Alternate New Orleans VIII

Chapter Eight: The Toreador

                          Accou (7th)

                               |               
        Marguerite (8th)---------------Tristan (D)
              |                              |
Bran (9th)-----------Pablo (D)        Katherine (9th)
                         |
                 Scheherazade (10th)             Marisol (9th)
                         |                             |
        Annachie (D)----------David (11th)       Jeremy (10th)

The Toreador have ruled New Orleans since the 1860s, and have had a great deal to do with the development of the city. As is often the case, the Toreador are split between two factions, the true Artistes and the mere Poseurs. The Poseurs of New Orleans tend to be politically oriented, doing most of the day to day management of the city. The Artiste are still considered superior. Who lies in which group is a matter of hotly contested opinion.

Accou

Accou was a Mulatto slave, freed, though never acknowledged, by his white father and master. He had a talent for the piano, and his mother encouraged him, in the hopes that he could use it to make a place for himself in the world. He played at some of his father's social gatherings, and it was at one such event that Maria, an ancient Toreador, and Annabelle, her Get, first saw him. Maria was entranced by his energy and skill, and wished to preserve his talents.
The prince of the city, Alejandro, had other ideas. Fearing a break in the Masquerade, he sent servants to rough Accou up, hoping to make him less desirable to Maria. They crushed his hands, so he could no longer play the piano. Once Maria heard of this, she insisted that her own progeny, Annabelle, embrace Accou at once. This was too much for Alejandro, who insisted all of the Toreadors leave the city.

Accou traveled with Maria and Annabelle for a time, but was unable to keep the same company as the two white women. He set out on his own, and eventually ended up in the free black community of Havana, Cuba. There he worked on his abilities, nursing his hatred of Alejandro, waiting for the day when he could return to New Orleans.

Accou returned right before the Civil War, and overthrew Alejandro shortly thereafter. Accou then ruled as prince for about 60 years, until worsening conditions in the city in the 1930s were leading to his own downfall. Casting about for ideas, he decided to take a hint from the Malkavians, and pretended to be something he was not. Accou claimed he was actually the Lieutenant of the "true Prince", and had to pass any requests on to him.
The elders of the city thought this was a ridiculous ploy, but hesitated long enough for Accou to consolidate his position. Just when he was prepared to drop his facade, he was caught unaware and attacked by none other than Alejandro, recently awakened from Torpor. Alejandro fiercely Dominated Accou, and turned the illusion into reality.

Accou has been the servant of Alejandro ever since. They have maintained this "double mask", pretending to be pretending, while actually telling the truth. Most of the younger vampires believe Accou is the Lieutenant, while most of the elders "know better", but are willing to maintain the game. Everyone found it useful to be able to claim an absentee prince was "really" running things when the Justicar Alexis came to clean up the city.

Within the last decade Accou has gathered enough strength to throw off Alejandro's Domination. He has been slowly building up his own power, to drive Alejandro out and take back control for himself. Until that time, Accou continues to act as Alejandro's pawn. Accou realizes the irony of his situation; if it were not Alejandro's support, he would have probably died in the '30s, and certainly would not have been able to handle the Justicar Alexis. Furthermore, now that Accou is Alejandro's servant, the older vampire treats him well, and even seems to care for him. Accou's hatred of Alejandro drives him, though, and he is determined to be free once more.

Age: "20", 7th Generation, born 1762, embraced 1784 by Annabelle

Image: Accou is a mulatto male, with short kinky hair, and a charming smile. He is usually dressed fashionably but comfortably. He does his best to put others at ease, acting as the "good host". He is difficult to openly anger, and he never punishes anyone directly. He can hold a grudge for a long time, though, and will seek revenge in a way that cannot be traced to him.

Influence: Accou is the Prince's Lieutenant, the Prince or Alejandro's pawn, depending on your level of knowledge. He leaves most of the day to day administration of the city to his progeny. One area of personal interest is the police force, which he considers essential to the control of the city. He publicly claims it as his private reserve, but secretly is in competition with Alejandro for control of the group, allowing other vampires to slip in their spies.

