Lexicon, Ventrue

Lords Over the Damned - Ventrue

The following guide presents terms essential to understanding the history and the culture of the Ventrue. Some of these words are familiar, but their meanings may not be. Some of the terms may be utterly foreign, though they describe well-known ideas. Some of these words and their definitions may make little sense without a deeper understanding of the Ventrue.
The following terms fall into a few simple, overlapping categories, which will help you understand the function of – and appropriate audience for – particular word choices. The categories are:

• formal - These are common terms suitable for use in polite society or in the presence of one’s betters. These are acceptable in correspondence or in person, and likely go over fine with Ventrue of any age.
• informal - Avoid using these terms with Lords you don’t yet know. It’s presumptuous to think that an older or better lord would welcome such familiarity. Wait for a signal, like the use of an informal term to you first, before stepping outside the bounds of polite language.
• archaic - Old parlance doesn’t go out of style with the Ventrue. Instead, it tends to be regarded as eclectic or hiply ironic for a time, before gradually transforming back into standard language. Even ancient terms stand a good chance of being in regular use among modern Ventrue.
• modern - It’s a sign of low manners among the Ventrue to assume that an elder or better Kindred will be up on modern slang and vernacular. Many Lords keep up with modern jargon just fine, but a careless Ventrue may find himself making a faux pas if he doesn’t check himself before using one of these words in mixed company.
• vulgar - These are not simply “dirty words,” like those insignificant phrases thrown about in casual language. These are deeply meaningful insults imbued with such remarkable venom that they have kept their potent sting for long decades. These are not mere obscenities; they have the power to be affronts. Use them accordingly.

