Post by Admin on Aug 9, 2023 4:23:41 GMT -6
THE DIGNITAS SYSTEM
Clan Ventrue uses a Dignitas system instead of a Prestige system. The tangible parts of the Dignitas system consist of Awards, Clan Positions, Societies, and Influence Achievements. Listed below are some of the types of Dignitas available, player wishing to develop their own personal Dignitas should reach out to staff so it can be worked in accordingly.
DIGNITAS – WHAT IT REALLY IS
Dignitas is NOT a tangible number. It never has been and it never will be.
Dignitas, in essence, is the amount of respect and deference that other Ventrue see fit to bestow upon you. It is how others see your character combined with your own concept of importance and self-worth.
Dignitas is about flux and flow, it’s a constantly changing “feeling” that is primarily based on respect and admiration for the person in question.
Dignitas is a way of showing admiration, respect, honor, pride and personal opinions when dealing with others of the clan. And watching clanmates closely a person can see what others think of you by observing their actions and the way that they treat you from gathering to gathering.
The Awards, Societies and Influence achievements that your character successfully earns factor into this calculation on a lesser scale but they but do not make up a “number” or “rank” for someone to lord over other characters when interacting with them.
For example: Someone who is disliked by many clan members will still be looked upon with Respect if they carry the Laurel Crown – just not as much as they probably think they deserve. Of course, if the person in question also holds something like the Serpentine Egg it’s another story entirely.
DIGNITAS WHEN USED AS A ROLE-PLAY MECHANIC
Using a role-playing mechanic such as a numerical system is recommended for OOC purposes and ONLY in the following situations:
- When Ventrue who have never met come in contact for the first time.
- At Large Gatherings of Ventrue. This is intended so some semblance of order is maintained.
Anything outside those situations is for the players to act and react as they see fit.
DIGNITAS & STARTING CHARACTERS:
ALL STARTING DIGNITAS IS SUBJECT TO STAFF APPROVAL. The amount of Dignitas will correlate to the age of the Character being played as well.
ALL DIGNITAS AFTER STARTING PLAY IS SUBJECT TO RP, AND CAN BE WON OR LOST BASED ON RP INTERACTION AND ASSOCIATED ROLLS
Example of Dignitas
THE WHITE CROSS
This is awarded to Ventrue, who have killed their first member of the Sabbat in battle. The White Cross is awarded by the Aedile. If the person is Aedile, the award is made by the Praetor. If neither is available, the award is self-administered. There is less prestige attached to the White Cross if self-administered and Ventrue have been known to allow other Kindred to deliver the coup-de-grace to Sabbat in favor of waiting for more prestigious circumstances. Getting caught doing so is considered by all to be a mark of unprecedented arrogance. Getting away with it is considered unconscionable good luck. The various ceremonies for awarding the White Cross vary from Directorate to Directorate in style and grandeur.
THE IRON CIRCLET
The Iron Circlet is awarded to Ventrue who have proven that they are loyal and trustworthy members of the clan. It is seen as the default when no other award seems suitable, yet an award is considered appropriate to bestow. If one has been awarded the Iron Circlet and proves to be truly devoted to the clan by going above and beyond the expected loyalties, they may be recognized for their achievements as being seen as unshakable loyalty to clan Ventrue. The second level of the award signifies that the Venture has been tested multiple times and has remained loyal to the clan regardless of the temptations that have been strewn in their path.
THE LAUREL CROWN
Drawn from Clan Ventrue’s involvement with the Roman Empire, the Laurel Crown was at one time awarded to Ventrue who made specific political achievements within the framework of the Roman government. With the fall of Rome, the Laurel Crown has been "reinvented" and has been given since the 11th century to recognize a Ventrue’s significant diplomatic achievements on behalf of the Clan.
Those who are awarded the Laurel Crown are judged against the accomplishments of other recipients. While most Ventrue will qualify numerous times throughout their careers, many wait several centuries or more for the "perfect" opportunity as the award can only be given once. A perfect opportunity is one in which the accomplishment trumps all other recipients.
In recent nights the Laurel Crown has been almost impossible to achieve. Many attest this to the fact that Hardestaad was awarded the Laurel Crown for founding the Camarilla. An unassailable, pinnacle of accomplishment that continues to irritate other successful, accomplished and outdone Ventrue Elders.
Since the Age of Napoleon it has become customary to award the Laurel Crown to oneself, much as Napoleon crowned himself Emperor on his coronation day, rather than cede any authority to the church by having the crown placed upon his head by a member of the clergy.
THE SERPENTINE EGG
In past nights, the serpentine egg was awarded to Ventrue who had successfully committed treachery on behalf of the clan. This tradition fell into disuse after 1639 when the egg was given anonymously to the Ventrue Primogen of Brussels as an Embrace Night present. A wave of similar awards followed in a successful attempt to humiliate particularly hypocritical Ventrue. Older Ventrue still claim the serpentine egg among their distinguished awards while many a more modern Ventrue attempt to deliver them to rivals at politically disastrous moments (for instance, in the presence of a Harpy).
Again players are encouraged to work with staff in this area.
