Thornmere, Eldric

Basic Information

Current Full Name: Eldric Thornmere
Original Name: Bellovaci (Celtic Durotriges)
Age: Approximately 2,000 years old
Turned: Circa 65 CE, during aftermath of Boudica’s rebellion
Tribal Origin: Durotriges tribe, south-west Britain (modern Dorset area)
Current Status: Extremely wealthy reclusive antiquarian
Primary Residence: Thornmere Hall, Dorset (near original tribal lands)

Physical Description

Current Appearance

Height: Tall, imposing figure befitting ancient warrior heritage
Build: Lean but powerful; retains warrior’s bearing despite centuries
Hair: Dark brown with distinguished grey streaking (carefully maintained appearance)
Eyes: Pale grey-green, ancient and penetrating
Complexion: Pale but not corpse-like; appears as wealthy recluse with “medical sensitivity to sunlight“
Style: Impeccably dressed in traditional British country gentleman attire
Bearing: Natural aristocratic presence developed over centuries of wealth and authority

Distinctive Features

Hands: Long, elegant fingers that hint at both scholarly pursuits and ancient strength
Voice: Cultured modern British accent with occasional archaic word choices
Mannerisms: Unconscious habits from different eras that surface occasionally
Presence: Commands respect through centuries of accumulated authority and confidence

Historical Identity Evolution

Name Progression Through Time

60–400 CE: Bellovaci — Original Celtic tribal name meaning “bright warrior“
400–800 CE: Belovech — Post-Roman Celtic adaptation
800–1200 CE: Belward — Anglo-Saxon influenced evolution
1200–1600 CE: Elward — Medieval English simplification
1600–1900 CE: Edward Thornfield — Early modern English gentleman
1900-Present: Eldric Thornmere — Victorian gothic reinvention with antiquarian flair

Documented Lineage Strategy

Property Inheritance: Maintains continuous ownership through carefully staged “family” succession
Legal Documentation: Employs trusted human solicitors and genealogists across generations
Financial Continuity: Complex trust arrangements spanning centuries
Death and Succession: Periodically “dies” and is “inherited by” distant cousin/nephew (himself with modifications)
Public Records: Maintains consistent documentation of family lineage going back 400+ years
Academic Credentials: Legitimate scholarly reputation in Celtic and Romano-British studies

Personality & Character

Core Traits

Ancient Wisdom: Perspective shaped by witnessing two millennia of human development
Territorial Conservatism: Believes in sustainable vampire-human coexistence
Scholarly Nature: Genuine intellectual curiosity about history and human development
Pragmatic Patience: Thinks in decades and centuries rather than immediate gratification
Aristocratic Manner: Natural authority developed through wealth and longevity
Subtle Manipulation: Prefers influence through wealth and knowledge rather than supernatural compulsion

Philosophical Outlook

Sustainability Ethics: Opposes vampire practices that threaten long-term human-vampire balance
Historical Perspective: Views current events in context of centuries of similar cycles
Territorial Respect: Believes in established supernatural territorial agreements
Human Evolution: Fascinated by human technological and social development
Vampire Society: Supports traditional hierarchies and established protocols over revolutionary change

Behavioural Patterns

Social Interaction:* Maintains carefully cultivated relationships with select humans
Risk Management: Avoids exposure through meticulous planning and preparation
Wealth Management: Sophisticated understanding of financial systems across centuries
Information Gathering: Extensive network of human contacts in academic and professional circles

Abilities & Limitations

Vampiric Capabilities

Enhanced Strength: Significantly greater than human but uses restraint
Supernatural Senses: Acute hearing, smell, and night vision
Regeneration: Rapid healing from most injuries
Longevity Wisdom: Vast knowledge accumulated over two millennia
Shadow Manipulation: Basic abilities but less refined than specialised vampires
Essence Perception: Can assess human health, emotion, and supernatural potential

Unique Skills

Historical Knowledge: First-hand experience of British history from Roman conquest onward
Linguistic Evolution: Understands development of languages across centuries
Cultural Adaptation: Expert at blending into different historical periods
Financial Acumen: Centuries of investment and wealth management experience
Academic Expertise: Legitimate scholarly knowledge of Celtic and Romano-British periods
Social Manipulation: Subtle influence through wealth, knowledge, and careful relationship building

Limitations & Vulnerabilities

Sunlight Sensitivity: Standard vampiric vulnerability to direct sunlight
Territorial Attachment: Strong connection to ancestral Durotriges lands
Exposure Risk: Centuries of existence create potential for discovery
Conservative Nature: Resistance to change can create strategic disadvantages
Human Dependencies: Relies on human agents for daylight operations and legal continuity

