You don't wanna to get in with Ballard. Trust me. He might seem harmless, but when the money man comes to collect, you best not be in his pocket.

— Gengis to one of his underlings

 

Bleeding Green

Greed is good. At least that is the epitaph of Gordon Gecko from the 1987 Oliver Stone film. At first glance, Horratio may seem the antithesis of a Gordon Gecko - but don't let his rotund frame fool you, Ballard is a shrewd businessman and not one to underestimate. Prince Lodin's empire was funded through Ballard's seemingly endless resources. He served the prince out of a mixture of loyalty and fear. Lodin never underestimated his childe and kept Ballard close at most times. It was through Ballard that Prince Modius from Gary saw his empire crumble. Ballard had become untouchable, his resources and influence outweighed any ill-will those in the Camarilla or even the Anarch movement would have.
 
When Ballard's sire met the final death at the hands of the Sabbat and Lupine Black Spiral Dancers; Ballard made fleeting attempts attaining higher power within the tower, but these attempts proved unsucessful, with the Primogen Council balking at the idea. Also the competition within his brood mates was severe. Instead, Ballard backed a prospect to claim Praxis, Kevin Jackson. The bid was successful after fellow broodmate, Joseph Peterson was ousted as Prince in 2006 after serving a mere few months.
 
Kevin Jackson has leaned less heavily on Horratio as Lodin did, not solely relying on the Old Hound's coin. This meant that Ballard was shut out from the political sphere of the Ivory Tower. The housing crash in 2008 didn't help Ballard's cause either. His finances were secure, largely thanks to his business acumen, but his name was tarnished. These nights Ballard is coasting by, still a considerable influence over the mortal world, but his influence in Kindred spheres all but evaporated. Those that keep a close eye on the finacial sector will note that Ballard has been investing into tech companies as of late, though nobody has asked why and what for.