Ventrue
“As noble a standard as loyalty sets, there is simply too much fear, self-doubt, and ambition in Kindred nature. To be sure, nobility is defined by a certain honor, a certain drive toward ascendancy. Yet total constancy is neither natural nor realistic; even dogs bite the hand that feed them! Such is the paradox of our existence, the dichotomy between desire and reality; dignitas and ruthlessness, loyalty and self-awareness: those are the hallmarks of our nights.” — A. Graves, Esq.
Nickname: Kings
Disciplines: Dominate, Fortitude, Presence
While other clans play at politics, study philosophy, or encourage the arts, scions of Clan Ventrue focus their pursuits on the one thing that truly matters: power. Rulership is in their blood, and rare is the Ventrue who does not feel a need to command. The Ventrue legacy is that of kings and queens, a lineage of sovereigns dating back to before the rise of the Roman Empire. They consider it their divine right to lead and shape the world. This attitude not only imposes itself on other vampires, but also extends to the province of humans, where Ventrue often play kingmaker and decide the fate of mortal empires.
Noblesse oblige is a term often heard in the halls of the Ventrue. The Ventrue clan values dignitas, a virtue based on honor, propriety and respect, and those who abide by its intricate rules will find themselves successful within the clan of kings. Ventrue are a cunning breed, educated and erudite, equally as capable with a sword as with a pen. Conservative and callous, Ventrue rarely make decisions based on emotion. Everything they do is weighed against the acquisition of power, and only the fittest survive. They know that ruthlessness is necessary to rule a domain of fractious undead.
The Ventrue practice of royal command translated into the modern world with ease. Instead of kings and emperors, they have become powerful CEOs, controlling empires of finance and business rather than land and serfs. The clan has shifted its attention to modern technology and commerce, where it thrives like voracious wolves in a field of helpless sheep. In order to maintain the clan’s acumen, Ventrue choose childer from those who are already successful; military leaders, business executives, and wealthy investors join the undead ranks with ancient kings and queens.
Organization: Like mortal royalty, a Ventrue learns the pedigree of her blood from the day she is Embraced, and she must always be prepared to recite her lineage letter-perfect at the command of her elders. Internally the Ventrue organization operates in feudal fealty chains, although the exact nature has evolved from its ancient roots. Now, peerages, vassalages, and oaths of fealty merge seamlessly with business contracts, buyouts, and high-pressure management styles.
Clan Weakness: Ventrue have rarified tastes in blood. Each Ventrue finds only one specific type of mortal blood palatable, and does not gain sustenance from anything else. When a player creates a Ventrue character, she should talk to her Storyteller and define a specific type of blood that suits the character’s taste. This category should be fairly narrow; less than one person in 10 should fit the description. This choice is permanent.
Blood of any other type (even animals) simply provides no sustenance to the vampire. No matter how much she consumes, her Blood pool will never increase, and she will immediately vomit the blood back out. The blood of other supernatural creatures (such as blood from other vampires) is exempt from this restriction, and can provide the character sustenance even if that creature does not match the Ventrue’s feeding restriction.
If forced to feed in unfamiliar territory, a Ventrue must spend an additional downtime action to come into play at full Blood pool.
Clan Merits: Ventrue may purchase any of the following Ventrue-only merits.
- Aura of Command (1 point merit): Mortals cannot resist your Dominate and Presence.
- Paragon (3 point merit): You have a vampiric Retainer who is sworn to serve you within the hierarchy of the clan. This allows you additional advantages from certain backgrounds.
- Regal Bearing (4 point merit): Once per game session, you may use a Presence power without using an action.
Bloodline: Crusaders (2 point merit)
Disciplines: Auspex, Dominate, Fortitude
You’re a member of an often-ignored bloodline that has begun to earn more respect from the elders in modern nights. Although Clan Ventrue has a glorious, regal past, it also has skeletons in the closet — darker aspects, which the clan would prefer to keep hidden. Among the clan’s secrets is the rebellious, violent bloodline known as the Crusaders. These cruel vampires are more soldier than prince, resembling last-born noble sons thrust into war and bloodshed in order to earn a place at the royal table. The Crusaders are prone to cruelty, and are excellent trackers, able to locate even the most elusive of prey. Despite Ventrue unease about this bloodline’s tendency toward sadism, Crusaders are Kings to the core, with all the egotistical pride of their parent clan. They are simply prone to a more visceral enjoyment of their victories; they prefer to look into an enemy’s eyes the moment she turns to ash. Crusaders are somewhat infamous because they enjoy acts of cruelty and viciousness.
