From LanceaSanctum

"I am my father's daughter, but I am not my father..."

Iris d Anges von Hapsburg

Archbishop
Prince of Muncie

Clan:
Ventrue
Creed:
Monachal Creed

House:
House of Hapsburg

Apparent Age:
mid to late 20's

Home City:
Muncie, IN

Character Journal:
Rose In Bloom
All posts are public, but keep in mind that all information contained within is strictly OOC

Description:

There are those who have said that Iris is a radiant beauty (Striking Looks 4). While this may or may not be true, she is at least modest about it. She is a slender 5'8", and is usually either seen in formal wear or business attire. At her embrace and during her living years, Iris had long flaming red hair. It has now darkened to an almost black color, but if you look closely the red is still very much present. Her eyes are a deep blue, and their intensity changes with her mood. If one watches carefully, they could also say that she has inherited her sire's characteristic way of raising one eyebrow in question. She is almost always seen composed and calm, with at least the appearance of control.

Known Information and Background

Servant to Society - 2005

Iris was introduced to kindred society as the Invictus ghoul of Sir Emmanuel dVreis, a well-off Ventrue with an appreciation for intelligence. Initially very quiet and reserved, it was evident that Iris was not fond of kindred society as a whole. She stayed faithfully to her master's side, and he treated her with affection. She showed an unusual amount of disdain towards a particular Prince, Archbishop Count Conrad Van Der Haas, who was known for his roaming eyes and affinity for beautiful women - be they kindred or thrall. Not very many months after joining 'polite' society dVreis and Iris relocated to Indianapolis, supposedly to expand the school they owned. Despite the fact that dVreis quickly climbed the ranks of Ventrue in Indianapolis, Iris still seemed happier hiding away in her master's library, out of sight from any curious kindred.

The Rise of the Embrace - 2006

Not surprisingly, it was a shock to most when she appeared at the Grand Gather in Louisville as a kindred herself, bearing the name "Von Hapsburg" (EClipse, March 06). Despite her new name and surprising new Sire, she publicly swore her allegiance to her former domitor in front of the Invictus council. She immediately set about to prove that she was worthy of her new state, and made allies from many other cities. By the time the Grand Gather in Indianapolis came around in July (GenCon, 06), it was agreed that she would be taken in as a student of an Au Pair, destined to become one herself. This is also when it was speculated that her strong alliance with Baroness Gallant and Baron Walker of Lafayette began.

The Disappearance - 2007

Around November, Iris purchased a grand home in Lafayette, and set about relocating. Whether or not this was due to plans for the future or because of the need to be free from her Sire's eyes is unknown to all but few. She was immediately placed in the position of Seneschal, though she often had to aid her Prince from afar. Following her apparent habit of shocking those around her, in January of the following year Baron Walker 'switched' positions with Iris so that she was now Prince and he her Seneschal.

Despite the turmoil present in her city, Iris has not been seen at any court for over a year. There are rumors that a few know how to contact her, but even her sire and her kinsmen seem to not be able to speak with her now. She has, on occasion, called her representatives, but there is no word as to when she will be returning to public life. The official word is that she was summoned, and may or may not be studying to become a better Invictus. We have yet to learn whether or not this 'official word' is a fabrication concocted to cover up a more sinister reason for her disappearance. After the wake of her Sire's brutal murder, those who cared for her feared greatly that she too had been destroyed, and mourned for her.

The Grand Return - 2008

After being out of contact with everyone including those of her house for over a year, this past summer Iris has suddenly reappeared. At first she made contact with only a select few, feeling out the area before making a public appearance. She made her presence known to her family, to her sister, and to the Prince of Indianapolis. From her home in Lafayette and her Sire's home of Cantham, she watched as the city and her family seemed to spiral into a massive downfall around her. Despite her original intention to renew her residence at Cantham, after seeing the state of Indianapolis and the manner of persons allowed reign in the manor, she removed all of her belongings from her Sire's old home and moved to Muncie. She was in the midst of planning to meet with The Family Villain (contact had been made but she did not want to come public just yet) when a large fire completely ravaged their home and left a huge void in the city of Muncie. In August, Mizery convinced her to come down the Mexico City (GenCon '08) to remember those they had lost and thus began Iris' return to public life.

