Baron Samedi

**Baron Samedi** is an overarching antagonist in the *Divine Comedy*.

He is the loa of the dead and the grave, and is the catalyst behind Alastor's spiral down a path of murder and cannibalism through one of his aspects (which is Baron Kriminel).

## Appearance

Even though he had no full appearance, there were still some mere glimpses of him where he is depicted with a top hat, black tailcoat, dark glasses, and cotton plugs in the nostrils, as if to resemble a corpse dressed and prepared for burial in the Haitian style and he has a nasally voice which he uses to speak through those who he possesses.

## Overview

Samedi's purpose is to serve as the baron of tombs, corpses, zombies, decomposition and resurrection and in the latter capacity he is often called upon for healing by those near or approaching death; this usually brings him into conflict with Papa Legba who is seen as his more benevolent counterpart.

As he is a more malicious and dark individual he often makes bargains and pacts with Bokors and other dark voodoo-practitioners. One such instance was when he was conjured by Alastor's mother, Maria, who pleaded for the dark loa to grant her better health. Samedi granted her request. As payment for his services, Maria asked him what he wants in exchange to which Samedi simply gave her a sinister smile and ominously replied, "You already cookin' it up for me, sugah. I be seein' ya in nine months time."

The price was Alastor himself as Maria was only two weeks pregnant with him. Baron Samedi would come to use Alastor as a vessel but in the form of Baron Kriminel. The bargain was fulfilled but through the tragic demise of Maria which some speculated was set up by either Samedi or Kriminel in order to set Alastor on his destined path of darkness, molding him into being his perfect servant.

## Personality

Baron Samedi has two sides to him but it depends on who he is dealing with under the right circumstances. In most cases where he is conjured and appears before the conjurer, Samedi is suave, smooth-talking, polite, and often charming which gives him the advantage he needs to successfully manipulate mortals that summon him into doing his bidding. But when things don't go his way or even when he is around other loa, he becomes notorious for his outrageous behavior, swearing continuously and making filthy jokes to the other spirits.

While a polite, charismatic showman, Samedi can also be cruel, remorseless, and sadistic as seen in his use of Alastor as a loyal servant and having him undergo various horrific experiences to turn him into the perfect vessel for his aspect. While generally composed, his outrageous behavior takes hold almost easily as Samedi has instances of lashing out in anger, particularly when he feels disrespected or when something is taken from him that he exclaims was rightfully his. This is shown when Papa Legba killed Alastor and took his soul away from Samedi despite having used him for his benefits. Another was when Alastor fulfilled the bargain on Legba's side and nullified Samedi's hold on him.

## Trivia

* He is based on the entity of the same name found in Haitian Vodou religion. He is the head of the Gede family of lwa; his brothers are Azagon Lacroix and Baron Piquant and he is the husband of Maman Brigitte. Together, they are the guardians of the past, of history, and of heritage.
* His theme song would be "Man with the Hex" by The Atomic Fireballs.