Nothing is True. Everything is Connected.
Author: <span>Nicolaus Meridius</span>

Sylum Archive: Links on Blog

All stories from Advent 2018 (except for the Assassins Creed story as that’s part of a larger one) have been ‘Archived’.  What does that mean … since it’s been a while since we’ve done that … it means the story has been removed and in it’s place is a link to the story in the Archive.

At this moment if a story has been uploaded to the new archive, the Original Post and any Throwback Thursdays have been updated to their new archive link.

Stories that haven’t been updated, are either non-canon and won’t be moved over, or they are still in the process of being edited.

So if you’re looking to read some stories that were on the blog – check the Archive first!

Sylum Archive

 

Sylum Charity: Homeboy Industries


 

The ‘Boyz in the Hood’ charity we feature in Sylum (specifically scene in the Charles/Erik storylines) is based off Los Angeles based Charity Homeboy Industries, which was founded 30 years ago by Father Greg.

Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community. Each year over 10,000 former gang members from across Los Angeles come through Homeboy Industries’ doors in an effort to make a positive change. They are welcomed into a community of mutual kinship, love, and a wide variety of services ranging from tattoo removal to anger management and parenting classes. Full-time employment is offered for more than 200 men and women at a time through an 18-month program that helps them re-identify who they are in the world, offers job training so they can move on from Homeboy Industries and become contributing members of the community – knowing they count!

In the 1980s, the city of Los Angeles was struggling to deal with escalating gang violence and gang membership. At that time, Boyle Heights had more gang members per capita than any other place in the country. Around that time, Father Greg realized, with the help of many people in his parish, that he needed to provide jobs and education as alternatives to the gangs and the senseless violence they create. So, we started a small job program, “Jobs for a Future,” as part of Dolores Mission in 1988. We became Homeboy Industries in 2001, and have grown to become one of the largest, most comprehensive and most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry programs in the country.

It’s a worth while charity that helps kids out of gangs and into a future.

For More Information: Homeboy Industries

Also if you have a charity that you would to be showcased on the blog – email me: sylumclan@yahoo.com

Sylum Inspiration: Aveline de Grandpré

Sylum: Hunter

Aveline was born in New Orleans on 20 June 1747 to Philippe de Grandpré and his African placée bride, Jeanne. Granted freedom along with her mother at birth, Aveline grew up in a caring and considerate environment, protected by her father’s wealth and influence within the city. However, when her father’s business began to suffer, he married Madeleine de L’Isle, the daughter of one of his investors, in 1752.

(Dilios Note: Rumor has it that her grandmother is Annemarie, famed Pirate who sailed with Captain Jack Sparrow)

While this act put a strain on the relationship between her parents, both Aveline and her mother Jeanne were permitted to stay at the de Grandpré mansion, with Madeleine becoming responsible for the young girl’s education.

Aveline’s carefree life as a youth was cut short two years later, when Jeanne inexplicably vanished, leaving a void in the girl’s life. Despite the fact that Madeleine quickly adopted the role of doting stepmother, Aveline continued to be troubled by the loss of her mother. As a result, she frequently had nightmares about the events surrounding Jeanne’s disappearance.

Simultaneously, Aveline’s feelings and observations regarding the prevailing contrasts present within her city eventually spurred her into action. In 1759, she attempted to free a slave, but was caught in the act and set upon by sailors employed by the slave’s owner. Thanks to an intervention from Nicolaus Meridius, Aveline and the slave managed to escape unharmed. Deciding her commitment to freedom and justice was beyond compare, Nicolaus took Aveline under his wing.

Following a few months of intense training, Aveline would act as Nicolaus agent in New Orleans, using her skills to help people in need and rid Louisiana of the Templars.

Her first assignment under Nico, was to locate and find Shay Patrick Cormac, who had come to New Orleans specific to have a safe haven for Templars. They discovered that Shay was working with Governor d’Abbadie, who was determined to keep the city and providence under French Templar control.

Between the two of them, they removed the Templar influence.

She discovered his nature when, she found him with Warrick. Upset at first, at hypocrisy she was seeing, she confronted him, only to find herself faced with the Vampire. He explained who he was, and that the man she saw was Warrick, his Mate.

Seeing great potential in her, Nicolaus knew that she would need further training. In 1769 he sent her to Masyaf, along with a letter and trinket for Dastan and Altaïr.

Aveline proved her skills by taking on novices being trained. Altaïr taking Nicolaus word, set out to train her.

She learned much in Masyaf, became fast friends with Tamara.

It was her work, that established a network of woman assassins.

Aveline returned to New Orleans in 1775, and discovered Nicolaus was in New York. She traveled up to the city, to find him.

It was here she met Connor Kenway, and worked with him in dealing with Templars roaming the Eastern Seaboard.

She found Nicolaus in 1776, commanding troops. Impressed by his skills as an Assassin, a General, and the fact he had a black Mate, she requested he Turn her.

Spring Fling 2019: Last Day to Sign Up

Last Day to Sign Up!!


This is the one Event where we focus not on storyline but on Art.

There are many creative ways to showcase Sylum, outside of writing.

Sign up now to do Artwork, Aesthetics, Fanmix, or Video.

***

What do you need to do to participate?

You will need to sign up and state what your interested in doing

How do I sign up?

There are two ways to sign up!

