Vampire RanksGrendel :: Deity of Vampires - Owned by Seussi
Disciples (Allowed to Embrace but generally do not):
These ancient vampires, if they exist at all, are likely the most powerful Vampires in the world. Members of the Third Generation, The Disciples, are only two steps removed from the First Vampire, Caine. Disciples, when they choose to rise from their long sleep, affect all with whom they come in contact, according to the few fractured accounts of their doings, they possess power.
Antediluvians (Allowed to Embrace but very rarely ever do):
An Antediluvian is a vampire of incalculable power. They command respect and fear among lower ranks and are second only to the Disciple. They are considered second-in-command when it comes to clan affairs and generally work with the Disciple closely when the need arises. These vampires take direction only from the God of Vampires and their clan's Disciple.
Methuselah (Allowed to Embrace but prefer to have Elders embrace):
A Methuselah is a one who has existed for at least a millennium or more. Their machinations are far deeper, subtler, and more terrifying.
A methuselah has several traits that betray him to those who know what to look for. Their speech is in general tinted with an accent of their native dialect, which, otherwise, has not survived the centuries. Their unconscious body movement has completely stopped, and many could be confused with statues when they do not move.
Elders (Allowed to Embrace and responsible for most embracings):
The choices and sacrifices they have made in order to survive so long instills a degree of amorality and slow caution; it is not unusual for elders to design plans that take decades or centuries before coming to fruition. Such beings are often cold, if not monstrous, and focused completely on their own interests and well-being, though a rare few struggle to maintain their human sentiments.
Ancillae (Not allowed to Embrace):
Ranking below the elders but above neonates, the ancillae (sing. ancilla) are vampires who have proven themselves as valuable members of Kindred society. Certain ambitious younglings may achieve the rank prematurely. Ancillae often serve as aides and agents for elders or the court. Ancillae usually play their own power games as well, though these are of lesser consequence than the manipulations of the elders.
Due to the huge increase in world population over the past few centuries, the vast majority of vampires in the world are ancillae or neonates.
Neonates (Not allowed to Embrace):
A neonate is a recently embraced vampire that has passed through the initial stages of vampiric existence, the fledgling stage. It is the sire's responsibility to ensure that the childe does not embarrass itself or its sire in vampiric society. Derogatorily, a neonate is often called a whelp.
Neonates are generally lightly involved in the true machinations of undead society. They aren't powerful enough to really matter, and are consequently used primarily as pawns by their elders. Conversely, they still have an investment in the mortal world of the 21st century and are less likely to adhere to the feudal character of vampiric society.
Fledglings (Not allowed to Embrace):
After the immediate Embracing of a mortal, the victim will become a Fledgling. The newly turned vampire must be able to stabilize The Beast within before gaining status. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Sire to ensure that the Childe is even worthy of the Embrace. When the vampire has at least passed through the initial stages of vampiric existence and no longer needs the protection of the Sire, the Fledgling will often be viewed as a Neonate.
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Clanless/Caitiff (Not allowed to Embrace):Caitiff is a complicated term with two general meanings. The first meaning is more of a political term: those of a flawed or unknown lineage, who have been abandoned by their sires. It is not so much that they lack a Clan as they lack the support that comes with the Clan structure. It carries the implication that they were a mistake by their sire. Many of these unfortunates are considered Caitiff simply because they do not know which Clan they come from, because they had not been told. It is an arbitrary title and may refer more specifically to any outcast.
The second and more biologically-oriented Caitiff, also known as the clanless, are rare Cainites that do not officially belong to any clan. These vampires have no inherent clan weakness, but no inherent disciplines as well. None of the typical clan markers apply to them. Although the Caitiff have manifested throughout history, they tend to do so more frequently among the higher generations.
[The Traditions]The six traditions that form the laws of vampire society are believed to have been passed down since the wars that slew the Second Generation. They are rarely written down, but they have never been forgotten, and they are known by all Kindred in some form. Even vampires who scorn the Traditions know them; though their specific wordings may vary, the intent behind them never falters.
The First Tradition: The Masquerade Thou shalt not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so shall renounce they claims of Blood.
