Born: Unknown (It is possible that the writers had in mind that he was
          the Daedalus of legend, the father of Icarus and builder of the
          labyrinth of king Minos. In which case his birth could date from
          between c2500 BC when  Minoan civilization began, and 
          c1400BC when a volcano eruption on Thera destroyed Mycenae).
Embraced: Unknown (see above)
Died: Unknown (see above)

Clan: Nosferatu.
Sired by: Unknown.
Sired: Unknown but probably none (In Romeo and Juliet Daedalus
           wanted Abel embraced, but not as a Nosferatu as he would be
           cursed to live his life). Possibly embraced Coroner Sharon (Pilot)

Significant Other: Brief relationship with singer Elaine Robb.

Position: Primogen of the Nosferatu clan.

Other: Succeeded to the Primogenship by overthrowing Goth (from the
            online chat with John Leekley which can be read here). He is a
            practitioner of alchemy and a gifted artist.

Daedalus is the oldest of the San Francisco Primogens. Wise and cultured, he is greatly respected amongst the Kindred and commands an immense amount of power. He lives beneath Julian's mansion in an underground haven which is littered with his paintings. The Nosferatu carries himself with great dignity and treats others with a decorum reminiscent of a century past.

The other side of Daedalus is less pleasant. He is Julian's enforcer, and can be ruthless and coldhearted when the Masquerade is threatened. Daedalus is incredibly loyal and though he generally puts his clan first, he tries to bend the rules in order to help those he cares for. When faced with decisions that effect others he is fair, always attempting to follow Kindred Law rather than make political decisions. However, when it comes to himself and those he is loyal to, the Law often gets forgotten. Although tender and loving, Daedalus is also selfish to the extreme and manipulates situations to fit his needs.

Daedalus is one of the most interesting characters on the show, a complicated tangle of contradictions that can be both compelling and disturbing to watch.

The first steadicam glimpse of Daedalus' haven as Julian visits his friend seems designed to convey menace. Coupled with the Nosferatu's appearance, I was surprised when instead of a monster Daedalus was shown to be cultured and eloquent. A more complex character was later revealed when, as Julian's enforcer, he paid a visit to Coroner Sharon (Pilot). He was much more than the old fashioned aristocrat he first seemed to be; he was also a violent and ruthless creature, not averse to causing others unnecessary pain.

Later episodes made me wonder why, instead of either embracing or taking the Coroner's life quickly, Daedalus chose to mesmerize him and force him to slash open his own wrists. It seemed inhumane, but perhaps that was the point. He's not human, and our perceptions of what is acceptable don't apply to the Kindred. His desire for humans seems in direct conflict with this though. First with Elaine Robb (Nightstalker) and later the boy Abel (Romeo) he showed insight and compassion, and the need to be close to their human frailties.

His desire to be close to humans also revealed another side of the Nosferatu Primogen; a deeply selfish side. In his quest for Elaine's love he is prepared to sacrifice himself to the dangers of alchemy. Though Julian councils him against this course of action he can't help but pursue his own interests. However, it's only when he meets Abel that it's clear just how far he's willing to bend the rules.

Daedalus is more aware than most that Julian's determination to have law in the city is unbending. Being his enforcer, it is surprising that it is he who pushes the hardest when faced with a dying child. Sensitive to the presence of the Kindred, Abel isn't frightened by the Nosferatu. Instead he challenges him, and makes him answer for killing the Ventrue doctor. Daedalus is immediately protective of Abel, to the point he asks Julian to break Kindred law and embrace him, so that he might live. When his Prince refuses him, sighting the law against embracing children, Daedalus seems to see it as a personal slight. Against Julian's wishes he allows Abel to stay with him, and later, after Sasha's embrace by the Brujah, he seems on the brink of holding back his help to bring the clan war to an end.

Though still clearly bearing a grudge, the Nosferatu Primogen does ultimately support his Prince and avenge his niece's embrace. Perhaps this is the reason Daedalus use of alchemy to cure Abel's cancer is overlooked, and his interference into human affairs considered a reasonable exchange.

Daedalus' most dramatic confrontation occurs when the Nosferatu he succeeded as Primogen, Goth, returns to San Francisco in order to gain support to overthrow Julian and the Ventrue (Bad Moon). At this time Daedalus is forced into the position of having to choose between his Prince and his clan. Somewhat surprisingly Daedalus offers to surrender his Primogenship in order to support Julian, should the need arise and this statement confirms for me the loyalty, respect and friendship that the Prince has earned. Daedalus is possibly Julian's most powerful ally, and his closest friend.

I find myself often confused by Daedalus' morality; he has a very clear personal code of conduct, though it isn't always obvious what motivates it. He is always seen to be fair, though there is an underlying duplicity to his actions. Maybe he's so old there were no laws when he was created, and now sees some of the application dogmatic and foolish. Though powerful, he is vulnerable and easily hurt and invests his emotions too readily and often inappropriately. There is so much more that could have been explored in the character, but without more episodes he will, to me at least, remain a mystery.