BY KRAIG BLACKWELDER, CHRISTOPHER GUNNING,

ARI MARMELLAND CYNTHIA SUMMERS

VAMPIRE CREATED BY MARK REIN•HAGEN
1
CREDITS
Written by: Kraig Blackwelder, Christopher Gunning,
Ari Marmell and Cynthia Summers. Vampire and the
World of Darkness created by Mark Rein•Hagen.
S t o r y t e l l e r G a m e S y s t e m D e s i g n : Mark
Rein•Hagen
Developed by: Justin Achilli
Editor: Janice Sellers
Art Director: Richard Thomas
Layout & Typesetting: Kieran Yanner
Interior Art: Vince Locke, Mike Danza
and Matt Mitchell
Front Cover Art: Mike Danza
Front & Back Cover Design: Kieran Yanner

© 2003 White Wolf Publishing, Inc. All

rights reserved. Reproduction without the
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and for blank character sheets, which may be
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Reckoning, World of Darkness and Aberrant
are registered trademarks of White Wolf Pub-
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2
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER 10

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE 50
CHAPTER THREE: SHAKING THE FOUNDATION 80

CHAPTER FOUR: WHO HOLDS THE REINS 94

CHAPTER FIVE: STORYTELLING 110

3
 INTRODUCTION

To rule is easy, to govern difficult.

— Johann W. von Goethe

They dwell at the heights of Kindred society, They are the primogen — and as long as the
where the shadows are thickest and the voices of gullible neonates on the street believe crap like this,
the fledglings fade to barely audible echoes, too faint they’ll stay firmly on the top of the heap.
to draw attention. They are the true movers of the We haven’t, to date, said all that much about
Camarilla, directing Kindred affairs from on high, the primogen. Even the Guide to the Camarilla
their puppets twitching and dancing on endless devotes only a few paragraphs to them directly,
invisible strings. They are old, with the wisdom and that silence has engendered an unfortunate
of ages past and the might acquired through cen- tendency toward apathy, or at least inertia, among
turies of struggle. At their merest gesture, sheriffs Storytellers. Many players and Storytellers seem
and scourges leap, blood is shed and Kindred meet inclined to dismiss the primogen as squabbling elders
Final Death. Even the prince must pay heed to their (which, admittedly, they often are) who, in terms
words, for in their hands rests his own borrowed of political importance, play a distant second fiddle
authority. Experts in the manipulations and the to more prestigious or focused positions such as the
ways of the Jyhad, they are the epitome, the very scourge, the sheriff, the seneschal and, of course,
embodiment, of the Camarilla’s twisted heart. the prince.

INTRODUCTION
5
 Time was when the primogen were figures of cal Kindred to recognize more than one Toreador
mystery, of awe, even of outright terror. In the early primogen. For every senate-like body that formally
days of Vampire, elders were frightening — and the presents its decisions and findings to the prince for
primogen feared above them all. These ancient, his approval, you’ll find a primogen council consist-
enigmatic creatures, centuries removed from any- ing of conniving, manipulating plotters who make
thing that once made them human, were a constant every attempt to run the city for their own benefit
presence looming over entire cities. Every move behind the prince’s back.
the characters made almost certainly intersected It’s time to take a closer look at the structure
with their own schemes and efforts, and while the and the inner workings of these assemblies of elder
notion of being constantly used and manipulated vampires that direct so much of the world’s largest
may be repugnant, it was preferable by far to the undead sect. It’s time to make it very clear just what
hideous thought that you might have accidentally the primogen aren’t, and what they are.
interfered with one of the primogen’s Machiavel- What they are is a truth hidden in the thick
lian intrigues. miasma of lies and rumors and misinformation that
As additional books and even editions came still keep quaking neonates awake late into the day.
and went, however, the political focus of Vampire Because the primogen are old. The primogen are
shifted ever so slightly. The spotlight narrowed masters at the game of the Jyhad. The primogen are
more tightly on the prince, obviously the central concocting all sorts of schemes as they look down
figure in most Kindred social orders to begin with. upon the Camarilla from on high.
Other titles and positions arose, each with its own The primogen are terrifying.
delineated duties and activities. The primogen Ignore them, or dismiss them, at your own
were overshadowed by sheriffs and seneschals, not peril.
because these positions are any more important or
powerful — they are, in most instances, far less so
— but because they’re easier to define. Players, even
Storytellers, have no need to question their purpose.
THEME AND MOOD
It would be easy — perhaps too easy — to
Any given sheriff may have her own agenda, but turn a book entitled “Counsel of Primogen” into
the specifics of her office are almost certainly the a treatise about how power corrupts, and absolute
same as the sheriff in the next city over, or in the power results in pithy clichés. We’re not going
previous chronicle. to do that. Counsel of Primogen isn’t about how
In order to fit in more easily, the primogen power corrupts, because we’re dealing with Kindred
became, in the eyes of many players and writers here, and, for the most part, elder Kindred. They’re
alike, a regimented organization with fixed rules already corrupt, so far as that word has any meaning
and procedures. If more than X members of Clan for the unliving.
Y dwelt in a city, they had a representative among No, the theme of this book is balance. Each
the primogen. Each clan was permitted a single primogen — from the power-hungry, self-serving
voice; the council met and debated on a set sched- manipulator to the bumbling incompetent who
ule, either supporting or opposing the prince with serves on the council purely at the whim of some
almost clockwork precision. other figure to the rare and precious few who actu-
Why haven’t we said much about the primogen ally do want to see their clanmates receive the best
in the past? Because with this sort of regimented, representation possible — is caught in a juggling
moderated, let’s-redraw-the-map-to-enlarge-the- act. Duty, ambition and authority are the three
Brujah-district notion of the primogen, there simply machetes each primogen has to keep circling in
wasn’t that much to say. the air above his head, and while each may find his
The thing is, widespread stereotypes to the own balance, even the most crooked schemer can’t
contrary, that’s not how the primogen need to be afford to ignore any of them completely. This applies
used. Oh, certainly some primogen councils do in- not merely to what the primogen do but to their
deed operate in this fashion. For every council with initial motives as well. Why do those Kindred who
precisely one representative for each clan in a city, claim the title of primogen do it? Every primogen,
however, you’re going to find another where none in every city, claims that title because of some bal-
of the Nosferatu felt like participating, or where ance of these same three factors: duty to her fellow
the Toreador are numerous enough to force the lo- Kindred, the need for authority over those Kindred
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
6
to better advance some other scheme or desire, or
simple, selfish ambition. Once you understand why
someone sits on the council, everything else about
her tends to fall into place.
The mood of Council of Primogen is twofold.
We’re taking you back, back to the nights when
the elders of the primogen were dark, menac-
ing creatures, figures of awe and fear rather than
political necessity. Every shadow holds another
rival. Every act you contemplate almost certainly
fits neatly into the plans of an elder more ancient
than your family name, who thinks in ways so alien
that you could never hope to understand him. Most
hideously of all, each of these inscrutable monsters
is almost assuredly nothing more than the pawn of
yet another creature, cloaked even further in the
veil of deepest night.
Mystery is the goal here, as much as fear. One
of the reasons elders in general, and the primogen
in particular, were so frightening in earlier incar-
nations of Vampire: The Masquerade was because
so much less of the World of Darkness had been
explained and exposed in print. It’s high time to
reclaim some of that obscurity and that mystery.
Kick it old-school.
“Wait a sec!” we hear you say. (Go ahead
and say it. We’re running with this assumption
anyway, and besides, it’ll really freak out the guy
sitting next to you.) “You’re going to recreate
some of the mystery from before there were so
many Vampire books by giving us another book?
How does that work?!”
Think about it. You haven’t even read through
the introduction to Counsel of Primogen yet, and
already many of you know less about the primogen
than you did when you picked up this book. All you
can be sure of, suddenly, is that the common and
traditional view of these elders is no longer accurate;
in fact, it never was. What follows explains what the
primogen do and how they go about doing it — but
it does not, cannot, cover the full spectrum of who
they are, what their ulterior motives and ultimate
goals may be.
At the end of it all, you’ll have a much greater
understanding of the primogen, true enough — and
also a much greater realization that no mere neo-
nate, let alone the (relatively) normal mortal gamer
who is portraying him, can possibly fathom the true
depths of the machinations and the depravity of
these ancients.
Welcome back to the mystery. We’ve been
expecting you.
INTRODUCTION
7
WITHIN SPECIALIZED VOCABULARY
THESE PAGES… The primogen across the Camarilla do-
mains have developed a few specialized terms,
Revealing everything you need to know (though a collection of titles and subjects pertaining
not remotely everything you might want to know) directly to the agents and activities of the
about these elders called primogen is a daunting council. None of these are particularly secret
task under the best of circumstances. It would be — that is, the primogen make little effort to
all but impossible to structure what follows in such hide their meaning from other Kindred — but
a way as to make a clear delineation between com- neither are they commonly encountered or
mon knowledge that most Kindred on the street used outside the ranks of the council itself.
might have, and more esoteric information that Myrmidon: Originally the precursors to the
only more experienced elders, perhaps primogen archons, tonight the title refers to a bodyguard
alone, should possess. or enforcer working for a specific primogen.
Frankly, neonates should know almost nothing Primogeniture Assembly, the: The name
of what follows. To most of them, the primogen Lord Jürgen von Verden gave to his council
are that mysterious, cloud-shrouded coven on the of advisors and aids, from which the term
mountaintop (or in the skyscraper penthouse), “primogen” evolved.
pulling strings and plotting all sorts of vileness.
Scribe: The individual responsible for
More experienced characters might have a better
recording the important points of meetings
notion of what happens within the council, and
of more formal and structured primogen
primogen characters, of course, probably know at
councils.
least most of this information.
Senate: Initially the title of the elder
While this is not, then, a Storyteller-only book,
councils in ancient Rome, modern primogen
it does contain substantial information that many
often use the term to refer to any earlier or
characters shouldn’t have. We’ll leave it to your
primitive form of Kindred council.
discretion as to whether you’re going to expose the
secrets by reading what follows — or just gain an Steward: Something of a subset of the
edge against your fellow primogen. Keeper of Elysium, the steward is responsible
for maintaining and protecting the meeting
Chapter One: Hallowed Halls of Power is
place of those primogen who choose to gather
the core of Counsel of Primogen, the main course,
outside the recognized Elysiums (and thus
as it were. In this chapter you’ll find the most basic
away from the eyes of the prince).
and yet the most vital information on the primogen.
What exactly do they do? How do they operate? What
decisions do they make, what sorts of actions can
they initiate? What are they for? Read this chapter, detailing and discussing many of the anomalies to
and you’ll never be stuck with “Uhh… the primogen the “standard” structure of the council. Unusual or
advise the prince on… some stuff!” again. downright bizarre clans and bloodlines — can there
be an Assamite or a Samedi on the council? — are
Chapter Two: Around the Table covers the
addressed, as are variations on the makeup of the
“how” to chapter one’s “what.” It explains how the
council itself.
primogen go about enforcing their decisions, or at
least persuading others to go along with them. What Chapter Four: Who Holds the Reins is the
are the tricks of the trade? What separates a Kindred character creation chapter. This does not include
who merely claims the title from one who actually another brand-new creation or point-allocation
gets things done? What’s likely to befall the poor system; a new system is unnecessary. Instead, the
idiots who find themselves in the way? chapter covers the development of concepts, char-
acter histories and personalities that best fit with
We’ve already hammered home the point
the concept of the primogen. It includes new facets,
that the primogen council is not a homogenous,
new Merits and Flaws, and an in-depth discussion of
one-dimensional elder’s club; Chapter Three:
the morality (or lack thereof) to be found in most
Shaking the Foundations runs with that concept,
primogen.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
8
 Finally, the ubiquitous Storytelling chapter. whose machinations must be thwarted (or simply sur-
Chapter Five contains tips and suggestions for running vived) — all these and more are discussed with an eye
any sort of chronicle involving the primogen. From toward enabling the Storyteller to create as gripping
elder chronicles in which the players portray a city’s a story as possible. With this chapter you can do just
entire council to “staggered” stories involving a single about anything you like with the primogen. Be careful,
primogen and his agents, to non-Camarilla chronicles though; no matter how devious your plot may be, you’re
in which the primogen are the hideous elder enemy probably doing exactly what they want you to.

INTRODUCTION
9
 CHAPTER ONE:
HALLOWED HALLS
OF POWER

For in reason, all government without the consent of the

governed is the very definition of slavery.
— Jonathan Swift

Schoolchildren are often surprised, even shocked to The shocking fact is, most primogen spend the
the very core of their beings, to run into their English greater portion of their time doing the same things
teacher at the supermarket, or their algebra teacher other elder Kindred do: feeding, pursuing their own
down at the local YMCA swimming pool. In their agendas, strengthening their influence and resources,
naïve, one-dimensional view of the world, their teach- maneuvering and backstabbing to advance their social
ers’ entire existence revolves around school; they have standing and in essence making themselves the most
no life, indeed no substance, beyond the classroom. effective societal parasites they can be. The concerns
The notion that teachers are people can be, for these of “governing,” in the eyes of many primogen, come in
children, profoundly disturbing. a distant second on the priority list.
Considering how much older they are than the aver- Remember that. It doesn’t apply to all primogen,
age kindergartener, it’s astounding how many Kindred by any means. But if you keep in the back of your mind
(and, to call a spade a spade, how many players) seem the notion that many of them, even most of them,
to hold an equally limited view of the primogen. have a dozen other things going that have nothing to
Before we even delve into the murky depths of these do with running a city or speaking for a clan, you’re
councils of elders, one vital point must be addressed. most likely better off.
The primogen, first and foremost, above and beyond The primogen, as all other Kindred, are individuals
all other considerations, are still Kindred. first and titles second.

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

11
 INFORMAL OCCASIONS
Another facet of the position of primogen that should be noted if you really hope to understand
these elders — or at least to understand what it is that you don’t understand — is that the title doesn’t
really mean much of anything.
Think about it. Justicar, archon, sheriff, scourge… they all have very specific duties, tasks they must
perform, jobs to carry out. Even the whip, for all that many elders see the position as something of an
“also ran,” has a specific job description: “Assist your primogen.”
The primogen themselves, however, have little in the way of concrete responsibilities. Sure, they’re
supposed to “speak for their clans,” but uncountable interpretations of that “duty” exist. As long as the
right Kindred are happy with a given primogen’s performance (or at least as long as those who aren’t
happy lack the power to do anything about it), these elders really have precious little they’re specifi-
cally required to do.
Pay close attention to that key word: “specifically.” Gaining the title of primogen is most assur-
edly not an excuse to laze about and do nothing. The position is no less fraught with difficulty, no less
important and certainly no less powerful than any of the above. It is, however, far less formal, far less
codified and thus far more open to interpretation.
Primogen are not, under most conditions, appointed by the prince, though exceptions do exist,
in cities that claim particularly powerful and despotic princes. Similarly, most aren’t elected by any
specific group of “constituents” and thus need not worry about being voted out (although, again,
exceptions exist in particularly democratic Kindred communities). Finally, while most princes can
be relatively certain that several ambitious Kindred are constantly watching for the slightest slip-up,
yearning to take their places, the position of primogen — while still quite enviable — doesn’t invite
the same sort of ambition. What this means is that the primogen rarely have to answer to anyone
with the direct and formal power to remove them, nor do they labor under the constant threat of
usurpation. In most cities and under most circumstances, it requires a concerted action by multiple
elders to remove a primogen from her position, an undertaking only rarely worth the hassle. This lack
of a bona fide superior — even the prince can be said to be “above” the primogen only by a matter
of degrees — makes it nearly impossible for an outside authority to impose a unified set of rules or
restrictions on the primogen councils of the Camarilla. In that respect, the primogen have a level of
freedom to pursue their goals and their duties in whatever manner they choose that most other titled
Camarilla officials, even the princes or the justicars themselves, often lack.
This makes the primogen largely unpredictable, for all that other Kindred tend to pigeonhole them
as advisors. Perhaps the only universal aspect to all primogen is that whether they’re fulfilling what
they see as their duties or using their position to further their own ends, they’re rarely going to act in
the way you expect.
Unless they want you to think you have them pegged.…

Everybody — well, almost everybody — thinks of knows it so well, nobody bothers to question what it
the primogen as a collection of stuffy elders who advise actually means anymore. How do the primogen “advise”
the prince. It’s true, by and large, as far as it goes. It’s the prince? What do they advise him on? How do they
also true to say, “Vampires are humanlike creatures know what suggestions best benefit their clanmates?
who drink blood.” Yeah, it’s true, but it doesn’t really What else do they do besides sit around and kibitz?
tell you much of anything. Quite a bit, actually. The primogen, left unchecked,
“Advise” is one of those words that, at least where are some of the scariest sons (and daughters) of bitches
Vampire: The Masquerade is concerned, has been you’re ever going to have the misfortune to meet. Before
unfortunately watered down through overuse. It’s rather we discuss what they are, however, let’s take a moment
like “control” or “corrupt” in that regard. Everybody to examine how they got there.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
12
A BRIEF modeled after the Roman Senate (albeit much smaller,
of course). He desired at least one representative of
LOOK BACK each clan to claim a reasonable population within
the Roman Empire, preferably more. He also needed
The primogen council in its current form is a recent a means of selecting Senators that would prevent the
development — recent in Kindred terms, anyway — as ascension of anyone powerful enough to challenge his
it first seemed to coalesce in the years following the supremacy, yet one that would not open him up to ac-
formation of the Camarilla. The notion of a council of cusations of favoritism.
elders, however, can be traced back far longer, and the His eventual solution was simple yet elegant.
seeds of the primogen were planted well before most Anyone who wished to claim a seat on this “Cainite
major modern religions. Senate” could step forward. He then, however, had to
be elected by a vote of every other prospective sena-
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC tor. The votes of his own clanmates counted twice,
Strangely enough, the closest model to the modern weighting any given election toward the desires of the
interpretation of the primogen sprang briefly into exis- clan being represented. Furthermore, candidates were
tence during the fourth century B.C. in republican Rome. not permitted a vote.
The Ventrue Collat, who was present and active when The result was a senate full of squabbling, boon-
Rome first threw off its Etruscan rulers and became a Latin laden elders who were in no position to challenge
state, functioned as the Cainite Prince of Rome for several Collat’s own power. Because every election inevitably
centuries until he was replaced (some say assassinated) involved more candidates than it did open positions,
by Camilla, his successor. During his princedom, Collat the political maneuvering required substantial deal-
realized swiftly that in the chaos of new government and making and compromise. This ensured that the victors
the beginnings of Roman expansion, no one vampire of the elections were, to the last, not the most quali-
could steer Cainite society on his own. fied, but the least threatening. As the Ventrue prince
Borrowing from the kine around him, as all wise had anticipated, upon learning that they could not
Cainites do, the Ventrue created a council of Cainites vote for themselves, the elders each voted for those

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

13
they thought would be easily influenced from behind
the scenes, or those whom they assumed nobody else TRIBAL CULTURES
would vote for and thus couldn’t possibly win. Collat
had what princes of the modern world could only wish Actually, it would be more accurate to say
for — an advisory council that was truly in a position that no large-scale formal body of elders existed
to do absolutely nothing other than advise. Collat again for some centuries. Rome may have been
cemented his position even further by granting the the greatest power in the Western world for much
senate the ability to overrule his decisions, but only of its existence, but it was hardly the entirety
with an absolutely unanimous vote. Since the odds of of that world.
these squabbling Cainites all agreeing on anything were On the isles of Britannia, in the Scandina-
somewhat less than the odds of Collat himself becoming vian north, even among the native tribes on the
a sun-worshipper, his power was secure. yet-to-be-discovered New World, Cainites dwelt
This “senate” of Collat’s lasted only as long as he amid numerous tribes of people the Romans
did. When Camilla became Prince of Rome, he dis- would no doubt have classified as barbarians.
banded his predecessor’s council of advisors. Camilla Many of these cultures operated in various tribal
was far more heavily involved with Rome’s mortal or clan-oriented fashions, and while many were
government than Collat had been, maneuvering for led by a single chief or shaman, others were
seats on the Roman Senate rather than worrying about governed by a council of clan elders.
his own. Although he continued to solicit advice from Once again, the Cainites of the time stole
the elders around him, no formal body of elders existed shamelessly from their “food.” Kindred anthro-
again for some centuries. pologists and archaeologists studying ancient
Throughout the existence of the Roman Republic Cainite interaction with primitive cultures have
and the Roman Empire, then, any advice a prince or determined a substantial historical correlation
elder solicited from his fellows was largely informal, — better than 85 percent — between forms
and most alliances between elders were aimed at ac- of mortal government and the forms of nearby
complishing a specific, short-term goal. Again, that’s Kindred societies. Cultures and regions ruled
short-term as the undead measure such things. The by a single mortal ruler tended to have strong
Kindred are creatures of inertia and the status quo, and Kindred princes; areas ruled by councils, or in
this tendency didn’t change until the world itself was which the single monarch was surrounded by
reshaped in a new, far more fragmented image. powerful helpers and advisors, tended to have
councils of vampires sharing (or more often
THE DARK AGES, squabbling) for control.
THE LONG NIGHT This tendency actually faded somewhat
as the modern nights approached, particularly
AND THE WAR OF PRINCES from the late nineteenth century onward. More
Once again, we see that as go the kine, so go the on this below.
Kindred. When Western civilization broke apart and
reformed as a collection of squabbling, culturally defi-
cient states, baronies and principalities, the notion of in the domains of multiple fiefdoms in Transylvania.
the far-reaching “over-prince” went with it. Cainites Some Kindred historians suggest that the Council of
who had claimed dominion over the largest cities — in Ashes led, in fact, to the eventual formation of the
some cases, whole portions of empires — now lorded Camarilla some three centuries later.
over a few hundred acres of land, a dozen peasant villages Other elders banded together for the exact oppo-
or, if they were truly lucky, a single city that hunkered, site reason: namely, a great prince who had heretofore
frightened, within its dilapidated defensive walls. proven untouchable was now vulnerable to the machi-
This perceived weakening of the very title and posi- nations of his rivals if they could manage to cooperate
tion of prince led rapidly to the growth of elder coteries. long enough to take him down. Once these aggressive
Some banded together out of mutual defense, realizing coteries had succeeded in seizing the domain they de-
that each alone was incapable of defending her domain sired, of course, they were left with a dilemma. They
from enemies who might seek to reestablish a widespread either had to divide the domain up into smaller regions,
sphere of influence. Perhaps the most famous of these, one for each of them; or they had to find some means
if not the most successful, was the Ventrue-dominated of determining which of them should claim the region
Council of Ashes, founded in 1150 to maintain order entire as prince; or they had to agree to share author-
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
14
ity and function as a unified council, rather than as Elder coteries still existed, and some still thrived, but
individual sovereigns. in the martial atmosphere and constant warfare in
Perhaps surprisingly, a substantial number of these which many Cainites dwelt, the ascension of individual
elder coteries chose the third option. Some did indeed overlords once more became the paramount method
divide their territory, but these tiny domains were so of vampiric authority and status. The Cainites simply
small as to be practically indefensible, and many such felt, by and large, that they now had more to gain by
“mini-princes” wound up reuniting with one another for conquering their own domains than in cooperating
defensive purposes. Some few attempted to determine with neighbors as one among equals.
which of them would head the domain, with the others THE PRIMOGENITURE ASSEMBLY
serving as advisors, but this could rarely be accomplished
without bloodshed. Shared authority seemed to be the The Ventrue Lord Jürgen von Verden, Prince of
only way for all parties involved to come out of the Magdeburg and the power behind a massive division
struggle with some modicum of real power and some of the Teutonic Knights, is believed to have coined
small degree of safety from their fellows. (or at least inspired) the actual term “primogen.” On
several different occasions during his wars of expansion
Nobody was more surprised than the elders them-
(including but not limited to his abortive attempt at
selves when these elder councils actually proved viable.
taking Transylvania from the Tzimisce), the Ven-
Over the length of the Long Night, several coteries of
true would assemble a council of allies and advisors
elders — such as the particularly well known cadre of
consisting of the eldest childer of his chief rivals and
Cainites who constructed the fortress at Tihuta Pass
enemies. He was never foolish about his choices; his
at the turn of the thirteenth century and held many of
agents approached only those who were truly ambi-
the surrounding territories — proved far more successful
tious and displayed little overt loyalty to their sires.
and powerful than many individual princes. (See the
Lord Jürgen would offer these Cainites their sires’ old
Transylvania Chronicles.)
domains, as long as they would aid him in taking the
COTERIES OR COVENS? territory and swear fealty to him as their overlord.
The aforementioned elder coteries were, by and Jürgen called this his “Primogeniture Assembly,”
large, informal affairs. The elders involved participated after the common European law of primogeniture, which
for their own purposes and only rarely formalized their declared that the eldest child (or, more frequently, the
relations through treaties. eldest son) of a family would inherit all its wealth and
The Tremere proved the primary exception to that properties. These assemblies rarely proved particularly
rule. Partially due to their system of numerical symbolism, effective — few of the Ventrue’s rivals had disloyal
but mostly because a lone Tremere lord was little more childer who proved particularly useful — and Jürgen
than a large target, the Warlocks made a habit, where eventually ceased using the tactic. Apparently, how-
possible, of placing even their smallest territories under ever, the use of the term “primogeniture” to refer to
group, rather than individual, authority. Nobody in the his elder advisors had stuck and even spread to other
Camarilla tonight acknowledges it, but it was likely the domains. Thus, if elder Kindred who tell this tale are to
Warlocks’ tenacious example, as much as any other histori- be believed, even when his advisors had nothing to do
cal precedent, that convinced the Founders and the early with being “firstborn” of anything, the title remained
princes that a recognized semiformal council of advisors and was eventually contracted to “primogen” in some
might prove prudent in the maintenance of a domain. regions.
Some individual princes, faced with the combined Other theoretical etymologies of the word exist,
might of a coterie of elders slavering to take their lands, including a belief held by a very few linguistically ori-
assembled a similar group of Cainites from their own ented Kindred who maintain that “primogen” in fact
territories as allies and advisors. These groups rarely predates the term “primogeniture” and its related words,
proved as effective as the coteries of equals, however, and that the mortals, in fact, borrowed the term from
because vampires are less inclined to labor on someone the Kindred, rather than the other way around. Still, the
else’s behalf than they are for their own goals. These story involving Jürgen is the most widely accepted.
councils of “military advisors” never really became
popular, but they’re worth mentioning because they do THE ANARCH REVOLT
bear a striking resemblance to modern primogen. The Sabbat and the anarchs of the modern nights
At the height of the War of Princes, the formation would probably be disgusted to the point of vomiting
of political councils had once again fallen into disfavor. blood to realize just how much influence their spiritual

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

15
 and the newly formed Sabbat, adopted or maintained
OTHER POSITIONS OF IMPORT the practice of surrounding themselves with a forum
It’s worth noting that several other Ca- of elder advisors. In an odd way, the very fact that the
marilla offices date back to the Anarch Revolt Camarilla itself was governed by a council made the
as well. Most notably, the forerunners of the assembly of a primogen far more acceptable to even
archons — Cainite soldiers called myrmidons the most status-conscious Kindred than it once had
— operated in the names of the Founders. See been. An unspoken sense of “If it’s good enough for the
Archons and Templars. Founders…” spread throughout much of the sect.
Because the princes wanted the most skilled (or
at least the most useful) of their compatriots on their
forebears, the original anarchs, had in shaping the
councils, they began the practice of offering substantial
Camarilla. It was during the Anarch Revolt, after all,
boons to members of the primogen council. Suddenly,
that many elders — not most, not even a majority, but
taking a seat at the prince’s table was more than just
a minority easily large enough to prove significant —
the ability to say “I advise the prince!” — a status-
once more gathered in coteries and worked together
boosting position in its own right. Now, the primogen
as advisory councils. Their impetus for such unheard-
were frequently granted valuable hunting domains
of cooperation had nothing whatsoever to do with a
and access to some of the prince’s plans before they
change in Cainite nature or society, no relation to
occurred. Most valuable, however, was the sharp rise in
the renaissance of culture and (to an extent) morality
influence Kindred could gain by becoming primogen.
that would sweep the mortal world in the relatively
The prince was under no obligation to heed her pri-
near future.
mogen’s advice, of course, but a coterie of elders often
No, the elders cooperated for the only reason that had sufficient combined power to bend their “lord” to
elders ever cooperate: out of fear. Fear of the anarchs their will. Even those with insufficient might to force
— or, more precisely, fear of the sizeable packs in which an issue could at least be relatively confident the prince
the anarchs operated — was enough to make even would hear them out before refusing their requests, as
normally arrogant and hostile elders band together for a prince who made a habit of ignoring his primogen
mutual defense. The death of Hardestadt the Elder was often found himself without one.
particularly terrifying to those elders who learned of
In fact, the presence of a respectable primogen
it, and some say it was that event that truly cemented
became something of a status symbol. Princes competed
the bonds of the quasicoterie to which he already be-
with one another to assemble the eldest and most
longed and which would eventually go on to become
respected Kindred of a region. This fascination with
the Camarilla’s Founders.
assembling “the finest examples of our race,” as Toreador
In 1493, the Convention of Thorns formalized Founder Rafael de Corazon once phrased it, petered out
substantial aspects of the Camarilla that are taken for quickly, however. It finally became apparent, after a
granted in the modern nights. Much of the new political swift and bloodless coup in the mid-sixteenth century
entity was based around the notion of coterie or group that overthrew the powerful Prince of Marseilles, that
activity — a deliberate move by the Founders that at- the princes were essentially gathering around them all
tempted (with only moderate success) to de-emphasize those regional Kindred who might have both the desire
the individual conflicts for which the War of Princes and means to replace them. From this point onward,
was known. In a premeditated effort to prevent any one those princes with sufficient might to do so often kept
Kindred from acquiring supreme power, they formed a much closer rein on their councils. By then, however,
a council of justicars to lead the sect (which was later the presence of the primogen council had become so
divided into two separate groups, the justicars and the pervasive that it was nearly unheard of for a prince of
Inner Council). The concept of the primogen still wasn’t any sizable domain to do without one.
formalized, but it was now only a matter of time.
Throughout its first centuries, the Camarilla had
THE EARLY YEARS no “standard” by which to measure the primogen coun-
cils. The theory that the council should consist of one
OF THE CAMARILLA representative of each major local clan is not, even in
Well into, and well beyond, the Renaissance, the the modern nights, as pervasive as many believe it to
Camarilla and the primogen as we know it tonight be, but at the time, the notion had yet to take hold at
were still taking form. Many princes, particularly in all. To this point, most primogen councils consisted
the regions most threatened by the remaining anarchs of any combination of Kindred who were old enough

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
16
and powerful enough both to take and hold the posi- well, as cohesive as Kindred ever are, anyway — was
tion, and who were either sufficiently nonthreatening often sufficient to stem the tide. It quickly became clear
or sufficiently powerful that the prince would not or that the primogen was becoming as much an institu-
could not remove them. tion among American Kindred as it was in Europe, if
As has been the case with the Camarilla throughout not even more so.
its existence, it somehow managed to survive despite ONE CLAN, ONE VOTE
the constant internal bickering. The Sabbat, which had
waged open guerrilla war on the Ivory Tower since its The notion of the primogen council as a represen-
earliest nights, was all but crushed throughout most of tative body, containing one member from each local
Europe. No way of measuring the precise impact of the clan, has become the standard of measurement in the
primogen on the sect war exists, but it’s clear that many modern nights. Not all councils fit this mold, perhaps
princes would not have survived, or at least maintained not even a majority anymore. Still, it is the assumed
the sanctity of their domains, without their primogen. default, and this is what most newcomers to a city’s
The presence of other powerful elders bolstering the Elysium and society expect to find.
prince’s own resources provided additional manpower Where did the notion come from? It certainly ap-
when direct conflict was unavoidable; provided others pears democratic in nature, or at least more democratic
to whom the prince could delegate certain responsi- than the primacy of the eldest that dominated Europe
bilities, allowing him to focus more thoroughly on the for so long. Many younger Kindred tonight assume
Sabbat threat; and, should the worst happen, ensured that, like so much else, this notion of the primogen
that powerful Kindred who already possessed a working was stolen from mortals — in this case, observation of
knowledge of the domain were ready to step up and the nascent American system of government.
assume control should the prince himself fall. It wasn’t. It’s true that the “one clan, one vote”
For a time, this haphazard and semiformal nature primogen council originated in the Americas, but it
of the primogen became the status quo and, as we all actually predates the American Revolution by several
know how much the Camarilla loves the status quo, decades.
seemed unlikely to change. In the 1750’s, Philadelphia was the largest city in
Then Christopher Columbus sailed forth in an at- the American colonies, and that meant bad news for
tempt to locate a fabled shortcut to India and turned Prince Isaiah van Holden. More experienced in matters
the entire world, Kindred and kine, on its ear. of Kindred politics than most American princes, the
Brujah was still proving incapable of warding off the
THE NEW WORLD constant and increasing Sabbat incursions on his city.
In desperation, Isaiah sought allies.
If the primogen were important to the survival of
the Camarilla in Europe, they were absolutely vital to As the most thriving community in the Colonies,
the sect’s growth in the Americas. Those Kindred who Philadelphia had far more than its share of Kindred.
traveled to the New World were almost exclusively For a period of years, the ratio of Kindred to kine was
younger, less powerful and less experienced than their nearer one to 1,000 than to any of the “acceptable”
European brethren. They lacked the knowledge of how figures. Malkavians, Nosferatu and Ventrue made up
best to manage and defend a city or other domain, they most of that population of 20, but the eldest Kindred
lacked influence with the growing mortal societies and in the city, those who would traditionally make up
they lacked the immediate presence of sect authority the primogen council, were Brujah who had arrived
from whom they might beg assistance. with Isaiah.
What they had, however, was a substantial number Isaiah “bought” the aid of the other clans by of-
of Sabbat vampires who had set up shop in the New fering them representation on the council. The voices
World first and were determined to defend it from of their own primogen would be equal to the elder
Camarilla incursion. Brujah, despite the age difference. All they had to do
in exchange was to acknowledge and support Isaiah’s
A true elder might have had the wherewithal to
authority and aid him in defending his domain from
defend her domain, but most “elders” in the New World
the Sabbat.
were barely worthy of the title and would have been
considered ancillae, at best, back in Europe. Where the The idea spread like the proverbial wildfire. Other
personal power and nascent resources and influence of princes took to purchasing the loyalty of Kindred and
a single Kindred were insufficient to hold the Sabbat at clans that had, to that point, wanted little to do with the
bay, multiple elders functioning as a cohesive unit — policies and practices of governing a new territory. For

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

17
a time, the American primogen council was a combina- American Kindred are, on average, younger than
tion of both age and clan demographics — that is, there their European counterparts. Similarly, Kindred born
might be more than one member of a given clan on the and raised in the New World tend to think largely in
council, if there happened to be more local elders of that terms of representative and democratic forms of govern-
particular clan. The notion was that everyone would have ment. When the average Lick on the streets of New
at least one voice, not an equal number of voices. As less York or San Bernardino thinks of her primogen council,
well represented clans began to throw a fuss, however, odds are good that she thinks of them as something
and the notion of equal representation began to spread of a Kindred House of Representatives. That’s not to
throughout the fledgling America (you knew that had to say that they act that way — anybody who mistakes a
enter back into it sooner or later, right?), primogen who primogen council for an elected body that’s going to
adopted the representational model limited themselves pander to its constituents has a harsh lesson coming —
to a single member of any given clan, regardless of how merely that this is the lens through which they’re often
many elders of that clan might be present. viewed. Because young American Kindred often think
This, of course, put off more than a few prospective of their primogen in these terms, they feel that they
primogen, which goes a long way toward explaining why have more say in policy and the prince’s decisions than
the representational model — while quite common in they actually have (which is to say almost none).
America and now rather popular even in Europe — was European Kindred, on the other hand, tend to view
never universally accepted. their primogen councils not only through a different
For the record, some Kindred suspect that about governmental model but also with a much longer
this time the position of “whip” first saw widespread view of history. Younger European Kindred, like their
usage. The original intent of the position was purely American counterparts, often view the council as an
symbolic. It was created as a means of granting someone echo or reflection of the government to which they
an official title — and thus making it appear that his are accustomed. British vampires, for instance, often
clan held more local authority than others without a think of their council as a parliament, whereas Kindred
whip — without actually giving him the power to do from the isolated towns of Romania and Hungary still
much of anything. The position quickly evolved into think of them as gatherings of boyars and other town
that of the primogen’s assistant largely because it served leaders.
no other useful purpose. Elders, on the other hand, tend to view the primogen
council as a royal court or panel of advisors. Kindred
THE CAMARILLA Embraced during the reign of Louis XIV, Richard the
IN RECENT YEARS Lion-Hearted or Andreas II may still think in the idiom
The world began to change at an unheard-of pace of kings and courtiers. The primogen are the dukes and
after the American and French Revolutions, a process barons who manage the individual territories that make
that has accelerated dramatically as we approach the up a prince’s domain, or else the generals, lawyers and
Final Nights. Once again, however, the static nature of viziers who advise their liege, and who handle the little
the Camarilla seeped in. In all the decades between the matters (and little people) with whom the prince can-
early years of the United States and the turn of the mil- not be bothered. Those Kindred who still survive from
lennium, the primogen council changed very little in any ancient Rome may think of their primogen as senators,
ways that matter. Details fluctuated, new means of select- Native American Kindred may think of them as tribal
ing primogen were introduced and old ways eliminated, elders or shamans, and so forth.
and the spread of the “default” style of council waxed and All of this, of course, defines the average Kindred’s
waned in popularity — but nothing radical happened to perception of her local primogen council, not neces-
the fundamental nature of the primogen. sarily the reality of it. Princes and primogen operate as
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POND best they see fit, handling their domains using whatever
methods prove most effective and most personally
It’s worth taking a moment to note that, throughout advantageous. That said, the primogen of a given city
most of modern history, multiple cultural styles — per- often evolve (or perhaps mutate is a better word) to fit
haps “interpretations” is a better word — of primogen their local image. This is due partially to a desire on the
have existed. Even when they look the same on the part of at least some primogen to actually be what their
exterior, follow the same trends, allow for the same se- clanmates desire and require of them, and partially due
lection of members, European and American primogen to turnover in the ranks. A younger primogen, newly
are, at heart, two very different animals.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
18
come to his seat on the council, is going to behave as he
expects primogen should behave, regardless of whether
those expectations have any basis in fact.
As a side note, this cultural disparity also means
that European Kindred tend to hold their primogen in
slightly higher esteem than their American contem-
poraries. After all, a royal courtier is certainly worthy
of more respect than a mere congressman, yes? Of
course, unwise American neonates who carry this lack
of respect too far tend to wind up learning very painful
lessons in etiquette.

THE FINAL NIGHTS

The primogen on both sides of the Atlantic have
remained relatively unchanged — in essence if not in
minor quirks and details — for centuries. The turn of
the centuries, the Industrial Revolution, two World
Wars, one Cold War and the rise of the electronic global
society were all insufficient to shake the Camarilla’s
death-grip on the status quo. The fears and upheavals
that have shaken Kindred society in recent nights,
however, are another matter entirely. The massive
fluctuations, defeats and victories in the war with the
Sabbat; the sundering of the Assamites; the departure
of the majority of Gangrel; the appearance of the Red
Star; the suicidal fury that gripped the Ravnos; the
West Coast incursion of the Cathayan vampires… all
these, and a growing population of neonates whose
upbringing does not incline them to accept the notion
that age equals superiority, have conspired to birth a
slow but spreading shift in the fundamental nature of
the primogen.
Alternate constructions beyond the traditional “one
clan, one seat” are again becoming popular, though the
former remains marginally more common than all the
others. Some primogen react to the demands of the
neonates by cracking down, accepting elder and more
powerful Kindred into their ranks regardless of clan.
Others attempt to placate the youngsters by adopting a
more democratic paradigm, at least on the surface. This
has led to some primogen opening up and listening to
their clanmates far more than they used to. Others have
replaced their princes and now claim to be a semirepre-
sentative council, and some primogen councils consist
of Kindred who, even a few years ago, would have been
considered far too young for such an exalted position
(New York, for instance, appears to be shaping up as a
city of the young, in terms of the Kindred).
None can say with any clarity what form the pri-
mogen council will take in the coming years. Perhaps
the shifts imposed by the horrors of the modern nights

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

19
will result in a form of council the likes of which we’ve including but not limited to button men, bruisers or any
never seen. Alternatively, as it has so many times before, other slang term you can think of for somebody whose
the Camarilla’s gerontocracy may prove resistant to the job description is “beat heads and catch bullets.”
pressures of the unwashed masses and will maintain its It’s questionable whether these myrmidons qualify
current form well into the next century and beyond. as true “officials” in a Kindred domain. They answer
Only one thing is almost certain, and that is the to no one but their primogen and receive no approval
primogen council — in whatever form it may next from the prince to engage in their violent and often
take — will endure. lethal activities. Does the fact that their employers and
masters are primogen, rather than untitled elders, grant
RULES AND them any sort of official sanction to do what they do?
To date, the question’s never really come up. Most
REGULATIONS Kindred who know about the myrmidons have a vested
interest in keeping them active, either because they
If it’s going to function as a unit — or as close to themselves employ such agents or because they’re scared
a unit as a cluster of elders can manage — the primo- shitless. These “unofficial” agents lack the formal obliga-
gen council must have certain guidelines to shape its tions of a sheriff or scourge. They’re not responsible for
interactions and operations. Given that each council maintaining order or pursuing (or pretending to pursue)
is a distinct entity from all of the others, and that the best interests of the city and the prince. All the
traditions (and Traditions) can differ dramatically in myrmidons do is what their masters tell them to do, and
interpretation from city to city and domain to domain, many Kindred would actually rather face a sheriff or
no universal “Primogen Lawbook” applies everywhere even a scourge than one of these enforcers. With sect
equally. Still, if the primogen do not have a ubiquitous officials, at least you know where you stand.
set of procedures, they at least tend to have issues and
problems in common. What follows, then, is a discussion SCRIBE
of the most common means by which primogen councils The scribe is the mortal (or Kindred) responsible for
address those issues and moderate their affairs. keeping notes or records of official assemblies — in this
case, primogen council meetings. Some few primogen
TITLES AND POSITIONS — particularly young ones — have adopted the name
It’s worth taking a brief moment to define and discuss “stenographer” rather than scribe for this position.
those individuals who serve the primogen directly. As Very few primogen keep anyone around whose sole
with the prince, the council surrounds itself with lackeys purpose is to function as record-keeper. Most of the
and agents, many of whom may get in your character’s time, the title applies to whichever one of the whips
way when you try to see your “representative” in the local (or, occasionally, the steward) is responsible for taking
power structure. It behooves you, at least, to know who down the minutes of any particular meeting.
you’re dealing with. That said, it’s important to under- Of course, more than a few primogen assemblies are
stand that, with the exception of the whip, these terms of a clandestine nature, in which case no records are
are all utterly unofficial and aren’t formally recognized kept at all — or else the records are false. Other coun-
(or even, for the most part, recognized at all) by anyone cils, those that tend to meet informally or sporadically,
outside the council itself. They’re really more primogen see little need to keep such records. In these instances,
slang or nicknames than they are titles. Furthermore, only obviously, no scribe is assigned.
the primogen of larger Kindred populations will make use STEWARD
of any of these assistants, and only the councils of the
very largest cities will have all of them. The steward is the primogen’s equivalent of the Keeper
of Elysium, with several duties of the seneschal as well. If she
MYRMIDON serves one of the primogen, her duties are to maintain and
Named for the precursors to the archons (and there- manage his office, secondary haven or wherever he chooses
fore, indirectly, for the professional soldiers of ancient to meet with petitioners and clanmates. Alternatively, in
Greece), tonight a myrmidon is any Kindred who serves larger communities, the council as a whole might employ
one of the primogen in a purely martial capacity. This a steward to maintain the meeting chambers, if these are
most frequently takes the form of a bodyguard, but other not located within the Elysium or prince’s own meeting
purposes, of a more offensive and usually more secretive place. In both cases, the steward is also responsible for keep-
nature, exist. Less historically inclined primogen may ing track of the primogen’s schedule and for determining
instead refer to their thugs by a variety of other names, who will or will not be permitted to see them. In many
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
20
instances, these duties fall to the whip, who functions as frequently, because the prince has most of his domain’s
both whip and steward. issues well in hand, or they meet often because the prince
Again, this position exists only within large com- insists on constant reports and updates, as well as assign-
munities with powerful primogen. ing tasks to reluctant elders who have little choice but to
comply. In these instances, the primogen may not meet
WHIP on a regular schedule at all, but only when one of them
As discussed in the Vampire: The Masquerade calls a meeting to address a specific issue or when they
core rules and the Guide to the Camarilla, the whip are summoned before an overbearing prince’s “court”
is an all-around assistant and gopher for his primogen. and wish to exchange information beforehand.
His job is to keep his master informed of all relevant In domains with weak princes (or no acknowledged
activities and clanwide issues, to keep things from getting prince at all), the primogen council tends to meet on
too bogged down at council meetings (though in truth a fairly frequent basis and on a set schedule. This is
they’re rarely very effective at this) and to run whatever partially because they likely have more political duties
errands the primogen needs handled. This is the only to which they must attend — tasks the prince is unable
primogen-related position (other than primogen itself, or unwilling to undertake. On the other hand, the pri-
of course) with which the average Kindred on the street mogen under a weak prince know full well that one of
is familiar. The whip is also responsible for keeping his their own number is likely to step up and wrest control
primogen’s clanmates in line whenever they assemble from the lame duck at some point. Constant meetings
in public. Given the nature of those clans which often are the only reliable means for each primogen to main-
choose to gather in large numbers — witness the Brujah tain contact with her fellows and, more to the point,
institution of the rant — most whips prove, at best, only to keep a very close eye on their activities. Primogen
moderately successful in such undertakings. assemblies in these circumstances often address little
of substance, instead deteriorating into recriminations,
A MEETING OF THE MINDS: delaying tactics and layers upon layers of spying and
ASSEMBLING THE PRIMOGEN subterfuge. Well, okay, so that describes most primogen,
Perhaps one of the most fundamental issues is but it’s even worse in these circumstances.
where, why and most particularly when a primogen When a prince is neither particularly strong nor
council convenes. No simple answer exists, of course. especially weak — that is, most of the time — the pri-
Some councils meet once a month or even more of- mogen council sets its schedule with little consideration
ten, while others gather but once a year. Some gather for the needs or convenience of the prince.
in Elysium, others in private homes, others still in Unless the primogen council is deliberately trying
random or rotating locations. The issue, then, is one to hide the nature of its deliberations from the prince,
of determining why a primogen council convenes the most find it convenient to convene in the same Elysium
way it does. Only then can you expect to predict or where the prince normally convenes meetings. It’s fa-
understand its behavior. miliar — to say nothing of neutral — territory for them.
To reiterate an earlier point, Kindred among the Some primogen do keep secret meeting sites elsewhere.
primogen have their own goals, their own agendas This can be a chamber in one of the primogen’s own
and their own affairs to govern. Sitting on the council havens, but few elders are that trusting. Anything else
is not a “full time” occupation, and elders rarely take is fair game, however, from a boardroom in an office
kindly to having their accustomed activities interrupted. building owned by a primogen’s ghoul to the basement
Primogen most assuredly do not meet on a nightly basis of a museum that the prince has declared Elysium (at
— even once a week is not terribly common, though the Toreador’s insistence, no doubt) but never visits. If
it’s hardly unheard of — unless an active and ongoing the meeting chamber is not in one of the city’s Elysiums,
crisis is underway. it’s usually close by. The elders want a place to run to
Beyond that, various factors — many of which have if there’s any sort of trouble, and a council assembly
more to do with the other Kindred of the city than with makes a tempting target if word gets out.
the primogen directly — influence how often and where OTHER OFFICERS
the council assembles. Technically, the primogen outrank any other local
THE PRINCE officials. Sheriffs, seneschals and scourges are usually
Cities with strong princes tend to hover at one of experts in their fields, however, and wise primogen take
two extremes. Either the primogen council meets in- that expertise into account. While regular meetings of

