Ventrue Dignitas
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. I have done my best to simplify the often confusing titles and
awards that make up Dignitas, but it is still a monster.
Dignitas is generally made up of two things, Titles and Accomplishments, which are generally referred to as Awards.
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 (I have listed the English and the Italian). There is a
movement by some Younger Ventrue to use modern business names which I have listed for Reference.
Rank Latin
1
Baro
Baronissa
2
Comes
Comtissa
3
Marchio
Marchionissa
4
Dux
Ducissa
5
Magnus Dux
Magna Ducissa
Italian
Barone
Baronessa
Conte
Contessa
Marchese
Marchesa
Duca
Duchessa
Granduca
Granduchessa
English
Baron
Baroness
Count
Countess
Margrave
Margravine
Duke
Duchess
Grand Duke
Grand Duchess
Business
Manager
General
Manager
Vice
President
Director
Board
Member
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 award 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 award. 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
Assamite
Brujah
Followers of Set
Gangrel
Giovanni
Lasombra *
Malkavian
Nosferatu
Ravnos
Toreador
Tremere
Tzimisce *
Primary
Blood or Knife
Might or Fist
Serpent
Wild
Spirit or Crypt
Night or Darkness
Moon
Hidden
Wanderer
Master or Artist
Hierarchy or Rite
Keep or Castle
Secondary
Sanguine or Bloody
Righteous
Sinuous
Stoic
Ghostly
Darkest
Shattered
Informed
False or Deceptive
Artistic or Masterful
Cryptic
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.
Background
Allies
Contacts
Fame
Resources
Influence : Bureaucracy
Influence : Church
Influence : Finance
Influence : Health
Influence : High Society
Influence : Industry
Influence : Legal
Influence : Media
Influence : Occult
Influence : Police
Influence : Political
Influence : Transportation
Influence : Underworld
Influence : University
Colour
Bronze
Copper
Clear or White
Gold
Red
Wood/Brown
Light Blue
Blood Red
Royal Purple
Steel Grey
Cream
Silver
Purple
Dark Blue
Dark Grey
Navy Blue
Black
Yellow
Awards by Rank
Here are a sample of Titles and Accomplishments available for each rank. This list is not exhaustive and Clubs are
free to add awards that reflect local flavour and deeds. Most awards are in Rank 2 and3 as this is where most
members of the Clan should aspire to be. 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
Baro
Baro/Baronissa
The Sword
The Cane
The Corporal
Viscomes
The Staff
Exemplar
Bestowed
or Claimed
Bestowed
Claimed
Claimed
Claimed
Viscomes/Vicecomi Bestowed
tissa
See ‘Background Claimed
referencing Titles’
Bestowed
Aedile
Bestowed
The Shield
Claimed
Questor
Bestowed
Favour
‘Favoured of …’
Bestowed
Requirements/Notes
Always the First Award a Ventrue gets on Completing
their Agoge
Killing a member of the Sabbat, must lay the final blow
Being named Clan Whip in a city
Appointed to a ‘deputy’ position (Sheriff, Scourge,
Keeper) in a city
A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue (English
=Viscount/Viscountess, Italian= Visconte/Viscontessa)
Reaching Level 4 in a single background (Influence,
Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame)
Given to a Ventrue that completes their Agoge in an
outstanding manner.
Automatically Bestowed when a Ventrue is granted the
Position of Aedile
Risking one’s life to defend another members of Clan
Ventrue
Automatically bestowed when a Ventrue is awarded the
Position of Questor
A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue
Comes Awards
Name
Associated Title
Comes
The Red Sword
The Oak Cane
The Cane
The Sargent
Lord
The Spear
The Mace
The Crown
The Lion
Attaché
The Warrior
Lands
Bestowed
or Claimed
Comes/Comtissa Bestowed
Claimed
Claimed
Claimed
Claimed
Lord/Lady
Bestowed
See ‘Referencing Claimed
Backgrounds in
Titles’
Claimed
Claimed
Some holders Bestowed
add the words
‘de Lion’ after
their name
See ‘Referencing Bestowed
other Clan’s in
titles’
Claimed
Claimed
Tribune
Bestowed
Praetor
Aedile
Bestowed
Bestowed
The Iron Shield
Claimed
Favour
‘Favoured of …’
Bestowed
Requirements/Notes
Usually the first Award in this Rank. This also represents a
Ventrue’s elevation to ‘The Peerage’ of the Clan.
Killing a Ventrue Antitribu, must lay the final blow
Being named Clan Primogen in a city
Appointed Clan Whip in a City
Holding a position (Sheriff, Scourge, Keeper) in a city
A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue
Reaching Level 5 in a single background (Influence,
Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame)
Holding the Position of Seneschal in a City
Holding the Position of Prince in a City
Usually granted to a Ventrue that has done a Brave act in
the defence of the Clan or the Camarilla.
Ventrue that have significant ties to another Clan, the
Merit Clan friendship is often used as a requirement, but
this can as easily be relationships built at court.
Killing a member of the Sabbat in Single combat.
When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the name
of their Domain into their title. E.g. Lord Godfrey Foxton,
Count of Caldwell Heights. The actual ‘title’ that the
Ventrue uses to describe their lands is up to them but
using the wrong one will bring disfavour.
Automatically bestowed when the Ventrue is given the
Position of Tribune.
Automatically Bestowed to the Praetor of a City
Automatically Bestowed when the Ventrue is given the
Position of Aedile
Risking one’s life to defend multiple members of Clan
Ventrue.
