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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     The Lesser Members of the Court of Hampton Roads   Harpy: Fiona Tyler (Toreador) A mover and shaker up and down the east coast. She is known to keep tabs on all major social developments in mortal society and is often a trend setter on how kindred should act and dress when communicating with the mortals.   Keeper of Elysium: Richard McDonald (Nosferatu) The caretaker of D.C.'s Elysium, an intricate complex of underground tunnels beneath the sinking city. As a member of the original architecture committee that built the bunkers and military tunnels beneath Norfolk he ensured that chambers were developed beneath every major building for Kindred to organize in, and meet in as they deemed necessary. These chambers are played off as "storage space, or ancillary office space" when asked about by humans.   Seneschal: Arthur Dunsirn (Hecate) The aid to the sitting Prince of Hampton Roads for the past two princes. Arthur's loyal position in the hierarchy predates his bloodlines emergence from the Giovanni and is the subject of much speculation (quietly)   Sheriff: Eliza Hepburn (Banu Haqim) One of the few of the Banu Haqim that have joined The Camarilla Edward is used by Prince Forscythe an enforcer of The Masquerade and an ambassador to the Banu Haqim when their services are needed. Eliza sees The Camarilla as the best organization that serve for the long term survival of vampire kind.

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


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