SchreckNet Data File
- Real/Birth Name: Joaquin Murrieta
- Known Identity/Mortal Alias: Don Diego de la Vega
- Place of Origin: Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
- Height: 5'9"
- Occupation: Owner, De La Vega Estate
- Apparent Age: Mid-30s
- Embraced: 1867
- Kindred Status: Ancilla
- Sire: Vanevvar Thomas
- Notable Descendants: Annalynn Ackerman (Childe)
- Clan: Ventrue
- Clan Status: Praetor (Manager)
- Sect: Camarilla
- Sect Status: Primogen of Clan Ventrue
- Player: NPC
Appearance
Don Diego is a handsome man with sultry latin looks, of graceful build and noble bearing. His medium-length hair is usually styled and gelled in place, often straight back and giving the impression of being shorter than it actually is. His facial hair is impeccably maintained, usually sporting an elegant moustache and soul patch with trimmed, medium-length sideburns; although this varies in style - but rarely is he seen without a moustache of some style. He is never seen with a beard, but it is unknown if he was embraced without the ability to have a beard, or if he chooses to avoid it (as he is a Ventrue, most assume the former).
Don Diego always dresses elegantly, preferring lounge suits of designer brands for casual use, and more expensive, custom-fit suits for more formal occasions. His most casual attire is still designer polo shirts and trousers, usually when participating in sporting activities such as equestrianism.
Background
The man now known as Don Diego de la Vega laughs at how his actions during his mortal days have become legend, and embraces it and the persona that developed from it (which he thinks is more interesting than his own, and resembles a blend of what he used to be, and what he'd like to have been).
Born Joaquin Murrieta, he began with humble origin. A young Mexican with Cherokee ancestry, he fell in love with Rosa, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher, and won her over with his smooth charms and graceful build; then fearing the reaction from her father, eloped with Rosa and married young and in secret, with little more than his own brother and sister as witnesses. Wanting a better life for his young wife than he could provide in Mexico, he moved with Rosa and his brother to California, seeking his fortune in the California Gold Rush. Always fiercely driven to what he commits to, he was successful, struck gold and staked his claim. Unfortunately, he encountered racism in the extreme competition of the rough mining camps, and his success would be the catalyst for all that would follow. Jealous and anti-Mexican American miners attacked them; they hanged his brother for a crime he did not commit, raped and murdered his wife, and horsewhipped him to a bloody pulp, leaving him for dead. Murrieta attempted to seek redress in the California courts, but was thwarted because the law prohibited Mexicans from testifying against white men; which Murrieta saw as both corruption and a grave injustice. Fueled by anger, and seeking vengeance outside the law, Murrieta formed a gang which became known as The Five Joaquins (as five of the band were named Joaquin, although there was a sixth member named three-fingered Jack) and together they hunted down and killed the six alleged culprits, before embarking on a trail of banditry. The Five Joaquins began attacking settlers and wagon trains in California, capturing gold from American miners, and stealing horses which they'd then illegally trade with Mexico. The Five Joaquins made a devil's fortune in their short but bloody stint, believing to have confirmed up to 28 Chinese and 13 Anglo-American killings. The band became so notorious that the state of California passed a law authorizing the creation of a company of 20 California Rangers, all veterans of the Mexican-American War, to hunt down and kill the band. The Five Joaquins were ambushed and fought the rangers whilst trailing captured horses at Arroyo de Cantua on the edge of the Diablo Range near Coalinga, California. In the confrontation three of the Mexicans were killed, and two others captured. Although Murrieta did not wish it, his band fought for him to escape; Murrieta's charismatic leadership, and what they felt was his just cause as a fierce avenger of injustices against Mexicans, had gained their loyalty to the death. The surviving captured men identified Three-Fingered Jack, and deliberately mis-identified one of the dead as Murrieta. Jack's hand and Murrieta's head were cut off, placed in a brandy jar, and eventually exhibited in San Francisco and Marisposa County, Stockton, where people could pay $1 to see the relics.
