Luke Temple
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The information represented herein is OOC Information
Contents |
Mortal Life
Luke Temple was born in 1978 into one of the richer middle-upper class families in New York City. His father, a Brooklyn born alpha-male, had worked his way up the social and business ladder, eventually opening his own business dealing with the sales of basic but up-and-coming new technologies. His parents sent Luke to a traditional school, where he learned Latin; a language he actually enjoyed studying.
By the time Luke had reached his late teens his father was the owner of a very successful corporation called Arc-tech and it would be his father who would exert the most influence in his life. His father, a no-nonsense individual, saw his son as part of his own legacy and so tried to model him after himself; placing the young man under a tremendous amount of pressure to do well in school. Furthermore, being from Brooklyn, his father saw his own tenacious attitude stemming from his own aggressive behaviour, which he associated with his early childhood life where he, on more than one occasion, paid a visit to the school of hard knocks. He sent his son to boxing lessons to help toughen the boy up.
Luke, however, grew bitter with his father’s controlling nature. The death of his mother just before he left for university further expanded the growing gap between the Temple men, which was further exacerbated when he learned his father had his own mistress. Luke saw this as a personal betrayal on his family – ironically, the father who had put so much stock in the Temple name became a stain on it in Luke’s eyes.
During his University years he was afforded a lot more in terms of economic leeway. Never mind a monthly allowance; he was given a large sum every week. His father was extremely proud of his son’s achievements, having no inkling of Luke’s resentment toward him, and rewarded him as he felt appropriate. Luke took it as an opportunity. While a portion went to fuelling his social life and his growing taste for whiskey and cigars, Luke cleverly began to invest his money, resolved to leading a life without his father’s money, which was something of a chain in his opinion.
When Luke did graduate it was with an honours degree in Business and Finance. However, he surprised his father by announcing he was planning on opening his very own hotel business instead of joining his company. Luke knew his father valued his legacy and easily knew his father would come in with a large off, which he did. Luke joined his father’s company in 2000.
By 2005 Luke had become GM of Sales, with North America falling under his responsibility. By this point he loathed his father. His father’s new-wife, his former mistress, had also worked his way into the will, manipulating his father who was now becoming something of an alcoholic, which infuriated Luke. However, he continued to hide his growing anger and frustration – biding his time. One night, during a dinner party thrown by his father, Luke overheard his father and the mistress speaking privately, and it became clear to Luke that she was slowly trying to convince his father to cut him out of the will entirely.
Luke had to act. He learned that the pair would be driving to Italy on a get-away-holiday. Luke travelled with them to Chamonix, where he planned to spend the weekend skiing, whilst they would travel through the Mt. Blanc tunnel into Italy. It was extremely easy to convince his father to have a few glasses of Jim Bean, his father’s favourite whiskey, before his long drive, meanwhile substituting his driving glasses for an exact normal pair. The night drive did not last long and his father’s car was found smashed into the rock-face of the alps the next day. Luke was rich, or so he thought.
An investigation followed but Luke was never suspected, as his father’s alcohol levels were through the roof. However, much to his shock he discovered his father’s will did not in fact leave him the substantial amount he expected. His father had lost the majority of his personal wealth to gambling and lavish spending on his new wife. Instead, all that was left several assets his father owned. He sold his father’s stock and the assets, breaking away from the company completely.
Eventually, however, the full weight of his act began to weigh heavily on his mind. Luke had acted on an insane whim, allowing his anger to get the better of him. He retreated from New York in 2007, moving to Atlanta. He mulled over his actions whilst beginning to set up his new bar, ‘Mandarin’, which he believed would be the first of many investments. He met another blossoming businessman, Alexander Smythe, who had similar aspirations and the pair began working together. It was during this period, whilst Luke was scouting for prospective locations, that he came into contact with the darker side of Atlanta. A fight, involving Smythe, led to Luke being assaulted and brutally beaten and stabbed. He survived but the haunting experience was like an epiphany and it was clear to him that he would need more than just the ability to swing his fists in a fight. He began to practice with punch daggers, hoping to God he would never ever have to use them.
