Kings are like stars, - they rise and set, they have - The worship of the world, but no repose.
 - Percy Bysshe Shelley

History traces the roots of the Ventrue clan back to ancient Greece and Rome where the Ventrue stood as senators and first displayed their true political might. Possessing both of the primary social disciplines gave the Ventrue a distinct advantage in the political arena where they tend to thrive on Influence and Resources.

In Greece the Ventrue ruled openly, setting themselves up as Gods along with their Kindred cousins in other clans. However, this taught them the first danger of the mortal heard and they were driven to create what was known as the Silence of the Blood. In Rome, they ruled from behind the scenes, creating blood bonds and holding high profile mortals in their thrall. This in and of itself is a trend that has continued into the modern nights. 

In the modern nights, the majority of Ventrue embraces hail from high society or well to do stock though the clan may induct into their ranks any noteworthy person. However, Ventrue tend to stay away from extremely popular mortals and generally refuse to embrace “great leaders” such as Alexander or Catherine the Great, Napoleon, George Washington etc. Not a single one of these people was ever a Ventrue.

In the modern nights, the clan has evolved to become more of a corporate structure, rather than a monarchal structure. Prestige in the clan is granted upon degrees of success, rather than by age, or lineage. And while these two things grant a certain amount of Prestige, it is ultimately the Ventrue who does more, and succeeds at his tasks that will be given prestige.

However, the clan is still steeped in tradition and a certain amount of etiquette is followed to the letter, lest it cause ripples in the clan structure and bring about possible, and often harsh repercussion. Truth be told, the Ventrue have an elaborate system of guidelines and bylaws which have stood for centuries and cover everything from greeting one another to public behavior.

The Feeding Restriction:

Ventrue are an amazing breed of vampire, if for no other reason than their perks. Truth be told, the Ventrue have no real clan weakness, unlike other clans, which have a habit of frenzying or gain animal features or derangements, each individual Ventrue simply can feed from only a single kind of person. This may be only from blond men, Clergy, naked children, corporate officials etc. And while a Ventrue will feed from no other mortal even if starving there are ways to get around this.

Ventrue, when first taken hunting, select their chosen pray that will be their sole type of prey throughout eternity. However, if the Ventrue is in a state of Frenzy, the blood is barely tasted and the Ventrue still is without feeding restriction. 

However, one should bear in mind that Frenzying is something looked down upon in the clan and an utter loss of control leads to only bad things. These things include: An eternity of grief and guilt for killing some one due to one’s reckless lack of control. It also could result in a short-lived character who hits the rock bottom of Humanity 0 in a matter of mere months, if not weeks. Lastly, bear in mind the in a state of Frenzy, a vampire has ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL over any of his actions. This leave a vampire open to potential breaches of the masquerade which could result in the removal of title, striping of domain, destruction of Progeny or (yes we saved the worst for last) the declaration of a blood hunt on the vampire stupid enough to care about getting around their feeding restriction.

Ventrue Disciplines and Their Use

First and foremost one needs to understand that the Ventrue are perhaps the one clan most entrenched in mortal affairs. Sure the Toreador are down in the trenches with them, creating their art and loving them and giving them vampiric idols to warship such as the living versions of the fictional Lestat and Dracula (heaven forbid a human actually meet that Tzimisce) and the Brujah are running through the streets with gangs, protesters and college kids, but it is the Ventrue who set these things in motion.

As Ventrue hail from all walks of life, from corporate officials, to nobles, to doctors, lawyers and silicon success stories, clearly they have a considerable amount of interaction with mortals in countless social situations. As a result the clan has developed a line of Disciplines that are perhaps the mort useful when combined.

Dominate:

Dominate is the art of mind control through the piercing gaze.  A Ventrue may Dominate any Kindred of equal or higher generation but may not Dominate any kindred of a lower generation.

If a subject has been conditioned correctly, Dominate can be used via a command word or a single understood gesture and at the greatest mastery of the discipline a vampire may completely strip a subject of his will.