A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue
Marchio Awards
Name
Associated Title
Marchio
The Iron Crown
Bestowed
or Claimed
Marchio/Marchionissa Bestowed
Claimed
The Silver Crown
Prorex
Prorex/Proregina
Paragon
Princeps
Claimed
Princeps /
Principissa
Claimed
House
The Champion
Claimed
Bestowed
Bestowed
‘Champion
Ventrue’
of
Clan Claimed
Lands
Claimed
Tribune
Bestowed
Lictor
Bestowed
Gerousia
Praetor
Ambassador
Claimed
Bestowed
See
‘Referencing Claimed
other Clan’s in titles’
The Iron Shield
Favour
Claimed
‘Favoured of …’
Bestowed
Requirements/Notes
Usually the first Award in this Rank
Claiming the first Praxis of a city that previously
belonged to the Sabbat
Claiming the first Praxis of a City
A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue,
usually granted to a Ventrue that has served in the
Role of Seneschal for an extended period of time.
Generally this means that other Ventrue will use
this title instead of ‘Seneschal’.
Reaching Level 6 in a single background (Influence,
Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame)
A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue,
usually granted to a Ventrue that has Served as the
Prince of a City for an Extended period of time.
Generally this means that other Ventrue will use
this title instead of ‘Prince’.
This allows the Ventrue the right to Found his/her
own House in the Clan. Members of a House often
change their Surnames to the name of the House
or end with ‘of House x’ when introducing
themselves.
Killing a Ventrue Antitribu in Single Combat
When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the
Name of their Domain into their title. E.g. Lord
Godfrey Foxton, Count of Caldwell Heights. The
actual ‘title’ that the Ventrue uses to describe their
lands is up to them but using the wrong one will
bring disfavour.
Automatically Bestowed when the Ventrue is given
the Position of Tribune
Automatically Bestowed when the Ventrue is given
the Position of Lictor
The Ventrue sits upon the Gerousia for their City
Automatically Bestowed to the Praetor of a City
Must already hold ‘Attaché’, and now have
excellent relations with a second (or more) Clan.
This award is sometimes Bestowed to a Ventrue
that has excellent relations with a Non-Camarilla
clan, even if they do not have good relations with
other Clans
Risking one’s life to defend multiple members of
Clan Ventrue
A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue
Dux Awards
Name
Dux
Sage
The Spider
Archdux
Rex
Lictor
Strategoi
House
The
Distinguished
Champion
Lands
Gerousia
Favour
Associated Title
Bestowed or Requirements/Notes
Claimed
Dux/Ducissa
Bestowed
Usually the first Award in this Rank
Bestowed
Usually bestowed to a Ventrue that recovers some
historical records of Ventrue that have fallen
Claimed
Committing an act of treachery for the advance of the
Clan
Archdux/Archducissa
Bestowed
A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue
Claimed
Reaching Level 8 in a single background (Influence,
Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame)
Claimed
Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given the
Position of Lictor
Claimed
Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given the
Position of Lictor
‘founder of House …’
Bestowed
This allows the Ventrue the right to Found his/her own
House in the Clan. Members of a House often change
their Surnames to the name of the House or end with ‘of
House x’ when introducing themselves
‘Distinguished
Claimed
Must already hold ‘The Champion’. Killing a Second
Champion
of
Clan
Ventrue Antritribu in single combat.
Ventrue’
Claimed
When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the Name
of their Domain into their title. E.g. Lord Godfrey Foxton,
Count of Caldwell Heights. The actual ‘title’ that the
Ventrue uses to describe their lands is up to them but
using the wrong one will bring disfavour.
Claimed
The Ventrue sits upon the Gerousia for their City
‘Favoured of …’
Bestowed
A sign of Favour from a higher Ranked Ventrue
Magnus Dux Awards
Name
Associated Title
Bestowed
or Claimed
Bestowed
Requirements/Notes
Sage
Bestowed
The Spider
Claimed
Usually bestowed to a Ventrue that recovers some
historical records of Ventrue that have fallen
Committing an act of treachery for the
advancement of the Clan
A sign of favour from a higher ranked Ventrue
Reaching Level 8 in a single background (Influence,
Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame)
Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given
the Position of Lictor
Automatically claimed when the Ventrue is given
the Position of Lictor
Must already hold ‘The Champion’. Killing a Second
Ventrue Antritribu in single combat.
Magnus Dux
Archdux
Rex
Magnus Dux/
Magnus Ducissa
Archdux/Archducissa Bestowed
Claimed
Lictor
Claimed
Strategoi
Claimed
The
Distinguished
Champion
Scion
House
‘Distinguished
Claimed
Champion of Clan
Ventrue’
‘Scion of House and Claimed
Clan’
‘founder of house …’
Lands
Claimed
Gerousia
Claimed
Usually the first Award in this Rank
Reaching Level 10 in a single Background (Influence,
Resources, Allies, Contacts, Fame)
This allows the Ventrue the right to Found his/her
own House in the Clan. Members of a House often
change their Surnames to the name of the House or
end with ‘of House x’ when introducing themselves.
When a Ventrue owns a Domain they often add the
Name of their Domain into their title. E.g. Lord
Godfrey Foxton, Count of Caldwell Heights. The
actual ‘title’ that the Ventrue uses to describe their
lands is up to them but using the wrong one will
bring disfavour.
The Ventrue sits upon the Gerousia for their City