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

21
 AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
We’re not talking about a prince’s “court” here. Most princes assemble their entourages — including,
but not limited to, the primogen council — as they choose. Some have set schedules, some call for as-
semblies only to address specific issues that have arisen. In either case, the primogen rarely have any say
in such matters, unless the prince is particularly weak or easily influenced. The only choice they have is
whether or not to attend, and the decision to absent oneself may have serious potential repercussions.
What many Kindred don’t realize, however, is that most primogen (though certainly not all) make
a point of gathering under their own aegis, away from the eyes of the prince. That doesn’t mean these
meetings are secret — most princes know they occur, and some are even welcome to come participate
— but rather that these are meetings of the primogen, for the primogen, rather than meetings for the
express purpose of dealing with or advising the prince. Numerous Kindred issues plague modern cities,
from minor criminal matters to clan relations to rivalries over a potential childe to corporate conflicts
or gang wars, many of which are too low-key or unimportant to be worth a prince’s attention. These
problems, particularly when they center around members of specific clans as opposed to the Kindred
population as a whole, are the focus of these primogen assemblies.
That’s not to say the primogen don’t address citywide issues at these gatherings. If they feel their
prince is handling a problem poorly, or if the prince is the problem, they’re certainly not going to bring
that up at his assembly. Behind closed doors, however, they can plot and scheme to their unbeating
hearts’ content.…
But wait. What if the prince also functions as his clan’s primogen? Many domains have moved away
from this dual role, as the prince is supposed to be concerned with affairs of the domain and the Kindred
as a whole, without focusing on the needs of any one clan (and a prince who is also a primogen also gives
one clan an unhealthy amount of leverage in the eyes of the other primogen — another good reason to
insist on a separation of powers). Still, some cities, often but not always the smaller domains, still have
a single Kindred as both prince and one of the primogen.
When the prince sits on the council, the rest of the primogen are stuck. It becomes substantially
harder to convene without the prince’s knowledge, and even when it can be done, it is not, by defini-
tion, the entire council. When primogen in this situation need to discuss matters without the prince’s
knowledge, they’re far more likely to do so in a series of individual meetings and passed messages, rather
than as a body. This takes substantially longer and is far less efficient, but it is the only relatively secure
means of communicating without being overheard by their fellow primogen and prince.

the council have nothing to do with these other Kin- DEMANDS OF THE CLAN
dred, some primogen are willing to call an emergency
Some primogen almost seem to forget it, in their
assembly if the sheriff, for instance, insists that he must
constant scheming and personal aggrandizement, but
speak with them.
they do answer, at least in some small degree, to their
On the other side of the coin, archons and justicars clanmates throughout the city. A primogen’s schedule
have the authority to call for pretty much any sort of — and thus the schedule of the entire council — is
meeting whenever the hell they want. partially decided by the needs and the numbers of the
In both cases, however, these emergency meetings of Kindred he represents.
the primogen are rare. Most of the time, in case of an situ- It might be expected that primogen in the largest
ation important enough to require an emergency assembly, cities and with the largest populations of clanmates
the officer in question will request the prince assemble would call for meetings most often, but the reverse is
her entire entourage, including the primogen. Only if the most often true. If a primogen has more than a small
prince must be kept out of the loop for some reason (or handful of Kindred to whom she is responsible, she
if she herself is the problem) will an outside official likely likely has no time for frequent gatherings with her fel-
assemble the primogen as a separate entity. Due to the need low primogen. More likely, she spends a good portion
for secrecy, then, most of these meetings are held outside of her time addressing the problems of her brethren on
Elysium, away from the prince’s eyes and ears.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
22
her own, pulling rank, calling in favors, exchanging who do not tend not to remain primogen. Beyond this,
boons and yanking strings. Only when an issue impacts however, a primogen’s willingness to take time for meetings
the entire city, or when a clan-related problem requires varies by individual. They’ll meet more frequently during a
more influence to solve than she can bring to bear on crisis, of course, but beyond this, little in the way of predic-
her own, is she likely to bring it before the council tion is possible. When dealing with a new city, Kindred are
proper. Because of their harried schedules, primogen advised to ask someone more familiar with the domain how
in larger cities or with a larger base to represent prefer the primogen behave, rather than making (probably false)
to accumulate big issues and then bring them before assumptions based on their own experiences elsewhere.
the prince or the primogen assembly at once, instead
of holding frequent meetings to address these prob- INTO THE LION’S DEN:
lems piecemeal. If these primogen have set meeting AN AUDIENCE WITH
schedules, they likely aren’t frequent, perhaps once THE PRIMOGEN
every few months, at most. Almost half of large-city
primogen do not hold set meetings (though they may Once you’ve learned when and where the primogen
still attend a regularly scheduled convocation arranged meet when they’re not gathering as part of the prince’s
by the prince) but instead assemble only when one of court, the next step is figuring out how you get in to
their number calls for it. see them. It’s not always easy, but most primogen put
Smaller or less important primogen councils, by on at least some show of making themselves acces-
contrast, actually have the time for more frequent as- sible. Ostensibly, after all, they’re here to represent
semblies. In fact, many of them prefer to gather as often other Kindred, and it doesn’t look good to the masses
as possible. Without a large population of “constituents” if they’re completely isolated.
from whom they can demand, extort or trade for favors, Again, keep in mind that this applies to meetings
it’s the only way they can gather information on what of the primogen council specifically. The prince of the
the other clans and other primogen are up to. city may see the residents of his domain based on very
Many primogen in larger cities keep personal meet- different systems and criteria than does the council. As-
ing spaces, offices, extra havens or at least mail drops or suming they operate in the same fashion — and, even
phone lines that they make known to fellow Kindred. worse, acting on that assumption — is a good way to
This allows their clanmates to come and address them, give offense to some very dangerous creatures.
request favors of them and discuss issues that they NEONATES AND ANCILLAE
might not want raised before the rest of the council or
to other individual primogen. Of course, they frown on These young (or at least not ancient) Kindred represent
frivolous use of these avenues, and the vast majority the vast majority of those the primogen council is supposed
of audiences with the primogen are conducted either to represent. It follows, then, in the typical Kindred age-
at the prince’s court or the official assemblies of the centric idiom, that these are the very ones who have the
council. In order to facilitate these audiences, primogen most trouble making their primogen hear them.
tend to hold open councils in the Elysium, retiring to Step one for a younger vampire is to meet with his own
more secretive locations only when they don’t wish to clan’s primogen first in a private setting, without involving
be disturbed by petitioners. the entire council. In many domains, the petitioner must
See below for more on meeting with the primo- go through numerous steps or channels. Some primogen
gen. employ their whips or stewards as seneschals — only by
convincing the “doorman” that your concerns are worth
PERSONAL AFFAIRS his master’s time will you be permitted to meet with your
All of the above considerations, while absolutely primogen at all. A few of these middlemen take their
important, pale in comparison to one final issue. Across tasks seriously, admitting those who seem to have valid
the board, in large cities or small ones, the primary issues and concerns. Others use the opportunity to play
deciding factor on how frequently a primogen council favorites (either their master’s or their own), offering
meets is simply this: How often are the elders willing to to trade meetings with the primogen for boons or other
take time from their own activities and deign to gather favors, or else utterly denying those they dislike.
with their fellow councilors? Assuming you win past the steward — or else that
Wise primogen are willing to take at least a functional your primogen doesn’t keep a steward or whip, but ar-
minimum of time to address issues of clan and city. Those ranges her own schedule — you face the same hurdles

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

23
in dealing with the primogen herself. She may agree they are to the upstart whelps. This doesn’t necessarily
to meet with you if your cause is urgent enough, or she mean, however, that elders find it easier to arrange a
may insist that you owe her a minor boon even for the meeting with an entire council.
honor of a face-to-face conference. Furthermore, the vast Most elders who don’t hold some sort of office must
majority of primogen prefer to handle any clan-related still, for the most part, approach their local primogen
issues on their own. It requires a veritable catastrophe, individually first, before attempting to address the as-
or else the promise of very large favors in return, for a sembly. They, too, must run the gauntlet that is the
neonate or ancilla to convince a primogen to call for, primogen’s steward (or the primogen herself) and a
and let him address, an entire assembled council. “very busy” schedule that may or may not allow for an
You might, of course, attempt to learn when and where audience in the immediate future. Whereas neonates
the primogen council meets and request an audience before are judged largely on the basis of how useful they
the council as a whole. This sort of grandstand play really might be, elders are admitted or rejected by slightly
isn’t a good idea under most circumstances, however. More different criteria. When the petitioner is nearly as old
formal primogen — many in the Americas, and most in and powerful as the primogen herself, the issue is not
Europe — still cleave to older and more ironclad concepts of merely “How useful will he be if I demand a boon in
etiquette. A neonate seeking an audience with the council, exchange for seeing him?” but also “How dangerous
in their minds, is the absolute height of presumption. You will he be if I refuse?”
go through channels, like a good little Lick, or else you wait Enlightened self-interest on the part of the primogen,
until the council invites you to come address them on their then, means that the average elder has a much easier time
schedule and for their purposes, not yours. Any attempt meeting with his primogen than the average neonate. Pri-
to leapfrog the system is equivalent to rising above your mogen will still be reluctant to invite such a petitioner to
station, and the elders frown mightily on that. address the entire assembly, however. As soon as the entire
Even if you’re allowed past the door, even if you’re for- council is involved, any debt or gratitude the elder might owe
tunate enough to be dealing with younger, less hidebound for a positive resolution to the issue (whatever it may be) will
primogen who might at least hear you out since you’ve taken fall to the primogen council as a unit, not to the individual
the trouble to approach them, you will, at the very least, primogen whom he initially approached. Add to that the fact
have gravely insulted your own primogen. You should have that allowing an outside elder into the council — even for the
gone to her first — or, assuming you did so and she turned briefest span — is the equivalent of showing a potential rival
down your request, you should have trusted her judgment. the inner works, and it becomes clear that the paranoia most
By going over her head, you’ve made her look, at best, as if primogen share is enough on its own to keep most primogen-
she lacks respect from her own clanmates. If this happens, elder interaction down to a one-on-one level.
you can be sure that she’ll do everything in her power to LOCAL OFFICIALS
thwart your efforts in the future.
If you are granted audience before the council — Although he’s the first “local official” that likely
either to discuss an issue that you’ve raised or because springs to mind, let’s put the prince aside for a moment.
they require your knowledge or expertise on some mat- The other local authorities are, of course, the sheriff,
ter — don’t dawdle. Go in, make your presentation, do the scourge, the seneschal and the Keeper of Elysium.
your song and dance, answer any questions they put to Some unusual cities may have other, less common
you and leave. Any attempt at changing the subject, offices, but these aren’t common enough to draw any
asking for information they haven’t chosen to give or universal conclusions.
anything else that might be perceived as a waste of their How easy is it for one of these officials to meet with
time is, once again, the height of presumption (at least the primogen? Very — if they don’t mind doing so when
in their eyes it is, even if you have a different perspec- the primogen have been assembled by the prince for his
tive). At best, you’ll be removed from their presence, regular (or not so regular) convocations. If the official
and any future attempts at dealing with them will meet wishes to meet with the primogen outside the prince’s
with additional stonewalling. At worst.… purview, however, that’s a whole different scenario.
Well, this is a bunch of irritated elders we’re talking Unless the domain is in the midst of a conflict and
about. Let’s not speculate about “at worst.” the sheriff has been declared Dux Bellorum (war-leader)
for the duration, none of these officers outranks the
OTHER ELDERS primogen. They aren’t capable of demanding an audi-
For presumably obvious reasons, primogen must ence with the assembled council — or rather, they can
be substantially more polite to their fellow elders than demand all they like, but no one has to listen. In terms

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
24
of their formal authority, they have no more pull with
the primogen than do any other elders.
Informally, however, most primogen know better
than to make enemies unnecessarily. The Kindred
who is responsible for ensuring your safety, or the one
who manages the prince’s social schedule, or especially
the one who is licensed to commit murder at his own
discretion, are not the sorts you want to alienate. Thus,
unless the primogen in question really is too busy, or has
concerns of his own that he dare not let the petitioner
get too near, most primogen are willing to make time
for a meeting if one of the prince’s appointed officers
requests it. Similarly, though the primogen frown on
unscheduled interruptions, they’ll likely honor a request
to speak even in the midst of a council assembly if it
comes from one of these worthies.
Okay, back to the prince now. Unlike the others,
the prince very much does outrank even the members of
the primogen council, at least in most instances. Some
cities exist where the prince is weak and the primogen
pull his strings behind the scenes, but this is, at best,
an atypical situation. In most domains, the prince has
sufficient clout that the primogen would be ill-advised
to refuse his call for a meeting, either one on one or
with the council en masse.
Even the prince, however, doesn’t have carte blanche
to barge in on primogen council meetings. When he
commands the primogen to assemble, he is, in essence,
calling court. When he meets with them individually,
it’s no different than any other conversation between
elders. If the primogen council has assembled on its
own, however, the prince may well not be welcome.
Again, they can’t really keep him out. Although they
might attempt to keep the meeting’s time and location
a secret, if and when he shows up at the door, they’d
be wise to let him in. That doesn’t mean they have to
discuss anything of substance while he’s there.
See the “Important Distinction” sidebar, above, for
more on how primogen councils that include the prince
as one of their number deal with these circumstances.
CAMARILLA OFFICIALS
An archon or, heavens forefend, a justicar can pretty
much waltz in and demand to see anyone she chooses,
from the prince to the primogen — either individually or
in council — on down. On a purely technical level, an
archon doesn’t outrank a member of the primogen, but
she certainly represents someone who does. By refusing
an archon audience, the primogen accomplish nothing
save to draw potentially fatal quantities of suspicion and
investigation down on their heads. Unless the primogen
are up to some scheme that can be completely hidden,

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

25
with no trace evidence, in a matter of nights or even simple, some complex, but none is easy or without its
hours, they’re best served by offering at least a modicum share of risk.
of cooperation when these big shots come to town.
This hardly means the primogen always follow or- APPOINTMENT
ders or suggestions given by justicars or their servire[**?] Since we’ve just brought up the notion that simple
assistants. Few elders obey orders without question, doesn’t equal easy, we’ll use this first method as an
regardless of where that order comes from. It does mean example. Being appointed to the position of primogen
the primogen will, under all but the most bizarre condi- is, by far, the simplest method of obtaining a seat on
tions, at the very least hear the archon or justicar out the council. Someone with the authority to do so says
and give serious thought to what she has to say. you’re a primogen and, presto! You’re a primogen. It
The fact that justicars and archons are capable of couldn’t be much simpler.
throwing their weight around, even with prince and Finding a city in which the prince has sufficient
primogen, doesn’t mean they always do so. Unless the power over the primogen to mandate who receives a
intent is to catch someone red-handed, most officials seat and who does not… convincing him that you’re the
announce their arrival ahead of time and make every one for the job, that you’re capable enough to manage
effort to go through channels and obey the formalities it but not so skilled or powerful that you’ll threaten
of a given city’s domain. For one thing, they often his own position… dealing with the repercussions,
view the prince’s and primogen’s response to their the jealousies of those who were passed over and the
pending arrival as a clue to their activities. Any elder hostility of your new fellows who no doubt view you as
who tries to impede the arrival of the archon — or, competition .… These ensure that so simple a proposi-
alternatively, who seems too solicitous and eager to tion is by no means an easy one.
please — is probably hiding something and is worthy Only the most powerful and most despotic princes
of additional attention. Many primogen, who are usu- have the clout to insist the primogen accept (or, for
ally smart enough to see this sort of game for what it that matter, reject) a potential member. This iron-
is, make a point of being polite but not overly friendly, handed approach tends to alienate those elders who
cooperative but not excessively helpful, and in essence feel that their own authority is being squashed, so only
simply try to look like part of the landscape. those princes supremely confident in their power will
The other reason archons and justicars prefer go- even risk it.
ing through channels is that they really do want the On extremely rare occasions, the primogen them-
cooperation of the locals, and they’re more likely to selves may be in a position to choose the successor
receive that if they haven’t stepped on too many toes. of a comrade who steps down, is slain or otherwise is
See Archons and Templars for more on this multifac- removed from power. This occurs only in cities where
eted relationship. the primogen consist of the most powerful Kindred of
the domain, and even then only rarely. A primogen
PLEASE TAKE A SEAT: who is selected by her fellows is almost automatically
dealing from a position of weakness. She knows she
BECOMING ONE serves only at the whim of the others, and any primogen

OF THE PRIMOGEN
with the power to select a member most likely has the
power to depose her as well. Furthermore, the fact that
she’s beholden to the other primogen bodes ill for her
How, then, does one join the illustrious (or at least clanmates, who will likely find the council’s decisions
ambitious) ranks of the primogen? A sheriff or a sen- frequently turning against them because their represen-
eschal is appointed, but it can’t be that straightforward tative doesn’t have the influence she should.
for the council of elders, can it? In either case, because of the inherent problems
Well, it can, but it usually isn’t. The precise methods and the rarity of the circumstances that allow for it,
by which one rises to the position of primogen vary city appointment to the council is one of the least common
to city and domain to domain, and it’s rarely done exactly methods of ascension.
the same way in disparate locations. While the details
may differ, however, sufficient commonalties exist that ELECTION
the “standard” methods of becoming primogen may be Election is far from the most common means of
broken down into a mere handful of types. Some are selecting a primogen, but it is the fastest growing in

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
26
the modern nights. Although most of the clans are not stick to their decision and keep their elected primogen,
particularly cohesive or tightly knit, most do maintain or else choose a new representative who might prove
some means of interaction. The Brujah have their rants, more acceptable and therefore more advantageous, is
the Nosferatu their sense of community, the Tremere entirely up to them.
their hierarchy, the Malkavians their — well, whatever That said, few primogen assemblies refuse an elected
it is the Malkavians have. In many domains, when a comrade access to their inner workings and meetings.
primogen needs to be chosen, the available members They may not like the new arrival, they may view him
of the clan will gather and actually vote on a represen- as beneath themselves or as extra competition, and they
tative. This works only in large cities, or else when a certainly have no interest in granting another clan a
single primogen holds sway over several smaller cities voice equal to their own. On the other hand, without
as part of a single domain, because only the largest a unified council — or at least a council willing to
Kindred communities claim sufficient numbers of any gather together and discuss the issues — the council as
given clan to hold an election. a whole becomes weakened. Furthermore, a candidate
No specific nominating practice exists. When a clan who has the backing of his clanmates is a powerful
gathers to choose a new primogen, anyone who wants the political force, whether or not he holds a formal title,
job can throw his hat into the ring. In most cases, the vote and elders and primogen would be wise to take him
is held immediately, with very little time for speeches, seriously regardless of their personal opinions toward
ridiculous promises or all those other political games that him. If they spurn him, those who sit in the council’s
are the staple of elections among the kine. Thus, in the favor must now divide their resources and devote at
vast majority of cases, victory goes to whichever candidate least some attention to keeping an eye on, and possibly
already has the greatest status and reputation. (This is, of acting against, the activities of their rejected member.
course, a tendency and not a rule, and the Ventrue still They’ve created an actual enemy where they might have
whisper of their neonate primogen who was elected in had only a rival, one who likely carries a grudge and
Dallas because he was the only candidate against whom has the support of his clanmates to bolster his efforts.
half the gathered Blue Bloods didn’t have a grudge. He Interclan tension is a way of unlife in many cities, but
lasted only a year, but his policies during his tenure were it can grow to all-out hostility in domains where the
unusual, to say the least.) primogen cannot even come together for negotiation.
On occasion, clans have tried to allow some time Thus, only when a potential member is so loathed that
for decision-making, allowing weeks or even months the rest of the council would prefer these repercussions
between the announcement of a vote and the actual to admitting him will the primogen refuse to let an
assembly. Candidates have attempted actual campaign- elected member take his seat among them.
ing, calling in boons and trying to convince others to
vote for them. This very quickly became an untenable POPULAR ACCLAIM
morass of twisted lies and tangled favors and allowed A close relative of the election, becoming primogen
the remainder of the primogen several months to op- through popular opinion is pretty much the same thing
erate in which they made all their decisions without without the formal trappings. Sometimes a Kindred of
the input of the clan in question, so the practice never a given clan, often an ancilla but sometimes an elder,
caught on. develops a reputation for getting things done and helping
Incidentally, although it cannot always be enforced, out his clanmates in exchange for relatively reasonable
a strict policy of “no Disciplines” is usually maintained demands of boons and favors. Whether or not this
at these electoral gatherings. Otherwise, the winner reputation is true is almost immaterial, as long as it’s
would almost invariably be the one with the highest pervasive. When this happens, members of that clan
Presence. who are in need — particularly the younger Kindred,
The funny thing about these elections is that they who have fewer resources of their own — will try to
aren’t necessarily binding. The primogen council is un- see the elder in question, bringing him their problems
der no obligation to accept the newly elected member. and concerns. If he does well by them, they’ll also be
That doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t primogen — after prepared to follow his lead and trust his judgment when
all, if every member of a given clan comes to you to he speaks for the clan as a whole. In essence, he has
represent them, and you in turn take their concerns to suddenly “evolved” into the clan’s local primogen.
the prince, you’re primogen — but it does mean he may These “popular primogen” often prove the most ef-
be left out of council meetings and other deliberations, as fective. Those who are appointed or who seize power for
well as snubbed on the social scene. Whether the locals

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

27
themselves cannot always count on their own clanmates’ up to the princedom. Until, of course, the elders upon
support, and even those who are elected are often seen whom you’re calling decide that you’re too dangerous
as the least of all possible evils, the best of bad options. to have around, debts of prestation or no .…
A primogen who is elevated to his position purely on Other forms of influence can prove just as effective
his popularity and reputation among his brethren, if you haven’t acquired sufficient boons to claw your way
however, most certainly does have his clan’s support, to the top. Certain mortal institutions are vital to the
at least until he does something to lose it. The backing smooth running of the Camarilla machine, and if you
of an entire segment of the local Kindred population hold any sway in those institutions, even the prince may
is a powerful thing, opening up access to resources and hesitate to deny you the status and acclaim you desire.
information that less well liked primogen do not have. Municipal offices such as police and fire departments,
Few things are more frightening to a council of self-made the local media, shipping and transportation interests
elders than the arrival of a new competitor with even a — all of these give substantial leverage in the Kindred
portion of the masses behind him. Many elders make a community. If opening up a seat on the council is the
show of holding these “popular primogen” in contempt, best way for the other primogen to ensure that their
sneering because they didn’t have the strength to reach havens aren’t condemned or raided for drugs in the
the top on their own, but this attitude is largely a veil middle of the day, they might be inclined to do just
over the worry and anxiety they actually feel. that. Again, this can be pressed too far by elders with
As with the elected primogen above, the rest of the unsubtle hands; as soon as it becomes safer to dispose
council isn’t guaranteed to accept their new comrade. of you than to cooperate with you, rest assured they’ll
He can still function perfectly well in all a primogen’s make every attempt to do so. A better option is to
official duties but may find himself left out of some of the offer favors. If you have influence with a local airline,
politics. Also as above, though, the council will usually you can offer prince and primogen free and safe travel
accept the new primogen, if only reluctantly, because to other cities without fear of Lupine attack or being
refusing to do so opens up a host of other problems. delayed past sunrise. Pawns at City Hall can help cut
through the bureaucracy when your fellow primogen
PERSONAL POWER are trying to arrange the purchase of a new headquarters
Some elders have sufficient status and influence for their corporate holdings. Exchanges of favors like
within a given domain that they may simply declare these can get you just as far as extortion and are far less
themselves primogen, with no one to gainsay them. All likely to result in you finding yourself on the business
that’s required is that the prince and other primogen end of an Assamite.
acknowledge your position; they don’t even have to It’s vital that an elder have a solid and realistic
like it. measure of his position in Kindred society before at-
In the old nights, during the birth and development tempting to simply take a seat on the primogen like
of the primogen, this was the only means of grabbing this. If he’s overestimated his importance, strength or
and holding a position on the council. Tonight, with degree of influence — or the other elders’ susceptibility
so many different methods for selecting primogen and to that influence — he may find his ambitions blocked,
so many modern, new-fangled and radical notions his bluff called. At that point, he has but two options,
of social justice and enfranchisement of the younger neither of which can turn out well. One is to back down,
Kindred, the primogen who obtains his position purely relinquish his claim and accept the fact that he now has
on the basis of personal strength is the exception, not a reputation as an arrogant braggart who can’t back up
the rule. Still, it occurs frequently enough that it must his claims to power. The other is to move against his
be considered as a viable option. rivals, following through on any threatened use of his
So how to gain sufficient power that the prince and resources and declaring a cold war against the primogen
his cohort won’t challenge your claim to a seat on the and/or prince. This can only result in a destabilization
primogen? The first is through boons and prestation. If of the local domain until the city’s elders manage to
a sufficient number of elders or local officials owe you crush him — and crush him they will. Very few Kindred,
favors, you can count on their support when you stake no matter how old or powerful, can stand individually
your claim. Princes and primogen may have few com- against the assembled elders of his city.
punctions about challenging you on your own, but even
the most arrogant tend to balk at challenging half the
CONTESTS
city’s Kindred power structure. Pull in enough favors, To most individuals born and raised in the modern age,
and you can all but write your own ticket all the way be they Kindred or kine, the notion of choosing a leader

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
28
 ON YOUR MARKS…
Some Storytellers might be sufficiently taken with these ideas to stage just such a contest in their
own chronicle. Even if the player’s characters are of insufficient age or power to be competing themselves,
they may be involved as agents, pawns or impediments to the contestants. Some contest suggestions are
provided below, though the Storyteller can no doubt come up with other ideas that better suit her own
particular stories and characters.
Scavenger Hunt
Elders spend substantial time warding off boredom and ennui, and are constantly on the lookout for
something to do, something to challenge their abilities without actually putting their precious unlives at
risk. Scavenger hunt “salons” are not uncommon, wherein numerous elders will gather in a host’s domain
and each — perhaps on his own, perhaps with assistance, perhaps in teams, depending on the rules —
seek out rare or difficult-to-obtain objects. The contest may continue until one contestant has obtained
every item, or it may be timed, with whoever has collected the most items declared the victor.
Most of the time this is just a game, but some primogen use the same technique to select or test a
potential new member — or, if their power is sufficient to make demands, even a potential new prince.
The items selected for such a contest are all available within the borders of the domain but very difficult
to obtain. Some may require access to the inner workings of City Hall, others the crack-houses of the
Fifth Ward; still others might require the cooperation of the Tremere chantry, the Nosferatu in their
sewers or even non-Kindred supernatural denizens of the city. The purpose is to ensure that the candidate
has a working knowledge of the ins and outs of the city she would help govern, and that she has what it
takes to survive all it can throw at her.
Genealogy of the Damned
Many elders still cling to the belief that skill, ability to lead and the essence of nobility itself are
carried in the blood. The actual capabilities of an individual are of secondary importance to his lineage
and blood relations. Lineage is important only if it can be proven, however, and guesswork and hearsay
have no place in these matters.
In a genealogical contest, all the candidates are given a set period of time to identify and document their
direct line of descent, starting with their sires and going back as near to Caine as they can manage. Of course,
anyone who suggests to these elders that such a contest is meaningless if Caine and the Antediluvians are
myths had better be prepared to make a very quick exit. Furthermore, they must draw and document any
blood relations between themselves and as many illustrious and famous Kindred as possible. This need not
be direct descent; sharing a sire or even a great-great-great-grandsire is just fine. The nearer the connection,
the more impressive; claiming a connection to someone because “We’re of the same clan and therefore share
the same progenitor” isn’t worth a damn thing. Finally, the candidate must also document his mortal line of
descent if at all possible and connect himself by blood to as many famous mortals as he can. This is of less
importance than one’s Kindred lineage, but it does serve, at least, as tiebreaker.
Incidentally, candidates who lie or falsify evidence in order to give themselves an edge in these
contests are normally punished by blood hunts and death by the elders they tried to deceive. Shocking
as it sounds, this is one instance where honesty, even among the Kindred, is the best policy. (Unless one
has an exceptionally clever and undetectable means of deception, of course.)
Ordeal or Combat
So rare as to make even the other forms of contest look common, election by ordeal or by combat is
found only among those truly unusual elders who still believe that God will ensure that a worthy chal-
lenger will overcome even a stronger and more capable opponent. In such cases, the candidates are either
required to face one another in battle — old forms, of course, no firearms — or are forced to compete
against one another in some other fashion. Tests of endurance, pain tolerance and courage — in some
cases, being exposed to open flame — are popular.
Apparently, God favors those who are stronger and faster, since most of these contests go exactly the
way one might anticipate. Still, enough underdogs have pulled off surprising victories that those who
wish to continue this practice have examples of “divine intervention” to point to.

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

29
through some form of test of skill, strength or just plain luck is in the game solely for the power and prestige. Many of them
is inconceivable. It would be the equivalent of awarding the honestly do seek to improve the lot of their brethren — and
presidency to the NBA’s most valuable player, or the reign- some of those wind up in power not out of any desire of their
ing champion on Jeopardy! (Although the latter technique own, but simply because nobody else would.
would, at least, ensure a minimum of knowledge and intel- The process is similar to becoming primogen
ligence in the White House.) Many elders, however, hail through popular acclaim, as described above, save that
from times when contests were the preferred way of settling it’s somewhat reversed. In the former situation, the
disputes and selecting community leaders. Trial by ordeal and Kindred begin coming to a particular individual because
trial by combat are both viable systems, as God will favor the they feel he can do the job. In this case, however, the
righteous, and declaring someone king because he yanked candidate has taken on the tasks of the primogen without
a sword from a stone is a realistic proposition. yet being recognized, because nobody else is doing what
For this reason, you can still occasionally find needs to be done. Only after she’s been doing the job
domains wherein primogen, and sometimes even without thanks or recognition for some time will her
princes, are selected via a series of contests. Usually, clanmates likely begin to understand and, she hopes,
multiple varieties of tests are involved, determining an appreciate what she’s doing for them.
applicant’s physical, mental and supernatural prowess. Will the prince and the council recognize her as
On occasion, however, a single symbolic test — the primogen, though? Technically, she’s neither been
modern equivalent to that sword and stone bit again selected for the position nor made any big noises about
— is used. In these cases, those who don’t appreciate claiming it. She’s just doing the job quietly.
the symbolism, such as most younger Kindred, often Well, they aren’t required to, of course, but they
feel that the selection of their prince and primogen is usually do. A reluctant primogen is actually a blessing
somewhat arbitrary. to those already in power. After all, she’s clearly capable
Because most of the younger generations, and of getting things done, yet she lacks a certain spark of
even a majority of elders, reject this form of selection motivation. She didn’t want the job. That, to those
as outdated and archaic, it is now practiced only in a already in power, makes her a safer candidate than
very few select cities, in which the elders are especially those actively seeking power, and as long as she doesn’t
bound by tradition and still yearn for the days of their appear to be developing that ambition, they’ll likely
youths. The practice is all but unheard of in America make every reasonable effort to keep her around.
and is rapidly fading even in the Old World.
MIXING AND MATCHING
ACCIDENTAL OFFICE Cities in which the primogen council is particu-
Sometimes, particularly in smaller and less orderly larly formal and regimented may allow for but a single
cities, nobody wants the job of primogen. Maybe your method of becoming primogen. Perhaps all candidates
clan is less numerous locally than the others and none must be formally elected, or they all must pass a series
of your brethren want to draw the attention of the city’s of tests. Elsewhere, if the prince holds absolute power,
elite, preferring to pursue their own ambitions through perhaps the only route to the council is through his ap-
less open means than public office. Perhaps your city pointment. In many cities, however, no single method
sits on the border with the Sabbat or some other hostile is supreme, and any or all of the above instances occur
party and proclaiming yourself a community leader is the at some point or another.
equivalent to wearing a fat bull’s-eye and a “Stake me!” The nature of the clan in question may play a
T-shirt. Maybe the prince is so despotic that nobody in deciding factor in how its primogen is selected. Brujah
their right mind would want to work directly with her. are, at least traditionally if not always in fact, more
Or perhaps, startling as the notion may be, none of your likely to elect their primogen or elevate him through
clanmates in the city are particularly ambitious. popular acclaim, whereas the stereotypical Ventrue
Whatever the reason may be, a clan with no pri- probably want their officials to prove their worth
mogen is at a distinct disadvantage in its dealings with through some sort of test of skill and nobility (having
other local Kindred. With nobody on high to watch a pure pedigree doesn’t hurt either). Meanwhile, the
out for them, they have few resources on which to call Malkavian primogen earned her seat only by pulling in
if things get rough and nobody to whom they can take a major boon the prince owed her and having herself
their concerns about their position in the city. appointed, the Tremere bargained for his position using
As the saying goes, “It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to his influence over the local hospital and blood bank as
do it.” Civic-minded Kindred do exist, and not every primogen leverage, and the Nosferatu primogen sort of stumbled
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
30
into the job because nobody else in his clan could be the prince, the rest of the council and the other elders
bothered with it. (if any) of her clan. It’s customary to give some notice,
Conflict occasionally arises due to these disparate so that a replacement may be chosen, but sudden de-
methods. The younger Kindred of more traditional partures are not unheard of. The result is usually either
sects may grow angry that they aren’t being permitted a gaping vacuum in the power structure of the city or a
a vote when the Brujah across town have their own. sudden brief but chaotic struggle to fill that vacuum. If
The sitting members of a council, most of whom came the primogen obtained her office through appointment
to power through their own strengths and ambition, or popular acclaim, abandoning the position may result
may not take the Brujah seriously, since he couldn’t in not a few grudges and ill feelings, unless the position
do it on his own but had to gather the support of his was vacated in order to claim a higher office, such as
“cronies.” The primogen appointed by the prince may when a primogen becomes the city’s new prince.
be viewed as something of a “prince’s pet” by the oth- Removing a primogen from office is a difficult propo-
ers, or even as a plant or a spy. sition, even for his fellow primogen and the prince. As
Still, these issues are, in the larger scheme, relatively discussed above, it’s possible to function as spokesperson
minor. The primogen usually have far better issues to for a local clan even without the recognition of the
argue, fight and recriminate over. When the largest rest of the council. Many primogen are wise enough to
conflict is based on how one came to power, when the retire under the pressure of a council that wants them
primogen council has no more pressing business, the out; unlife isn’t easy to begin with for elders in public
city’s probably in fairly good shape. positions, and it’s that much harder when your fellows
While primogen may not actively come into con- don’t want you around and are making every effort to
flict over such issues, however, wise elders still keep interfere with your activities. Still, some refuse to go
very careful track of how each and every one of their quietly, and entire domains have been torn apart by
fellows obtained power. One never knows when such the political squabbles resulting from an attempt to
information will come in handy, after all, and the best kick one of the primogen off the council.
way to weaken a rival is to attack her support structure. A prince might have the power to strip a primogen
If one’s rival was appointed by the prince, for instance, of his office, but wise princes refrain from trying this
one need merely find some means of convincing the under any but the most extreme circumstances. Even if
prince that it’s no longer worth the effort to support she succeeds, she may develop a reputation for taking
her. On the other hand, if a fellow primogen was put in sides and playing favorites among the primogen: not
power by the popular acclaim of her clan, one’s efforts conducive to smooth relations in the future. Further-
against her must instead be aimed at tarnishing her good more, she runs the risk of losing her credibility entirely.
name and reputation. Wise primogen hoard information If a primogen doesn’t bow under her pressure to retire,
about how their fellows reached the council and make if he’s able to maintain his position despite the prince’s
a point of hiding their own path to power since, like wishes to the contrary, the prince cannot help but lose
everything else involving the Kindred, such knowledge face in the eyes of her domain’s Kindred.
is a powerful weapon in the proper hands. Archons, justicars and other sect officials rarely
take a direct hand in local politics. Should one of these
GET OUT! worthies insist that a given primogen relinquish his
Our focus here has been on becoming one of the position, it behooves him to do as he’s asked. Justicars
primogen, but it’s worth taking a moment to discuss have close to absolute power, as do archons when
how one leaves — or, more accurately, is removed — they’re speaking with their patron’s voice. The position
from the council. of primogen is a valuable one, with substantial perks
In most cities, no specific terms of office exist. A and powers attached to it, but other ways of pursuing
primogen holds her office until she chooses to step one’s ambitions are available. As precious as the posi-
down; is removed from her position by some action of tion may be, keeping it is not worth the repercussions
the prince, the rest of the council, her own clanmates of ignoring a justicar’s “suggestions.”
or someone higher up in the Camarilla; or meets Final Ironically, the weakest Kindred of the domain may be in
Death. Sometimes, those last two options are actually the best position to remove a primogen from office. Should
the same thing. the Kindred for whom that primogen is supposed to speak lose
Should a primogen wish to resign, the procedure is faith in his abilities, should they cease cooperating with him
rarely anything more formal than an announcement to and bringing him their concerns and observations and begin

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

31
reporting to someone else, that’s pretty much all she wrote.
A powerful elder might be able to maintain some position
PURPOSES,OR,
of authority within the prince’s local power structure purely A BUNCH OF VAMPIRES
on the basis of his own age, power and experience, but for SITTING AROUND TALKING
the most part, a primogen with no clanmates to represent
The primogen council is probably the oldest form
and to support him is no primogen at all.
of the “smoky backroom.” Ever since groups of men (or
Because removing a primogen from his position is women) gathered to discuss the business and governance
such a tricky proposition, princes and other primogen of a city, the council was there, at least in spirit. As
often resort to subterfuge, extortion and other particu- far as any Kindred knows, there has always been some
larly — well, Kindred-like methods of persuasion. form of primogen council. From the flattering courtiers
One of the most frequent reasons for removing a of princely courts, to the stern councils of elders seen
primogen from office is because the elder is guilty of in every city since the First Nights, to the group of
some crime against either the Camarilla or the prince. concerned citizens who started meeting to pool their
If the crime isn’t serious enough to warrant Final Death resources and ensure their survival when there was no
or a blood hunt, the prince and the rest of the primogen prince, the primogen council is one thing of vampire
might choose not to make the individual’s guilt public. existence that has always had a form, whether in formal
Should they announce his guilt and demand his resigna- name or otherwise.
tion, they face a battle — politically if not martially — if What do the primogen do? Manage the city’s
he refuses to go quietly. On the other hand, using the resources for the good of the citizenry and the city,
knowledge of his crime as leverage, offering him the op- maintain territories for feeding and for their clans
tion of a “voluntary” retirement in exchange for keeping to haven in, support the regime that the city may
his crimes secret, is certainly a viable alternative. know stability, balance the power of the prince that
It is not unheard of for princes and primogen to plant the younger vampires may know safety and to ensure
evidence of such crimes, to give themselves an excuse to the prince does not run roughshod, and promote and
remove an uncooperative, dangerous or simply unpopular protect the interests of their clans. How do they do it?
primogen from the council. For that matter, in truly ex- Any way they have to — the primogen chamber is a
treme cases, princes and primogen have been known to viper’s nest of nepotism, backstabbing, boon-swapping
arrange the “disappearance” of one of their own number and dirty fighting. It is a post that demands a Kindred
if no other method of removing him presents itself. This take it up willingly, and the stakes can be quite high.
isn’t common and the repercussions for being caught For many Kindred, though, it may be the greatest power
are extreme, but since when have either of those factors they ever hold.
stopped elder Kindred from doing as they please?
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
A BIGGER PICTURE A group of vampires allowed to run wild in a city can
quickly turn that city into a madhouse. Everyone scrabbles
To be primogen is considered one of the easier politi- for his own domain (literal or figurative), wastes time and
cal goals to reach by those Kindred on the outside, but energy acquiring and defending said domain, and no one
those who have a few more decades under their belts is watching out for the bigger threats, such as Lupines or
know otherwise. While some up-and-comers may use it incursions from other hostile forces. Such sticky fingers
as a training ground, ignorance and unwariness have cost are also likely to result in the fox guarding the henhouse,
many a clan dearly and the ignorant one her unlife. or, worse, precious resources that are being squandered
In conversation and correspondence, many Kindred by someone who’s boasting of his considerable stock of
refer to the various clan primogen solely by their clan resources, which are being used as his footstool. In these
name, unless they must differentiate between two of the nights, Kindred cannot afford not to have the city under
same clan who are holding posts in the city, such as the decent management. It may be all that’s standing between
Brujah primogen and the Brujah sheriff. This device is them and the barbarians at the gate.
largely for convenience’s sake, not indicative of the state One area of management is the matter of feeding.
of politics. While they do represent their clans’ interests Kindred must eat, and the best way to see this done with
at the table, primogen are not the be-all end-all of their a minimum of Masquerade breaches or other trouble is
clans, nor are they the representative type of the clan. to determine where it is safe to feed. Many times, the
Any vampire would do well to remember that when she clans consider where in their territories such can take
steps out into the world or comes to the table. place; if it can, what rules visitors must follow; or if it

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
32
simply isn’t safe at all. In cities where the prince decides
to allow clans to manage certain areas in exchange for
other considerations, they must also ensure that feeding
is done without threat to the Masquerade and repair
breaches if they occur.
Primogen must also determine which clans have
rights to which areas of a city, or, in the vernacular of
young Licks, who holds what turf. In larger cities, this
is a necessity — New York, Dallas and Seattle are all
examples where the primogen must divide up the re-
sponsibility and privilege of holding turf. Such cities are
too large for a single overworked sheriff and a handful
of deputies to police and protect, and this allows the
workload to be distributed a little more evenly. It can
be said that the prince holds all the territory in the city
by dint of the Second Tradition and his own position,
but when a prince brags about his “holding,” he’ll of
course be asked how he intends to care for it. Perhaps
the prince wisely decides to permit the clans to hold
territory in the city — the clan may feed in its terri-
tory, its members may set up their havens there, but it
is likewise responsible for keeping its house in order,
such as dealing with the Masquerade and watching out
for threats like the Sabbat and witch-hunters. How
the division actually occurs and how much each clan
receives are one of the greater bones of contention the
primogen must deal with. By numbers, by how much
the primogen can bully out of the others, by areas that
happen to correspond with spheres of influence? That
will be the subject of many discussions, some more
fractious than others. This more often than not leads
to the matter of influence.
Another aspect of resource management means de-
termining who holds sway over what projects or areas of
influence. This keeps everyone happy in their own little
spheres of influence and should ensure that as few toes
are stepped on as possible. It should, but many times it
doesn’t. While it’s all well and good to assume that the
various clans are interested in maintaining their tradi-
tional areas of influence — the Toreador among society,
the Nosferatu in the sewers, the Ventrue in the financial
sector, and so on — reality may look considerably different.
Consider the following example: a small, third-tier city
has only a single Nosferatu in residence for some reason.
Obviously, allowing him influence over the entire sewer
system would risk the prince’s worry that he has a second
prince below, but simply informing that Nosferatu that he
will not be taking care of his clan’s traditional dominion
nor has any rights to the place, even as a residence, risks
gaining a new enemy. In this same city, the Brujah and
the Tremere are fighting over who has rights over the
single local university. Who is better suited to manage

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33
it? Primogen who find themselves dealing with such of an alien notion. There is the prince, and everyone
matters had best hope that they have good alliances, else is below him — what else is there? In places like
because deadlocks are more likely to be broken by the these, you can throw out most of what I say, because
prince (who steps in and makes decisions by fiat if things the primogen there are little more than courtiers and
get out of hand) or by the rest of the council who prefers puppets. Europe as a whole is much more of a gerontoc-
that the prince not get involved. racy, but there can be elders who contest and balance
Resource management is perhaps one of the greatest the prince’s power (not always to the benefit of those
areas of contention among the primogen, so why would around them), and the results can mean nights of fiery
a primogen council spend so much energy on it? A city debate or icy stand-offs. The primogen in these courts
without its resources being maintained and used wisely are more likely to act as advisors in the old manner of
becomes chaos. Resources squandered through fruitless a king and his privy council.
arguments or left to seed while the likely managers SUPPORT THE REGIME
dicker price generate no return for anyone and are
more likely to become fair game for ambitious Caitiff, It is within the primogen council’s interest to
unaligned clans or even a Sabbat incursion. In these have a stable city and domain. How else can one have
Final Nights, the Kindred can ill afford to be caught clean streets and orderly Elysiums? The example might
squabbling over whose claim to Fifth Street has merit be somewhat facetious, but the core idea is the same
when the Sabbat are breaking down the door. — stability is a primogen’s friend, and the primogen
are the greatest keepers of that, even if no one else
CHECKS AND BALANCES recognizes it.
The primogen serve another vital function by pro- Bluster aside, the prince needs the primogen
viding a necessary check to a prince’s heady gallop with council’s support to lead, and the primogen can make
power or balancing things out when he becomes too or break a new prince if they believe it within the
enthusiastic with his iron fist or gives the troublemakers best interests of themselves and their clans. As much
a free rein. Young primogen learn this caveat quickly, as many princes would like to believe they arrived at
and elder statesman never forget it: the prince cannot their seats solely by dint of their iron-shod fists, their
maintain his domain without the support of the primogen. power in the first few nights is determined solely by
They demonstrate their confidence in his leadership by how well they can get along with the primogen and
their support, and many times they make it clear that gain their support. Usually very soon after a new prince
this support is conditional on the prince’s behavior. They ascends, the primogen announce their support (or lack
may still choose to support him if he starts acting like a thereof). By this, the primogen make it clear to the
pig, but he will not act like a pig unchecked. public at large that their weight, as representatives of
Most Kindred believe their clan’s primogen is all their clans and elders of the city, is behind the prince.
that stands between them and the unchecked power If the primogen decide that they’re going to support the
of the mighty prince, and most times they’re quite prince, that throws the weight of the clans behind the
right. In cities where the prince is an elder of great age, new prince. Even the angriest anarch or rabble-rouser
power and a certain… temperament, a primogen’s well must acknowledge that the display looks impressive
turned phrase or right word at the right time can spare and encourages others to behave.
a clanmate from an agonizing death because the prince Supporting the regime also means the primogen
woke up on the wrong side of the coffin that night and must keep a weather eye on their clans for would-be
some poor Lick wearing a color that he hates happened usurpers. If they wish to keep things in a stable status
to appear in Elysium. quo for a while longer, they must slap down any insolent
Those Kindred scholars who observe such things whelps in their clans if they start openly maneuver-
note that a primogen serving such a function is more ing for the princedom. When a primogen doesn’t put
frequent in the United States, England and other coun- down an agitator, it becomes a clear signal to all that
tries where the idea of a check-and-balance system is the primogen has chosen to withdraw his support from
common to mortal government. Check-and-balance is the current prince.
also more common among young vampires, who have Some primogen believe that supporting the regime
grown up with such things through their mortal lives also mandates that they support the prince’s choices for
and recognize them even in undeath. the various offices, such as sheriff. This is not necessarily so
— there is nothing stopping a primogen from disagreeing
In some places around the world, or in “courts” where
with the sheriff or the Keeper of Elysium. Some princes
very old princes reside, check-and-balance is something
may claim that not supporting the sheriff or Keeper is
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
34
an insult to them, but these are often elder princes who chambers. For them, reaching seats of power is how
have very Old World notions about things. their clans measure the worth of the Kindred within the
PROMOTE THE CLAN’S INTERESTS city. While both clans like to claim that the Camarilla’s
interests are their interests, the rest don’t believe this
This is perhaps the greatest reason why any clan for more than a second. Like many mortal politicians,
would want to have a primogen at the table or why one projects that benefit the clans benefit the primogen.
would seek the post herself. At the primogen table, While primogen need not worry about being re-elected,
a vampire can lay claims to areas of clan influence they do occasionally need to justify their existences to
or interest, and official sanctions of some sort ensure the elder members of their clans, and if they can point
that she and her clan can fend off interlopers without to the works that promoted their clans’ interest and the
too much objection. It’s far less common, but not stake the clan has in the city, their continued survival
unheard of, for a Kindred to come in with some great and posting might well be assured.
idea about the running of the city, and like mortals in
their own political systems, he believes the best way ON DISAGREEING AND
to change or influence things is from the inside — not
a few Brujah primogen come to their chairs with such
BEING DISAGREEABLE
high-minded ideas. Predators are always very polite to each other. In
Everyone has his own idea about what is the clan’s the animal kingdom, predatory animals such as the
interest and how to support it. That could be making great cats greet one another with a variety of signs and
sure that the clan does not become everyone’s favorite behaviors to indicate their purposes in order to avoid
punching bag, or that the clan’s particular pet projects unnecessary conflict. An injured cat may not be able
stay their pet projects, or that they have worthwhile to hunt for itself and may even die. Kindred, as the
places to feed and for territory (if the city is inclined ultimate predators, often do the same, for very similar
that way). It sounds like resource management all over reasons, though not always with the same results.
again, and the two tend to coincide frequently. Primogen, like any other group of Kindred, are likely
There are always clans that become the whipping- to get into some disagreement just from sheer proxim-
boys of a city — Malkavians, Nosferatu, Brujah and the ity to one another. Younger primogen have noted that
erstwhile Gangrel are the most common targets, but something about putting several Kindred in the same
any underrepresented clan may find itself in the spot. room seems to bring out the worst in everyone. Add
When the Sabbat arrives, when the hunters are in the in the peccadilloes of elder age and temperament, and
alleys, when something goes wrong, everyone looks at one might have the makings of a second council — the
them. Did they actually contribute to the problem? primogen and the primogen’s Beasts.
Probably not, but in the meantime they make handy A primogen may disagree about a number of things
scapegoats or point-men for the front line. Even some with her fellows. What happens next will be a measure
of the pillars of the Camarilla — the Toreador, the of her skill as a politician and indicate whose side she’s
Ventrue, the Tremere — have been targeted in small truly on.
cities that other clans have cemented a hold on.
CONTESTED RESOURCES
A good primogen can ensure that such target-
ing doesn’t happen by skillfully deflecting the blame This is one of the most common sources of conflict.
elsewhere (“Our fault? The Malkavians are scarcely Perhaps resources are scarce — the earlier example of
allowed in that area of town — that’s Ventrue domain. the Brujah and Tremere contesting the single college is
Can’t you take care of your own mess?”) or acquiring but one aspect of this. Perhaps everyone wants a piece
assistance from another clan (“Two Brujah can’t be of a certain pie or area of influence — the tech sector
reasonably expected to deal with both the South Side became just such a hotly contested issue in the ‘90s.
troubles and the Masquerade breaches on Juniper and Everyone had his own ideas about how to best run it,
21st. I think some of this is closer to Toreador interests, and everyone was quite convinced that the best way
if they could be persuaded….”). A weak or inexperi- to run it was to put a certain clan in charge because
enced primogen who does not protect her clan from it understood it best (usually his own) and everyone
misuse and abuse at the hands of others will find herself else should butt out. Perhaps something presses the
looking for a strategic exit, if she doesn’t die in one of clans into closer and closer quarters — the Lupines
these mishandlings herself. are being troublesome, rumors of Sabbat infiltrators,
The Tremere and the Ventrue are the most die-hard one clan seems to have grown unusually large with
about promoting their clans’ interests in a city and in new residents and Embracees. Whatever the reason,

