Mathias Rouke

Brought into the sept he became the Beta to his pack's Alpha. Leading but only through others. Fighting for Gaia but in the ways he thought more right. His personal life changed dramatically. With a new outlook on life he became even more driven and in the years that followed his personal empire grew. Neither a Bond nor a Scase himself, not wanting the limelight, he rubbed shoulders with the richest and kept himself a just the right distance from his numerous holdings, working through boards and committees mainly.

Mary was the woman to capture his heart. In his employment, work meetings became casual affairs and grew to a relationship that neither was expected but both secretly wanted. She knew of his nature and his drive and was his support and partner in the human world. The announcement of her pregnancy as considered by Christopher to be his greatest treasure.

The fates were not to be kind. The birth was difficult and even in these times of modern technology nothing could be done. A choice was to be made, the mother or the child and Mary's decision was to give her life for another. Christopher was devastated and refused to see the child for weeks, left in the care of the hospital. Finally facing that which he was responsible for, he sought to find a home for the newly born babe and his first visit was to be his last. Whether it was the spirits speaking, or simply that he saw in the child something of his late wife, he will never speak of. However, after that first meeting his decision was changed and the child, Mathias Rouke, was taken home by his father.

In the years that followed Mathias grew, under the guidance and protection of his father he wanted for nothing but was taught the value of what he had. His father's ideals became his own, even at a young age. The respect for power in its right place, the value of that place being in his own hands. Not as close as many father and son, he saw his father as a mentor and a guiding hand rather than the comforter and confidant. His father's nature was known to him, an aspect of power and strength that Mathias himself was both in awe and covetous of. His father watched him and waited for Mathias's own change, waited for his son to become truly as he was. The finest schools were paid for and arrangements made for university education. Not so much expected as accepted to be the logical progression. Mathias was introduced to the myriad of responsibilities and aspects of a corporate empire. His own studies led him to both law and economics. Understanding the ways in which power manifested itself and how to shape both people and their fortunes. An unspoken agreement between father and son was that Mathias was to be given the opportunities but not the aid to make of himself what he would. Fees were paid but at the end of his degree his life would be his own to live, wherever his path took him.

Inevitably, the change came upon him. Without trauma or fear, and his father stepped forward again to guide Mathias through what he could become. The one thing his father would not do was support his entrance into the Sept of Hidden Green (think that's the other sept). For this he would not explain his reasoning, simply that his son would have to find other ways. Some suspected he was afraid of Mathias's potential, in truth both Mathis and his father agreed that neither could garner the power they desired if they were to attempt to climb the ranks within the same sept.

The Sept of Sleeping Lore accepted him and let him run alongside their own. As a favour to The Sept of Hidden Green or perhaps as part of another unspoken agreement. Either way the Sept of Sleeping Lore became Mathias's home, and to him, his ladder to power. Still his father taught him, taught him the ways of the Shadowlords, the ways of power within the Garou and the ways of manipulation. Mathias was a good student in all this and within his Sept he remained small and quiet, biding time, watching and listening. As the Shadowlords say "No Lord can gain power without assistance", Mathias waited for those assistants to make themselves known to him.

The first of these was Dominique. A Silverfang, those his father had warned him of. No love lost between tribes, yet Mathias was attracted to something within her, beyond her appearance, her spirit, her own desires and her abilities. She was already within the Sleeping Lore when he was accepted. Younger than he, yet older in some ways. His decision, to the surprise of even his father, was to forgoe his skills at manipulation and approach her as an equal. The Shadowlords and Silver Fang of old had warred and still did, a result of the Shadowlords being the 'servants' of the Silver Fang in times past, to Mathias it seemed almost logical to accept the one could not rule the other when both were so driven.

Over time, others became known to him, each attracted in their own way, often not knowing they were. Mathias and Dominique making friends and seeming to join others, rather than recruiting for their own desires. Her abilities and powers have served them both well in the mundane world of humans too. Investments made with inheritance and allowances, together their own small empire has already been birthed.

* This bit is more vague as I'm not real sure on the other character backgrounds *

Mikal:

A contradiction in terms? Perhaps. His nature is headstrong, a weapon to be used, pointed at a target then removed from the scene when a more deft hand is required. Yet he dresses in a suit and tries to be something he's not. Watched in classes, he seems to be averagely dedicated to his studies. Still he's a weapon, just one that needs control, his wish to be sophisticated or appear so may be just the aspect to exploit.

Moonflower:

Quiet yet of her own strength. Her abilities as a Glasswalker are almost a requirement in this day and age. She seems to have shown no great desires for leadership, content to do what she must to serve and protect Gaia's own. Given the right cause, or the illusion of such, her skills are of great advantage.

Angus:

A strength in himself but again without ambition? His passion is both his weakness and strength. That passion directed could make him an unstoppable ally, all that must be watched is that that passion does not turn upon one who would control him.

Keziah:

The most probably threat. Her Lupus nature makes her uncontrollable at times, not one who would bow easily. Trickery must be subtle, but not too so. The greatest of threats if any were to be discovered trying to manipulate events. If she were to be Alpha plans would become harder, unlikely is she to accept council. Her volatile nature must be shown to a threat to the others if she were to lead, but an advantage when needed.

(NB: No real mention of his weakness in shapechanging individual parts of his body. He may or may not know of it yet..)