Joseph Wellesley, Dux Bellorurn

Joseph Wellesley was born into an English mercantile family in New York in the decades before the Revolutionary War. He thus grew up with privilege and power. He was a willing convert to the patriot banner and took part in the Battle of Harlem Heights (fought roughly between modem 96th and 110th Streets). His knowledge of the city made him an ideal spy, relaying news of troop movements and morale to the Continentals, and exploiting his family connections. Eventually, he fell foul of a greedy "friend." Captured in September, 1776, he received summary justice and was hanged. The execution was botched and Wellesley was left to choke to death, but not for long. His activities had been observed by the warriors of another conflict. As night fell, Wellesley was cut down and Embraced into Clan Ventrue. His neck still bears the scar of his abortive execution. Wellesley had little time to adapt to his new circumstances, finding himself flung into another war, against which the revolution was a mere skirmish. He learned that two groups contested the night, the Camarilla that sought to hide placing herself outside the Sabbat cordon, she left Wellesley in command of Manhattan, much to the chagrin of older Kindred. Wellesley is well aware of Aimery's jealousy, but hopes to exploit the elder vampire's power and prestige to advance the Camarilla cause. Indeed, the plan already seems to be burgeoning with the arrival of new Kindred from the Fief of York. It remains to be seen if these newcomers will aid the Camarilla's cause or merely Aimery's.