Burgess Taylor

**Burgess Taylor**, often referred to as Burgie or The Dark Dandy much to his displeasure, is a thin man with dark hair threaded with grey, a sharp beard and features, and grey-green eyes that don't laugh when his mouth does. He tends to dress fashionably in black. Despite his intelligence, cunning, and ambition, Taylor's unassuming demeanor and history of aiding vampires with higher social standing have led many to underestimate him. He is a better politician, schemer, and mastermind than almost any other vampire in Seattle, matching even the likes of John Moon and Seraphina, even though they still outmatch him in terms of their reputation and influence.

Taylor's tendency to use flattery and sarcasm when speaking, as well as his shaky voice, only add to the perception that he's not a serious contender for power. Nonetheless, it's clear that Taylor is someone who will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, and his unpredictable nature means that he should not be entirely discounted as a potential adversary.

### History

Burgess Taylor was born in the early 1900s in a rough neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in poverty and faced numerous challenges, including bullying and isolation from his peers. Despite these difficulties, Taylor showed an early aptitude for academics and used his intelligence to excel in school.

However, Taylor's difficult upbringing continued to shape his worldview as he became increasingly aware of the disparities between the rich and the poor. He became fascinated with the glamorous and hedonistic lifestyles of the upper class and was determined to escape his own life of poverty.

In his late teenage years, Taylor began to develop a keen interest in entrepreneurship and started to build his own business. He used his intellect and entrepreneurial skills to create a successful company, which helped him achieve the financial stability he had been striving for.

Taylor was forced into an arranged marriage that he never desired, by the pressure of his overbearing mother. His union with his wife, Elizabeth, was tainted from the very beginning, as she proved to be unfaithful to him. Her betrayal shattered his trust in her and left him feeling wounded and vulnerable. Taylor had always believed in the sanctity of marriage and was deeply committed to his relationship with Elizabeth. However, her infidelity shattered his perception of their marriage, and he struggled to come to terms with her actions.

Despite his best efforts to win back his wife's love and affection, his attempts went unnoticed. Elizabeth remained distant and uninterested in his advances, further exacerbating his pain and despair. Taylor's attempts to reconcile with her were futile, and his love for her began to turn to resentment and anger.

As the darkness consumed him, Taylor began to see his situation with a new clarity. He realized that his love for Elizabeth had been unrequited, and her infidelity had brought him nothing but pain. Taylor's emotions turned to rage, and he became determined to seek revenge against Elizabeth and her lover, Alexander.

In his descent into darkness, Taylor became a mastermind and began to use his intelligence and cunning to manipulate his circumstances. He toiled tirelessly, crafting a scheme that would lead to the gruesome demise of Elizabeth and Alexander. Taylor's obsession with revenge consumed him, and he lost sight of everything that he once held dear.

And so it was that on a dark and stormy night, the lovers met their fate at the hands of Taylor. The echoes of their screams reverberated through the halls of their manor, and Taylor felt a sense of satisfaction in his victory. But his triumph was bittersweet, for he knew that his actions had forever tarnished his soul.

In the shadows of the night Taylor's fate took a twisted turn, his fate had been sealed by a vampire's gaze. The Toreador saw in him a potential for greatness, and so Taylor was Embraced, his life forever changed.

Taylor's transformation into a vampire brought about a plethora of changes that he struggled to cope with. As a newly turned vampire, he had to adjust to his new identity, which was both thrilling and terrifying. He struggled to reconcile his old self with his new self, as he was torn between his desire for power and his former human life.

Taylor's thirst for power and influence had been amplified by his new powers. He was no longer content to be a nobody and craved the attention and respect of others. He began to use his vampiric abilities to manipulate those around him, exerting his influence and control over society. However, his insatiable thirst for power and control began to take a toll on him, leaving him feeling empty and unfulfilled.

The physical changes brought about by his transformation were also challenging to cope with. He had to adapt to his heightened senses and abilities, which were both exhilarating and overwhelming.

Taylor's rise to power was a carefully orchestrated plan, and he employed a variety of tactics to manipulate the Camarilla's hierarchy and gain influence over powerful individuals. One of his primary methods was to remain underestimated and ignored by the Kindred society. He often presented himself as a weak and unassuming figure, hiding his true nature and abilities from his peers.

He used his intelligence and improvisational skills to turn any situation to his advantage. Taylor was a master of playing both sides of any conflict, working with his enemies, and biding his time until the moment was right to strike. He also employed a variety of subtle manipulations, such as spreading rumors and misinformation, to control the actions of his peers without them even realizing it.

Taylor's use of violence was always calculated and strategic, only employing it when necessary. He preferred to avoid conflict whenever possible, knowing that open displays of aggression would make him a target for the Camarilla's enforcers. He was patient and methodical, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and using his opponents' weaknesses against them.

He often worked behind the scenes, quietly pulling strings to advance his own agenda. He would use his powers of persuasion to convince others to do his bidding or plant suggestions in their minds that would lead to his desired outcome. He was also skilled at finding and exploiting the weaknesses of others, whether they be physical or psychological, to gain leverage over them.

Taylor's appearance may suggest cowardice, but in reality, he is quite brave. He confidently engages in dangerous games with powerful individuals. He has a dry sense of humor that he often uses to disguise his dangerous nature, and he can quickly switch from being cold and dangerous to glib and sarcastic, especially when dealing with personal opponents. Taylor's strategic and cunning abilities surpass many of his peers.