Sir John Hughendon-SmytheBackgroundA 17th century businessman Embraced in Bristol, his sire was attracted to Sir John by his independant mind and convinced Atheism. Although Sir John fitted will into the Ventrue Clan, his Sire had many enemies in the fief and was eventually scapegoated for a serious breach of the Traditions and destroyed. Sir John fled and found asylum with de Lascy in York. Trusted by the (late) Prince and a major player in the fief. Sir John will brook no interference in his affairs. While he will listen to others' ideas, 300 years of experience have shown him that he is usually right. His only quarrel with the Prince has been over the treaty with the Lupines. During the Industrial age, the Garou were constantly demanding reductions in pollution and the containing of industry within towns as the price for permitting the flow of trade over the Pennines. Although he realised the importance of the Treaty to the commercial development of the fief, Sir John's industrial investments meant that he suffered more than most in the fief from it's effects. As the country-wide power of the Lupines waned, Sir John repeatedly pressured the Prince to end or reduce the scale of the Treaty. However, the Prince has consistantly refused to condone any actions which might be interpreted as breaking the Treaty he personally signed. Although Sir John has always had difficulty in keeping up with changes over the centuries, he has realised the importance of understanding the modern age, at least as far as business is concerned. Consequently, he has used his Childer to make the connection to the modern world for him. Willaim Braithwaite had always been his favourite and he treats him as an equal rather than a Childe. Paul Stewart has proved something of a disappointment although he has improved lately. After William, his greatest friend in the fief is Sir Nicholas. Sir John was close to several members of the late Primogen, including de Lascy, Prince Edward and Simeon. Although he is pleased to have gained a seat on the primogen, his settled life has been unpleasantly disrupted by the deaths of his friends. As a result, he has been more receptive that he might to the overtures of friendship from Marie and he has begun to think that she has more good qualities than he had previously believed. ClanVentrue, generation 8th, age "49", born 1622, embraced 1671, by Sir Walter Mallory, arrived 1701.ImageShort and rather stocky. His brown hair is naturally rather long and often tied back in a short ponytail, although he frequently cuts it short if he is appearing in public. He has a short pointed beard and moustache (think Walter Raleigh).Rather anacronistic and prefers rather Victorian looking clothes. For dealing with mortals he has a 'business' wardrobe of rather more up to date clothing but even this is rather old fashioned. He has patronised the same family of tailors in Leeds for 180 years. InfluenceAs Clan head of the Ventrue in the fief he will be enormously influential. He may well become the next Prince.Secrets-HabitatSir John has lived in the same Hall ever since his arrival in York. It is furnished with immensely valuable antiques, the familiarity of which Sir John find very comforting. He greatly dislikes to have 'newfangled' things around him, much to William Braithwaite's amusement (and occasional irritation). Sir John has recently has electric lights installed in the Hall, after William convinced him of their superiority.Ultimate GoalDestruction of the Garou around the fief of York.Immediate GoalDiscovering and enlarging breaches of the TreatyIncreasing his power in the vacuum left by the death of the old Primogen. Possibly becoming Prince, although he would prefer to leave this until after the fall of the Garou. Sir John pretends that he is seeking to stabilise the fief after the invasion. ResourcesSir John is tremendously rich. He possesses plenty of land as well as more liquid assets. |