Secrets: A

Habitat: Accou has a luxurious house in the garden district that he has owned through various pawns over the years. He has a hidden haven in the New Orleans Civic Center. Accou prefers to seduce people to feed on them, and does so regularly. He is fond of variety, but prefers his choice, male or female, to be beautiful.

Goals: Accou wishes to break free of Alejandro's yoke. Although he has struggled for many years to keep the princedom, he is not suited for it. He would let it go if he could survive the transition, and knew that it would not benefit his enemies. Since most of the other elder vampires are his enemies, this is not likely to happen.

Marguerite

Marguerite Defallier owned several houses of ill-repute in post-civil war New Orleans, and through them had plenty of material with which to blackmail local authorities. She was safe from mortal interference, but not safe, unfortunately, from immortal plans. Accou needed a powerful and cunning lieutenant to help him consolidate his power, but one that would not seem too threatening to the city's other elders, since he was not ready to make his move. Marguerite was ideal: ruthless and knowledgeable, but a woman.

Accou made Marguerite's transition to vampiric life as smooth as possible, and she continued to run her houses, feeding off her girls. With Accou's help, she expanded her influence into legitimate businesses, becoming quite wealthy. Once Accou was firmly established as Prince, Marguerite sponsored many artistic presentations in the city, as well as having a major hand in the first New Orleans world fair.

As she grew older, Marguerite began to realize her limits, as a Poseur in a clan of Artistes. Accou became attracted to the neonate Katherine, something Marguerite has never forgotten. Then, when Accou acted as if he were under the influence of the "true" prince, he withdrew all his support, and Marguerite had to fend for herself. Marguerite was left with the unenviable task of running the city without the full benefit of being Prince.

She could very well have made her own bid for power, but Marguerite had her own secret: she was desperately in love with Accou. Even after he abandoned her, she wished to do nothing to harm him. Slowly other vampires took the work of maintaining the city, such as Krewe of Janus enforcing the Masquerade. But Marguerite retained her power.

Even now she has more day-to-day influence over the Toreador clan than Accou does. Most of the younger kindred know she is more approachable than Accou; she is more likely to get things done. In many ways, she is more of a prince than Accou has ever been. Yet most of the city's elders don't appreciate her power, or offer her much respect, and after a century of unrequited love, Marguerite is thinking of doing something for herself.


Age: "35", 8th Generation, born 1839, embraced 1876 by Accou

Image: Marguerite is a classic whore-house matron, often overdressing for the part. If necessary, however, she can dress in a business-like fashion that would put a Ventrue to shame. She has the sort of build that was greatly admired in her time, and more recently in the '50s. She is very buxom, but by 90's sensibilities, a little overweight. Her long, wavy Auburn hair is usually pulled back, but she likes to let it down when she is being more casual. She mothers younger vampires, offering to help them in numerous small ways. She interacts poorly with older vampires, because of their lack of respect.

Influence: Marguerite has worked to control the Louisiana political machine since the 1890s. She has numerous pawns in the city and state government. She makes regular trips to Baton Rouge to maintain her power. She can grant individual vampires numerous small favors, and has built up considerable prestation debt over the decades. There aren't many who are personally loyal to her, however.

Secrets: B+

Habitat: Marguerite maintains various prostitution houses, and sleeps in them, though she has office buildings as well for more legitimate contacts. She feeds on her girls and boys, but is quite protective of them, and would do nothing to harm them

Goals: Marguerite wants Accou's love, the respect of the city's elders. She would dearly love to eliminate that operatic witch, Katherine, who is her main rival. She has performed numerous acts of petty revenge against her, such as secretly burning down the New Orleans Opera house in 1919, and preventing another one from being built.

Bran

When Abraham Garcia was a kid in New York City, he loved to tell stories. When he was thirteen he took up photography, since he had already decided to be a journalist. Bran found that he had quite a talent for photography and the camera soon became his favorite medium. He had a gift for using composition and light to evoke emotions in those who looked at his work, and could endow even the most prosaic subject with grandeur. The reporting on the violence of World War I hardened him, however, and he became at once more cynical, worldly and interested in politics.