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

35
the animals’ cage becomes smaller, and when predators Nothing stops a prince from favoring one of another
are forced into smaller and smaller areas, they turn on clan for some reason — he’s enamored of her, he owes
each other. Obviously, no one wants things to come to her sire some favor, she has something he wishes to
that, but certain matters must be handled — vampires keep close for a while. Likewise a primogen can do
must feed and there must be places for them to do so. nothing if the favor she’s receiving — to the dismay of
Spheres of influence keep the clans busy and diminish, all involved — is coming from someone much higher.
however slightly, the chance that they’ll want to kill The favored one may lash out at the closest targets,
each other tonight. since she cannot touch the one who’s actually part of
THAT “SPECIAL” ASSOCIATE the problem, and the closest targets might well be her
fellow primogen.
A long-standing belief holds that princes favor
their own, and sometimes it can be true. A prince and a THE VAMPIRE WHO WOULD BE PRINCE
primogen of the same clan who hold the same interests Every council seems to have one — a Kindred who
can become a powerhouse for getting things done, for views her spot as merely a stepping-stone to greater
better or worse. Consequently, the prince — knowing things, specifically the princedom. Many princes watch
what his primogen clanmate values and something of her their inner circles very closely indeed, believing quite
character — may be more likely to approve her projects, rightly that many threats come from within. That is all
since he believes he need not worry about her loyalties and well and good, but many primogen can tell the curious
choices. It is a standing tradition in several cities that the about equal numbers of times when the threat that
primogen council may not have a primogen of the prince’s carried away the prince came from some spot no one
clan sitting, as it gives the prince an unfair advantage in had thought to scrutinize.
pushing through anything that he wishes. Furthermore, Primogen who want to be prince frequently disagree
even if the prince and the primogen council are locked in with the prince’s policies. They are more likely to drag
some struggle for control or power, the primogen suffer at out arguments. They disparage the prince in semipublic
least one strike against them because the primogen of the gatherings and then proceed to speculate aloud where
prince’s clan will certainly be carrying word back to his a better candidate might be found. Anytime the prince
clanmate of everything that’s occurring, which opens the is in error, they make much of the fact, citing incom-
door to princely pronouncements that trump everything petence or even denigrating the prince’s clan. They are
the council has been working toward. not likely to share their information with the prince, or
Most experienced primogen dismiss such things even with their fellow primogen, the better to ensure
as rot. In the first place, nothing prevents a primogen the prince remains in ignorance. It is spin-doctoring
of the prince’s clan from sitting on the council if she taken to creative new heights.
chooses and is of the appropriate age, standing and The above-mentioned are considered fairly small
character. Does she give the prince an unfair advantage? ventures — they are irritating and slow down the busi-
Contrary to popular belief, nothing states that every ness of the night, but in the end they are relatively
member of a clan is of the same mind regarding every- harmless. Some would-be princes have gambled with
thing. A Brujah primogen whose instincts run toward greater odds, risking much more than the court of
military-style preparedness for all situations (whether public opinion and princely disfavor. These Kindred
or not they merit it) and a Brujah prince who prefers likely have a very personal stake in the matter — the
diplomacy and intelligence to fisticuffs are not going to prince did them an unforgivable wrong in another city
get along, and certainly not going to give each other any or time; they have been bound to the matter by their
sort of advantage. That said, why should the primogen sire or another master of the Jyhad. Rather than waste
go running to his clanmate if he hears of something time on what they see as penny-ante schemes, they
untoward? They are not in the position of supporting take things to the next level, by creating havoc in the
each other, and perhaps he believes that a little shake- city that the prince cannot or does not respond to, but
up will do her good. The rest of the primogen may not which they themselves have the resources and talents
know or care, though, and that suspicion can rankle at to deal with. They may trick the seneschal into holding
a primogen who’s doing his best not to be a toady to the door for the Sabbat, a frightfully easy thing if the
his clanmate but who cannot seem to get the benefit seneschal can be swayed to their side or is inexperienced.
of the doubt from the rest of the group. They may encourage a glut of Caitiff or thin-blooded
Most of the above examples are described in terms vampires to infest the city. They may goad the prince
of the prince and primogen being of the same clan. into making irreparable mistakes, such as declaring

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
36
blood hunts (which traditionally cannot be revoked). At best such creatures are considered annoyances
They might even bring Lupines, witch-hunters or a by more “legitimate” primogen, resulting in nothing
clan war to the streets, whether as a smokescreen to more than wasted time and irritation. At worst they
cover their own misdeeds or to create a crisis only they can lead to unnecessary conflict with a prince who
can handle. The idea is to have the prince be caught believes that the primogen council is all on the same
unawares, left scrambling to deal with the problem and bandwagon, or wild tactics to forge ahead. A pretender
failing miserably at the task. to the throne and a paranoid prince — which is status
Such tactics can be suicidally risky — smokescreens quo for the primogen, some say — mean long, trouble-
have a way of spiraling out of control. Enough chaos some nights ahead.
may bring in something the city as a whole cannot I’M MY OWN PRIMOGEN
handle (and consequently neither can the offender),
the primogen gets caught in the maelstrom of his own Some cities see the occasional appearance of some-
making, or the archons come calling in response to one of the appropriate age and interest to sit with the
events. Again, the trick is not to get caught and to primogen, but they do not come to represent a clan. In
orchestrate events down to the most minute detail, or fact, they have no clan in the city. Seat and clan are
to have plans for every eventuality. He who set this composed of one vampire.
hurricane of events in motion now brings in the very Such vampires may result in swing votes, or in
things necessary to clean up the mess, preferably when someone who’s too tricky to predict in terms of voting
and where he can be best observed at his task. He then or pet projects. Since they are not beholden to other
points to the prince, noting how their so-vaunted leader clanmates, they need not follow the typical areas of
was completely blindsided by events and did not react influence — a lone Toreador might choose to be ac-
quickly enough to contain the crisis that nearly engulfed tive in law, a solo Nosferatu has a vested interest in
their fair city. Who wants to live in a city where the public television. The lack of clanmates occasionally
prince is so incapable? results in a lack of city power, but such vampires are
Will it succeed? If all the above measures go off also likely to be sitting at the behest of someone else
without a hitch and the offender is never revealed, the (most likely the prince or another primogen) or are
answer is, “Very likely.” Vampires love their unlives, powerful enough that it doesn’t matter they have no
and someone who preserves them is likely to incur a one else behind them.
great deal of gratitude. Our crafty primogen bastard How the arrival of such a Kindred disturbs the
might not get the throne on this round due to the dust delicate balances of power and the speculations on who,
settling in various clan reorganizations and the like what and why could easily fill several nights’ worth of
(possibly even new fellow primogen), but it’s a sure bet debate, and frequently does when the matter happens
that he has gained a great deal of prestige and interest to arise. Perhaps he is a toady to the prince — a solo
from others within and without the city. Kindred primogen without a clan to support him might
A truculent primogen without the resources or need to be dependent on the goodwill of the prince to
stomach to take the risks of inviting some chaotic ele- continue his position and perhaps unlife. If one has
ment may choose to work within chambers to further her considerable personal power and a base of allies, though,
situation. She may withhold a swing vote in an attempt one is less likely to be stuck as the toady, regardless of
to drag prestation from the “incapable” prince and then the prince. Still, bloc voting could squish the loner like
lord it over him. Such a move is considered damned a bug, whatever his power base.
impolite by some (especially the more traditionally A lone primogen who has somehow acquired more
plain-dealing clans, like the Brujah and Nosferatu) and power than the rest of the primogen combined or, deo
an acceptable tactic by others (the more socially adept prohibe, the prince results in what young Licks term a
clans like the Toreador). The reaction depends on the collective “Yipe!” from the group. Without a clan or
city, the council and the situation. Deadlocking the other traditional measures to judge him against, he
council is another favorite tactic of the throne-chaser. becomes an unknown, a wild card, and vampires most
He may encourage deadlock, even if it frustrates him, definitely fear the unknown and the things which could
but the discomfort is only temporary. This leads to potentially ruin decades of careful planning. What does
someone outside the council (perhaps one of his cronies) he want? Could he be a master of the Jyhad? Could he
noting that the prince and primogen can’t get along, be an Inconnu? The loner’s actions will be watched very
and someone else’s keen observation that it’s easier to carefully for the smallest clues, and every word he utters
replace a prince than an entire council. will be practically frightened out of its meaning by the

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

37
council’s scrutiny. It is likely that the more everyone of discretion” will turn to the primogen table at some
panics, the more likely he is to get what he wants — no point, which rouses little suspicion when a Kindred of
one wants to risk crossing such a dread creature who clearly a few centuries sits down at the table.
might or might not be an Inconnu or Jyhad-master. He WEARING TOO MANY HATS
might also use the panic as a cover for his real activities,
whatever they happen to be. Primogen and prince might In smaller cities, it often happens that very few
even find themselves with the strangest of bedfellows Kindred are capable of handling power. Many times
— each other — as they deal with this hidden potential only a few have even an interest in holding a post.
threat. Such creatures do not always come at the behest On one hand, such Licks are to be watched warily, for
of the prince, nor are they always welcome. their dreams are ambitious. On the other hand, the city
Kingmakers often find their way into such spots, still needs running. Such places often have primogen
finding the king’s own position to be too visible and councils that likely have one or more individuals also
the shadows behind the throne to be a very comfort- working a city post, such as sheriff or Keeper of Elysium.
able place. As mentioned above, masters of the Jyhad The scourge, due to the necessities of temperament for
— or the rumors of such — are also likely candidates his job, is never seen as one of these.
to become that strangely powerful primogen. This is Some see it as a blessing. The primogen need not
less unrealistic than some might suppose. A primogen wonder what the sheriff will require of them during
chair is a fine place to hide from the moves of the great the latest Sabbat siege — the sheriff is already there
game for a time — who would notice the business of and will be happy to delineate her requests further.
ants? — and collect resources for the next gambit, For those who are actually attempting such, it can be
although blatant mistakes and runaway greed might a painful balancing act. The needs of the city must be
embolden prince and primogen to put their collective tended to — jobs like sheriff and Keeper of Elysium are
foot down. Either of these use the traditional prince quite time-consuming. It is also likely that something
and primogen set-up as a cover for their activities, as a will end up left by the wayside, and that is usually the
word or two can prevent the curious from scrutinizing primogen chair. Some primogen fellows find such a
things overmuch, and few are likely to notice that one thing intolerable, not to mention the clan that feels
primogen is grossly more powerful than the other. its interests aren’t being tended to. In the end, it’s up
But if power is no object, then why don’t these to the Kindred in the hot seat either to find a balance
enigmas become princes or seneschals? wonder the or gracefully disengage from one of the posts.
curious. Princedom is not the one great goal of every Only the smallest cities see a seneschal actually sit-
Kindred, despite the propaganda for it. Becoming prince ting at the table and engaged in primogen business. Most
means becoming visible and active in the Kindred com- seneschals are kept very busy by their princes, and few have
munity — princes correspond with each other, meet time to sit around. They may still be kept in the know
at conclaves, receive visitors, hold courts and perform by contacts on the council and perhaps they are nearby,
numerous other duties that cannot be taken care of by taking notes or keeping track of the evening’s work for
hiding away in a mansion or castle. That’s the other edge the prince, but as part of the council? Unlikely.
of the blade of princedom — the position comes with NO ROOM, NO ROOM!
a mountain of duties if the Kindred wishes to grow and
improve his city and his own standing. The primogen The primogen table is traditionally open to anyone
chair requires none of these things, leaving the solo of appropriate age who wants to have a hand in the
clan member free to pursue his own works. Likewise, the business of the city and does not wish the burdens of
office of seneschal calls on a vast amount of work and an office. That said, it’s not uncommon to have more
very little power in the halls of power — the seneschal’s wanting to sit at the table than space available. This is
power lies in his closeness to the prince and his ability not a lack of space in the physical sense — it’s no great
to spin and manage the prince’s flow of visitors and matter to rent a hotel’s ballroom if it comes to that —
information. True, there is something worthwhile to but in the sense that there might be three Toreador,
be found in that, but meanwhile one must take notes, four Ventrue, two Brujah, and so on. Obviously some
answer correspondence, take appointments and the like. pruning needs to be done, but who will be pruned?
Additionally, it looks a bit strange for one of advanced How is it done?
age to play such a role, unless he has gone to exceptional Most times, it becomes a matter of deciding who
lengths to conceal his age. Again, the primogen chair of- will bring home the best bacon. Consider the three
fers a more acceptable solution — there’s an expectation Toreador who are all potential candidates for the chair.
that those who reach the Kindred equivalent of the “age Candidate One has long experience in city politics as
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
38
a Keeper of Elysium, a post he still holds. Candidate
Two sits with the harpies and is a darling of them and
several vampires of advanced age, but her political
experience is limited to the social arena. Candidate
Three has been a primogen in another city up until
about two years ago and has been noted as a shrewd
deal-maker and all-around clever. All have the same
amount of status, and all are approximately the same
age, give or take a decade. None has exceptionally good
relations with the prince, but none has poor relations
either. Candidate One… is too valuable in his post as
Keeper to put aside for primogen. Candidate Three…
not enough is known about her to give her the chair,
since she has been in this city only two years, which is
not quite enough time to know the city and its work-
ings. Which leaves… yes, Candidate Two. Sometimes
the best candidate is the one who will cause the least
offense. Will she serve well? If she’s clever enough to
keep her mouth shut for the first few meetings and
learn, she’ll do quite well.
Does such a candidate become a puppet? Only if
she opens herself to the possibility — if she turns to
someone else (perhaps one of the other two candidates)
for guidance in an arena she is unfamiliar with, then
yes, she is likely to become a puppet. After all, nobody
gets anything for free. If she happens to have significant
political acumen after all, in spite of all the care taken,
someone’s bound to get a very interesting surprise. What
kind of surprise will depend on how the new primogen
runs her ship thereafter. If she was a compromise candi-
date on the grounds that she could be used as a puppet,
then whoever is ostensibly supposed to be pulling her
strings could be unpleasantly surprised and might start
moving against her if she takes the reins, although there
are certainly likely to be those who are pleased to see her
take to things and like her style and stances. If she was
a compromise candidate on the grounds that she would
likely cause the least disruption in the city’s workings,
then most would let her run, provided she continued
to avoid disrupting the city’s workings.
US AGAINST HIM
A primogen council that wants to make a prince’s
unlife miserable can do so without much effort on its
part. Remember, a prince needs the support of the
primogen to maintain the domain. A primogen council
that has no love for its prince for whatever reason —
perhaps he came to power in a bloody coup, perhaps
he is considerably younger than the primogen — can
make an evening’s business lag until the prince has
no opportunity to get anything else done. They can
question his judgments (especially if he’s younger than
most of them), they can accuse him of favoring his clan,
CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER
39
they can ignore his officers. A variation on this is not a mistake and there will be calls to replace him/her/
to disrespect the prince but to denigrate his choices of them. Vampires have learned to be very patient, and
officers. This seems to be particularly popular in light primogen who are blocking a prince can be patient for
of the newly resurfaced office of the scourge. quite some time.
This sort of game is foolish and ultimately wasteful. THE POWERMONGER
Some primogen councils have used this as the means
to throw out a prince whom they refused for whatever This is something of a subspecies of the Vampire
reason, but what happens when the prince decides to Who Would Be Prince. This creature sees the post of
return enmity for enmity? What happens when the primogen as his chance to build a private nest egg of
prince does leave in disgust, and they are suddenly city resources or a personality cult and build his own
confronted with a city in turmoil as others jockey for power base. In the case of this Kindred, he’s not look-
the domain? The variation of disparaging the officers ing to become prince — in fact, staying primogen for
of the prince’s appointment is even more foolish and a long while to come would suit him just fine. Princes
wasteful — one of those officers might end up as prince, have to worry about catering to the primogen and the
and it’s not likely they’ll forget their ill treatment at other Licks in the domain, and the powermonger has
the hands of the body standing before them. no interest in finding out just how many enemies he’s
been making while he’s been at work.
A second-tier city that had just finished a long and
turbulent period of conflict with Lupines, Sabbat and witch- The powermonger has few distinguishing charac-
hunters (in that order) found itself with a fairly youngish teristics about him until he opens his mouth. Age is no
Brujah prince and a mostly older primogen council after all factor, but it can determine how much he has to work
the dust had settled. Said prince had a great deal of popular with. Clan is no factor — they’ve come from every group.
support and was generally approved by the primogen, but He usually manages to anger a great many Kindred,
a bloc of Toreador, Brujah and Tremere on the council enough that they ought to be chasing him through the
seemed set on making her unlife miserable — demanding streets on a blood hunt, but he is adept enough that he
prestation or Status just to get through a night’s work, can disarm potential threats by sending an ally after the
for few discernible reasons, beyond perhaps her clan offender or dropping a few words in various ears. His
or age. After enduring an excruciating year of this, the tentacles reach into almost every aspect of city influ-
prince abruptly abdicated in the middle of session after ence, and some are lodged deeply enough that ripping
an amazing display of the clan’s passionate temper. The him out might cause untold chaos.
city pitched and yawed for a few queasy months before the A primogen who is gunning for the princedom may
Ventrue seneschal was able to take the throne, and the see the powermonger as a valuable ally and attempt to
game started all over again. It was later discovered that cultivate him by offering him his same job ad infinitum.
the Toreador primogen had a great desire for the throne Other primogen may play along in the hope that he,
and little to back a claim, so she hoped that by making or his resources, can be bought and used for their own
enough trouble, eventually, the princedom would come projects. There will always be those who find him an-
to her. She had plied the rest of the council with various noying and will either squish him personally or do their
promises and not a little blackmail — only the Brujah and level best to set him up to fall on his face.
Tremere had joined with her, but it was enough to make INFORMATION
for chaos in chambers. She was destroyed a few months
later after it was discovered she had tried to speed up the Many conflicts arise within clans and between
process by dealing with the Sabbat. primogen regarding information — who has it, what
has and hasn’t been shared, hoarding, falsehood, etc.
When is it proper to stonewall a prince? A prince
One needs information to make good decisions, and
who is hell-bent on a foolish course of action — fruitless
lack of information — or worse, incomplete information
war with the Lupines, searching for enemies borne of
— results in poor judgment calls, usually to someone’s
his paranoia, squashing a clan due to his unreasoning
benefit. A primogen who does not share pertinent
hatred, using a city as his personal bulwark in his wasteful
information with her clan is likely to find herself in
war with another elder — needs to be stonewalled, at
all manner of hot water very quickly. Some prefer to
least long enough to get his mind on something else.
maintain their own information networks, the better
A prince who’s already on the garden path to Hell will
not to become dependent on other primogen. This of
find his trip made infinitely more difficult by a primogen
course then leads to someone learning something earlier
council which looks like it’s doing everything by the
than everyone else — “You knew two weeks ago that the
rules. Given enough time, someone’s going to make
Sabbat were smuggling themselves in via the Red Eagle
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
40
Delivery Company? Why didn’t you tell us?!” — and as a means to keep themselves busy — knowing noth-
if that information is not distributed quickly enough, ing else but the business of politics — or because their
or is withheld to achieve a certain result, the resultant clanmates begged, badgered or blackmailed them into
disaster may bring even more catastrophic results than it. Many clans hope that such a prestigious posting will
the original one might have. bring their primogen extra weight in chambers or even
This issue is particularly contentious among the buy them allies. This is often the case, but they’re not
Brujah, Nosferatu and Tremere, all clans which value allies that most sensible Kindred would want — syco-
having accurate information to work with. Even the phants help no one.
other clans are irritated not to know what’s going on, Lesser princes usually feel threatened by such
though, since they must learn later rather than sooner primogen, and many times the worry is only wasted
and have little or no time to puzzle through events and energy. Any prince who feels his grip is not quite as
pick apart the motives and possible moves of other secure on his city as he would like believes that they are
forces. watching him, waiting for some slip that can be used as
MY CLANMATE THE… artillery against him. He never believes the advice they
give him, thinking that they are trying to mislead him,
“Hello, remember my clanmate, the very powerful the better to retake their former post. More powerful
Ms. So-and-so?” A clan that can brag a prince, archon or secure princes treat the matter with little concern,
or some other powerful person from its ranks and never but let it never be said they are not keeping one eye
hesitates to remind others of it has irritated many a on this potential threat at their table.
primogen to distraction. A Toreador primogen of the Former archons present a special worry for both
Southeast cites a favorite example of this: a Brujah other primogen and princes. Who knows what allies
primogen liked to use the fact that his clanmate was she’s retained since her heady nights? What sort of
an archon as a means of intimidation, mostly because special interests support her, and whose causes is she
he wasn’t competent enough to do the job on his own really peddling? Why on earth would she want to do
merit. Eventually word got back to the archon that something as trivial as be a primogen? Generally such
her name was being, as she put it, “taken in vain.” concerns are hogwash — the wise don’t bring such to
The Toreador admits she does not know what hap- the table to use as a cudgel, or at least not on a nightly
pened between the archon and her clanmate, but the basis. However, should such a primogen decide to wield
next meeting of the primogen saw the errant Brujah that weapon, the stakes are unusually high and perhaps
unusually chastened and never more did he bring up indicative of something that hasn’t been seen yet by
his so-important clanmate. anyone else. All things considered, former archons at
Sometimes having the sitting prince be of one’s the table are more worthy of sympathy than worry. Pity
clan can be very helpful — he offers a veto that’s the former archon who suddenly has the eyes of the
hard to deny. A clanmate who’s an archon can be a city on her when the Sabbat invade, a temperamental
window onto helpful information that may not be so elder from the Old Country decides to “settle in” or
freely disseminated. Clans that have such can disen- the Lupines are being troublesome. If she succeeds in
franchise the rest of the council who are not so lucky if taking care of the matter, she’ll be viewed as a threat
they wave it around enough times, and sometimes the by prince and council — surely she had outside help,
disenfranchised will use that club against the braggart surely she’s more powerful than she lets on, when will
in response. she make a move for the princedom? If she fails — and
THE FORMER PRINCE OR ARCHON survives the experience — she’ll be publicly humiliated
with fiendish delight by the prince and his cronies. She’ll
It’s a fact that anyone who survives her trip to the certainly lose some status and perhaps her chair, but she
halls of higher power generally gets the hairy eyeball will not be shedding many tears over the loss.
when she comes to the primogen table. The general
Outside Interests
hopes, wishes and suspicions of her clanmates alone can
be staggering, not to mention the fears of her neighbors. Of course the primogen council is a Camarilla in-
Most Kindred assume that once one has tasted the stitution. Of course the primogen are of unimpeachable
sweet nectar of power, one wouldn’t want to go back character. Of course they act completely of their own
to anything less. In nights previous, that was often the volition and for the good of the city.
case. In the Final Nights, however, the reverse is just Only the naïve or rampantly stupid believe it.
as likely — very often these survivors are exhausted, There is always a chance that some exterior force
burned out and battle-scarred. They come to the table weighs on the individual primogen. Perhaps a clan elder
CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER
41
is leaning on her, perhaps the loudmouths in her clan Misperceptions of Power
are making some disagreeable rumbles about replacing A frequent perception, particularly among the young,
her if she doesn’t do this thing or that, perhaps she is is that the primogen becomes the de facto boss of the
a pawn in the Jyhad, or perhaps some clan outside the clan. It’s handy for keeping the rabble in line, but it is, in
council or even the Camarilla is using her to maintain short, not true. The prince is the ultimate authority in a
their interests. No cause or clan holds a particularly large domain. The sire looks out for the interests of the childe.
stake in errant primogen — they all suffer equally. The domitor commands the thrall. Primogen do not rule
A clan elder’s attentions are not always wanted, but their clans, though they may speak for them. When a
they’re even less wanted sometimes when one is attempt- childe is released from his sire, he is expected to have
ing to perform the business of city governance. One can’t the good sense to give heed to his primogen, obey local
exactly tell the elder to bugger off, but no one likes to custom and generally behave himself. What a primogen
be a pawn. Someone who must drag herself through the receives is courtesy, attention and respect. It’s not up to
motions of city maintenance when she despises the stance her to enforce edicts handed down from officers of the
irritates the rest of the council, but they may not have prince’s domain. She delivers the message, and that’s that.
much more room to deal with matters. On occasion, she Some do take on a slightly larger role of encouraging the
may gain some sympathy for her plight, and allies may clan to follow the latest edict, explaining the what and
move issues through that are important to her but not wherefore of it and why it’s good to follow it — this is
her elder, allowing her the convenient cover of “I was most common with clans where the majority are neonates
overruled.” Sometimes this may drive off the elder to find and they look to the older primogen for support, guidance
a more pliant chew-toy — and the primogen now has and (dare it be said) parenting occasionally.
a few dozen favors to pay back — or this may send him Some primogen grew up with this delusion, no one
into a rage that everyone must duck from. disavowed them of it, and when they reach their seats
Non-sect clans may not usually have seats on the they believe they have some measure of power over their
primogen, but nothing stops them from approaching clans. Consequently, they attempt to rule their clans
a primogen and asking for certain “considerations.” with iron fists and expect the same from their fellows.
Whether the primogen takes up the challenge is another So when someone is seen as letting the feral children
matter. On one hand, perhaps the primogen stands fast run wild, the offended party stalks to the “offending”
and says she is not interested in any working relations primogen and demands that she rein in her clan. The
with this Kindred. The spurned one has two options — now-insulted primogen makes a retort of her own, and
gain her by more amicable means or force himself on things proceed apace. How long the clan will allow its
her. Perhaps he does her a favor or two, or three, and primogen to wave the velvet-shod iron fist over them
eventually she finds herself disposed to think kindly is another matter entirely.
on him and his interests when in chambers (provided
they do not clash too wildly with the good of the city). ON DISAGREEMENTS WITHIN
What is more likely is blackmail or blood bond, though AND WITHOUT
the latter is improbable. The primogen finds herself
Why fight with one’s fellow primogen? Why fight
at the receiving end of blackmail regarding herself
with the prince? It would seem to go against the whole
or something of her interests — perhaps her favorite
“predators are very polite to each other” underpinning of
childe is caught in flagrante by this Kindred, perhaps
Cainite society. Predators are polite to each other only
there’s a dark secret that could ruin her in the city if it’s
when they want to avoid an unnecessary fight. At times,
revealed — in exchange for silence, the primogen must
the Kindred reach the point where politeness is no longer
barter her services, offering to speak on her tormentor’s
an option. Enlightened self-interest lies somewhere at
interests in chambers.
the heart of all things — sometimes the only way to get
Some primogen rely on the support of their clans what you want is to fight talon and fang for it — but
to maintain their chairs. In clans (such as the Tremere) the astute will notice other factors at work.
where they may find two or even three worthy candi-
For the Good of X Thing
dates, the one who brings home the bacon — in terms of
prestige for the clan, power, projects — is the one most Contrary to popular belief, some high-minded
likely to keep her posting. That said, it can rankle many vampires decide to put up a fight when something
when a clever, worthy individual finds herself needing they particularly value is at stake. Most times, that has
to demand consideration for various matters relating to something to do with the prince — one who is abusing
the clan, just to keep the louder ones quiet. the domain’s mortals, one who is turning the city into

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
42
his personal armory in a fight against some elder or keeping it moving. Obviously, then, when someone
similar shabby behavior. No prince may run completely isn’t doing his part, or is using these as a weapon against
unchecked, and abusive princes will eventually find someone, something has to give in response.
their luck running out one night. Mismanagement is frequently in the eye of the be-
A Brujah from a small mountain-state city recalls holder. Once a Brujah primogen argued that a clanmate
seeing a primogen chamber almost become a boxing ring had been the first to arrive in a particular city, long before
while the council tried to decide whether to withdraw it was divided into clan territories and resources, and
its support from a prince who had become abusive with that the move by the Malkavians to dislodge her from
his power. The Brujah, Nosferatu and Gangrel made it her long-time haven was untenable. Said Brujah was
clear they had no interest in continuing to offer their well known among the mortal fringe and alternative
clans’ support to a creature who viewed them as targets, groups, generally prized by the prince and primogen for
not to mention his ill-advised use of the blood hunt. The her exemplary work in maintaining the Masquerade
Malkavian supported the prince, but nominally, as one and watching for threats. The Malkavian insisted that
elder to another. The Tremere and Ventrue likewise he had the right, that he would not allow Brujah (or
continued to support the prince, primarily because he any other clans for that matter) in the clan’s territory.
was a Ventrue, and there were “certain agreements, you The prince refused to take a stance, as he was on ten-
understand.” The Toreador, however, happened to be terhooks with the Malkavian’s sire, but simply pushing
balanced precariously in the middle. Should she cast out the Brujah in question out would have resulted in
her lot with the Brujah, Nosferatu and Gangrel? The dire general displeasure — not that such displeasure
prince had shabbily treated some Toreador ancillae mattered to him, but the clans would certainly make
visitors who had recently appeared in Elysium on one their feelings known to the primogen.
of his legendary “bad nights,” and after being reminded The upshot was the Brujah primogen pointing out
of the incident, she decided she was not in a forgiving that ever since the Malkavians had taken over that ter-
mood. Still, he was an elder prince, the Toreador be- ritory, no one was allowed in without jumping through
lieved herself to be a staunch supporter of the Camarilla, a lot of hoops or passing the primogen something “for
and turning against him could put her clan in a very his trouble.” What could he be hiding in there? This
bad position with him, as well as the Tremere and the was enough for the Nosferatu to claim the Malkavian
Ventrue. How did the vote end up? In the end, she was mismanaging his territory to the detriment of the
sided with the good of the clan, of course. The results city, which of course roused the prince’s interest, because
of that are left for the observant to figure out. now he could become involved by dint of the matter
Cleaning House being viewed as a threat to city security.
Sometimes, after a few decades of looking at the
same furniture over and over, one decides that it’s old, WEAPONS OF CHOICE
unfashionable, undesirable or something similar. What Primogen in the midst of a “disagreement” do not
to do next? Get rid of that which is not wanted and bring go into the streets to duel with pistols at dawn. They do
in something new. The same thing can happen in the not (usually) settle their differences by playing chess,
upper echelons of Kindred society. Perhaps information betting on cockfighting, or equally silly measures. Few
has surfaced about the Brujah primogen’s involvement are reckless enough to attempt to call a blood hunt
with a local group of disruptive anarchs, or perhaps the on the offender, unless they want to forfeit their own
Tremere primogen has not been giving his work the unlives. Primogen have other means of dealing with
attention it deserves. Whatever the reason, the person their enemies, and the best are so subtle that the rest of
must go, and it’s not likely he’ll go quietly. the city at large, and sometimes even the prince, may
Sometimes it is a prince who needs to be swept out. remain unaware of the situation.
Remember the example given earlier about the fight You May Not Sit
over not supporting the prince. It would eventually lead Nothing in the Traditions states a prince must
to a decision of complete nonsupport and the prince have a primogen council, nor is there a guarantor any-
finding himself in the position of clinging to a post where in the annals of Kindred history that each clan
that would not be supported by the primogen despite may put forth a primogen. Should the council wish to
his bluster and threats. block someone from taking her seat, they may state
Mismanagement that they do not recognize this person’s authority to
A great deal has been said regarding resource man- speak for her clan. The prince may do the same if the
agement and the primogen’s roles in organizing and
CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER
43
Kindred in question has annoyed many others, but if on ministers and priests, and she (being the main point
he does so, chances are more likely that he does so at regarding influence in the religious community) decides
the behest of the primogen, whose support is so critical to announce that feeding among religious workers is
to allowing him to retain his seat. now forbidden due to possible breaches of the Mas-
Resource Wrangling querade — what happens next? Does the Ventrue dare
”You can’t get rid of me — I’m the only one who’s turn on the Malkavian and accuse her of attempting
taking care of this thing!” to starve or inconvenience him? Because Masquerade
“You know, you really haven’t been watching this spot breaches are so serious, not many are likely to note
so well. Maybe we’ll let the Brujah take it over.” such measures as a political move. Starving someone
into submission can work just as well among Kindred
A primogen who blocks others from using city
as it does in mortals.
resources or certain feeding grounds that are under his
clan’s watch forces them to come to a decision regarding A primogen would be wise to consider the rami-
whatever he has them in the spotlight about. It has its fications of using these measures as weapons. Perhaps
risks, like anything, but it’s also one of those measures the things she’s isolating from the rest of the city don’t
available when a vampire must show his fellows that matter to the primogen she wants to target, or she dis-
he is very serious about a matter. covers that her control over something isn’t as secure
as she believed it to be. Isolating feeding grounds is not
Having sole responsibility for something is consid-
as likely to be taken for a political move, except to the
ered a good insurance policy by many primogen. Few
paranoid. It affects a wider range of Kindred because it
will be inclined to do something drastic to a primogen
forces them into closer confines and a heightened state
if they realize that he has the equivalent of a dead man’s
of awareness. No one wants to be caught breaking the
switch under his finger. If he makes improvements
Masquerade.
and modifications to the original plan, the rest will
soon realize that getting rid of him will mean they are One midsized city in the mountain states saw
completely at loose ends when trying to guess how to someone who used this as a means of overloading a
get things under their control again. Do they want the clan’s territory to the point of breach, then using the
aggravation? That remains to be answered. resulting mess to display the primogen’s incompetence.
The attacker promptly swept in to clean up things
Returning to the example cited above regarding
quickly and completely, and very few were the wiser,
the Malkavian primogen trying to dislodge the unlucky
until someone noticed that the attacker had interests
Brujah from his clan’s territory, the results were the
in said territory and had managed to quietly move them
prince found no reason to “allow the Malkavians to
out of the way in anticipation of the breach.
continue to abuse the trust of the city,” as he put it.
The rest of the primogen fell in behind him, demanding Filibustering
that the Malkavian primogen open his territory so that A filibuster is a moment in governance where some-
it could be ensured that nothing untoward was hap- one decides he simply can’t let something go through and
pening behind the curtain. The Malkavians could all does his level best to hold it up until he either convinces
protest and risk further censure, or they could swallow folks to get on his side or the sheer volume of his protests
hard and do as they needed. They chose the latter. The stalls something until it dies. This is common in mortal
primogen council also decided that the Brujah were far government — many Kindred positively shudder at the
better suited to performing the necessary tasks to care thought of Congressional-style filibustering — but is a
for this area of the city, no matter who visited. As for relatively infrequent measure among Kindred.
the Brujah who had been the unknowing center of Unlike mortals, Kindred cannot continue such
this little firestorm (although her primogen will likely an attack through the daylight hours, but sometimes
bring up the matter with her as a bargaining chip), she pushing someone to the critical hour before dawn can
continued to haven in the same spot, albeit with a few produce results. The primogen who accomplishes this
more duties to consider. had better hope that he can implement things before
Occasionally, some primogen block access to certain he enters the day’s sleep, because someone pushed thus
feeding grounds, such as the Rack, or insist that there may be stricken with “buyer’s remorse” the next night
can be no feeding downtown, or that certain popula- and raise a fine old stink about the way she was bullied
tions are now strictly verboten. The common excuse is to the point of costing her her unlife. Some princes do
that the Masquerade is in danger, though the likeli- care about such things, depending on the target, and
hood is far less than expected. Say the Malkavian has the filibusterer may rouse the ire of other primogen
a running fight with the Ventrue, she knows he feeds members — after all, they have other things to do with

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
44
their precious, short nights. Most primogen use it only a prince or against one or two other primogen. Bloc vot-
for the direst of circumstances. ing likewise requires careful planning, and the rewards
That Old Gang-up of Mine must be considerable for a primogen to go through the
When one is voting via a show of hands, it is fright- headache of accepting losses on clan interests and proj-
fully easy to maneuver a simple outvote. After all, if ects, not to mention the inevitable questions that will
the Malkavian primogen is the current target, and the come from his clanmates regarding his behavior.
Toreador, Ventrue, Tremere and Brujah all decide to Social Maneuvers
turn on him, he can’t do much about it. Younger Licks Status, what some have called the demon of Kindred
would be tempted to write it off as just an evening’s society, is a common weapon among the primogen when
fluke, but the politically astute see something else. What the fighting breaks out. Others prefer gossip, especially
if this continues night after night after night? It does when dealing with the Brujah.
not matter what the target is presenting, it simply never Sometimes a clan may choose its primogen based on
flies. The lack of results may bring the eventuality of those who are noted to have the most respect among the
the clan removing the target, or the target departing rest of the clans, even if the clan proper doesn’t much care
of his own accord. for the person in question. The move has merit, though
The gang-up is simple and brutal in its final execu- more qualified primogen find it distasteful — the clan hopes
tion, but getting there is neither. It takes a great deal that one with respect from his peers will be able to have
of behind-the-scenes work, and they will not come on greater gains in chambers. Such creatures are more likely to
their leader’s say-so. The leader needs to consider who be squashed from the start; they have so little to offer most
she wants on her side and what it will take to get them times. At any rate, if a primogen can maneuver the harpies
there, which might be more than she can give. She must into stripping a little status from her target (just one or two
also consider who her target is — many primogen will points should do it), the offender will be dropped from the
not turn on a peer who holds power with (or over) the post by his clan, and the clan can set about choosing someone
prince or the appointed offices. else who should be a little more tractable.
Bloc voting is a variation on this, particularly when A primogen who receives little respect from his peers
a group of primogen decide to support each other against is not going to engender much respect among others of

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

45
lower rank. Making such a lack infinitely clear in a vari- any who still happen to have a few brains left. Some
ety of small, subtle ways — the whisper campaign, “lost” cities think the Brujah are too busy fighting to have
invitations, open censure, public disagreement — can interest in or care about anything else. Then there are
cause the clan of the target to question his value to them. those who always send them to the front lines when the
Who needs a primogen who can accomplish nothing for Lupines or Sabbat launch yet another crusade against
them? On the other hand, some clans may hold onto their the city. All of these raise the Brujah’s ire, and a prince
snubbed primogen all the more fiercely, believing he must or primogen who thinks it no great matter if the Brujah
be doing something right if he’s getting the establishment were to go the way of the Gangrel has not considered
riled up. The continued pressure from the council versus the what the streets would be like without Brujah on the
desperate loyalty of the clan can be a volatile combination. front lines or dealing bluntly with those matters that
Sometimes the target simply waits and some unforeseen need blunt dealing.
event takes out his tormentors. Other times, the target Brujah are the most likely to be swayed by a
surprises everyone by just walking away when they aren’t passionate, last-minute appeal, but they’re just as
looking. The turmoil that follows tends to negate any likely not to be moved and vote however they want.
welcome results from the person’s departure. Their politics tend to be more visionary, a little more
Social maneuvers are considered the most common forward-thinking than most, and certainly with higher
of weapons and consequently some of the most difficult ideals. Conservative Brujah are unusual, though some
to pull off. Many wise and/or long-lived primogen keep primogen consider a Brujah who is stubbornly stuck in
their eyes on the most likely offenders in their own his rabble-rouser or “New Carthage!” mode to be just
records, the better to thwart such efforts. as conservative, as they are trying to use the same old
club to hit every new problem.
VIEWS FROM THE GALLERY Malkavian
Every clan approaches the matter of a primogen seat When it comes to the Malkavians, many primogen
differently, and every would-be primogen puts his own have found their previous observations on the subject
spin on the matter. Clans tend to see the primogen chair have mostly been reduced to naught in the wake of
as a means of getting things done on a higher level and the past few years. Previously, Malkavians generally
an opening into the halls of power. For what purpose maintained certain strictly monitored interests and
varies among the clans. Individual primogen might bring followed those eagerly and could be expected to
in their clans’ views, but seen through the lens of their act on them a certain way. One Toreador described
own experiences and ideas of government. their changes thus: “As if they’re listening to some
Brujah music that’s just out of the range of our ears, like a
As a clan, the Brujah are the sort to view the pri- dog can hear a certain type of whistle.” They have
mogen chair as a form of representative government, become far more prone to noting omens and shifts in
and their primogen come in with agendas. It is a rare the general patterns of life and unlife. A Malkavian
Brujah who does not come to the table espousing some might suddenly switch her votes or even change her
pet cause or with a project he will not let another previously dearly held platform, regardless of how
touch, and that tends to color their outlook somewhat. much planning went into things, because some co-
Primogen-age Brujah are more likely to be the profes- incidence came up that frightened her, such as the
sorial or philosopher types, though aging protester prince and the Ventrue primogen both wearing red
“power-to-the-people” sorts sometimes make it for lack ties and white boutonnieres that night.
of more likely candidates. All this happens if they can Malkavians as politicians sounds like a frightening
be encouraged to show up — a young group that has no thing only if one considers a madman with his mad-
clear leader or an elder in residence may simply ignore ness well in hand and an agenda to be a frightening
the primogen, seeing it as just another old Licks’ club. thing. Along with their unusual changes, they also
These don’t last long. seem to have gained a greater… stability in their mad-
What do the Brujah want? As previously stated, it’s ness. They have never needed to be restrained during
a rare Brujah who doesn’t have a pet cause. For most, council sessions — that is more typically required of
that cause is protecting their clan’s interests. Some the Brujah — but now they seem to have a strange
cities grant the Brujah the filthiest, most crime-ridden clarity of purpose and a chilly strength. They seem to
territory, thinking it will soothe the lowest common know exactly what they want, and they proceed to go
denominator of leather-jacketed punks, but never mind about getting it with single-minded determination.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
46
Their madness seems to lie in the fact that they see at least one piece of advice: “On your first night,
these omens and patterns in what appears to others as find the Nosferatu primogen and forge a relation-
random flotsam in unlife. What this actually means ship, after deciding what sort of appearance you
in the grand scheme most do not speculate, but it is wish to cultivate among your new peers before you
tiring when a Malkavian is trying so desperately to approach him openly.”
make a point by connecting two apparently random Toreador
things and he can’t seem to understand why no one A Toreador primogen is unlikely to be a distracted
else is following him. artiste who doodles while others are speaking. Toreador
The experienced primogen does not allow her- are some of the busiest primogen seen around Elysium
self to be lulled into thinking that their instability — so many people to keep in touch with, so much to
makes them inept or ineffective. A Malkavian who is learn before ever setting foot in chambers! Toreador
calculating enough, clever enough and savvy enough were some of the very first courtiers among Kindred and
to reach the primogen table is not, in the vernacular, kine, and even tonight wise Toreador bring a certain
a space cadet. order and grace to proceedings. Their traditional social
Nosferatu acumen serves them well among their peers, and if
Nosferatu are a conundrum for most primogen. anyone is behind efforts to quell internal upsets, it is
Some councils will not allow the Nosferatu to take usually the Toreador, using a few well chosen words in
a seat, citing any number of flimsy reasons. True, the right ears. It must also be admitted, however, that
their hygiene may leave something to be desired, they might have started that internal upset in the first
and a Nosferatu who insists on wearing his true place by the same means, just to test the waters.
visage to the council table in order to unsettle his Toreador primogen historically have a great grasp
fellows gets very tiresome very quickly, but it goes on the hidden social interactions that are behind all
deeper than that. Some wiser heads believe that the exterior moves. They prefer to approach the har-
it is a matter of despising the sort of piercing, if pies for the latest gossip and keep it in mind while in
not wounding, insights that Nosferatu are capable chamber. Even if they have not yet heard tonight’s
of making, plus the occasional dirty laundry of latest talk, they can often pick it out from actions in
another primogen being aired when said primogen Elysium and the council chamber. As one might infer,
makes the mistake of offending the Nosferatu one they are also adept at stirring and settling the waters of
too many times. the primogen chamber, sometimes for no greater reason
Like the Brujah, political Nosferatu usually than to take the pulse of the group, but also as a means
come in with their clan in mind. Too many think to determine what must be altered before setting some
they can spit on the rank and file of the Sewer Rats, plan in motion. The Nosferatu are indeed quite capable
and the Nosferatu, with their instinctual clannish- of this discernment, but the Toreador are more likely
ness, do not allow this. They carry the weight of to understand the social implications behind motives.
history in their words, but not like the Ventrue’s Nosferatu are good at getting to the marrow of motive,
“We are the Camarilla” sort of thing. Their history but their interpretation is often lacking.
is the sort found in dusty books carefully stored Politically, Toreador are considered one of the
in crumbling libraries, transcribed from cracking pillars of the Camarilla, but many expect that famous
parchments to CD-ROM. Their insights into mor- artistic temperament to lead to impetuous swing votes
tal (and Kindred) nature are startling — they can and unexpected moves in council. Sometimes some do
pick out motives that even many socially canny produce the occasional surprising move — they support
Toreador wouldn’t have dreamed of. The difficulty the Malkavians, they change their minds regarding
is convincing them to share. Their information is earlier platforms, they let the Brujah take charge of the
their greatest leverage, and they never forget it, alternative theater scene — but more often they vote
even when they should be sharing with their fellow with tradition. Too many surprises can lead others to
primogen. Because they are the most likely to have believe the Toreador are flighty and not to be trusted with
the best information, be sure that if one instigates the weight of the social contract. Toreador are also well
some unusual maneuver, he has something greater aware that a city in turmoil for whatever reason usually
in mind that everyone else has not yet seen. allows its society and culture to languish, and tradition
When their childer are ready to start following brings stability. When a city need not worry about sur-
in their sires’ footsteps, veteran primogen give them vival, it can spend its energy on other things.

