Santiago Lobo
Santiago Lobo is a major supporting character in Raven's World series, serving as one of the twin dhampir (half-vampire, half-human) brothers who operate as paranormal investigators and vampire hunters in New Orleans during the early 1800s. Santiago is the more serious and skilled fighter of the Lobo twins, offering sanctuary to Raven and Elizabeth at his family mansion while maintaining a complex relationship with the supernatural world.
Physical Description
Santiago is described as a tall man dressed in fine attire, with long black hair tied at the nape of his neck. Like his twin brother Domingo, Santiago is characterized as being "charming and deathly handsome," possessing the kind of supernatural attractiveness that makes it easy to understand why women would fall for either twin.
Both brothers speak with slight Spanish accents, suggesting their Hispanic heritage, and maintain an aristocratic appearance befitting their wealthy plantation lifestyle in New Orleans.
Biography
Origins as a Dhampir
Santiago's unique nature stems from extraordinary circumstances during his birth. As he explains to Raven:
"When our mother was bitten, the curse flowed into our blood. She gave birth to us during the transition from human to vampire. Our father took us far away. He knew our dark secret, but he couldn't bring himself to kill his sons."
This timing created the extremely rare dhampir condition - beings who possess the strengths of both vampires and humans while avoiding the weaknesses of either species.
Early Life and Development
Santiago and his twin brother Domingo were raised by their father after their mother's transformation and disappearance. As they grew, they discovered their supernatural abilities:
- Enhanced strength and speed beyond human capability
- Supernatural abilities that set them apart from normal humans
- Aging that slowed and eventually stopped in their mid-twenties
- Immunity to sunlight and other traditional vampire weaknesses
Their father raised them despite knowing their "dark secret," unable to kill his own sons despite their supernatural nature.
Loss of Mother
Their mother's fate remains a source of pain for both brothers, though Domingo claims nonchalantly that "no one heard from her again. Probably killed by a hunter." Raven observes that despite Domingo's casual tone, his body language reveals this remains a deeply sensitive topic.
Life in New Orleans
Lobo Mansion
Santiago co-owns and operates an immaculate mansion featuring:
- Vast, high beamed ceilings and dark wood floors
- Ornate mahogany furniture with plush cushioned sofas and gold designs
- Heavy drapery covering windows (maintained for Elizabeth's vampiric needs)
- Large fireplace providing dim, warm lighting
- Art collection filling every corner
The mansion serves as both a luxurious home and a base of operations for their supernatural investigations.
Relationship with Elizabeth Parks
Santiago has known Elizabeth Parks "for a very long time" and describes their relationship as complex but trusting. Despite his general hostility toward vampires, he accepts Elizabeth because:
- She maintains a moral code, feeding only on killers and murderers
- She demonstrates good judgment in assessing character
- She provides valuable intelligence about supernatural activities in New Orleans
Their relationship includes both friendship and occasional romantic tension, with Domingo noting Elizabeth's "infatuation" with newcomers like Raven.
Professional Activities
Paranormal Investigators
The Lobo brothers operate as "investigators of the paranormal" rather than traditional hunters, as Santiago explains:
"Not witch hunters, more like investigators of the paranormal. Humans are plagued by evil be it demons, vampires, witches-- Or whatever else may lurk in the dead of night."
Business Model
Their operation follows a specific pattern:
- Reputation building: "The Lobo twins" name has spread across regions plagued by supernatural problems
- Selective clientele: They work for those who have witnessed unexplained phenomena
- No explanations policy: "Those who hire us only know that when we launch an investigation and set out to solve the unexplained, their problems go away. We give no explanation, which is the agreement."
- Maintaining secrecy: "Who would believe a lone family or farmer?"
This approach allows them to help humans while maintaining the secrecy of the supernatural world.
Anti-Vampire Operations
Santiago and Domingo despise vampires and actively hunt the predatory ones infesting New Orleans:
"Santiago and Domingo kept a close watch. They despised vampires, and now they infested their beloved New Orleans. The Lobo brothers would slay the most sinister of the vampires and then disappear without a trace."
