Chapter Eleven: The Setites
Lafitte (7th) Khalam (8th)| |Dr. John (8th) Clarise (9th)| |Julia (9th) Pierre (10th)
Unknown to the Camarilla, the Setites have lived quietly in New Orleans for many years. The large number of Setites slaughtered by the Snake Hunters has had no practical effect at all on Setite passage through the city. The Setite elder Lafitte has been playing games with the Camarilla for a century and a half. The recent arrival of another group of Setites from Haiti has unbalanced things. The Setites may fall to fighting amongst themselves, and be revealed to the city.
LafitteJean Lafitte was a Carribean pirate in the early 1800s. He was a charming man and something of a folk hero in New Orleans. He earned a pardon for himself and his crew during the war of 1812 by helping repulse the British from the city. Rather than settle down, he continued his career in other areas of the Gulf. Lafitte's luck turned against him, though; his crew mutinied, he lost all wealth, and became embittered.
Dying in Cuba, he was approached by an Arabic gentleman, who asked him what he would give to have a second chance at life. Lafitte answered "Anything." The man smiled and embraced him. Lafitte had little time to regret his decision, as he was indoctrinated into the Setite clan. After he was trained in the ways of corruption, Lafitte quietly returned to New Orleans and has remained there ever since. He has studied the city carefully, and knows a great deal about the city's kindred. He exerts his hidden influence to maintain the city's conflicts and state of chaos.
Lafitte considers corruption an art (perhaps because of the city's Toreador influence). He rarely bothers himself with mortals; they are too short-lived. He concentrates on other vampires, and prides himself for the decades which he lavishes on them. Lafitte gets the most pleasure from the slow slide to despair, and draws this out as long as he can. He feels that the final moment of submission is somewhat anti-climactic in comparison.
One task Lafitte was worked on all his unlife is making the city safe for other Setites to travel through. New Orleans has long been the clan's gateway to North America. To this end, Lafitte periodically creates young Setite neonates, teaches them the clan philosophy, and then alters their memory so they believe they have recently arrived from Africa or the Carribean. Lafitte throws these neonate "decoys" to the Camarilla wolves, who usually find and slay the young Setite within a year or two. In this way, the Camarilla believes they are fighting a long battle to keep the Setites at bay, while the clan can quietly slip its member through the city to travel elsewhere in the United States.
Age: "50", 7th Generation, born 1784, embraced 1837 by Kotep Re, arrived 1854
Image: Lafitte rarely appears the same way twice, using his powerful Obfuscate to disguise himself. Lafitte has striking red hair, whatever his appearance. He enjoys playing "devil", disguising himself as some demonic creature and tormenting younger kindred. He considers this a light past-time, and is much more subtle when he has targeted someone for corruption.
Influence: Lafitte has spies hidden nearly everywhere in the city. He has used his Disciplines and Egyptian magick to gather information on every vampire in the city. Little goes on without his knowledge. He applies his power with care, for he knows that his greatest strength is his hidden existence.
Secrets: A+ (he considers himself one of the "hidden influences").
Habitat: Lafitte has a large house south of the river, his Temple, where he has a herd of a dozen or so people to practice Setite debaucheries. As with all things, he is cautious, and maintains a loyal "front", a dominated human who owns the house and appears in every way to be a normal individual.
Goals: Lafitte wants to maintain his secret position in the city, and keep to his ways. Lafitte likes to concentrate on individual vampires and slowly draws the beast out of them. He considers a well-performed corruption to be far superior to any sort of mass chaos.
Doctor John
Doctor John was originally a poor black man, leaving his family to enjoy the luxuries of Lafitte's temple. Dr. John showed talent, both for magic and cruelty, and attracted Lafitte's attention. After testing him, Lafitte gave him the embrace. He was the first of Lafitte's progeny in the city, and has been his right hand ever since.
The Doctor is Lafitte's main way of interacting with the city. After proving himself loyal, Dr. John embarked on a career as an "independent" assassin. The Doctor advertised his services to the city's Camarilla elders, disguising his origins. Over time, many of the city's vampires have used his services.