Fortitude:

An old Ventrue saying goes “Never give them your true measure.” Thanks to this discipline the Ventrue rarely give away their true sense of stamina. Ventrue rarely appear as the type who could fight, let alone take a hit. However, Fortitude grants a Kindred just such an ability. The most common reaction to this is the look of surprise on the faces of attackers just before the Ventrue Dominates the attacker into making himself vulnerable such as commands of “Kneel” or “Pray” during which time the attacker becomes subject to the Ventrue’s assault, if not out right depredation.

Presence:

Presence is the great and versatile discipline, able to sway crowds and terrify others. Ventrue will often resort to Presence before Dominate as “the polite” thing to do. This often makes the Ventrue in question seem more likable and generally wanting to do “the right thing.” Ultimately this discipline is the one used for persuasion. Dominate is resorted to only in the most dire circumstances with mortals.

Kindred are a different story, while they are more inclined to use Presence with a fellow vampire, Ventrue are also just as inclined to use Dominate should the Kindred in question be uncooperative.

However, as a note, a Ventrue will resort to discipline only after his initial talents fail. Resorting to discipline use first is considered crass and greatly frowned upon.

Combination Disciplines

The Ventrue are not huge on Combination disciplines, though they do have several of their own. Most of these again, apply to the social stratus and give only a degree of their individual measures to their opponents, political or otherwise.

Denial of Aphrodite’s Favor (Dominate 3, Fortitude 3):

This ability grants the Ventrue the power to shake off the effects of Presence without using willpower.

System: Once learned this ability negates the effects of Presence levels 1-3 when used by any Kindred of a higher generation.

This ability costs 20 experience points

Life Song (Dominate 1, Presence 1):

This power grants the Ventrue the ability to sense the true meaning and motivation behind the words being spoken. This in general becomes exceedingly useful when negotiating business deals, contracts or politicking with other Kindred.

System: The player makes an Intelligence+Empathy roll difficulty equally to the target’s Manipulation+Expression. With even a single success the Ventrue is able to determine the subject’s demeanor from the statement, finding the most profound meanings in even the most common utterances. The target however must be mortal and this ability does not work on Kindred.

This ability costs 4 experience points to learn.

Ventrue Titles

The Ventrue have an extremely elaborate system of titles and ranks. Truth be told it might even put the Pyramidal structure of the Tremere to shame. The Ventrue clan is arranged into three sections, each with its own set of titles and prestige. These three areas of prestige may all be held by a single Ventrue, but as per the Laws of Decorum, you never give title in mixed company. The three tiers of the clan’s hierarchy are City, World and Camarilla.

City wide titles pertain only to a given city and it is rare that a city title counts for anything outside the individual city that the Kindred resides in. Notable exceptions are granted for Praetor and Aedile.

Clan titles are titles which pertain to the entirety of the clan around the world. These titles include Ephorate, Strategoi and Lictor. These are titles which are observed no matter where an individual Ventrue is present.

Camarilla titles are just that, they are the end all be all of titles and if a Ventrue holds a Camarilla title he is addressed by it rather than his clan or city title. Again titles are never said in mixed company. One never addresses the Ventrue Primogen of a city as “Primogen and Praetor Pieterzoon” But rather it is simply “Primogen Pieterzoon.” Camarilla titles are also applied to other clans and actually matter to every Camarilla vampire, every where. The Primogen of Monte Carlo is still a Primogen even if he’s in London and is accorded that respect by all Kindred, not just Ventrue at this point.

