Dignitas
Classic WoD: | Vampire: The Masquerade | Clans (Masquerade) | Sects | Coteries
What is Dignitas
Dignitas is vitally important to a Ventrue, but it is often difficult to figure out how it works. This is intentional, to make sure that only the best in the clan advance.
Dignitas is generally made up of two things, Titles and Accomplishments, which are generally referred to as Awards.
For more detail see the MST link:Dignitis
Awards
Titles are Awards that allow the Ventrue to be addressed in a certain manner, while Accomplishments are Awards that can be claimed by any Ventrue that meets the requirements. This line is not always clear as some Accomplishments have Titles associated with them and some Titles have requirements before they can be bestowed. Titles are generally used at all Ventrue affairs and gatherings, to introduce each Ventrue that enters the room, from lowest to highest ranked.
Awards can be granted in two ways. Bestowed Awards are granted by a higher rank member of Clan Ventrue to a lower ranked member and are generally used to show favour, although some have requirements and are used to hold a celebration and award ceremony. Claimed Awards are claimed by the individual Ventrue as he or she meets the requirements for that Award, these Awards are designed to keep members of Clan Ventrue striving to attain more.
Ventrue Awards fall into 5 distinct Ranks, with the individual members Rank being considered as the highest Rank in which one has an Award. Positions inside each Rank are calculated by the number of Awards one has at that Rank. (Technically there are 6 Ranks, with the 6th Rank consisting of the Ephors, but as the Ephors hold their membership secret only those of the 6th Rank know the Awards for the 6th Rank).
The Ranks are currently named (loosely) after the European Titles of Nobility; they are listed in their Original Latin though Ventrue tend to use the Local Language Equivalent. There is a movement by some Younger Ventrue to use modern business names.
| Rank | Latin | Italian | English | Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baro | Barone | Baron | Manager | |
| Baronissa | Baronessa | Baroness | |||
| 2 | Comes | Conte | Count | General Manager | |
| Comtissa | Contessa | Countess | |||
| 3 | Marchio | Marchese | Margrave | Vice President | |
| Marchionissa | Marchesa | Margravine | |||
| 4 | Dux | Duca | Duke | Director | |
| Ducissa | Duchessa | Duchess | |||
| 5 | Magnus Dux | Granduca | Grand Duke | Board Member | |
| Magna Ducissa | Granduchessa | Grand Duchess |
Advancing in the Ranks
When a young Ventrue passes their Agoge they are automatically granted the Rank and Title of Baro or Baronissa. At this point they start to look at the Accomplishments available in that Rank to meet the requirements.
To get access to the Awards of the next rank a Ventrue must have their first award of the new Rank bestowed by higher ranked member of the clan. This Awards is usually a Title, but occasionally is recognition of an accomplishment that the Ventrue has met the requirements of but not had the rank to claim. This can mean that because a Title of the new rank has not been awarded the Ventrue is still addressed by their Title from the lower rank. This is sometimes used for acknowledging a Ventrue that has done great deeds that merit the rank, but does not exhibit the appropriate behaviour expected of the Title; this forces the Ventrue to be addressed as a lower rank, hopefully getting them to modify their behaviour.
Displaying Awards
To show their standing, Ventrue will often adorn themselves with something to represent the Awards they have at their current rank. These usually take the form of a minute item representing the award, such as a tie pin in the shape of a sword for the award of ‘The Sword’ or a set of cufflinks in silver in with crowns upon them for ‘The Silver Crown’. These displays are not fixed and can vary from city to city, nor are they universally used.
Removing Awards
In the rare occurrence that a member of the Clan does something unbecoming of a Ventrue then it is possible that a Ventrue of higher rank will remove an Awar. This is usually a bestowed Award (generally an extra title) but sometime it is a claimed Award. This means that this Award can now only be bestowed for that member (they may not claim it back).
Referencing other Clans in Titles
Some awards are gained when a Ventrue has significant relationships with other Clans (Attaché and Ambassador). The following words are used to link to the different Clans.
| Clan | Primary | Secondary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assamite | Blood or Knife | Sanguine or Bloody | |
| Brujah | Might or Fist | Righteous | |
| Followers of Set | Serpent | Sinuous | |
| Gangrel | Wild | Stoic | |
| Giovanni | Spirit or Crypt | Ghostly | |
| Lasombra * | Night or Darkness | Darkest | |
| Malkavian | Moon | Shattered | |
| Nosferatu | Hidden | Informed | |
| Ravnos | Wanderer | False or Deceptive | |
| Toreador | Master or Artist | Artistic or Masterful | |
| Tremere | Hierarchy or Rite | Cryptic | |
| Tzimisce * | Keep or Castle | Twisted |
- Due to these clan now being in the Sabbat these titles are not often claimed
As an example, a Ventrue Attaché with the Followers of Set could add the Title ‘Attaché of the Serpent’ to his name, while an Ambassador with the Assamites and the Ravnos could be referred to as ‘Ambassador of the Bloody Wanderer’ or ‘Ambassador of the False Knife’ depending on which clan he has better dealings with. References beyond two clans are not usually mentioned.