What a return it was. At her first public gather in almost two years, she swept back into life in a way that would make even her Sire proud, reestablishing old ties and holding herself as if she were a kindred nearly a century old instead of the newly embraced youngling that she truly is. At the end of the gather, after the breaking of Elysium, she was drafted to aid Nathaniel Fairchild, outcast and chaos-bringer. Despite the reactions that Fairchild normally incurred in people, Iris seemed sardonically nonplussed by his behavior going so far to even mock the characteristic representation of his beast. When asked to dominate him, she had no problem holding his gaze without flinching, smirking even as he attempted to rile her. This, naturally, intrigued Fairchild who later tracked her down in DeKalb to ask why.

In the last months, Iris has swept into nearby gathers like a violently persuasive breath of fresh air, determined to not only see Indianapolis return to the grand city it was when her Sire was its Prince, but to fill the void that the loss of the Villains left in Muncie. Indeed, her first public gather in Muncie saw her named the Prince's Herald as well as the Priscus of the Lords.

Her straightforward and calculatingly precise words have also been seen on the electronic forum of communication that Indianapolis uses to discuss city matters between gathers, striking true to the heart of the matters she speaks on and bringing ire to those who would not see the truth of their foolishness.

A Leader Emerges - 2009

At the end of 2008 Iris and many others of her city visit the grand gather in Windsor (ICC 2008). Her she meets Gregorio Visconti and begins visiting him in Norwich CT on a regular basis. In fact, she disappears there for a few months after the grand gather, inciting once again rumors of her demise. When she returns it is with a new found confidence and a new last name, which raises the brows of many. It also displeases the new group of Lance who have moved into the nearby city of Indianapolis, as many of them had been tutored by Conrad himself.

This is not the only run in Iris has with the local Lance, as she finds herself unexpected implicated in a plot to destroy the Crone. Since the Prince of Indianapolis happens to be a paranoid Crone, this turns out to be very bad. Thankfully Iris has the forethought to speak with him before she takes her Praxis, and they are able to make an alliance on the bond of their blood - as they are both Lords.

Alliance safely in hand, Iris now feels confident to step into the now leaderless city of Muncie and make it her own. Not a single voice raises against her and she determines that this time around the city will not shut itself off from the region and potential allies. As much as she admires the elegance and decadence of the Villains before her, their mistake is not one she intends to make.

In May, while visiting a grand gather in Chicago, she was honored with the title Archbishop, by virtue of her position as Prince couple with the name Bishop. Once again, certain of the Indy Lance were angered by this, and by her continued refusal of the name Von Hapsburg. At the end of the night she was confronted by Taso, the Bishop of Indianapolis, who pressed the issue to the point where she cracked under the pressure of his fervency. As soon as she left the gather she flew to Norwich, not returning for a full two weeks after.

When she returns, she is silent on the subject of her name, but once again there is a difference in her. This time, it is not quite the positive difference it had been before. She rules quietly for a few months, until a visit to Bloomington prompts her announcement. She will no longer use the name Visconti, but re-embrace the name given to her upon her embrace. Von Hapsburg. When she does this, the Indianapolis faction of Lance pledge to aid her, claiming that this was all they wished from her.

Since then there is a spark of power in her, a bit of the woman that caused her to catch Conrad's eye, and it fits her well. She fights to keep her city safe against Hunters, Demons, and the onslaught of those who would influence changes that they do not wish to see. She must stand firm against not only those who would bring her down on the outside, but those who wait for her to fall inside the city as well...

Lineage

Sire

Lord Archbishop Count Conrad Van Der Haas (deceased)

No known Childer

Allies and Associates

Baron Sir Emmanuel dVries, Esq. - The man I owe all to, and whose love I shall never wish to lose.

The Family Villain - many of which are missing

Elias Von Hapsburg - A connection I cannot explain

Alexander Sabre - Usually a true gentleman.

Mercy - Mad as a hatter, but sincere in her devotions, which is more than I can say for many sane men I have met.

William Cathcart - deceased

Baron Aaron Walker - deceased

Baroness Gallant - missing

Advocate Campbell - Lovely Titled Campbell. He's done very well for himself, and he's wonderful company to keep.

Mizery Aniron Karastu - Sisters not in blood, but in heart, she would stand with me unto death.

