Vencel Rikard

Vencel Rikard was the Ventrue Рrince of Budapest during the Dark Ages. He acted as his sire's sworn protector.

Background[]

The product of a Christian knightly education, Vencel Rikard came to the city when Grand Prince Geza invited a contingent of Bavarian knights to become his personal bodyguard. Embraced by Bulscu as a reward for his excellent service, Vencel is most concerned with retaining his position, maximizing the profits he reaps from his mercantile interests, and keeping the peace in a city that is potentially a battleground for warring clans. He believes that the best way to do so is to make Budapest the largest, most important city in Hungary (thereby attracting the king back and making it the capital of the kingdom). Vencel uses his natural charisma and princely prerogatives to attract new Cainites to the city — Cainites whose first loyalty will be to him.

His brother in undeath, Prince Geza of Esztergom, hates both Vencel and their sire, Bulscu. Vencel has turned a series of large caverns underneath Buda Castle into a haven for Bulscu, a place where his unfortunate sire may indulge himself in whatever way he sees fit. Though he realizes that Bulscu is afflicted with a terrible and degenerative addiction, Vencel dares not directly oppose his sire by attempting to cut off his source of potent drugs. He fears that the sudden withdrawal might send Bulscu into frenzy, with truly disastrous and deadly results.

Vencel is aware that Geza has somehow fostered this addiction in the hope of weakening Bulscu; rather than fighting his fellow prince, Vencel instead chooses to protect their mutual sire. So long as Vencel rules Budapest, Geza will never have the opportunity to harm Bulscu through physical threat. While saddened by the ever-deepening spiral of depravity Bulscu embraces, Vencel still honors him for the man he once was.

Beset on one side by Tremere demands for supplies and on the other by pressure from Tzimisce voivodes to join in the war effort, Vencel feels a keen need for enough power (through commanding the loyalty of many Cainites) to say “no” to both sides. Though he tepidly supports the Tremere for their ability to keep the Tzimisce occupied, he sees the war in Transylvania as destructive, unnecessary and ultimately stupid.

Vencel will remain Prince of Budapest through the coming centuries, seeing the city rise in prominence just as he dreamed it would. When Bulscu enters torpor, Vencel keeps guard over him as a dutiful son. He is by his potent sire’s side when the great one awakens again in the 16th century.

Image[]

Though of only medium stature and build, Vencel projects an image of greater height and power. His light brown hair is offset by pale blue eyes that can crinkle with good humor or impale an enemy with their coldness. He wears finely made, though not ostentatious, clothing; his sole adornment is a jeweled ring that was given to him by his sire on the night of Vencel’s Embrace.

Roleplaying Hints[]

The way to rule a city is through honor and intelligent management. There is no real need to prove your prowess or status; no one challenges your right to rule. You must discover how Geza is obtaining his drugs, then gradually wean Bulscu away from them before he is destroyed. Balance things as well as you can. Do not become embroiled in the foolish warfare that tears apart Transylvania and interferes with the orderly progress of trade. Exchanges of trade with both East and West is the lifeblood of Buda-Pest. Encourage it however you can.