Station and Status in the Ivory Tower
(Please note this is from the BNS book, and has not yet been edited to fit BAMverse)
Individuals rise through the Camarilla’s ranks based on patronage, merit, and supporting the status quo.
Contents
Social Station
Within the Camarilla, an individual’s private worth is determined first by her generation and longevity within the sect and as a vampire. Elders have created, defended, and perpetuated a system that gives them more advantages, and ancillae are more privileged than neonates. The inequities between social stations make a great deal of difference to the Kindred of the Ivory Tower, and have been the cause of much friction between Kindred over the centuries.
Elder of the Camarilla
It is whispered that the true power of the Camarilla lies squarely in the hands of the elders. This rank is not a formal office, but is a globally recognized social station awarded to those cunning and potent enough to walk the halls of power and politics as an elder. Many elders privately feel that a strong central Camarilla authority is unnecessary and that any real attempt to impose more regulation on a bunch of ancient and powerful Kindred would only meet with disaster. Nor are they at all pleased by what many of them see as naked power grabs by avaricious and self-interested Justicars. These ancient Kindred subtly maneuver byzantine plots behind the scenes in endless skirmishes in the Jyhad.
Elders often leverage their great power and influence out of fear to oppress the young into their service, as many bitterly remember the bloody nights of the Anarch Revolts.
Neonates naturally chafe under such treatment and grow jealous of the elders’ positions and power. The sheer weight of their prestige creates a glass ceiling that drives many seeking their own fortunes to the Anarch Movement.
To be considered an elder of the Camarilla, a vampire must be of a potent generation (Pretender Elder, Master Elder, or Luminary Elder) and have been known to be active for at least 300 years.
An elder of the Camarilla gains the abiding status traits Confirmed, Established, and Privileged. Note: Kindred can only claim abiding status from a single source at one time. Serafino might be the Harpy of his domain and an elder of the Camarilla, but he can only claim the benefits of one source of abiding status at a time.
Ancilla of the Camarilla
The largest body of vampires within the Camarilla are ancillae. To be considered an ancilla of the Camarilla, a vampire must be of the 10th generation or better, and have been known to be active for at least 50 years.
An ancilla of the Camarilla gains the abiding status trait Confirmed. Note: Kindred can only claim abiding status from a single source at one time. Duela might be the Primogen of her clan and an ancilla of the Camarilla, but she can only claim the benefits of one source of abiding status at a time.
Neonate of the Camarilla
The youngest and newest vampires of the Camarilla are the neonates. A neonate of the Camarilla gains no abiding status from her social rank.