Referencing Backgrounds in Titles
Some Awards are references to backgrounds that the Ventrue has access to. These Awards tend to not have titles to them and instead are often displayed with ribbons (like military ribbons) or other items in the shape of the Award. When this Award relates to a background the following colours are often used to show which background the award relates to. The use of these is not mandatory and while common, are not universal.
| Clan | Primary | |
|---|---|---|
| Allies | Bronze | |
| Contacts | Copper | |
| Fame | Clear or White | |
| Resources | Gold | |
| Influence: Bureaucracy | Red | |
| Influence: Church | Wood/Brown | |
| Influence: Finance | Light Blue | |
| Influence: Health | Blood Red | |
| Influence: High Society | Royal Purple | |
| Influence: Industry | Steel Grey | |
| Influence: Legal | Cream | |
| Influence: Media | Silver | |
| Influence: Occult | Purple | |
| Influence: Police | Dark Blue | |
| Influence: Political | Dark Grey | |
| Influence: Transportation | Navy Blue | |
| Influence: Underworld | Black | |
| Influence: University | Yellow |
Awards by Rank
Here are a sample of Titles and Accomplishments available for each rank. This list is not exhaustive and Ventrue Boards are free to add awards that reflect local flavour and deeds. Most Awards are in Rank 2 and 3 as this is where most members of the Clan aspire to. Those in Rank 1 are not of the Peerage of the Clan (unless specifically awarded a Peerage), Peerage is automatically awarded on advancing to Rank 2.
Baro Awards
| Name | Associated Title | Bestowed or Claimed | Requirements/Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baro | Baro/Baronissa | Bestowed | Always the First Award a Ventrue gets on Completing their Agoge | |
| The Sword | Claimed | Killing a member of the Sabbat, must lay the final blow | ||
| The Cane | Claimed | Being named Clan Whip in a city | ||
| The Corporal | Claimed | Appointed to a ‘deputy’ position (Sheriff, Scourge, Keeper) in a city | ||
| Viscomes | Viscomes/Vicecomitissa | Bestowed | A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue (English =Viscount/Viscountess, Italian= Visconte/Viscontessa) | |
| The Staff | See ‘Background referencing Titles’ | Claimed | Reaching Level 4 in a single background (Influence, Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame) | |
| Exemplar | Bestowed | Given to a Ventrue that completes their Agoge in an outstanding manner | ||
| Aedile | Bestowed | Automatically Bestowed when a Ventrue is granted the Position of Aedile | ||
| The Shield | Claimed | Risking one’s life to defend another members of Clan Ventrue | ||
| Questor | Bestowed | Automatically bestowed when a Ventrue is awarded the Position of Questor | ||
| Favour | ‘Favoured of …’ | Bestowed | A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue |
Comes Awards
| Name | Associated Title | Bestowed or Claimed | Requirements/Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comes/Comtissa | Bestowed | Usually the first Award in this Rank. This also represents a Ventrue’s elevation to ‘The Peerage’ of the Clan | ||
| The Red Sword | Claimed | Killing a Ventrue Antitribu, must lay the final blow | ||
| The Oak Cane | Claimed | Being named Clan Primogen in a city | ||
| The Cane | Claimed | Appointed Clan Whip in a City | ||
| The Sargent | Claimed | Holding a position (Sheriff, Scourge, Keeper) in a city | ||
| Lord | Lord/Lady | Bestowed | A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue | |
| The Spear | See ‘Referencing Backgrounds in Titles’ | Claimed | Reaching Level 5 in a single background (Influence, Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame) | |
| The Mace | Claimed | Holding the Position of Seneschal in a City | ||
| The Crown | Claimed | Holding the Position of Prince in a City | ||
| The Lion | Add ‘de Lion’ after their name | Bestowed | Usually granted to a Ventrue that has done a Brave act in the defence of the Clan or the Camarilla | |
| Attaché | See ‘Referencing other Clan’s in titles’ | Bestowed | Ventrue that have significant ties to another Clan | |
| The Warrior | Claimed | Killing a member of the Sabbat in Single combat. | ||
| Lands | Claimed | When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the name of their Domain into their title | ||
| Tribune | Bestowed | Automatically bestowed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Tribune. | ||
| Praetor | Bestowed | Automatically Bestowed to the Praetor of a City | ||
| Aedile | Bestowed | Automatically Bestowed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Aedile | ||
| The Iron Shield | Claimed | Risking one’s life to defend multiple members of Clan Ventrue. | ||
| Favour | ‘Favoured of …’ | Bestowed | A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue |
Marchio Awards