Their dhampir nature allows them to operate without detection, as "the world of vampires and hunters were concerned, they believed Dhampirs to be nonexistent."
Combat Abilities and Skills
Swordsmanship
Santiago is the superior swordsman of the twin brothers, demonstrating:
- Fluid and agile technique compared to Domingo's more direct style
- Dual-wielding expertise with saber and dagger
- Dancing-like footwork that makes his movement appear as choreographed combat
- Exceptional speed that can match even Raven's supernatural velocity
His fighting style is described as "dancing" - graceful, precise, and aesthetically impressive while remaining deadly effective.
Dhampir Abilities
As a dhampir, Santiago possesses enhanced capabilities:
- Supernatural strength and speed beyond human limits
- Immunity to sunlight and traditional vampire weaknesses
- Enhanced senses for detecting supernatural threats
- Rapid healing - dhampir blood "replenishing within a day" when offered to vampires for feeding
Tactical Intelligence
Santiago demonstrates strategic thinking in:
- Assessing threats quickly and accurately
- Reading people and situations with supernatural insight
- Planning operations that minimize risk to innocents
- Managing the supernatural secrecy that protects both his world and the human one
Personality and Character Traits
The Serious Twin
Santiago is consistently portrayed as the more serious and responsible of the brothers:
- Analytical approach to problems and people
- Cautious evaluation of new relationships (especially with vampires)
- Leadership role in making household decisions
- Protective instincts toward those under his care
Moral Complexity
Santiago embodies the moral complexity central to the series:
- Hatred of vampires balanced against acceptance of Elizabeth and eventually Raven
- Protection of humans while maintaining supernatural secrecy
- Aristocratic lifestyle funded by hunting dangerous supernatural entities
- Trust but verify approach - willing to give people chances while remaining vigilant
Emotional Intelligence
Santiago demonstrates sophisticated understanding of others:
- Recognizes Raven's isolation and offers sanctuary
- Understands Elizabeth's emotional needs and supports her relationships
- Reads between the lines of people's stories and motivations
- Balances compassion with pragmatism in dealing with supernatural threats
Key Relationships
Family
- Domingo Lobo: Twin brother and business partner, with whom he shares perfect understanding and complementary skills
- Unknown mother: Lost to vampirism, representing the personal cost of supernatural involvement
- Father: Raised both brothers despite their dhampir nature, showing parental love transcending supernatural fear
Allies and Residents
- Elizabeth Parks: Long-time friend and trusted vampire ally
- Raven/Selah Walker: Initially suspicious but eventually welcoming host who recognizes her unique moral code
- Catherine Deland: Protected human who learns of their supernatural activities
Professional
- Daniel (Hunter): Contact within The Order of the Sons of Light, later revealed as traitor
- Various clients: Humans plagued by supernatural problems who seek their help
Significance in the Series
Bridge Between Worlds
Santiago represents the possibility of existing between supernatural and human worlds:
- Dhampir nature allows him to operate in both spheres effectively
- Mansion serves as sanctuary for supernatural beings who follow moral codes
- Professional work protects humans without revealing supernatural reality
Moral Anchor
Santiago provides ethical grounding for the supernatural community:
- Selective acceptance of vampires based on moral behavior rather than species
- Protection of innocents as primary motivation
- Maintenance of secrecy to prevent panic while still helping people
Character Development Catalyst
Santiago's interactions drive growth in other characters:
- Raven's integration into a supportive community after decades of isolation
- Elizabeth's stability through long-term friendship and acceptance
- Demonstration of trust across species lines based on character rather than nature
Thematic Representation
Santiago embodies key themes in Raven's World:
- Hybrid identity and the complexity of belonging to multiple worlds
- Moral choice over biological determination
- Community formation among unlikely allies
- The cost of supernatural involvement (loss of mother, constant vigilance)
Santiago Lobo represents the ideal of maintaining humanity while possessing supernatural power, using enhanced abilities to protect rather than prey upon humans, and building bridges between the mortal and undead worlds through careful judgment of character rather than species prejudice.