The Doctor rarely socializes with other vampires, though there are many ways to reach him for "jobs", mostly slaying mortals. When he does interact, he puts on Voudou airs, playing up the mystery of his character. He is careful, however, to occasionally "slip up" with a few phrases of Arabic and Islamic exclamations. In this way, much of the city believes him to be an Assamite. To enhance this opinion, he often demands payment in blood. In this way, he has established a sizable collection of blood of many different vampires in the city, which he and Lafitte can use for corruption and magic.
Dr. John is also Lafitte's emissary to the New Orleans Voudou community, which the Setites would like to control. The Doctor chose his name after a famous figure in Voudou history to help win himself prestige. For this reason, he is careful to avoid Marie Laveau. Not only would she realize he is not the true Dr. John, but her magic might reveal his Setite origin as well.
One thing gnaws at the Doctor's ego. He remembers accepting a commission to kill Huey Long in the '30s, and carrying out the assassination, but does not remember who hired him, and knows he has never been paid. Though he has never spoken of it, he worries that some kindred has a hidden hold on him
Age: "30", 8th Generation, born 1879, embraced 1911
Image: Dr. John is a large, somewhat overweight black man, given to wearing white or black tuxedos and a top hat. When he speaks, he makes many references to the spirit world and the powers of Voudou, with a smattering of Arabic phrases for flavor. The Doctor enjoys killing, and the hidden games he plays with other kindred.
Influence: John is a recognized and influential member of the Voudou community, though he does not have the control he would like. He is competing with Marie Laveau, the Brujah and other mystical forces. Though he is not well-liked by other vampires, his services are useful, and he has enough information and blood to blackmail most of them.
Secrets: A-
Habitat: Dr. John, changes his havens regularly, preferring secluded houses. He has a small group of ghouls for bodyguards and daylight assassins. He feeds on his ghouls, his kills, and regularly visits Lafitte's Temple for other pleasures.
Goals: Dr. John wishes to continue essentially as he is now, though he would like to expand his control of the Voudou community.
JuliaJulia was a young, pretty, white housewife who had the misfortune of falling into Lafitte's company. He had Doctor John embraced her, but she doesn't remember this any longer. She is the latest of his "decoys" for the Camarilla. Against all expectations, she is doing rather well for herself. She has managed to survive for 5 years, and has built a small temple and a small amount of influence. Lafitte assumes she has already been killed by Camarilla Snake Hunters, and will probably make a different decoy soon.
Julia is beginning to put her feelers out amongst the younger kindred. She has learned of the snake hunters, and is careful to avoid them. She has been getting aid from another mysterious group of Setites, called the Tonton Macoute. She has lived long enough that Lafitte's mental conditioning is starting to break down, and she is questioning her origins.
Julia has established a small temple of her own, and gotten a few Paleros (black sorcerers of the Santeria religion) working for her. She would like to blood bond them, but for the moment they are only allies. She has been drawing them in with promises of blood and power, but they are knowledgable enough not to fall for any obvious ploys. Still, they are very useful in keeping one step ahead of the Snake Hunters, and her spying on the city's vampires is beginning to pay off.
Age: "25", 9th Generation, born 1966, embraced 1989
Image: Julia wears ancient Egyptian dress, complete with hairpiece and eye make-up. Though she is caucasian, her long black hair helps with the image. She tries to be sultry and seductive, but anyone with true vampiric age will recognize her inexperience. She believes that she is a French expatriate from Algeria, but in reality, was born only 50 miles northwest of New Orleans.
Influence: Julia has a few minor mortal pawns, the most powerful of whom are her Palero allies. She also has a small temple, which earns money from selling easy to acquire street drugs (like marijuana and acid).
Secrets: D-
Habitat: Julia owns a small warehouse near the docks, where she keeps her Temple and servants. Over time, she has installed an impressive array of security devices. She usually feeds on her pawns and her servants. She is careful about feeding elsewhere, for fear that the Snake Hunters will learn of her.