City Titles

City titles are as follows:

Eiren: This is the bottom of the ladder and is the equivalent of Peerage. This essentially identifies Kindred as being a member of Clan Ventrue and nothing else. (Clan Prestige 1)

Quaestors (Foremen): Down in the trenches of undeath, in the streets, the bars and behind the corporate desks of the second floor are the Quaestors. These kindred are individuals who have established themselves enough within the clan to get the tiniest amount of prestige. (Clan Prestige 2)

Aediles: Aediles are assistants and tend to do most of the leg work for the Praetor. Nominally the Ventrue Whips is one of several Aediles within the ranks of the clan. (Clan Prestige 3)

The Gerusia: The Gerusia loosely translates to “Council of elders” and is not so much a rank as it is a grouping of venerable elders. Any one may join the Gerusia; however this is only done via invitation once the entirety of the board has decided to permit the newest member. Once on the board, technically a member may not be removed unless done so by the Praetor himself. (No Prestige is awarded as this is an acting body and not a singular title)

Praetors (Managers) Praetor is the highest rank a Ventrue can possess within a city and only a Strategos or Ephor can remove him from a position. The job of the Praetor is to oversee meetings of the Gerusia and manage the affairs of the clan within the city. Most often, the Primogen (Or Prince if he is a Ventrue) is the Praetor. (Clan Prestige 4)

Clan Titles

The Peerage: Congratulations, you’re a Ventrue. (Clan Prestige 1)

Tribunes: Tribunes are agents at large and serve as the eyes and ears of the Ephors within the Camarilla. Tribunes have little power as far as clan affairs go. However, they are the informants to the highest ranking Ventrue in the world as a network of loose contacts and informants. (Clan Prestige 5)

Lictors: Lictors are trouble shooters and tend to deal with the problems appointed to the Strategoi. Each Lictor tends to be specialized in certain areas and are chosen according to their ability to handle problems. The reason behind this is that rarely do the Strategoi choose to dirty their own hands with the detail work, but rather compose the strategy which is executed by the Lictors. Examples of specialties would include Masquerade Breaches and the containment there of, contracts, tracking, assassination, business dealings, occult specialties, inter-clan relations, etc. (Clan Prestige 6 & 7 pending degrees of success)

Strategoi: The Strategoi (singular Strategos) are the strategists and “generals’ of the clan. These Kindred are the only kindred to have direct contact with the Ephorate. The Kindred are often sent to considerably troubled areas to deal with the greatest disputes and lay down the law of the Ephorate. Strategoi, when on assignments, are often given the authority of the Ephorate to deal with matters as they see the need to and disputing the will of a Strategos is akin to disputing the will of the Ephorate themselves. As an aside, these Kindred are some of the oldest, most well established Kindred who are well aware of the rigors of unlife and have cultivated their networks of resources, contacts, allies and influence for centuries. (Clan prestige 8)

Ephorate: The Ephorate (Singular Ephor) is in fact the big nasty of all Ventrue and truth be told, control even the clan’s Justicar. The Ephorate is a shadowy body of twelve Ventrue who dictate the law of the clan. They discuss and determine the clan’s direction. The Ephorate also discusses votes upon and determines clan policy and doctrine. And finally the Ephorate is the final arbiter of clan law.

One should bear in mind that Clan law is sacred to the Ventrue and any breach in it can be dangerous, costing him his Dignatus, his place within the clan and possibly even his unlife. Questioning one’s elders or failing to follow the established chain of command are punishable offenses, then again, so is any breach in the Laws of Decorum. (Clan Prestige 9)

First and foremost one should be aware that the Ventrue are a clan steeped in tradition, we have lived by these traditions for centuries and will continue to do so. These laws must never be compromised and should they be compromised, one risks his Dignatus, his standing and place within the clan and very possibly his very existence. Without further adieu, I present the Laws of Decorum.

