Tremere Ranks and Responsibilities

WHAT'S RANK GOT TO DO WITH IT? You may ask yourself, why do I care what my rank is in the Tremere? Well, to put it quite simply, in the Tremere, rank is everything. While this might be true in other clans, the Tremere take it to a particular extreme. While both the Ventrue and the Tremere know the appropriate response to "Jump!" is "How high?", the Tremere officially never ever ever jump without orders. Even from a burning building. The Tremere are run decidedly differently than other clans. The Council of Seven, the head honchos, are bent on utter control over their clan. Where other clans might reward personal ambition and drive, the Tremere see that behaviour as a threat to the Pyramid and the chain of command. That does not mean an ambitious Tremere cannot ever get what he wants. He simply has to find a way of getting permission from the commanding ranks of the clan first or to be clever enough to not get caught. If he is caught, consequences tend to be severe. Not because of the ostensible crime committed, necessarily, but getting caught is unforgivable.

RANKS

There are seven ranks within the Tremere: Acolyte, Apprentice, Magister, Regent, Pontifex, Lord, and Councillor. Within each level are seven degrees, to allow more social mobility and promotions in a House full of extremely ambitious and ruthless Kindred where advancement is often otherwise a case of dead men's shoes. Each Tremere is recognized by the position they have earned. There is no shame in being at the bottom of the pyramid, but there are rewards for being at the top of it. Being at the bottom also has the advantage that no one covets your position. However, if you see that as an advantage, you are certainly not a true Tremere. A Tremere doesn't necessarily have to reach the seventh degree of one level to advance to the next. A third-degree Magister might find herself promoted to Regent if there is space and she has the right skillset, though this doesn't happen often.

Acolyte

The bottom of the pyramid, above only ghouls and Gargoyles. Acolytes are not fully released Kindred and, as such, rarely gain degrees. Amongst the Acolytes are (were) also a group known as the Trimira. These were Kindred of other Clans who had proven their loyalty and had drunk the blood as initiates of the Tremere. They could never fully be part of the Clan, but House Tremere was happy to accept their loyalty and skills. The term also included several agents and Caitiff working as deep-cover agents inside Clans no full Tremere could infiltrate. With the fall of Vienna, however, and the breaking of the bonds...

Apprentice

Apprentices are your average run-of-the-mill worker bees of House Tremere. They are expected to heed and follow the orders of higher ranks without question or delay. Many never rise higher than this, but only a fool would underestimate a seventh-degree Apprentice.

Magister

Magisters are the Tremere who run their chantry and educate the Apprentices under the direction of their Regent. It is also a title granted to older and more distinguished members of the Clan who have not sought power but instead have become trusted advisors. They oil the wheels of the Clan, organising training and seeing to disputes and punishments.

Regent

Regents are each master of an entire chantry (or, more rarely, individual projects of some sort), who are the center for Tremere activity in a city or in less populous areas, perhaps an entire minor region. They are often members of the Primogen, too.

Lord

Lords are responsible for several chantries each. Their jurisdiction often covers an area the size of an American State. They usually command from a grand chantry of sorts somewhere in their region.

Pontifex

Pontifices rule entire countries. There are usually seven Lords for each of the seven Pontifices. Both Lords and Pontifeces often have their own staff and household, usually basing themselves in a chantry for convenience. Many Regents rankle at their boss running a separate department in their domain, but to complain is to bring their loyalty into question.

Councilor

Councillors are the near-mythic members of the Council of Seven. They ruled the Clan worldwide from their stronghold in Vienna, until its televised destruction at the hands of the Second Inquisition which plunged the entire Clan into chaos. Now, who knows?

WHAT IS MY RANK?

PC Tremere almost universally enter play as Apprentices, the main body of the Clan. The rank of Apprentice is divided into Seven Circles of Mysteries, one being the lowest and seven being the highest. Each Circle has its own increasing levels of independence and responsibility, and how much you are beholden to higher ranking Apprentices depending on the rank you have achieved. How do you gain rank in House Tremere? Remember that House Tremere is ultimately structured as an ambitious Order of Mages. You gain in rank not just by status, but how far you have progressed in the arts of Thaumaturgy. The Tremere have no respect for any clanmate who does not show skill as a will worker. To determine your starting rank as a Tremere, look below and find the highest one your character qualifies for. This can change as the game goes on, as your character is promoted for excellence and fulfilling the ranks requirements, or demoted for ineptitude. Once a character enters play, all promotions or demotions must be made by the Regent.

APPRENTICE LEVELS

Apprentice of the First Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: Initiate, Neophyte This rank is achieved by simply reciting the Tremere Oath at your release. It carries no weight, other than making you a member of House Tremere. Tremere are assigned a master and mentor in the chantry at this rank, who serves as both their tutor and tyrant. REQUIREMENTS: None. DUTIES: Report your activities to the Regent weekly. Serve as a helper for your master. Follow the orders of any higher-ranking Tremere, except when countermanded by a Tremere of higher rank. Menial duties around the chantry, from watering the plants in the greenhouse to sorting the library daily. Studying. RESTRICTIONS: At this level, the Tremere is not allowed to have his own haven, and is expected to reside in the Chantry. Visits to the Elysium or other Kindred gatherings can be done with the permission of a higher ranking clan members. Individual meetings or rendezvous with non-Tremere are expressly forbidden. Tremere of this rank are constantly watched for signs of disloyalty.