Goals: Julia was originally conditioned to make trouble and get herself killed. As this wears off, she is more interested in surviving and learning more about her environment. She has been studying the vampires of the city for several years, and knows the secret of the blood bond. She would like to start acquiring a few vampiric pawns.
Khalam
Khalam was embraced by a Setite in Algeria, but eventually made his way to Haiti, as did many Setites during the 19th century. He gradually worked his way up the totem pole of Haitian politics, and after a century was involved with the group of vampires that put Papa Doc Duvalier in power. Khalam controlled the powerful secret service, the Tonton Macoute, and he was widely feared. It is by this name that he and his progeny are now known. After Papa Doc died, the government destabilized. His son, Bady Doc, was unable to hold power, and Khalam was forced to flee the island in 1977 as the balance of power shifted amongst the Setites.Khalam fled to New Orleans with his brood, and laid low for a time. His presence was tolerated by Lafitte, who fully expected him to move on eventually. Khalam became interested in the city, however, and felt it was ripe for corruption. Lafitte was too cautious, and was doing little more than holding open the door for other Setites to slip through. Khalam could do better.
Khalam slowly began to build a power base, taking over a small drug cartel, working on a politician here and there, etc. He was doing well enough to begin to bother Lafitte. Then, in 1989, the Snake Hunters stumbled across the Tonton Macoute. The Snake Hunters had never before encountered Setites of real skill and age, and the Tonton Macoute defeated them, killing Horus, one of their number. The encounter disturbed Khalam, for he feared his presence is now known to the city. After 5 years, there has been little response though, and he is ready for even more aggressive action.
Khalam has begun to realize that his brood is beginning to drift away from him. So far, he can hold them to him out of fear, but it is only a matter of time before they break with him. He keeps a few Setite secrets as an ace in the hole for that day. He has a few favors with the Assamites he might call in as well. If need be, he will slaughter this brood and make another.
Age: "35", 8th Generation, born 1775, embraced 1812 by Omal, arrived 1977
Image: Khalam is an Arabic man in his prime, giving to wearing either white robes or business suits. His countenance is usually stern, his eyes fierce and his mouth in a scowl or a sneer. He smiles rarely, but when he does, it doesn't bode well.
Influence: Khalam has placed a number of pawns in various areas of New Orleans. He concentrates on criminal figures himself. His brood controls other people.
Secrets: C+
Habitat: Khalam has purchased a mansion across Lake Ponchartrain, which is also his temple. He keeps numerous servants there as playthings and feeding vessels. He also keeps several places in town as emergency havens.
Goals: Khalam thinks Lafitte is old and weak, and not active enough in pursuing Set's goals. Khalam wants to push out Lafitte, and take New Orleans by storm.
Clarise (Louanda)
Clarise was a poor Haitian woman, and stood little chance of resisting the powerful Khalam. Khalam embraced her for her beauty, and the fact that she would be too weak to turn on him, and thus would make a good pawn. As she aged, she acted as Khalam's primary tool in controlling various government agencies in Haiti. She rose to power with him, and fell with him as well.She continued her role when they arrived in New Orleans, working on members of the New Orleans government. In another way though, her life has radically changed. She was enthralled from the first moment she met Lafitte. His was a version of Setite philosophy she had never encountered before. His slow seductive corruptions seemed more appealing than the heavy-handed methods of terror the Tonton Macoute employs. Though she has yet to break with her sire, she find Lafitte terribly attractive.
More recently, since Khalam has decided to retake the offensive, she has begun to pose as a young Toreador, named Louanda, recently arrived in New Orleans. She has only been active in the last couple of months, but has been reveling in the freedom of being able to act openly in the city. Khalam has asked her to learn more about the kindred of New Orleans, which ones are weak and susceptible to corruption, and so forth.
Her first few months were heady, as she made her introductions in Creole society. She portrayed herself as a painter, using a blood-bound mortal to produce the necessary works. She found herself attracted to the young Toreador David as a weak and malleable tool. In little time, she had him wrapped around her finger, in the depths of depravity. His will was so weak he was almost too easy. She hoped to present him to Lafitte as proof of her talent at corruption. Too late she realized her mistake.
