Ventrue

"The best way to get even with one's enemies is to outlive them. Because we are reasonable and above such petty concerns as vengeance, we are the leaders among our kind. Our colleagues do little to support the Camarilla, so we must bear the burden alone."

"Exclusively personified, or perhaps vilified. Though the changes wrought by vampirism in members of this clan have been debated as being both physical and behavioral, more recent inquiries focus on the mental aspect, specifically internalization. The ruling classes throughout history have been known for discrimination, whether genuine or affected. In the Ventrue, this discrimination has reached its ultimate peak: the ability to ingest only certain blood from certain individuals. Curiously, there is no pattern to this exclusivity save what might be gleaned from a deeper knowledge of a particular Ventrue. Most are aware of this, and guard themselves against any true degree of closeness lest their individual weakness be disclosed. This level of caution borders on the paranoid; it is as if each member of this clan, known to frequently fill leadership positions, assumes the distance that is common between true leaders and their flock."

"This personal distance manifests as a conservatism that surpasses any in either human or Kindred not of the clan Ventrue. This extends to both personal and the institutional. Members are accustomed to positions of supremacy, in particular the trappings that often accompany such positions. Wealth is synonymous with security, and it is flaunted with unconscious ease as the one visible distinction between aristocracy and the commoners. This penchant for the cautious approach and plodding pace of achievement makes recruitment of these Kindred a difficult task. No action will be taken unless it is clear that the chances for success far outstrip the possibility of failure; Ventrue are not known as gamblers or risk takers. Cast careful and precise plans, outline each contingency, and the Ventrue will listen. Tradition, as well as the Traditions, are of paramount importance to this clan. Each member harbors a secret belief that he or she would be a better ruler than any other, and has a personal list of flaws and mistakes that known sovereign have made. Appeal to the existence of this list without making specific reference to it. Revealing too great a degree of personal knowledge about a member of this clan will be met with instant suspicion bordering on the pathological. Once in a position of leadership, patience and care are the keys to dealing with the Ventrue. Above all else, do not appear as rash and headstrong. Work to secure the safety of the Ventrue, and they will follow." --The Prince's Primer

Old-fashioned and tradition-bound, the Ventrue are sophisticated and genteel. They believe in good taste above all else and work hard to make their lives comfortable. They are most frequently the leaders in the Camarilla, and are cautious, honorable, social and elegant Kindred.

The Ventrue fancy themselves a clan of the modern world, and deny that they live in the past. This may be true of the most powerful members of the clan, but many are unable to give up the habits and dress of the time when they were Embraced. The attitudes and beliefs of one's mortal days are never forgotten by a Ventrue.

They are most often found among the upper crust of the mortal world. Their sophistication serves them in good stead among the elite of mortal society, and it allows them to control many of the more powerful members of the city. Because of the relative ease in which they fit in among such company, the Ventrue often have a monopoly on political control of the city. If something goes wrong, it is often to the Ventrue that the other Kindred turn to for aid.

There is a strong Ventrue tradition that any member of the line may find safe refuge with any other member of the line, and cannot be refused. Thus many Ventrue aid their fellow clan members before the need arises for this tradition to be invoked. Harboring a fugitive in one's haven can be detrimental to one's welfare.

They are very proud of their leadership of vampire society, and will always insist that they were the founders of the Camarilla. They will do nearly anything to retain their grip on the politics of the cities and the Camarilla, and are exceedingly protective of their reputations.

Nickname: Blue Bloods

Appearance: The Ventrue do not change their ways easily, so they often dress in very old-fashioned styles - lace and ruffles, top hats and evening coats. Younger members still dress very well - preppy would best describe it.

Haven: They tend to make their homes in mansions, often their mortal dwellings.

Background: Typically they select older and more experienced people as neonates, usually members of the upper class. Sometimes they will only Embrace their own mortal descendants.

Character Creation: Ventrue tend to have upper class concepts. Mental Attributes are primary, as are Knowledge Abilities. Resources and Influence are common Background Traits.

Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Fortitude, Presence

Weaknesses: Ventrue have exacting and rarefied tastes, even when it comes to blood. The player must pick a restriction on the type of blood her character can feed upon, e.g. only young men, no animals, only virgins, etc. The character will feed on no other type of blood, not even if she is starving or under duress.

Organization: Though the Ventrue clan meets often, their councils are sarcastically called "debating societies" because of the amount of talk and lack of action. The Ventrue consider this the only civilized way to get anything done.