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

47
 Tremere shine, to gain notice in the city and abroad, and they
Higher-ranking Tremere, especially those of a use it to its full advantage.
conservative bent, often view primogen as being an Ventrue
“also-ran” to the more important posting of prince. Like the Tremere, many Ventrue tend to think of
Anyone who accepts the post and stays there clearly a primogen chair as the equivalent of “also-ran” com-
has little ambition. Why would anyone want to stay pared to the plum of being prince. Some consider it as
second-string and leave the sweetest plum unpicked? the training wheels to becoming prince, and indeed
This is occasionally true among some Tremere — some do rise to princedom after seeing things from
particularly if the primogen has been passed over for the inside. The chair is also the most likely place for a
other promotions or is currently spinning his wheels Ventrue to return after leaving princedom, provided he
due to a lack of rank to rise to. Others see it as a fine was not removed in a coup. Former princes now sitting
place to watch the show, assist the clan politically as primogen tend to make current princes extremely
and not get too involved with anything really messy, like nervous — after all, it can give the feeling that someone
being prince. The former are likely to be powermongers is critiquing their performance, but then the Ventrue
or looking to ride any potential coattail into something
tend to do that to everyone.
larger. They are also likely to jockey for princedom,
with all that such entails. The latter are something Politics are flesh and blood to the Ventrue clan
more dangerous than their clan would guess — they and to the vast majority of the clan’s members. The
are well informed, in touch with their clanmates and brand of politics each plays is different from that of his
actively involved in the city’s business. They probably clanmates, but be assured that one does not face a mere
know more than their regents, and such information whelp in the chair across from her. The trick is learning
can be bartered appropriately as needed. These are the what sort of game the Ventrue primogen plays and how
ones most likely to be offered positions in wartime or best to work with it or use it against him.
in a new prince’s council, simply due to their excellent Like the Tremere, the Ventrue are a pillar of the
showing earlier. Camarilla. They cannot afford to be seen in the sorts
Regents can and do sit as primogen, though in a of shenanigans that the more physical clans engage in.
larger city that has two or three chantries with their Unfortunately, many are old-school traditionalists in
own regents, the combatants find some way to hash the the grandest old manner possible. Conservative Ventrue
matter out. Who actually wins the chair has more to are more likely to be in the chair, and they were raised
do with the clan’s internal workings, but it is generally (as children and childer) on the notions of noblesse
related to whether a primogen seat is considered a booby oblige, old families, personal honor and the days when
prize or actually holds some real power. This can have kings ruled with divine right. If they could have their
its own worries, as the rest of the clan is dependent way, every city would be a walled stronghold, every
on their representative to tell them everything that’s primogen an obedient group of courtiers and every
happening, and information flow is a fine way to keep prince a Ventrue raised in similar old-world fashion.
someone dependent and well behaved. Tremere dis- Visionary Ventrue primogen who recognize the worth
like being caught unprepared, and they will do their of nontraditional princes, of wealth or power beyond
utmost to prepare for nearly every evening’s political the usual banks and government offices and of primogen
eventuality; it may not be written down, but they will who have better things to do than simply be yes-men
certainly have some game plan. Many arrive with a do not last long if their stodgy clan leaders get wind
full briefing regarding the clan’s standing on whatever of their activities. It’s a pity, because these visionar-
matters were on the docket, and return likewise to brief ies are the most likely to support unusual ideas and to
the clan in full. recognize that tradition does not always serve in the
As one of the pillars of the Camarilla, the Tremere middle of interesting times.
are among the staunchest supporters of the primogen Gangrel
council, its business and good old-fashioned politics. Gangrel were rare visitors to the Star Chamber
They do not long tolerate a prince who keeps the before the clan’s abrupt departure, and in these cur-
primogen on his leash, nor do they tolerate fools in rent nights they are political nonentities. Even those
the chamber. For them, this is an easily reached post, few who decided to stay for whatever reason are rarely
acceptable to most of the Kindred at large who will allowed in by the die-hard traditionalists of the other
not mutter about “rule by committee” as they do in the clans. Perhaps they fear whatever drove the Gangrel to
case of a Tremere prince. It is a good spot for them to leave the Camarilla in the first place will infect others,

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
48
but more likely it’s due to the notion that without power to end up in appointed posts, like sheriff or Keeper of
in the Inner Circle, they have a commensurate amount Elysium, or to drift into the harpies. If one of the blood-
in the Circle’s smaller incarnations. In nights past, they lines does take up the notion to sit with the primogen,
were most commonly seen in very large cities or cities she is likely there at the behest of someone who has
that were surrounded by enough space and wilderness more than enough power to squash any threats to her,
to host them and certain larger, furrier threats. When usually the prince or an elder. This is good, because
they did come to sit, they could barter with the best few clans look kindly on some usurper who just puts
of them, but most of the time they preferred to watch, in an appearance one night. There are, of course, ex-
listen and not speak much. When they spoke, the wise ceptions. Supposedly, Lasombra antitribu have shown
listened, and when they left the chamber, it was good up at primogen gatherings, where they are usually
to excuse oneself from the city for a time. welcomed, more for the knowledge about their black-
Political Gangrel sounds like an oxymoron, but it hearted brethren than their own scintillating company.
could be true. Their continual wanderings gave them They hark back to the old nights of being some of the
an enviable education, allowing them to see how a most terrifying of political backstabbers, and even now
variety of primogen ordered themselves, plus teaching their thirst for power in some form continues to pursue
them how to barter from either a borrowed position or them. Their presence is highly rare — a primogen’s
one of little strength. Generally, the most politicized chair can be a very public post, and those black-hearted
Gangrel tended to be younger — by the time they brethren have a tendency to kill their erstwhile clan-
reached greater age, they were not always in a position mates on sight.
to delineate their thoughts with much clarity, and Recently a faction of Assamites called on the Cama-
their appearances could be even more disturbing than rilla to honor their pledge and statement that all vampires
those of the Nosferatu. The clan as a whole had little under the moon belong to the Camarilla — they have
use for political power, beyond it gaining them admit- petitioned the Inner Circle for the right to belong openly
tance to halls where previously they would not have to the Camarilla, with all the rights and privileges granted
been admitted. Their allies can only wonder what the therein. The declaration has sent shockwaves through
the sect and tremors through many cities in response.
more politically adept Outlanders are doing amid the
Some elders scramble to figure out what new move of
Lupines and wilds.
the Jyhad is afoot, others hark back to the nights of the
And the Rest… War of Princes in an attempt to recall similar changes
There have been cities where a non-Camarilla to Assamites. Some wonder if the Assamites will be al-
clan was permitted a seat — generally they are smaller, lowed to take up the seat vacated by the Gangrel, while
third-tier cities or isolated regions where everyone is others close ranks and insist it will be a cold night in
attempting to work together for the sake of survival Hell before diablerists are allowed to take their place
against the Lupines, Sabbat or some other threat. Non- among the Camarilla. While the Inner Circle debates
sect clans have little use for the primogen, and being and the elders fret, some primogen councils are likewise
seen in the middle of what is by and large a Camarilla considering the ramifications if Assamites are allowed to
institution does not do wonders for their social record. join them. A few primogen members have been making
As mentioned earlier, sometimes non-sect clans make very cautious and very secret advances to the clan in
arrangements of one sort or another with primogen their cities, trying to ferret out what new element will
members to have their interests brought to chamber. be added to the cauldron and doing their best to make
Vampires of the bloodlines are practically nonex- stealthy alliances, or at least get the Assassins in debt
istent in the council chambers. They are more likely with them before they reach the table.

CHAPTER ONE: HALLOWED HALLS OF POWER

49
 CHAPTER TWO:
AROUND
THE TABLE

The primogen council, even more than the prince Most primogen, however, receive nothing more
(who may or may not ultimately have the sect’s interest than a token of acknowledgement of their new position
at heart), is the Camarilla’s primary representative and and cold congratulations. Sink or swim is the name
governing policy-making body in the cities it holds, a of the game, and the cold waters of Camarilla politics
humble reflection of the great Inner Circle itself. The are undeniably shark-infested.
council’s responsibilities, consequently, are legion.
While attending to those duties entails a great deal of
work on behalf of the sect, those responsibilities are not THE AVENUES
fulfilled simply by informing the city’s Kindred that one
is now a primogen and snapping one’s fingers. The clan
OF POLITICS
leaders must be savvy, aggressive and well connected Getting things done requires the proper tools and
to make things happen. Luckily, most primogen wield techniques. Following is a compendium of the various
at least as many tools as they bear responsibilities. means by which a primogen might put her will into
Centuries of Camarilla trial and error have seen the action.
accrual of an enormous repertoire of protocol, political
technique and means of governance. The favored (or PRESTATION
crucial or lucky) primogen may even have some train- As leaders and representatives of their clans, it
ing (typically provided by an archon of the same clan). behooves the primogen to be magnanimous with
This training takes place prior to the Kindred taking boons. After all, their behavior reflects on their clan,
his seat at the council table if at all possible, otherwise and the favors they grant immediately increase their
it takes place as soon as possible afterward. social standing and eventually enhance their power

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

51
base and adaptability. As powerful figures in the city,
the primogen are expected to be bountiful with boons,
often granting them and rarely calling them in. This is
THE EXTREMIS BOON
frequently true. The more boons a primogen performs The rarest of all boons in Kindred society
for others, the more tricks she will have available to is the extremis boon. A Kindred seeking an
pull out of her sleeve later should she need them. extremis boon is saying, “I will do anything you
ask of me if only you will do this for me now.”
THE POWER OF BOONS Obviously, a Kindred will ask for such a thing
The power of a boon increases with the power of only in the most extreme circumstances. Many
the Kindred who owes it. A major boon from a neo- elders would rather meet Final Death than owe
nate is of less value than a minor boon from an elder. an extremis boon to another vampire.
The primogen, therefore, do not have a great deal of It is considered unspeakably rude to offer
motivation to enter a relationship of prestation with an extremis boon, as it calls attention to the
just any Lick. The city’s elders and officers tend to fact that the other party is in such a terrible
swap boons among themselves but, barring unusually position that he has no other recourse but to
generous terms, are less likely to offer boons to younger prostitute himself utterly.
vampires unless they have a great deal to gain from That said, most elder Kindred will be happy
doing so. at least to consider granting an extremis boon
That said, the elders (including the primogen) if one is requested. Having another elder will-
are in a position to offer a great deal to anyone who ing to subject himself entirely to one’s wishes
can impress them with a significant boon. This is the provides excellent fodder for the kinds of nasty
source of a great deal of a primogen’s power. Others
want access to the power she wields, and they’re will-
ing to provide their special services, whatever those cause one to vote or act against one’s inclinations or
services may be, in exchange. (dare it be said) conscience. After all, no one ever
Primogen are more likely to enter prestation agree- calls in a boon to have a primogen vote the way she
ments with younger Kindred if the elder likes something was already inclined to vote. Anyone willing to ex-
about the youngster . Does she have potential to be a pend a boon from an elder in order to sway a vote is
pawn one night? Is he unusually handsome? Was her going to have a very good idea of how the primogen
sire a mentor (or an enemy you want to torment)? All would vote if left to her own devices, otherwise he
of these things come into play. The elder must decide wouldn’t give up such a rare treasure. Needless to say,
whom she wants trapped in her web and whom she it is considered the height of impropriety to ask how
does not. Those she does not want to trap she will a primogen is going to vote on an issue, and no elder
perform no favors for, and she certainly won’t accept worth her status is going to tell anyone, least of all
favors from them (unless she’s desperate). some idiot youngling.
Young Kindred are unlikely to have the clout to If the boon runs diametrically opposed to the
offer a primogen anything of substance in exchange primogen’s inclinations, a minor boon will not be
for political considerations. One of the few redeem- sufficient to sway her, and a major boon will only be
ing elements of the Kindred political scene is that the sufficient to do so about half the time; only a great
situation isn’t nearly as corrupt as the younger Licks boon (or the rare extremis boon) will always over-
would like it to be — largely because the things they rule an elder’s preference on a vote. While that bit of
would like to affect, they can’t. Michael the Tremere knowledge isn’t written down anywhere, all politically
may have grand plans of offering major boons to all oriented Kindred learn it within their first few years of
six primogen in order to sway a council vote his way, political intrigue among the undead.
but if Michael is a 13th-generation neonate, there’s
probably nothing he’ll be able to offer even one of the HORSE-TRADING
primogen, let alone all six of them. Horse-trading is a flippant term for an exchange of
political favors between peers. One primogen says to
THE COST OF BOONS another, “If you vote the way I want you to this time,
No one likes owing boons. Those in power like it I’ll owe you a vote at some undetermined point in the
least of all (and inevitably, the more power the vampire future.” Not to put too fine a point on it, horse-trading is a
has, the less he likes owing boons) because one never subtle form of political corruption in which the primogen
knows when a boon is going to be called in that will aren’t voting according to their beliefs, the interests of
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
52
their clan or the Camarilla, but according to the request few horses, its unlikely that the other primogen can
of a peer in exchange for some vague promise of future be bothered to vote according to his wishes. If he
reciprocation. needs only one more vote to see the issue decided his
Horse-trading makes a primogen’s ethical stance way, even our ethical hero may be willing to offer a
on an issue moot. Sure, the Brujah primogen thinks guarantee of a vote at some later date to get his way.
that all Kindred in a city should be treated equally, That’s how it begins.
but when a vote comes up in the primogen council The ethical middle ground involves trading votes
that limits the rights of Assamites to participate in only under rare or critical circumstances, and then
Elysium in a particular city, and the Tremere primogen only enough to convince the rest of the council suf-
calls in a favor, or two, or three … well, the Assamites ficiently indebted to you that, should an important
get the shaft. vote come up, you have a reserve of votes to fall back
Numbers are everything in horse-trading. If Gretch- on. Since the votes of the primogen in this category
en owes you five votes because of your kind consideration are particularly hard to come by, the other members
in the past, you can get her to vote with you even if she of the council will only call in a vote from them in
disagrees with you. It’ll cost you all five of those horses, extreme cases.
but if it’s really important, then it’s worth it. The least ethical approach of all is playing the
Likewise, if you owe Gretchen three votes and horses, that is, trading votes like Wall Street traders
Heinrich four votes and they both want you to cast trade stocks. While it makes a primogen beholden to
your vote for them, poor Gretchen is S.O.L. her peers, it also makes sure her peers are beholden to
Refusing to participate in horse-trading is the her. Some primogen resent voting at all unless they
only really ethical approach to the situation, but it get something out of it. While such tactics can give
has consequences. Any primogen who strictly eschews the primogen a great deal of clout from time to time,
horse-trading will, inevitably, find himself in a vote it also means that others may call in a few horses of
that he would give anything to have some measure their own when they’re trying to achieve a particular
of control over, but without a history of trading a outcome.

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

53
RESOURCES cities within a fortnight. As it so happens, she’s content
right where she is.
Elders, especially primogen, constantly hunt for re- DELEGATING RESPONSIBILITY
sources to bring into play in the Jyhad. Some resources, “If you want a job done right, you have to do it
like blood, are sought by all Kindred, but the savvy yourself.”
Kindred comes up whole new resources to exploit. This That hackneyed phrase is a favorite of many
section unearths a number of the primary resources upon
incompetent primogen — incompetent in this case
which a primogen can call in the execution of her official
meaning inefficient. A primogen has a myriad of
duties.
responsibilities to attend to on a nightly basis. If she
THE CLAN insists on doing these things herself, she’ll fulfill only
one tenth of her responsibilities, and her ability to
The primogen’s clan is his sole responsibility, at least represent her clan, advise her prince and serve her
in terms of his office. He is its political leader, he repre- city will suffer accordingly.
sents its interests on the council, he advises its members Delegating authority is, at its worst, a necessary
privately, he marshals the clan in battle, and, in the case evil. More often than not, however, it’s the best way
of the mildest transgressions against the Traditions or of distributing the weight of responsibility more evenly
the city’s Kindred, he oversees its punishment. throughout the clan. Obviously, the wise primogen
Likewise, any real political power he has comes delegates the more difficult and demanding tasks to
from the clan. Its members are his primary resource, the more skilled and competent Kindred. Those clan
his informants, his source of legitimacy. As such, it is members who have a history of incompetence or who
in his best interest to keep his clan satisfied, to make have no history with the primogen at all receive the
his city a comfortable place for his clan. idiot scut work.
Certain small cities exist wherein the primogen is A primogen’s proxies generally do an adequate
not only the representative of his clan; he is the only job. Under such circumstances, they are left feeling as
representative of his clan in the entire city. Frank though they have done their duty to their clan, and
Hiltz is the only Malkavian in Jackson Hole, Wyoming she will have attended to nine other projects while
and he sits on the primogen council. Unsurprisingly, they’ve been accomplishing their one.
he wields no power (aside from his one vote on the The problem many primogen have with delegating
council) and hasn’t even received a nod of acknowl- responsibility is that it involves relinquishing power.
edgement from his clan elders. Frank is obviously in a Worse, if the primogen’s proxy succeeds in some im-
good place if he doesn’t want to balance or adjudicate portant piece of business, it will be the proxy who
all the petty issues brought to him by a large clan, but takes credit. While a primogen can claim credit for
the downside is that the prince may not even bother the work done by her clan members, it doesn’t reflect
to accept his claim to primogen status unless he hopes well on her and if the harpies find out it’ll make for
to gain something from doing so. an embarrassing few weeks. If, on the other hand, the
In sharp contrast to Mr. Hiltz is Katarina Vanslow, proxy botches the task horribly, the consequences are
the Toreador primogen of Amsterdam. Because Clan blamed on the primogen for failing to delegate the
Toreador is so (over)represented in Amsterdam, task to a more competent agent. For that reason alone,
Vanslow can cast a wide and densely woven net of then, a primogen absolutely will not delegate many
agents, informants, fundraisers, influence brokers and tasks except in the direst of circumstances.
the like across the whole city (and then some). Her The social clans have fewer hang-ups with regard
political power, consequently, might well exceed that to delegating responsibility. Other clans, however —
of the prince, though out of respect for his low genera- the Tremere in particular — are so hung up on when,
tion and standing in the Camarilla, she doesn’t lord if and how to delegate that it becomes a nightly source
it over him. Much. of angst all by itself.
Furthermore, as a long-standing and highly re-
spected primogen of her clan, Ms. Vanslow has been RALLYING THE FAITHFUL
made privy to many of the clan’s better-kept secrets, The primogen is the de facto leader of her clan.
ranging from proprietary Discipline techniques to in- She is allowed to ”make requests” of the members of
formation regarding the workings of the Inner Circle. her clan and they are expected to grant them. While
Were she to show the slightest interest, she might be they can ignore these requests, in the long run it’s in
made an archon or the prince of a half-dozen smaller everybody’s best interest that they don’t. It keeps the
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
54
prince, the primogen and the other members of the shared social interests). Regardless of their status in the
clan happy. It also assures a sympathetic ear should Camarilla, the Assamites do not have the advantage of
the Lick ever need to ask the primogen for a favor or, any sort of interclan reciprocity. Not only have they been
Caine forbid, if the primogen ever needs to intervene affiliated with the Camarilla for far too short a time, but
with the prince on his behalf. the long-standing distrust of the Assassins (repeatedly
Sometimes the clan as a whole needs to be rallied underscored by the Tremere), and the way they maintain
to a particular cause. This might be due to a crisis af- their distance from most Kindred, keeps them segregated
fecting the whole city or a conflict with another clan. enough to prevent the formation of what passes among
This may happen with the Nosferatu if a breach of vampires as the bonds of camaraderie.
sewer security occurs or to the Tremere if some magical This kind of behavior may be more common among
threat to the city is exposed. In such cases, the more the clans of primogen who have formed a voting bloc
helpful a clan member is, the more he will catch the in the primogen council. The primogen of such allied
eye of those in power, and the more auspicious a future clans may cooperate so far as to allow the occasional
he’s likely to have in the city. small favor of this variety.
Calling on the full power of the clan is the primo- COMMON GOALS
gen’s greatest asset. While the elder might have more
Any time two clans work toward the same result
power, status and influence than any one or two clan
— obtaining a grander space for Elysium, for example
members combined, bringing the full weight of a clan to
— one primogen may delegate tasks to members of the
bear, with its myriad strengths, resources and contacts,
aligned clan. Obviously, these tasks have to pertain
can be a tremendous and frightening show of power. For
to the goal shared by the two clans, but it can do so
this reason more than any other, a primogen may talk,
only tangentially. In the aforementioned example, the
one on one, with her clan members on occasion about
Ventrue primogen may ask one of the Toreador to flex
the nature of their influence and resources. She doesn’t
some high-society influence to make sure the opera hall
necessarily expect the Lick to tell her everything; she
is open during certain unorthodox hours.
just wants to get a general idea what kind of clout she
may be able to call upon during a crisis situation. It is Obviously this has to be a two-way street and the
acceptable (and expected) for a younger vampire to primogen both must have specifically mentioned it to
answer in vague terms, or to understate the degree of their clans.
his influence, but it is not acceptable for him to lie COMMON ENEMIES
outright, as it defeats the purpose of asking. Nothing motivates interclan cooperation like fight-
ing a common enemy. That enemy can be another clan
THE OTHER CLANS as easily as a Sabbat war pack, a group of hunters or a
It is sometimes possible to use another clan’s re- cabal of exotic Cathayans. Under such circumstances,
sources if, for example, one is on unusually friendly petty differences fall by the wayside and the clans coalesce
terms with its primogen (or other well respected member around their primogen and combat specialists.
of the clan). It happens that the primogen of certain SUBSTITUTE PRIME
clans work together often and closely enough that they
develop a certain rapport, the best example of this be- Under most circumstances, the whip stands in
ing the (once) frequent alliance of Clans Brujah and when the primogen can’t head the clan. When the
Gangrel. On a special, one-time basis, a Brujah primo- primogen is present, it is the whip’s task to keep the
gen might, for example, ask the Gangrel to show him clan rabble in line. If the whip isn’t there, generally
a relatively safe path through a forested area between the remaining clan members take the helm in order
two cities. Having fought beside the Brujah primogen of decreasing status. Very rarely, if the primogen and
a time or two (or 10), the Gangrel might be inclined to whip are both absent and the primogen doesn’t want
do it and not even ask a small boon in exchange. If the certain rogue elements of his clan to rein ascendant, he
Brujah expects a similar favor a month later, however, may ask an allied primogen to attend to certain leader-
his attitude may raise some eyebrows. ship issues with his clan. This is not lightly done. It’s
a rare situation when a primogen trusts another elder
Other clans that may have a similar reciprocal under-
over even the most trouble-prone member of his own
standing might be the Tremere and the Ventrue (because of
clan, but it does happen. Due to the paranoia that
their leadership roles in the Camarilla), the Nosferatu and
many primogen fall prey to, such situations typically
the Malkavians (because of their shared outcast/informant
last but a brief while.
status) and the Ventrue and the Toreador (because of their

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

55
THE WHIP a paucity of Kindred waiting to be given more power
and responsibility, after all.
In cities with Kindred populations large enough to The position of whip has been around long enough
warrant tiers of delegated authority, the position of whip now that many current primogen began their political
has become very popular with the primogen. Techni- careers as whips, and having been used every which way
cally speaking, the whip’s duty is to keep the clan in line by their primogen, they feel entitled (if not strangely
and handle minor disciplinary tasks, particularly when obligated) to treat their own whips in the same cavalier
the primogen is in the council chamber or out of town. fashion.
Likewise, when the primogen is out of town, the whip Primogen often feel free to use their whips’ resources
represents the clan at council meetings. Unofficially, as their own, whether those resources are the whip’s
however, much more is expected of them. herd or mortal influence. The whip becomes simply an
Because the whip needs to be able to keep clan extension of the primogen, an extra arm, a convenient
members in order, she is typically among the eldest source of extra resources. While whips rarely have as
(and likely strongest) Kindred in the clan after the many resources to call upon as their primogen, some
primogen. whips with lots of mortal influence or other advantages
As the primogen’s second in command and proxy have the position they do because (and only because)
at council meetings, the whip, colloquially referred to the primogen wanted access to their influence, contacts
as the “vice-primogen,” has her eye on power, but as or the like.
yet has very little of her own. Rare is the whip in the Ironically, some whips are, in effect, in positions
Camarilla who does not covet her primogen’s seat on of greater power than the primogen they serve. She
the council, unless she’s aiming straight for the prince’s knows the secrets the primogen doesn’t have time to
position. That means she values her current position learn for himself; she handles, knows and may have
very highly, that she has a lot to lose if she disappoints memorized the important account numbers, the ad-
her superior and, consequently, more often than not dresses, the contact info, the knowledge, facts and
it means that she’ll be happy to be of use when asked minutiae in which power lies. Any primogen who
to perform some service. Needless to say, whips are delegates too much responsibility to his whip has to
among the primogen’s favorite tools. be ready to suffer the consequences. On the other
The position of whip has become popular in recent hand, any whip who gains that degree of power had
years not just because busy primogen can’t always make better do her best to hide it from her primogen, lest
it to council meetings, but because whips serve as ex- she be replaced overnight. An elder whose authority
cellent personal assistants. After all, who can’t make is undermined and whose power is challenged, even
good use of an ambitious lapdog? Need a bite to eat but fairly and competently, can still squash any mere
you’re stuck in Elysium and can’t go out to feed? Ask whip like a bug nine times out of 10. If push comes
the whip. Need an important package delivered to a to shove, he won’t hesitate to do so, even at great
nearby city? Ask the whip. Need a few extra contacts cost to himself and his clan. An upstart whip is a
in the mortal world to make your latest scheme come pain in the ass no self-respecting primogen will suffer
to fruition? Ask the whip. under any circumstances. More often than not the
The typical whip is under a great deal of obligation problem of overly ambitious whips can be nipped in
to do almost anything asked of him by the primogen, the bud with a simple blood bond, and some paranoid
and the primogen can ask nearly anything of the whip primogen won’t have a whip serving her who hasn’t
and explain it away as “educating him in the ways submitted to the bond.
of the primogen so that, when the time comes, he Nor are primogen above using their whips as
may effectively take my place at the council table.” political loopholes. If the primogen has to make an
A primogen, therefore, can get away with asking his unpopular vote, the whip can be a handy scapegoat.
whip to do anything short of breaking the Traditions, The primogen tells the whip how to vote and then
and he may do it with impunity. Best of all (from the conveniently learns of pressing out-of-town business
primogen’s position), the whip isn’t in a position to ask that he simply must attend to. The whip takes the fall,
for a boon for his services; asking for a boon (or, worse, the primogen has the benefit of plausible deniability,
assuming that a boon is forthcoming) will simply result and order prevails. Similar tactics can come in handy
in the primogen laughing at his whip, stripping him in other ways: if a vote is coming up and the primogen
of the title and promptly naming some other member is, through whatever means, so manipulated that he
of the clan to the position. It’s not as though there’s cannot vote the way he would like, he can simply be

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
56
regrettably absent for that vote and let the whip stand
in for him. When the consequences hit, the primogen
makes a dramatic point of rebuking the whip in front
THE HARPY HIERARCHY
of everyone for voting improperly and unlife goes on. While petty corruption among Kindred is a
A wise primogen will reward his whip generously in given, the harpies — due to the immense power
some fashion after such a ploy. Such tactics take their in their hands as the bookkeepers of prestation
toll on even a blood bond. and managers of everyone’s reputation — are
It is worth noting that many whips, due to their expected, rightly or wrongly, to adhere to a
age and status, also hold other stations in Camarilla higher standard. For the most part, they do.
cities. It is not unheard of for a whip to be the sheriff, Harpies, by and large, seem to derive sufficient
scourge or harpy as well. satisfaction from their nightly gossip sprees and
the vast power they already hold, rendering most
THE HARPY temptations moot (or grist for the rumor mill).
Only the dullest of Kindred forget to show defer-
The harpy, as the keen-eyed, sharp-tongued umpire ence to the harpies and only the most desperate
of the Kindred’s nightly social games, easily has ample try bribing them.
sway to make or break a Lick with few carefully chosen
By necessity, harpies have a loose hierarchy
words. In the eyes of the primogen, that is simply one
(or pecking order, as they like to think of it) of
more kind of power to covet and one more resource
their own that they function within. This they
to be used in the pursuit of their nightly duties. From
use to spread warnings, gossip and news of events
time to time, they may even desire it so much that
they’ll enter into prestation to make use of it. and status awards between cities. The pecking
order also has its own methods of dealing with
A harpy will happily take up some tasks with no
those harpies found guilty of malfeasance. Any
reward beyond the gleeful rush of tearing into a new
harpy caught seriously abusing the power of her
victim. Those are cases in which the primogen need
station will not only be stripped of her office (for-
do nothing more than provide the harpy with convinc-
ever), she will be visited by a superior for what is
ing evidence of a Lick’s glaring social ineptitude and
euphemistically called “rectification.” Hell hath
then get out of the way to let the shreds of the victim’s
esteem fall where they may. Few of a primogen’s tasks no fury like a harpy of harpies upbraiding and
are so simple, however, as obtaining (or planting) demoting one of her own; think coldly furious
evidence. seventh-generation Toreador with a keen eye
for flaws and a scalpel-sharp tongue backed up
Outside of such things, primogen can get little else
by ample Presence. The few harpies who have
for free from a harpy. For their part, harpies are rela-
been subjected to such a stinging and amplified
tively hesitant to enter into prestation arrangements.
verbal flaying and public airing of their weak-
No one watches the nightly flow, accumulation and
disruption of social power as closely as they and no nesses have almost always chosen to end their
one is clearer on its costs. unlives with a sunrise rather than continue on
in such a socially repugnant state.
That said, few other Kindred are as studied in the
strategic uses of prestation either.
The silly offers of boons from neonates and most instead of one, for instance) or promulgate malicious
unwise ancillae draw only scorn from harpies. They and baseless rumors about him. Harpies are skilled
are the mavens of social order; what do they need at spreading around their gossip in untraceable toxic
with such petty favors? Their honor and ethics make dollops. So subtle and so powerful is the role they
it impossible to sway a harpy with anything so crass as play in Elysium that one of these irate Kindred bent
a minor negligible boon. on making a Kindred’s unlife intolerable can turn an
A significant boon from an elder, on the other entire city’s Kindred population against him without
hand, can cause even one of these shrewd old birds anyone consciously knowing how it happened.
to rethink her ethical squeamishness. Under such While a harpy will consent to that degree of cor-
circumstances, a harpy could be convinced to scruti- ruption, not even a major boon will convince a harpy
nize a particular Kindred and make special note of his to lie or change the prestation ledgers. That requires
shortcomings in Elysium, misperceive deliberately that a vast boon, as it should, because the price the harpy
Lick’s various prestation arrangements (“accidentally” will pay if word of her deed leaks out is staggering.
recording that he owed the primogen two lesser boons

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

57
THE SHERIFF extracurricular activities are considered abuses of the
office and formally frowned upon, but that makes them
Outside of his whip and the other primogen, the no less common.
sheriff is the Camarilla officer with whom the primogen Things get sticky, however, if the other clans
is likely to have the most interaction. It behooves a start to notice that the sheriff seems to be doing an
primogen to be not just on good terms with the sheriff, awful lot of extra work on behalf of Clan X. It makes
but on excellent terms. Ideally, the sheriff should owe the other primogen wag their fingers at the sheriff
the primogen a handful of boons just to be on the (publicly) even as they begin offering him boons
safe side, because, if nothing else, many times will by the handful (privately) to do their wet work as
come when the sheriff is the only Kindred standing well. The primogen council is the body that would
between the primogen and an unpleasant visit to the normally censure the sheriff for such malfeasance,
prince’s chambers to discuss the behavior of a member but if the majority of the primogen are either us-
of the primogen’s clan. The greater likelihood is that ing the sheriff or hoping to, he doesn’t have much
the primogen, all of them, will almost always owe the motivation to stop what he’s doing.
sheriff many, many boons, making him one of the most It also works in the sheriff’s favor because he’s col-
powerful Kindred in the city (in ways that most Licks lecting major boons by the bucketful. Everybody wins
won’t even pause to think about). except for the Licks who get whacked because they
As the enforcer of Kindred custom within a city, made an enemy of the primogen, but they’re not only
the sheriff is typically the first to have to deal with dead, they’re dishonored, branded as violent offenders
Licks who have been stupid: those who have un- who had to be taken down.
thinkingly violated the Masquerade, those who have The other common means by which a sheriff might
not hunted for whatever reason and let themselves earn boons from a primogen is by doing nothing, that
enter frenzy, those who have simply broken the laws is, looking the other way while the primogen (or the
of Elysium, etc. In that regard, he also functions as a primogen’s clan) does something dodgy. If a primogen
buffer between the perpetrator (and, by extension, offers the sheriff a major boon simply to “investigate” some
the perpetrator’s clan) and the prince. No primogen niggling loose thread at an out-of-the-way location for
wants a member of his clan to be dragged into Elysium an hour or two, it’s generally in the sheriff’s best interest
by the sheriff. At the very least it makes him look as to do so. After all, you can never have too many major
if he can’t keep his clan in line. Some elders have boons from elders.
been known to offer major boons to a sheriff who
This kind of corruption, once begun, generally
routinely brings problem members of his clan to him
runs into a brick wall at some point when someone
instead of taking them to the prince. If the primogen
starts asking too many questions. A sheriff who plays
is that desperate not to have his clan brought before
too fast and loose with his “side job” can easily wind
the prince, something is likely amiss, but the fact
up sending the wrong Lick to Final Death. Maybe the
remains that those kinds of visits to the prince’s
sheriff offed the harpy’s favorite childe or the close ally
chambers are among the most despised experiences
of a primogen from another city, and the wronged party
a primogen can suffer through.
calls for an investigation of the sheriff’s evidence or
That’s the most common interaction between pri- methods. When the archons come snooping around,
mogen and sheriff, though not the most interesting. the sheriff will be forced to call in many of the boons
The sheriff has his job because he is capable, by owed to him by the elders just to save his own cold,
use of whatever means, of taking down rogue Kin- pale skin.
dred. Obviously, Brujah, Gangrel and, now, Assamite
Kindred are effective in the role of sheriff. The kind THE PRINCE
of raw power typically found in a sheriff, combined
A primogen’s relationship with the prince can de-
with the position’s relative immunity to the Tradi-
termine if he looks forward to stepping into Elysium or
tion of Destruction, makes the sheriff an ideal tool.
if he dreads the moment so much that he never wants
If he sends a Kindred to Final Death, it’s a relatively
to leave his haven.
simple matter (assuming there were no witnesses) to
say that he was put in a position where he had to do Some Kindred have the advantage of avoiding the
so. What better agent could an elder ask for? Does the prince altogether once they’ve been acknowledged.
primogen need a mercenary, thug, bounty hunter or Appealing as that may be, it’s not an option for those
hit man? The sheriff is the Kindred to talk to. These sitting on the primogen council. Consequently, it is in
the elder’s best interest to maintain a relationship with
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
58
the prince that is at least cordial if not warm. appropriate channel through whom such contact should
Civility and politics don’t always blend well. At be made. Anything else violates the Camarilla’s chain
times, one interferes with the other. A prince may of command and raises the eyebrows of many whose
take exception to a primogen’s stance on certain issues attentions are better left unsought. Woe to the primo-
(Tremere princes, for example, are notorious for taking gen whose request for assistance of one sort or another
an instant dislike to primogen who push for the inclu- brings an archon to his city — particularly when (not
sion of Assamites into the Camarilla), and that can if) the prince is told of the reason for the visit.
strain the interaction between prince and primogen. PRINCELY PRESTATION
That said, the prince’s personal agenda should play Engaging in prestation with the prince is problem-
no role in the debates among the primogen (unless atic at best. While the prince is the only officer in a
someone owes him a boon). city likely to have anything that the primogen can’t
The prince can be a key to goals that the primogen take for his own, the cost for most of a prince’s boons
doesn’t have access to otherwise. As prince, he has is likely to be exorbitant.
resources that it might take two or three primogen to A primogen who wants a boon from the prince
marshal. Many of the choicest influence contacts are under faces a quandary. Outside of political favors and sup-
the prince’s thumb. Likewise the prince (especially if port (which, of course, are not to be discounted), he
he’s Ventrue) is likely to have access to larger amounts can offer the prince very little. A clever (or desperate)
of ready cash, a larger herd and other types of reserves primogen can always come up with something that the
that might come in handy in emergency situations. prince is likely to want, but princes are often satisfied
The prince also has access to the powers that be in with granting a boon in exchange for some unspecified
the Camarilla, possibly even the Inner Circle itself if future consideration. Those are the ones the primogen
he’s of low enough generation or high enough regard. has to be wary of, because, almost inevitably, the prince
While the primogen council technically has access to will want to collect that boon at the worst of all pos-
the sect’s resources as well, the prince, as the recognized sible moments. When asking a boon of the prince, the
preeminent among the Kindred of his Domain, is the primogen should always bear that in mind.

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

59
 Worse, prestation between primogen and the for many of its primogen, while Clan Tremere’s hierarchy
prince can be dangerous for a city. If the elders owe the provides something similar (though less amicable).
prince too many boons, then the ostensible purpose
of the council — to act as a balance to the prince’s
A DELICATE GAME
power — can be subverted, even inadvertently. A rigor- Such calls can be dangerous. While consulting an
ously ethical prince may even refuse to grant boons to elder in a legitimate emergency is one thing, an elder’s
primogen for exactly that reason, though princes with concept of what constitutes an emergency may or may
such highly developed ethics are a rare breed. not synch with the primogen’s. What the primogen
Alternatively, a prince who wishes to maintain has to offer can determine how involved the elder
the integrity of the council yet still be available for gets. Certainly prestation might be enough to bring
prestation in extreme circumstances may simply in such a big gun, but more likely it is something else.
quote an asking price of one major influence, to be In game terms, this is where the Mentor and Allies
permanently given to the prince, in recognition of Backgrounds can come in handy. It may be that an
the boon. In the long run it makes the prince much elder of your clan was your sire or a close confidant
more effective and it keeps the primogen from mak- of your sire. Alternatively, the elder may simply seek
ing frivolous requests. to instill a sense of obligation in the primogen as a
means of furthering some personal goal. Those elders
ARCHONS of greater age and status than a primogen have been
Nothing forces a primogen to behave respectfully known to engage in games of manipulation for purposes
toward archons. That said, primogen rush to court, known only to them. Is the elder helping because it
flatter and offer favors to few others faster or more furthers the interests of his clan or because he needs a
enthusiastically. Few primogen ever have access to new pawn? Many primogen have been obsessed with
higher-ranking members of the Camarilla than archons, exactly that question.
and many primogen find the notion somewhat heady.
The proportion of those encounters that end well for MORTAL INFLUENCE
the primogen is relatively low. The Camarilla’s big advantage in many situations,
Primogen would love to do a favor for an archon, and its trump card when fighting the Sabbat, is its
but the Kindred is in the same boat, or worse, with mastery of mortal influence. The Kindred wielding
regard to the archon as she is with the prince; what do the single greatest degree of influence over the mortal
you do for the Lick who has everything? Few primogen world is commonly the prince. Each primogen, how-
are above trying. Being owed a boon by an archon is ever, also has his fingers in an extraordinary number of
like having Jesus owe you a favor. mortal pies and has contacts located throughout the
Archons are not blind to this, however, and the city’s myriad sectors, communities and subcultures.
vast majority of them accept proffered boons only with The pool of influence commanded by the combined
the greatest hesitation. primogen council is astonishing in its breadth but also
in the depth to which it penetrates the institutions
YOUR CLAN ELDERS of the mortal world.
While it may or may not hold true in the modern Were they to cooperate, the primogen could exert
nights, the primogen has traditionally been the eldest amazing power over the state of a city. For better or
member of a particular clan in a given city. From time for worse, nothing short of a full-scale Sabbat inva-
to time a primogen may wish to call on the wisdom of sion force is likely to elicit that response, and if the
older and more powerful elders in his own clan: pos- primogen council is a relatively hostile one, prone to
sibly primogen or even princes of European cities, for internecine conflict, even that might not do it.
example. The shared blood and goals of clan members Influence, however, should not be taken for granted.
is generally enough grounding to keep this type of call The Ventrue primogen doesn’t just walk up to a bank
from being a complete breach of protocol (especially official, make his will known and expect results. Cul-
when it’s backed up by the Mentor Background or lots tivation and maintenance of human mortal contacts is
of dots in Allies), though it is still considered a bit difficult. For one thing, vampires hardly keep standard
brash outside of crisis situations. business hours.
Obviously, certain clans are more organized than Primogen (like all Kindred) have to put a lot of
others. Clan Ventrue has an active mentoring program time and effort in to their mortal influence. Some
examples of what is involved follow.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
60
CHOOSING PAWNS long enough to start things moving in the direction
A primogen must choose his pawns carefully. Every- of a mutually beneficial relationship.
body wants to feed from the top of the food chain, but The other clans may have a harder time of it,
it’s just not feasible. The major players in city politics, particularly with the more highly placed contacts.
including the mayor, might already be beholden to the One doesn’t just walk up to a capo in the local Mafia
prince, and the mayor’s most powerful lieutenants have and ask to borrow him for a while. Obviously, lower
probably been co-opted by various other primogen since level influence can lead to higher level influence (“Dr.
within days after joining his cabinet (all that stress and Primovarios, I’d like to introduce you to my boss, the
they still don’t look a day older than when they were mayor …”), or one type of influence can be used to
hired). obtain another (the aforementioned Mob boss being
A new primogen will need to make do with what arrested and held for an evening in the city jail, for
she can get. While there are ways of usurping influence instance, or the administrator of the hospital being
and stealing contacts from other Kindred, neither the briefly “detained” by a pack of street punks).
prince nor the other elders are good targets for this GROOMING PAWNS
unless you want to lose every last vestige of influence A vampire who doesn’t help his mortal pawns
you may have had in the mortal world. develop their talents beyond what they were when
A relatively powerful primogen can wrest influ- he took them on is missing out on an extraordinary
ence from members of her clan, however, and not opportunity. While it may appeal to the primogen’s
have to deal with consequences on quite the same sense of power to have a well connected beat cop
level. One furious clan member can be a pain in the in her pocket, wouldn’t it be better to have a police
ass, but not the cataclysmic trauma that not achieving captain? If the Kindred can nudge circumstances in
her goals would be. Besides, the Kindred in question that direction with some strategic influence broker-
might not even have the investigative wherewithal ing, why should she hesitate?
to learn who did it. Land developers buy “fixer-uppers” cheap, refurbish
Taking influence from an underling is considered them and sell them for two to three times what they
a sad and pathetic act, and if the harpies hear about paid for them. Kindred wanting highly placed contacts
it, the primogen will be socially ruined. It is a terrible use similar tactics on mortals: find an ambitious and
thing when even the Nosferatu pity you …. reasonably talented mid-level agent in the sector one
Stealing influence from one’s clan may be out of wants to work his way into, offer some career assistance
the picture, but trading contacts and influence with in exchange for future loyalty and, if he accepts, make
clan members can be mutually beneficial (“This is my some phone calls to some powerful friends and start the
friend Mirko, he’s gonna take care of what you need ball rolling on the lucky guy’s expedited career.
from now on …”). This technique works extraordinarily well for
The ideal candidates keep late hours (obviously), those Kindred with enough patience. If you don’t have
are easily reached, live alone and, preferably, have a the current mayor in your pocket, support the city’s
dirty secret or two that they want to keep under wraps. attorney in her run for the office. Can’t quite get the
This profile fits astonishingly few of the people whom a local Episcopal bishop in your clutches? Enhance the
primogen is likely to want as contacts. Mayors, CEOs, standing of his next in command by covertly support-
bankers, bishops, police lieutenants and the like don’t ing his pet projects and then see to it that the bishop’s
typically fall into that category. brakes fail at an inconvenient moment.
The result, then, is that the Kindred has to contact Obviously, it’s easier to work your way up the lad-
his would-be influences through his already established der for street influence, since the street takes such a
influences. toll in those who spend too much time there anyway,
THE MEETING but wily primogen have been known to groom their
protégés so effectively that they wind up at the top
Once the primogen has determined where in of the heap. Then they let the new top dog know to
the great web of infl uence her contacts should whom he owes his newfound success.
come from, it is up to her to make the initial meet-
Such tactics can take years, decades even, but
ing come to pass. The social clans obviously have
if there’s one thing any vampire elder can spare, it’s
a clear advantage in this regard; a smile and a few
time — especially if the gambit pays off handsomely
words of conversation are enough to hook the fish
in the end.

