Character Name:
Dante Tenebroso

Clan:
The Tenebroso Dynasty

Position:
Blackguard

Personal History:
Dante Deveraux was not human in the strictest sense. Instead he was ghouled over nine hundred and fifty years ago by a man whose name, then, was Mordechai Vasko. Unaffiliated as far as Dante was allowed to know, Mordechai lived beneath the radar of the Tenebroso and their scattered brood for centuries before gaining notice. He had no childer, only ghouls who performed his dirty work. Dante held no special meaning to Mordechai other than as a weapon, and his telepathic chains of servitude were easily sensed when coming into contact with him. It was apparent that someone controlled him as a ghoul, but that free reign had been given to him in order to accomplish his tasks. Dante was a skilled fighter, possessing of several martial talents and proficiency in most known weaponry. He prefers the cold steel of a katana short blade. He was a hunter, a killer for Vasko, and his prey was the Tenebroso bloodline of Vampires. Used as a bodyguard, as a messenger, as a hunter, as a spy, Dante was soon indispensable to Mordechai.

Until his loyalties became corrupted by a woman: Tacey Tenebroso (RIP?). Instead of taking her down as his latest victim in a long line of many, he took her to his bed and she pulled from him all of his secrets. The many Tenebroso he had killed for his master, his next target being Carolina Tenebroso.

Dante would not find out until the next night that Tacey had given him over to the Queen herself, ratting his plans out and putting his past on display. Instead of a swift death, Carolina gave him to Vasille (RIP), whispering in his ear the many uses they could get from the human assassin, especially in killing Mordechai. Dante, furious at his lapse, was imprisoned for three nights before the heavy iron doors were opened and in stepped a woman. Immediately he felt a strong surge of attraction to her. Considering he hadn't even seen the woman yet, Dante knew some type of telepathic trickery was at work. When the attraction became blatant lust, Dante realized that they had put an empath inside of the cell with him. Expecting some tall, vampiric Amazon, he was surprised when a tiny, black haired girl stepped out of the shadows. Dante didn't learn her name until years later: Mia (RIP), yet he still didn't remember much beyond leaving the mansion with a new mission in mind and a trail of lust clouding his mind for a petite woman with a Russian accent.

Four nights later, Mordechai was slain and his blood was on Dante's hands. The telepathic link was broken and Dante was finally alone in his mind but his existence was less than peaceful. He began to immediately go through tortuous withdrawals from lack of vampiric blood, and his aging dramatically increased.

Instead of being resigned to a horrible death, his life was saved by Vasille Tenebroso. Dante was brought into the Tenebroso Dynasty as Dante Tenebroso. The pain of withdrawal had wiped most of his seven hundred plus years from his mind.

Once the personal enforcer to the King and Queen, Dante eventually became the most lethal tool that Vasille could apply to his enemies. He eventually proved himself dangerous enough to take hold of the position of Lead Enforcer to the Dynasty hierarchy, and elevated himself in the Family. Many were trained under him, giving his name stature and legend. Dante is sleek, dangerous, and tailored; outwardly he is quiet, private, but still searching for clues to his past.

He conducts himself as one befitting his position should; calmly, with deliberate care, and without outbursts of emotion that could become messy. It is very hard to get a reaction from Dante that isn't laid-back but this hasn't stopped anyone - namely Lisette - from trying. Dante is in complete control of his emotions, and that is what makes him powerful while most are prey to the predator of emotions. He can be shaken, though, and by one woman in particular: Lymeria (RIP).

Originally sent on a mission to retrieve the clan-less vampiress Lymeria for the Queen of the Tenebroso, Dante found himself absorbed with Lymeria and breaking direct orders in order to keep the woman in his company. It was not long before possession gave way to lust gave way to something...deeper. They Bonded, and that was when Dante realized that Lymeria was not wholly Vampire. She had been a Gypsy, a full blooded witch before her turning and the reason the Queen wanted her: Carolina shared the same history. Keeping Carolina's secret ensured Lymeria's safety and so Dante swore silence to his lover. They had little more than a few months together before the world erupted and he was pulled into his duties once more.

He was sent into Asia by Carolina to track down what may have been a strengthening sect of magic-users, witches with connections to the Queen's own past.  In his absence, Lymeria was killed by Hunters.  The resulting loss of their Bond nearly sent him insane. 

Dante was replaced as Lead Enforcer after being given a mission to hunt Clanless vampires into Asia.  He was hunting men and women who knew of the Queen's real heritage - that of a Vampire/Witch Hybrid.  He had made a promise to his dead Bonded to always protect the secret and Dante never broke a promise.  When the Queen asked this of him, he agreed.  The job kept him away from his original mission long enough for him to be replaced by his own childe, Cassiel.  He is proud of her and makes no secret of it. 

In the interim, he became close to the inclusive Asian Cabal and remains one of the few American Cabal members allowed unrestricted access to their territory.

Dante is dangerous because he is so unpredictable. Not unassuming in the least, but most would be less willing to suspect him of malicious intent than they would any of his clansiblings. He is charming and handsome, a born negotiator, and a manipulator as well.  Despite this, he prefers to follow the rules believing they are the only way to avoid the chaos of war.  But beneath this facade lies a prickly exterior that, if roused, can turn him into the evil vampire that resides inside.

For the most part, Dante is the affable vampire that most know, but that none would cross for fear of retribution. His love for the Tenebroso is well known, not often seen, and a slight to them is taken as a personal insult to him.

Face Representation:
Theo James