sisslethecat
We almost have our full roster of playable clans in Bloodlines 2. We’ve seen Thinbloods, Brujah, Tremere, and Toreador, but who do you think really runs this town? Makes the tough decisions nobody else can, helps architect the literal blood money all of us Kindred depend on in a world that must remain blind and stupid to our presence. Nobody is better suited than even a single Ventrue, clean and proper atop their figurative throne and overlooking the seething, swarming masses. Ventrue might seem like aloof 1% douchebags who order everyone else around to you — and you’d be right, but isn’t it just so good to be king?
Historically, Seattle has been the site of many industrial booms, and of course, the Ventrue have been there to capitalize on its fortunes. As more and more billion-dollar corporations shape the local and global landscape, enterprising Ventrue have entrenched themselves in the businesses of the 21st century, paving the way for a prosperous future for their clan… and making enemies of the residents who preferred the way things used to be. The blood of rulers has flown in the veins of the Ventrue since time immemorial – be they high priests, emperors, investment bankers, or chairmen of the board. No surprise then that lineage and loyalty are held in high esteem; even less that others might mistake them for pompous nepotists. The Clan of Kings sees the truth: they are the architects of vampire society, the guardians of the Masquerade. In these modern nights, they are the only thing to stand between the Kindred and extinction. Knowing this, how could they not stick together, to better weather the onslaught? To command the right to rule, for everyone’s betterment? And to swiftly deal with anyone to fall short of these exacting standards?
DOMINATE
Guardians of the Masquerade and Princes of uncounted cities, it runs in the Ventrues’ blood to be obeyed. Their signature Discipline allows them to Dominate the actions and memories of others.
• Mesmerize (Blood Cost: 3), the primary Dominate power, allows the Ventrue to place one NPC in a brief hypnotic trance. The person so affected is oblivious to the world around them, ignoring sound, touch and even pain. The • • slot intensifies Mesmerize’s effect.
• • • Command (Blood Cost: 0), the secondary Dominate power, significantly extends the Ventrue’s control over the Mesmerized NPC. They can now be ordered to move, remove obstacles, or even attack others. The • • • • and • • • • • slots upgrade Command.
Using Dominate powers is not a Masquerade violation.
FORTITUDE
Few things truly worry the vampire who masters Fortitude, the Discipline of physical resilience. After all, why fear the battle when you are certain to outlast your foe?
• Absorb (Blood Cost: 2), the first active, allows the vampire to take a brief defensive stance in which they may deflect all attacks they can see, healing their wounds for every would-be strike. The • • slot increases Absorb’s effects.
• • • Personal Armor (Blood Cost: 2), the second active power, hardens the vampire’s skin into a stone-like barrier. The • • • • and • • • • • slots upgrade this power to the point where a true master becomes impervious to attacks, causing attackers to stagger back from the recoil of their own strikes.
Allowing a mortal to witness your Fortitude under attack is a Masquerade Violation.
How could the Ventrue not end up in Bloodlines 2? Whether you be among their social elite or tightening your grip while looking up at their gleaming towers in the heart of the city, the Ventrue are wherever the Masquerade is enforced. The Ventrue of San Fransico in Bloodlines 1 did their best to hold the piece, although the motivations of local Ventrue prince Sebastian LaCroix were steeped in personal visions of power and glory. I’ll be interested to see how this town is run — will the Ventrue be toying with those below, or will they be genuinely attempting to hold peace? We’ll see, one way or another, what color their blood really is when it comes to loyalty to the city — or to the money. Regardless, we have only one more clan left to be revealed. Who will make the cut for Bloodlines 2? I’m still hoping for Malkavians, but I imagine quite a few fans will be disappointed if Nosferatu don’t make it in. You can check out the devs talk about Ventrue, and vampire society in general, here.
Vampire – The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 releases Q1 2020 across PC (Steam/Epic Games Store/GOG/etc), PS4, and XBO. Look forward to more information as it becomes available!
