'The Seneschal is a fucking joke, he is a worthless excuse for a blue blood. You ask me, it's only a matter of nights before the Queen sends one of her hounds to chop the useless fuckers head off.'
- Overheard in Elysia
In the world of the dammed, status is everything. You must maintain your position within an ironclad grip - less you loose your status and influence to some upstart Kindred wanting to make a name for themselves. Such is the tale of the poor, Ventrue Seneschal, Valerius. He spent centuries by former Prince,
Mithras' side, serving the Methuselah and his ever expanding kingdom well. When Mithras voluntarily went into torpor, he left his kingdom to Valerius, who then proceeded to allow the
Camarilla invaders within Mithras' once tight borders. When Mithras awoke from his slumber, he was outraged to find the Camarilla had found domain within his kingdom and he knew who to blame, Valerius.
Valerius saw his title, status and prized position within the Mythratic Mysteries stripped away. What was worse is that his Childer
Lady Anne Bowsley was named by Mithras as Valerius' replacement. An insult towards the often proud Ventrue. Still, many supporters (particularly those within the Ivory Tower) saw Valerius' actions as just, but none would wish to openly argue with a Methusulah such as Mithras. Valerius subsequently became a joke within Mithras' court - his name spoken in not so subtle jabs within Elysia.
This standing wouldn't last forever though, when Mithras fell during World War II, Valerius had a prime position to become the Lord's replacement. With Mithras gone, more Kindred were willing to openly oppose his tyranical rule over the domain - believing Valerius' choice to allow the Camarilla into London was a just and logical move. However, in a surprising turn of events, Valerius instead put forth his Childer, Lady Anne Bowsley as new Prince of London. Queen Anne ascended and as a token thanks, she re-instated Valerius with the title of Seneschal that had been previously stripped from him.
This ended up causing more problems for Valerius' status within London - many fellow Blue Bloods seeing the old man as a puppet to Queen Anne's schemes. The opinion that Valerius was a joke continued, a Jester in the court with a fancy title. This view point was further solidified by Queen Anne's utter apathy when it came to her sire. More and more, Valerius would see his power and influence wane; the title of Seneschal eventually spoken in mocking tones within Court. Eventually, Valerius stopped attending Elysia and left the Queen to adjudicate over the court. Yet another nail in the coffin of the Ventrue who could've been London's new King. Instead, he now stands as a warning to other Kindred and a reminder that no matter what title you posses, you still are at the mercy of public opinion and the Camarilla court.
Comments