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61
 The advantages of making ghouls of contacts can The tender feelings mortals often have for others
never be overstated. While it has suddenly become more are an excellent source of motivation. Low-level loner
of a problem than it used to be thanks to mortals who types may not have anyone who meets that description,
appear to be able to discern ghouls, the time-honored but they can be dealt with in the traditional fashion.
practice of making ghouls of key mortals still results More highly functioning types tend to have, if not
in hardier and more devoted contacts. families, then at least a significant other of some sort.
REWARDING PAWNS Therein lies their weakness.
Having a late night dinner with the fractious police
Understanding motivations is everything when
chief is a fine time to hand over his wife’s little toe,
dealing with mortals. A mortal pawn who has com-
perhaps in a ring box or possibly just wrapped discretely
pleted an important task for his master should always
in a napkin. If this is a first meeting of its kind, the
be rewarded. Some pawns are easier to reward than
chief should return home to find his wife in reasonably
others. A blood bound thrall, or one under the spell
good condition. If it’s not the first, his wife should be
of the more powerful Presence techniques, will need
in bad shape. If John Law has really dropped the ball,
only some token of his master’s appreciation: a pat on
skillful use of Dominate will have his wife believing
the head, a knowing nod or a brief smile will normally
that he’s the one who left her that way.
suffice. Ghouls on the other hand are always eager for
vitae. A well fed ghoul is a loyal ghoul, but a hungry This is not a technique to drag out just for one
ghoul is a walking betrayal waiting to happen. slightly messed-up assignment. The Kindred should
resort to such tactics only when his cat’s-paw has so
Increased prestige or power is also a time-honored
frequently or traumatically fouled his tasks that his
way of showing a pawn that you value his services. If
long-term standing as a source of influence is called
he has done well, give him more clout: another thug
into question.
to order around, better weapons, a greater stipend,
VIP status at the hottest nightclub in town, etc. Ap-
pealing to a mortal’s ego or sense of self-importance is
A SAMPLER OF
a very effective, and relatively simple, technique for ELDERS’ TACTICS
maintaining her loyalty. The power plays, stratagems, gambles and ploys
Complexity enters the picture when the vampire of the Kindred have taken shape over centuries. Any
decides, for whatever reason, to use the blood bond or primogen worth her seat on the council will have
Disciplines to elicit the degree of loyalty he wants. It’s a metaphorical playbook the size of an unabridged
far better to have a pawn willingly work for you than dictionary just brimming with her favorite political
rely on the crutch of blood bonds and other supernatural maneuvers and techniques for getting what she wants.
witchery, but sometimes certain key elements in an Many of these may have been taught to her by elders
elder’s plan have to be nudged a little more aggressively upon her taking the primogen position, while others
into playing their roles properly. Relying on those tools were certainly developed empirically.
is lazy and, these days, dangerous. Those mortals who Following are some of the more popular (and less
fancy themselves “hunters” have shown a knack for Byzantine or specialized) tactics that primogen use to
spotting (and murdering) ghouls, and, on occasion, rally their clans, deal with crises and make last-ditch
tracking down the Kindred who created them. lunges for power in these Final Nights.
PUNISHING PAWNS The Enemy of Your Enemy Is Your Ally
Sometimes contacts come through, and, alas, some- Alliances can be powerful things. Oftentimes,
times they don’t. When a pawn does well, he should be a Kindred will want nothing more than an ally, and
rewarded. When a pawn screws up, he needs to know it one way to obtain an ally in a hurry is to find another
and know the depth of his master’s displeasure. Some Kindred in a similar predicament and point out that
pawns are harder to punish than others. One doesn’t he shares an enemy. This approach works even better
just put 20 lashes on the Mob boss’s back, for instance, if the would-be ally is also threatened by the enemy
or kill the mayor’s personal assistant. at the same time.
Again, the primogen needs to think back and re- For example, if Jamal ibn-Alamut, the newly
member human nature — higher Humanity ratings might ascended Assamite primogen, were being harried at
help with this, at the Storyteller’s discretion — and what every turn by Albert Senecus, the Tremere primogen,
motivates (or counteracts motivation) in mortals. anyone who has a problem with Senecus would be wise
to propose an alliance with ibn-Alamut. Not only does

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
62
it weaken the position of the enemy, but one never treatment. Haphazard disrespect is sheer idiocy.
knows when having a well trained assassin as an ally Strategic disrespect, on the other hand, functions
might come in handy. as a reminder to those who have fallen from the
“We Have to Show a United Front.” primogen’s good graces.
Throughout Kindred society, “us versus them” The primogen may freely show disdain for those
is one of the primary models used to motivate those who have offended, spoken out against, slandered or
lower in the Kindred hierarchy. Both the “us” and otherwise landed themselves on the primogen’s list of
the “them” are fluid. Us could be defined as the so- irritants, provided they are lower in the hierarchy than
ciety of Kindred, the Camarilla, Clan Toreador, the the primogen. The primogen’s best weapons against
primogen council or any other faction that suits the these individuals are mockery and derision. Let the
moment. “Them,” therefore, could be mortals, the fool know she has offended. Make it clear that you
Sabbat, Clan Nosferatu or “the thin-blooded rabble.” think ill of her, and others, sycophants in particular,
In a culture so completely based on conflict, it be- will feel free to do likewise, eroding her standing in
comes habitual to define oneself by one’s enemies. circles where the primogen holds sway. This is not an
Let the enemy be caricatured, mocked, made into a unusual tactic for Camarilla Kindred — it is the very
symbol of everything “we” consider improper. Such essence of the harpies’ power, after all — but for the
dehumanization, after all, is the entire point of any primogen it is but one tactic out of many, whereas
long-term enemy. The Tremere did it to the Salubri, for the harpy it’s the primary method of interacting
the Republicans do it to the Democrats, et cetera, with the rest of Kindred society.
ad nauseam — and vice versa. On the other hand, those who have shown proper
It has a point. The greater the hatred of “them,” deference to the primogen, those who have been helpful
the greater the cohesion in “us.” The more monstrous or who make it clear that they value the primogen’s
we can make “them” out to be, the more heroic “we” position or assistance, should be treated most kindly.
seem by comparison. If “they” are capable of highly Warm words in public, rewards in private and an un-
unethical behavior, then so must “we” be, otherwise mistakable attitude of respect toward these individuals
the monsters will have the upper hand. will serve to keep them favorably disposed toward the
These kinds of strategies serve to quash (or at least primogen.
postpone) internecine conflicts. Such tactics muzzle These two phenomena should leave little room for
dissidents, increase morale and render even well meant ambiguity. When it becomes clear how the primogen
criticism the equivalent of sedition. works, there will be no question which is the better
This ranks among the favorite techniques used camp to be in, and those around the primogen will
by primogen to rally their clans. While it does an seek ways in which to become increasingly useful and
excellent job of bringing the majority of the clan endearing — a state of affairs that all those on the
into alignment, it sometimes alienates Kindred the primogen council would like to replicate.
primogen would rather have as allies. Free-thinking Divide and Conquer
members of any clan balk at such tactics in general, but This is the flip side to showing a united front. In
it works better with some clans than others. Ventrue, times of crisis, the primogen wants to keep his own
Tremere and Nosferatu, for example, have a greater clan in lockstep agreement while the enemy’s force
sense of group identity and are more easily swayed by is sundered from within. Under ideal circumstances,
such tactics. Clans Malkavian, Toreador and (espe- the enemy fragments beneath the weight of its own
cially) Brujah are not good candidates for use of this accrued discontents, but more often than not, it be-
technique. The Brujah, in fact, have been known to hooves a Kindred to nudge his enemy’s forces in the
riot against primogen using this tactic artlessly. direction of fragmentation.
Punish the Disrespectful but Reward Allies While the advantages of this strategy are obvious, it
Casual arrogance and thoughtless cruelty are the takes a great deal of intelligence on the enemy’s opera-
signs of a short-term primogen. Those who think their tions to know which factions to pit against each other.
position grants them the right to treat their fellows Information is always available if you know where to
poorly are likely to learn some hard lessons (assuming look and whom to pay off. It could be time to call in
they remain in the primogen seat at all). that debt the Nosferatu owe you .…
That is not to say that cruelty and poor treatment The most common approach to dividing and con-
of inferiors don’t have their uses, just that discretion quering is to survey the enemy’s forces, discern who has
must be shown when choosing the targets of such the largest ego (but who isn’t in power) and then, casually,
CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE
63
drop the bug in his ear (indirectly, of course) that his a primogen’s favor when replacing a failure. Compared
clan doesn’t value him, that he could do a better job of to an utter incompetent, the primogen will look like
leading the clan than their stupid primogen any night a natural leader.
of the week or that some other organization would give When a great prince leaves office, then, the wise
him much better opportunities for advancement. Usually primogen will allow the position to go to the first
the Lick with the biggest ego is one of the heavy hitters, idiot who wants to dive into the office and then take
and convincing him that he’s underappreciated will, at over and fix things once the idiot has been ousted for
the very least, keep him from getting too gung-ho on incompetence. The danger in this approach lies in the
behalf of whoever holds his leash and could make him slim possibility that the new prince might do well in
so irate that he takes his ball and goes home. the position, but that happens rarely enough that it’s
Corollary to ”divide and conquer” is sowing dis- not worth the concern.
sent. The greatest strength of strategies that sow dissent Know When to Stop
is that once the initial seed is planted, the recipient’s Few experiences are as heady to Kindred as attaining
mind does the rest of the work. Past slights, sheer a long-term goal. It feeds the ego, hones the appetite
ego, barely formulated (and largely unobtainable) and stokes ambition. Consequently, it is at the moment
ambitions and the like all blend together and fester. of fruition and conquest that many Kindred fall, either
At the very least, the enemy’s morale suffers, but ide- by their own acts or by those of others. Their carefully
ally the dissent will spread, causing the opposition’s laid plans have pushed them to success, and what, they
leaders to notch up the discipline just to counteract think, can be the danger of overshooting a tad, of tak-
the fraying order. ing a little extra?
Annihilate Your Enemies Not only does such behavior make one’s allies
In the world of the Kindred, even more than in the nervous, it’s rash. A Kindred who has achieved a long
mortal world, it is imperative that a defeated enemy long-term goal did so because of long-term planning.
(a real enemy, not one of these tedious adversaries or In making the additional lunge for lagniappe, the vam-
rivals for the prince’s attention) be utterly crushed pire acts without the benefit of that planning, making
and, if possible, sent to Final Death. Deathless years it highly probably that he will overreach himself and
give even soundly defeated vampires time to regroup, open himself up to attack by unsettled allies, bitter rivals
take the lessons of their defeat to heart and, too often, or opportunistic predators who revel in taking down a
return with greater knowledge, greater experience and Kindred at his peak moment.
greater power. Consequently, any partial victory must Reaching a goal is a glorious feeling and one to be
also be seen as a partial defeat that could, given time, savored accordingly, but the wise primogen will not
grow to an utter defeat if the primogen does not act pursue conquest beyond his original plans — at least
expeditiously. not immediately. Most wise Kindred settle on a simple
If the enemy is a single vampire — someone from pattern: plan, lunge and regroup. Planning makes the
his past with dangerous info on him — a wise primo- lunge possible, regrouping lets the vampire consolidate
gen will see that the Lick is extinguished completely, his gains and take stock of his next target before he
preferably by a seemingly unconnected third party (this begins working on a whole new plan. Any imbalance
is where that boon that the sheriff owes you comes in in the three elements — plan, lunge, regroup — will
very handy). If the enemy is an aggregate of Kindred, slow the Kindred’s progress toward power and could
the primogen would do well to infiltrate the organiza- prove dangerous.
tion, learn all he can about its goals and techniques Avoid Losers
and then wipe it out entirely, lest cells remain to start The theory of contagion stipulates that the more
the cancer anew. one associates with the unclean, the more likely it
Follow Failure, Not Success is that their uncleanness will rub off. That same ap-
Primogen frequently have the power to replace a proach applies to disfavor, dishonor, suspicion and
prince who has, through whatever means, taken his scores of other unsought conditions. The relatively
leave of the position. While a prince’s position is to slow pace at which the tapestry of Kindred political
be coveted, at times such offers must be turned down. power is woven, ploy by ploy and feint by feint, makes
Experienced Kindred quickly learn that a great leader’s this particularly important, because literal decades of
shoes are impossible to fill. Any vampire attempting to meticulous politicking and power plays can be un-
do so will be relentlessly compared to the great leader — done by one brief fit of misguided compassion or one
and not kindly. The same dynamic, however, works in imprudent alliance.
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
64
 A primogen who has allies who have been dropped return, be more withdrawn and your value will have
from the ranks of favor would be wise to cease asso- risen tenfold. It is absence, not presence, that creates
ciating with those particular allies — at least for the an aura of mystique and power.
time being and in the public eye. The elder may feel One corollary to this rule is that the primogen
as if he is helping, but he is likely deluding himself as must also know when to take his leave. Any wise
well as setting himself up for a fall of his own. As the actor knows to be off the stage before the applause
unfortunate have drawn catastrophe to themselves, comes to an end. Primogen maximize their impact
so do they seem to draw it to those who try to help on their clans when they remain aloof. This must
them. Even a powerful Kindred in good standing can be done judiciously. Woe unto the primogen whose
be affected by such things, and by the time he sees clan feels betrayed or manipulated. Primogen utilizing
what has happened, he finds that he, too, is in the this approach should take care that their absence is
water and is being pulled down. never suspicious or random, but, rather, a regrettable
Nor is political disfavor the only situation that can consequence of the demands of office.
be taken on through the principle of contagion. The Commitment Is a Trap
mad spread madness, the miserable spread misery, and One after another, masses of fools rush to commit
the disreputable spread disrepute; anyone who spends to one cause or another. By so doing, they forgo their
any significant amount of time with these individuals freedom, lessen their own worth and make themselves
will be marred by their reputations. There is, after a known quantity. By maintaining one’s independence,
all, a reason why the Toreador don’t take time out one stays in a position to master others by playing them
of their busy schedules to teach the Nosferatu better against one another, or making them show their own
social graces .… hand by coming to you. Even if one is inclined to join
Make Others Come to You one faction over another, it is always best to make them
Activity expends energy. Committing to a plan of court you first, otherwise your alliance is more likely to
action, commencing aggression and leaving one’s base be devalued and taken for granted.
of strength are all risky activities. A Kindred who can By way of example, Squealard, the Nosferatu pri-
rouse, tempt or incite others to come to him saves his mogen, was typically ignored by the other primogen;
own energies and allows others to waste theirs. Fur- likewise, the other Nosferatu of the city were treated
thermore, the Kindred who sits still is more capable poorly if they were acknowledged at all. This state of
of defending himself from whatever attacks may be affairs lasted until Elysium politics took a turn that
coming his way. Any Lick who confuses aggressive appeared likely to place Squealard in the role of tie-
action with effective action (or effective inaction) has breaker in a major policy vote. He did not volunteer
painful lessons to learn, because, more often than not, which faction he was inclined to side with. Both sides
especially among Kindred, the most effective course of kept putting off the vote, hoping to use the time to
action is to stay back, keep calm and let others walk lure the Sewer Rat to their side (assuming he wasn’t
into the traps you have set for them. More than any already). Kindred who hadn’t spoken to him in years
other creature in the World of Darkness, the Kindred began doing him favors and, incidentally, asking him
have the ability to sit back and wait for the eventual, which way he intended to vote. He would very cor-
long-term power instead of rushing for the quick vic- dially inform his questioner that he hadn’t yet decided
tory. As elders of their clans, the primogen know this and then ask what the questioner thought. Both the
better than most. Nosferatu and their primogen benefited from his refusal
Avoid Overexposure as You Would Sunlight to take sides. They were invited to participate more
One’s presence, as with anything, increases in value fully in Elysium, favors were offered in exchange for
in proportion to its scarcity. The initial urge of many information, and certain privileges were extended to
a naïve primogen is to be easily accessible, available the Nosferatu that they had been trying to acquire for
for his clan to contact. The wise ones rapidly learn the some time. Had the Nosferatu primogen announced
folly of this approach. The only effect such availability which way he would vote, the side he was going to
has is to lessen the primogen’s value and worth. Being be voting for would be able to take him for granted
easily accessible makes one seem common. Upon being and the side he was voting against would resent him.
made primogen of his clan, a Kindred’s wisest move Wisely, Squealard avoided taking a smug or obnoxious
is to withdraw from Elysium for a while. Let rumors tone during his indecision phase, nor did he visibly
spread about what it is you might be up to — the more show his enjoyment at having both factions over a
speculation, the better. Then, when the time comes to barrel. In time, neither side having the slightest idea

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65
how the Nosferatu would weigh in, the vote took place Do Not Let Others Become Envious
and the matter, now forgotten, was decided. While Whom Kindred envy, they want to destroy. If you
the situation largely returned to business as usual after have a wealth of influence (for instance) that you want
the vote, the positions of Squealard and the Nosferatu to keep, downplay it. Do not brag at every meeting of
remained notably better than it had been previously, the council that you have the president of every bank
because subsequent to that event no one was comfort- in town in your debt. Do not fall prey to ostentation
able taking the Sewer Rats for granted. or you will also fall prey to others who want what you
Practice Being Inscrutable have.
It behooves a wise primogen to assume formlessness. Master the Spectacle
By having a “shape,” an obvious plan, a habitual way of The Romans called it paneum et circenses, which,
doing things, a primogen gives his enemies a means of in English, means “bread and circuses.” It refers to the
discerning his weaknesses. Habits kill. Remain adapt- mortal (and Kindred) need for two things: sustenance
able and ready to roll with whatever punches may come and entertainment. If the masses have those two things,
your way and you’ll succeed even among the Kindred’s they will be docile and easily swayed. They will watch
backstabbing elite. Fail to do so and your nights of power the hand that has the small shiny object and not the
(and unlife) are numbered. empty one that’s going for their purse. While this comes
This is one of the hardest rules for Kindred to more naturally to some clans than to others, its utility
master. It goes against their static nature. Those among cannot be denied. The power to make statements on a
them who have learned it have a significant advantage large scale must not be underestimated. Such a predilec-
over their enemies. If one single strategy helps ancillae tion creates mystique and lends an aura of strength and
hold their own against elders, this is it. Kindred Elders competence to whatever persona you project in your
become so ossified in their habits that even perceiving dealings with your peers.
something so radically removed from their way of see- Best of all, when a truly phenomenal spectacle is
ing the world becomes challenging. That is a weakness unfolding, others won’t be paying a whit of attention
that can be turned to the advantage of a clever and to what you’re doing.
enterprising Kindred. The Toreador are grandmasters of this technique. A
The Gangrel are adept at this. Not only does it tale emerges from the Domain of Houston of the Toreador
help them survive in the wilds beyond city limits, it also primogen who brought an entire jazz band into Elysium to
kept them difficult to read in political situations. Until perform a slow jazz funeral. The costumes were beautiful,
Xaviar made his announcement to the Inner Circle the music was flawless, and all of Elysium was enthralled
that the Gangrel were seceding from the Camarilla, by the spectacle. When the band at last made its slow
no one had the least idea that anything unusual was exit, the prince was nowhere to be found. And never
in the works. That still haunts certain Malkavians and was. The Toreador primogen subsequently claimed the
Nosferatu, who feel they should have had some kind title and became the new Toreador prince.
of advance warning.
Make Your Results Impossible to Miss, but Keep STRATEGIES: CLAN BY CLAN
Your Efforts Transparent Like the clans they lead, primogen vary with regard
When working toward a goal of any sort that oth- to their strengths and weaknesses. Those strengths and
ers will be able to see upon its completion, keep your weaknesses guide the night-to-night decisions of these
efforts invisible. All planning and preparation that clans. How authority plays out in a clan can vary a great
can be completed ahead of time should be. When the deal; some primogen are petty tyrants, pushing their
urge strikes you to tell others how much work you are agendas on those they supposedly represent. Others
putting in toward some goal, stifle it; it will only lessen think of themselves almost solely as advisors to the
your standing. Subsequently, when your actions seem prince, and their status as clan authority goes largely
effortless, natural and seamless, your deeds will have an unfulfilled (this approach doesn’t work well with Clan
almost legendary quality to them. Pretend that even Brujah, as a general rule, but otherwise the clans can
these great acts were just one more manifestation of run themselves reasonably well). The problem with this
your excellent luck. Pass off as much of your hard work approach comes when the primogen is summoned into
as possible as good fortune, and once you have a reputa- the prince’s chambers and is forced to take responsibility
tion for being handed great things by fate, others will for a Kindred whose behavior has gotten out of line.
take notice. Through the use of such tactics, you will As nominal heads of their clans, the primogen
attract allies and dissuade potential enemies. effectively have access not only to their own sources
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
66
of influence and resources but, if they need it, to those clans, only the Tremere compete with the Assamites for
of most of their clan members’ as well. The younger the role of most hierarchical. No other clan approaches
members of the clan are not obligated in any way to call Clan Assamite in the arena of discipline and self-
upon their influence on behalf of their primogen, but it control. Assamite primogen expect an extraordinarily
is, without a doubt, in their best interest. As discussed high degree of decorum and civility from their clan
elsewhere in this book, it is never a bad thing to be in members; those individuals who step out of line are,
the good graces of one’s primogen. Ironically, it is a clan’s initially, corrected (sternly). If the problem recurs, the
“problem children” who are most likely to offer their Kindred is punished severely. No Camarilla Assamite
influence to the primogen as a means of convincing yet appears to have required action from the primogen
the primogen to overlook their various failings. The a third time. For a clan so reviled throughout most of
primogen is more likely to go to bat (with the prince, for the Camarilla, the Assamite primogen appear to eschew
example) for a clan member who has proven his utility the more gratuitously underhanded manipulation tech-
than for one who has been petty and parsimonious with niques of the elders, preferring instead a more direct (and
regard to lending his influence. The exact nature of this some say more confrontational) style of leadership and
influence on the mortal sphere varies from clan to clan, diplomacy. That method appears to be winning them
but any primogen in good standing with his clan can accolades in the Camarilla, though the Tremere insist
wield formidable power in a city of any significance. If it’s a foul ruse.
a primogen does this too often, the harpies will begin What few Assamite primogen there are appear to
to gossip, of course, about his notable lack of ability to have the bulk of their influence among churches (and
handle the mortal world. mosques), industry and transportation.
ASSAMITE BRUJAH
Those few Assamites who have been given seats Brujah primogen must deal with a schism of sorts in
on primogen councils guide their clans with the stoic their clan that their peers don’t typically have. While
demeanor of a military commander. They place a great some elders of the clan tend toward a philosophical
deal of value on order and efficiency. Of the Camarilla bent (which many find helps them stay calm and avoid

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

67
their clan’s curse), many younger Licks have yet to faithful part of the sect and behave accordingly.
develop the required patience to pursue rarified mat- Here and there throughout the Camarilla are also
ters and evince a violent streak wide enough to drive a the bestial monsters who remain affiliated with the sect
tank through. The primogen may have trouble pulling solely for the boons they receive in exchange for their
his clan together if the younger ones see him (and the martial abilities. Some say that the warlord Karsh is
prince, and the sheriff) as “The Man,” a sellout who has the ultimate example of this approach (though they
exchanged his ideals for respectability and power. don’t say it too loudly).
Woe unto the fledgling who pushes the primogen’s Gangrel primogen are as laissez-faire as they come,
patience to the breaking point, however. Elders may being as antihierarchical as they can get away with. Any
have had more time to come to terms with their hair- coherence the Gangrel of a given domain may show
trigger tempers, but a rude, disrespectful and directly stems directly from the liking or respect they have for
antagonistic neonate is going to learn a hard lesson each other. The Gangrel primogen is as likely to hold
about respect. Unfortunately, the young Lick almost his seat for telling enthralling tales as for his combat
never takes the lesson as intended. On the contrary, it prowess.
almost invariably results in the younger Brujah trying to On those rare occasions when a Gangrel primo-
rally his peers against the “unfair” treatment received gen is placed in a position where he needs to act as
at the hands (or fists) of the elder. an authority figure for a member of his clan, it’s likely
Many Brujah primogen circumvent this problem, to take the form of a blunt, no-nonsense statement of
with some limited success, by taking a whip younger fact. “Stop hunting in the Malkavians’ feeding grounds
than he would prefer to act as a sort of liaison (or a or the prince is going to stake your ass. Don’t say you
buffer, as some elders think of it). In such cases it be- weren’t warned.” Once the message is delivered, the
hooves the elder and his whip to feign some manner of primogen shrugs off the mantle of authority and reverts
dislike for one another, lest the troublemakers take to to the role of a solitary predator.
thinking of the whip as the primogen’s lackey instead Influence in the mortal world does not play a big
of a sympathetic peer. role in Gangrel unlife. Those Outlanders who have
When Clan Brujah is not behaving dysfunction- any notable influence generally have it on the street,
ally, however, it’s in a great position to pick up boons. with police or with biker gangs.
Especially now that the Gangrel have seceded, the
Brujah are the biggest bad boys in the vast majority of
MALKAVIAN
Camarilla cities. If anyone needs thugs (for whatever The Lunatics’ primogen has her work cut out for
purpose), Clan Brujah often steps into the role with her. While there are many benefits to guiding a clan as
relish. While this is rarely a clanwide affair, the fact … gifted as the childer of Malkav, the night-to-night
remains that the Brujah propensity for teamwork (not accounting for the various outbursts of derangements
to mention ganging up on their opponents) gives them can wear on even the most nurturing soul. That mad-
a valuable edge that they can capitalize on. ness is also the strength of the clan. The Malkavians
The curious disparity between the Brujah elders trade on madness and the insights it grants them.
and their younger clan members grants the clan a broad The Malkavian primogen, then, is occasionally in the
range of influences upon which to draw (assuming the position of hearing things that his clan members have
primogen can convince his young clan members to help picked up off the madness network and subsequently
without placing undue strain on the already troubled offering boons of information to her peers.
relationship between the younger and older Brujah). If a Malkavian primogen conducts his relationship
Elders (including the primogen) typically focus on with his clan in any standard way, only the Lunatics
bureaucracy, health, politics and university influences, themselves can see it. Some are paranoid tyrants who
while the younger members focus on street, transporta- spend the better part of their nights scrutinizing their
tion (Teamsters) and underworld influences. own clan in a never-ending hunt for traitors (though
traitors to what, no one seems to know). Others are
GANGREL relatively jovial unless set off, but what sets them off
The number of Camarilla Gangrel is small and and how they’ll respond is anyone’s guess. Some set
dropping, but in those domains where the Outlanders themselves up as royalty among their clan, and the clan
still have a presence and a primogen, they conduct busi- either plays along to some degree or ignores them.
ness as usual. Many of the remaining Gangrel feel they While they may be haunted by their assorted mad-
need to convince their Camarilla fellows they’re still a nesses — and behave oddly because of them — the

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
68
childer of Malkav are not a particularly difficult clan guides the clan such that the information-gathering
otherwise. Leading madmen is like herding cats: it tendencies of the Sewer Rats are directed in ways that
doesn’t happen. That said, the madmen are typically maximize the influence of the clan and, often, the
good about staying in contact with their primogen and boons owed to its primogen.
offering him the benefit of their insights. On the whole, TOREADOR
Malkavian primogen tend to fall much further toward
the “representative” end of the primogen spectrum Without a doubt, the real power of Clan Toreador
than on the “governor” side. lies in their social finesse. The Toreador primogen leads,
more often than not, with such assiduous attention to
Just as most things vary widely with the Lunatics,
subtlety, protocol and etiquette that Kindred from other
so do their influences. Church, health, and street form
clans may not even pick up on what he’s saying unless
the core of their influence. Frighteningly enough, many
it is, tediously enough, stated as blatantly as possible.
Malkavian elders also have a remarkable amount of
The unofficial hierarchy of the clan is determined
occult influence, but this they downplay so as to keep
largely by social status.
peace with the Tremere.
As the social core of the Camarilla, Clan Toreador
NOSFERATU does a great deal to hold the sect together. The Toreador
Of all the Kindred, the Sewer Rats show the least primogen, then, often takes on a shepherding role in
concern with titles and formality. While he is shown the city, mingling with all (or at least most) of the
deference, the primogen is often seen as more of an Kindred in Elysium, if only to draw out their business.
experience or knowledge resource than a political It’s not uncommon for a new arrival in Elysium to be
authority or leader. Interactions between the Nos- swarmed by pleasant, chatty Toreador and forgotten
feratu and their primogen are by far the least formal, the moment his business is known.
due largely to the heightened and somewhat forced Only the Ventrue rival the Toreador in the influence
sense of camaraderie that comes from their sense of game, and the primogen is typically of an age to be very
alienation. The Sewer Rats, consequently, are likely well connected indeed. Their social nature inevitably
to think of their elder as something of an average Joe results in contacts throughout the city, but they focus
until something goes wrong. on high society and media, with a comfortable backup
There is a down side, however. Nosferatu elders portfolio of bureaucracy and finance.
tend to be keenly aware of their socially disenfranchised TREMERE
state, and while they don’t wear it on their sleeve,
anything that heightens tension between the Sewer The leadership tactics of the Tremere are not codi-
Rats and the rest of the city often pops them back into fied and held in triplicate in a secret bunker somewhere
politically sensitive mode. On the whole, Nosferatu in Vienna, but then again, they don’t need to be. One
primogen tend to overreact to pressure from the other does not become an elder in Clan Tremere without
Kindred of a city, whether it be the prince, the primogen learning the clan’s tactics, directly or otherwise. With
council or, especially, the sheriff and scourge. the exception of highly unusual or specific situations,
a Tremere primogen has, at the very least, a clear and
The Nosferatu primogen has to deal with some
concise set of guidelines to follow.
problems that other clans do not. For example, some
Nosferatu never enter Elysium, never talk to other The role of the primogen is abundantly clear: the
Kindred and never leave the sewers except to feed (if primogen speaks, his clan members obey. The hier-
then). Should the time ever come when the primogen archy of Clan Tremere is not a subtle thing. Things
has to represent one of these hermitlike near-autarkis don’t always work that way in the real world, however.
to Elysium, he will undoubtedly be at a bit of a disad- Individual Kindred interpret and embody the ideals
vantage, because few others (and none outside Clan of Clan Tremere differently. While truly unorthodox
Nosferatu) are likely to know or sympathize with the Tremere will never reach the position of primogen (at
hermit’s plight, whatever it may be. At such times, it least not if the clan leadership has anything to say about
may only be the boons gathered through spying that it), some of those who do take on the position may not
save the hapless Kindred. be as keen on the clan’s hierarchy as their superiors
think. Some may value their Humanity more than
Information is the currency of Clan Nosferatu.
the clan elders would like. Others may be too lenient
The pursuit of it gives the clan its raison d’être in
or too strict. Still others have their own agendas that
many ways, and it’s the only reason the clan receives
supersede the will of the grayfaces’ pyramid.
what respect it does. The primogen of the clan, then,

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69
 As with many other things in Clan Tremere, the
clan members’ choice of influences in the mortal THE FILIBUSTER
world are strongly influenced by their clan hierarchy.
In theory (Gehenna notwithstanding), the
While the clan doesn’t exactly dictate which kind
Kindred have literally forever to deal with any given
of influence is acceptable and which is not, unlife
issue that comes up for a vote in the council, and
without contacts in certain sectors can make things
issues can be pored over seemingly interminably.
much more difficult for neonates and possibly even
In practice, many of these issues are time-sensitive,
ancillae. Most Tremere primogen will have ample
revolving of necessity around mortal calendars,
occult, university, bureaucracy and church influence
impending Sabbat incursions or the like.
to call on. The primogen of Clan Tremere will likely
have the most occult influence of any Kindred in the In general, the council of primogen prefers
city unless a higher-ranking Tremere, like a regent, to attend to the business of Elysium in short
resides in the city, in which case it’s almost impossible order. Sometimes, however, obstructionism is
to avoid rivalries developing between the two. On one a Kindred’s best tool. It may be in a particular
hand, the regent carries more weight with the clan, primogen’s best interest to prevent an item from
but the primogen technically outranks him in local coming up for a vote for as long as necessary either
politics, potentially setting the stage for an intense, to have the issue dropped, change the minds of
if subtle, conflict. one or more members of the council or bring
about some other change in the status quo.
Occasionally it happens that a representative
of another clan has more occult influence in the One Kindred can, if she so chooses, prevent
mortal world — this has happened most often with an issue from being voted on by ranting, raving
the Giovanni, but it could also be the case with and declaiming against the proposal until the
Malkavians, particularly creepy Nosferatu or even council adjourns in preparation for dawn. This
a Toreador with a blood cult. Such situations are, is called a filibuster. Those who follow Kindred
fortunately, rare, because such a state of affairs usu- political history recount tales of primogen who
ally sets off an influence cold war that takes a hefty have spoken, literally, for nights on end to avoid
toll on both sides of the conflict. a council vote.
A three-quarters majority of the council
VENTRUE can vote to have the filibustering primogen
The Blue Bloods govern. It’s what they do best. sit down and shut up, but majorities are tricky
Sometimes the Ventrue were the only thing keeping things (especially these nights when there are
the Camarilla from breaking apart under its own vast only six official Camarilla clans and not seven
weight. The Ventrue primogen is typically one part as there were for centuries). Technically, the
field marshal, two parts corporate management and prince can also stop a filibuster and demand an
one part charming master of the fine art of schmoozing. immediate vote just by saying so, but doing so
They’re cordial, witty and warm and there is no tactic a without strong cause is a fairly significant and
Ventrue primogen will not adopt to get her way, support heavy-handed political maneuver that will
her clan and further the standing of the Camarilla in invariably come back to haunt him later.
the nighttime world. If she has to catch your eye and Filibustering is not done lightly. It brings
flirt, or show you a map of the city’s defenses while her the political process in a city to a complete halt.
Gangrel hit man comes up behind you with his claws The Kindred so doing is seen at the very least
out, she’s fine with that, too. Power comes with heavy as a child having a tantrum and at the worst as
responsibility. a sneak who is up to something shady.
Within Clan Ventrue the emphasis is on efficiency
and success. The ends do justify the means for these
Kindred. The ideal role of the primogen in all this of siding with the Man against the Beast. While it
is simply to oversee the accumulation of excellence, can be a burden, it also pays off nightly when dealing
wealth and results. The Ventrue think of themselves as with mortals.
the most pro-social of all the Kindred clans (though the Clan Ventrue is by far the most savvy when it comes
Toreador would argue the point), and corollary to this to mortal influence, and they play it like the strength
point is their focus on Humanity. Perhaps more than it is. While the primogen will have immense abilities
any other clan, the Blue Bloods stress the importance to control profit from the financial sector in his city,

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
70
he will also be able to draw on significant amounts of
pull (from his own influence as well as from his clan)
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
in bureaucracy, church, health, high society, industry, The flow of power varies from city to city, but in all
legal, media, police, political, university and sometimes but a handful of cities the standard model (introduced
even military spheres of influence. The Blue Bloods and championed by the Ventrue) is this: the primogen,
have an uncanny knack for choosing good connections, drawing on their great age and experience, bring up
and those connections serve them well. The Ventrue issues of importance to the Kindred of a city, engage in
often hold the greatest sway in any influence sector reasoned debates regarding how to proceed and then
they have their hand in. The best way to avoid losing formally suggest a course of action to the prince. This
in the Kindred’s nightly influence game is to avoid is the introduction of the proposal. The primogen are
playing against the Ventrue. free to advise or lobby the prince on the issue while
he thinks about it.

VIOLENCE IN POLITICS
Times may come when a particular primogen really wants to have his way in a meeting of the
council. Times when the outcome is of the utmost importance to him and his clan. Times when it does
not look good for his cause. Times when there is no alternative but to beat the ever-loving vitae out of
key primogen who don’t support his position.
It would be wrong to say that this has never happened in the history of the Camarilla, but it would also be
wrong to say that it has been anything but extraordinarily rare. There’s a reason for this: it doesn’t fly at all.
Simply put, no primogen council is going to let one pushy member decide the city’s politics unfairly
through violence (that’s what prestation’s for, after all). A primogen trying such a thing would be over-
whelmed by the other elders in short order, and if not by them then by the prince and the sheriff. Such
a course of action would be seen as inherently anti-Camarilla, akin to the lowest-common-denominator
brutality of the Sabbat, and punished accordingly. Historically, those who have tried such tactics have
been given the option of leaving the city or having a blood hunt declared upon them. Thus far, all have
chosen the former course of action.
Even the suggestion that one elder has tried direct intimidation tactics on another will work the
harpies into a dark red lather, and the accused will be a target of scorn for years to come, making unlife
hard for him, his clan and anyone he was associated with. Consequently, any intimidation tactics that
are used have to be understated and somewhat ambiguous if the elder making them is going to have
the advantage of plausible deniability.
This, as it turns out, happens all the time, with varying degrees of success. Any primogen who feels
she’s being subtly threatened can interpret the assailant’s ambiguous words in their nonviolent mean-
ing, forcing the thug to be less subtle, until the threat is clear, at which point the target can bring the
matter up with the prince or the harpies — or take matters into her own hands.
Ironically, the clan everybody would expect violent tactics from is Clan Brujah, but in their roles
as primogen, the Brujah are exceptionally good speakers and masters of persuasion; consequently, they
don’t need to resort to violence to get their point across (in the primogen council, anyway).
Where violence might become an issue is in conflicts between the prince and the primogen. While
the primogen council is, at root, an advisory body, any prince who repeatedly asks for the council’s in-
put and then ignores it is fostering a situation where the city’s elders may begin to feel a bit frustrated.
Likewise, unless the primogen council is extremely weak it will not suffer a prince who exhibits a
tendency toward outright tyranny. It has happened that the primogen and the prince have entered the
council chambers, locked the door and before there’s even time for discussion, the elders have beaten
the prince into torpor. Given that princes tend to be of relatively low generation, bringing the prince
back out of torpor can be a bit of a sticky wicket. The princes this has happened to become objects of
scorn and derision throughout the Camarilla, and tend to leave for new cities shortly after coming out
of torpor (and before any potential new prince shows up to deliver the walking papers).

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

71
 FUNCTIONAL VERSUS DYSFUNCTIONAL
Elder vampires are a difficult group to work with. This is not a “plays well with others” kind of orga-
nization. Centuries-old egos, pretend ethics and uncompromising agendas can make primogen council
meetings excruciating affairs with Kindred knocking heads at every step of the political process. These
negative elements, however, can be mitigated by the presence of Cainites with hundreds of years of
political experience, a time-honed understanding of the strategic compromise and superhuman charisma
(not to mention several dots in Presence).
The dynamics of any given primogen council are unique to that council. How enlightened (or
benighted) a council is has enormous repercussions on the Kindred population of the city they preside
over. A council of jaded, vicious, self-interested Kindred with a combined Humanity rating of 20 will
likely fight, pout and deal with each other with as little honesty and integrity as possible. The primogen
will have no higher interest than furthering their own goals, leaving the Kindred of the city at the mercy
of the council’s plots and greed. The city’s Kindred would probably never know why that city was such
a horrible place, they would simply know that it was.
Such diseased or dysfunctional councils are, fortunately, the exception. Most primogen take their
places on the council seriously and give at least perfunctory consideration to how their votes will affect
the Kindred of their city as well as their clans.
The key thing for the Storyteller to remember is that not all primogen councils conduct business
with the same degree of ethics. Some are highly functional, making decisions that benefit the Kindred,
while others are so corrupt and entrenched that nothing short of a rebellion by the city’s Kindred or
an archon’s visit will result in any positive change. A storyteller whose chronicle occasionally takes
characters to new cities should bear this in mind. It can be an eye-opening experience for a character to
visit a city governed by a primogen council that is markedly different from the one in her home city.

At this point, the process can go in two different The Camarilla clans all seem to appreciate this
directions. In those cities with a strong prince, the method of doing business. The Ventrue like this model
prince decides the issue outright and his word becomes for its elegance. The Brujah tend to like any system
custom in his city. In cities where the primogen coun- that allows them to practice their skills at oration.
cil is strong, however, the prince comes back to the The Toreador like to grandstand. The Nosferatu like
primogen with a clearly worded yes-or-no proposal, it because they have an equal vote … and on it goes.
which he turns over to the primogen to vote on one Ideally, a primogen council is an inherent system
final time. The prince may contribute his own vote of checks and balances. All six (or seven, or eight, or
(or two …) at this stage as well (while it doesn’t jibe nine …) clans have an equal vote, so no clan has any
with many modern notions of “fair” politics, it’s a far particular advantage or disadvantage over another.
cry from the kind of despotism that princes once got All clans must deal with the same limitations and
away with). With the vote of the council, the matter is advantages, and anything that disrupts this system is
decided and, again, the outcome of the vote determines likely to be undermined in short order. This system
the policy in that city. either results in balance (whereby the primogen agree
Some proposals originate with the prince in which to share or alternate power to accomplish things) or
case they go directly to the primogen for debate and stasis (when the elders are deadlocked and cancel out
a final vote. In extreme cases, the prince may over- each other’s influence on an ongoing basis). One of
rule the council and tell the primogen how things the many reasons that the plan to incorporate the
are going to be. While this is absolutely within the Assamites into the Camarilla is meeting with such
prince’s rights, it’s also a politically dangerous move. favor is that voting is simpler with seven clans than
The primogen are the strongest force in the city back- with six. Many primogen are not pleased with the
ing the prince. For him to show them that degree of departure of the Gangrel if only because of the politi-
blatant disrespect is verging on political suicide for cal ramifications of having an even number of clans
all but the strongest princes. voting on issues.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
72
 The departure of the Gangrel had an interest-
ing effect on the dynamic of many councils that has
ultimately left the prince in a position of even greater
political power than before. In case a primogen council
is deadlocked three to three, the prince must be the tie-
breaker (in addition to any other vote he may have had
earlier in the process). In those cities where the prince
is the primogen of his clan, this obviously is not the
case. Under those circumstances, the tie-breaking vote
falls to one of the other officers of the city (typically the
seneschal in cities that have them, or harpies or sheriffs
in cities that don’t). Kindred political arrangements vary
a great deal from city to city. What matters is the overall
balance of power, not the details of protocol.

TYPES OF PRIMOGEN
COUNCILS
Following are some of the models followed by vari-
ous major cities in the Camarilla. Each of them has
a slightly different balance of power, but most of the
ones listed here are reasonably stable and fair.
STRONG, BALANCED DEMOCRATIC
COUNCIL UNDER A WEAK PRINCE
This is one of the best arrangements for the pri-
mogen. The council is democratic and holds ultimate
authority over the weak prince. Typically the council
will suggest proposals to the prince, the prince will
rubber-stamp them, and the primogen will decide the
matter through a vote.
One disadvantage to this arrangement is that if the
group grows dysfunctional, the prince doesn’t have the
influence necessary to bring the council back in line.
Primogen on a council as strong as this are likely
to keep their own clans in check, keeping friction with
the prince down to a minimum.
STRONG COUNCIL,
BALANCED IN FAVOR OF A BLOC
This model is not unlike the last model, only a bloc
of four primogen have allied themselves in order to push
through their agenda. Any time a long-term voting
bloc enters the political arena, those elders who aren’t
in the bloc are going to experience some frustration.
While the bloc may not vote as such on all proposals
that come before the council, a so-called “hawk bloc”
(see the “Blocs” sidebar below) will have its way on any
proposals having to do with security or official acts of
aggression carried out by the Kindred of the city, and
the Kindred who dissent will face loss after loss. Little
can be done about a voting bloc except wait for it to
crumble from internal pressure, or hope the prince
intercedes if the bloc’s agenda is questionable.

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

73
 A powerful bloc can impact a city’s Kindred popu- stronger than any two or three primogen, the antipathy
lation for decades with the subtle pressure it brings to of a united primogen council is a terrible thing.
bear on its favored issue. A powerful hawk block can In the more common agreeable state of affairs,
give a city a reputation for aggressive anti-Sabbat tac- however, the biggest beneficiaries of this arrangement
tics or it can give the same city a reputation for being are the Kindred of the city. With their clans well rep-
dangerously bellicose toward area Lupines. resented and the prince and the council both taking
Blocs most commonly dissolve in one of two ways: strong stances on, essentially, everything, Elysium is
either the council roster changes, breaking the bloc, safer, nobody wants to antagonize the prince or pri-
or the bloc is the victim of its own success. mogen, Sabbat invasion becomes highly unlikely, and
The former situation is self-explanatory. A member the concerns of the city’s Kindred are attended to with
of the bloc is replaced by a primogen who does not relative alacrity. The Kindred are free to worry less
share her predecessor’s views on the issue that unites about their night-to-night existence and focus more
the bloc. In such cases, the remaining primogen of on their personal agendas (often cultivating influence,
the now-defunct bloc can hold the new primogen a step that makes the primogen even stronger).
accountable for their loss of voting power. If she does WEAK COUNCIL UNDER A STRONG PRINCE
not agree to join their bloc as her predecessor did,
In this situation, the primogen are little more than
she is likely to be the target of a great deal of their ire
advisors or a rubber stamp brigade. The prince intro-
and bitterness.
duces proposals, the council okays them, and that’s that.
In the latter situation, the bloc is so rampantly If the prince is relatively ethical, such arrangements
successful that it is free to adopt extremist policies aren’t necessarily bad. It’s certainly a very efficient
that, in time, result in the city becoming unstable and approach to things. The problem is that many times
requiring attention by either the prince or higher Ca- a primogen council this weak has entered into power
marilla powers. In cases such as these, the prince either because the prince wanted it that way. Trouble can
becomes the target of the bloc (unused to having its will result if a powerful primogen is suddenly elected to this
thwarted) or the Camarilla sends a justicar to forcibly board, because the prince may not be used to dealing
remove one (or all) of the primogen in the bloc. with challenges to his power. The other primogen are
A third possibility, which happens occasionally, is likely to try telling the headstrong elder not to push
that a member of the bloc has a change of heart and his luck. If he insists on doing so, one of two things
stops voting with the bloc, but it’s rare. Once a primogen will happen: either the prince will take action to have
has a taste of being part of a successful bloc, it’s difficult that primogen lose his position or the rebel’s aggressive
to give up that degree of political success. approach will grow on the other primogen.
STRONG, BALANCED DEMOCRATIC WEAK COUNCIL UNDER A WEAK PRINCE
COUNCIL UNDER A STRONG PRINCE
Among the worst arrangements in the Camarilla
In some ways, this is an almost ideal state of af-
is the situation where a weak prince oversees a weak
fairs, if the parties involved can refrain from killing
primogen council. Under such conditions, order
each other.
barely holds sway. Elysium in such cases is typically
Under this arrangement, a strong and united primo- controlled by unofficial “warlords” (i.e., any Kindred
gen council represents the clans and generates proposals with enough charisma or raw power to convince others
for the prince’s consideration. The prince maintains to side with her instead of any of three other elders)
order through strength, but he cannot push through who can, if they so choose, run roughshod over the
his private agenda or behave like an autocrat. Neither traditions of the Camarilla.
party is able to push, intimidate or outmaneuver the
In the best-case scenario, the city’s other officers
other. This arrangement cannot work unless the coun-
assume additional powers to keep the peace. Every-
cil and the prince are on relatively good (or rational) one from the sheriff to the scourge to the harpies will
terms. If the basic good will between the prince and perform their functions with a little extra authority.
the primogen comes to an end, the conflict between While such actions help keep Elysium safe from night
the two will be incessant. Unavoidably, the prince to night and free of the worst forms of excess, it has
and the primogen will be at each others’ throats on a no effect on the decisions of the council, which can
regular basis. If this state of hostile coexistence runs for result in even more chaos.
too long, it’s likely to result in the death or expulsion As order breaks down, so do the distinctions
of the prince from the city, because while the prince is between Camarilla and Sabbat. Cities following this

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
74
model are often refuges for the unaligned if not for clan elders, assuming she even bothers with that. This
actual members of the Sabbat itself. arrangement differs from the arrangement of a strong
This is the kind of city the Camarilla is most prince over a weak council in that the advisory council
likely to visit archons upon with a notable frequency. doesn’t even pretend to follow a democratic model. The
It’s not uncommon for archons to be instructed to be primogen give their opinions and lobby the prince to
looking for Kindred in the city who would make better decide as they would want, and after that it’s all up to
primogen than those currently in office. her. If the prince is dedicated to hearing what the elders
The interesting thing about cities with such weak have to say and taking their advice into consideration,
leadership is where the power does lie. Power is always this system works fine. The problem is, it relies on the
somewhere (unclaimed power never stays unclaimed for ethics of the prince, and even if the current prince has
long), and if it’s hidden, there’s generally a reason. fine ethics, the next one isn’t guaranteed to.
A particular clan, Camarilla-affiliated or otherwise, On the other hand, if the prince is doing nothing
may wield power in a city instead. There are, obviously, more than smiling and nodding as the “advisory council”
cities where one of the six (or seven or eight) clans recommends a course of action, then it’s highly likely
of the Camarilla is mostly in control: the Toreador in that the city will suffer for her decisions in due time.
Amsterdam, for example, or the Gangrel in Tucson.
In and around Italy, cities with such weak Camarilla
THE IMBALANCED CITY
government are largely in the hands of Clan Giovanni. There are cities in which one clan holds enough
Likewise, in the Middle East, parts of Africa and the sway that it has special representation on the primogen
Caribbean, Followers of Set hold the real power in cities council. This might happen in a number of ways. One
that are, nominally, Camarilla holdings. city may have one primogen from each clan but the
In other places, the situation is stranger still. key clan, which has one primogen for each quadrant of
There are small cities in northern Germany, Russia the city. Or the city may have only one primogen from
and the American Pacific Northwest where Lupines each clan, but “primogen at large” seats representing
hold more sway than the Damned, and in those places whatever clan has enough power to push such a policy
they wield enough power to keep it that way. Likewise, through the council.
a handful of cities exist where mortal wizards hold the OTHER SYSTEMS
Kindred in check. Worse, in the city of San Francisco,
the weird Cathayans have so capitalized on the weak Democracy is not necessarily seen as an inherent
and slow-acting Kindred power structure there that good by all (or even most) elder Kindred. Too much
they have effectively assumed control of the city. democracy can lead to a lowest-common-denominator
With the exception of San Francisco, however, these rule that serves no one well. Left to their own devices
bizarre situations are not allowed to happen in major (as they largely are), Kindred power structures can wax
cities. The Camarilla will only look the other way Byzantine. Ghent has three Ventrue primogen, two To-
in selected cases and for a limited time. If the prince reador primogen, a Tremere whip with a vote on council
and the council can’t get their collective act together matters and a Tremere prince whose vote counts twice.
before their city draws the sect’s full attention (time While they continue to have a Gangrel primogen, they
best thought of as a grace period), then the sect will do not have an Assamite representative on the council,
send in heavy hitters to clear up the situation (as it is and probably won’t until a new prince comes into office.
beginning to do in San Francisco even now). The city of Venice, on the other hand, has no Gangrel or
Oddly, inevitably some Kindred have grown Assamite primogen but does have seven voices weighing
comfortable with even these unorthodox power ar- in on policy issues — the seventh is provided by a “family
rangements and would rather not have them changed. representative” from Clan Giovanni.
Once the Camarilla determines that action is necessary, While the Camarilla is growing increasingly
however, those individuals often find themselves on democratic, certain modern notions of “fairness”
the wrong end of a stake. have yet to catch on in certain segments of the
THE “ADVISORY COUNCIL” Kindred populace. For a Kindred traveling from the
U.S., this can be eye-opening.
In this case, the prince is the ultimate authority
with regard to Kindred matters in the city. There is no BLOCS
democratic vote of the primogen council to determine
anything (of significance, anyway), only the decree A bloc is defined as “a usually temporary group-
of the prince after she has heard the opinions of the ing within a legislature, made up of diverse members