The Second Tradition: The Domain Thy domain is thy concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word in thy domain.
The Third Tradition: The Progeny Thou shalt sire another only with permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine elder's leave, both thou and thy progeny shalt be slain.
The Fourth Tradition: The Accounting Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be release, thou shalt command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.
The Fifth Tradition: Hospitality Honor one another's domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shalt present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art nothing.
The Sixth Tradition: Destruction Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right to destruction belongeth only to thine elder. Only the eldest among thee shall call the blood hunt.
[The Sects]The CamarillaThe largest sect of vampires in existance, the Camarilla concerns itself with the Masquerade, hereby hoping to maintain a place for Kindred in modern nights. The Camarilla is an open society; it claims all vampires as members (whether they want to belong or not), and any vampire may claim membership, regardless of lineage.
Camarilla Clans: Brujah, Daughters of Cacophany, Gangrel, Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere, Ventrue
The SabbatRumored to have its origins in a medievel death cult, the Sabbat is greatly feared by Kindred who do not belong to it. They sect is monstrous and violent, and no longer clings to any trappings of human philosophy or morality. Members instead revel in their vampiric unlives. Sometimes referred to as the Black Hand, the Sabbat actively seeks to overthrow the Traditions, the destruction of the Camarilla, and the subjugation of humankind.
Sabbat Clans: Ahrimanes, Baali, Kiasyd, Lasombra, True Brujah, Tzimisce
The IndependentsThe indpendent clans claim membership to no sect, instead following a legendary tenets of their mythical founders. Independent clans tend to be the most cohesive and sociable Kindred of all, as their clan duties ensure that they interact with other vampires almost nightly.
Independent Clans: Assamite, Cappadocians, Daeva, Followers of Set, Giovanni, Lhiannan, Mekhet, Nagaraja, Ordo Dracul, Ravnos, Salubri, Samedi
[About the Prince]The PrinceCurrent Prince: Alessa Caito - Owned by Noir Songbird
The prince is, to put simply, the vampire who has enough power to hold domain over a city, codify the laws for that city and keep the peace. Such a position is typically held by an elder, for who but an elder has the necessary personal charisma and power to take and hold domain in an area? In some small towns, younger vampires may be able to claim domain in the same way, but their claims are rarely respected by the coteries of the cities. On occasion, strange circumstances have placed younger vampires in a position to rule cities, but few such upstarts manage to hold their titles when the elders appear.
The title "prince" is simply that -- a title given to formalize a role, whether that role is held by a male of female. Sometimes a prince may be called by a title native to the land he rules, such as "baron", "sultan", "count" or less formal title such as "boss".
The prince does not 'reign' over a city. his role is more like that of an overseer or magistrate than that of a monarch. He is the judge who settles disputes between Kindred, the ultimate authority on the Traditions as they relate to his city, and the keeper of the peace. Above all, his concern is the Masquerade and its preservation.
When all is said and done, however, the prince is nothing to brush off. A prince wields vast amounts of temporal power to achieve and maintain her position. Not only does she manage the Kindred affairs of a city, she usually has quite a bit of sway over mortal business. The police, the fire department, construction companies, hospitals, the mayor's office-- all are extremely useful for putting down one's enemies or securing one's hold on a particular sphere of influence. If the prince wishes to squash a gang of particularly troublesome vampires, she can have a construction company bulldoze their haven in the middle of the day. Such influences usually capture the attention of those who might otherwise be inclined to thumb their noses at a prince. It is unwise to anger the one who could have your haven condemned by the zoning board or your phone line "accidentally" cut while a gas main is being dug.
Becoming PrinceTraditionally, the eldest vampire of a city rules, although this is no longer true in every city. It is one thing to say that the eldest traditionally rules the city, but
any vampire may challenge for domain or princedom. A prince reigns freely only when her claim is unchallenged. If she finds herself squaring off with one or more other claimants, then things get messy. There is a mad scramble for the crown and whoever is left standing will rule. "Coronation", if it can truly be called that, can be anything from a bloodless, edler-backed coup to a violent usurpation led by a bloodthirsty coterie. Whoever the new prince and however she takes the throne, though, she needs the support of the elders if she wishes to hold the crown for more than a night.