Apprentice of the Second Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: Novice This rank is achieved by achieving basic mastery of Thaumaturgy and for serving well during your time as an initiate. REQUIREMENTS: Thaumaturgy Level 1. Duties: Report the Regent monthly. Follow the orders of any higher-ranking Tremere, except when countermanded by orders of a higher rank. Minor research, minor security duties, message carrying. RESTRICTIONS AND PRIVILEGES: The Apprentice is still expected to reside within the Chantry and not maintain any other havens. Visits to the Elysium and Court are allowed without express permission, but no other destinations are allowed without permission, nor any private meetings with other non-Tremere.

Apprentice of the Third Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: This rank signifies that the Tremere in question has served long enough in the clan to prove his loyalty and reliability as a member of the clan. This is the first taste of any independence. Most beginning PC Tremere are at or around this rank. At this rank, ignorance or innocence is no longer a valid excuse for violating the Tremere Code. At this level, upon completion of a final master research project called the Thesis, a Tremere can be released by its master. REQUIREMENTS: Thaumaturgy Level 2 and/or Clan Status 1. DUTIES: Report the Regent monthly. Follow the orders of the Regent or your mentor without question - mindless obedience to higher-ranking clanmates is no longer a requirement, though ranks must be respected. Research and security duties too sensitive to assign to lower ranks. RESTRICTIONS AND PRIVILEGES: At this rank, the Apprentice is still required to reside primarily in the chantry. Small 'panic' or backup havens can be maintained, but are not expected to be used short of an emergency that prevents usage of the Chantry. Trips to Kindred gatherings and private meetings with other Kindred are allowed, though the Apprentice is expected to answer any and all questions about them fully.

Apprentice of the Fourth Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: Adept An Apprentice of the Fourth Circle is a Tremere who has come into his own as a member of the clan. At this level, his voice is considered to be a valid one when voiced in matters of chantry policy. This is also the minimum rank for an Apprentice to become a mentor for an initiate or allowed to sire. REQUIREMENTS: Thaumaturgy Level 3 and Clan Status 1. DUTIES: Report the Regent monthly. Follow the orders of the Regent. Activities requiring competence and guile. Participate in meetings or conference with the Regent and ranking members of the chantry. RESTRICTIONS AND PRIVILEGES: The Apprentice is allowed to maintain a private haven away from the Chantry for his or her own use. Individual laboratories or private libraries are allowed in the Chantry for the Tremere's use.

Apprentice of the Fifth Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: This is the highest rank that most Tremere ever achieve. Apprentices of the Fifth Circle are competent mid-level leaders of the chantry, and are often given the task of managing lower-ranking Tremere, assisting the Magister. Personal research and projects. Ascension to this rank must be approved by both the Regent and the area Lord. REQUIREMENTS: Thaumaturgy Level 4 and Clan Status 2. Duties: Report the Regent monthly. Follow the orders of the Regent. Participate in meetings or conference with the Regent and ranking members of the chantry. RESTRICTIONS AND PRIVILEGES: The Apprentice is allowed to maintain a private haven away from the Chantry for his or her own use, and is not expected to maintain his haven at the Chantry any longer. If an Apprentice of this rank chooses to remain in the chantry, he can expect greater accommodations and more extensive space for his own research.

Apprentice of the Sixth Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: Master Apprentices of this level are often given wide-ranging duties and privileges and are often the personal and trusted agents of a Regent or Lord. They are also considered authorities on the arts of magick and often maintain positions as specialized researchers, teachers or scholars on magickal thought and history. This rank is never granted to neonates, and only rarely to ancillae. This rank can only conferred with the area Lord's consent. REQUIREMENTS: Thaumaturgy Level 5 and Clan Status 3. DUTIES: Report the Regent monthly. Follow the orders of the Regent. Participate in meetings or conference with the Regent and ranking members of the chantry. The possibility of being assigned an initiate to mentor is fairly high at this ranking. RESTRICTIONS AND PRIVILEGES: As a trusted high ranking member of the Chantry, the Tremere is allowed extensive properties and resources outside of the Chantry and is given a modicum of privacy in his inter-Kindred dealings - except from his Regent, of course.

Apprentice of the Seventh Circle

ALTERNATE NAMES: Magus This level of ranking can only be given by a Pontifex, and this rank represents a fairly select group of Apprentices. Achieving the Seventh Circle is the first step on the path of becoming a Magister or Regent, and should such a position become available, the Lord considers them amongst the candidates for it. Apprentices of the Seventh Circle are considered to be Magisters-or-Regents-in-Preparation, and are allowed a great deal of independence and not required to attend to many compulsory duties in the chantry. His own research and magickal expertise are his chief concern. REQUIREMENTS: Thaumaturgy Level 5 and Clan Status 4. DUTIES: Participate in meetings or conference with the Regent and ranking members of the chantry. The Regent can no longer demand service of the Apprentice without the direct approval of the area Lord. RESTRICTIONS AND PRIVILEGES: An Apprentice of this vaunted level is given privacy and deference to his wishes regarding his choice of haven and his choice of which duties he wishes to fulfil for the chantry.