The real Murrieta faded into the background, but his story was not yet over. He returned to Hornitos, California, and reclaimed a fortune in gold he had buried there for the day when the banditry would have to end - as it had never been his intention to keep doing that; his vengeance over, and retribution achieved against those that had wronged him, Murrieta continued his actions to avenge injustices against Mexicans, and out of lack of choice as he was a hunted criminal. But now, considered dead and no-one chasing him anymore, he could put that life behind him. Keeping a low profile and working through trusted Americans he paid for discretion, native American Cherokee contacts that he had dealt amicably with for years, and Mexican immigrants, he re-invested back in mines and other ventures; though not all his investments were legal, as he sponsored more mexican and Cherokee bandits, as well as illegal Mexican and Cherokee business ventures; which he still saw as giving back to his people and correcting injustices against them. The majority of those people who knew his real identity either saw the benefit to themselves in not betraying his identity, or also supported his 'cause' and kept secret that the exhibited his was not Murrieta's. The few who did try to claim otherwise were easily discredited; the state had made a big issue of his hunt and death, and paid a small fortune and celebrated as heroes his killers. They certainly had no interest in being proven otherwise, especially as Joaquin Murrieta, alive or dead, was no longer involved in banditry. On his death, his then-12 year old nephew Procopio became obsessed with Murrieta's legend, and turned desperado himself at age 21 - and his banditry indeed became legend and, arguably, superceded Murrieta's own; but the truth was that all the time it was Murrieta who was guiding Procopio, who was the public face of the criminal empire that Murrieta grew in the shadows - a succesful growth that got him the attention of Vanevvar Thomas of Clan Ventrue, the future Prince of San Francisco, who was impressed by this Mexican's rise and embraced him. They were together awhile, Murrieta helping Vannevar when he claimed San Francisco as his domain, and being by his side as Vanevvar mentored in learning dignitas to become a proper Ventrue; ironically helping Murrieta become, in death, the man he had desired to be in life.
Before his Embrace, however, just a few years after his death (in 1854) a writer named John Rollin Ridge had published The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murrieta, the Celebrated California Bandit which Murrieta found amusing, as it made many mistakes and factual inaccuracies, but painted him as a folk hero; a modern-day Mexican Robin Hood (as he became known) who avenged injustice against Mexicans by stealing from the American rich and giving to the Mexican poor, and the victim of American corruption and injustice. This book would be the inspiration for Johnston McCulley's The Curse of Capistrano novel, featuring the character of Don Diego de la Vega, who masqueraded as a nobleman in public, but was a masked avenger for injustice known as el Zorro (the Fox) in secret; which Murrieta found highly amusing. Having moved a few years prior (in 1890) from his sire's domain of San Francisco to the newly-conquered Camarilla domain of Ashford, seeking to build his own Domain, and taking time to transfer his estate, assets and build his new domain in Ashford, he chose to adopt the mantle of Don Diego de la Vega as his public persona, and in many ways, tries to act according to Don Diego's reputation. Of course, invariably there are people who recognise his name's literary origin; Don Diego simply laughs it off claiming that he cannot help sharing the family name, but that his parents were indeed fans of the novel (and the many movies and tv series that followed) and chose to name him Diego as a nod to the character. He thinks this isn't entirely a lie, in a way re-inventing himself via his character legend and that, really, is it actually cheating or copying, to base your persona on a character that, in itself, is based on you?
Mortal Society
Don Diego is known as an old-money aristocrat who's long-time Californian family (of Mexican origin) came from San Francisco to then-Bakersfield shortly after the Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889 which burnt down over half the town, and who invested heavily in reconstruction efforts. The De la Vega estate is known to have its financial origins in old California gold mines, although these have long-since been sold off. Don Diego realised that, eventually, the veins would dry up and the gold rush end, and so began to invest in other ventures and sub-companies. By the early 1900s, the gold mines were all gone, and winemaking became De La Vegas' main business.
Presently, the De La Vega Estate portfolio includes:
- Ranch De La Vega: The mansion-like De la Vega family home in Ashford; a large multi-acre piece of land which breeds Andalusian horses for sale, and their own usage. The ranch also provides stabling facilities for hire for Ashford home-owners. The Ranch has a restaurant where visitors can enjoy a fine meal and then rent a horse (with guide if required) to ride across the estate or into the scenic sierra (or the reverse).
- The Rosita School of Equestrian Art: Located by the Ranch de la Vega, this equestrian school has a reputation for being one of the finest equine-riding schools in California, aimed predominantly at young ladies but accepting almost anyone with ability to learn. Unlike many other horse schools and ranches in Ashford, Rosita teaches the full equestrian arts, including dressage, show-jumping and cross-country riding. They predominantly use their own Andalusian horses, but have been known to cater for existing horse-owners. The school has a much-celebrated annual exhibition, where both staff and gifted students perform for the audience.
- Bodegas De la Vega: located on the ranch's physical property is a respectably sized vineyard that produces both grapes for their award-winning wines, as well as olives for their likewise-lauded olive oils. Both items can be enjoyed at lower cost at the Ranch de la Vega restaurant; but are also marketed around California and, to a limited extend (due to production capabilities) exported outside California. They're known to be moderately expensive (and some wines, highly expensive), but very high quality. This is only one of the estate's wineries, however, with the company owning several vineyards across California - in fact, the Ashford vineyard is one of the smaller ones, even within Kern County, with the biggest vineyard being in the Sonoma Valley, known as the birthplace of the California wine industry. There are various small, mostly family-run vineyards and wineries around Kern County, and when one of these gets Don Diego's attention (either because of their success or perhaps he approves of them for other reasons), he purchases them and keeps them running as mostly-independent subsidiaries. He often thinks of this as a form of charity, and has saved various businesses from bankruptcy, or helped new ones start up, or survive hardship - in exchange for shares, of course. Overall, the Bodegas is one of California's largest and most succesful winery companies, and both it and its subsidiaries export both nationally and internationally. It is also a large enough business that Don Diego no longer needs to actively run it - though he keeps control over it very much like a Godfather oversees a crime family. The Ashford Bodega, however, is his own personal little vineyard and winery, a hobby and passion more than key source of income.