As time passed Luke seemed detached from what had happened; despite the murders he felt he was justified, even righteous, in his decision. The Temple name was no longer besmirched, he had avenged his mother and destroyed the trash that hung on his father’s arm.
By 2008 the bar was up and running. Luke enjoyed a seemingly comfortable life, but a lonely one, and frequently visited Mandarin where he enjoyed whiskey, cigars and the conversation. One of those whom he seemed to find particularly interesting was a man called Drederick Moroses. Drederick quickly became one of Luke’s favourite patrons, simply because despite his relatively young appearance, he seemed wiser and somewhat older. One night, however, Drederick and Luke began to have a very in depth conversation about Luke’s life. The conversation went on well into the night and Luke eventually invited Drederick back for a night-cap.
Luke seemed compelled to go on. Before he knew it, he was divulging everything sinful about his life and revealed to Drederick the cold, calculating manner in which he had dispatched his father and his wife. Luke was shocked by his admission but what happened next shook him to the core.
Drederick smiled. He calmly revealed his true nature. Naturally, Luke was disbelieving. How could any of it be truly real? Vampires, secret societies, God’s creatures – all of it seemed incredible. But something in Drederikc’s nature, the colour of his pale dark skin, the twist of his smile; something about him made it believable. The choice was offered; to die or live on a monster of God. Luke could not reach his gun so he stared blankly back at Drederick who began to approach him menacingly. Death or undeath. For the first time in his life Luke became aware of the fragile nature of being a human. He was terrified. It was all real and if he refused it very well meant an eternity in the depths. Drederick was offering salvation.
Salvation is what Luke chose.
Luke's Requiem
Drederick Moroses locked Luke up, naked and alone, in a hidden room during his first night in the Basilica. Eventually, the Basilica itself become Luke's home as he grew accustomed to the new senesations of being Kindred, though his Sire would never let him venture beyond the walls.
After a week or so Drederick finally agreed to allow Luke to venture out into the city. He introduced him slowly to Kindred society but Luke faced his first hurdle when a rift in the Sanctified almost lead to the destruction of his Sire. Forgiven by the Prince, Anthony Anderson, Drederick then left the city to fulfil an old oath to old allies, leaving Luke to be mentored under Isabel Montiago. During this time Luke developed a close relationship with Isra Davis, a fellow fledgling, and member of the Estate.
When Isabel left Luke was alone. He refused to turn to the other Sanctified, Mordecai and Christian Lefluers, as he was bitter at what he felt was their attempt to destroy his Sire. Instead he pursued a mentorship under Vivianne Clarke, a newly arrived Daeva of the Estate.
When Rose ascended to Praxis she ordered that Luke be placed in the care of Mordecai. This, however, frustrated Vivianne who wished to bring Luke over to the Estate. There is speculation as to what the exact nature of their relationship was, with several Kindred believing the pair became lovers or that they had tasted each others blood. What is certain, though, is that eventually she persuaded Luke to abandon a Covenant whose members had abandoned and betrayed him and join her in the Estate. When Anthony returned she convinced him to hand Luke over to her, officially, in order for him to begin his studies. When Drederick returned the aforementioned events put a strain on their relationship, however, Drederick never lost hope that his Childe would see reason and not abandon the very task which burned in his Holy Blood. It was also during this time that Luke opened Mandarin, with the little bar/club becoming something of an instant success.
When Vivianne left the city, for reasons only known between former mentor and former student, Luke fell into a private despair feeling yet again abandoned but even moreso due to the closeness and affection he had shared with his ex-mentor. It was during this time that he also began to see frailties and weakness within the First Estate, which was exacerbated by his growing resentment toward Wesley Dean, who appeared to be jealous over the relationship Luke and Vivianne shared. It was during this time that Isabel returned, and she quickly moved to try and persuade Luke to abandon his plans to join the Estate and return to the Sanctified.
Luke's Retainers
 Alex |
 Jason |
Pictures of Home
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Vehicles
 The Mercedes |
 The BMW |
Associates
 Joanne Fenring |