Upon Greeting and Casual Conversation
The Laws of Etiquette in Conversation

• Always address another Kindred by his title, if he has one. If he has multiple titles, address him by his highest Camarilla title, rather than clan title in mixed company. A Ventrue with no title is addressed by his surname (i.e. Mr. Rubin or Ms. Wiess).
• Shake a man’s hand kiss a woman’s. Women should simply let their hands be kissed by men and kiss fellow women on the right cheek.
• Defer to your elders in all things. Wait for them to acknowledge you before speaking. Never interrupt another clanmate while he speaks, even if you are his elder.
• Never take offense when an elder interrupts you, even if it is Rude.
• Always look into an elder’s eyes when speaking or listening to him. Doing so not only shows interest but trust in that he will not use the gifts of Caine upon you,
• Personal affairs should remain just that -personal- unless a Kindred opens the discussion himself.
• Other Kindred are not nearly so interested in your personal achievements as you think they should be. Crowing shows crassness.
• Do not raise your voice, use explicatives or otherwise debase the discourse.
• That said, avoid conversation on the modern “Internet.”
• A Ventrue’s blood preferences are a private matter. One never asks.

Clan and Board Meetings
The Laws of Etiquette in Business

• The highest ranking Kindred in the meeting presides over it. If two attendees have the same title, the eldest takes precedence. If the eldest defers, do not challenge him in his deference.
• A younger assistant (usually an Aedile), actually conducts the meeting, listing off points on the agenda, recognizing speakers and otherwise taking care of the minutiae. This arrangement allows the presiding Ventrue to ignore the organizational details and concentrate on the greater issues at hand (or simply sleep through the meeting if he so chooses).
• The agenda is always set before hand and made available to all attendees. The presiding Ventrue must approve any variations from that agenda.
• As each matter is brought before the body, the lowest ranking Kindred always speaks first on the matter. Elders or those of equal standing may interrupt the speaker politely to ask question or make comments. Those of lower rank must wait until the speaker finishes and then address any questions, not to the speaker, but to the Ventrue conducting (not presiding over) the meeting.
• If a Vote is called for, the body votes in the same order as it spoke, from lowest to highest rank. Secret ballots may be cast at the discretion of the presiding Ventrue.
• When the agenda is complete, attendees can suggest topics for the next meeting for the chair’s consideration.
• Do not interrupt; do not joke at another’s expense, no shouting and no base language is ever appropriate. Tempers will remain in complete control. Meetings are most solemn and not a venue for levity.

Public Appearances
The Laws of Etiquette in Kindred Society

• Ventrue should always dress and comport themselves with the utmost dignity in public, no matter the time of night or situation.
• One should never disagree with one’s elder in public, especially when lesser Kindred are about.
• Following that, one should never disagree with one’s equals or juniors in public either. Always show the world a united front.
• Never speak of clan business to outsiders under any circumstances.
• Treat other Camarilla Kindred, no matter their clan, with as much respect as you would expect them to treat you. Do not sink to their level, nor allow yourself to be baited into exchanging taunts with rapscallion or anything else so unseemly.

Disciplines
The Laws of Etiquette in the Use of Caine’s Gifts

• Do not enforce your will or charms upon another member of Clan Ventrue unless absolutely necessary.
• If the fellow Ventrue in question is in good standing with his peers it is hard to conceive of a time when it would be absolutely necessary.
• Eavesdropping upon another’s thoughts, defiling their memories or toying with their emotions are all quite rude, but sometimes necessary if one’s subject is not a Ventrue.
• Should an elder demand access to your mind and he is within he rights to do so, do not resist.
• Only a Prince, Justicar, Praetor or Strategos (or Ephor, should one such as you ever meet one) is ever within his rights to demand access to your mind.

Assistance
The Law of Succor

• Come to a Ventrue’s aid when he asks. This Ethic of Succor is inviolable.
• Never begrudge or besmirch a clanmate who asks for aid. It is his right and your duty.
• Never call for aid unless you actually need it. Esteemed Kindred have little tolerance for wasting time.
• One does not remind another of his previous requests for succor in casual conversation.
• Remember that you too might be in need of your clan’s assistance one night and act accordingly.

Invoking the Ethic of Succor

It should be known now that this ethic and it’s meanings apply only to our most august clan. In order for one to invoke the Ethic of Succor, and make a request for aid that no Ventrue, by clan law, may refuse, he states one of several phrases, most common is the phrase “I implore your assistance cousin.”