Wealth & Resources

Property Holdings

Thornmere Hall: Ancient manor house in Dorset, carefully modernised while maintaining historical character
London Residence: Discreet town house for necessary urban business
International Properties: Holdings in various countries for diversification and escape routes
Historical Sites: Owns several properties with supernatural significance or thin place characteristics

Financial Assets

Investment Portfolio: Centuries of compound growth across multiple markets and currencies
Art and Antiquities: Extensive collection, some pieces acquired during their original historical periods
Business Interests: Discreet ownership stakes in various legitimate enterprises
Emergency Resources: Hidden caches of wealth for crisis situations

Human Network

Legal Representatives: Multi-generational relationships with solicitor firms
Academic Contacts: Relationships with historians, archaeologists, and antiquarians
Financial Advisors: Trusted managers for legitimate business interests
Domestic Staff: Carefully selected individuals who accept his “eccentricities“

Motivations & Goals

Primary Objectives

Territorial Preservation: Maintain control and security of ancestral feeding grounds
Sustainable Coexistence: Preserve long-term vampire-human balance
Knowledge Preservation: Document and understand historical change and continuity
Wealth Protection: Maintain financial security and independence
Exposure Prevention: Avoid discovery while maintaining necessary human relationships

Opposition to Caelum

Territorial Encroachment: Caelum’s agents threatening established feeding territories
Sustainable Feeding: Mass conversion threatens discreet feeding arrangements
Exposure Risk: Industrial-scale vampire activity attracts dangerous attention
Traditional Values: Caelum’s revolutionary approach threatens established vampire society
Long-term Consequences: Atmospheric plan endangers human civilisation that Eldric has carefully cultivated

With Other Vampires

Traditional Faction: Respected elder among vampires who value established protocols
Territorial Agreements: Maintains relationships with other ancient vampires through mutual respect
Younger Vampires: Viewed as mentor and authority figure by respectful vampires
Caelum’s Faction: Seen as obstacle to revolutionary change; target for elimination or conversion

With Humans

Academic Community: Respected scholar and generous patron of historical research
Local Community: Known as eccentric but benevolent wealthy landowner
Professional Services: Long-term relationships built on discretion and mutual benefit
Selected Individuals: Carefully cultivated relationships with humans who provide specific services

With Protagonists

Mutual Benefit: Provides information and resources in exchange for assistance with territorial problems
Respect for Competence: Appreciates their effectiveness against supernatural threats
Limited Trust: Willing to cooperate but maintains appropriate caution
Strategic Alliance: Temporary partnership based on shared opposition to Caelum

Communication Style

Speech Patterns

Educated Formality: Speaks with precision and courtesy reflecting centuries of refinement
Archaic Touches: Occasional word choices or phrasing from earlier historical periods
Understated Authority: Commands respect through calm confidence rather than aggression
Historical References: Often illustrates points with examples from personal historical experience
Scholarly Precision: Uses exact terminology and careful qualification of statements

Typical Expressions

References to historical events as personal memories rather than academic knowledge
Understated reactions to modern technology and social changes
Dry observations about human nature based on centuries of observation
Careful diplomatic language when discussing supernatural politics
Academic terminology when discussing historical or archaeological matters

Story Function & Themes

Narrative Role

Information Source: Provides historical context and intelligence about vampire society
Resource Provider: Offers wealth, connections, and logistical support
Moral Contrast: Represents sustainable vampire philosophy vs. Caelum’s exploitation
Cultural Bridge: Links ancient British history with modern supernatural threats
Strategic Ally: Temporary partnership based on mutual interests rather than friendship

Thematic Significance

Tradition vs. Revolution: Embodies established order challenged by Caelum’s radical change
Sustainability vs. Exploitation: Represents long-term thinking vs. short-term gain
Cultural Continuity: Shows how identity evolves while maintaining core nature
Wealth and Power: Demonstrates how resources accumulate and influence over time
Hidden History: Represents the supernatural elements underlying human historical development

Habits & Routines

Daily Practices

Scholarly Work: Maintains legitimate research and writing in historical fields
Estate Management: Oversees property maintenance and improvement projects
Financial Review: Regular monitoring of investments and business interests
Correspondence: Maintains network through letters, calls, and discreet meetings
Evening Activities: Social and business interactions during nocturnal hours

Feeding Patterns

Complete Extraction Method

Full Drainage: Completely drains victims, leaving no survivors or partial feedings
Victim Selection: Targets individuals whose disappearance won’t trigger extensive investigation
Evidence Elimination: Bodies completely disposed of through various methods
No Witnesses: Ensures no one survives to report supernatural encounters
Efficient Feeding: Takes maximum nourishment from each victim to extend intervals between feedings