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

75
acting together for a common interest or purpose.” In unusually high, one of many results that the Camarilla
Camarilla cities, a bloc is usually defined as a politi- quietly smiles upon them.
cal alliance of four or more primogen to further their When it’s bad: When a hawk bloc goes out of
shared goals. The goals, strategies and clan make-up of control and nudges the prince into a rash course of
a bloc can vary widely depending on the circumstances action, the consequences can shake the entire Kindred
that bring the bloc into existence. The primogen of population of a city. The results of such martial excess
certain clans seem to have affinities for forming certain range from simple (but unacceptably frequent) breaches
kinds of blocs. Likewise, the life span of a bloc can of the Masquerade to all-out war with the Lupines or
range from a few months to several decades, depend- Sabbat vampires of an area. Such situations generally
ing on the stability of the council, the success of the sort themselves out, however, when Clans Brujah and
bloc and how much interpersonal stress the alliance Gangrel lose enough members that the primogen of
can tolerate. those clans begin worrying about their standing in the
Barring unusual circumstances, a bloc of four or city and stop voting with the bloc.
more primogen will decide a matter in a democratic With the defection of the Gangrel, it remains to
vote. Blocs form in primogen councils regardless of the be seen how primogen councils stand on acts of war.
council’s power relative to the prince. The primogen With the increasing integration of the Assamites into
may serve only in an advisory capacity, but even a Camarilla politics, many hope that the Sons of Haqim
strong prince knows that disregarding a majority of will simply replace the Gangrel in hawk blocs, but thus
his primogen places him squarely in the middle of a far the Assamites have shown no interest in that ap-
political mine field. proach. The patient stalking of the judges, after all, has
Following is a short catalogue of common (and a few little in common with the brawling of beasts, and the
uncommon) blocs that, over time, can have powerful differences in these two approaches are significant.
and lasting impact on the Kindred of a city. Doves
Hawks In opposition to the hawks are the doves. The
More inclined toward violent solutions, a bloc of term can be confusing because it doesn’t mean that
hawks has traditionally been made up of the primogen the primogen council advocates peace, as much as it
of Clans Brujah, Gangrel, Nosferatu and Ventrue. prefers to wage war through more subtle means. A dove
The first two clans can almost always be counted on bloc prefers to use diplomacy, subterfuge and mortal
to support violent measures (initially, at least), while influence to deal with conflict. Depending on whom
both the Nosferatu and Ventrue tend to be swing you talk with, others might accuse doves of preferring
votes. That used to be the composition of a traditional treachery, spying and deceit over simple violence.
hawk bloc. Some Kindred fear that the departure of While this approach sees results more slowly, those
the Gangrel will result in fewer hawk blocs, resulting results normally result in fewer Kindred deaths. A
in weaker and less effective dominance of cities by traditional dove bloc is made up of Toreador, Tremere,
the Camarilla. Thus far, however, no obvious pattern Malkavians and Ventrue, with the Ventrue commonly
has taken shape. providing the swing vote.
When it’s good: When a hawk bloc holds sway in When it’s good: The Machiavellian approach of
the primogen council, it can be an immensely powerful the doves is ideal for maintaining order in a city that
arrangement for the city, and one that the Camarilla as is not facing any pressing or unusual threats. Its subtle
a whole tends to nurture (albeit while keeping an eye approach to conflict effectively upholds the Masquerade
out for abuses). Combining the fighting prowess of the as well as the peace. While external enemies might
Brujah and Gangrel, the intelligence-gathering capa- bring trouble to a city, a bloc of doves usually has
bilities of the Nosferatu and the strategy and leadership enough intelligence on a city’s native troublemakers
of the Ventrue, hawk blocs have been responsible for to prevent real problems before they have a chance
(in no particular order) the successful defense of many to break out.
Camarilla territories against the Sabbat, the expulsion When it’s bad: The glacial approach doves take to
of unaligned vampires from certain Camarilla cities conflict resolution can be detrimental to the Kindred
and the eradication of poorly behaved Lupines from of a city when threats are immediate. A dove council
a handful of others. may be so hesitant to use actual violence that a violent
Unsurprisingly, the morale of the Kindred in a city enemy achieves a foothold in of the city before the
with a hawk bloc dominating the Primogen council is council’s overly subtle methods have time to kick in.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
76
 To take a page out of recent Kindred history, array of advantages. Advocates of the shepherd phi-
we need only look at San Francisco. The primogen losophy maintain that keeping strong ties to the mortal
council under Jochen Van Nuys was a textbook dove world seems to slow the degeneration of a vampire’s
council. The Ventrue, Toreador and Tremere were by Humanity. More pragmatically, it comes with a slew
far the most numerous Kindred in the city, and they of advantages: fewer restrictions on the creation of
were dedicated to maintaining their hold over the city ghouls, more opportunities to gain influence and the
through the subtlest means possible. The loyalty of myriad social benefits of close interaction with mor-
the Malkavians was bought by allowing the homeless tals. Shepherd councils generally fare better in cities
population of the city to remain large (providing the with relatively young (high-generation) vampires who
Lunatics with both cover and feeding opportunities). still have enough in common with mortals that their
San Francisco’s primogen council had experienced interactions retain a natural feel to them.
extraordinarily low turnover and had been essentially When it’s bad: Excessively close ties between
the same since the end of World War II. It saw no rea- Kindred and kine result in a sort of desensitization on
son to change its tactics, even in the face of a growing the part of the vampires. They become so accustomed
number of strange Asian vampires. to interacting with humans that they forget that if the
When the Cathayans made their move, the primo- mortals around them knew what they fed on, they
gen of Clans Malkavian and Tremere were, ironically would perceive the bloodsuckers as monstrous and evil
enough, the first major casualties of what has since and probably go to whatever lengths were necessary
become a long-running occupation of a Camarilla city to send them to Final Death. “Blood cults” may pop
by a foreign power. up as increasing numbers of Kindred seek to maintain
The other key problem in cities ruled by a bloc of herds on which to feed. Kindred in a shepherd city are
doves is the absence of privacy. In order to maintain more likely to forget that they are no longer mortal like
their hold on a city, dove blocs tend toward minding those with whom they interact. The entanglements can
everyone else’s business to an invasive degree, and become … awkward. The relationships between mortals
Kindred of all creatures dislike the feeling of being and vampires in such cities can often become quite
monitored. In dove cities, they seem to mind it less sticky and may require the strategic use of “Forgetful
than being drafted for battle. Mind” Disciplines or the blood bond to rectify.
Shepherds Worst of all, when things go bad in a shepherd city,
Kindred vary drastically in their approach to the they tend to go very bad. As if prompted by a silent
mortal world in which they operate. Many policy issues signal, breaches of the Masquerade may suddenly pop
addressed by primogen councils impact the interac- up everywhere as the Kindred of a city, almost as a
tions between Kindred and kine. Primogen who work body, forget that mortals surround them.
together to decrease the barriers to interaction between When things reach that point (and preferably
Kindred and kine are called, innocuously enough, before), the prince is forced to intervene aggressively
shepherds. A city under the influence of a shepherd and the bloc dissolves, generally under the heavy
bloc will have fewer restrictions against socializing scrutiny of the Camarilla leadership (as embodied in
with mortals, creating ghouls, blood bonding mortals an archon or two).
and participation in mortal politics. Vampires residing Isolationists
in a shepherd city are more likely to have the “Herd” Predictably, isolationists are the antithesis of shep-
Background (and the Storyteller may consider pro- herds. They observe strict rules limiting contact between
viding characters with one free dot of it while they’re Kindred and kine (outside of feeding, obviously). Ghouls
operating in such a city). are strictly limited to Kindred with requisite status. How
Traditional shepherd blocs are made up of the much status is required to have a ghoul depends on how
primogen of Clans Brujah (who love taking part in strict the council is; in the strictest cities (the vast major-
mortals’ social experiments), Toreador (who like to ity of which are in Europe) only the prince, primogen
immerse themselves in a city’s high society and art and other office-holders are allowed ghouls. Likewise,
scenes), Ventrue (who appreciate easy access to mortal cities occupied by an isolationist primogen council of-
financial institutions) and Malkavian, who make up ten require an accounting of a vampire’s ghouls, blood
the swing vote. bound mortals and political contacts as a requirement
When it’s good: A city that has been “desegre- for acknowledgement, and if these records are not kept
gated” by its primogen council offers its Kindred an current, acknowledgement may be revoked.

CHAPTER TWO: AROUND THE TABLE

77
 The greatest determining factor of a city’s isolation- Mystics
ist slant is the average length of unlife of its primogen. Only a handful of Camarilla cities have a mysti-
Those councils made up of Kindred who are all over two cally inclined primogen council, but they’re increasing
hundred years old (again, almost all European) are almost in number now that the Final Nights appear to have
certainly isolationists. Certain clans tend to prefer keep- arrived, triggering a resurgence of interest in arcane
ing a clear distance between mortals and vampires. As a and eschatological subjects. While they remain rare,
general tendency, the primogen of Clans Ventrue (the their dynamics are interesting and their increasing
clan’s old guard), Tremere, Nosferatu and Malkavian frequency makes them worth mentioning.
are more likely to feel “alienated” from mortal society A mystic council, obviously, is one wherein the council
and therefore vote in favor of isolationist policies. majority has a particular interest in the occult and mystical
When it’s good: When a city is inhabited mostly goings-on in their city. Standard Kindred and Camarilla
by older Kindred, isolationist councils tend to make business is also addressed, but a majority of the council
things run smoothly, despite the elders’ somewhat lower has a pronounced involvement with anything connected
Humanity. The strict boundaries erected by the council to magic or the supernatural and makes decisions and
serve to prevent awkward situations from arising. In determines policy based on that fascination.
such cities, feeding takes on a relatively impersonal The interest may be in mysticism in general or with
and “businesslike” feel, and the Masquerade, overall, some particular subfield. Most of these blocs are con-
is much easier to maintain when the kine and Kindred cerned with thaumaturgical or necromantic knowledge,
populations are kept segregated. with the Book of Nod and its associated lore, with the
Should anything go awry with a ghoul or if a whereabouts of particular items of great mystical power
Kindred hand is obviously tampering with politics or with other similarly esoteric knowledge.
inappropriately, the council knows whom to call The Camarilla doesn’t necessarily approve of the
onto the carpet. This tends to prevent the escalating council following such unorthodox interests very far,
wars of influence that pop up so frequently among the but fascination with such things has a certain infectious
American Kindred. nature, and when one or two members of the council
When it’s bad: Isolationist cities have begun to have it, it can spread from primogen to primogen.
see more unrest in recent years. The strictures on Once four or more members of a council catch “the
ghouls can become a rallying point for the younger bug,” there’s no telling what it might do in the pursuit
or disenfranchised Kindred of the city, who feel that of its goals. It often falls to the prince to impart some
they’re being unfairly denied a convenient and powerful discipline over the proceedings, but even princes are
ghoul. While the council enacts isolationist policies to subject to the allure of the mystical and mysterious,
maintain a strict separation of the mortal and vampire particularly those from Clan Tremere.
spheres, these policies can easily be misinterpreted to In the past, it was Clan Tremere that began mystical
seem like tactical moves to keep the younger Kindred blocs. Given time, inclination, blood bonds, Dominate,
in their place. Even Licks who don’t care have begun prestation and whatever other tactics they found neces-
to rebel. “We don’t want it, but when they tell us we sary, they most commonly recruited to their cause the
can’t have it, they’re oppressing us! “ seems to be their primogen of Clans Malkavian, Nosferatu and perhaps
attitude. An isolationist city may feel like an oligarchy one other clan (generally the Toreador, though their
or gerontocracy wherein the older (and therefore more interest in such things is usually fleeting). With the
status-bearing) members can have certain privileges but increasingly common inclusion of Clan Assamite in
the younger (and status-starved) members cannot. many primogen councils, the allure of things mystical
The other issue that comes into play with regard seems to be on the rise. While the Tremere and As-
to isolationist cities is Humanity. The more distant samite clans despise one another, they have shown a
one is from mortals, the more alien Humanity seems. willingness to “cooperate in order to compete,” by which
While there is some question which came first, the they mean they will vote together in favor of pursuing
isolationist policies or the atrophy of Humanity, there mystical goals as long as it means they can compete
is no doubting that those with a distant relationship with each other to claim the plums of the research first.
with humanity have a harder time maintaining their By far the most common composition of mystic blocs
Humanity. Killing or torturing mortals is easier when includes the primogen of Clans Tremere, Assamite,
one thinks of them as nothing but prey; it’s harder Malkavian and Nosferatu. When such blocs fracture,
when one thinks of them as peers, pets or objects of it’s usually due to the defection of the Malkavians.
affection, from whom one just happens to feed.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
78
 When it’s good: A mystic bloc can make mat- magi, demons, spirits and other, worse, things and
ters comfortable for Clan Tremere. Their mystical subsequently suffered for their efforts.
researches can bring them status in the city (and by The pursuit and study of certain books or other
extension in the Camarilla) just as it gets earns them objects has likewise been known to do great damage to
status in their clan. the Kindred of a city bent on knowing things which,
The Kindred of such cities have a clear sense that perhaps, ought not to be known.
their primogen are working together toward some goal Alternatively, the competition between Clans
(although the rank and file aren’t likely to know what Tremere and Assamite can blow up violently if one or
that goal is), resulting in the same kind of enhanced both parties feel they have been slighted or toyed with.
morale that cities with hawk councils enjoy. Ironically, even that won’t split the bloc because both clans
As an additional perk, if and when the investiga- are more likely to see setbacks as challenges and, conse-
tions begun by the council come to fruition and some quently, redouble their resolve. When this happens, it can
new book/item/source of mystical lore comes to light, quickly degenerate as both clans grow increasingly obsessed
the whole of the Kindred population is generally given until the resources of both of those (very hierarchical and
some reward, even as the primogen of Clans Assamite advancement-driven) clans are completely deployed to that
and Tremere vie for control of said item. single goal. Both clans are inclined to pursue their notion
of victory by any means necessary at that point, including
When it’s bad: Excessive interest in occult lore
diablerie and other disturbing methods.
typically leads in one of two directions: either the
Kindred as a whole become so wrapped up in mysticism When the council reaches that state, the only
that the night-to-night events of the city go untended option is for one or, ideally, both of the swing vote
— making the city easy pickings for the Sabbat — or primogen to leave the bloc. The problem is that by that
they become too good at tracking down the lore they point, both the Tremere and Assamite primogen are
seek, thereby bringing notice upon themselves by the so invested in the perpetual cycle of competition that
wrong parties. they are likely to bring enormous amounts of pressure
to bear on the dissenting primogen.
Gaining the notice of powerful enemies can have
disastrous effects on the Kindred of an entire city. Exactly that situation unfolded in Cologne, Germany
While it hasn’t happened in recent memory (that in 2000, ultimately resulting in the Final Death of the
anyone has heard about, anyway), Camarilla cities in Malkavian primogen, a visit by the Brujah Justicar and
the hands of a mystic bloc have run afoul of powerful several archons and the summary execution of the pri-
mogen of Clans Tremere and an Assamite lobbyist.

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79
 CHAPTER THREE:
SHAKING
THE FOUNDATION

The concept of a primogen council is more of an The same can be said of the primogen. Members of
outline than a steady and reliable blueprint. Like any a given primogen council can come from extreme back-
social construct, as many compositions of the entity grounds where they may never encounter another Kindred
exist as do concepts to be implemented. The previous from another city, or, on the other hand, can be vastly
chapters have drawn a broad diagram of how a primogen traveled, counting numerous countries and time periods
council should work, and it should come as no surprise as their playgrounds, and all backgrounds in between.
that there are as many variations on that theme as there Interestingly, this is not to say that the primogen council
are councils that rigidly adhere to the ideal. of each Camarilla city isn’t similar — on occasion surpris-
ingly so, especially considering the divergent personalities
DIFFERENCES that all pull each council in different directions. Merely
add in the influences and machinations of each individual

IN SIMILARITIES
prince, and it is a wonder that any primogen council
looks at all similar to the others. As wildly divergent as
Primogen councils are living entities and are suitably their makeups are, councils of primogen tend to fulfill
complicated. Understanding where one council differs the same purpose across the board.
from another not only highlights the vast differences in Placed into similar roles with generally similar goals,
each council but also the overwhelming similarities. In the primogen of each city grow to look like the others,
the end, no two councils look exactly the same. even in cases with relatively little regular contact with
To continue the living entity metaphor, it may be help- other Camarilla cities. Other factors push each council in
ful to think of the primogen councils in terms of convergent similar directions — to converge. The primogen council
evolution. Evolutionary theory argues that creatures placed of each city operates under the burden of hundreds of
into similar niches will develop similar adaptations. Even if years of history and custom. The Camarilla, an entity
those creatures come from radically different backgrounds, known for its adherence to tradition, is sure to impart a
the end result is remarkably similar. similar respect of an important political institution like

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81
the primogen council. Role coupled with history makes powerful than the council as a whole. As such, it is not all
for a powerful influence on the composition and actions that uncommon for the prince to place like-minded Kindred
of each council, so much so that over the years the forces into the primogen council in specially created seats.
of convergence have retained a slight edge over the forces Considering the fractious nature of Kindred, it should
of divergence. not come as a surprise that vote stacking backfires as much
However, like other entities at the whim of conver- as it attains its goals. When a seat is added, the Kindred
gent evolution, each creature maintains its own sense of who occupies that new seat is often not as compliant as
individuality. Indeed, the overall result is the same, but at the creator wishes. For a myriad of reasons the new seat
the more minute level of investigation some remarkable can become more of a headache than a benefit — whether
differences occur. It is these differences that make each it be because of the Kindred tasting power, manipula-
council so very interesting and so very individual. tion from an outside source, backlash from the clan or
a simple attack of morals (which once in a while does
VARIATIONS ON A THEME happen), the longer an extra seat exists, the more likely
Most primogen councils look superficially similar to it is to engender animosity. Time is not always the balm
the archetypical model but upon closer investigation show of Kindred social relations.
some unique variations. Most commonly, the differences Another form of gerrymandering is seat elimina-
in the many councils are found in the balance of power tion. This tactic involves a prince selectively removing
within the council itself. These variations are changes in a member from the primogen council in order to elimi-
degree rather than in kind but can create changes within nate a dissenting voice. Where vote stacking helps fill
each council as extreme as membership of nonstandard the council with friendly faces, seat elimination forcibly
Camarilla Kindred. silences detractors. This tactic is most often used when
Even among these variations are some commonali- a prince sees an entire clan as an enemy and has grown
ties, changes that reoccur enough times to only raise an tired of the constant harassment.
eyebrow of interest. Primogen may constantly fluctuate Normally a prince will simply eliminate a particular
as new members attain the ranks; new princes may take individual in the council and then work with the re-
power. These fluctuations usually take the form of gaining placement (perhaps by convincing fellow primogen to
extra positions at the whim of the prince or losing positions blackball her as well). Under dire circumstances, however,
that are contrary to the goals of the prince or primogen an entire clan seat is removed. This is common in cities
of a given regime. Likewise, these fluctuations are often where the prince believes the clan in question is traitorous
temporary or only last long enough for the impetus for and possibly working against the Camarilla to destabilize
the change to fade away, such as a new prince taking the the city. In pettier situations, this tactic is used to punish
title. Granted, in the static world of the Kindred, such the entire clan for an act that cannot be traced to one or
changes are rare on the whole, but terrifyingly frequent a coterie of Kindred. As a weapon, seat elimination is a
in domains known for their turmoil. broadsword attack rather than a surgical one.
As a political tool, gerrymandering is a rare occur-
GERRYMANDERING rence, usually used in extreme cases or to remove seats
Gerrymandering involves the prince or a particularly of non-Camarilla clans. One thing needs to be kept in
influential primogen council member manipulating the mind about the use of vote stacking and seat elimination:
composition of the council in such a way as to influence when gerrymandering occurs, it happens in an effort to
the decisions of the primogen. This is most common in disenfranchise someone. Rest assured, the person or group
cities where the primogen council fills more than an most negatively impacted by gerrymandering is bound to
advisory role to the prince. The ability to form policy react … sometimes violently.
or to effect real change in the city entails a formal way Historically, the one clan most often hurt by the
of deciding that policy. When such rules exist, it is all actions of gerrymandering was the Gangrel. Never quite
too often a simple matter for the prince to modify those adept at the political machinations of the primogen coun-
rules and sway a vote or decision one way or another. cils, many princes and politicos took it for granted that
The end result is a council that looks slightly different they could manipulate the councils with relative impunity.
than the archetype. The Gangrel may prove dominant in physical contests,
One form of gerrymandering is vote stacking. Vote but more than a few princes eased their troubled egos by
stacking involves the prince or a particularly influential punishing the Gangrel politically. It is no wonder that part
council member adding extra positions to be filled by those of the reason the Gangrel eventually left the Camarilla
predisposed to the creator of the position. As has been men- was due to the blatant abuses of the primogen council.
tioned before, the prince is often much more influential and Outvoted, disenfranchised and politically outmaneuvered,
politically powerful than any given primogen, and often more the Gangrel simply removed themselves.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
82
 constant clamoring for the prince’s ear, the primogen
are quite free in their actions, using them to great effect.
THE GANGREL FACTOR Rather than relying on the council itself for political
The mass exodus of the Gangrel created a influence, these members are forced to act in a more
situation where nearly every Camarilla city was creative fashion, constantly redefining their power and
forced into a situation of seat elimination. This garnering more. It takes a driven personality to remain
unprecedented event still has lingering effects effective in such an environment.
in the Camarilla, with a number of princes and The members of cabinet councils often remain more
primogen leaving shadow seats for the missing in the background compared to the archetypal council. As
Gangrel. The impact of the change wrought by advisors, the primogen have no direct method to create or
the Gangrel’s leaving cannot be understated. enforce policy and so are left to the vagaries and whims
Many primogen councils were greatly affected, of their prince. In an effort to ensure their usefulness,
redistributing power to the remaining members these primogen usually quickly fill specific roles within
and leaving most councils with a vastly diluted the cabinet, becoming experts on one aspect of Kindred
militaristic voice. More interestingly, the absence society or another. This expertise allows the members to
of the Gangrel has created a void that is occasion- differentiate themselves from one another and to gain a
ally filled by Kindred that are not normally part of little more influence with the prince when their particular
the enfranchised Camarilla. The result is that to fields are discussed. Realms of expertise include nearly
this night, most primogen councils are still in mild every influence background a vampire may have and also
flux, forcing even more divergence from the basic include other aspects of undead existence such as the Sab-
model as each city quietly copes with the change. bat, the Cathayans, Lupines, Elysiums, the Traditions and
The Kindred are not known for decisive action. a whole host of topics that a prince may find important
In cities where some Gangrel have remained due to geography or political situation.
loyal to the Camarilla, some princes and coun- A prince creates a cabinet council in order to elimi-
cils do allow the Outlanders a place among the nate structured opposition to his goals. Yet the result is
primogen. By nature, these are exceptions rather often to the contrary, forcing the weak members of the
than rules, and many of the Gangrel in this primogen council to step down and be replaced by their
position face either overeager appeasement or clanmates who are more effective in their tasks. Interest-
tangible hostility. ingly, a prince directing this type of council often gains
some of the best advice for the same reasons.
With the Gangrel gone, no clan has stepped up to take
its place as political whipping boy. The Brujah and Mal-
UNATTACHED COUNCILS
kavians have been subject to the negative effects of more Even rarer than gerrymandered or cabinet councils
than their fair share of gerrymandering, though both clans is the unattached council. The members of the council
have enough political acumen and pull in mortal society to have dispensed with representing their particular clans.
ensure that eventually they gain equilibrium if not revenge. The membership of this type of council is variable and
The result is that the occurrences of gerrymandering are depends on history as well as the desires of the prince.
down as compared to only a few years ago. Usually, however, the numbers do not climb significantly
larger than if the members directly represent a clan,
CABINETS numbering from five to eight members.
A sizeable number of primogen councils lack any
formalized decision-making institutions. Instead, they
advise the prince directly, in an informal manner that WAR CABINETS
allows the influential personalities and movers and shak- While cabinet councils are rare, a particular
ers to have the loudest voices. Primogen who adopt a situation makes these councils more common,
cabinet style do so in cities where the prince is both well even, to some, expected.
received and quite powerful or in cities where the prince During sieges, it is not uncommon for a primogen
has unilaterally revoked the most effective powers of the council to have archons fill the role as councilors.
primogen, leaving them largely neutered. During those trying times, the Camarilla has little
Because of the lack of formalized power, cabinet need for the backstabbing and shadow politics that
primogen councils force their members to be creative at characterize the primogen council. Instead, they
times in the use of their power and influence. Contrary need quick and effective leadership. The result is
to what initially might be expected, the members of this an interim council staffed by combat veterans with
type of council are often far from powerless. In fact, due the sole purpose of defending the city.
to the lack of formalized procedures coupled with the
CHAPTER THREE: SHAKING THE FOUNDATION
83
 Like other primogen councils, the members’ person-
alities drive the unattached council. Since the members are GARY, INDIANA
not associated with their clans, usually some other defining Gary is not a large city, but large enough
characteristic places the member onto the council. Often, and proximate enough to Chicago to house a
the new characteristic focuses on knowledge or influence, decent number of Kindred within its borders.
creating positions such as security, religion or any of the Because of its size and the continuing popula-
positions found in the cabinet-style council. tion decline, the Kindred of Gary have adopted
Selection of members differs from city to city and a very informal tone to their interactions even
from prince to prince. The Kindred of the city usually though they recognize the usefulness of the
have little or no say in the selection of members. Formal normal Camarilla institutions.
voting by the city is absolutely unheard of. Usually the The prince rarely makes any kind of official
prince has first and final say, with the harpies, sheriff and ruling, instead just conferring with whichever
other positions sometimes only influencing the selection Kindred is useful or interested in the topic.
process. Occasionally, there is a competitive process in Similarly, the primogen council is very informal,
which the supposedly most qualified secure the position having dispensed with actually representing any
for themselves, but as often as not the selection falls particular clans. Instead, the prince talks with
entirely to the prince. those he thinks would like to sit on the council
As was mentioned before, unattached councils are and gets a verbal agreement that they will at-
quite rare. They generally only appear and survive in tend. For Gary, the council is more a formality
small cities where the number of Kindred demands a than a truly useful body.
primogen council but they have difficulty supporting the As it stands, Gary’s primogen council is com-
strict clan structure. Occasionally, in the wake of a suc- posed of a Toreador, two Brujah, a Nosferatu and two
cessful siege the prince foregoes the strictures of clan for Ventrue as well as the prince (another Ventrue).
the selection of primogen, but this is often a dangerous
tactic as it can undermine tradition and possibly arouse
the ire of the archons.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
84
JUNTAS Not every major city surrounded by smaller suburbs
Arguably the rarest style of council is the junta. The maintains satellite primogen councils. Only in the cases
primogen council holds enough power and influence to of two sizeable cities (about a million or more residents
do away with the prince entirely. The reason for the rar- per city and surrounding territory) located nearby one
ity of this council type is not only the extreme difficulty another do princes ever consider creating a satellite
of eroding all the power of a prince in her own city, but council. Moreover, the prince in question has to be a
also the issue of Camarilla representatives stepping in and fairly persuasive and commanding personality to main-
“correcting” the situation. History and tradition can be tain leadership of not one but two primogen councils
powerful forces, doubly so when they are backed up by and their associated members. Plus, said prince has to
nearby princes or justicars. fend off any challenges to his position from two separate
cities — not an easy task. Thus, satellites are a fairly
Juntas usually occur due to some catastrophe. If a rare occurrence, with only a handful in both North
member of the primogen council is powerful enough to America and Europe.
take the princedom then he will do so. Only the most
Machiavellian of plots involve the total elimination of A satellite allows a prince to maintain a fairly large
the princedom and all the ensuing trouble that such an domain (with the associated power and prestige) and
action can take. Sometimes the power structure of the also possibly create a situation where her influence will
primogen council is such that no member is, by himself, hold sway with at least one city and one council at all
powerful enough to replace the prince, so a coalition of times. Besides extending influence, a satellite council
council members destroys the prince and the position offers other potential benefits. A second primogen
as a way of ensuring that the conspirators remain first council allows a prince to shuffle off her more connected
among equals. Like the occasional tripartite leadership and dangerous foes while not directly manipulating
of the Roman Empire, the triangle is not a particularly the original primogen council. Additionally, the new
stable political structure, and sooner or later one of the council can prove an excellent training ground for pos-
conspirators gains power over the others and the prince- sibly protégés or allies of the prince, creating a testing
dom is reborn. ground of sorts that avoids the high-power politics of
the primary council.
More often (though still not often at all) a junta is
formed due to the sudden Final Death of a prince and serves
as interim leadership until the new prince is selected. In FORT WORTH, TEXAS
effect, the junta serves as a placeholder for the new prince, It is joked that Fort Worth is the largest suburb
trying desperately to hold on to some level of normalcy to of Dallas, which is all too true for the Kindred
maintain order and loyalty. Not surprisingly, when the new dwelling in Fort Worth. Fort Worth lost its prince
prince is selected, her main adversary is often the junta, almost a decade ago and has not mustered the
now invigorated with the taste of power unchallenged by impetus to seat a new regent. Instead, because
a prince’s presence. In this way, the members of the junta of the influence of the city of Dallas, which is
become much like the quarreling European monarchs of only a half-hour car ride away, the Kindred in
old, not particularly liking one another but supporting the larger city of Dallas overshadow the Kindred
one another in sometimes precarious situations in order of Fort Worth.
to protect the legitimacy of their own power.
Officially, the Prince of Dallas and its primogen
SATELLITES count the city of Dallas proper, the many suburbs,
When a large city cannot assert its own independence and Fort Worth and its own suburbs as their domain.
from the domain of a nearby prince from another city, a However, in reality the territory is too large for the
satellite council is not uncommon. Rather than taxing prince and the Dallas primogen to readily handle,
his ability to administer two (or more) different cities so they have turned over domain of Fort Worth
a prince will sometimes appoint a separate primogen and the surrounding region to a second, loosely
council to manage the nightly affairs of the smaller city associated primogen council. This suits the Fort
while still maintaining the supremacy and jurisdiction Worth primogen fine, as they report their formal
of the prince. decisions to Dallas only for final approval (and the
Not unlike the juntas, satellite councils exist without prince retains the right to veto any decision made
a prince directly over them. In this case, however, the by the Fort Worth primogen).
primogen are in place specifically due to the wishes of In this way, the Kindred of Fort Worth are
some other power, such as a nearby prince. A satellite left to their own devices and the Prince of Dallas
council answers to a prince of another city, often acting claims a significantly larger territory.
in that prince’s name.

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85
 On the other hand, a satellite council also allows
the enemies of the prince a place to rally and maneuver
UNHOLY COMBINATIONS
their own support while outside of the direct sight of Many of the changes that bring about one variation
the prince and sheriff. Intermittent contact with such a on the basic council model also bring about others, leaving
council can prove the ultimate downfall of a prince, giv- the council radically changed. Death or disappearance
ing her enemies and potential enemies a staging ground of a member can create an opportunity for the prince or
to attack her socially. Like almost all of Kindred society, other members to modify the structure, leading to both
the satellite council is a double-edged sword. types of gerrymandering and some of the rarer shifts si-
multaneously. Crises are particularly interesting times of
OBSERVER SEATS change, where the normal rules are thrown out in favor
As unconventional primogen councils go, this type is of innovation or of change for its own sake. The same is
actually fairly common. An observer seat is established to true for the primogen.
allow a Kindred to sit in on the formal meetings of the primo- Particularly taxing situations lead to primogen
gen, but he lacks any power besides occasionally being able councils with unconventional numbers of seats, and
to voice his opinions. Usually, an observer seat is created to possibly acting without the direction of the prince —
allow a particular expert or respected Cainite to participate combining both the gerrymandering and junta styles
in the proceedings without having to really bend the rules into one, very temporary primogen council. These
of the primogen council (such as happens with just about mish-mash primogen councils are exceedingly rare for
every other modification mentioned in this section). the same reasons that juntas are so rare: the powers that
Observers watch and listen. They are also usually al- be do not appreciate them.
lowed to speak up and add their voices to the proceedings.
Yet it is expected that an observer maintain silence except VOCAL MINORITIES
when she is invited to speak. Observers are considered It is not unheard of to discover a city here and there
guests of the primogen and are expected to act with the that allows anomalous clans membership on its primogen
appropriate respect and decorum. A Kindred granted an council. These anomalies are exceedingly rare, with per-
observer seat had best choose wisely what he says, for he haps fewer than a score of cities in both North America
is granted precious few opportunities to command the and Europe with such odd memberships. Still, the fact
complete attention of the council. that these oddities do exist is worthy of note, especially
Observer seats are always temporary posts, as is ap- within the solid and traditional halls of the Camarilla.
propriate for a guest. However, it is rare to attach a specific The inclusion of non-Camarilla Kindred on a pri-
period of time period to the seat. Instead he observer sits mogen council happens because of very specific, very
in on the council as long as his presence makes sense. infrequent circumstances. Since an “independent”
If he is an expert on a topic, then when the importance Kindred sits on the primogen council only when the
of that specific topic wanes, the prince politely asks the prince and primogen see the situation as a necessary
observer not to attend the next meeting. Attending risk, a considerable amount of circumstantial informa-
further meetings becomes a nonoption, and any attempt tion about the power of both the prince and primogen
to remain will be seen as a breach of decorum and also can be gathered simply by noting the anomaly and the
ensures that the Kindred is never asked to fill an observer circumstances that gave it rise.
seat again. Treatment by Camarilla Kindred is usually very
It is relatively common for a prince who wishes to chilly for outsider primogen. Although the primogenship
have her clan more formally represented on the council is a position of respect, “lesser” primogen members are
to use an observer seat to gain that representation. This is held as little better than their wayward counterparts.
common enough to elicit very little reaction on the part Not unlike the occasional barbarians still attached to
of most Kindred, because for many it is the natural state their customs living within Rome, the bloodline or
of affairs to have a single member of each clan regardless independent primogen members are usually in very
of the prince’s background. Usually, this state of affairs hostile environments. Considering the nature of the
works to the advantage of the prince, adding an extra Camarilla, disrespect veiled by traditional nicety is par
voice that shares a similar outlook. for the course.
If a prince or council itself wishes to have a vampire These oddities subject themselves to outright hostility
from outside the Camarilla be part of the proceedings and discomfort for some reason. Although no one reason
for a time, it is through the use of observer seats more explains their enduring such situations, these primogen
often than not. They are, in fact, the best method avail- members do indeed remain in their positions and often
able to bend the rules of the council without actually gain a good deal of grudging respect (over time). They
breaking those rules. know what they are getting into and, inevitably, are ready
to make the best of a bad situation.
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
86
GANGREL The rare Gangrel who are also primogen walk a ra-
Politically, the Gangrel are not dead, at least not zor’s edge. Not only are they viewed by their colleagues
entirely. Certainly, the greatest portion of the clan has as one step removed from the Beast, but also as traitors.
left the hallowed halls of the Camarilla, but that does not The prince, archons and others on the watch for signs
mean that each and every member of the clan has left for of sedition critically evaluate their every move, every
parts unknown. The Gangrel clan has always been one vote and every machination. The Gangrel primogen
of individuals, and it stands to reason that some of those remain because they are good at what they do, physi-
individuals would stay with the organization they have cally and socially.
been part of for so long. Many Gangrel primogen are holdovers from before
Those Gangrel who remain with the Camarilla do so of their clan left the Camarilla. Very few (of an already
their own free will. Each one has a very specific reason for small number) were elevated to their position in the
staying and often leads a dedicated core of loyalists. Reasons wake of the exodus, for a number of reasons, not the
for staying are numerous and as individual as the Gangrel least being that the Gangrel do not represent a member
themselves. Many stay because the Camarilla has been their clan any longer.
home for so long. Some stay because they honestly believe in A Gangrel who holds a seat does not automatically
the ideals of the sect. A rare few stay because they enjoy the command the respect that usually is associated with the
safety of the cities. Some stay because they are spies for their primogen council. These Gangrel hold their positions
own elders, reporting the goings-on of the Camarilla. due to a combination of respect from the Kindred com-
Despite the disparate reasons for staying, the remain- munity around them as well as a refusal to step down.
ing Gangrel usually fill the roles that they did while their The Gangrel’s age and the exploits associated with him
clan was part of the Camarilla. Interestingly, those Gangrel is what often garner respect — the position is usually
who remain are more socially adept than the “average” incidental in the eyes of Camarilla Kindred.
Gangrel, a notable difference between those who left However, those Gangrel primogen who remain do
the Camarilla and those who stayed. The Camarilla is a not do so in unaltered positions. Although a member of
social organization, and those who decided to stay also the primogen council, these Gangrel now serve in posi-
recognized the necessity of skill in that arena. Thus, of tions of reduced respect and responsibility. More so than
those who stayed, a notable number are primogen.

CHAPTER THREE: SHAKING THE FOUNDATION

87
even before, their opinions and abilities are called on only propriate, make backroom deals like the other primogen
when no alternatives can be found. In many ways they and generally do their best to play the game, knowing
fill observer seats, with little real impact on the decisions full well that with time their detractors will have less
of the council as a whole. Still, their mere existence as and less of a voice.
primogen is at least a nod on the part of the prince and This waiting game does have a few negatives as-
other primogen to the Gangrel and the position their sociated with it, not the least of which is the associated
clan once held. reduced respect for passive leadership. Moreover, the
In the end, despite their continued loyalty to a quiet Assamite primogen seem to many other council
sect that has all but ignored them over the years, the members to be holding a secret, spying, or both. The
Gangrel primogen are often seen at best as a figurehead other primogen members tread lightly around an Assamite
and at worst as a loyal enforcer with access to a clan council member, and many would appreciate seeing the
of wayward thugs. seat taken away altogether.
ASSAMITE The representation of the Assamites has caused a
number of disruptions both within the clan and within
A surprising number of Assamites sit on primogen the Camarilla as a whole. Because the Assamite primo-
councils throughout the Camarilla (which is to say, more gen usually fills an unofficial “junior” role to the other
than one). Second only to the Gangrel in the number of primogen, many of the Schismatics are calling for an end
seats held by an outsider clan, the Assamites are a subtle to the social experiment and to leave the halls of the sect
but steadily increasing voice in the Camarilla. which they just joined. These Assamites are reconsider-
The Camarilla Assamites typically come from the ing the value of joining the Camarilla and questioning
faction known as the Schismatics and thus are not as whether the disrespect is worth the inclusion in the
tied to Alamut as their more tradition-bound clanmates. vampiric community.
As the numbers of Assamites increase within the Ca- Similarly, a number of Camarilla Kindred are dis-
marilla, the numbers of their Primogen also rise. As turbed by the inclusion of the Assamites, especially due
it stands, the handful of Assamite primogen primarily to their insular clan nature and the fact that only small
reside in very large cities that maintain a strong Middle portions of the clan seem willing to join and obey the
Eastern community (or occasionally where there is a laws of the Camarilla. Too many Camarilla Kindred still
large Tremere presence). stereotype the Assamites as mere assassins and refuse to
Those cities that consider the inclusion of the Assa- look at the potential benefits the clan as a whole has to
mites on the primogen council often do so with an agenda offer. Moreover, these same bigoted Kindred are loath to
of their own, most notably to fill the glaring hole created allow the Assamites any positions of leadership within
by the Gangrel’s leaving. The desire to have a voice well the sect and especially despise seeing the institution of
versed in combat and with access to a clan that can “mix the primogen council sullied by the inclusion of the
things up” is a strong one indeed, even with the passive Assamites. This viewpoint is remarkably popular with
Camarilla. Thus, a couple of cities have “hot-seated” the the staid traditionalists of the Camarilla as well as with
ranking Assamite into the empty Gangrel position and many younger Kindred who are intimidated by the their
have tried to do so with as little disruption as possible. image of the Assamites.
With the enforcers of the sect gone, many princes turn A number of cities and justicars watch the few
to the Assamites. primogen councils that include Assamites closely. They
Assamite primogen usually represent their clan as watch to see if those opposed to such a primogen council
the other primogen do. Since their clan is usually the are willing to act on their beliefs, possibly disrupting the
least populous of all the represented clans, they, like the Masquerade. They also watch to see if the Assamites truly
remaining Gangrel primogen, make do with reduced and are as dedicated to the ideals of the Camarilla as they
often ignored voices within the council. The prince and profess. A couple of the cities watch the performance of
primogen are more than happy to have the aid of the the Assamite primogen especially closely, for they may
Assamites when the Sabbat begin a siege, but, much to be tempted to open their own council up to an Assamite
the chagrin of the more learned and cultured Assamites, primogen member and want to see the potential benefits
their voice is rarely heeded otherwise. and penalties of such a bold move.
Assamite primogen are trying to create positions Regardless of the opposition from within and without,
where not only is their clan’s physical prowess respected, the Assamite presence is growing within the Camarilla,
but their knowledge of history and the mystical arts is to the chagrin of many and to the delight of a select few.
also noted. Assamite primogen know they have much Consequently, the Assamite primogen steadily gain politi-
to offer the Camarilla, and patience is going to be their cal clout and respect. Time will tell if both sides can win
best ally. So they wait. They offer advice when it is ap- from the influx of new blood and new leadership.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
88
 Socially, the Lasombra antitribu differ from the
A HATE-HATE RELATIONSHIP Assamites and Gangrel in a number of aspects. Most
importantly, the Lasombra antitribu are connected to
The most vocal and staunch opponents of social networks, unlike most other outcaste clans. Often
the inclusion of the Assamites into the Camarilla
the foils to the Ventrue, the Lasombra antitribu have
come from Tremere. The Tremere as a clan both
extensive contacts and allies in whichever city they call
hate and fear the Assamites, and both feelings stem
home. Thus, they can move about the higher echelons
from a long history of conflict and enmity between
of the Camarilla with relative ease, slipping into the
the two clans. Until recently, the entirety of the
high-stakes and competitive political atmosphere of the
Assamite clan suffered under the strictures of a
Camarilla with nary a bump.
Tremere curse. Mysteriously, that curse has been
lifted and almost simultaneously a number of As- It is not entirely unknown for Lasombra antitribu
samites have “infested” the Camarilla. to enter into the Camarilla in temporary roles, usually
The Tremere are afraid that the Assamites are occupying primogen council seats in deference to their
merely trying to exact their revenge, both on the social power. When (and if) they agree to become part
clan that conjured the curse and the sect that has of the Camarilla, they often also demand positions on
harbored the Usurpers. Not surprisingly, a large the primogen council to ensure they have some say in
number of Tremere all but froth at the mouth at the the affairs of the Cainit— er, Kindred in the city, and to
idea of an Assamite primogen and will vehemently ensure their membership is not entirely marginalized and
do all that they can to undermine and marginalize their wishes run roughshod over by ambitious princes.
such a Kindred. Since they are often only temporary members, their
The Tremere also resent the implications provisional membership and elevation to primogenship
that the Assamites may be able to lend mystical usually only involve discussing the topic that brought
knowledge to the Camarilla. Since its inception, them into the sect, such as a Setite incursion into the
the Camarilla has relied on the Tremere for mystical religious society of the city. This is a classic case of the
power and knowledge, part of the pact for accepting enemy of my enemy becoming my friend, or in this case,
the pariah clan into its ranks. Quietly, their role a member of my sect.
in their own sect is being challenged, and from a More permanent Lasombra antitribu primogen
credible source no less. While only a small number council members may fill the empty seats left by the
of Assamites within the Camarilla belong to the Gangrel. To make up for their lack of representing any
sorcerer caste, the Tremere are not about to split other clan members (besides the occasional childe), the
hairs over the possible erosion of their power and Lasombra antitribu is often expected also to speak for the
influence in the Ivory Tower. non-Camarilla Kindred within the city, a sort of catch-
To their credit, the Assamites have made no all seat to account for the many disparate voices not
indication of looking for revenge, constantly refer- represented in the primogen council. More often than
ring to the benefits of upholding the Masquerade not, this representation is entirely ceremonial, with the
as their reason for joining. The Assamites do their influence and actions of the Lasombra antitribu concern-
best to steer clear of the Tremere in most social situ- ing herself only.
ations and quietly endure the occasional Warlock Lasombra antitribu primogen council members are
tirade. To many outside observers in other clans, often quite reserved in their dealings with other mem-
the Assamite attitude is not unlike that of a tiger, bers. They recognize they are outsiders, even if formally
biding its time until it can strike. members, and do their best to make their influence felt
The Tremere do not believe the Assamites’ ap- outside of the council. The council provides an excel-
parent disposition for one second and will continue lent forum for gauging the success of those actions, as
to oppose Assamite inclusion in the Camarilla for well as a safety net should the Lasombra antitribu’s social
the foreseeable future. maneuverings fail miserably. The occasional time one of
these Kindred is vocal in the council is when one or more
of his personal enemies also sits on the council. Then,
LASOMBRA ANTITRIBU despite his tenuous position, he will check the actions
of his enemies at all costs, including using his seat as a
The very rare occurrence of a Lasombra antitribu
blatant weapon in the game of one-upmanship so com-
as a primogen council member is cause for a number of
mon in the Camarilla.
raised eyebrows. All but a rumor in most cases, there have
been a few instances in the past where a prince has been As for motivation, a Lasombra antitribu enters the
comfortable enough to elevate one of the rogue Keepers Camarilla often for reasons of revenge. Childer of turbulent
to a position of primogenship. times, they despise their brethren in the Sabbat and still