He moved to New Orleans for a change of scenery and went to work at the Times-Picayune. There, Bran discovered that his work for the NY Times had gotten him a good reputation, and he found it easy to make friends and develop allies among the staffs of the city's various papers; he used this setup to expose corruption in government and to cover for speak-easies (he despised Prohibition).

While visiting a speakeasy that he'd helped to stay hidden, Bran ran into the Toreador Marguerite. Bran was in a fairly down mood that evening, and Marguerite (who was looking for a meal) found it easy to get the young man drunk. As she chatted with him she found out what he did for a living, and when he invited her to his place for the evening she was stunned by the quality of the photos displayed in his home. She fed on him, then spent the next few nights researching him. Marguerite needed someone who knew the growing news media well in order to control it effectively (there had been some trouble with yellow journalists prior to the

 war) and Bran was perfect; she used her Presence to dazzle and embrace him.
Since then Bran has run New Orleans' media more or less on his own, and has joined the Krewe of Janus because it dovetails with his other work, and because he is attracted to Marisol. He has kept up with his photography and has won numerous regional and national awards; however, most of the other Toreador, especially his sire, refuse to consider photography an art form. They tend to treat him like a Poseur, which frustrates him no end. In a kind of retaliation, he has covertly taken control of one of Marguerite's pawns in the State Legislature; he has no real plans for the human, but has acquired him "just in case something comes up."

Age: "30", 9th Generation, born 1894, embraced 1920 by Marguerite

Image: A slender, graceful man whose deep brown eyes and thick black hair contrast sharply with his pale skin. (Looks like Andy Garcia). Always dresses stylishly (on the alternative side) but keeps his clothes as casual as possible for whatever situation he's in. His personality is a mixture of charm and sleaze, absolute integrity mingled with a certain amount of unscrupulousness and dishonesty. If left to his own devices Bran would probably be quite decent; however, in order to maintain the Masquerade, he frequently has to compromise his own values. He usually manages to ignore the frustration he feels over this, but it leaks out in his impulsive moments, and ensures that his popularity with the other vampires is always shifting around.

Influence: Bran has extensive control of the New Orleans media, though he tends to concentrate on newspapers over TV and radio, sometimes to his detriment. He is also a member of the powerful Krewe of Janus.

Secrets: B

Habitat: Bran keeps a haven in the offices of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He feeds where he is able, getting a quick bite from just about anyone when he is busy. If he has more time, he prefers to wine, dine and seduce his prey.

Goals: Bran has no real goals outside of maintaining his position with the media and the Krewe of Janus, and protecting the Masquerade. He has become somewhat enamored with the young Ventrue Rebecca, and in the past, tried to talk the rest of the Krewe into supporting her for the Ventrue clan head.

Tristan

Tristan was embraced in 1902 by Accou, as muscle to help him run the city. He was killed in 1924 by Nathaniel Bordruff.

Katherine

Katherine was a rising star in the New Orleans art world. As an opera singer, she expected her career to improve, as she aged, and she only was just beginning. The young vampire Tristan had other ideas. He couldn't compete with the older and more powerful Marguerite, Accou's other progeny. He chose the other path available to him: embracing art. With Katherine as his get, he could distract Accou's attention.

Tristan was clumsy with the embrace, and Katherine found the experience terrifying. Nervously, Tristan presented her to Accou, unsure of how the neonate or the Prince would react. As if in a dream Katherine sang as if her life depended on it, unaware that perhaps it did. Her talent came through, and Accou was charmed by her voice.

Accou took Katherine under his wing, showing her off to the other vampires of the city. Marguerite was livid, but there was little she could do. For his part, Tristan did not enjoy his victory long. He was one of the first vampires to fall to Nathaniel Bordruff. Accou taught Katherine of the joys of unlife. Her voice would never fail, only increase in beauty. Her art would be eternal.

