Francois Villon

Paris

Sobriquet: Votre Altesse...

Appearance: A dashing, well tanned Caucasian in his late 30s. Raven black hair , brown eyes, always wearing immaculate suits and flamboyant neckties (from his jongleur heritage). He smokes, with a cigarette holder.

Background: Although his name has changed several times throughout his long unlife, Francois Villon has rarely changed how he believes or operates. Embraced centuries after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Francois learned many valuable lessons from his sire, not the least of which was the benefit of constructing a legendary past. Villon also learned strong rule, and the necessity of a strict order to bring about prosperity.

To that end, Francois Villon has crafted a litany of contradictory origins. Claiming any number of heroic (and unverifiable) deeds as his own. Villon elevated himself above the rank and file of the Kindred, leaving behind those with no ambition or vision. Whether the tale involves slaying the Dragon at the side of St. George, crossing the Alps with Hannibal or watching Jesus Christ turn water into wine, Villon claims to have been there.

Villon is not, however, a pointlessly vain Kindred. Indeed, while many Kindred would have rested on the laurels established by their fictitious pasts, Francois used the power of his legend to amass more power. So effective was he at turning others to his cause, he is considered the preeminent prince among the Camarilla to this very night. Villon's actual power, however, pales in comparison to his perceived power, and thus, his influence. He knows that a vampire can never truly control an aspect of mortal life, but he has no qualms about appearing as if he does. Thus, Francois Villon, is able to out maneuver an opponent many times his (actual) age or wealth.

And so, Francois Villon's eye fell on Paris, the natural home for those gifted in the art of social martialry. He entered the city at the end of the sixteenth century and immediately set about securing his dominant position, claiming Paris as his exclusive domain through a series of cunning exposes and courtly scandals. No Kindred had the abilility or will to oppose him, and Francois soon became prince of Paris, wresting the position from one whom modern nights have unsurprisingly failed to remember.

Over time, his vision has altered. He is the embodiment of modern France. His strict control keep every Kindred in line, and no younger Cainites can undertake a noteworthy event without his knowledge or blessing. Every vampire's herd in Paris is considered his as well, and every boon or blessing is partly owned by him. However, his regime of primogen have become parasites, leeching off human society and the lower ranks of Kindred and occupying its time with meaningless politicking and acts of debauchery. Francois has become blind to the underlying anger this breeds; he sees the strong ruling, and his leadership bringing order and structure to society. He can find no reason to change it, not even after the French Revolution exploded for Kindred and kine alike. But, he is not a man to make the same mistake twice.

Personality: Generally maintain the "proper" front necessary for your position, but you were a rabble rouser in your mortal days and can look the other way concerning Anarch behavior as long as it is fairly amusing and not too blatant.

A great proponent of French superiority, your ballads helped define the French tongue and you will never speak another language, though you understand several.

You are pleasant and easy to get along with, and great fun at parties (occasionally, you can be persuaded to get out a stringed instrument and play), unless you perceive someone as a threat to you - then you will crush her like a bug. You have unpleasant memories of your exile from your beloved Paris and will not let anyone ever put themselves in a position of dominance over you again.

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