Presenting:
Monsieur Darque de la Nouvelle-Orléans
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Born to Aristocracy of Russian, French and Irish lineage, Edward Robert Darque was born sometime in the fall/winter of 1801 in New Orleans proper amidst the glorious inner chambers of Hotel Dieu. Thus lending one to believe his birth was sometime in mid November, as his personality was completely that of a triple Scorpio, a sign that would be the only one to accurately describe him. A precocious, gregarious yet disarming child, he tended to gravitate to the brightly giddy as well as the darkly somberness of his native city at the same time or individually.

More than 41,000 people died from the scourge of yellow fever in New Orleans between the years 1817 (the first year that reliable statistics are available; surely there were deaths in earlier times) and 1905 (the Crescent City's last epidemic). The number of fatalities ranged from none in years that the plague spared New Orleans to more than a thousand in nine of the eighty-eight years of the fever's activity. Having been touched by the yellow fever in his late adolescence, his health faltered to a near fatal level, almost making him yet another bleak statistic of 1814. But fate had far more in store for him.

Leaving him with what best could be described as a "Caul", he soon rallied his health and learned that the residue of yellow fever left him with a psychic connection to the spirit world and nether regions. The voodoo priest who never left his side, chanting and burning the most foul smelling items over the boy's bed during his troubled stay in Hotel Dieu, (despite the protestations of the holy sisters who nursed at the hospital) might possibly have opened the door for what was yet to come for this young man.

Always cognicent of manifestations and apparitions and their needs, he began to seek out these tortured souls all the while attempting to release them from their earthly bounds. "Flamboyantly Masculine" was how one person termed him while describing the afterthoughts on Monsieur Darque and his then recent and highly publicized cleansing of the baptismal fountain spirit of the St. Louis Cathedral. He could be seen walking the streets of Nouvelle Orleans in rich brocade coats with sweeping cloaks and a top hat adorned with fetishes which also would appear on waist sashes and other accessories. A cane was always used as his "manifest" and would disappear into his longcoat only to appear as through in mid air whenever trouble appeared or the need for releasing a spirit was imminent, likening his cane to the stinging tale of a scorpion. It was this factor that earned him the nickname, "The Scorpion", an attribute he embraced for in his mind, if they are talking about him, then they know who he is and what to embrace and what to avoid when dealing with him.

His adventures led him to many corners of the globe, gathering about him middle eastern teachings as well as eastern philosophies. Darkest Afrika honed his adventurer spirit and his native New Orleanian roots were further heightened by his well publicized trips to Haiti and redefined his voodoo background and prowess. Always open to experience, he continued to experiment with various venues and showcases for the finds and spoils of his travels and adventures.

One particularly famous and effective venue he created was his "Cirque du Pandemonium", a Gothic presentation of archaic acts and other forbidden curiosities to entice the casual thrill seeker to enter and experience. Once inside, his talents and powers would then seek out and filter the residue spirits either hidden within his audience or, for lack of better terminology, "hitching a ride" as it were on the human individuals. However, the gathered entities that would then travel with the Cirque could also prove to be highly mischievious and downright devilish sometimes. As with Monsieur Darque himself...you never knew what you were going to get at any given time.

Over the years the more sinister elementals of the netherworld grew weary of this mortal's abilities and powers and managed to form a sort of backwash of energies which turned Monsieur Darque into the more sinister figure he is now forced to live as to this very day. Though humans are completely safe from him, there is never any telling when he will be forced to manifest a malevolent entity, utilizing him for their own enjoyment and entertainment or a benevolent force merely wishing to enjoy one more zestful taste of life. One can never be sure just what one will experience when Monsieur Darque is present much less his appearance. Beware his grin for myriad reasons...

Recently, his abilities freed the famed adventurer Louisiana Brown of the terrible curse placed upon him by an evil Griot, thus allowing him to continue his own supernatural adventures in the swamps and cities of Louisiana. These one time adversaries, now brothers and compatriots, form the basis of a group of spiritualists whose presence will be revealed in time. With Louisiana Brown now travelling to deal with the evil Griot of Tchefuncte...Monsieur Darque has offered to be in Lousiana Brown's location @ The Mortuary for those brave enough to attempt to encounter him.