CHAPTER THREE: SHAKING THE FOUNDATION

89
look for opportunities to reap age-old vengeance upon of the Eastern Vampires. Yet the Kuei-jin seat is certainly
their younger fellows. An enemy of the Sabbat can easily an unofficial one, with absolutely no formal powers of
become an ally of the Lasombra antitribu, encouraging its own, save the ability to suggest the impact of certain
the Kindred to take a seat on the primogen in order to policies on the local population of the Kuei-jin. For
better unify the assets arrayed against the Sabbat. Yet, their part, the Cathayans respect the Camarilla as a sect,
even with these seemingly similar goals, conflict can arise. providing order and hierarchy to obviously inferior and
The Lasombra antitribu look to destroy their cousins first chaotic creatures. Thus, while the Kuei-jin as a whole
and then the Sabbat, while the Camarilla usually does do not recognize the legitimacy of the Camarilla, they
not make any meaningful distinctions among the clans do see it is a useful tool occasionally, especially when the
of the Sabbat, instead focusing their hatred on the enemy Kindred are able to muster enough of a defense to slow
as a whole. Kuei-jin colonization.
These Lasombra are elders, and when they join the For all their best efforts, time and population are not
Camarilla (even for a temporary position) they expect on the side of the Camarilla and the leadership of those
the treatment any self-respecting elder would demand. cities involved in the fighting. The Cathayans, consum-
For their part, the leaders of the Camarilla recognize the mate social creatures, use whatever opportunities present
Lasombra antitribu with the attention their age deserves. themselves. To that end, a number of princes (with or
Thus, if a Lasombra antitribu does aid the Camarilla, he without the blessings of their primogen councils) have
may be offered a seat on a primogen council as a show tentatively offered primogen positions to influential (and
of respect and deference. Unlike the other outsider relatively peaceful) Kuei-jin.
bloodlines and clans that occasionally gain a primogen These desperate offerings of peace are hindered in a
position, when the Lasombra antitribu are added to the number of ways and have yet to officially bear fruit despite
ranks of the Camarilla, it is most frequently with a token the occasional rumor to the contrary. The overwhelming
position on a council. lack of reliable intelligence is a fact of life in Kindred
Still, old habits die hard, and like other non-Camarilla society, and triply so when dealing across Camarilla-
Kindred, the Lasombra inclusion among members of Cathayan lines. The Camarilla still know precious little
the primogen council brings with it a number of vocal about their enemies, and if the offer of primogenship has
objections from within the sect. Their connections (if been indeed taken up, their knowledge of the Eastern
tenuous) to the leaders of the Sabbat leaves a bad taste Vampires should increase accordingly.
in many Camarilla Kindred’s dry mouths. As outsiders, A Kuei-jin primogen council member is a wholly
they have to go out of their way to prove the acquisitions unknown factor in an already unstable political structure.
of spying and espionage are false. Stereotyping them is all but self-defeating, especially given
More often than not, for the Lasombra antitribu’s own the limited knowledge the Kindred world has of its eastern
good, they avoid prominent positions like the primogen cousins. One thing is certain, though: first, if a primogen
council. The Sabbat have many eyes and ears, and their council exists with a Kuei-jin member, the Cathayan
antipathy for the Lasombra antitribu is well known. The joined in order to further her own agenda and the goals
benefits of the Camarilla are often not enough to en- of her sect, not because she believes the Camarilla is an
courage one of these rare Kindred to endure the threat inherently good or useful organization.
to their unlife as well as the enmity of a number of the Even if the prince of a given city maintains consid-
Camarilla Kindred. erable formal power, she still needs influential Kindred
CATHAYANS to fill positions on a primogen council. Considering the
mystery and fear that surround the Cathayans, the council
The Eastern Vampires are probably the most unlikely members would need to be in desperate straits even to
members of the Camarilla, and indeed nowhere in the consider allowing an Eastern Vampire onto the council.
Camarilla are they acknowledged members. However, Of course, the ongoing tensions with the Kuei-jin and the
in both the Pacific Rim and the West Coast of the opportunity for intelligence gathering may prove enough
United States, interaction with the Eastern Vampires incentive to calm the fears of the primogen enough to
is inevitable and has forced some primogen councils work around the situation. If anything, Kindred members
to take some very unconventional methods to broker of the primogen council would surely try to milk such a
cease-fires. In these nights of strife, the possibility that volatile situation for all its worth.
the Kuei-jin take a position on a primogen council is
The offering of a primogenship to a Kuei-jin is an
not entirely unreasonable.
unprecedented event, one precipitated under dire cir-
It is rumored that in at least one city the prince cumstances and still under review by the Camarilla inner
has allowed the Cathayan a position on the primogen council. In an effort to stem the Cathayans’ incursion a
council, where whoever it is can represent the interests few princes of besieged cities have sought desperately

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
90
 SO DOES IT EXIST OR NOT?
Considering all the potential problems of a
Cathayan sitting as a primogen council member, it
is all but impossible for such a situation to survive
more than a few nights before erupting into chaos or
dissolving into paranoid fractionalization. Still, the
possible benefits for the Camarilla are quite good, not
the least of which is the ability to slow or halt the
conflict in the given city, and thus the impetus to
make the situation work is appropriately important
and worthy (in some cases) of the effort.
With such benefits a possibility, it should be
no wonder that a couple of beleaguered cities have
considered opening their primogen council. In
fact, a few princes have formally made the offer. To
date, though, no response, unofficial or official, has
been received. The Kuei-jin are either amused or
ignoring the offer, confident in their own abilities
to bring the Great Leap Outward to success.
In your chronicle, if you as a Storyteller think
the inclusion of a Cathayan as a primogen council
member would be a useful plot device, you are more
than welcome to do so. Keep in mind, however,
that such a plot device needs to be treated with the
appropriate respect and gravity. This is an event
worthy of the direct attention of the justicars and
needs to be handled with care.

to diffuse the situation. These overtures are a result of a

number of circumstances, many of which can be traced
to the losses of Los Angeles and san Francisco.
In particular, the inner council’s haphazard treatment
of the cities on the West Coast embittered a number of
princes and primogen, so much so that in some isolated
circumstances it is whispered that the Camarilla Kindred
met with the local Cathayans and offered the primogen
position to buy time.
The inner council, while not normally keen on the
idea of peace efforts by Camarilla Kindred not under their
direction, is rumored to be interested in the results. If these
peace offerings have taken place and been accepted, the
inner council seems willing to give the local princes and
primogen just enough rope to hang themselves with. If
nothing else, if the effort pays off for one city or another,
the inner council may have another plan for dealing with
the Cathayans.
A unique primogen position such as this is all but
lightning-in-a-bottle, with both sides, the Camarilla and
the Cathayans, seeing a unique opportunity and each
trying to exploit the situation to maximize their own
benefit. Conflict is inevitable. The second assurance is

CHAPTER THREE: SHAKING THE FOUNDATION

91
that the powers-that-be of the Camarilla are watching simply by becoming a primogen. On the flip side, the
the situation extremely closely, most likely calling the acceptance of a primogenship, even one restricted to
shots through the prince. Should the situation prove observer status, often means that any support they
even slightly nonadvantageous the justicars and archons had before may well be shaken. Caitiff are not known
will have no compunctions about pulling the plug on the for appreciating authority, and many Caitiff especially
radical social experiment (and the same probably goes resent “traitors.”
for the leaders of the Kuei-jin). To stereotype a Caitiff primogen member would be
CAITIFF folly. With so many backgrounds and experiences, each
one takes different skills and knowledge to the council
The Caitiff are at once a clan and not. Rarely does table. More than the other primogen rarities (like As-
one of these most reviled Kindred rise to a position of samites of Lasombra antitribu), the Caitiff primogen
both power and respect and also maintain good relations are more likely to accept the position with very selfish
with the Camarilla. Usually, after a good deal of time, a intentions — a blatant attempt to improve their own
Caitiff does his best to steer clear of the Camarilla in an security or self worth.
effort to avoid garnering any inappropriate or unwanted
attention. The Caitiff are adept at surviving, and survival
is often synonymous with avoiding the Camarilla, which
THE REST OF THE RABBLE
considers them little better than cannon fodder. Besides those mentioned above, it is unlikely if not
As always, though, exceptions exist. The chaos left impossible for other clans or bloodlines of Kindred to
in the wake of the Gangrel departure has proven a boon occupy positions on a primogen council. The rarity of
for some Caitiff, allowing those who have endured the these other Kindred, coupled with the uniform disdain
rigors of unlife within the Camarilla to occasionally make the Camarilla feels for them, means that they would not
moves to secure primogenship. Even before the Gangrel be accepted even under the most trying of circumstances.
left, there were occasional Caitiff primogen, but they As it stands, the aforementioned non-Sect Kindred are
were certainly very rare. To many within the Camarilla, allowed on primogen councils under only the most unique
a Caitiff primogen sounds a bit too much like the orga- and chaotic situations.
nization of the Panders within the Sabbat. THE GIOVANNI
Caitiff are nothing if not adaptable. Similar to the Foremost of these anomalies within anomalies are the
Gangrel, they are often both physically adept and mentally Giovanni. As social creatures who spend their unlives in
sharp; unlike the bestial Gangrel, not a few of them are a strict traditional structure not too unlike the Camarilla,
socially adept. With the Gangrel gone now, however, a they can easily slip into roles as primogen. Yet their dedica-
handful of Caitiff have been able to press their cases and tion to their own family lines and the unwillingness of the
fill the role of Camarilla muscle. Some cities have come clan to tolerate even the hint of sedition has ensured that
to rely increasingly on their loyal Caitiff to do the dirty a Giovanni has not sat formally on a primogen council
work that was often sloughed onto the Gangrel. With for some time. It is much easier to offer the occasional
extra responsibility, a few Caitiff have also been able Giovanni a position as an observer, especially in times
to demand increased power, sometimes in the form of a when the Camarilla and Giovanni have similar interests
primogen council seat. and goals. These observer seats are very short-lived, usu-
Usually, if a Caitiff is granted a primogen council ally lasting no more than a few weeks.
seat, it is in the form of an observer seat. These seats When Giovanni do sit on primogen councils they
sometimes have existed for some time, upward of a few blend in fairly well (excepting, of course, the animosity
decades. With no set time limit, these Caitiff observer and constant glares from the Camarilla Kindred). Gio-
primogen retain their seats for as long as they are on good vanni are used to high-stakes politicking, with political
behavior, which accounts for some of the long-standing battles within the bloodline being just as fierce as on the
seats. Occasionally, if the Caitiff is able to exhibit special most cutthroat primogen council. In fact, the general
loyalty to a prince, a seat is gerrymandered into creation atmosphere of the Giovanni bloodline is superficially
with the belief that the Caitiff will quietly support the similar to the atmosphere of the Camarilla (just less
initiatives of the prince. This is also how it happened cosmopolitan); given a bit of preparation, a Giovanni is
before the departure of the Gangrel. quite capable of working the ins and outs of prestation
Caitiff primogen are usually not treated any bet- or any other aspect of Camarilla existence.
ter than when they were not involved directly with When a Giovanni sits as an observer tensions always
Camarilla politics. The rare Caitiff that is able to gain run high on both sides. Despite the Giovanni invariably
the respect necessary even to have the position offered acting with the utmost respect to the council, the cold
is not going to see his lot in life significantly improved and calculating atmosphere that they engender makes a

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
92
council meeting an even more stressful affair, accounting hoping that between himself, the Nosferatu member and
for the short-lived nature of the observer seats. When the new Samedi member he could counter any political
the Giovanni finally leaves, both the Camarilla and the opposition. However, since the story remains a rumor,
Giovanni “guest” breathe a sigh of relief. A Giovanni in it seems unlikely the situation was as beneficial as the
a primogen council acts like nothing more than a viper prince had hoped.
waiting to strike. In the end, the Camarilla still knows little about the
RAVNOS Samedi and is uncomfortable with the idea of a Samedi
primogen. The bloodline’s goals, history and future are
Once upon a time, the Ravnos could hold positions still very much unknown, and the Camarilla already
on a council with an on-again-off-again regularity that deals with more than its fair share of the unknown. At
befit their nomadic ways. Once in a while, one would least with the Assamites or the Eastern Vampires the
be asked by the powers-that-be to offer information that Camarilla has reasonable expectations, anticipations
he had gathered over his travels, but Ravnos interaction of goals and what not. The Samedi present an entirely
with the Camarilla rarely extended beyond this role. different situation.
However rare, up until recently, a handful existed that
maintained the social connections to make them useful SETITES
to a primogen council. During the foundation of the Camarilla, the Setites
Though they were not formal members of the Cama- were originally asked to become one of the founding
rilla, the sect was quite comfortable with the existence members along with the Ventrue, Tremere, Nosferatu,
of the Ravnos, treating them with the same respect as Toreador, Brujah, Gangrel and Malkavian. They turned
Anarchs — that is, as Kindred who benefited from the down the offer but have remained interested in the
strictures of the Camarilla but who did not normally act goings-on of the Camarilla. In these modern nights,
within its rules, not unlike wayward children. When the Setites are once in a while found on primogen
situations arose that a prince wanted an extra, “outside” councils. However, like the Giovanni, the leaders of
voice on the primogen council, it was often the Ravnos the bloodline are wary of allowing the rank and file
that were drafted. power outside of their control. When a Setite does
Times have changed, however, and the Ravnos gain a primogenship, it is with the express approval
are unlikely to be asked to sit or even be interested in of the Setite powers-that-be and with a specific goal
such a position. Since the Ravnos blood-frenzy and the in mind (often the gradual corruption of a member of
subsequent destruction of the bloodline, the Ravnos are the primogen council).
too few and too preoccupied with the incursions of the Camarilla and Setite goals often run at cross-purposes,
Cathayans to be interested in the social niceties of the so interaction between the two is usually with a good deal
primogen. In time, maybe things will calm down and the of antipathy. The modicum of cooperation required to
situation will lend itself to more interaction between the act on a primogen council is often absent when the two
Ravnos and the Camarilla, but for the time being that groups interact. Quiet manipulation, so much a part of
relationship is all but ended. Setite livelihood, is not likely in intense scrutiny of the
SAMEDI primogenship.
It is rumored that the Samedi at one point or another THE REALLY WEIRD STUFF
had a formal seat in the Southeastern United States. As for the extremely rare bloodlines, Salubri, Nagara-
If such a seat existed, the Samedi occupied a similar jah, Kiasyd, Gargoyles, and what have you, forget about it.
position within the primogen council as the Nosferatu. The Camarilla will only go so far. That is, if a Storyteller
The persistent rumors invariably say that the prince, wants to introduce it into her own chronicle, that’s fine,
a Nosferatu, added the extra formal seat in an effort but the stodginess of the Camarilla prevents it from con-
to bolster his popularity within the primogen council, sidering these scattered dregs of any true import.

CHAPTER THREE: SHAKING THE FOUNDATION

93
 CHAPTER FOUR:
WHO HOLDS
THE REINS

“Uneasy rests the head that wears the crown.” promulgated through the clan ranks, it is the primogen
Not as accurate for primogen as for the prince, but who informs his clan and coaxes, bribes or threatens
true in its limited fashion nonetheless. A character who them into compliance.
has gained a seat among the primogen is burdened by All these things need to be taken into consideration
responsibilities that the majority of Kindred need not by both player and Storyteller before the decision is
worry about: aggressively furthering the interests of his made to play a primogen character. In the vast major-
clan in the city; keeping the clan’s rebels sufficiently ity of stories, being on the primogen council will make
in line that they don’t reflect badly on the clan as a a player’s experience more political and less violent or
whole, but lightly enough that they can be spurred into “street-level.” Intrigue may replace action, but, if well
strategic outbursts when necessary; currying favor with handled, that should make the game more interest-
the prince; dealing with disputes over feeding territory; ing.
courting the support and votes of the other primogen;
counteracting the moves of the other primogen when THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
they interfere with his own agenda; giving the prince When designing a character who either is or wants
good advice that simultaneously renders him more reli- to be primogen for his clan, the player has to think
ant on the primogen’s clan; etc. about what’s likely to get the character into that posi-
When members of a clan are in conflict, they tion. Neither the clan elders nor the prince nor, in all
typically turn to the primogen. When members of likelihood, the other members of the clan are going to
the clan are in trouble with the prince, they turn to want a flaky, violent, outrageous or otherwise “difficult”
the primogen. Should the members of a clan seri- primogen. Respectability is the price of public office.
ously act out, it is not just they who will suffer the For this reason social Attributes are generally key. With
consequences, but their primogen as well. Likewise, a character who’s already in a socially oriented clan —
when the clan elders have an agenda that they want Ventrue, Toreador or Tremere, for example — that’s not
CHAPTER FOUR: WHO HOLDS THE REINS
95
difficult. For other clans it is a circumstance requiring his political insights onto you. Alternatively, you may
some consideration. A Brujah brawler or Assamite be find yourself getting hustled into your title because
killer with tertiary Social Attributes is going to be your sire screwed some other Cainite out of it. If that’s
ill at ease in the primogen chambers and may do his the case, you come into office with a load of baggage: a
clan more harm than good through his ham-handed predecessor who resents you, a clan uncertain of your
efforts there. credentials and a prince who sees you as a favor more
If you’ve wanted to play a socially oriented Brujah than as a clan representative. You’ll have your work
charmer or an Assamite with an eye toward protocol and cut out for you.
diplomacy, however, the primogen position is ideal. The Reluctant Primogen
RESPONSIBILITIES You never wanted to be primogen. In fact, you may
have carefully avoided the office for years or even decades,
Once installed, the primogen is the point man
but your days of shirking your responsibility to the clan
for communications traveling both up and down the
are over. Maybe you put your hat in the ring (despite
Camarilla hierarchy. He is the nexus between the rank
your hatred of politics) because you thought you could
and file and the powers that be. Consequently, he has
do a better job than the smarmy, corrupt, scheming idiot
to be honest (or perceived as such) and an effective
who was sitting at the council table before you — and
communicator. He must cultivate the perception that
much to your chagrin, others concurred. Or maybe you’ve
he is loyal to his clan in general and specifically to the
been drafted to fill the seat left vacant by a predecessor
Kindred he ostensibly represents. Furthermore, he must
slain in office. For better or worse, others older, wiser
be capable of striking a balance between the wants of
and more powerful than you feel you have the political
the elders and the desires of the younger members of
wherewithal to represent your clan. Maybe you’re too
the clan. If either camp perceives him to be biased in
charismatic for your own good. Maybe you’ve had vocal
either direction, his standing and influence will suffer.
admirers somewhere in Kindred society and they want
Primogen work closely with their clanmates within the
to see you do great things with your talents. Maybe an
city, but much of their power and authority comes from
enemy has flexed a little political might to have you put
those Camarilla elders above them. Siding too blatantly
where you make an easier target.
with either camp is a recipe for trouble.
The Driven Politician
TEMPLATES Politics may have been something you followed in
Following are some general models to which a your breathing days, might even have been something
primogen character might bear some similarities. Your you had dabbled in and showed some talent for. The
character will obviously be more detailed, but these possibility of a career in politics was wiped out with your
models may give some idea of what the road might look Embrace. Or so you thought. You saw where the power
like for the character and, possibly, save him from some lay in the city shortly after your first visit to Elysium,
of the bumps along the way. At the very least, you may and you updated your goals to fit your new existence.
see some ideas that inspire you to take some creative You set your eyes on a similar goal in your new life: a
steps with regard to your own primogen character. seat on the primogen council.
Important Childe You busted your butt for your position. You met
Your sire is an influential figure in your clan. Perhaps with Cainites you dislike and maybe even a few whose
he’s an elder. Perhaps he held your clan’s seat on the company you enjoy. You built up a reservoir of boons
primogen council for many years and wanted you to do to draw upon in difficult circumstances and asked a few
so in his stead. Perhaps he simply has good rapport with of your own. You flattered, charmed, schmoozed and
the clan and the prince and made his wishes known kissed ass as necessary to make the allies and gain the
at the right time. Regardless of his exact station, he is resources to attain your goal.
important and has power to wield freely. That makes Now you’re there. You did most of the work your-
you important, whether you want to be or not. When self, so you’re beholden to relatively few others. The
your sire makes it known that he wants you to become responsibility (and, yes, the power) is in your hands. If
the clan’s voice on the primogen council, there’s re- your performance in office is as stellar as it was on the
ally no fighting it. In the best of all possible worlds, campaign you waged to get there, your clan and your
you’re taking the place he vacated. If that’s the case, city will be in good hands. Then again, you wouldn’t
you’re lucky; he will tell you everything you need to be the first primogen to slack off the moment you made
know: who your real enemies are, who’s corrupt, who’s it into the position you so aggressively sought. But that
beholden to whom … and he’ll be eager to pass along approach to office has its own consequences ….
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
96
 The Accident on your part. From the position of whip, it only took
Nobody actually intended for you to be the clan’s a few choice schemes, a few lies, a little dirty dealing
representative. Something went wrong. Someone was and maybe a few boons to some unsavory types to move
given the wrong name to vote for. Someone voted for the primogen out of the way. Congratulations, you’re a
you to oppose the other, more serious, candidate. Maybe bastard among bastards.
the others couldn’t read the complex butterfly ballots. Now you’re in power and it’s great. You talk with
Whatever the case, the results came in and you were the prince every night. Cainites are offering you boons
named primogen, a development that surprises you as on a regular basis. You are one of the most powerful
much as much as anyone. Now you’re in a position Kindred in the city.
where you’re struggling to bring yourself up to speed. You have one little problem. Secrets, in the world
The unlife you had prior to the election has been left of the Kindred, are never as secret as one would really
hanging in the wind as your new and unexpected re- like, and somehow word of your perfidy has started mak-
sponsibilities pull you away. Suddenly you’re dealing ing its way around Elysium. The other primogen have
with responsibilities, expectations, ethical dilemmas, been looking at you a bit strangely lately, and perhaps
pressure from new directions. It’s hectic. It’s driving the prince, too, although no action has been taken
you crazy. The perks of the position are enough to keep against you, and word doesn’t seem to have spread to
you from struggling with your new position. Now that the rank and file. Yet. You may still be able to keep your
you’ve come to terms with winning an election you position, but don’t expect it to be easy: just fulfilling
didn’t expect to have a chance in, the hard part is upon the boons to keep this hushed up will keep you busy
you: you have to fill your role without making a fool of for years to come.
yourself. Hope you’re a fast learner. You have still another problem. You remember how
Rank and File you attained your position, and you know that if you
Maybe your whole life passed by without you ever could sink to such depths, surely others could too. So
becoming involved in politics despite the occasional your guilt shows up as a lingering paranoia. You scruti-
longing to do so. It was something that appealed to you nize your clanmates, especially your whip, nightly for
on some level, so now that you had a second chance, you signs of treachery, and because you see nothing, you’re
went for it. The moment you saw how Kindred society all the more certain that something must be going on
worked, you engineered plans to become the voice of that you just can’t see.
your clan. Your reasons were your own: power, status, Welcome to the halls of power.
possibly even a wish to improve the lot of your fellows. The Promising Liar
You made yourself useful, indispensable even, in order You would promise to put the sun out tomorrow
to amass boons; you campaigned, made allies, learned if you thought it would improve your position (and if
important secrets and kept them — or let them slip — anyone believed you). You’re good at telling people
strategically and, in other words, did anything you could what they want to hear. You know what they want and,
to see that when the primogen position came open you therefore, exactly what to promise them in exchange
were chosen. If you’re a relatively low-generation vam- for their support. Better yet, you’re quite convincing.
pire, it probably wasn’t that difficult; Kindred respect By weaving a web of promises, you were able to garner
(and fear) age more than mortals do. On the other hand, all the support you needed (and more) to land you the
if you’re eleventh, twelfth or, Caine forbid, thirteenth position of primogen.
generation, you’ll have to be mightily impressive with Unfortunately, you have a problem.
your other abilities before the vote is likely to go in You promised to back the Toreador in their squabble
your favor. For you the real joy of being the primogen with the Nosferatu, the Nosferatu against the Toreador,
is showing that a vampire given the Embrace in 1998 the Tremere against the Assamites, the Assamites against
is just as capable of leading and representing his clan the Tremere, and so on.
as one Embraced in 1898. Now everyone is expecting you to fulfill your promises.
The Backstabber And you can’t. Maybe some of the promises you made are
Patience is not among your strengths. The intensity (and you only know this now) things that are outside
of your need for power would not allow power to come the primogen’s sphere of influence. Maybe some of the
to you in its own time. You hastened the process by promises you made are just impossible to fulfill given the
doing a few favors for the sitting primogen and then, current political status quo. Maybe you had no clue exactly
one way or another, you disposed of the whip. The what it was you were promising in the first place, but you
primogen named you whip with relatively little effort knew that it gave you the support you needed.

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 As your promises, one by one, go unfulfilled, you PROTECTION
watch your standing in Kindred society spiral further Do you have a bodyguard? You’d better. However
and further down. Your list of allies grows shorter with formidable your own abilities, you still can’t be expected
each passing night, your list of enemies, longer. If you’re to be vigilant 24 hours a day. That’s what bodyguards
lucky, you’ve been able to deliver on at least one or are all about, after all. Can you afford one (or more)?
two of those promises, enough to keep an ally or two. If you can’t, you’re in trouble. Maybe you can find
Otherwise, your time on the primogen council is going one who works for cheap. Then again, do you really
to be brief and bitter. want your unlife protected by the cheapest bodyguard
Worst of all, your primary tools, your word, your around? The best possible scenario, obviously, is to run
honor, your promises, mean nothing anymore, because across someone so dedicated to either the causes you
every Cainite in the city sees how little they’re worth, personally espouse or the clan you represent that he
leaving you with no credibility, no honor and not much will guard you for a token fee. Ghouls work for cheap,
hope for moving forward. as do blood bound thralls. Those are not without their
Given those circumstances, being on the pri- own drawbacks, however: zealots can be irrational,
mogen council doesn’t provide much solace. It still while mortals, even ghouls, are too fragile to be much
sucks to be you. more than a brief distraction to a real enemy.
How about your coterie? They’re your allies, right?
DISADVANTAGES Do you trust them? More to the point, do you trust them
The role of primogen has perks, which will be that much? Why? Are you so certain of their ethics and
covered in detail later, but the hopeful candidate their loyalty that you know they won’t sell you out?
for a seat on the council should also take into con- Are you really that certain? This paranoia is especially
sideration some of the difficulties of taking on such appropriate for those Kindred in a cosmopolitan coterie
responsibilities. comprising Cainites from an array of clans. Just because
YOUR TIME IS NO LONGER YOUR OWN a Tremere is willing to pursue a shared goal with an
Assamite doesn’t mean he’ll let the Assassin function
As primogen, your personal goals are expected to as his de facto bodyguard once becoming the Tremere
take a back seat to your clan’s goals and your time ceases primogen. It’s equally unlikely that the Assamite would
to be your own. Did you want to travel? Conduct some accept such a position without the time-honored
thaumaturgical research? Work on your art? Attain contract, and those higher up the Tremere hierarchy
Golconda? It’ll have to wait now. might have a thing or two to say about those kinds of
Now you have meetings. Meetings with clan elders, arrangements.
meetings with the prince, meetings with members of Okay, so let’s say you have the bodyguard well in
your clan you’ve never liked and would rather not deal hand. You’re not out of the woods yet.
with, but whom you now represent. Congratulations.
How secure is your haven? Since you’re at higher
DANGER risk of trouble than most Kindred, your haven had
In some ways, being a primogen makes a Kindred a better be more secure as well. Really, can you ever be
bigger target for enemies of her clan as well as personal too secure? Deadbolt locks just aren’t what they used to
enemies. As primogen, you’re a figurehead symbolizing be, my friend. Ideally, you’ll want to make your haven
your clan, and to be blunt, a figurehead is a larger-than- completely fire-proof, and your security system had best
life target for all those who don’t like what you stand be impressive. Those doors? Big, thick iron puppies.
for. If someone dislikes your clan, the easiest way to get You’ll want your walls to be equally thick and, ideally,
that message across is to strike at you. When the Sabbat impervious to even relatively large projectiles. Overkill?
strikes at a Camarilla city, the primogen council is very Maybe. But what’s your unlife worth to you?
frequently its first target. On the whole, primogen are It’s true that all this security will probably require
easier targets than the prince, but without them the some hefty resources, but nobody ever said power came
prince is vulnerable. When the Cathayans invaded San cheaply.
Francisco, the Tremere and Malkavian primogen were Lucky for you, being your clan’s voice among the
the first to be assassinated. It’s basic tactics to take out primogen comes with a few handy advantages as well.
the generals first, because it leaves the rank-and-file
leaderless and demoralized.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
98
ADVANTAGES Background to reflect this. Be aware that these contacts
are not, and should not be expected to be, friends or
When a vampire is named primogen, no sudden easy combat support; they are advisors whose primary
illumination occurs, no great power of the blood kicks aim is to further the interests of the Camarilla in gen-
in. Kindred thirteen generations from Caine have been eral and their clan specifically. Except under unusual
brought into the primogen council, and the power circumstances, they provide guidance and little else. A
they wield is clearly not brute force or sheer mystical primogen who relies overly much on these contacts will
might, it is charisma and the respect of their clan and, find his clan questioning his competence and inclined
optimally, the prince. Beyond their own organizational to see him replaced with someone who can handle the
and leadership skills, primogen have only one advantage night-to-night challenges of being primogen with greater
over the majority of other Kindred, and that is their proficiency and independence.
access to contacts. The nature of these contacts may vary from clan to
In all but the smallest of cities (where the title is clan. In all cases, the older vampire will be capable of
nearly meaningless due to the negligible vampire popu- advising the primogen in some capacity, although no
lation), when a Kindred is installed as the primogen of guarantee exists that the elder will not have her own
his clan, he gains access to clan elders outside of the agenda (in fact, it’s generally wisest to assume that she
city that the rank-and-file Kindred of the city generally does). Certain primogen may also benefit from other
do not have. proficiencies possessed by her advisor(s). Alternatively,
ACCESS TO POWER she may benefit from having certain important items
or emergency phone numbers that are reserved for her
The primogen is the chosen representative of the clan’s representatives. Clan Brujah may provide the
clan as a body, therefore the clan takes an interest in phone number for a highly competent “cleaner” who
seeing that its representative has certain advantages may be either a ghoul or himself a member of the clan.
he can call upon should circumstances dictate. For this Such a contact would be available to clean up the mess
reason, the Storyteller may want to grant the character after an outbreak of Brujah violence, “take care of” a
a few points (up to 4) in the Mentor (or possibly Allies) Masquerade breach or hide evidence that might show the

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clan in an unflattering light. Likewise the Tremere might Likewise, the Tremere emphasis on hierarchy gives
offer up either a Bone of Lies or similar magical device the primogen of that clan a clear chain of command to
or, if necessary, an “interrogator” to extract secrets from follow when seeking particular favors. While the War-
enemies of the clan, while the Nosferatu might provide locks’ hierarchy may not always work in the interests of
contact information for an “investigator,” and so forth. the average Lick, it grants its favorites a treasure trove
The types of assistance vary from clan to clan. of organizational knowledge and access to both talented
These resources are best not called upon except in Kindred and items of great mystical potency. The down
urgent situations where clan prestige or interests are on the side is that the possibility exists of being refused at every
line. Such favors cannot be brought into play simply on a step of the petitioning process. If the primogen success-
whim or for the primogen’s personal use (although clever fully works his way through three levels of the hierarchy,
primogen have found ways to turn private crusades into the Cainite at the final level could, on a whim, deny his
important clan business in order to do so). Even when the request. Worse (and this becomes more likely the more
character does call on this backup, he has no guarantee that frivolous or personal the request is deemed), the primogen
they won’t already be knee-deep in taking care of business may have to promise boons to those at every step along
elsewhere. It should be assumed that the clan has one or the way. If the Tremere primogen has to go through five
possibly two such behind-the-scenes agents at work on the steps to gain access to the individual (or entity) who can
North American continent, and the primogen, regardless solve his problem, that represents a great deal of trouble
of how pressing their situation seems to them, must accept and obligation that he will have to go through at some
that those resources may be otherwise engaged. Some of unspecified future date. Such arrangements have been
these powerful figures to whom the primogen have access known to come into play at exceedingly inconvenient
may also be archons or even justicars, clarifying all the moments, and any primogen seeking to trade in boons
more how rarely their services may be called on. to this extent would do well to remember this.
In some clans the “keys to the office” are more Clan Toreador, too, as one of the pillar clans of the
ceremonial, while other clans offer specific and clearly Camarilla, has resources for its primogen to call upon.
spelled-out privileges and powers to those Kindred The Degenerates are flightier and less prone to conflict
occupying seats on the primogen council. Gaining ac- than most other clans, but their obsession with image
cess to these privileges is a matter of great diplomacy. and keeping up appearances makes keeping scandals
A pushy primogen might be denied the request by her quiet a priority. Though they need them less frequently,
elders, a diplomatic primogen may earn the privilege the Toreador have nearly as many “cleaners” as the
in due time, but a diplomatic, favored and useful pri- Brujah, and their skills are legendary. They are adept
mogen will receive the favor and it will come through at covering up even the most horrific breaches of the
in record time. Masquerade with broad smiles and a hefty application
In addition to myriad random social benefits, being of artifice and charm. More than one Camarilla/Sab-
primogen gives the Kindred access to high-ranking allies bat conflict has been made to look like a movie shoot
and sect Elders that he would not otherwise have, but after the fact through strategically altered memories
the expectations of him are also greater. The learning and public records. (“Oh, why, yes, I guess you did get
curve for a recently chosen primogen can be a bit steep a license for that film shoot. It must have just slipped
as he is expected to master the philosophies, protocols my mind. I am so sorry for the inconvenience. If there’s
and culture of the clan early in his tenure. anything I can do to make the rest of your time here
Obviously, the more organized clans have better systems go smoothly, please just let me know, and I’ll see to it
for backing up their respective primogen. By far the most that things are taken care of for you.”)
supported primogen are those of Clans Ventrue and Tremere. Moderately less well organized are the Nosferatu,
The Ventrue emphasis on developing social contacts grants Assamites and Brujah. While these clans have their
the clan in general and their vested representatives in own hierarchies and means of assisting their primogen,
particular unusually potent sway in the daylight world that various circumstances conspire to make requesting aid
they do not hesitate to bring to bear on those who interfere from these clans more of a hit-or-miss proposition. When
with the clan’s interests. Across America and Europe, the a primogen of one of these clans requests assistance, it
Blue Bloods oversee a small army of financiers, bureaucrats may come eventually, not at all or even immediately,
and old-money families, and, if the situation is sufficiently depending on the clan’s policies and politics, the primo-
precarious, a primogen can call upon these resources. As long gen making the request and a hundred random elements
as the primogen remembers that there is no such thing as a that could impede or expedite the process.
free lunch and returns the favors he asks for, all is well.

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
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 Clan Assamite, for example, has a very clear hier- are offered as examples of the kinds of socially oriented
archy, but issues of honor, self-sufficiency, the recent combination Disciplines that primogen are trained in
nature of the clan’s participation in the Camarilla and to support their work on the council.
growing intraclan conflicts make requesting assistance Clans have worked for decades, sometimes centuries,
a more complex proposition than the clan’s hierarchy to arrive at these complex interweavings of their standard
might suggest. Disciplines, and they aren’t taught lightly. A primogen
The other clans may or may not provide much who teaches these proprietary disciplines to a member of
in the way of assistance to their primogen. Obviously another clan is considered a traitor. Furthermore, they
Kindred are quite keen on “keeping up with the Jo- require an understanding of the core Disciplines that
neses.” The organized clans have an advantage over most Kindred don’t possess. Lastly, since these combina-
the less well organized clans that may be perceived as tion Disciplines are rare, tracing who inappropriately
a power disparity. The Kindred of Clan Malkavian are taught a technique to whom is rarely difficult.
at a pronounced disadvantage in this regard, and the Many of these primogen Disciplines are social or
rapidly dwindling number of Camarilla Gangrel has been political in nature, but actually using them during the
left essentially with no recourse to backup whatsoever course of a primogen council meeting in an attempt
(outside of personal contacts and allies). Elders will do to sway the outcome of a vote is rude, presumptuous
what they can to help struggling primogen, but these and possibly dangerous. Forcing something through
clans observe no official protocol for doing so and results the council by dint of supernatural powers is “cheat-
are not guaranteed. ing,” and anybody found to be the perpetrator of such
While Malkavians have their “Madness Network” scurrilous acts is, in all likelihood, going to rouse the
for all members of the clan, they do not have any spe- ire of his mark.
cial resources for primogen to call upon. The Gangrel’s BRUJAH
already loose organization combined with their all- THE IRON GLARE
but-forgotten status in the Camarilla prevents the rare (POTENCE •••, PRESENCE •••)
Gangrel primogen from calling on any but his personal A look sometimes comes over the face of a ticked-off
allies in situations that endanger the interest of his clan, Brujah who is used to being obeyed but who is not being
a situation that is pushing even Gangrel with previously obeyed at the moment. The look is part hauteur, part
strong Camarilla ties to break away from the sect. rage and part malevolent glee at the chaos that will be
TERM OF OFFICE unleashed unless the vampire gets his way. Brujah elders
Once they ascend to the office, primogen typically teach this Discipline to new primogen as a gift to use in
keep the position as long as possible; the rewards are primogen meetings on behalf of the clan’s interests.
too great to do otherwise, unless they ascend to the System: The Brujah primogen makes a powerful
prince’s position. That means that the transmission display of strength (crushing a brick in her hand, bend-
of power from an outgoing primogen to an incoming ing a piece of rebar, breaking a solid oak table with one
primogen is often not good: death is the primary cause slam of her fist, etc.) and rolls Charisma + Intimidation
of primogen leaving office. Those primogen who are against a standard difficulty. For the rest of the scene, add
“deposed” rarely feel charitable toward their successors these successes to successes gained on any Intimidation
and may even interfere with the transition of power out roll against anyone seeing this display of power.
of sheer bitterness. The new primogen will discover It should be noted that this Discipline loses its ef-
quickly enough that his position sets him up as the ficacy when overused. If the Brujah uses it again within
embodiment of his clan, and therefore a target, but he a month, it will give her half the successes she rolled;
may not anticipate that the enemies he faces might be if she uses it again, it will give her a quarter (rounded
from his own clan. down). After that, this power ceases to have any effect.
A wise primogen, therefore, saves this power for use at
DISCIPLINES strategic moments.
It costs 18 experience points to learn this power.
As a perk to offset some of the drawbacks of the
position, clan elders may offer to teach the new primogen MALKAVIAN
certain new combination Disciplines both as a reward CATCH A WHIFF OF MADNESS
and as a means of attending to the responsibilities of (DEMENTATION ••, AUSPEX •••)
the office. Although the Storyteller is the final arbiter of Insanity is the sea through which Malkavians swim
which Disciplines a character may possess, the following like sharks every night of their unlife. As such, they know

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the aroma of madness and can sense it in others the way If the Malkavian gets six or more successes, the
sharks smell blood. With this refinement, the Malkavian target immediately enters fear frenzy.
can parse that scent into its component notes, revealing This power costs 15 experience points.
exactly which flavor of insanity he senses. The uses to
which the primogen can put such knowledge about his
NOSFERATU
comrades are legion. This is one of the carefully guarded ANIMAL MAGNETISM
(ANIMALISM ••••, OBFUSCATE •••)
talents that give the clan its reputation for knowing things
that ought not to be known. Foul as they are to look upon and boorish as they
System: The Malkavian gets close enough to his tend to be in social situations, the wise among the
quarry that he can smell him; the Malkavian can be as Nosferatu can, if they so choose, wax alluring. This
discrete or obvious about this as he wishes. The player temporary appeal is rough, fleeting and slightly feral,
rolls Perception + Empathy at standard (difficulty 6). but it gives them a fascinating charm nonetheless.
Catching the target’s scent alerts the Malkavian to Sometimes that’s all that’s necessary.
the target’s mental state: it specifically reveals mental In theory this power is to be saved for use in only
weakness or instability, including derangements and the most important social arenas, but those Nosferatu
unusually strong emotional responses (with three who know it find the social effects of this power …
or more successes the Malkavian can detect a blood pleasant.
bond, although it will not reveal whom the bond is to, System: By enhancing the powers of Mask of 1000
although that can often be determined through more Faces with the dangerous allure of the Beast (channeled
common means). carefully with Animalism), some Nosferatu can briefly
It’s best to avoid using this Discipline on the Nos- approximate a type of Presence. The effects of this
feratu. power don’t change; it always adds dice equal to the
This power costs 15 experience points. primogen’s Animalism rating (so at least 4) to her social
rolls. The duration of the effect varies. Roll Charisma
PHOBIC AFFLICTION + Subterfuge against a difficulty of 6. This power lasts
(DEMENTATION •••, DOMINATE ••)
one turn per success. This is especially effective for
Madness is terrifying and fear paralyzes. By drawing
seduction but when properly channeled can aid with
on the madness-inducing powers of Dementation and
Intimidation and Subterfuge rolls as well. While this
the mind-control abilities of Dominate, the Malkavian
Discipline isn’t particularly powerful, it’s surprisingly
primogen can instill a sense of terror in his victim with but
effective because nobody expects the Nosferatu ever
a phrase and a meeting of eyes. Others will hear the words
to possess such allure.
that the Malkavian speaks, but only the intended target
will hear them as the Lunatic intended them and feel the This inversion of nature is not without significant
oceanic waves of terror washing over him. Although the risk: a botch on the roll sends the Nosferatu into im-
effect is fleeting, this Discipline is often enough to avoid (or mediate frenzy as the Beast rips free of its controller’s
end) combat or decide a vote of the primogen council. will and targets whomever the primogen was trying to
charm — a social faux pas at the very least.
The advantage of this Discipline over simple
Dominate techniques is that it can be used with a It costs 23 experience points to learn this power.
certain degree of subtlety. Since the target infers the TOREADOR
threat from the Malkavian’s seemingly innocuous SCALPEL TONGUE
words, the Malkavian never has to actually utter a (PRESENCE •, CELERITY •)
command or a threat. Catty repartee is both an art and a vice among the
System: The Malkavian must make eye contact Kindred of Clan Toreador. Those who cannot compete
with his target and speak a threat (however veiled) to effectively in the arena of cruel wit are unlikely to earn the
her. Roll Charisma + Intimidation against a difficulty respect of their clan members. Toreador primogen, then,
of the target’s current Willpower pool. If the player must have the ability to scathe others with words if they
gets even one success, the target is overwhelmed by are to maintain their positions. Scalpel Tongue mixes the
unrelenting waves of terror and anxiety — stemming same quick thinking that guides the body as it moves at
from the threat and its repercussions — for one min- accelerated speeds with the Toreador’s prodigious social
ute per success. A target thus affected is unable to do aptitudes, allowing the primogen to immediately generate a
anything but cower or flee. While others may hear the barbed quip so stinging (due to the emotion-enhancing ef-
threat, they won’t be able to understand the degree of fects of Presence) that it shames the target into silence.
its impact on the target. This power has a subtle downside: if another To-
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
102
reador detects that she had to use a Discipline to come TREMERE
up with such a stinging retort, it could have a negative
MOOD SHIFT
impact on her social status. (AUSPEX ••, DOMINATE ••••)
System: Roll Wits + Empathy against a difficulty Once the Tremere became accustomed to see-
of 7. If the user of this power does not know his target ing auras, it was only a slight stretch to see if those
well, difficulty is increased by 1, due to the difficulty of moods could be manipulated. As it turns out, they
knowing with any precision what buttons to push to can. Auspex granted them the insight and Dominate
achieve the greatest verbal impact. The barbed comment provided them with the means.
stings the target into silence for one turn per success, or A Warlock using Mood Shift views the aura of his
double that if the target is not a member of Clan Toreador. target to determine the target’s initial mood and then,
Spending one Willpower negates this effect. through a series of subtle cues (a smile and laughter
It costs 6 experience points to learn this power. to invoke levity, a sneer and a caustic word to bring
UNDER THE SKIN about a feeling of hostility or defensiveness), can
(AUSPEX •••, PRESENCE •••) nudge her target’s mood in a particular direction.
The Kindred of Clan Toreador are natural critics. System: This technique requires eye contact and
With insight and zeal they analyze and deconstruct art, the target must be watching the Tremere to pick up
Kindred culture and politics. Some studied Toreador on the visual cues (smile, frown, associated gestures)
possess the ability to do the same with their peers, read- that he’s modeling. Once the Tremere has been
ing them like texts and making obvious their failings interacting with his target for a few minutes (long
of personality. The primogen using this power analyzes enough to provide the target with a few emotional
the personality of another, finds its weaknesses and then cues), roll Manipulation + Empathy in a contested
uses the force of his presence to make light of those roll against the target’s Willpower, difficulty 7. The
weaknesses and hammer on them like a battering ram. number of successes determines both the degree and
The results can be quite dramatic. the duration of the effect.
While this power is similar to Scalpel Tongue, it’s Successes Degree/ Duration
much more devastating. That one stings; this one draws 1 Superficial/ Five minutes
blood (and possibly a lot of it).
2 Moderate/ Ten Minutes
System: The Toreador primogen must interact so-
3 Moderate/ Half an hour
cially with his target for a number of consecutive turns
(determined by the Storyteller) before this power can be 4 Completely/ The rest of the scene
activated. After that warm-up, roll Wits + Perception 5 Completely/ The rest of the night
against a difficulty of 6 as the character begins his system- 6+ Completely/ The rest of the week
atic analysis and dismantling of the target’s psyche and A superficial degree of mood change means that the
self-esteem. The results of this assault are listed below. target responds to the Tremere’s mood cues only on a
Successes Result surface level. He’s willing to go along with the mood
1–2 Target is rendered utterly speechless generated by the Tremere to avoid being confrontational
with embarrassment and rage and but nothing more. Other emotional cues will likely
broods for the remainder of scene. change the target’s mood back in short order.
3–4 Target storms out in a rage. A moderate degree of mood change means that the
5 Target becomes violent, either toward target has let his actual mood change a bit in accordance
the Toreador using this power (jump- with the cues given by the Warlock. The effect isn’t
ing over the table to attack, for ex- total, but it goes beyond a mere superficial reflection
ample) or, in a fit of self-loathing, of the Tremere’s modeled emotion.
toward herself (wherein she may try to Complete mood change means that the target adopts
immolate herself, disembowel the mood modeled by the Tremere completely. If the
herself, toss herself out a win Warlock modeled laughter, the target will sincerely be
dow, get a suntan or worse). happy and in a good mood. If he modeled sadness, the
6+ Target enters frenzy. target will feel depressed for the duration of the power.
Spending a Willpower point will lessen the effect by one This power costs 18 experience points to learn.
category (e.g., from 6+ to 5 or from 3–4 to 1–2.
It costs 20 experience points to learn this power.