As Katherine grew older, she began to see kinks in her shining savior's armor. As Accou became more isolated during the '30s, she lost faith in him. His ploy of playing at being the prince's Lieutenant was the final straw for her. He was ridiculous, and she would rely on him no longer. She had met other Toreador from other city's, and felt that her grasp of art was greater than Accou's.
Katherine established herself as the premier Artiste of New Orleans, and her reputation was made outside the city as well. She has a greater knowledge of classical arts than any other kindred in the city. Her judgment in those matters is considered supreme, and in a clan of Artistes, this gives her considerable influence. Her chief rival is Marguerite, whom she considers a low-born trollop. She doesn't understand the unreasoning hatred the woman seems to hold for her.

Age: "30", 9th Generation, born 1881, embraced 1912 by Tristan

Image: Katherine is a heavy set opera singer, and is stunningly beautiful when she wishes to be. She always dresses elegantly, preferring flowing silk dresses that accentuate her ample endowments. After all these years, she has honed her voice to a razor's edge, and she can be incredibly expressive. She lives the life of a concertina. She has adopted several, singing personas over the years, so she can maintain her public.

Influence: Katherine can make or break anyone in the New Orleans art world, and has considerable influence elsewhere. Other Toreador outside of New Orleans consider her opinion worthy, and listen to what she has to say. She has little taste for politics, and has been outmaneuvered before by the more Machiavellian vampires of the city. She prefers classical music and art, and she has a passionate hatred of jazz. It is low art, and reminds of the affection she once had for Accou.

Secrets: B-

Habitat: Katherine has a haven in the offices of the New Orleans Opera Association. She feeds on promising artists, and attractive fans. Neither are particularly difficult for her to find.
Goals: Katherine has considered leaving New Orleans for grander vistas several times, especially Europe. She fears that she would be unable to compete with the ancient kindred of the continent, however, so she has yet to do anything about it. She would dearly love to pay back Marguerite for numerous, tiny humiliations, but does not have the political acumen to take away any of her power. She does not realize that her mere existence is a thorn in Marguerite's side.

Pablo

Pablo was a Hispanic sculptor embraced in 1945 by Marguerite for his talents. He disappeared in 1972 for unknown reasons.

Scheherazade (Sherrie)

Scheherazade was a child of the sixties, an activist and a talented folk musician. She was embraced in 1963 by the Toreador Pablo, both for her talents and beauty. She quickly learned that the older Toreadors did not consider folk music to be art. More importantly, the Toreador rulers of the city had a vested interest in the status quo. Always an idealist, Scheherazade threw her lot in with the Anarchs fighting against the Justicar Alexis. She survived the war by allying with the Kindred Liberation Front, and its combative Brujahs. She has been a member of this gang ever since, though she finds the old socialist rhetoric of its leader, Bastian, a bit much.

Her first Get, Annachie, was killed in the war with Alexis, and Scheherazade waited more than a decade before making another. Her new childe, David, was a child of the '80s, putting himself first. He found it prudent to return to the fold of the Toreador clan. That loss, combined with the lack of any real change wrought by the local Anarchs, made Scheherazade extremely frustrated and unhappy. A short while ago, David disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Scheherezade passed through depressed to neurotic, wracked with guilt over her failed fledgling, and worried that perhaps what killed him will come after her.

The Sabbat have noticed this change, and have begun to quietly court her, working through their spy in the KLF, Simon. It is unlikely that her idealist outlook would mesh well with that sect's practices. She is on the edge though, and her personality may shift enough that she would be willing to convert.

Age: "20", 10th Generation, born 1942, embraced 1963 by Pablo

Image: Scheherazade is a "flower child", dressing in flowing skirts and tie-dies. She enjoys singing, but rarely has the opportunity any longer. Normally, she is outgoing and quite emphatic about converting others to the "cause", speaking of it at length, even in inappropriate settings (such as in the presence of elders). Lately, she has been nervous and withdrawn, still shaken by her childe's death.

Influence: Scheherazade is a member of the KLF, the most powerful gang of Anarchs in the city. She is considered to be the most sincere Anarch in the city, and gets some respect for that. She has no real mortal influence.

Secrets: C-

Habitat: Scheherazade keeps a haven in a small home, which she maintains as a 60's style commune. She keeps a herd there, and prefers to feed on them shortly after they have imbibed "mind-expanding" substances.
Goals: Unlike many vampires, Scheherazade truly believes what she preaches. She believes the world has many problems, and is doing the best she can to improve it. She is very principled, and will not compromise her morals to gain a temporal advantage.

