Clan Information : Ventrue The Kindred of Clan Ventrue have a
reputation for being honorable, genteel and of impeccable 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 night's imminent Gehenna — or so the Ventrue are apt to say.
After all, their reputation rests on it.
Ventrue see themselves as nobles in a classic sense of the word, fighting to
uphold the station of those below them. They are the kings, knights and barons
of the modern 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 clan elders watch the horizon 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 Ventrue
clan, but none of that counts if the vampire cannot maintain his influence.
Other vampires often cast aspersion on the Ventrue, vilifying them as
sanctimonious, pompous or even tyrannical — and yet it is the Blue Bloods to
whom those vampires turn when something is wrong. Ventrue cultivate, influence
and — when they can — control the kine's media, police, politics, health and
medicine, organized crime, industry, finance, and transportation and even the
Church. When another vampire requires aid, they can often provide it — for a
price.
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 modern age, the majority of princes
descend from Clan Ventrue. The Ventrue would, of course, have things no other
way.
Appearance: Ventrue cultivate classical,
traditional appearance. Set in their ways, Ventrue 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 towards fashions ranging from "preppy" styles to
omnipresent suit-and-tie wardrobes. Ventrue 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
Ventrue 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.
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