Listen to any scholar of Cainite history, and they will surely tell you of the power and inspired leadership of Clan Ventrue, spanning from the supposed stewardship of the First City after Caine’s departure to holding power this very night in Europe. At least, any scholar who knows that keeping this Clan’s members sweet can often clear obstacles from an otherwise difficult night.

Historically embraced from the lines of royalty and nobility, the Vampires that make up this clan see themselves as the obvious leaders of Cainite society; often regardless of whether that society wants to be led or not. Individually they run the spectrum from noble stewards to glory-seeking leaders to subtly manipulative puppet masters; as a Clan they are a formidable force to be reckoned with. Regardless of individual styles of leadership, Clan members are expected to act with dignity and foresight, and to respect the status of those who have earned it.

One of the more populous Clans within Europe, the Ventrue claim dominion over large parts of it in the form of the Fiefs of the Black Cross. Not only is this Domain led by High Lord Hardestadt, a powerful member of the Clan, but his Childer hold positions of power in the larger cities and settlements.

Of course most of the Ventrue in the area are not of his line, but they still find it advantageous to carve out a place for themselves here in Europe where the Clan’s powerful leadership is well known and respected to a degree.

Often seeking leaders amongst the mortal world for their progeny, the Clan looks to embrace those who have demonstrated their ability to take and hold onto the reins of power in some fashion, be they despots, charismatic generals, persuasive negotiators or cunning merchants. They also have a tendency to place their childer in positions that benefit from the oversight of a loyal vassal; because of this, some say that the Clan’s true power is nepotism. Though rarely do they say it within earshot of the Ventrue themselves.

Ventrue tend to test those whom they would choose to give the gift of serving Clan Ventrue as a ghoul, whether by contriving interesting circumstances to see how the potential servant handles it or by observing them through difficult times. Through this they claim to select only the best and brightest for their ghouls; and often it is not the obvious people in power that they pick.

Trusting in Dominate and Presence to control such folk, their ghouls are instead often picked from those who perform supporting roles, who advise or research or otherwise pave the way for the actions taken by the powerful. After all, that is the role they would be fulfilling when ghouled. They have high expectations of their ghouls, and those who fail to perform to the standard expected are often killed and replaced by those who can. The Ventrue have little patience for the inept.