The Sisterhood of Amastris

There have always been women who have risen to prominence within Clan Ventrue, proving themselves to be the equals of their male clan-mates in almost every arena. The Sisterhood of Amastris inducts the women of Clan Ventrue who have proven successful in the field of leadership, and have earned exceptional personal accomplishment.
Founded in the name of Amastris, wife of Dionysus of Heracluria, who established her own city-state by conquering and uniting four settlements, invitations to join the Sisterhood are a rare form of prestige for a female Ventrue. Only those who have striven to achieve a great deal personal prestige, whether through the leadership of Sect position(s), achieving a position in the Ventrue Directorate, or some other undeniable accomplishment which garners prestige, fame, or accolade.

Address/Nickname:

A member of the Sisterhood of Amastris identifies herself simply by adding the title Sister or Matron to her name, depending on her seniority within the group. For example:
Sister [Name]
Sister [Name] of the [Sister-House Name]
Matron [Name]

Role Within the Clan:

The Sisterhood of Amastris exists to support female Ventrue and to assist them in achieving their goals. Members often develop bonds and relationships which resemble the commitment and loyalty often reserved for Lineage-members, Coteries, or even Houses. In a Clan so thoroughly dominated by men throughout its history, this group sometimes serves as a necessary tool for a female Ventrue looking to reach greater heights.

Prerequisites to Join:

When a female Ventrue rises through the ranks of the Camarilla, the Directorate, or achieves some accomplishment which brings her great fame or prestige, the closest member of the Sisterhood is expected to bring the success of this potential member to the group. Though any member may sponsor a female Ventrue, only those who have shown great success and tact are considered.
Once approached by a sponsor, the potential member must pass the Rites of Initiation. The rites are administered in the form of three tests. The purpose of each test is to illustrate to the rest of the group which area the pledge excels in. The tests may vary depending on the candidate and the patron, but the general spirit of each remains the same and each test requires that the pledge to display a certain amount of inner strength and personal determination. The tests are as follows:

1. The first test illustrates the candidate's loyalty to her Sisters of Clan Ventrue
2. The next test focuses on the candidate’s strengths in her Sect
3. The final test is one of focused on the candidate herself, often in the form of a social puzzle, or even a hypothetical situation, which she must solve.

If for any reason the candidate is found lacking in any area, both she and her patron may be subjected to a certain amount of ridicule or humiliation. The degree to which this is taken depends upon the station of the individual, and the magnitude failure.
When a potential member passes the Rites, she is presented with a fan, made of silk. The sponsoring Sister chooses the fan based on the personality and achievements of the candidate. The mythological and symbolic significance behind the creatures and scenes on the fans is very important and it is up to the Sister to choose wisely.

The Sister-Houses

The Sisterhood of Amastris is divided into three houses, each has there own area of expertise and each support each-other.

• The Fury (Erinyes):

  
  In Greek mythology, the Erinyes were also known as the Furies, with this in mind, any Sister chosen to join the Erinnyes must show a particularly fierce attitude or dedication. The Fury uphold and enforce the social order, to include Status and Clan Prestige. Membership usually requires the Sister hold a certain reputation of strength, though not necessarily through the application of brute force.

• The Horae:

  Originally, the Horae were known as Order, Justice, and Peace; so it comes as no surprise that the Horae are the socially responsible wing of the Sisterhood. These Sisters are particularly noted for their political achievements within the Camarilla. Horae often display their political leanings by wearing a silk ribbon in corresponding colors: Order (blue), Justice (red), or Peace (white).

• The Siren (Helenites):

  
  This group encourages the use of seduction to win political favor. Competition is fierce among these women, but Helenites are rather informal about their dealings. Particular acclaim is given to a sister who successfully destroys a male Kindred's political career through such tactics. Though the Siren still maintain a place as a Sister-House, there have been very few Siren admitted in the last decade, which has left some Sisters to wonder if this Sister-House is slowly becoming obsolete, or if something more secretive or sinister is occurring.

Structure

Sister reports to Sister of the (Fury, Horae, or Siren) who in turn report to the Matrons.

In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.

Type

Political, Faction / Party

Related Ethnicities

• Ventrue