Squire of the Blood
Appointment
No one "applies" to join the Knights of the Blood. Potential recruits are chosen without their knowledge by a Knight of the Blood, or higher. The individual, their ability to cope with stress, their specific skills, and their methods are all observed by the Knight for an extended period of time before the individual is approached.
In addition to an almost fanatical devotion to the clan, Knights often ensure that the recruit has the necessary ability before standing behind their presentation.
Duties
Renowned and feared for their utter brutality, most Kindred with high Humanity find the methods of this order extreme and disturbing. This, coupled with the fact that the Knights of the Blood almost never answer to local Ventrue authority in any form, make those associated with the Knights of the Blood shunned and notorious with many Ventrue Orders and Societies, including, in many cases, the Directorate.
Once a Squire accepts membership in the Knights of the Blood, it is made clear, in no uncertain terms, that membership is for life! While, technically, there are no formal rules against quitting, in practice, no one is allowed to walk away from membership in the Knights of the Blood. To do so would most likely earn the individual the ire of the entirety of the Knights of the Blood (in the form of the Enemy Flaw) and certainly be considered desertion. The intensity of this ill will would vary depending on the rank of the Knight of the Blood at the time of “desertion.”
Benefits
Those who are newly initiated into the Knights of the Blood are known as Squires. These members are tutored under a Knight and trained in the protocols and laws of the Knights of the Blood. Squires usually have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and disciplines as they are assigned to or shared between Knights, or perform tasks with or for Knight-Errants. It is usual for a Squire to assist in several tasks of varying difficulty before they are presented for promotion. Each Squire’s education is unique and reflects the personal views of the Knight or Knights from which they learn.
Most Squires, choose to shun learning any other powers (including other clan-disciplines) until they master the physical disciplines of Fortitude, Celerity, and Potence. This attitude has served the Knights well, since they do not maintain a defensive attitude of waiting for a fight to come to them, instead preferring to carry it to the enemies of the Clan, wherever they may be. Due to the willingness of the Knights of the Blood to invest in the martial prowess of its members, the group can usually assist its members in finding Mentors for many physical disciplines.
Finally, Knights of the Blood support each other, both publicly and privately, with unswerving fervor. Squires will usually always be assisted in tasks by Knights or Knight-Errants, and are afforded a great deal of supervision, oversight, and sometimes, if they fail in a task: leeway.
Type
Nobility, Military
Length of Term
"Life"
Reports directly to
Related Organizations
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