Combat for the princedom is not simply a matter of pistols at midnight on a deserted street, or for the matter any kind of direct combat. Like everything about the Children of Caine, subtlety in all things count, and the ware for the crown takes place entirely in the shadows. The city's vampires -- elders, coteries, individuals -- choose their sides as rivals cultivate allies and determine enemies. Many things can drive a Kindred to choose a particula claimate -- promise of reward, loyalties to the vampire or her clan, consessions guaranteed upon ascension, personal beliefs, or threats -- but once she is chosen, changing loyalties can be extremely dangerous, particularly if she has backed the wrong claimant when the fighting is done.
Other Kindred of ImportanceThe PrimogenThe primogen are assembled of elders of each clan in a city. Most often, each clan has a representitive primogen, but in some cities, a prince refuses to allow a given clan to place a member on this council of elders. In theory, primogen represent their clans among the political body of elders, but in practice, the primogen are more often an "old vampires' club" and an incestual nest of treachery and favor-currying. Primogen-- the term refers to individual members as well as the collected body-- convene at the prince's discretion. In cities with powerful or despotic princes, the primogen may be nothing more than a figurehead, while in other cities princes govern solely at the whim of the elder council.
It is worth noting that the prince is often not the primogen for his clan. Although some Kindred claim that having duplicate clans involved in the political structure weighs matters in favor of that clan, no one is really in a position to change it.
The SheriffCurrent Sheriff: Micky - Owned by Seussi
Most sheriffs are appointed by the prince and approved by the primogen. While the job description may vary from city to city, the sheriff's prime job is to be the prince's "enforcer", the vampire who hauls offenders into court, keeps order on the streets, and generally stands ready to assist with the "muscle" aspects of ruling. Sheriffs may select deputies, who occasionally require the prince's approval.
Keeper of Elysium:This is a largely honorific title, though it has many practical responsibilities. The Keeper of Elysium assures that the customs of Elysium are observed, and is a caretaker of sites declared Elysium by a Prince.
It is the Keeper who may schedule or cancel any events, a position that involves both great prestige and scrutiny.
The HarpiesThese Kindred pride themselves on being social managers of Elysium. They traffic in gossip and social maneuvering, and status is their coin. With the right or wrong word to a prince, they can make or break a vampire's place in the city. This position is rarely appointed outright, over time, those with the skills to be harpies tend to rise to the top. Most are unimpressed with displays of bluster and demonstrate remarkable insight into vampire nature. Bucking a harpy will assure one a place at the bottommost rung of the ladder of power for years to come.
The WhipPrimogen occasionally keep whips as assistants. Not much different from the whips in mortal government, the whip's job is to goad and encourage discussion and decision-making during clan meetings, and to keep the clan updated on their primogen members' doings. Whips are selected by the primogen.
The Seneschal-- This is one position that many princes would like to do without, but which occasionally is necessary. one prince described the filling of this position to be akin to choosing which knife to put at her throat. A seneschal is meant to be a chamberlain, a second-in-command and an advisor to the prince. At any time, he may be asked to step into the prince's place if she leaves town on business, abdicates or is slain. Naturally, a prince wishes to have final authority on such an important position, and many have fought endlessly with their primogen over the subject. This is a dangerous position in more ways than one -- familiarity with the subject can give one ideas...
The Justicars — Current Justicars Armistice - Owned by Yayoi
The Justicars are the most powerful visible component of the Camarilla's government, charged with adjudicating matters of the Traditions on a wide scale and acting as the eyes, ears, and hands of the Inner Circle. There is one justicar for each clan of the Camarilla.
In a world of hunters, leopards, and jackals, few try to control the undying appetite. When hunter turns on hunter, however, all are at risk. Those who dare to hunt cannibal Kindred are the Justicars. Justicars are usually of great age and power, and their ferocity is unparalleled. Few can stand against them and fewer still would dare to try.
True, the Justicars have many servants. However, many more vampires seek to violate the Masquerade – or worse, slay another vampire and drink her blood. The only way for the Justicars to stem the rising tide of diablerie is to stop these crimes before they happen. The way they achieve this is through fear.
