of others so she could focus on preparing her presentation. Fully engulfed in her work, she was oblivious to Quentin Ainsworth's initial approach despite her having been the only other person there. He was a rather attractive man, and quite friendly she thought, and welcomed his company after he approached and introduced himself. Intelligent, and lacking the air of arrogance so many men seemed to have about them, Jillian ends up exchanging business cards with Quentin after a lengthy, casual talk on various current events.
Over the course of the ensuing months, they met casually to discuss the local politics, current events, and the effects of the restructuring and public trading of DCF, among other things. It'd never particularly struck her as odd that his only free time was in the late evenings--it just so happens that was when she was available as well. September rolled around and the plans for the First Annual DCF Fundraiser Ball were set in motion for mid-November. The guest list included many prominent political figures of Carcosa as well as the heads of many wealthy families, and in a handwritten entry, it was expanded to include Quentin...
November 18, 1999 The Ball was a great success in more ways than one. DCF's Event Planning Committee had managed to obtain a beautiful Florida Cougar for the event; The guest of honor, and the platform for which the Fundraiser was held. It was a stunning visual that awed attendees, for there were and unfortunately are still only 50 of these magnificent cats in existence. Set in the ballroom of an exclusive local country club, the even was spectacular, and even Jillian was taken aback by how it'd turned out. After her speech of the evening, Quentin managed to pull her aside, and escort her back to one of the vacant offices in the rented out club. Gazing out into the darkness through the shaded windows in the office, the world faded before her eyes as she succumbed to the effects of the Embrace.
Afterlife
2004
- Jillian is released by her Sire; after her Manumission, she takes on the function of XX
- Dante Timeth opens a Karaoke bar in Pepperdine of which he is very proud of and brags about the business venture. It's only open for about 8 months before it goes belly up. Jillian Dawson, a recently released childer of Quentin Ainsworth, publicly mocks him over the failure.
2005
- Jillian Dawson approaches Lili Wu in regards to hosting a Poker Tournament Fundraiser for DCF aboard The Merry Widow Casino. Arrangements are made and the Fundraiser is a success, receiving positive reviews from those in attendance. In light of the success, Jillian proposes the Poker Tournament be made an annual event, establishing regular, positive business relations between the two.
2006-Present
Home Sweet Home
Jillian maintains a modest home in the Pepperdine area which blends in to the locality's architecture. Though the custom designed floorplan accomodates a mere three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, the entire first floor is open, much of the layout catering perfectly for social events and gatherings. With vaulted ceilings throughout, her home office loft overlooks much of the first floor through unmirrored 1-way glass panoramic glass.
Retainers
Henri Baddens, Executive Vice President of DCF
Age: 42
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Citizenship: Dual (Canada, United States of America)
Personality Notes: comes across as charismatic and friendly; very supportive of his cause and extremely proud of his accomplishments; a thorough-thinker, his words are inspiring--concepts well-thought through and supported.
Physical Appearance:
Dragan Stojakovic, Chauffeur/Personal Bodyguard
Age: 28
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Citizenship:' Dual (Serbia, United States of America)
Personality Notes: comes across as extremely protective of Ms. Dawson; is constantly alert; unsocial; unremarkable appearance and etiquette; is perhaps infatuated with his Domitor?
Physical Appearance:
Toys
2008 Volvo S60
- Colour: Metallic Black
- Interior: Black Leather
- Transmission: Manual Automatic (option for manual control)
PALM Tungsten E2
Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet