Basic Knowledge

[dmronny]

The Camarilla is a group of vampires devoted to maintaining a sense of "humanity" among vampires and protecting themselves by keeping the Kindred a secret. In doing so they have formed a series of traditions. The most important among these being the tradition of the Masquerade. The traditions are as follows:

THE MASQUERADE:
Thou shalt not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims of Blood.

Vampires should not, in any way, let their vampiric nature be known to mortals. This prohibits everything from something as extreme as using flashy disciplines in public to something as relatively common-place as taking multiple fatal wounds and remaining obviously alive.

THE DOMAIN:
Thy domain is thy concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word in thy domain.

In modern nights, only the Prince claims domain. This tradition is therefore interpreted to mean that one must obey the Prince in all things.

THE PROGENY:
Thou shalt sire another one with permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine elder's leave, both thou and thy progeny shall be slain.

Vampires may only Embrace another with the Prince's permission.

THE ACCOUNTING:
Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be released thou shalt command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.

Until those Embraced are deemed knowledgeable enough to be held responsible for their own actions, their sires will be held responsible for their actions.

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.

When a vampire comes to a new city, they must present themselves to the Prince.

DESTRUCTION:
Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right of destruction belongeth only to thine elder. Only the eldest among thee shall call the blood hunt.

Killing other vampires should be done only at the Prince's command.

 

[dmronny]

Re: The Traditions

Basic knowledge and rumours that you have learned form River.

You are aware of the basic idea of generation.

You have a satisfactory understanding of how vampire physiology works. (Blood is good. Fire and sunlight are bad.)

You are aware that staking does not actually kill a vampire but only renders them paralyzed, and that a staked vampire is conscious for the duration of their immobility provided that they do not fall into torpor. You know that torpor is a sort of vampiric hibernation which kindred enter due to ennui, starvation, or injury; and that a torpid vampire can remain dormant for centuries before reawakening.

You know of "the Beast", a name for the base impulses to feed and kill that is present within all vampires. You are familiar with the mechanics of Frenzy and Rötschrek in reaction to certain stimuli. You have heard rumors of a condition known as the wassail or wightdom, which is the result of the Beast forever taking hold. Any kindred reaching this state is quickly put to final death.

You are familiar with the concept of "The Kiss", the ecstasy that feeding brings. You know it is shared both by the vampire who feeds and by the mortal (or other creature) which is fed from.

You know roughly what a blood bond or blood oath is and know it's probably best to avoid it.

You know that a ghoul is a human or animal who regularly imbibes the blood of a vampire and hence gains some of the benefits of vampirism (slowed aging, supernatural strength) without receiving the full impact of the curse of Caine. You know that many Kindred employ such individuals as servitors, retainers, or guards during the day.

You are familiar with the 13 Clans by name. You have a decent, if somewhat stereotyped, idea of what the Brujah, Gangrel, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere, and Ventrue clans are like. You have a basic, if somewhat stereotyped, idea of what the Assamite, Lasombra, Malkavian, Ravnos, and Tzimisce clans are like. You have almost no knowledge accept for rumours of what the Giovanni and the Followers of Set are like.

You have also heard of the caitiff or clanless thinbloods, and know that they are hunted and put to final death if found in a domain. You also have heard of the Panders or the clanless thinbloods of the Sabbat, who have gained something close to an equal status as a clan in that sect.

You are aware of the two major Sects, the Camarilla and the Sabbat and know the gist of their basic ideologies. You are also aware that there is a third sect the Anarchs, who are mostly made up of younger kindred who wish to be left out of the politics and the wars of the elders.

You are somewhat familiar with the general effects of the eight basic Disciplines (Auspex, Animalism, Dominate, Celerity, Fortitude, Obfuscate, Potence, Presence).

You are familiar with and can recite the six traditions.


Additional myths, knowledge, and rumours that Alexander explained as a favor to River.

You have heard that the mythical progenitor of vampires is the biblical Caine, who slew his brother Abel.

You have heard that there is a myth that the endtimes will come for all vampires when the Antediluvians reawaken, and that this event shall be known as Gehenna. Though it was very strongly stressed that it is nothing more than a myth invented by the Sabbat to control their sectmates.

You have heard of the First Anarch Revolt, an uprising during the dark ages during which the younger underclass of vampires rose up and tried to overthrow their elders. You know that both the Sabbat and Camarilla formed as a result of this.

You have been told that the Camarilla was created for the purpose of protecting all Kindred from the threat of mankind through the institution of the Masquerade.

You know that each Camarilla Domain is ruled by a Prince, and that within that region his/her word is Law. You know that only the Prince can grant the right of Destruction, the right of Creation, and/or formal recognition within his Domain. (Prince Ken, Ventrue.)

You know all of the basic posts typically held under a Camarilla Princeship. These include:
The Seneschal, who serves as the Prince's right hand and manages the mundane affairs of the Domain. (none.)
The Keeper of Elysium, who is responsible for maintaining the sanctity of any given Elysia. (none.)
The Harpy, who arbitrates and records status and boons. (Alexander Monroe.)
The Sheriff, who is responsible for maintaining the laws of the Domain. (Jack.)
The Scourge, who has the unpleasant task of tracking down and killing unrecognized Kindred and Caitiff within the area. (Vincent.)

You know that a Primogen stands as representative for their Clan in a Domain, and that an assembled Primogen Council advises the Prince on matters of State.

You have heard rumours about the existence of the Inner Circle: a secret cabal who supposedly comprise the ruling elite of the Camarilla. The Justicariate: a group of six representatives for the Camarilla clans who form the public face of Camarilla authority and report directly to the Inner Council. The Archons: spies, investigators and agents in the service of a Justicar.

You know that the blood hunt, also called the Lex Talonis, is an irrevocable decree which requires all members of a domain to work to bring a Kindred to final death.

You know about the tradition of Elysium, a location or group of locations that are considered to be under a "Pax Vampirica" of sorts. You know that Elysia are considered neutral ground and that no violence or destruction of "art" may take place upon such grounds.

You understand the basic idea of the prestation (status) system, and understand what boons are.

 

[Sinfulwolf]

Re: Basic Knowledge

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The link about boons for anyone needing a refresher. Sorry if I'm stepping on toes Ronny.

EDIT: No problem. I would also like to add in this one so you get an idea of why status is important and how Camarilla law works.

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-Ronny