– Email: sylumclan@yahoo.com – put SPRING FLING in Subject and let us know what your interested in doing

– Reply to this Post: Just reply with what your interested in doing and contact info for us to get a hold of you.

Sign Ups close February 15th.  If we do not get your request, by the 4th it will not be included.

Is there a deadline of when the Art/Video/Fanmix needs to be Finished?

Yes!

– Posts will be made through out March and April on the blog for participants can check in.

– All art/videos/fanmixs will need to finished and emailed to (sylumclan@yahoo.com) by April 15th.  For those who have drawn something for Spring Fling – please scan to jpg and send via email.

I have questions?

– Drop a reply to this post with a “FLAIL” *HELP” with contact info and we’ll get back to you.

– Email: sylumclan@yahoo.com

 

Coffee House Friday

Sylum's Coffee House Image

Continuing with Black History Month.

A quick personal story: Two things influenced me to study history – The Pony Express and the 54th Massachusetts.  To this day these are still major influences in my life and one day I would love to stand at the monument for the 54th in Boston, while at the same time, travel the Pony Express Trail.

As this is a month to teach and emphasize Black History – which Persons of Color have influenced you or your life.

Post Oops!

So two post accidentally got posted at the same time.

The Lazarus reminder was supposed to be tomorrow (so don’t be alarmed if nothing shows up tomorrow) …. meantime *pokes* anyone still got some good footage I could use.

Also – make sure to read Henry’s new journal piece 😀

Reminder: Help With Images

 

Yes I’m back!  There is a lot of characters …

Okay so watch the video again – ’cause it’s still awesome

The song is Lazarus by Trip Lee

Graphic Gecko is working on a video for this song.  The problem, I need as many images of Sylum Universe Vampires either ‘dying’, ‘rising from the dead’, ‘in a graveyard’, or ‘confined below ground … injured – looking like death warmed over’.

Stuff already found for me:

  • Stargate
  • Stargate Atlantis
  • Angel
  • Due South
  • The Losers
  • Criminal Minds
  • Leverage

Still have a lot of characters left from the Sylum Wiki!

Leave ideas here, if you have youtube links send to sylumclan@yahoo.com.

 

Sylum Inspiration: Yasuke

Shogun: Hunter

 

Yasuke was taken from his home country of Ethopia and was sold into slavery.

He arrived in Japan in 1579 in the service of the Italian Jesuit Alessandro Valignano, who had been appointed the Visitor (inspector) of the Jesuit missions in the Indies. He accompanied Valignano when the latter came to the capital area in March 1581 and his appearance caused a lot of interest with the local people.

When Yasuke was presented to Nobunaga he suspected his skin to be have been coloured with black ink, Nobunaga had him strip from the waist up and made him scrub his skin. These events are recorded in a 1581 letter of the Jesuit Luís Fróis to Lourenço Mexia and in the 1582 Annual Report of the Jesuit Mission in Japan, also by Fróis. These were published in Cartas que os padres e irmãos da Companhia de Jesus escreverão dos reynos de Japão e China II, normally known simply as Cartas, in 1598.  When he realized that his skin was not coloured and in fact black Nobunaga seems to have taken an interest in him. At some point, although when is not clear, Yasuke entered Nobunaga’s service.

Yasuke was taught Japanese, perhaps due to Nobunaga talking with him. He was perhaps the only non-Japanese retainer that Nobunaga had in his service, which could explain Nobungas interest in him.  

In June 1582, Nobunaga was attacked and forced to commit seppuku in Honnō-ji in Kyoto by the army of Akechi Mitsuhide. Yasuke was there at the time and fought the Akechi forces. Immediately after Nobunaga’s death, Yasuke went to join Nobunaga’s heir Oda Nobutada who was trying to rally the Oda forces at Nijō Castle. Yasuke fought alongside the Nobutada forces but was eventually captured. When Yasuke was presented to Akechi he said that the black man was an animal as well as not Japanese and should thus not be killed but be taken to the nanban-dera or nanban-ji. There is no further written information about him after this.

It was soon after, that Yasuke met Katsumoto who had admired his skills and gave him a new opportunity.  He took it without hesitation.

For more information contact the Vampire Council Library

Spring Fling 2019: Sign Ups – Reminder

Spring Fling: 2019

First Sylum Event of the Year!


This is the one Event where we focus not on storyline but on Art.

If you’re not interested in writing for Sylum this is the one Event for you!  There are many creative ways to showcase Sylum, outside of writing.

Sign up now to do Artwork, Aesthetics, Fanmix, or Video.

***

What do you need to do to participate?

You will need to sign up and state what your interested in doing

How do I sign up?

There are two ways to sign up!

– Email: sylumclan@yahoo.com – put SPRING FLING in Subject and let us know what your interested in doing

– Reply to this Post: Just reply with what your interested in doing and contact info for us to get a hold of you.

Sign Ups close February 15th.  If we do not get your request, by the 4th it will not be included.

Is there a deadline of when the Art/Video/Fanmix needs to be Finished?

Yes!

– Posts will be made through out March and April on the blog for participants can check in.

– All art/videos/fanmixs will need to finished and emailed to (sylumclan@yahoo.com) by April 15th.  For those who have drawn something for Spring Fling – please scan to jpg and send via email.

I have questions?

– Drop a reply to this post with a “FLAIL” *HELP” with contact info and we’ll get back to you.

– Email: sylumclan@yahoo.com