Dominion - She would kill you twice for looking at her wrong, and she likes it that way. Hard not to admire such a strong predator who can strike fear in the hearts of so many.

Sir Charles Savage - deceased

Vincent DeVille - missing

Michael deSantos - One of the few Invictus I have met of late that I would never dare to cross.

Dante Abandonato and Pandoria Abandonato - While new acquaintances, I am glad to have both members of the Lance in the city

Gregorio Visconti - I care for him greatly, but can no longer deny the truth of who I am.

Esther Rahne Julian - An elegant and graceful woman. I am glad to see that some of us still survive these dangerous nights.

Brett Thomas

Kaytlyn Winterbourne - She has such potential, if only she would stand with a straight spine and look a person in the eye.

From those lips...

((Feel free to contribute))

• "For so new a Kindred, Iris is a marvel of Grace and beauty." - Sir Charles Savage
• "You bastard!" - yelled by Iris when provoked to frenzy at Conrad Van Der Haas during his gather, after being told that he mocked her Praxis and had no confidence in her as Prince.
• "I tried to do right by you, to make you proud. I ruled a city, and but you denied me... it was not enough." - Iris, in memory of her Sire.
• "I am tired of betrayals. I have been abused by the Invictus for too long." - Iris, when speaking to Hank Scorpio on her conversion to the Lance.
• "People like you are worth fighting for. You bring out the single greatest commodity known to man - Promise. A promise of a better day. A promise of a new tomorrow. This aura can be found in the gait of beautiful creatures, like you. It's in your smile, in your soul." - Nathaniel Fairchild
• "I have never felt so scorned as I did the night Conrad presented his new childe to me. As if I mattered, when he knew full well I could say nothing. That her part in it was innocent I have no doubt there is nothing for me to forgive her for." ~Eva to her Julius.
• "I knew her when she was a thrall. Interesting girl. I had no love for her regnant, though. I am glad to see that she outgrew him. Glad indeed." - Lady Dovasary Villain
• "No matter what, Iris is my Sister and I stand by her side, NOT behind her... beside her."- Madam Mizery Aniron Karastu
• "Beautiful, intelligent, strong, elegant. She may be my first match in a long, long time. Perhaps we can be friends." - Esther Montesori

Whispered in the Night

• It is said that she lets no man touch her other than d'Vreis.
  
• She's Conrad's childe, right? She's bound to go crazy sooner rather than later!
  
• The word is, the Prince of Indy agreed to embrace her without payment. He only wished to be one of the few with the privilege of tasting her.
  
• That was not his only reason, he did it to spite her sometime companion. The pretty little Villain thing.
• Nathaniel Fairchild will kill anyone who gets to close to her.
• And Seraph will protect her with his life, even if it means letting Fairchild free reign.
• Psh, Walker only put her there to take the pressure off himself. She'll be dead within a month, just watch.
  
• I thought she was Invictus... What's with the rosary?
  
• It is Said that Sister Marie Magdalene has a fondness for her and actively corresponds with Iris frequently to advise her. She must have done something special to Garner such attentions from this particular Lance.
  
• Despite her visible anger at her Sire when they were last seen together, Iris seems to be speaking fondly of him lately, as if she is actually sad that he's dead.
• Hates her brood mate Hank Scorpio, and is looking to do something about it
• What is her connection to Nathaniel Fairchild, and why did he seem to be listening so intently to her words?
• Wow, back in Muncie for one evening and she's already the Herald? What are they smoking up there and where can I get some?
• How many people will she anger trying to defend Fairchild's life, and why is it worth it?
• Iris brings class to the hierarchy of Muncie.
• Is Nathaniel Fairchild's actions starting to rub off on Iris?
• Hungry for power yet too young to know how to get it.
• Has shown great poise as a new leader of her covenant, but is it all an act?
• Stayed by a broken friend's side in midst of the darkest night of her life.

=Soundtrack=

Perfect Drug - More appropriate for when she was a mortal
Pretty When You Cry
Flames
You
I'm Dying
Sanctified
Terrible Lie
Only
So What
Trouble
Just Like A Pill
Porcelain Doll

(If you have a song to add, please feel free)

---

---

OOC Information:
Player: Nicole Robinson
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Cam Number: US2005096433