Okay, now that I'm not on my phone...

What I'm looking for is an effective melee/caster type. I initially went with vampire because I enjoy the whole balancing of healing surges, but I know they lose steam later in life (By the way, this is going to be at level 7). Essentially, there's not a whole lot of reason to play a Vampire over a Charisma monk, unless you want to be really effective at not dying. The Charisma Monk does everything else better, it just doesn't have the ridiculous tenacity of a Vampire.

But I thought about the Warlock. This character is supposed to be sort of a dark type. Imagine the seedy businessman who makes you feel like you just made a deal with the devil. That's my character. Practitioner of dark magic, but generally keeps to himself at his establishment. Wears an enigmatic grin, and always has something up his sleeve. That's what I'm imagining.

I toyed around with a couple of Warlock builds alongside the Vampire, and I just can't really come up with anything that sticks. It always feels like its missing something. Part of my issue is I'm afraid of creating something that ends up being too similar to our Berzerker (strikey/defendery). That being said I appreciate the builds froth.

Cha based melee attacker.  Still can use a neck piece to raise fort/ref/will, armor to raise AC.

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
level 7
Tiefling, Warlock
Eldritch Pact Option: Sorcerer-King Pact
Eldritch Strike Option: Eldritch Strike Charisma
Proficiency: Implement Proficiency (Staff)
Proficiency: Weapon Proficiency (Rapier)
Gritty Sergeant (Gritty Sergeant Benefit)
Theme: Elemental Initiate
 
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
STR 10, CON 17, DEX 12, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 19
 
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
STR 10, CON 16, DEX 12, INT 12, WIS 8, CHA 16
 
 
AC: 15 Fort: 16 Ref: 16 Will: 18
HP: 59 Surges: 9 Surge Value: 14
 
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +10, Bluff +14, History +10, Insight +7, Streetwise +12, Thievery +9
 
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +4, Athletics +3, Diplomacy +7, Dungeoneering +2, Endurance +6, Heal +2, Intimidate +7, Nature +2, Perception +2, Religion +5, Stealth +6
 
POWERS
Basic Attack: Melee Basic Attack
Basic Attack: Ranged Basic Attack
Elemental Initiate Attack: Disciplined Counter
Warlock's Curse  Power: Warlock's Curse
Feat Utility: Warlock's Wrath
Warlock Attack 1: Eldritch Strike
Warlock Attack 1: Hand of Blight
Warlock Attack 1: Cruel Bounty
Warlock Attack 1: Decree of Khirad
Warlock Utility 2: Assassin's Bane
Warlock Attack 3: Sinister Extraction
Warlock Attack 5: Emerald Shield
Elemental Initiate Utility 6: Restoring Touch
Warlock Attack 7: Touch of Command
 
FEATS
Level 1: Mindbite Scorn
Level 2: White Lotus Dueling Expertise
Level 4: Blade Initiate
Level 6: Warlock's Wrath
 
ITEMS
Lesser Cloaked Rapier +2
====== End ======

Every power there allows you to use it either in melee or is a close attack.  Assassin's Bane allows you to lock out forms of movement which would fit for someone running a speak easy.  The Lesser Cloaked Rapier allows you to hide that you carry a weapon so most patrons do not know you are armed.  Blade Initiate allows you to use your rapier as your implement.  Eldritch Strike is a melee attack that replaces your MBA.

This is just something I threw together fast.  Most of the spells are melee touch or close and are based on cha.  Once you hit 11, you can twofold pact into infernal and start gaining temp hp when your pact boon goes off which will make you a little tougher.

I bow sir.  I bow.