Antoine Savoy
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.