Glossary

• afflicted: (adj./n., formal, archaic) Of or involving the Affliction (q.v.) ; any Kindred suffering from Malkavia (q.v.) No one's seen her since she visited the afflicted last year.
• Affliction, the: (n., formal, archaic) An ancient supernatural curse-cum-disease which supposedly appeared first within the Ventrue clan around the beginning of the Common Era, and later spread to all other Kindred clans. Kindred affected by the Affliction suffer from delusions, degenerative mental illnesses, emotional imbalances, and eventually dementia. It is incurable. (See also, Malkavia.)He's got the look of the Affliction.
• Aenead: (adj., formal) Of, or pertaining to, the ancient Ventrue, the childer of Aeneas (q.v.) ; noble; venerable. (n., formal, archaic) Any Kindred of the Ventrue or Dead Julii familial lines; the childer of Aeneas. Watch yourself, my boy - his is an Aenead lineage, and his allies are powerful and many.
• at the table: (adj., informal/formal) involved in business; a part of the team; preoccupied. Typically, this phrase is used when referring to business, meetings, or operations which are best left undisclosed to present company. Very sorry, but Master cannot see you now as he is at the table with the Priscus. Or, You're going to have to do better than that, Jonas, if you want a seat at the table.
• childer of Aeneas: (n., informal archaic) A poetic (or pretentious) term for very ancient or old-fashioned Ventrue vampires. Among the kinds of Kindred this phrase describes, the childer of Aeneas are the Ventrue and the Dead Julii (q.v.), all of whom are legendarily descended from the Trojan hero, Aeneas. The Priscus thinks all us childer of Aeneas would be better off with him as Prince.
• colonial: (n., informal, archaic) Any Kindred city, bloodline, childer, covenant, coterie or other group that is a direct offshoot of another, especially over long distance, but only when the parent individual or group is also mentioned. For example, "Edgar is a colonial of Solomon," is grammatically correct. Traditionally, only the subjects outside of the same city are considered colonial. The Prince of Philadelphia is a colonial of our Priscus you know. (adj., informal) Being of any Kindred individual or group that is a direct offshoot of another. You'd hope we'd still have connections in someplace so colonial, but we're not that lucky.
• Crypteia: (n., formal, archaic) Historically, a clandestine coterie of Ventrue employed by a city's Prince or Priscus for the purpose of covertly enacting secret punishments against Kindred or mortal enemies of hte city or clan, especially for the sake of maintaining the balance of power or preventing potentially upsetting changes to the social hierarcy. As a formal body, the Crypteia were (or are) a kind of secret police; in pratice, they may be little more than thugs. Customarily, "the Crypteia" is a formal (though secret) unit of two or more hand-picked Ventrue vampires. Tonight, any small group of Kindred sent out on any secret or illicit mission of malicioius intent might be called "a crypteia," especially if the group or its commisioner are Ventrue. Last night he's talking about how the Duke's a sham and tonight nobody knows where he's gone, and you're not thinking the Crypteia carried him off?
• Dead Julii: (n., formal; Dead JOO-lee-eye) The modern way to refer to the Julii clan of Kindred, once common in the nights of Rome and the Camarilla, the traditionally regarded as cousins of the Ventrue. In modern nights, they are often thought of as being in the very same clan, aside from differences of custom and culture. The true relationship between the Julii and teh Ventrue is a matter of speculation and debate. This building has been here since the time of the Dead Julii.
• Demented: (n., infomal) A Kindred who uses or studies the mystic powers associated with Malkavia (q.v.) ; a practioner of Dementation (q.v) ; less properly, any Malkavian (q.v.). (adj., informal) Of or involving the mystic powers derived from the Affliciton. His sire's been sick for decades, but this is the first I've heard of him being Demented.
• dominion: (n., informal) The reach and limits of one's will as projected by the supernatural power of Ventrue blood (q.v.). This refers not only to a measure of physical range, but also a roster of subjects, contacts, and other targets being manipulated with Dominate, as well as the effects of the Discipline in general. If you get in that car with him, he'll have you in his dominion inside of ten minutes.
• Ephor: (n., formal, archaic) The title given to a city's most respected, and usually aged, Lord or Lords, who advise Kindred on matters of politics, history, and custom. The maximum number of Ephors in any city is five; each Ephor is traditionally made ambassador to one clan (including the Ventrue). The Ventrue Priscus is typically an Ephor, and often regarded as the "ambassador" to his or her own clan. I think that's how it works, but I'd feel a lot better if the Ephor of the Savages agreed with us.
• eulogy: (n., formal) Among Lords, a speech given in praise of an individual or that person's accomplishments, best delivered with reverence and humility. Unlike what is traditional for the living, a Ventrue eulogy is customarily perfomed in the presence of the subject, whether as a form of respectful celebration or a demonstration of one's loyalty, admiration or ambition. Multiple eulogies are sometimes delivered by competing orators as a contest of courtliness or wit. You watch - this eulogy is going to make the difference between us being allowed to claim Edgewood and us being asked to claim it.
• genii: (n., archaic) 1. The plural of genius (q.v.). 2. In nights past, any Ventrue bloodline that was seemingly blessed by a powerful genius spirit, or any such bloodline that was prospering due to supernatural (or unexplained) involvement by forces outside of Kindred society or blood. 3. Tonight, a family or bloodline of respected or prosperous Lords; this sometimes carries a connotation of good fortune spiritually or personnally, despite any noteworthy material wealth. She is the youngest of the Cathedral Hill genii who built most of this neighborhood.
• genius: (n., archaic) 1. A representative spirit of a familial line; an ancestor guardian spirit or protective ghost. In old Roman custom, genius is a representative spirit - consider the genius loci, which is the spirit who represents a place's true character. While a genius is conventionally a male spirit, in the traditions of the Ventrue, it has become a unsexed symbol of ancestral wisdom and protection, as the name of the old female couterpart spirit (the juno) has negative associations for may childer of Aeneas (q.v.). Most (but not all) Lords consider these spirits to be legendary or metaphorical, not actual supernatural beings. 2. In modern parlance, a genius is any Ventrue (regardless of gender) whose blood or ideas have greatly benefited the clan, or especially that individual's own line of childer; this is a term of endearment. 3. The secular ideal ideal of the Ventrue sire (or grandsire, etc.) as a provider, advisor, and great leader. We should all strive to be the genius of our childer.
• Great, the: (adj., informal) Excessively inflated or pretentious; arrogant; self-involved; hindered by delustions of grandeur. Since at least the 13th century, this has been a sarcastic title applied only for mockery of an absent person, especially a mortal. Modern Lords sometimes use the expression on its own in reference to persons and objects alike; e.g., "That is the great suit, Oscar." You go and give your wrist to Marie the Great, then, but I'm staying here.