Don Diego is also renown as being a philanthropist who donates to most worthy charities that approach, and provides patronage to various local charities, especially those involving animal welfare and helping the poor, victims of crimes, or Mexican or native Americans.
What is not common knowledge is that Don Diego still retains ties with the crime family that he began building during his mortal days. Composed predominantly of Mexicans and Native Americans (as it pushes their social agendas) with a respectable amount of Chinese and other minorities, it is involved in contraband smuggling, some limited racketeering, and other crimes. It is low-profile enough to not bring too much attention to itself, as it primarily keeps to less-serious crimes, traditionally avoiding both hard drugs and human trafficking, and is actually seen by the Mexican and Native American communities in a favourable light, operating towards them much like Chinese Tongs; providing essential services for these (especially Mexican) communities such as immigrant counselling and assistance, Mexican schools and English classes for adults, and helping illegal immigrants in various ways. Whilst Don Diego does not actively run the family any more, he still controls it via a puppet leader. As it's primary purpose is to help immigrants and provide justice when there is injustice, they rarely clash with any of Ashford's bigger crime families, typically conflicting only with localised gangs. As there are various, more actively dangerous gangs and organised crime in Kern Country, the Capistranos family (believed to have originated at the Californian mission of the same name) are considered a low priority for law enforcement, and thus not actively hunted.
Personality
Don Diego is well respected even (if not especially) outside his clan. He is a natural charmer with smooth and easy grace that wins people's favour quickly, but who also builds on that over time to have many loyal to him. He enjoys his lifestyle, feeling that he has worked hard and gone far, and paid much, to get there - and has no compunction for demonstrating this. However he has never forgotten his origins, or those innocents, loved ones, and friends who died on his journey (his fault, or otherwise). He is renown for being respectful to those of lower station, and helping what he considers worthy causes. Whilst, like any businessman, he tries to get the best deal he can for himself, he is known to do so fairly and equitably, and not use dirty tactics to gain advantage, especially to others' detriment. Some, especially many in his own clan, would state that makes him soft; and that he appears to have self-limited his scope to local operations, but this has endeared him to many outside the clan and given him a reputation for fairness and keeping his word. As such he is often asked to mediate in disputes, or deals with even kindred of clans traditionally hostile towards the Ventrue.
He is an incorrigible flirt and ladies man, however. Most would say he is harmless, and indeed Don Diego is such a gentleman that he would never knowingly act in a manner that would make a lady uncomfortable, or try to coerce her in ways she does not deny. But, as the expression says, give the Don an inch... and he is not renown for being good at saying No to things that would please him.
From Secret Anarch to Primogen?
A controversial topic of discussion regarding Don Diego, especially since he has become the Ventrue Primogen, is that he has on more than one occasion defended or spoken in favour anarch policies, and during Kratus' reign was known on various occasions to use what influence he could to try to defend anarchs that he felt were unjustly accused, or treated overly harshly. Although not having any formal position his influence was extremely limited in this regard, little more than that of a respected Ancilla voicing disapproval in Elysium, it nonetheless has both improved his reputation with the lower clans and the anarch movement, and made him suspect in the eyes of Camarilla loyalists and elders. He has, however, when challenged denied being an Anarch (as have they), making others wonder if he is simply sympathetic to their views, or if he's a 5th Columnist anarch in disguise.
This would be disturbing enough to both the Ventrue and the Camarilla if he were simply an influential ancilla with anarch sympathies/secret anarch; but the fact he is now Primogen both surprises and makes others wary. Don Diego is neither the oldest Ventrue remaining in town (that honour goes to Nelson Quayle) nor the lowest generation, nor even the most powerful/influential. So how then has he become the Primogen? There are various theories...
- Some believe that he was appointed directly by the new Prince, who is known to have been an ally of Don Diego's since they both came to Ashford within a year of each other (Prince Wingfield as part of the Camarilla assault that took Ashford from the Sabbat, Don Diego immediately afterwards as a settler)
- Some believe that he is a compromise candidate within the Ventrue, someone that most of the present ranking Ventrue at least trust enough; but do not feel threatened by - either of which suits their own ends.