Annachie

Annachie was a college friend of Scheherazade, embraced in 1964 for the Anarch War against the Justicar Alexis. She was killed in 1966 by Alexis's Archons.

David

David was a political writer and consultant, out to make or break the system. He rooted out corruption in local and state government, and hoped one day to be elected himself. He was embraced by the Anarch Scheherazade, who mistook his activities for true idealism. Confronted with vampiric control of society, David did a complete about-face.

David fled into the arms of the Toreador, and did his best to get their approval. He tried to expand his writing skills to more "artistic" areas, and has worked mostly on poetry. David never made any real impressions, and he is afraid he will never be anything more than a poseur. He usually blames his lack of respect on the Anarch taint of his sire. He fears Scheherazade, and wonders if she will someday take revenge for his betrayal.

Recently, David life took a sudden turn for the worst. He ran into the Setite Clarise, who was posing as another Toreador, Louanda, to infiltrate the city. She decided to use David for "practice", hoping to impress the older Setite, Lafitte. David proved to be easy prey, and was soon mired in the depths of debaucherie. Once the other Toutoun Macoute learned of what she was doing, they were furious, telling Clarise to clean up the mess.

Saddened, "Louanda" convinced David that he would have an easier time if he struck out on his own in one of the smaller towns in Louisiana. This is what he did, not telling anyone where he was going. He has set up house in Alexandria, a small town in the middle of the State. It is only a matter of time before the Sabbat find him, and have him as a light snack.

Age: "25", 11th Generation, born 1957, embraced 1981 by Scheherazade
Image: David alternates his dress business suits and black turtle necks, depending on whether or not he is trying to be "artistic". He sucks up to anyone who seems like they might be important, and ignores or condescends to everyone else. He has also become addicted to a number of perverse vices under the tutelage of Clarise.

Influence: David has yet to develop any real influence, though he has taken control of a small law firm to manage his affairs. The fact that he waffled between the artistic and the political factions of the city hasn't helped any. Now that he is out of the city, he won't live long enough to get any real power.

Secrets: D+

Habitat: David has a haven in a law firm he controls in Alexandria. He feeds by seducing women, relying primarily on Presence. At Clarise's suggestion, he developed some elaborate "games" he sometimes plays with his vessels.

Goals: David wanted to carve out a place for himself in clan Toreador, but has been convinced if he goes to a city with no vampires in it, he can get much further, even be a "prince" of his own.

Marisol

Marisol was a consummate artiste, living in Paris in all is glory in 1920s and '30s. There was little that she did not dabble in. Painting, writing, sculpture, it was all the same to her. It was there that she attracted the attention of her sire, an old Parisian Toreador, who embraced her for her talent. Marisol's relationship with her sire was passionate and tumultuous, and she loved every moment of it. Marisol was enchanted with the splendor of the Parisian vampires, but as time went on she grew to feel their culture was stilted. There were too many ancient vampires, whose ideas had been formed in ages gone by, and she wished to have freshness in her life.

Marisol had some expatriate American friends, who recommended New Orleans as a place to go. She reveled in the absence of any prince, and threw herself into the New Orleans art world. After watching the activities of Anarchs, however, she began to fear that the Masquerade would be broken, and her beautiful world shattered. She allowed Bran and Harlequin to convince her to join the Krewe of Janus.

With a powerful position in the Krewe, Marisol's life amongst New Orleans vampires was assured. She had time to develop her skills in the many areas of art that she loved. As time went on, she began to become depressed. Though her artistic talents increased, she gradually began to lose her inspiration. She missed the camaraderie of the Parisian art world, and the passion she had shared with her sire.

In '73, she attended a recital of a brilliant young violinist, Jeremy. She was astonished that one so young could have so much talent. As she followed his career, she began to become concerned. She knew that the fate of most child prodigies was to burn out and fade, and she could not bear the thought. In 1975, she embraced him.