The Justicars cultivate terror. They wield it as a weapon and few vampires are more adroit in its use. The coming of a Justicar is a great event. The prince must quickly patch up all of his quarrels with the elders and prepare. The elders must hide all of their little indiscretions. Before a Justicar arrives, all those mortals in the city who know of the Kindred are often slain, thus giving the Justicar no excuse to enforce the First Tradition. Even as the elders hide their minor crimes, the anarchs prepare for war. Few anarchs have not committed some crime against the Camarilla and few are willing to cower and beg forgiveness.
Frequently, the Justicar has come for but a single vampire or single coterie, and has no interest in any other crimes.
RotschreckRotschreck (also known as Red Fear) is a temporary state of uncontrollable fear that a vampire character suffers when threatened by fire or sunlight (as well as any other potentially lethal elements).
The vampire in Rotschreck will try to flee from the perceived source of danger in any suitable way, disregarding other concerns, including his own safety besides the immediate threat, and the safety of others. Anything and anyone in the vampire's way will be attacked if necessary. He may try to resist, in which case he may succeed in calming down for a while (the in-game mechanics of resistance to Rotschreck involve a Courage roll).
A vampire will not enter Rotschreck for fear of a lit candle or torch, but he may not be able to light even a small flame himself. A vampire trapped in a burning building will most surely enter Rotschreck and has almost no chance to resist; the same is true of a vampire who finds himself caught in the open just before sunrise.
Frenzied vampires will not enter Rotschreck.
FrenzyFrenzy is a temporary state of rage and lack of self-control that a vampire character enters as a response to certain stimuli. During the frenzy, the vampire's inner Beast is in control.
The most common causes for a frenzy are:
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Anger or frustration: the vampire cannot keep his emotions under control.
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Danger: the vampire senses danger (real or imaginary) and reacts with a preemptive attack on (what he believes is) its source.
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Hunger: the vampire's blood pool (reserve of vitae) is dangerously low; he craves for blood and will try to feed from anyone in sight.
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Shame: the vampire feels embarrassed and attacks the source of his humiliation (and sometimes also its witnesses).
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Temptation: the vampire is tempted by the inner Beast to perform sinful actions, and cannot resist.
Some vampires can and do deliberately induce frenzy ("summoning the Beast"), and then try to direct their instincts ("riding the Beast") for specific purposes.
Blood HuntA blood hunt is the persecution of a vampire by the rest of the vampiric society in order to kill him.
The blood hunt must be officially declared by the local prince. Once the order is given, it is customary to allow the vampire to flee the city. This mercy is extended until midnight, after which any vampire is free to hunt down and destroy the persecuted subject. On occasion a reward might be offered to the one who delivers or kills the victim.
Any vampire who helps the subject of a blood hunt in any way is considered an accomplice and may himself become an additional target.
In some cases it is traditional to let the execution of the death sentence to the victim's sire, who is then allowed to perform diablerie on his childe.
Note: Blood Hunts can be submitted for acceptance by the currant Prince but decided ultimately by the Faekat Council, a group of people that make decisions for the roleplay world.
Elysium: A place for vampires to meet together without fear of harm; Usually cultural locations, such as opera houses, theaters or museums.
The Elysium location is typically chosen by the local Prince in areas of artistic or intellectual worth that promote calm reflection, such as theaters and museums, though nightclubs and even a Kindred's haven may suffice.
Violence is strictly prohibited within Elysium, and individuals are expected to keep tempers in check. Any grievances between vampires are to be left outside, and the Keeper of Elysium or the Sheriff will forcibly remove those who cannot control themselves if need be. While this provides opportunity for both neonates and elders to relax, social conflict is often at its peak and what happens in Elysium can easily lead to repercussions off ground.
Though Elysiums often serve as gathering places for Kindred, the Masquerade must normally be maintained at all times for any mortals that may be around. Similarly, while refreshments are sometimes served, it is bad taste to come to Elysium hungry as it often leads to shorter tempers. Some Princes go so far as to forbid hunting nearby, as a concentrated population of vampires could easily result in a suspicious number of deaths in the area.
