Category:Ventrue

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Clan Ventrue

Nickname: Blue Bloods, Kings

Primary Allegiance: Camarilla

Clan Flaw: Each Ventrue feeds exclusively on blood from a single, specific type of prey; this rarefied taste may never change, and increases the difficulty of feeding.

Disciplines: Dominate Fortitude Presence

Inspirational Resources: The Good Shepherd, James Bond (Any of them), Weeds, Wall Street, Evil, Gosford Park

The Nobility

The Ventrue, self declared lords of the night, are a clan of nobles and merchant princes. Traditionally descended from royalty and wealth, the Ventrue are credited most often for their leadership role in the formation and maintenance of the Camarilla and for their tradition-bound sense of propriety and nobility, often confused (or maligned) as uptight stodginess.

Dignitas

The level of discipline and organization the Ventrue possess is rivaled only by the Tremere; those who are given the Embrace are extremely carefully selected, and are given the Kiss when the Clan's local Elders know for certain they will benefit the Clan. After being Embraced, Ventrue Neonates are harshly educated by their Sires in learning the ways of the Clan and Camarilla, as well as history and lore. This period is known as the Agoge, an old tradition amongst the Ventrue that has been dying out in modern nights. The Agoge can last years: it does not end for the young Ventrue until the individual is tested by their Elders, and it is only when they pass this may they be released from their Sire. However, in modern nights because the Agoge is something practiced less and less, many of the younger Neonates are released by their Sires without ever having gone through the Agoge, and within the Ventrue, the difference between a surviving an Agoge and not being tested at all can often be a stark contrast; it can be seen in the Ventrue's posturing, attitude, and - most importantly to the Clan - dignitas. Dignitas is not exactly something that is completely or clearly defined, it can be argued it is a measure of status, dignity, grace, poise, level-headedness, calm, education - the meanings and nuances of the term can run the gamut, but it is expected for each Ventrue possess and exhibit dignitas regardless.

Exclusivity

What would it be like to have the world at your fingertips yet be forced to eat the same flavor of ice cream every single night? The Ventrue can tell you. It is no wonder Clan Ventrue is considered the most high-strung of all the noble clans. Blessed with social prowess and expected leadership, the Clan of Kings have everything except diversity in feeding. This clan is condemned to feed on the same victims night after night 'lest face a very inopportune reaction of vomiting their meal (and anything else in their stomach) immediately after feeding from a victim that is not of the exclusive type of prey dictated at their creation. While many Kindred view this exclusivity as a curse, most Ventrue will claim that they choose to feed only on the finest flavors available.

Politics

The Ventrue are Kindred politics; it is what they do. Ventrue believe, from the beginning, that they were created, groomed, and - most importantly - the only beings capable to lead all Kindred to prosperity and stability. At all times will they show a completely united front to outsiders; betrayal of this is harshly punished - if a Clanmate is in the wrong, then one merely leaves the scene rather than openly disparage their own Clanmate in front of others. If a Ventrue steps outside of the Clan, as well as the Camarilla (for they may as well be identical in this sense), that silly Ventrue disappears... forever. In short, the Ventrue are the Camarilla, and it is not surprising if a Ventrue of high status within their Clan also holds high status within the Camarilla; to the Ventrue, the concepts are one and the same.