Hugo Becker

"*If you can get him to look up from his balance books for two seconds, you might be surprised to learn that there's more to him than the epithet of 'The Weakest Baron In Los Angeles'. I think he likes to be thought of that way anyway, boss.*"
―Gary Golden[src]
**Hugo Becker** was a Samedi ancilla and Baron of San Fernando Valley in the Spectre chronicle. As Baron, his chosen Elysium was the San Fernando Library.

## Appearance

As a member of the Samedi bloodline, Hugo Becker much resembles a corpse long past its expiration date. The cartilage of his ears had rotted away long ago and the skin around his eyes and mouth had retracted almost entirely, giving him the appearance of a permanently smiling skull. Thin, slicked-back black hair shielded a small portion of the top of his head from the rain. Through all of this also, one of his eyes (his "lucky" eye), had managed to fall out from its socket to be left dangling by the optic nerve, dried out and grey from exposure to the elements but still connected despite it all. Keeping that eye had been a point of misplaced pride for him, thinking himself clever for managing to still have it attached after so long. Whenever questions had been raised about his capability it wouldn’t be long before he’d repeat words to the effect of “You think this job’s too tough? Can’t be more difficult than holding onto this thing for thirty years!” And then he’d make that hoarse barking noise that could only be a laugh, much to the chagrin of all else present.

His general attire consisted of a white button-up business shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a tie of varying pattern and colour to give it a little life. Black slacks with matching belt and Italian leather Oxford shoes completed the outfit -- an accountant in life and in death. When working he also opted for pince-nez style reading glasses as his ears had rotted away, making it impossible for him to reliably wear conventional glasses.

## Personality

"*I really hate doing this.*"
―Hugo, before killing Herbert Taylor[src]
Hugo is a shrewd businessman and through all facets of his personality you can come to understand his mathematical view of the world. He appreciates hard numerical data as he believes that numbers hold no secrets whereas words can be interpreted and spoken in any number of ways. Because of his genius accounting skills and understanding of kindred affairs, he is employed by many of the Barons and other cainites to keep the books at their businesses in lieu of a human who is less pliable and accepting of adjustments that have to be made when a business-owner is undead. While most couldn't be happier to push the boring busywork onto someone like Hugo, some of the more wary kindred distrust him for this unvetted faith that others put in him and are certain that he must be defrauding or scheming in one way or another.

He is regularly stated to be among the weakest, if not *the* weakest, Baron in Los Angeles, though he enjoys the underestimation and the freedom that it gives him to work. As a person Hugo is pragmatic but also understanding of the 'outliers' that most call emotions. Many in his constituency are happy with his work as Baron and disregard the jeers of those who suggest he's not capable of protecting his turf. They'd much rather have a man like Hugo in control than a tyrant who might blow their top at the slightest hint of anything unsavory happening like Robin Moreno or Edgar Hearst.

## Biography

### Spectre Tales: The Boxer

While in a private meeting with Robin Moreno, Hugo stumbled upon four kindred in the act of stealing paperwork from a strip club under his administration with the intent to burn the building down afterwards to conceal their theft. Reluctantly killing a security guard who had learned too much he bade the coterie upstairs where they were interrogated by Robin. While she was taking Aran and Bruna out to her car, Hugo revealed that he knew Yan and Pamela were hiding out of sight during the interrogation. This revelation was however interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Vernon Derringer who had previously that night been kicked out of the club. Letting Pam flee, Hugo stayed behind to presumably fight or at least delay the advance of Derringer. As she escaped, running towards a confused looking Robin, Aran and Bruna, the four of them witnessed an explosion which engulfed the entire building, leaving the fates of Yan and Hugo unknown as Derringer walked towards the group laughing uncontrollably.

## Trivia

* He was first mentioned in *Theatre of Blood* by Molly Strenger and first appeared in *Strawberry Fields Forever*.
* Hugo likes reading through spreadsheets and tangible data. He dislikes arguments and plans that are built on thoughts and feelings rather than demonstrable facts.
* Hugo was maliciously embraced.
* His favourite food when alive was beef wellington.
* Though trusted by most Barons, a couple have their reservations about giving him too much power.
	+ He has an almost paternal relationship with Aster Rhodes.
	+ Robin Moreno considers him the most pleasant Baron to work alongside.
	+ Patience Danvers is afraid of Hugo.