* refernce OWbN Dignitas Packet for additional ideas and details.
Clan Ventrue uses a Dignitas system instead of a Prestige system. The tangible parts of the Dignitas system consist of Awards, Clan Positions, Societies, and Influence Achievements. Listed below are some of the types of Dignitas available, player wishing to develop their own personal Dignitas should reach out to staff so it can be worked in accordingly.
DIGNITAS – WHAT IT REALLY IS
Dignitas is NOT a tangible number. It never has been and it never will be.
Dignitas, in essence, is the amount of respect and deference that other Ventrue see fit to bestow upon you. It is how others see your character combined with your own concept of importance and self-worth.
Dignitas is about flux and flow, it’s a constantly changing “feeling” that is primarily based on respect and admiration for the person in question.
Dignitas is a way of showing admiration, respect, honor, pride and personal opinions when dealing with others of the clan. And watching clanmates closely a person can see what others think of you by observing their actions and the way that they treat you from gathering to gathering.
The Awards, Societies and Influence achievements that your character successfully earns factor into this calculation on a lesser scale but they but do not make up a “number” or “rank” for someone to lord over other characters when interacting with them.
For example: Someone who is disliked by many clan members will still be looked upon with Respect if they carry the Laurel Crown – just not as much as they probably think they deserve. Of course, if the person in question also holds something like the Serpentine Egg it’s another story entirely.
DIGNITAS WHEN USED AS A ROLE-PLAY MECHANIC
Using a role-playing mechanic such as a numerical system is recommended for OOC purposes and ONLY in the following situations:
- When Ventrue who have never met come in contact for the first time.
- At Large Gatherings of Ventrue. This is intended so some semblance of order is maintained.
Anything outside those situations is for the players to act and react as they see fit.
DIGNITAS & STARTING CHARACTERS:
ALL STARTING DIGNITAS IS SUBJECT TO STAFF APPROVAL. The amount of Dignitas will correlate to the age of the Character being played as well.
ALL DIGNITAS AFTER STARTING PLAY IS SUBJECT TO RP, AND CAN BE WON OR LOST BASED ON RP INTERACTION AND ASSOCIATED ROLLS
Example of Dignitas
THE WHITE CROSS
This is awarded to Ventrue, who have killed their first member of the Sabbat in battle. The White Cross is awarded by the Aedile. If the person is Aedile, the award is made by the Praetor. If neither is available, the award is self-administered. There is less prestige attached to the White Cross if self-administered and Ventrue have been known to allow other Kindred to deliver the coup-de-grace to Sabbat in favor of waiting for more prestigious circumstances. Getting caught doing so is considered by all to be a mark of unprecedented arrogance. Getting away with it is considered unconscionable good luck. The various ceremonies for awarding the White Cross vary from Directorate to Directorate in style and grandeur.
THE IRON CIRCLET
The Iron Circlet is awarded to Ventrue who have proven that they are loyal and trustworthy members of the clan. It is seen as the default when no other award seems suitable, yet an award is considered appropriate to bestow. If one has been awarded the Iron Circlet and proves to be truly devoted to the clan by going above and beyond the expected loyalties, they may be recognized for their achievements as being seen as unshakable loyalty to clan Ventrue. The second level of the award signifies that the Venture has been tested multiple times and has remained loyal to the clan regardless of the temptations that have been strewn in their path.
THE LAUREL CROWN
Drawn from Clan Ventrue’s involvement with the Roman Empire, the Laurel Crown was at one time awarded to Ventrue who made specific political achievements within the framework of the Roman government. With the fall of Rome, the Laurel Crown has been "reinvented" and has been given since the 11th century to recognize a Ventrue’s significant diplomatic achievements on behalf of the Clan.
Those who are awarded the Laurel Crown are judged against the accomplishments of other recipients. While most Ventrue will qualify numerous times throughout their careers, many wait several centuries or more for the "perfect" opportunity as the award can only be given once. A perfect opportunity is one in which the accomplishment trumps all other recipients.
In recent nights the Laurel Crown has been almost impossible to achieve. Many attest this to the fact that Hardestaad was awarded the Laurel Crown for founding the Camarilla. An unassailable, pinnacle of accomplishment that continues to irritate other successful, accomplished and outdone Ventrue Elders.
Since the Age of Napoleon it has become customary to award the Laurel Crown to oneself, much as Napoleon crowned himself Emperor on his coronation day, rather than cede any authority to the church by having the crown placed upon his head by a member of the clergy.
THE SERPENTINE EGG
In past nights, the serpentine egg was awarded to Ventrue who had successfully committed treachery on behalf of the clan. This tradition fell into disuse after 1639 when the egg was given anonymously to the Ventrue Primogen of Brussels as an Embrace Night present. A wave of similar awards followed in a successful attempt to humiliate particularly hypocritical Ventrue. Older Ventrue still claim the serpentine egg among their distinguished awards while many a more modern Ventrue attempt to deliver them to rivals at politically disastrous moments (for instance, in the presence of a Harpy).
Again players are encouraged to work with staff in this area.
* refernce OWbN Dignitas Packet for additional ideas and details.