Camarilla Game ~ The Geheime Fragments.

Sir Hugh of Stafford.

Certainly one of the two greatest influences on the city, Sir Hugh is Ventrue of the 5th Generation. One of few remaining “Knights of the Blood”. Sir Hugh was sired circa 400 AD by the Methuselah Mithras during the Roman retreat from Britain. It would seem to have been one of Mithras' final deeds before slipping into torpor, as Hugh sired his own mortal child, Charlotte, at the apparent age of ten. With his sire active, permission for this would be highly unlikely by Ventrue Protocols.

Unusually for an Elder, he seems to have remained active throughout his unlife, first presiding over the fragmenting of England with Roman rule gone. While many left for Rome to continue politics, Hugh seems to have relished the time of conflict. His combat skills were superlative, and when the “Knights of Blood” were founded, he was one of the earlier selections for their ranks. He fought many times to keep a semblance of order to the isles, active against the Saxons and later the Vikings. As Christianity swept Europe, he remained (and remains) a practising pagan.

The wandering warrior's fate was changed in 952AD while travelling from Chester, in an obscure valley. The “witch” he met persuaded him to stay and build. He remains to this day, the city having risen from the fields around him. He is joined, once a measure of security is established, by his daughter/childe, and his “companion” Helena. His warring talents are regularly tested, as the area is raided often by Norse Gangrel and mortal Vikings under command of Aloph. He keeps the area for his “family”, and the Vikings are eventually defeated. With little pause, the assault continues, as Welsh Garou move to the area and settle. This starts a war for control for the region, with the Garou wanting control of the junction of two major ley lines, and the kindred wishing to keep their “possession”.

It is likely the Garou would never have gained a hold were it not for Ventrue clan pressure. When the first crusade is called in 1095, Ventrue Fabrizio Ulfila assembled the finest warriors of the clan to aid, and Hugh had little choice but to obey. Leaving all he had behind for the werewolves, the pagan went to fight for the cross. Seemingly he fared well, for on his return, he paid for a new home – a castle of stone, completed by the early 13th century. With this added strength, he can attract more allies to the region; vital given the now established Garou presence.

As defender of the region, he changes little in the ongoing centuries, still favouring full plate armour as formal attire in the present day. Even the Camarilla / Sabbat divide concerns him little, seeing both as a passing fad of the young.

The conflict with the “Lords of the Scar” was the first that may have been beyond him; with Helena unwell he was forced to fight with a political focus. Even the military aspect proved confusing to one used to lance and sword. For the first time he was outmatched for much of the “war” and victory, when it came, was hollow. As Helena slept, he stepped back completely, covering the evidence that he, and The Gather, had ever been here. His actions over the last century have been virtually nil. The rise of a new court and the Camarilla's discovery of the city failed to catch his interest. Even Aloph, the orchestrator of centuries of strife walking openly in city didn't stir him from what he felt: apathy, defeat, disillusionment (or just age?).

Drawn out of the shadows to fight as champion in a duel over clan honour, he found himself manipulated into confronting Aloph in single combat at last. But for the intervention of his second in the duel, his story would end there, however it was Aloph who met final death. Since then, he has again withdrawn somewhat, showing no triumph over his oldest foe. Perhaps he remains active in senior Ventrue circles, but it is more likely he is feeling age upon him, staying active only to watch another of his line rising to prominence in the domain he carved out.

He is a shade over 5ft in height, and portly, grey haired and sporting a long moustache. His apparent age is late fifties, for what that is worth. Commonly attired in clothing from early medieval style, or full armour if expecting an audience.

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