Jasper Hale

Jasper Whitlock was born in 1843 in Houston, Texas. When he was almost 17, he lied about his age, claiming to be 20, and joined the Confederate Army to serve in the Civil War. He quickly rose through the ranks to become the youngest major in the Southern army, even though his true age was unknown. Jasper was turned into a vampire during the evacuation of Galveston, Texas, in 1863, by a vampire named Maria, from Monterey. As he was about to return from evacuating people, Jasper met a group of women: Maria, Netty, and Lucy. Jasper was turned because Maria recognized his high rank in the military and needed someone with extensive knowledge and combat strategies to fight other covens for territorial domination. She wanted a strong vampire who could fight by her side. When Maria discovered his peculiar ability to control the emotions of those around him, she found Jasper even more valuable. Once turned, Jasper's responsibility was to train young vampires and kill those unfit for Maria. After nearly a century of doing this work, an older fellow vampire named Peter told him that some vampires still had potential, but Jasper paid no attention. When he called the next one, a newborn named Charlotte walked in. Peter yelled at her to run, and they both ran. Jasper would have easily caught up with them, but he didn't. After five years, Peter returned and told him to leave. For a time, he wandered with Peter and Peter's mate, Charlotte, but soon realized he was still depressed with so much human sacrifice. As a result, he left and decided to wander on his own. Jasper has trouble controlling his thirst due to his upbringing as a young vampire to kill and decades of nourishment with human blood. He finds it hardest to cope with the vegetarian diet. He's tired of being the "weakest link."