VentrueThe Kindred of Clan Ventrue have a reputation for being honorable,
genteel and of impeccabke taste. From time out of mind, Ventrue has
been the clan of leadership, enforcing the ancient traditions and
seeking to shape the destiny of the Kindred. In nights of old, Ventrue
were chosen from nobles, merchant princes or other wielders of power.
In modern times the clan recruits from wealthy "old money" families,
ruthless corporate climbers, and politicians. Whatever their origin,
Ventrue vampires preserve stability and maintain order for the
Camarilla. Other Kindred often mistake this for arrogance or avarice,
but to the Ventrue, their shepherd's role is more burden than honor.
Ventrue support the Masquerade wholeheartedly, feeling that under its
auspices the best existence for all vampires may be obtained. To the
Ventrue mind, other clans are brash and impetuous. Too concerned with
their short-term comfort, other vampires gladly give up an eternity
tomorrow for a bit of vitae tonight. Without the Ventrue, there would
be no Masquerade;
without the Masquerade, there would be no vampires. Thus, the Ventrue
have the weight of Atlas upon their shoulders. They bear their burden
with a stiff upper lip and just a hint of noblesse oblige. No other
clan could lead the Children of Caine in the nights of imminent Gehenna
- or so the Ventrue are apt to say. After all, their reputation rests
on it.
Ventrue see themselves as nobles in the classical sense of the
word, fighting to uphold the station of those below them. They are
the kings, knights and barons of the modem night. Although the
struggle has moved from battlefields to boardrooms and from
jousting lists to voting districts, Clan Ventrue continues the duel.
Young Ventrue rally and lead the troops with their cellular phones
and limousines, while the clan elders watch the horizons for
threats that loom like storm clouds. Many holdings under
Camarilla control are overseen by Ventrue, and the Blue Bloods
are loath to relax their grip over endeavors they so desperately
struggle to maintain. Reputation and achievement take a
Kindred far in the Ventrue clan, but none of that counts if the
vampire cannot maintain his influence.
Other vampires often cast aspersions on the Ventme,
vilifying them as sanctimonious, pompous or even tyrannical
- and yet it is the Blue Bloods to whom those other vampires
turn when something goes wrong. Ventrue cultivate, influence and - when they can - control the kine's media,
police, politics, health and medicine, organized crime,
industry, finance, transportation and even the Church.
When another vampire requires aid, the Ventme can,
often provide it - for a price.
Naturally, Ventrue gravitate to the upper crust
of kine society, where their sophistication serves them
in good stead. Although Ventrue move in the same
social circles as the Toreador, they do not fritter away their existences in frivolity and
idle chatter. The Ventrue proudly wear the privileges of leadership, and stoically bear
its burdens. Thus has it always been; thus shall it always be.
Nickname: Blue Bloods
Sect: Elegant, aristocratic and regal, the Ventrue are the
lords of the Camarilla. It was Clan Ventrue that provided the
cornerstone of the Camarilla, and it is Clan Ventrue that directs
and coaxes the Camarilla in its darkest hours. Even in the
modem age, the majority of princes descend from Clan Ventrue.
The Ventrue would, of course, have things no other way.
Appearance: Ventrue cultivate classical, traditional appearances. Set in their ways, Ventme vampires often affect the styles of
their breathing days, and one may frequently guess a Ventrue's age
by determining from which period of history her clothing dates.
Young members of the clan tend toward fashions ranging from
"preppy" styles to omnipresent suit-and-tie wardrobes. Ventme are
elegant and stylish, but rarely on the cutting edge of couture or
haberdashery trends. After all, one must stand out, not stick out.
Haven: Only the best will do. Ventrue commonly make
their havens in mansions or valuable estates. Ventrue vampires
often come from wealthy families, and their havens may even be
ancestral homes. An old Ventme tradition holds that any
member of the clan may take sanctuary with any other member
of the clan, and cannot be refused. This tradition is rarely
invoked, for the vampire seeking refuge subsequently owes a
great debt to the vampire who provided succor. Nonetheless, the
custom has saved the unlife of more than one Blue Blood.
Background: Ventrue traditionally hail from professional
or high-society stock, though in modern nights the clan may
claim any noteworthy person. Age, wisdom and experience play
great parts in Ventrue Embraces, and a Blue Blood never Embraces capriciously. Some Ventme create neonates exclusivelt
along family lines, in a twisted progression of gentrification.
Other Kindred joke that the Ventrue are inbred, while the
Ventrue themselves maintain that only the cream of the crop is
suitable for membership in their clan.
Character Creation: Social and Mental Attributes are
equally important, and illustrious members of the clan cultivate
both aspects. Skills and Knowledges share similar importance, as
the clan places great emphasis on being well-rounded and
capable. Ventrue Kindred greatly prize Backgrounds, and high
levels of Fame, Influence, Mentor, Resources, Retainers and
Status go far toward establishing a Blue Blood's precedence.
Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Fortitude, Presence.
Weaknesses: Ventrue taste is rarefied to the point of
exclusivity, and each Blue Blood may partake of only a certain
type of mortal blood. This type is chosen at character creation.
For example, a particular Ventrue might feed exclusively from
virgins, blond men, naked children or clergy. The character will
feed on no other type of blood, even if starving or under duress.
Ventrue may feed on vampire blood normally.
Organization: The Ventme in a given region meet often,
though their convocations resemble salons or debates and tend
to result in more talk than action. Of course, this ponderous
discourse is the only "civilized" way to resolve an issue, and
impulsive or rash Kindred often chafe under the clan's rigidity.
Younger, impatient Ventrue have been known to mount direct
challenges to an "old boy's" holdings and position, which is
considered the height of treachery and rudeness - unless, of
course, the upstart wins.
Bloodlines: Heritage is prized among the clan, and the
childer and grandchilder of luminaries are held in esteem (or
envy) by the rest of the clan. On a darker note, the Ventrue
antitribu of the Sabbat have no foes so hated as the Kindred of
their parent clan. Sabbat Ventrue are dark knights of that sect
sworn to atone for their line's failings by upholding the tenets of
the Sabbat. They are most commonly found among the Sabbat's
templars and paladins.
Quote: The guidance of the Damned is my burden to bear, not
yours. You would do well, however, to ask yourself whether your
unlife is one of benefit to the Children of Caine, or a detriment. I have
already made my judgment. 