Target Categories

Transients and Homeless: Individuals with minimal social connections or official records
Criminals and Predators: Those whose disappearance might be viewed as justice served
Isolated Travellers: Foreign visitors or wanderers passing through rural areas
Corrupt Officials: Occasionally targets individuals whose removal benefits his interests
Rival Agents: Supernatural threats or competitors who encroach on his territory

Disposal Methods

Estate Grounds: Ancient property includes natural features suitable for permanent disposal
Industrial Connections: Access to crematoriums, chemical facilities, and other disposal infrastructure
Maritime Options: Coastal location provides ocean disposal capabilities
Agricultural Processing: Rural connections allow for various farm-based disposal methods
Historical Sites: Knowledge of ancient burial sites and hidden locations

Familiar Network

Organisational Structure

Inner Circle: 3–4 completely loyal individuals who know his true nature
Operational Layer: 8–12 specialists who handle specific aspects without full knowledge
Peripheral Network: 20+ individuals who provide services without supernatural awareness

Inner Circle Familiars

Margaret Ashworth - Estate Manager & Chief Familiar

Age: 45, has served Eldric for 15 years
Role: Coordinates all estate operations and familiar activities
Knowledge: Fully aware of Eldric’s nature and requirements
Background: Former police detective who discovered Eldric’s nature and was recruited rather than eliminated
Loyalty: Bound by combination of fear, financial dependence, and twisted admiration

James Crowley — Disposal Specialist

Age: 38, former military explosives expert with PTSD
Role: Handles body disposal and evidence elimination
Knowledge: Believes Eldric is involved in “national security operations“
Background: Recruited after military discharge, grateful for purpose and stability
Methods: Expert in making things disappear permanently without trace

Dr. Sarah Whitmore — Medical Consultant

Age: 52, disgraced former coroner
Role: Provides medical expertise and death certification when needed
Knowledge: Suspects supernatural elements but doesn’t ask questions
Background: Lost medical licence due to addiction, depends on Eldric’s financial support
Services: Can provide medical cover stories and falsify documentation

Operational Layer Familiars

Security Personnel: Ex-military and police who handle estate security and victim acquisition Legal Advisors: Solicitors who manage property transfers and official documentation Transportation Specialists: Drivers and logistics coordinators for discreet operations Information Gatherers: Individuals in social services, hospitals, and travel industry who identify potential targets Maintenance Staff: Estate workers who handle grounds keeping and facility maintenance

Recruitment Methods

Vulnerability Exploitation: Targets individuals with financial problems, legal troubles, or social isolation
Gradual Indoctrination: Slowly reveals information and requirements over time
Financial Dependency: Creates situations where individuals become economically dependent
Psychological Manipulation: Uses centuries of experience to identify and exploit psychological weaknesses
Selective Disclosure: Provides only necessary information to each familiar based on their role

Loyalty Maintenance

Financial Incentives: Generous compensation far beyond normal employment
Problem Resolution: Uses wealth and influence to solve familiars’ personal problems
Graduated Commitment: Gradually increases involvement until retreat becomes impossible
Fear Management: Subtle demonstrations of consequences for betrayal
Replacement Threat: Understanding that they can be replaced if they become unreliable

Operational Security

Compartmentalisation: Each familiar knows only what’s necessary for their specific role
Communication Protocols: Secure methods for coordinating activities without exposure
Emergency Procedures: Plans for containing exposure or eliminating compromised familiars
Documentation Control: Careful management of any records or evidence of operations
Succession Planning: Prepared replacements for critical roles in case of familiar loss

Feeding Operations

Target Acquisition Process

Identification: Familiars identify suitable targets through their various professional networks
Assessment: Background investigation to ensure minimal risk of discovery
Approach: Familiars create opportunities for isolated contact
Extraction: Eldric feeds completely while familiars handle security and logistics
Disposal: Immediate evidence elimination through established protocols

Operational Frequency

Feeding Schedule: Complete drainage every 3–4 weeks maintains optimal health
Seasonal Variation: Increased activity during winter months when people disappear more easily
Opportunity Feeding: Additional feeding when particularly suitable targets present themselves
Emergency Protocols: Accelerated operations when territorial threats require additional strength

Risk Management

Geographic Distribution: Operations spread across wide area to prevent pattern recognition
Identity Variation: Uses different approaches and familiar teams for different operations
Official Interference: Network positioned to monitor and misdirect police investigations
Supernatural Detection: Awareness of other supernatural entities who might interfere
Documentation Destruction: Systematic elimination of any evidence linking operations to estate