David was so far gone that any fool would realize his fall was unnatural. Clarise used her hold on him to convince him to seek a haven in another city, to become its "prince". She hopes some danger will destroy him in the smaller towns of Louisiana. She fears that the Camarilla will trace his fall to her, or worse, that Khalam will learn of her indiscretions.
Age: "25", 9th Generation, born 1850, embraced 1874 by Khalam, arrived 1977
Image: In the past, Clarise is a cynical black businesswoman, and always cuts to the quick in any situation. She has more recently portrayed herself as an avant-garde Artiste, wearing traditional African dress. She has not yet eliminated her Haitian accent, and claims to be from Senegal to cover her "French" accent.
Influence: Clarise works to corrupt the politicians of New Orleans; she has had only limited success so far, for fear of attracting the Snake Hunters or other Camarilla. Clarise also has nearly total control over the Toreador David, but has decided this is too dangerous, and has taken steps to eliminate him.
Secrets: C
Habitat: Clarise used to reside in the Temple with Khalam. She recently established her own apartment in the city. She feeds on her blood bound artist, and the few local politicians she has corrupted. She has also drunk a fair amount from David, and is getting a taste for kindred blood.
Goals: Clarise is still loyal to Khalam, but more out of a century of habit than any real desire. She likes Lafitte, but does not relish the idea of trading one master for another.
Pierre
Pierre was the Houngan of a small Haitian village, and slowly grew in power. Khalam was seeking a Voudoun pawn to further his power, and settled on Pierre. Khalam had Clarise embrace the young Houngan. When Papa Doc and Khalam rose to power, Pierre had a great deal to do with "Voudounizing" the Tonton Macoute. Both his sire and her master were intimidated by his control over spirits, but it proved useful to them over the years.Pierre fled to New Orleans with the rest of the Tonton Macoute. Here he discovered a new, rich world of Voudou, with its own history and spirits. Fascinated, he began to investigate, but realized others had an interest as well. At the behest of Khalam, he spread Setite tendrils through the Voudou community.
Pierre's work has begun to pay off. He has built up a small cult of worshippers from the fringes of the New Orleans Voudou community. Mostly he has taken the rejects, losers, and freaks, and lured them in with promises of power. Pierre binds his followers to him with blood and magick, and leads them in the worship of some of the darker Loas and the Mayombe. His followers meet in a small mangrove glade in the bayou just south of the city where they commit strange and despicable acts.
Unknown to Khalam, Pierre is seeking a new source of power. When Khalam was at the height of his power in Haiti, Pierre did not dare challenge him. Now, Khalam relies more and more on Pierre's magical talents. The dusty Egyptian god Set does nothing for Pierre, and he has begun to seek out the forbidden deities of his Voudoun youth. For now, he chooses to remain Khalam's ally, for Lafitte is potentially an even greater threat. Once Lafitte is gone, Pierre will break with Khalam, and perhaps Set as well.
Age: "45", 10th Generation, born 1894, embraced 1938 by Clarise, arrived 1977
Image: Pierre is given to dressing like a bokor, a Voudou sorcerer. He maintains an air of mystery, making frequent references to the spirit world, and always has a slight smile on his lips. Even the other members of the Tonton Macoute are hesitant to cross him. None of the other Setites appreciate the power of the Loa as he does.
Influence: Pierre is slowly feeling out the Voudouns of New Orleans. Other kindred have been working on them for much longer than he has, however. To compensate, Pierre has concentrated on the dregs of Voudou society. He has built up a cult of two dozen followers, and some of them are developing real power under his tutelage.
Secrets: C
Habitat: Pierre still stays at Khalam's Temple, and feeds on its servants.
Goals: Pierre keeps his goals to himself. He feels that the spirits of New Orleans are freer, and perhaps more powerful than those of Haiti. They are certainly different, and he will not be satisfied until he knows them all.
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