Camarilla
The Camarilla is one of the two major vampire sects that dominates kindred culture in the world of darkness. The Camarilla dominates kindred society through the enforcement of the The Traditions and the titular Masquerade that gives the tabletop rpg its name.
Founded at the Convention of Thorn in 1394 the Camarilla was mostly formalized during the early years of the 1st Anarch Movement that sought to supplant the traditional hierarchy of vampire society that put all the power into the eldest of each blood line, and left the younger kindred to forever be trapped in servile roles under the elder lords (until those older kindred died).
The Convention of Thorns put in place The Masquerade as a means to give many young kindred in the Anarch Movement assurances that their issues would be mitigated and reform could come to kindred society. While this did not meet the demands of many elements of the 1st Anarch Movement (and thus lead to the formation of The Sabbat out of the more radical elements, the the continuation of the 1st Movement into a greater unified front).
The clans that organized themselves under the Camarilla originally include the following:
Brujah
Gangrel
Malkavian
Nosferatu
Toreador
Tremere (thanks to sponsorship by the Ventrue)
Ventrue
While not all members of these clans did not give full commitment to the new organization The Camarilla found themselves able to call upon the bulk of the rank and file of each of the clans as part of their efforts to defend kindred society from The Inquisition that had begun to take notice of vampire society thanks to the strife caused by the 1st Anarch Movement, and future conflict with The Sabbat.
Traditional Structure of the Camarilla
Official Titles (in order of importance)
The "Ivory Tower"
the high council of the Camarilla that takes reports from sanctioned courts across the world and give out edicts of how to handle changes in the world. Often they arbitrate which technologies are not too "risky" to integrate into kindred society. Aside from that they act as the final arbiters of justice that kindred can appeal to handle issues.
The Justiciars
The personal right hands of the members of the Ivory Tower. There is one justiciar per clan that is officially part of The Camarilla and often they oversee Tower ordered investigations into breaches of The Masquerade or oversee the deployment of the Camarilla's military's forces when necessary to either maintain the Masquerade, deal with inter sect conflict (such as The Sabbat), or to facilitate the success of a human faction that the Ivory Tower agrees will be useful for kindred society.
The Archons
The personal right hands of the Justiciars. Often organized in coterie to complete tasks the Justiciar may not be well suited to complete personally.
The Princes
A vampire of significant enough standing that The Ivory Tower allows them to rule a substantial domain such as a city or group of cities. There are very few princes allowed to rule over an entire human country (this only happens in the case of island nations, or very small countries, such as the UK or The Vatican City).
Titles of a Prince's Court (in order of importance)
The Primogen
A council of councilors a Prince appoints to advice them, often made up of representatives of each clan and sect in their city/domain. Often a Prince will also have a member of their own clan sit on the council to represent the direct needs of the Prince's clan, rather then the Prince's bias about what the clan needs in context to the city's needs.
The Harpy(s)
A kindred, or a group of kindred, that the Prince nominates to be trend setters or people that lesser kindred should look to for advice on interactions with human affairs. Often a younger kindred who best represents "modern" trends in human society.
The Keeper(s) of Elysium
a kindred trusted with maintaining a local Elysium in the Prince's domain. Elysium is a neutral ground in a given domain where kindred are not allowed to bring in conflict. If it is often a gathering place where kindred can arbitrate disputes outside the context of the Prince's court if they do not wish to bring dominion level politics into personal conflicts. Elysium is often a gathering place where kindred can doff the masks they were in mortal society and "cut loose". The job of a Keeper of Elysium is to ensure that the existence of their area's Elysium does not lead to a breach of The Masquerade.
The Seneschal(s)
A "right hand man" for a Prince. Often a Seneschal takes direct action on behalf of a Prince except when the Prince's direct attention would be required. In the event of a Prince's final death, or removal from office by edict of The Ivory Tower a Seneschal takes over as Prince temporarily until such time as an official transition of power can take place.
The Sheriff(s)
Much like their human counterparts the Sheriff(s) of a given domain acts as a law enforcement officer, acting on behalf of The Masquerade itself. A Sheriff oversees investigation into possible breeches, and can often proactively take measures to mitigate possible breeches in the future. A Sheriff only answers to the Prince personally.
The Scourge(s)
Sometimes refereed to as "the Shadow" a Scourge is a kindred tasked with work that the Prince cannot legally issue out at risk of breaching the traditions of The Masquerade. While The Ivory Tower does not sanction this honorary title given out by Prince's often they cannot officially take action against such a vampire given they often leave no evidence of the "dirty work" they do. A Prince does not often keep a shadow appointed at all times, it is seen as an emergency office.
Primogen of Prince
- Nosferatu - Richard McDonald
- Banu Haqim - Arjun Shah
- Malkavian - Jacob Yearling "The Son"
- Toreador - Donatien Marcellin
- Tremere - Katherine Marlowe
- Ventrue - Eston Hemmings
Structure
The Prince directs her authority through the Primogen Council and from there to the members of their clans in the city
Culture
During formal events of the city the dress code tends to resemble the revolutionary war period and forms of address from the time are adopted in honour of the Prince's preference.
Public Agenda
Preserve the Masquerade
Enforce the traditions
Assets
Vast amounts of wealth and power
There is a difference between hiding in fear and biding our time. We wait for the perfect time to strike, like any skilled predator. - ELEANOR ZHENG, ARCHON OF CLAN NOSFERATU
Founding Date
1435
Alternative Names
Ivory Tower
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
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