-Mark A. T.
The ancient past of the Beasts Courts of Asia are concealed by the Mists of Time. Out story begins with a Shadow Lord, Long Meiming San "Twilight Spiirt Wolf", who lived during the War of the Three Kingdoms in the kingdom of Wei. Six generations an ancestor was sullied by a western barbarian, establishing a line of "kin-folk". No one in his family had ever turned, but he did. It was a shock at first and his family had surely thought he was possessed by a demon and locked him away. For three years he lived locked in his room. Fortunately for him a Taoist priest had heard of this possession and promised to cure him. He told the family that indeed his child was possessed, and he would take Meiming to his orders monastery would they could let him live out his life in harmony. His family was thankful and quickly gave there son to the monk. Soon their mark of shame would be rectified.
The Monk was Shin Huo Lung, who happened to be a Zhong Long Mirror of the Beast Courts. While meditating he had heard the cry of Meiming's anguish. To his amazement it was one who was neither a descendant of a Stargazer or Hakken, but of the Sunset People. The Shen was alone and scared. It was his duty to help the young one, and bought him to attention of his sentai and the Beast Court. Sadly the chaos of the land spread, and affected the Beast Courts as human Kingdoms fought with kingdoms. Meiming was trained as a Lantern, but was killed while serving under the forces of Wei by a Silver Arrow.
Our story begins anew some hundred of years later in Los Angeles California, United States around 1982 when Mark Anochecer Trueno was born. He like many Americans were cultural mixed over the years... he had Native American and European blood in him.... but over the generations no one really cared. He came from a broken home, were his father beat him and left him and his mother to there own devices. Likewise she had her issue and soon abandoned her child. He was taken in by his maternal aunt at age 5. For the most part he was well-behaved, quiet, witty, and an odd kid. He got along better with dogs, and often talked to them and treated them as people much to the embarrassment of his aunt and neighbors. He claimed though of night terrors sometimes as well, which made him more withdrawn. At age 12 he was kidnapped, apparently on his father's side of the family kept tabs on him. Te only thing he remembers is they tried to force him to have relations and something about "not many left, and hope this one is a keeper". However before anything could happen that night he had one of his night terrors. He was no longer where they held him, but in a shadow place. A wolf lead him out and told him where to go. Eventually he woke up back in his bed....and though it was just a bad dream.
As he entered high school, his withdrawn nature helped him exceed academically. He studied mythology, history, and culture. He also was interested in the mystic arts. In the afternoons he would volunteer at the local animal shelter, again talking to the dogs. They all thought he just had a natural talent. Eventually he managed to meet a small group of friends that got him into role-playing. He always excelled at playing characters in such as spellcasters from Labyrinths & Lamiae from LSD and Warlock: the Pretension and World of Shadow from Black Dog Studios. One day when he was at a L.A.R.P tournament he entered that shadowy realm again while performing and incantation using a Jade Ring. There were creatures wandering around this time which freaked him out, but figured the tournament was using some really cool costumes and effects. However when he began canting again and an actual magic missile flew from his fingers....he knew something was terribly wrong. That is when the Wolf appeared to him again, it told him its name was Meiming and took him away from the shadowy realm. Mark once again woke up in his room, but this time Meiming the Wolf was quietly laying on the floor.
Meiming explained that Mark was a relative of his, removed by generations. That in his blood he carried the legacy of the Shen. Meiming was Mark's his past life, and he was a manifestation of it. He told Mark that he was Kin-Folk, but the Sixth Age had other plans. Mark had other gifts which allowed him to call upon the natural talents in his blood as well as the graces of the Emerald Mother. He would pass on his knowledge and experience to Mark, so he could be at rest. After months coming to terms with what he was and under Meiming's tutelage, he began exploring with new eyes.
Los Angeles was even weirder to him now. There were Shen and the Sunset people running in the Shadows the city. He discovered the Bone Gnawers along skid and a packs found along Griffith Park and Mt. Washington. He also noted that Kin-jin and Kuei-jin throughout downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Meiming also helped hi identify Namebreakers as well. Even talking with his friends he noted that there were some odd things hanging about! He and his L.A.R.P group bought down a Kin-jin, Mark wiping the memory of the events as they discovered his powers of spellcasting.
Mark/Meiming is a tragic character is that on all levels he is an outcast. His family and social life is ruined by circumstances, his ties to the Kin-Folk and Garou put him in very mortal danger (especially since of his sexuality), he longs to join the cultural community of his past life as Meiming San Long, but as a Hispanic/Native American he is hedged out as an outsider. Despite these major set back he continues his own studies in magic and helps those he can in need. Due to most peoples interest in ghosts and the supernatural, he has found small niche in which he can be of real service. His hobbies also give him a great cover as well. Hopefully able to find an ally by chance who will not kill him out right..
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