Post by Kaspar Alsergrund on Oct 16, 2015 18:41:44 GMT
This is primarily directed at the Neonates of Court of Red Deer.
These are my opinions, that I have formed over generations. They are opinions that were voiced at the initial gathering at the Convention of Thorns, of which I was an Architect, and thus, do have a unique perspective on.
There are levels to Camarilla society, those levels permit certain things, frown on certain things, and outright forbid certain things.
The first part of every Camarilla Kindred's existence is:
The Accounting
Different Clans may call it different things, but essentially, it is all the same, this is where the Sire teaches the Childe the aspects of Kindred and Camarilla Society. During this time they learn the Traditions (which I am sure everyone is aware), the use of Status, and the importance of Boons.
Until you are Released by your Sire you are under their Accounting. They are responsible for your mistakes and indiscretions. Once you are Released you are considered a functioning member of Camarilla Society. If you do not have a complete understanding then that is the fault of your Sire. You are still responsible for your mistakes. Ignorance is not an excuse.
Some Clans are very formal in this, the Ventrue and Tremere are the best examples, some are much more, shall we say, fluid, in what they permit, with the Gangrel and Brujah being primary examples of this extreme.
This is reflected in the tolerance that the Camarilla Society gives these particular Clans. Ventrue are held to the highest standard both by their own Clan, and the Camarilla as a whole, while the Brujah are given greater leeway due to their, stereotypical, anti-establishment views. There is still a minimum expectation of propriety. Yes, different Clans are typically held to different standards. That is the way of it.
Now, I am going to assume that everyone knows the Traditions:
1) The Masquerade
2) Domain
3) Progeny
4) Accounting
5) Hospitality
6) Destruction
If you do not, let me know, and I will be happy to elucidate.
The second thing to learn within our Camarilla Society is the application of Status. Status is very important as it is a gauge on where an individual Kindred stands within society, it shows which Kindred speaks for that Kindred, and it gives a very clear understanding of how individual Kindred should be treated. There are no hard and fast rules here and status can come from a number of different places, but rest assured, they all matter, and they are all taken into account. I will attempt to show the generalities.
1) Positional
2) Age
3) Fleeting
The above is, generally speaking, the weight that is given to Status. Ignoring the Status is done at your own peril as there are very specific consequences and latitudes.
Elders are Confirmed, Established and Privileged. This gives them some benefits that are not enjoyed by those that have yet to prove themselves within the Camarilla. Yes, it is age-based, but the Elders have proven themselves within the Camarilla for centuries. Neonates have not had the opportunity nor the time to prove themselves. Doing one thing against the Sabbat may earn your a fleeting reputation of Courageous, but it takes centuries of existence to Confirm your Status.
Confirmed - Because of centuries of existence an Elder's word is given more weight and he can approach any Officer without an introduction. They have earned that right. What this means is that if you do not have the Status you are NOT permitted to approach an Officer of the Court without an introduction. It is that simple. Neonates show respect to the Officers by this. Yet, Officers are constantly being approached by Neonates without the respect or deference that those Officers have earned.
Established - Elders have Established their reputation over centuries, not over years or even decades. Consequently, an Elder's word carries more weight. The Elder has experienced more, seen more and considered more. Thus, to publically, attack, threaten or insult and Established Elder could and should be punished. If you do not like this, ask yourself, who are you to PUBLICALLY insult or threaten this Elder. You have done nothing of note for the Camarilla. You who have existed, perhaps only years or a few decades. When you have accomplished something. When you have proven yourself time and time again, then you too will have earned your respect. Again, doing a few missions against the Sabbat pales in comparison to what your Elder has done. You want to Establish yourself...prove yourself both in action and in word...and do it for a few centuries. Then you will have Established yourself, until then, keep your insults to yourself
Privileged - This is where most neonates have a problem. Elders, like it or not, have been known to...stretch the truth. However, if any of you have been to any diplomatic meetings, you will know the importance of face. Did you attend the Promise of the Giovanni in 1528? No? Something more recent perhaps, the surrender of the Japanese at the end of the Second World War. It was all about face. Things that can't be said in public can be said in private. Offending a powerful Elder by accusing them of lying causes more problems than the lie itself does. That is the Privilege of being an Elder...the Fundamental power base. Is it unfair? In the eyes of the recently Embraced? Yes. In the eyes of the Elder? No. The Elder has spent centuries building up their power, that is the point. Just because the neonate has not had the time to build their own structure, is no reason to try and disrupt society as a whole.
The above holds true for Officers as well, as most are Elders, but even those that are not, have earned that spot.
You will note that the word "publically" featured in my above explanations. This is not to say that things do not happen behind closed doors, away from the prying eyes of Camarilla Society as a whole.
If you have questions, ask them, but ask them with proper deference and respect. Ask them behind closed doors. Ask them with the understanding that it is LIKELY that the Officer and/or Elder has made such a decision for a reason beyond your immediate understanding. Ask them with the understanding that the Officer and/or Elder are not under any obligation to answer. You are not obligated to agree with that decision, but you are under obligation to follow that decision.
If you do not like it, do something about it. Elders are not infallible. Elders are not perfect. But, Elders have likely done it before, while you have not.
Finally, are the Clanless. By their very nature the Clanless are permitted almost no Status within the Camarilla. The Clanless suffer under a permanent Greater Status Ban. This means that even if a Kindred wishes to support and speak for the Clanless one, they cannot formally given them that support. The Clanless cannot carry more than 1 Fleeting Status. None will speak for the Clanless, none should. They have nothing to back their claims. They have nothing within our society. They are the shunned, they are pariah. They are fortunate they are suffered to exist. I remind those that are Neonates, that purges of the Clanless are regular. That is one of the reasons for the position of Scourge. To support a pariah, even peripherally, is to invite that same scorn and venom that is properly heaped upon the Clanless. Think long and hard before you try to buck all of Camarilla Society for the fate of such a one.
Personally, I welcome questions. Generally, I am happy to explain my reasoning for things. I am happy to hear other opinions and I may even change my opinions based on what others say. But if you come to me with a chip on your shoulder, if you come to me with arrogance, if you come to me with anger, if you come to me with self-righteousness why would I want to take the time to listen to you? It is all in the approach.
Ask your questions. Just do so correctly, that is how you learn.
I have tried to make this clear. if I haven't feel free to ask.
Regent Kaspar, Noble Primogen to Prince RICHTOR of the Court of Red Deer, a Confirmed, Established, Privileged and Sanctioned Architect of the Camarilla.