- Similarly, perhaps the Ventrue genuinely do respect Don Diego enough to want him to represent them in the Camarilla; even hoping that his reputation can help undo some of the damage of the previous Ventrue Prince and his almost-equally-notorious childe, the now-deceased former Ventrue Primogen. There is a new status quo in Ashford, with the Ventrue no longer at its peak; perhaps it is a new Ventrue tactic. Indeed, the fact that Leian Baxter), the former (and still current) whip voicing her support for Don Diego adds weight to this theory.
- Similarly, except via external factors. Although few outside the Ventrue know how the clan operates internally, it is known that the clan has a global structure. Some believe that rather than the local ventrue supporting Don Diego becoming Primogen, or him being chosen by the Prince, that the Ventrue clan superiors have appointed him for their own reasons; perhaps for some of the above reasons, or perhaps as a puppet primogen whilst someone with greater clan status gives Don Diego direct orders from the clan to carry out.
If the Ventrue know what the actual truth is then, as always, they are not disclosing it to outsiders.
Combat Style
Considering Zorro's legendary swordsmanship, most people expect Don Diego to be a master swordsman, and carry a sword with him at all times. He is a highly-skilled swordsman at the very least, but he downplays this with the claim that any respectable Ventrue Embraced around his time would most-likely also be at the very least a highly-skilled swordsman. He practices fencing as both a sport and an art form, and is indeed highly skilled - although sport fencing and combat swordplay, he will point out, are completely different things; and few that have actually seen his sword skill in actual combat reality speak of it. He will admit he became a far better swordsman in the years after his embrace purely to live up to his fictional reputation, than he actually was during his mortal days.
The truth is that as a desperado running around California, stealing horses and robbing Americans, Joaquin (as he was then known) used revolvers far more often than he ever used swords. And in the modern nights, mortal law enforcement in California ironically gives less problems with someone carrying a firearm than they do a sword. As such, he carries a Ruger Vaquero revolver with him - a modern revolver that is physically modelled on the classic Colt Single Action Army revolver that he used to use in his mortal days. In combat, he is most likely to rely on his Ruger Vaquero revolver, using cover and relying on his shooting experience, than he is to use (or even be seen with) a sword. In his haven, however, he does have a collection of various different types of swords (mostly longswords, shortswords, sabres, rapiers, or derivatives), and if there is a need will employ one in his defence. But since his arrival at Ashford the only times he has been known to actively carry a sword around with him outside of his haven has been during the Sabbat Crusade. It is believed that the death of his sire and usurpation of his domain by another Ventrue (who, in turn, was shortly after destroyed during the Cathayan conquest of San Francisco), and the fact that Lupines are becomingly increasingly agitated in the modern nights and bolder about attacking within the city limits, has made Don Diego more aware and vigilant of the increased likelihood of physical threats. As both kindred and lupines are naturally more able to resist small firearms than a good, properly-used melee weapon, it appears that Don Diego is more frequently sighted outside his haven with a sword - or to have one available in his vehicle if needed.
Social Style
Don Diego epitomises the poster-child of Clan Ventrue. Sophisticated, gentile and smooth, capable of winning people over with his charm and wit. His reputation precedes him, and he appears to work hard to uphold a high degree of dignitas. He is easy to get along with - anyone with a modicum of politeness will easily be able to converse with him, as to him there is a big difference between politeness and etiquette - he can point out Ventrue and Tremere who are high on etiquette but exceedingly socially nasty, and poor, illiterate mortals who known nothing about etiquette but are polite and respectful. His dealings are always fair and mutually equitable (he won't push to ensure the other side gets the best possible deal; but he will not push to maximise his benefit to their detriment either.
Despite this, he is slow to make true friends or give his loyalty, or his word, unless he believes in the cause or person. When he commits to something, be it a business arrangement, friendship, or gives his word of honour, he is known to stick to his guns no matter how dangerous or unpopular the cause may become. He is renown for not allowing his loyalty to be bought, shaken or ignored. This is generally seen as positive by those who would deal with him, but there is a problem - he expects a lot from others as well because of his high standards; expecting equal loyalty and commitment from them. When betrayed, it is clear to see that the old Joaquin Murrieta, who murdered several dozen people in his path of vengeance, still lies under the polished surface. Unfortunately, kindred society is not exactly renown for its honesty and fair dealings with each other, making Don Diego somewhat of an anachronism, and having few actual kindred allies (though those he does have, are very close allies).
Signature Equipment
- Ruger Vaquero 5106 revolver (.357 magnum)
- Rapier (when in his domain)
- Leather overcoat
- Maserati GranCabrio
Signature Quotes
- "Oh, such lips! Turn not away. Your face is heaven - all else is blackness!"
- "Why is it that the scoundrels of the world are always remembered and the well-bred men completely forgotten?"
Gallery
Don Diego in black tie
Don Diego at a high-society function
Joaquin during his mortal days