Marisol acted as Jeremy's mentor, guiding his musical development. She encouraged him to compose, and developed other musical skills. She introduced him to the Toreador of the city, and his skill amazed them all. Under Marisol's guidance, Jeremy matured, and his passion for music grew. Marisol felt the sparks in her reawaken as well. Tossing stilted mortal mores aside, Marisol became Jeremy's lover. After all, in age he was in his twenties. Her art was reinspired, and she didn't care what others would think. It was a time of happiness for both her and Jeremy. It was not too last, however.

Marisol began to have disturbing dreams. She bickered with Jeremy more and more. Marisol began to feel strange urges whose origin she could not identify. She feared she was going mad. She could conceal this from other kindred, but not Jeremy. To protect him, and herself, Marisol pushed Jeremy away, saying it was time for him to branch out on his own, and make his own place in the world. In truth, Marisol has fallen under the influence of Alejandro. He hopes to use Marisol as the first step in controlling the Janus Krewe, since Harlequin seems to be too difficult to control. Alejandro is unaware of Marisol's fears, and the effects it has on her relationship with Jeremy.

Age: "25", 9th Generation, born 1909, embraced 1936 by Henri, arrived 1948
Image: Marisol is a petite French woman with a quiet intensity about her. She keeps her medium length reddish-brown hair pulled back when working, and is often covered in bits of paint or clay. She can dress well when needed, and can be the life of the party if she puts her mind to it, but prefers to spend her time in the studio.

Influence: Marisol is a member of the Krewe of Janus, and as such has some respect amongst kindred. She has develop some influence in the media world, mostly in the areas of TV, to take up the slack for things that slip by Bran. She considers all this secondary to her work as an artist. She is good enough to have made a name for herself in the clan and the Toreador of Paris still remember her.

Secrets: C+

Habitat: Marisol maintains a studio apartment where she sleeps, and does most of her work. She also has a warehouse as an emergency haven, and where she stores her now sizable collection of past work.

Goals: Marisol has of late been torn with inner conflicts, and is struggling to keep from revealing it to anyone. She has mixed feelings about her torments; some part of her actually enjoys them, and wants it to continue.

Jeremy

All that Jeremy loved was the violin. His parents were proud of him, performing in orchestras at the age of 9, but they treated him more as a toy, something to show the world, rather than their son. It was just a matter of time before music no longer sustained him, and he would be added to the listed of washed-out child prodigies.

Then Marisol found him. Jeremy was too young to fully understand his embrace, but Marisol treated him as an adult. For the first time someone loved and encouraged Jeremy for what he was, and he answered with love as well. Marisol was all of Jeremy's world, and he would do anything to please her. That they should become lovers seemed natural to Jeremy, and he could not have been happier.

As he grew older though, his relationship with Marisol became strained. The other vampires of the city would not respect him, because of his apparent youth. Then Marisol became moody, and they started to fight. Unexpectedly, Marisol insisted he leave, and make his own way in the world. She would be his crutch no longer.

Jeremy underwent his first frenzy, and destroyed Marisol's studio. When he recovered from this, he was terrified at the destruction he had wrought, and afraid he would be unable to handle life on his own. He began to resent being a 30-year-old in the body of a child. To handle his affairs, he ghouled a young married couple, and poses as their child. Yet he has no real ideas on how he will live without Marisol.

Age: "12", 10th Generation, born 1962, embraced 1974 by Marisol
Image: Jeremy has the appearance of an innocent boy of 12, but is actually more than 30 years old. He has intensity and passion, but because of his child-like frame, this can come across as brattishness or temper tantrums. He has learned that the easiest way to get things done is to act cute and childlike. He forgets sometimes, and talks as if he were an adult.
Influence: Jeremy has a pair of ghouls, but no influence. Though he is talented, the other members of clan Toreador give him no respect.

Secrets: D+

Habitat: Jeremy has a small suburban home with his ghoulish "parents". He has yet to work out regular feeding patterns. Marisol brought him "treats", and he is not used to hunting on his own.

Goals: Jeremy wants to return to Marisol, but part of him realizes that it is already to late. They can never regain the innocence they once had.