Antoine Savoy

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Antoine Savoy claims to have been an established elder in New Orleans when the Spanish took over in 1762. He also claims to have been a companion and ally of the former French Quarter lord, Maria Pascual, until her destruction in the late 1800s. In neither case has anyone found evidence to back his claims. He appears in no records nor in the memories of any elder Kindred — including those who knew Lady Maria well — before 1848. Even after Savoy’s first noted appearance, none of Maria’s allies recall that they had any substantial contact. Regardless, Antoine Savoy succeeded in exerting dominion over New Orleans’ French Quarter not long after Maria’s death, partially because he did indeed seem to have access to her knowledge and the backing of many of her most potent allies. He maintains that his apparent nonexistence before 1848 is simply a testament to his ability to keep his activities secret.

Ever since the Quarter developed into the tourist locale that it is tonight, Savoy has used his dominance over it to expand his influence. Engaged in a constant, bitter struggle with Prince Vidal, who refuses to recognize his legitimacy to grant territory and feeding rights, Savoy has actually used the cold war as a means of cementing his own authority. A native Creole (or so he appears), he plays upon the historical, racial and religious concerns of the locals. Savoy portrays himself as Catholic, but he is accepting of the precepts of vodoun. He even incorporates vodoun practices into his Catholic rites, a melding uncommon but not unheard of in New Orleans. In so doing, he increases the enmity of Prince Vidal (for “polluting” the faith) and Baron Cimitiere (who believes that Savoy uses vodoun purely as a tool to gain support among its followers).

Savoy paints himself as a protector of black, Creole and vodoun culture and Kindred. Many of Savoy’s detractors — Baron Cimitiere is far from the only one — paint him as a pretender who uses these causes purely to advance his own agenda. Rumor even suggests that Savoy’s allegiance to the Lancea Sanctum is pure show, that he joined that covenant because it conveys the image he desires, rather than for legitimate beliefs. The French Quarter and other poor districts of the city, already tense due to severe overpopulation (at least in Kindred terms), have more than once verged on open war between Savoy’s supporters and enemies.

Savoy is remarkably open and approachable for a Kindred lord, holding an open court to which anyone may come and speak, and also making proclamations and speeches at Elysium like a politician seeking reelection. How actual sincerity is anyone’s guess, but he has gathered a sufficient number of supporters and followers to stand fast against the efforts of both Prince Vidal and Baron Cimitiere to unseat him.

Savoy is a short, thin man with strong European features. His hair is dark, as is the perpetual facial hair that hovers just between a five-o’clock shadow and a true beard. He prefers casual suits or sport coats and is rarely seen without a smile on his face. When he is emotional or emphatic, the faintest trace of a French accent emerges in his voice.