Lucia Caprese
Narcissistic, Cruel, Disdainful, Arrogant, Impetuous
The Caprese family are one of the elite band of very wealthy families that make their home in the manors of Staten Island. An Italian-American family with strong Roman-Catholic beliefs they have been prominent in New York for centuries. What the average country club member doesn’t know is that their wealth and influence derives from a wholly unnatural source.
Shortly after the Caprese family first came to America the father of the family, David Caprese, was Embraced. Rather than severing his mortal ties to his family he took a rather different option, choosing to turn the three other men of the family into Kindred too. Since that day there have always been four Kindred in the ranks of the extended Caprese family. The kine family-members act as vessels and agents for their Kindred ancestors, hoping one day for the opportunity to become one of the four Caprese Kindred.
The faces of the four have changed over time with various members suffering unfortunate fates of one kind or another. David Caprese is the only one of the original four still around today. The Caprese system works on a basis of always having two of the Kindred active whilst two rest in torpor. When one of the waking Kindred falls into torpor, voluntarily or otherwise, one of the sleeping Capreses is awakened to take the place of the newly-torpored member. There are currently three members of the family active, David, Lucia and Massimo. This is because Enrico Caprese suffered the Final Death in 1978. That left Lucia as the only active Caprese. She awoke David, whose turn it was next, and the two ran the trials that would determine which of the Caprese kine would take Enrico’s place. Massimo Caprese won the trial and was Embraced. When a new Caprese is Embraced he remains with the current two Capreses to learn of the Kindred world. Whilst this means three are active the balance is restored the next time one falls into torpor as another Caprese is not roused to take their place.
Lucia was born in the mid 1900s in New York. Growing up with the reality of Kindred existence she was always determined to be the next Caprese Embraced, despite the fact that a woman had never before been admitted to the ranks of the Embraced. Her sisters and aunts told her she was foolish, idiotic but she didn’t give up. She grew a stiff back bearing up under the ridicule of her other family members and soon learned how to fend for herself. She was ruthless, cruel and dangerous in her dealings both inside and outside the family, quickly gaining influence by wrapping a number of individuals around her finger with her looks and charisma.
By the time Agustin Caprese died finally her former ridiculers were silent. She was the wealthiest and most powerful of any of the Caprese kine and has won the trust and respect of Michael Caprese, the current Caprese Kindred. However she had a test to prove herself in the trials as Enrico Caprese, the newly wakened Kindred, knew nothing of her and initially scoffed at her application. Her determination, skill and pride won him round though and, with the full backing of Michael Caprese, she was Embraced.
For over fifty years there were three Kindred Capreses in New York (the rest of the Kindred community was not keen on this idea) and when Michael fell into torpor in the 20s Lucia had built up power and respect in the Kindred community, attaining the rank of Bishop in the Lancea Sanctum as well as being the Baron of Richmond. Enrico was the Duke of Staten Island and it is whispered that his sudden demise may well have been as a result of Lucia’s ambition to take his place. All Kindred would be wise not to be caught uttering such possibilities in the presence of Lucia or any of her agents.
Shortly after Enrico was killed Lucia was offered a position on the Primogen (making her the second newest after Tarquin Rhys). With her new responsibilities she passed the baton of Bishop to David, her ancestor and the first Bishop of New York. She has proved to be an able Primogen, if a little hot-headed and easily-offended.
Lucia’s short-temper, contempt and arrogance has won her no friends in the Kindred community. She is feared and respected for her cunning and vindictiveness but not liked. She is known as the Bitch Queen of Richmond, something she is reported to be quite proud of. The lack of love for her does not concern her as she believes that it is right other Kindred should fear her. She is a devout follower of the Lancea-Sanctum and does not tolerate blasphemy in her presence. Short-tempered and often impulsive she has been seen to overreact to offence on several occasions meaning it is always wise to tread carefully around her. The respect afforded her is partly on her own merit but also partly because of the shadow of David Caprese that hangs over her. A powerful Kindred, more so than any other Kindred not on the Council, David’s influence and deeds are legend in New York. This shadow only serves to stiffen Lucia’s back even further as she is constantly aware of the fact that her grandsire overshadows her.
Overall it is best to tread very carefully around Lucia. Her insecurity and pride manifests as anger and hatred and she has the power to punish those who have offended her. For all this though she knows how to play the game of Kindred politics and her reprisals can be subtle and indirect when necessary, but no less devastating. Her impetuousness and bluntness have led Kindred to underestimate her and consider her no more than a jumped up fledgling. These Kindred inevitably end up as ash.