• hegemon: (n., informal) A Lord with formal or demonstrable authority or control over any group not Kindred, kine, or ghoul (e.g., wherewolves or changlings), or of territory commonly associated with such beings. Strictly speaking, this term may be used as synonymous with "ruler" in an informal sense, but among the Ventrue it has connotations specifically of rule over "outsiders." (Elder Ventrue, or those educated by elders, often pronounce this such that it rhymes with moan.) She seems to be all alone out there, but she's hegemon of the territory all the way out to Brinam Wood.
• helot: (n., archaic) A slave; a pathetic servant; a loly creature without ambition or rights; a minion without hope of advancement; anyone that can be abused without consequence. From the name of Sparta's servitor class, the Helots, who may have been formally better than slaves but were in practice little more fortunate. As a result of Ventrue legends of ritualized abuse between Spartans and Helots, this more modern term bears the vague implication that the subject deserves abuse or "has it coming." Keep talking like that, helot, and you're going to get dumped, bloodless, out back.
• Jacks: (n., informal) Two or more young and lively Kindred, especially up-and-coming Ventrue, with more ambition than discipline. In modern nights, Jacks might be seen as any small clique of Kindred rascals, whether they be frat boys or gangbangers. The popular notion of Jacks portrays them as mobile and active, seen briefly on their way to the next party or the next meeting. This term may be a derivation of the Jacks form a deck of cards; jabs and metaphors using card suits are common (e.g., Jack of Clubs). (Lords have no female equivalent to this term, and though in practice a group of Jacks may be of mixed gener, the term still has a masculine connotation; female Jacks are likely to be thought of as tomboys.) A Ventrue idiom from the 19th century: "Is there anything sorrier than a lonly Jack?" Those two Jacks from Edgeville were up at Circus last night, trying to earn themselves roses and gold stars from the Duke.
• king: (n., informal) Any apparently powerful mortal or vampire who is susceptible to manipulation or outside control. A puppet ruler. The power on the throne, rather than the (true) power behind it. This is an ironic label among the Ventrue, used in reference to an appearance ov power with little actual autonomy. (v., informal) To promote, aid, or empower someone for the purpose of using them and their power later for one's own gain. Don't think you can go and king Spencer without paying a price - you know he's already Edgar's king, right?
• Lare: (n., formal, archaic) Originally a Latin term for a household god and/or ancestral spirit, this term is used by the Ventrue as a reminder of their origins playing such significant roles in clan mythology. It has connotations of "revered ancestor" and is considered appropriate formal address for one's vampiric predecessors upline of the sire.
• Lord's word: (n., formal, archaic) The mystical lpower of the Blood to project one's will onto another; the supernatural power traditionally associated with Ventrue Vitae. The Discipline of Dominate and any of its powers. (Also, lordly words.) If common sense won't get him to do it, I'll give him Lords's words.
• malkavia: (n. formal) The Affliction (q.v.). The true origin of this name is lost to antiquity, but among the Damned it is still the de facto nomenclature fo rthe mystical disease. When that accursed failure came here he brought two childer and malkavia with him.
• Malkavian: (n., formal) Any Kindred suffering from the mystical disease, malkavia (q.v.). In many cities, Malkavians are mistaken for a bloodline descended from the Ventrue and responsible for the spread of the Affliction (q.v.), but no such bloodline actually exists; this may be the result of erroneous folk etymology tracing the origin of the word malkavia back to the name Malkavian. In fact, the word Malkavian is derived from malkavia. The Prince has decreed that all Malkavians, and only Malkavians, shall make their nest in the old children's hospital.
• move: (v., informal) To change one's mind, or have it changed, especially through entreatment, oratory, discourse, or a passionate argument. Well said, boy, but you cannot move me. -ed: (adj., informal) Having been changed or persuaded through speach or argument; often with a conotation of minor weakness or vulnerability. I wouldn't have thought it possible, either, but I'm a moved Carthian now.
• mum: (v., informal) to use familial connections and obligations for political ends; to abuse personal relationships for political gain; to crassly invoke personal, especially familial, relationships in a formal situation. The image meant to be evoked by this word is that of the petulant young Prince demanding attention or affection in the midst of a meeting of statesmen. A modern mockery of a jacking vampire typically begins by whining something like, "But Mummy, I want to...," or, "Please, sire, can't I have...," like a spoiled rich girl. Did you see him mumming for feeding rights when the Regeant was standing right there?
• poem: (n., informal; aslo poetry) A well-crafted or intelligent argument, especially one which is personally or aesthetically appreciated, but that fails to truly achieve its goal. For example a eulogy (q.v.) that earns great praise and genuine appreciation, but does not win political favor; a speach at court that succeeds in making other Kindred take the speaker's issues seriously but fails to change the Prince's decision on a recent proclamation. To these Kindred it was a fucking revolution, but to the Prince it was just poetry.
• sibyl: (n., archaic) A Kindred or ghoul who uses the power of Ventrue blood to force or coerce a subject into behaviour fulfilling a prophecy, especially if the Kindred or ghoul is also the source of the prophecy. Truly prophetic beings are not regarded as sibyls by the Ventrue; among them this term quietly but surely indicates a scam, exploiting the appearance of prophecy to cover up the use of the Dominate Discipline. (There is no masculine equivalent for this usage - the distrust inherent in this definition has never escaped its ancient sexism - but the term is applied to men as well as women.) (v., modern) To act as a sibyl against sometone. She's been sibyling the neonates on the West Side for probably ten years.
• solve: (v., modern, informal) To kill. Among the Ventrue, the disguised meaning has curved back on itself over the years to the degree taht the expression "to solve the problem" may parse as "to kill the problem," which is practically the same as the literal meaning ("to deal with"), but quite different in its character. (Consider the difference between solving and killing a problem of lost keys.) Go and solve teh Lord of Uptown.
• Trojan: (n., informal) A very old or formal Ventrue. In nights past, this was a vaguely respectful term, but in the modern night it is more often used pejoratively to describe a Lord who is too old or too formal. This Lord has been around longer than Christianity, so don't talk to him like you would other Trojans - he sees through that shit.
• venir: (adj., archaic, informal) 1. Of or being recently arrived, completed, or improved; new; imminent or forthcoming. This is an old sematic reformation of the French venir ("to come"). Under this definition, it means essentially, someone or something that is "up-and-coming." This venir Shadow is my new protege, Sanaa. 2. Of or pertaining to the Ventrue. You see order, but all I see is another venir domain favoring its venir slaves.
• Ventrue blood: (n., informal) 1. Good Breeding; respectable origins; a knack for command or control; a reputable family. 2. The Discipline of Dominate, or some command of its powers. That Haunt has Ventrue blood, God only knows how, so keep your eyes away from hers.

Related Clan: Ventrue