Sergio "Cortez" Mateo

Sergio was the son of Carlos Mateo and Laura Sheppler. His father came from what would be called old money. His mother was an American business tycoon’s youngest daughter. Their family had a long history of alleged social and moral corruption. Many blamed the amoral reputation on the interwoven ties of American business interests and the Mateo family. Some others whispered darker stories that the Mateo family was successful because of darker pacts made with things best left unnamed.

Sergio was born on Easter Sunday, 1933, in the town of Mariel. The pregnancy was seen as a blessing as the doctors had thought his mother to be barren. However during the childbirth there where complications. His mother did not survive. His father never really got over the death of his mother. This ensured that Sergio was raised by the servants and help.

Sergio was never the brightest of students, but his Father’s money ensured that he would attend a excellent college. He went to the United States to attend the University of Miami. During his tenure he made contacts and acquaintances that would come to bear later in life. He graduated with a degree in Business. His plan was to return to Cuba and apprentice to his father, to train him to take over the family business.

After University Sergio returned to Cuba to take up a position in the family business. The same year that he returned to the island General Batista took the presidency. That election was wrought with corrupt and marred in scandal. It would have an impact on an impressionable young man. He was swept up in the revolutionary circles of the college students in Havana.

When Castro’s revolution came into full swing, Sergio signed on board and helped in the struggle for his country’s independence. By the time the dust settled he was an undistinguished officer. After the constitution of 1940 was re-instated the idealism began to wear thin. He was one of many who grew disgusted as the revolution took on Marxist mannerisms. After the resignation and then arrest of Huber Matos Sergio flees the country as a political émigrés. He has plans to work with anti-castro groups in Miami.

He arrives in Miami in 1961. He is a wealthy young man that soon finds himself running in a multitude of social circles. However before he can dive to deeply into the anti-Castro movement in Miami he is found by the Venatrix. She brings him over and turns him. Less than a month after his sire bit him, she disappears. Sergio is left to fend for himself. He perseveres as only a savage can.

As he comes to term with his new state, he looses interest in the mortal politics that had consumed his young life. His attention is instead focused towards the new politics of his vampyric state. His formative years are spent as muscle for criminal elements in Miami. (Leaving this section vague to allow for future PC tie-ins.)

As his kind is often apt to do Sergio feels the call of the open road and begins a new life as a nomad. He travels up and down the eastern sea board. He also travels west towards California and as far south as Mexico City. (Leaving this section vague to allow for future PC tie-ins.)