Know Your Kindred – Baron Samedi
Name: The Baron
Clan: Samedi
Generation: 5th
Embraced: Unknown
Baron Samedi – or simply – “The Baron” is said to be the originator of the Samedi bloodline, although the Baron denies this, telling visitors a different tale every time they come asking, increasing the clan’s aura of mystery and fear. Rumors swirl that they are survivors of the extinct Cappadocian clan or perhaps an offshoot bloodline of the Nosferatu or Giovanni. Others believe the Baron may be an antediluvian who took on the disguise and persona of the Haitian loa, Baron Samedi.
Local Haitians told a story that this “Lord of the Cemetery” had been brought to Haiti from Africa in a box by the French. He killed his captors and fled into the Massif du Nord mountain range near the Artibonite river.
The Baron’s relationship with the Giovanni clan is dubious at best. He and Augustus Giovanni have hated each other ever since their first meeting, when the Baron arrived as an unannounced visitor outside the Mausoleum in Venice, Italy. The visit was regarding the True Vessel – a magically sealed jar said to contain a small amount of blood taken from the antediluvian, Cappadocius. The Vessel is a legendary artifact to the Giovanni, especially to Augustus, who greatly desires the item.
The Baron came to personally apologize to Augustus, claiming he had found the True Vessel and was on his way to delivering the jar to Augustus, only to have it stolen from him by the Followers of Set. The Baron left a few minutes later and to everyone’s surprise Augustus did not kill him on site, leading many to believe there must be some deal made between Augustus and Baron Samedi
The Camarilla knows little about the Samedi clan and distrusts them. The Baron had sent goodwill emissaries to several princes around the Caribbean rim, but in recent years the Camarilla sees the Baron as hostile, as he has risen an army of zombies in a blatant violation of the Masquerade. But the Baron says he is just protecting Samedi territories from greater dangers long buried in the surrounding lands.
Baron Samedi stands at about five and a half feet tall, wearing a sharp formal suit, often with a top hat and cane. But the Baron is hideous to look at. His eyes hang down his face. His flesh is decayed with his exposed muscles almost rotting off the bone. His odor is nauseous, like an open mass grave.
Random Fact: He learned Chimerstry as payment from other vampires who hired him as a bodyguard and taught it to his childe, Genina. The Gangrel scholar, Beckett, has heard rumor the Baron also knows Serpentsis.
Sources: Kindred Most Wanted pg. 28, Players Guide Vol. 2 pg. 132, Clanbook Giovanni (1st ed) pg 19-21, Nights of Prophecy pg 14, Beckett’s Jyhad Diary pg 186-201.