| Name | Associated Title | Bestowed or Claimed | Requirements/Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marchio | Marchio/Marchionissa | Bestowed | Usually the first Award in this Rank | ||
| The Iron Crown | Claimed | Claiming the first Praxis of a city that previously belonged to the Sabbat | |||
| The Silver Crown | Claimed | Claiming the first Praxis of a City | |||
| Prorex | Prorex/Proregina | Bestowed | A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue, usually granted for serving as Seneschal for an extended period of time | ||
| Paragon | Claimed | Reaching Level 6 in a single background (Influence, Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame) | |||
| Princeps | Princeps/Principissa | Claimed | A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue, usually granted for serving as Prince of a City for an Extended period of time | ||
| House | Bestowed | This allows the Ventrue the right to Found his/her own House in the Clan | |||
| The Champion | ‘Champion of Clan Ventrue’ | Claimed | Killing a Ventrue Antitribu in Single Combat | ||
| Lands | Claimed | When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the name of their Domain into their title | |||
| Tribune | Bestowed | Automatically bestowed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Tribune | |||
| Lictor | Bestowed | Automatically Bestowed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Lictor | |||
| Gerousia | Claimed | The Ventrue sits upon the Gerousia for their City | |||
| Praetor | Bestowed | Automatically Bestowed to the Praetor of a City | |||
| Ambassador | See ‘Referencing other Clan’s in titles’ | Claimed | Must already hold ‘Attaché’, and now have excellent relations with a second (or more) Clan | ||
| The Iron Shield | Claimed | Risking one’s life to defend multiple members of Clan Ventrue | |||
| Favour | ‘Favoured of …’ | Bestowed | A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue |
Dux Awards
| Name | Associated Title | Bestowed or Claimed | Requirements/Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dux | Dux/Ducissa | Bestowed | Usually the first Award in this Rank | |
| Sage | Bestowed | Usually bestowed to a Ventrue that recovers some historical records of Ventrue that have fallen | ||
| The Spider | Claimed | Committing an act of treachery for the advance of the Clan | ||
| Archdux | Archdux/Archducissa | Bestowed | A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue | |
| Rex | Claimed | Reaching Level 8 in a single background (Influence, Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame) | ||
| Lictor | Claimed | Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Lictor | ||
| Strategoi | Claimed | Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Strategoi | ||
| House | Bestowed | This allows the Ventrue the right to Found his/her own House in the Clan | ||
| Lands | Claimed | When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the name of their Domain into their title | ||
| The Distinguished Champion | ‘Distinguished Champion of Clan Ventrue’ | Claimed | Must already hold ‘The Champion’. Killing a Second Ventrue Antritribu in single combat | |
| Gerousia | Claimed | The Ventrue sits upon the Gerousia for their City | ||
| Favour | ‘Favoured of …’ | Bestowed | A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue |
Magnus Dux Awards
| Name | Associated Title | Bestowed or Claimed | Requirements/Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Dux | Magnus Dux/Magnus Ducissa | Bestowed | Usually the first Award in this Rank | |
| Sage | Bestowed | Usually bestowed to a Ventrue that recovers some historical records of Ventrue that have fallen | ||
| The Spider | Claimed | Committing an act of treachery for the advance of the Clan | ||
| Archdux | Archdux/Archducissa | Bestowed | A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue | |
| Rex | Claimed | Reaching Level 8 in a single background (Influence, Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame) | ||
| Lictor | Claimed | Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Lictor | ||
| Strategoi | Claimed | Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given the Position of Strategoi | ||
| House | Bestowed | This allows the Ventrue the right to Found his/her own House in the Clan | ||
| Lands | Claimed | When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the name of their Domain into their title | ||
| The Distinguished Champion | ‘Distinguished Champion of Clan Ventrue’ | Claimed | Must already hold ‘The Champion’. Killing a Second Ventrue Antritribu in single combat | |
| Gerousia | Claimed | The Ventrue sits upon the Gerousia for their City | ||
| Scion | ‘Scion of House and Clan’ | Claimed | Reaching Level 10 in a single Background (Influence, Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame) |