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103
VENTRUE Once the effect wears off, the erstwhile thrall will
have only hazy poignant memories of a lost intimate
DISTANT FRIEND
(DOMINATE ••, PRESENCE ••••) connection with his master and, perhaps, a vague
This ability plants a delayed Presence effect in the longing for more. If the Ventrue had his thrall act in a
mind of its target. While the powerful feelings of loyalty truly abhorrent manner — kill a dear friend, humiliate
and love brought about by Presence are typically elic- himself in front of a crowd or similar excesses — the
ited by the physical presence of the vampire possessing memory, while vague, will remain and the victim will
that Discipline, this particular application buries those be filled with loathing for the individual who did such
feelings in forgotten recesses of the target’s mind (and a thing to him. The excessive nature of the act must be
heart), where they remain until she talks about the extreme for that, however, as this power incorporates a
vampire who initiated those feelings; at that time they lingering emotional anesthetic in the mind of the target
rush to the fore, causing her to speak about the Cainite to soothe such stings. Only the most extreme deeds will
who so affected her in glowing terms. be too much for this anodyne effect to soothe.
Enemies of the Cainite with Distant Friend may System: The player rolls Charisma + Manipulation
be surprised to find that an expected diatribe against against a difficulty of the target’s Willpower rating. One
the Ventrue elder comes out as a glowing declaration success will simply render the target somewhat more pli-
of support for him, but when she examines her feelings, able to the user’s requests, while two or more successes
she’ll find that she agrees wholeheartedly with the posi- will result in an intense infatuation or enthrallment
tive account she’s giving. for the rest of the evening. Until the next sunrise, the
thrall will treat the user of this Discipline as if he were
System: Once the Cainite with Distant Friend has
the most important person in his life.
successfully affected his target with any other Presence
Discipline, his player and the target’s player make an From the outside, it appears that the Ventrue pri-
additional contested Willpower roll against a difficulty mogen simply makes friendly eye contact with his target
of 8. If the Ventrue elder’s player wins, Distant Friend is and smiles, and for the rest of the night the target is
planted in the target’s mind and, for the duration of the his willing thrall.
effect, any time the Ventrue comes up in conversation , This power costs 30 experience points to learn.
the warm memories evoked by the Presence discipline GANGREL
surge to the fore, coloring anything the target has to
ALPHA GLINT
say on the matter. (ANIMALISM ••••, FORTITUDE •••)
Duration depends on the degrees of success in the Gangrel resilience is legendary in Kindred circles,
Willpower roll. Distant Friend remains in the mind of the as is their lethality in combat. This Discipline makes
target for one month per net success (after subtracting the Kindred’s toughness shine through her skin in a
the target’s successes from the Ventrue player’s). way that cows her enemies and makes them despair of
This power costs 20 experience points to learn. defeating her — in battle or otherwise. The primary use
APPROXIMATION OF LOYALTY ABSOLUTE of this Discipline is to ward off unsought combat, but
(DOMINATE •••••, PRESENCE •••••) it has also been used effectively by Gangrel to hold off
The Ventrue penchant for toying with the hearts political opponents in meetings of the primogen.
and minds of others is well known, but this particular System: The Gangrel calls upon her Beast and
combination Discipline is one of the more devastating pushes it into “broadcasting” her invulnerability to the
manifestations of those skills. The primogen catches the Beasts of those in her vicinity. This power works on ani-
eye of a target and the target succumbs to a mind-numbing mals and Kindred and to a lesser degree on Lupines, but
sycophantic adoration of his newly recognized master for not at all on creatures without a Beast to communicate
the rest of the evening. In effect, the results are like the with (such as mortals).
blood bond, though more intense and lasting only one Add the character’s Charisma + Animal Ken to
night. This last point is considered by many users of this her Willpower rating (the added Willpower is only for
Discipline to be an advantage, as there are few things more the purpose of Alpha Glint). The player then makes
inconvenient than a tool that has served its purpose yet a contested Willpower roll against all those acting ag-
refuses to go away. While the thrall can leave the presence gressively toward her (in the case of Lupines, halve the
of his master with no impact on his thralldom, doing so number of successes, rounding down, before adding them
causes him great anxiety and emotional pain. to the Gangrel’s Willpower — werewolves just aren’t that

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intimidated by a Gangrel vampire’s “invulnerability”). voice, a subtle facial tic, a darkly gleeful look in your
If the Gangrel wins, her opponent is cowed and behaves eyes or something similar. All attempts to lie, regardless
respectfully toward her for the rest of the scene. of the circumstances, audience or goal, are made at +2
It costs 20 experience points to learn this power. to the difficulty.
MERITS AND FLAWS THE TOLL POWER TAKES
Natural Leader (4-point Social Merit) From early
on in your breathing days you have had a deep intui- A vampire may take on an office like the primogen seat
tive understanding of what motivates others, how to looking only at the short-term consequences and advan-
inspire them and how to get them excited about fol- tages, never giving consideration to the long-term effects
lowing you. The difficulty of all Charisma rolls aimed such an ethically challenging position might have.
at rallying others (individuals or groups) to your side Those consequences, unfortunately, cannot be ig-
is decreased by 2. nored.
Slowed Degeneration (5-point Mental Merit) Your Decades, if not centuries, of power plays and
Humanity is strong and can more easily withstand the treachery cannot help but take their toll on a character’s
Beast’s assaults. The difficulty of all Conscience rolls ethical well-being. The stresses of Kindred politics — the
is only 6 (instead of the customary 8). This degree of inescapable webs of lies, the interminable intrigues, the
moral resilience allows a well behaved vampire to lose cycles of alliance and betrayal — amplify and acceler-
Humanity at a much slower rate than would otherwise be ate the loss of Humanity already inherent in being a
possible. For those who don’t value Humanity, however vampire. In such a position, honesty and compassion
, it simply means that the Cainite can wreak a bit more become weaknesses. The redeeming traits associated
havoc before falling to the Beast. with Humanity become pathogens that the vampire
Bad Liar (4-point Social Flaw) Regardless of how must eradicate in herself lest they undermine her ability
well you know the arts of subterfuge or how clever you to perform her duties effectively.
think you are, some unconscious tell-tale sign gives This trap can ensnare even Kindred who fancy
you away when you are lying: a subtle quaver in your themselves relatively compassionate, who feel that they

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105
retain enough warmth and decency that they could never considerations” from three other primogen. While he
become like the cold and inhuman elders they see found it distasteful, he found that as his ethical standards
around them. dropped, his success rate on the council went up com-
Yet, with a daunting frequency, they do. mensurately. In time, Karabey became very successful.
That’s not to say that any Cainite who takes a seat In the space of five years, Karabey’s standing among
on the primogen council is destined to become a raven- the Kindred of Istanbul skyrocketed. His understanding
ing monster. Though that is clearly the path of least of the political games of the Kindred seemed almost
resistance, a primogen can retain her Humanity; it just intuitive. He is currently the likely successor to the
requires constant attention and an acute awareness current prince although she shows no interest in leav-
of self as well as attention to her conscience (both as ing her position. All it took was favoring the practical
an abstract concept and as the game mechanic called over the idealistic a time or two, keeping a few secrets,
Virtue). strategically revealing a few others and applying pressure
where it most needed to be felt (or, in game terms, the
THE DYNAMICS OF CORRUPTION loss of 3 points from his Humanity rating).
Ironically, it tends to be the idealists who fall He (and Clan Brujah) now dominate the opium
fastest — the ones who say they’ll never willingly kill trade through and around Istanbul; he has mortals at
another, never take what is not freely given and never every level of government beholden to him; and he
lie for power. Almost invariably it is the bleeding hearts owns five thriving nightclubs where club-goers are only
who, in time, grow to feel that they’re being weak, too happy to let him (and his allies) feed from them
stupid, taken advantage of. When they finally come to in exchange for a VIP pass or a small baggy of smack.
that conclusion — as they almost invariably do — the The Malkavian primogen, once his only enemy on the
tactics they adopt to slake their bitterness send them council, was recently taken into custody by the police. It
plummeting down the scale of Humanity and into the was an accident, of course, and the authorities realized
jaws of the awaiting Beast in record time. The dynamics their mistake in relatively short order, but it was two in
of “why?” aren’t even that complex. the afternoon on a bright summer day when they tossed
Example: Terhan Karabey, the Brujah primogen of his torpid body out the small station’s south-facing side
Istanbul (with an almost unheard of Humanity rating of entrance to make room for real criminals ….
8), won his seat on the council through entirely honor- While Karabey might make a fine prince, he sacri-
able means, a tactic he hoped to make emblematic of ficed a good deal of what would have made him a truly
his entire tenure on the council. good prince simply to make it as a primogen. Karabey’s
His unflinching idealism, however, began making experience, while more extreme than most, illustrates
him enemies almost immediately. He refused absolutely to the circumstances most primogen find themselves in:
participate in “horse-trading,” subtly alienating the other learning the extent to which ethics and power are
primogen (who saw his stance as simultaneously arrogant mutually exclusive.
and naïve). Likewise, his refusal to tell the prince the Power and prestige are motivators unlike any others.
comforting lies that she wanted to hear further weakened In the space of a few years they have turned enlightened
his position in Elysium. Even Clan Brujah, renowned for college idealists into pitiless and calculating corporate
sticking together, began to question the wisdom of letting lawyers, activists into reactionaries and young hopefuls
Karabey represent them on the council. into paranoid despots.
With vote after vote going against him, Karabey grew And that’s among mortals.
bitter. Despite his years of undead existence, he main-
Increase the time ten- or a hundredfold, then do
tained the (inaccurate) opinion that being forthright
the same to the rate of ethical decay, and the predica-
and aboveboard should result in the respect of others.
ment of the Kindred becomes clear. Time slowly erodes
Perhaps it should have, but, nevertheless, among the
the idealism of the young and the living under even
Kindred of Istanbul in 1998, it didn’t. In light of his
the best of circumstances, among the Kindred it chips
losses, he reexamined his ideals.
away at it relentlessly, and among those in positions
He began by making a handful of small concessions of power among the Kindred it uses jackhammers and
to “the way things work” — he looked the other way pile drivers.
when members of his clan began pushing into feeding
Given time, leaders inevitably feel that their sacri-
territory that wasn’t theirs; he broke a tie in the pri-
fices entitle them to the privilege of ignoring rules meant
mogen chambers, contrary to his ideals and breaking an
for “commoners.” If nothing else, the responsibilities and
unspoken alliance in doing so, in exchange for “future
stressors of their role push them into circumstances that
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106
challenge their ethics. Regrettably, once these ethical Any Cainite wishing to hold on to her Humanity
prohibitions or barriers fall, they are almost impossible can do so provided she makes doing so her priority. Go-
to rebuild. ing with the flow, surrendering to entropy and letting
The occasional white lie gives way to lies of conve- the Beast call the shots will result in a surprisingly brief
nience, which in turn give way to skillful lies woven to unlife. The alternative to falling to the Beast is to think
consolidate power. An individual who lies as a matter of before acting at every juncture and choose the conscien-
course can’t help but assume that others are doing the tious path over the expeditious or immediately gratifying
same. A liar knows he cannot be trusted and is therefore one. A Cainite wishing to eke out her Humanity must
incapable of trusting others. Consequently the liar can be on close terms with her conscience.
never take another at his word, he has to second-guess To make things just a bit more complex, she must
everyone’s motives, making him paranoid, which makes do all this without making it obvious that she is doing
him adopt more extreme methods to protect himself, so. Kindred who cleave to their Humanity too obvi-
which makes him all the more concerned about the ously are a little suspect, like the geeky Christian kid
ethical lapses of those around him (who, he fears, might who brings his Bible to class everyday. As fashionable
be doing the same thing he is). and necessary as it is for Kindred to hold on to their
In the long run, there is no winning. A victory by Humanity, it is most unfashionable to be obvious about
the Kindred results in more control, more power and it, and any Cainite who too clearly displays the degree to
more temptation, while a loss sends the vampire into a which she cherishes her Humanity risks being shunned
fit of bitterness, scheming and plotting, whereupon he as a “goody two-shoes” geek.
permits himself to use even less ethical means (i.e., more On the other hand, those who are visibly struggling
ghouls, less savory methods, slicker lies, etc.), risking with their Humanity or who seem to enter frenzy a little
more Humanity, to win the next round. too often are watched with a suspicion that almost
FALLING FROM THE PATH seems like hunger. Ostensibly, seeing a fellow fall to
his Beast is horrible, but the Beasts of every Kindred
Under such circumstances, it’s not unheard of for present derive a heady satisfaction from seeing such a
primogen to fall off the Path of Humanity. Those who do, fall, and the more highly placed the Cainite the more
however, had best hide their new outlook on unlife. The gratifying the Beast finds it. The morbid curiosity of
powers that be are more than happy to rid themselves mortals is nothing compared to the fascination with
of a young or incompetent primogen (or prince, for that decay to which Cainites are prone.
matter) whose ethics are too questionable. A powerful
The simplest way to maintain the Path of Humanity
or necessary primogen will always be given the benefit
is to practice it: kindness, mercy and common etiquette
of the doubt however dubious his morality.
are crucial habits for the Cainite who wishes to see his
Degeneration is like the erosion of a building’s fa- Humanity withstand the years. Those things are harder
çade — subtle, relentless and slow. For gaming purposes, to preserve than they may at first glance seem. The Beast
characters are considered to be in a state of moral equi- amplifies anger into rage, anxiety into paranoia and an-
librium that is occasionally punctuated by moments of noyance into hatred. Likewise, under its ministrations,
willful abandonment of conscience. In truth, Humanity the search for safety and comfort becomes an ongoing
slips away grain by grain as the Beast taunts, tempts and quest for power; the stronger the Beast, the more ag-
torments the Cainite away from the ethics of his breathing gressive the desire for power.
years and into thoughts and deeds that are — initially,
The crucial question here is why would the vampire
at least — just the slightest bit horrifying. Through the
even want to hold on to her Humanity in the first place?
endless procession of conflict-laden nights, thoughts and
Isn’t it easier to go with the flow, seek out a more natural
deeds that were once unthinkable become thinkable (if
approach to unlife? The answer is not necessarily. While
repellent) and then slowly lose their repellency as they
it is notoriously difficult to maintain, the Path of Hu-
become familiar and perhaps even comfortable.
manity is, even in the face of the Beast’s onslaught, the
FIGHTING FOR HUMANITY easiest path to maintain through the years. The artificial
Degeneration is by no means a fait accompli for nature of the other Paths of Enlightenment make them
Cainites in positions of power, but it is the easiest road to less intuitive and therefore harder to maintain in the
take and the one uniformly chosen by lowest-common- long term. Between the Path of Humanity and the other
denominator Kindred. Giving in to entropy is always Paths of Enlightenment is a void that must be leapt,
easier than struggling against it. and over the centuries many, many, many Cainites have

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 made the leap and never reached the other side. These
pathetic failures are claimed first by the Beast, then, in
short order, by Final Death.
Despite the tedium of holding on to it, Human-
ity has an unmistakable value. Cainites with more
Humanity can empathize with mortals more easily,
making it easier for them to move among them and
interact with them constructively. Higher Humanity
allows one to rise earlier to begin one’s night, and,
allegedly, for those interested in such things, it makes
the quest for Golconda easier.
It is easier for a Cainite to view mortals as sus-
tenance, but those who resist that temptation have
a better chance of keeping their Humanity intact.
Every Cainite experiences, at some point in her
unlife, the urge to distance herself from mortals, to
dehumanize them, in order to make feeding upon
them less traumatic. Those who give in to this urge
have a poor prognosis for making it through the long
night with their Humanity intact. While denying the
value of the life of one’s prey makes it easier to feed
in the short term, the long-term consequences of that
approach — the hastened fall to the Beast — are in
no way preferable.
Humanity, obviously, is not the only game in town.
There are other alternatives to falling to the Beast, but
adopting an alternative Path of Enlightenment is neither
lightly nor easily done. A vampire does not consciously
think, “My Humanity is almost gone. Perhaps I’d be
better off to adopt this ’Path of Death and the Soul’
that I’ve heard so much about.”
First, abandoning the Path of Humanity without
falling prey to the Cainite’s Beast is extraordinarily dif-
ficult. One does not simply turn off the conscience that
one has lived with and possibly even cultivated over
decades (if not centuries). Ignoring one’s conscience
and choosing to do evil is a different thing entirely
from having no conscience to begin with. Giving up
the Path of Humanity is far more difficult than simply
willing one’s conscience to shut up when it kicks in. The
conscience must be systematically and entirely shrugged
off. There are some mortals without consciences. They
are called sociopaths.
Sociopathy, the state of having no conscience, is
the starting point for all those who aspire to another
Path of Enlightenment. That, in part, is what makes
the other paths so wholly alien.
Paths of Enlightenment are unnatural. Mortals may
be able to loosely conceive of a life based entirely on the
philosophy of the undead, but the Paths of Enlightenment
are always seen through the lens of Humanity, granting
them a weird or freakish appeal. To those actually fol-
lowing, say, the Path of Power and the Inner Voice, it is
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108
not freakish, it is simply the way things are, a framework Enlightenment is going to begin having trouble relating
of some kind of internally consistent rationality strong to her Kindred peers. She will possess a coldness that
enough to keep the Beast in check. makes others uneasy. Since any vampire on another
While the Path of Humanity comes easily as a Path remains a sociopath, she may begin assuming that
vampire’s “native mode,” a Cainite needs an instructor others are as free of conscience as she. A primogen on
and a great deal of guidance to adopt any other Path the Path of Death and the Soul is going to have an
of Enlightenment. They are not obvious or instinctual. extraordinarily difficult time relating to clan members
They are complex codes of behavior that need to be whose Humanity is intact. They will seem weak and
studied and learned by heart before Cainites have a fearful to her while she, in turn, will seem cold and
chance in hell of successfully following them. bloodthirsty to them.
By way of comparison, the Path of Humanity was It is not easy to disguise other Paths of Enlighten-
not mastered in a day. It was, most likely, inculcated into ment. Once the warm spark of Humanity is extinguished,
the Cainite in her breathing days by all the institutions it is difficult to fake convincingly for any length of time.
that shape mortals — family, church, school, etc. — and As long as suspicions remain suspicions, the Cainite
unless she was a sociopath, the Path of Humanity had need not fear, but if the Cainite’s change of viewpoint
likely taken root by the beginning of adolescence at the comes to the attention of stalwart Camarilla backers,
very latest. the key here is that it took years to learn, it will be a problem.
and the other Paths take at least as long to learn. The Camarilla does not soft-peddle its support for
To get around this, some vampires (of those few Humanity as the proper approach to unlife. It is Humanity
who realize that a Path is even necessary) try to cobble that has allowed Kindred to blend into the cityscape and
together some mixture of two or more Paths of En- live among mortals in relative peace. It is Humanity that
lightenment that they believe will be easier for them has allowed the Camarilla to establish its extraordinary
to learn and follow. degree of influence in the mortal world. Those who turn to
Unfortunately for them, pursuing a Path of Enlight- some other Path of Enlightenment are dangerous heretics
enment half-heartedly, or following a half-assed hybrid at the very least or, more likely, Sabbat sympathizers.
of two or more paths, is a recipe for disaster. While no The clans most dedicated to the Camarilla cause all
Path of Enlightenment is as convenient or as natural as have their own reasons for looking askance at the other
Humanity, the other paths do at least have the advantage Paths of Enlightenment. To the Tremere, the other
of being time-tested. It’s a chill wind that blows through Paths are a reminder of the darker, infernal roads that
the unlife of vampires, and even a thin wall between have claimed certain of their number. To the Toreador,
oneself and it is better than no wall at all. Those Kindred the Path of Humanity is what grants them the leisure
who have adopted homespun Paths of Enlightenment to pursue their decadent unlives of art and glamour. To
usually do so as a last-ditch measure when they realize the Ventrue, the Path of Humanity is one of the key
that their time on the Path of Humanity is running out elements separating the Camarilla from the monsters
fast and they need straws to grasp at. of the Sabbat.
All that said, some Cainite elders do manage to Many elders of the Camarilla hold on to their
make the transition. Surprisingly (to some, anyway) Humanity not out of any great love for that system,
it doesn’t necessarily make things easier. On the con- but because of the potentially enormous consequences
trary, a Camarilla Cainite adopting another Path of involved in switching Paths.

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 CHAPTER FIVE:
STORYTELLING

Let us start by saying that this section is primarily diplomatic community, the relationship between the
for the Storyteller, but some of the information herein United States and the Soviet Union constantly evolved.
may also be useful for players. Since storytelling can be a Indeed, the events during the war set the stage for the
daunting task, the addition of managing a believable and complex relations thereafter, not the least of which
interesting primogen council can be especially intimidat- was fifty years of Cold War. In a similar vein mortals
ing. The purpose of this section then, is to help lay the neatly divide history into concise little eras, but there
foundations for storytelling a complex organization like was never an end to the political maneuvering and
a group of primogen and slip that council into a story scheming associated with the war. The happenings of
(pre-existing or no) in an effort to present a meaningful the primogen continue in a similar manner.
and rewarding challenge for the players. A major problem with some chronicles is that
Storytelling a primogen chronicle requires a good Storytellers expect clear beginnings and endings to
deal of preparation. As opposed to other types of develop naturally through the course of their stories.
chronicles, especially those that focus on combat, a This assumption is especially dangerous in a primogen
political chronicle often has very little closure. Kindred chronicle. Often, the result is little or no resolution to
politics are just like the real world. Wars are declared, plotline or, worse yet, plotlines arbitrarily ending in an
waged and brought to conclusion. Fights begin and abrupt effort to bring closure. Your challenge as a Story-
end. Projects are begun and then concluded. The game teller creating a plot that focuses on the primogen is to
of politics, however, is never finished. A real-world present a story which has a definite beginning, middle
example is World War II, which was waged (at least and end while at the same time providing a sense of
by the United States) in the early part of the 1940s. history and continuity.
By 1946 the war was over. The politics of the war pre- Politics, like the ocean, has eddies, some of which
ceded, continued through and then moved well beyond present excellent starting points for a chronicle. The
the war. For example, despite the strains of war on the key is creating one of these opportunities to introduce

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111
your players into the high-stakes world of the primogen. information by accident or through connection with
To continue the ocean metaphor, a Storyteller needs Kindred society. Status may create an opportunity for
to create a finite stretch of beach that can extend into those who respect the character to offer information in
the depths of the sea. hopes of gaining favor or attention. In the end, it all
THE PRIMOGEN COUNCIL comes down to how creative you want to be.
AS STORYTELLER TOOL Alternatively, instead of tailoring information for
Rather than placing the players’ characters at the each character, a Storyteller can simply provide blanket
head of the council, you can use the primogen as a updates to the group as a whole. E-mail and handouts
source for developing Storyteller characters. given before the session begins can help bring the players
up to speed with the events of the city. If the informa-
The primogen are all about ambition. Primogen are
tion is given out to the player group in this fashion, the
not nice people and use that fact to their advantage. The
Storyteller needs to make sure to add information not
council members hold their positions for years on end
about the primogen but rather about the city in general.
because they are cutthroat, constantly working against
Presentation of other events beyond the workings of the
one another and redefining their roles. The result of
council helps create a more immersive environment and
all these machinations is that the primogen council of
make the world come to life, thus allowing the council
one city at one particular time will be entirely different
also to come to life. Extra information also helps hide
from the council at another time. You as the Storyteller
the important tidbits, giving characters clues to the
need to reinforce the idea of an ever-changing political
story without spoon-feeding them.
environment to the players, to create a feeling of change
and motion that surrounds the primogen council. To DEFINING THE COUNCIL
create the idea of motion a Storyteller needs to have a Once you have chosen the vehicle by which you will
vehicle in which to present the changes of the primo- provide the information about the primogen, you need
gen. Luckily, these vehicles are neither hard to make then to create the council in detail. Let’s be honest, the
nor terribly time-consuming. more detail you have on the council, the more in depth
The time between gaming sessions (downtime) and compelling the story potentially can be. Primogen are
is an invaluable resource that you can use in order to complicated characters and develop appropriately compli-
make the primogen a dynamic institution. Occasional cated and interesting relationships. You are not doing your
updates to the players on the happenings of the primogen players or Storyteller characters any justice if you make the
can provide that sense of motion while also presenting plans and plots of the primogen simple matters.
opportunities for starting stories. The first question a The next stage is giving the characters personalities.
Storyteller needs to tackle when highlighting a body of Because most primogen councils are typically composed
primogen is to decide how they will present appropriate of anywhere from five to eight members (give or take a
information to the player characters without flashing a few), defining each member with Traits and a full write-
neon sign screaming “story hook here!” up is often not an option. Such depth, while useful, is
One option is to provide session-by-session updates not always necessary, especially in a political campaign.
as to what is happening in the city that the player charac- Unless you anticipate your players actually getting into
ters frequent. Stay aware of the characters’ backgrounds a physical confrontation with the primogen, noting
and ambitions, and you should find a number of outlets their general abilities and where their strengths and
in which to provide pertinent information and possibly weaknesses lie is probably enough. To this end, note
spark the interest of a player. The Contacts and Influence cards with a couple paragraphs of reminders and notes
backgrounds provide convenient resources for filtering are handy for keeping track of the primogen.
information about the goings-on of the primogen to From there, describing the history of each member,
the players. Tailoring the information according to the their personalities, and their goals is necessary. Again, a
Contacts or Influence type is an excellent way to give general outline is usually enough. Knowing what each
players a use for their relevant backgrounds as well as member did in detail over the last 60 years or so is a
give them a feeling of being connected to the politics bit more than you probably will ever need. Granted, at
of the city. some point this information may prove useful, but more
Beyond Contacts and Influence, other backgrounds often than not a Storyteller’s time can be better spent.
like Herd and Status can provide similar information Keep the background to generalities; you can always
in the right circumstances. Exceptionally large or well fill in the details later, maybe adding players’ character
connected herds may come across primogen-related aspects into those backgrounds.

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 Some more should be said in regard to detailing the
goals of the primogen. Attitudes and attributes are easy
enough to make up during a game. Using the goals of
the Storyteller characters within a story usually requires
a bit of planning in order to execute it properly. Thus,
spending some time with each individual goal — defin-
ing why it exists, what the optimal end result for the
character is and how he plans on fulfilling that goal —
should give you a good idea of just who the primogen
is and why he accepted the position.
In a politically driven story, the goals and desires
of the primogen council might well become a focal
point of the players. Make sure to create different sets
of goals. Some goals are private (such as a Toreador’s
secret blood cult), while some goals are certainly much
more public (like a Nosferatu’s thinly veiled desire to
claim the princedom). Additionally, like the Toreador
example above, not all goals need to be politically re-
lated. Having a handful of personal goals unassociated
with politics will go a long way in giving the primogen
more personality and depth of character. Remember,
just because a goal is not politically motivated does not
mean it is not useful in the negotiations of a council.
Knowing the most private and personal desires of an
enemy (or ally for that matter) may be the most devas-
tating currency another Kindred can hold.
It is certainly okay, and in fact probably desirable,
for your players to know about a few of the goals of
the primogen right from the beginning. Moreover, al-
lowing them to uncover others as the story progresses
will give them a feeling of accomplishment and po-
tentially a valuable piece of leverage. The goals of the
Storyteller characters are there to help the Storyteller
advance the plot, and sometimes that advancement
can occur through it being uncovered before it ever
sees fruition.
With the goals of the major players defined, the
next step is to detail the means by which each primo-
gen plans to make those goals come into reality. Even
the most far-fetched desire also carries with it a plan to
make it work. Any rational character (and Malkavians,
as well) knows her strengths and will set goals that play
to those strengths. Spending some time going over how
the primogen plans to use her existing resources or
gather appropriate new ones will pay off in the form of
a more in-depth background for the character. Goals of
the primogen intertwine with other council members’
goals, as do their means for completion.
As for respect for the primogen and their goals,
remember that not all primogen are appreciated by
their own clans. Some are even reviled as the lapdogs
of the prince or political sell-outs. Do not assume that

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each primogen commands the respect of his clanmates. THE ALPHA PERSONALITY
A major goal of a number of primogen is simply to stay Not all primogen are created equal. Like any political
in the good graces of the individuals whom she sup- institution, be it a town hall meeting or the Star Cham-
posedly represents. Additionally, it is common for the ber, some personalities rise to the top and others are all
status of the primogen to rise and fall in the esteem but forgotten. Each primogen council has its winners
of his clanmates as the primogen is able to advance and losers, its dominant personalities and its toadies.
the goals of her clanmates within the city. Nothing Clearly identifying which members lead the council
is static in politics, least of all the popularity of a clan can set the tone of the primogen as a whole.
representative.
It would be a rare occurrence to see all the members
The final step is bringing it all together. Fill in any of the primogen working in relatively equal stations. Yet,
gaps in history or redefine relationships between mem- in many stories, each primogen is often relatively equal
bers if it better fits your story or the dynamics between in power to the other members. To spice things up, make
the players and their characters. Discuss which other it so that one Kindred or maybe a pair of them dominate
primogen the Kindred genuinely enjoy being around the council. They are the ones to broach delicate topics.
and which they find politically advantageous to ally They are the ones with the contacts, resources and allies
with. Think about which primogen have histories of to have things done with little interference. They are
animosity between themselves and which ones just the ones the other clans either respect or loathe, but
can’t stand the sight of one another. Just like other certainly no one is ambivalent to them. These strong
Kindred, the primogen can be very petty; don’t make personalities can be beneficent or hateful, but they will
every relationship and tidbit a deep piece of treasured inevitably inspire the players to action.
information. Sometimes things really are as they ap-
It is not unlikely for a council to have two strong
pear, and the same goes for the relationships and goals
members. Usually, where one influential member will
of the primogen.
create an atmosphere of tyranny on the council, two
If it helps, draw a flowchart between members, major personalities will create conflict. This axiom is
noting their resources, goals and feelings about one certainly not universal, but it can serve as a good rule
another. The flowchart can serve as a quick primer to of thumb. Since primogen are, by nature, ambitious
the primogen for the players and a handy reminder for creatures, they are unlikely to rely on the trust nec-
the Storyteller. essary to work with other members for anything but
Finally, be prepared to take notes while storytelling. short-term goals.
Inevitably the players will become intrigued by some On the other hand, two strong members may work
part of the plot that never really existed but makes sense together in opposition to the prince, creating a situation
from their point of view. Be prepared occasionally to of possible stability on the council but with a good deal
go with those revelations on the part of the players, of conflict in the greater politics of the city. Similarly,
noting the appropriate changes and assumptions. The a single personality may normally create a despotic
players are an excellent resource for ideas. Many of those situation, but a prince can easily challenge singular
ideas come into being as they brainstorm in character dominance, upsetting the primogen tyrant. Avoid
or attempt to solve a particularly vexing puzzle. Oc- making too many members extremely connected and
casionally, these in-character sessions can present new excessively powerful. It is usually better to err on the side
and innovative perspectives on the story, and just as of keeping the power to a few and possibly expanding
often those interpretations are as interesting as what that power and influence as the story progresses.
the Storyteller has prepared. With good notes and a
Don’t fall into the trap of making these leaders
willingness to reevaluate the storyline, a Storyteller
one-dimensional. It is often easy to sum these Kindred
can modify the plot along the lines of what the players
up in a few words: “a vampiric Thomas Jefferson” or
see through their characters.
“Machiavellian manipulator.” Such things work fine for
Stories become interesting as much in the creation a simple statement of concept. Yet when these Kindred
stages as they do midway through completion. The are boiled down into stereotypes they lose the aspect
ability to work on the fly and analyze (and use) what that makes them interesting. Sure, the players may use
the players and their characters are doing within the these stereotypes to remember these high-rollers, but
plot can mean the difference between a frustrating story to keep an engrossing plot going (as any good politi-
where nothing is accomplished and a story that both cal campaign needs) the story also needs complex and
the Storyteller and players see through to a satisfying interesting personalities.
conclusion.

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 Thomas Jefferson may have written the Declara- Kindred do not exist across sects. The full brunt of a
tion of Independence, but he was also a diplomat, a primogen’s ruthlessness can come to bear in full on a
philosopher, a rebel and a bit of a romantic. To become Sabbat pack, leading to some particularly uncomfort-
a good mentor or enemy, your vampiric analog needs able situations.
to have a similar amount of complexity. Anarchs or Sabbat who confront a primogen need to
be aware of the primogen’s power within her home city.
THE PRIMOGEN Usually, primogen focus only on the affairs of their own
AS ANTAGONISTS city (they are too busy to focus elsewhere), and working
Using primogen as the antagonists in a story is not against them also means fighting them on their home
like using a prince. The stakes are usually smaller and turf. The primogen gained their positions because they
the adversary (the primogen, in this case) is also nor- are well connected and smart enough to maintain those
mally less visible. Whereas the prince claims domain positions; thus, though they are not as important as a
over the width and breadth of the city, the primogen prince, they are certainly just as dangerous. Arousing
are masters of their own spheres of influence, and those the animosity of multiple primogen can mean all sorts
spheres usually do not cover the entirety of a city. The of trouble, usually focusing on social institutions.
end result is an enemy that is often more devious (and Primogen fight each other using influence in the
ruthless) because his position is more in doubt and his institutions of the city, and they will use the same
resources are limited. resources to fight Sabbat or anarch characters as well.
By no means does a primogen antagonist have to be While Sabbat or anarch characters may be used to
a pushover. The same reason that she is not as powerful fighting street-level battles, they will discover their
as a Prince can also lead a primogen to be that much primogen enemy striking in unexpected and hard-to-
more devious and wily. Sure, it’s easier to gain access to combat avenues. A Sabbat pack that is used to fighting
a primogen and make her disappear, but it also means Camarilla Brujah enforcers or occasionally facing a rogue
that a primogen enemy is well aware of the situation Lupine may discover just how treacherous the workings
and willing to do everything in her power to maintain of a city are when the police post an All Points Bulletin
her unlife as well as her seat. A primogen antagonist on the characters.
is ruthless, conniving and much quicker to respond to
attacks than a prince.
THE PRIMOGEN AS ALLIES
A primogen who sees the players’ characters as Just as they may be difficult enemies, the primogen
possible threats to her position is an enemy who is can also present a source of mentors or allies for the
just as willing to make a preemptive strike as she is to players. Primogen who favor the players’ characters are
defend herself. It is not unlikely for a primogen to be treated as other amicable Storyteller characters, except
completely paranoid, seeing enemies in every shadow, for two things. First off, the primogen allies almost
and the characters may find themselves on the wrong invariably have a good deal of political background
side of these delusions. and influence in different parts of the city to call upon.
Then again, maybe the players really are gunning Other allies may be one-dimensional or specialize in a
for the primogen. They do not necessarily need to seek very specific thing. Primogen, on the other hand, will
the seat of the primogen; they may have a long-standing know a great deal about the inner workings of the city
rivalry with the council member and his position is and should have access to other Kindred who might be
merely an extra wrinkle in that situation. If the play- able to do or know the things that the primogen does
ers do indeed see the primogen as an enemy because of not have readily available. Thus, not only is a primogen
his seat, then the players become usurpers and begin a ally a useful source of information and favors in his own
Primogen to Be story (see below) . right, he also has access to a wide variety of contacts and
allies of his own that he may call on to aid the players.
Primogen antagonists do not need to focus only on
This help, of course, usually comes with a price.
Camarilla Kindred. Sabbat and anarch characters may
well find themselves at the wrong end of a powerful The second point about primogen allies is that they
primogen’s ire. Cities that have Camarilla and either are usually very busy. While they may be wonderful
Sabbat or anarchs are likely to have primogen who see outlets of information and advice for the characters,
the other sects as enemies. In this case, the primogen they are not always going to be available — probably
has little to no barriers as to her actions. The few rules less so than most Kindred. So, yes, they are extremely
that she must abide by when dealing with Camarilla useful and versatile as allies, but they are also limited

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in the amount of attention they are willing to give to are important aspects of a primogen game. Similarly,
any particular group. The way around this, of course, is interaction is a key element. Character development,
for the players to make their characters especially useful in this case more than experience points or adding
for the primogen ally, gaining more of his attention but another dot to an Attribute, is going to be an absolute
also performing more complicated favors in return. must. If a particular group of players are uncomfortable
or awkward while acting out their characters, then a
CHARACTERS AS PRIMOGEN primogen chronicle may not be for them. Storytellers
All the information on creating and running pri- know their players best, and it ultimately falls to their
mogen Storyteller characters found throughout this judgment to decide what is best and most interesting
book is all well and good, but the real question for many for the group.
Storytellers is if characters can play primogen and how Not all groups are composed of like-minded indi-
to do such a thing. Right from the start, you need to viduals. In fact, it’s probably a rarity to have an entire
know that a primogen chronicle is going to rub some group of players who all want to do the same thing.
players the wrong way. On the other hand, and more Thus, at some point a primogen-centered chronicle
in line for what this book is geared to do, some players may be appropriate for the group, allowing some play-
out there (and Storytellers as well) are chomping at the ers to involve themselves in deep politics while others
bit to play a political campaign with a little kick. That are able to aid the politicians via other avenues. Some
kick can come from letting players act as primogen, the suggestions for groups with different motivations can
power brokers and leaders of their respective city. be found below.
Before we go on, you as a Storyteller should evalu-
ate what types of stories your players enjoy. For some STYLES OF PLAY
players, the greatest enjoyment they can get is to take an A number of different styles of play are available for
elder on in head-to-head combat and come out battered, a primogen story. The biggest differences revolve around
bruised and otherwise worse for wear, but victorious. the number of player characters who are involved. The
For others, the intrigue of backroom dealings and in- more players a Storyteller has in the group who enjoy a
depth role-playing is the pinnacle of their enjoyment. roleplaying challenge, the more players she can involve
Another group bounces between the two styles. Still directly with the primogen.
another group has yet to set its sights on any particular SINGLE CHARACTER PRIMOGEN
style, primarily because the players have yet to experi-
ence the different styles fully. For what it’s worth, do not In this style, a single player involves his character
force your players into a primogen chronicle, as their directly on the council. His character sits on the coun-
negative reaction to a game style they find unsuited to cil, able to influence the outcome of decisions directly,
their tastes could grind a game to a halt. hobnob with the Kindred elite (at least, as close as elite
comes in the Storyteller’s chosen city) and generally
In the end, a primogen chronicle is going to be
fend for his political unlife.
played best by Storyteller and players who enjoy solv-
ing mysteries. At its heart, politics is all about solving The primogen character is likely to become the
mysteries. For a good primogen story to be run correctly, focus of the game. He is the one with whom the “im-
the same elements of a good mystery novel need to also portant” decisions are made and who risks his political
be in place. Storytellers need to have at the ready such reputation. Often, the other characters will play support
things as red herrings, in order to divert the attention positions, using their various abilities and knowledge
of the players so that their victory will be all the sweeter to aid the primogen.
because of the difficulty involved. There should also be Gaining a primogen position is sometimes ridicu-
foils, to help create antagonism and obstructions that lously easy. However easy it was to gain the position,
are not necessarily hostile to the player characters. Of keeping it is the hard part. Primogen characters will
course, you need a mystery. This mystery does not always need help, and a coterie that has undergone experiences
have to be couched in layer after layer of misdirection together forms a wonderful support group. Gathering
and confusion; sometimes it can be very simple, such information on a rival, garnering influence in a particular
as figuring out how to convince the Toreador primogen sector or eliminating a possible threat are all activities
to vote a certain way. that a primogen character will need help with if he
Just like a mystery, identifying pertinent informa- wishes to keep his seat. The non-primogen characters
tion, analyzing that information and devising plans can perform the dirty work of their primogen fellow,

COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
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doing the things that a primogen can never do while
he occupies a position of such high visibility.
A single character primogen story needs to have
at least one player with a strong personality and good
leadership instincts who will play the highlighted char-
acter. The other players need to accept the primogen
player in this role, preferably with little to no resentment
of the attention and power granted to the primogen
council member.
In some ways, this can be the easiest style of pri-
mogen chronicle. The council member character is
able to make decisions, usually with the support of the
group. Moreover, decisions by the primogen character
do not necessarily jeopardize the political positions of
other players’ characters. Infighting between characters
(assuming that all the characters in the coterie are
generally amicable) is kept to a minimum.
The problems with this style are that the interac-
tion between players can become quite nasty due to
the nature of the story. With a single player (or two) as
major forces in Kindred politics and the others support-
ing cast, the Storyteller runs the real risk of alienating
some of the players. Players want their characters to be
in the spotlight at some time or another, and playing a
character who is constantly overshadowed by a primogen
character is no fun. This alienation can lead to trouble
as players compete among themselves for the attention
of the Storyteller.
To avert what can be the potentially disastrous
results of a hierarchy developing between the players
and their characters, a Storyteller needs to be aware of
which characters are highlighted during different stories.
Make sure that players have ample opportunity to make
their characters stand out. While the primogen may be
first among equals, the rest of the cast needs to receive
the attention it deserves.
A GROUP OF PRIMOGEN
The Group of Primogen story allows a number of
players to assume the positions of council members. Here,
most of the players’ characters (if not all) occupy the
coveted seats of the primogen and vie among themselves
to complete their own agendas. They each potentially
have the ear of the prince and a decent amount of
influence and ambition under their sway.
The characters maneuver against Storyteller
characters as well as against each other, also giving aid
when it is beneficial. The key here is that the players’
characters are not necessarily all working to support one
another, and at times, may be at opposite ends of the
political spectrum, vehemently opposing one another
on divisive issues.

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117
 Characters can work together or against one another. those players and the Storyteller to maintain some type of
While working together they may create a political bloc, informal contact. Update letters, in-character e-mails and
forcing the other primogen to react and try to overcome telephone calls can all help retain some group coherency
the bloc. Unified in ideology or goals, a group of player even when the characters do not work together and the
character primogen may even challenge the wishes of the players meet infrequently.
prince. Much like a modern political party, the group shares TROUPE PRIMOGEN
a unified vision and uses its varied abilities to make that
vision come true. Another option available is using a troupe style of play.
Troupe play involves players managing a number of charac-
On the other end of the spectrum is a chronicle in
ters throughout a story. Each player creates a single, “lead”
which the players are not allied and may see each other as
character, in this case the primogen council member. From
enemies. No coterie or camaraderie is necessary within the
there, they also create less powerful or younger associates of
player group; instead each can be as mercenary, ambivalent
the primogen. These other characters can be allies, childer,
or ambitious as he wishes.
retainers, or just about any concept that can be reasonably
Strong and active players are required to run this type associated with the lead character.
of story, especially if conflict within the group is likely. A
For example, a player may create a Nosferatu primogen
single leader is not necessary, and may be one of the key
as his primary character. The Storyteller allows the player
conflicts of the story, as each character tries to assert her
to use extra freebie points to simulate the character’s age
dominance. Before starting a story like this, you must keep
and power. From there, the player, with Storyteller ap-
in mind that this type of game requires mature players,
proval, decides to create three other characters: the childe
ones who can divorce the animosity of the story with the
of the Nosferatu, a Gangrel compatriot and a ghoul cop
attitudes of the real world. Players are going to attempt to
who acts as a regular informant and occasional enforcer.
humiliate and outmaneuver each other’s characters, and
Using standard character creation rules, the player creates
feelings may well be hurt.
each of these secondary characters and uses the prelude to
It is a tough thing to see one’s character become inef- intertwine the histories of all the secondary characters into
fective or disgraced, doubly so when the act is done by a the history of the primary character. In the end, the player
player and not a Storyteller. Players may naturally become has four characters available. She plans to use the Nosferatu
offended or defensive, blurring the lines between character primogen the most often but also has the option of using
and player. You need to tread lightly in this style of game, her other characters for different types of stories.
maintaining good relationships with all the players and
With so many characters and different capabilities,
letting them know beforehand that a happy ending is not
both you and players have the ability to tell a story on a
a guarantee. In any good story, a Storyteller must be both
number of levels. Instead of simply using a certain number
flexible and understanding, but in this type of chronicle the
of dots in Contacts to gather a particular piece of informa-
players must be just as flexible.
tion, the actual process of gathering that information may
The other challenge in this type of game for you as the be roleplayed. Thus, the backroom or unseen dealings that
Storyteller is to stay on top of all that can happen. Since the are too often assumed simply to occur become stories unto
players wield a good deal of political power, and probably themselves.
have a good deal of ambition, it may be tough for you to
The only real rule to creating a troupe is to have one
keep track of all that is happening within the group, not to
primary character per player. As long as the primary char-
mention adding in the goings-on of the city.
acter is maintained and played fairly regularly, any number
The best way to solve this flood of activity is to employ of secondary characters may be created as long as the player
downtime to its fullest. Allow players to act toward their own and Storyteller are comfortable with the size and scope of
agendas during the time between games. Personal plotlines the troupe. It’s a good idea to integrate the stories of the
can be taken care of through individual sessions done with secondary characters with the background of the primary
only the involved players. Leaving the players a good deal character to create a bond between the player’s characters.
of leeway and ability to determine their own results (within The key then is to create a plausible reason that they would
reason) can help immensely reduce your workload, or at all associate with one another.
least spread out that work.
Players in a troupe primogen game can each play dif-
In fact, a group may meet only infrequently as a whole ferent council members as well as their loyal lackeys and
entity — maybe only when a primogen council meeting is hangers-on. Since some of the primary characters are bound
called. Otherwise, you and the players meet as they need and to disagree on certain issues, it is a good idea for players in
as the opportunity within the story arises. It may be some this style of game to have at least one neutral character that
time before the players see one another, and it falls to both they can use in games that might center on issues contrary
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
118
to the goals of their own primary characters, or on issues in the story while you are occupied can be a great relief. This
which their primary characters do not want to be involved. takes trust on both sides of the Storyteller’s screen, with
It’s even possible to have some secondary characters who players and Storyteller working to tell a good story.
dislike the primary character, just so the player will have PRIMOGEN TO BE
the option to be part of just about any story that you can
think up. A fourth option for a game centered on the pri-
mogen of a city is to make the council the goal of the
With a stable of characters, the players then have the op-
story. Using this book for the players’ benefit does not
tion of selecting which characters they think would be most
automatically mean that you must allow the players to
appropriate for the game. The Storyteller has the option of
start as primogen. Instead, if one or all of the players have
assigning a character to a player after designing the story with
stated an interest in gaining a primogen seat, you have
particular characters in mind. Because of the many different
a wonderful plot device dropped right into your lap.
characters involved in the story, troupe play is extremely
versatile and, in the right hands, very rewarding. In a Primogen to Be game, the players start outside
of the political power structure of the city and must
A troupe game has downsides. Like a game filled with
work their way into positions where gaining a primogen
multiple players playing primogen, the characters may find
seat is a possibility. They must work to gain influence
each other at cross-purposes and possibly violently so. Again,
and powerful allies. They seek knowledgeable and use-
feelings can be hurt or grudges created that spill over into
ful contacts, and they seek the resources to put those
the real world. Troupe-style play has inherently less risk
assets into play. Most of all, though, they seek recogni-
than other styles, however, because the competition is not
tion and power. It falls to you to provide those results
as fierce since the focus does not rest on a single character
through a string of stories that are both challenging
per player. Usually, this style of play engenders a decent
and entertaining.
amount of cooperation between players and Storytellers
alike. Still, expecting complete amicability between players Not all the players have to want to gain a primogen
all the time when characters are fighting with each other seat. It is possible that only one player wants to see her
can be a bit straining. character be elevated to the position. In this case, it is
a good idea to encourage the other players to adopt a
Try to avert any animosity that spills over into the play-
similar goal of elevating that one character to the pri-
ers’ lives by focusing equally on the different characters. A
mogen council. Thus, the entire group holds a similar
good Storyteller usually keeps the lines of communication
goal in mind, making story creation and development
open with her players, allowing both Storyteller and player
that much easier. For most groups it should be easy to
to talk frankly with one another. If a certain act is going
convince the other characters of this goal, as when “one
to alienate a particular character and may have possible
of ours” becomes primogen, they’re going to be able to
repercussions for the player, you need to be able to present
enjoy the benefits.
the situation to both players involved in such a light so that
both can come to an amicable solution that also supports the Eventually, if you believe the players have worked
plotline. More often than not, players are quite reasonable, hard and intelligently, they should reap their rewards
and when encouraged to discuss a potentially disruptive by gaining a position in the primogen council. The last
situation usually smooth over the problem before it does step should involve a nice climax, possibly having the
any permanent harm. previous member eliminated so that the seat is vacant
just as the players put their different resources into
This is not always the case, however, and feelings may
motion to set their companion up for taking the seat.
get hurt despite your best efforts. Then, in your role as leader
Similarly, they may, in a tense series of meetings, con-
and Storyteller, you need to step in and look for a way to
vince the prince that the current member is too out of
solve the solution arbitrarily. If the players are not willing to
touch or hostile to be of any worth on the council, and
work with one another, you need to make sure the game is
that they have a better alternative. Whatever you and
disrupted as little as possible and keep the story going.
players choose, the primogen seat should be reserved
A problem unique to troupe play is the amount of book- for the culmination of at least several stories of good
keeping. Primogen chronicles can already require a good deal planning and excellent roleplaying.
of extra work on your part. Compound the situation with
Of course, success brings all the new requirements
four or five characters per player, and you can grow frustrated,
of the position, which can easily lead to one of the three
feeling as if you are not having an opportunity to enjoy the
previous types of primogen story styles. A Primogen to Be
game. In this case, you usually need to hand over some of
story takes with it the desire on the parts of the players
the work to players. Allowing players to make up stories on
to better their situation, for good or ill, and will become
the fly about their respective characters or take control of

CHAPTER FIVE: STORYTELLING

119
an entirely new story if they succeed. With success, they the players a bit of grief for grief’s sake. Neglecting to
are no longer outsiders but insiders, working continually hand out the rewards, however, can frustrate players
to fend off their fellow primogen as well as avoid losing very quickly.
their seat just as their predecessors lost theirs. In a primogen chronicle, you should focus on
The unknown pitfalls of this type of story are usu- listening to your players, implementing their ideas in
ally not as severe as other types, since it is more in line upcoming stories. You also need to listen to the general
with standard types of Vampire chronicles. One thing opinions of your players and what they would like to do
to be aware of, like the multiple primogen council with their characters. More often than not, the goals of
member style, is any favoritism that may go along with the players for their characters are quite reasonable and
primogen characters. If any of the player characters do should help the Storyteller create future stories.
not gain a seat, or do not desire a seat, it does not mean Information is a must. Primogen are some of the most
that they can be ignored. In fact, a Storyteller needs to connected of all Kindred. The players’ characters should
make special considerations toward those players whose be no exception. Awareness of the different information
characters are not primogen, since they are not the outlets the characters are connected to should help the
center of attention. As players, though, they deserve Storyteller anticipate what types of information they
similar opportunities to shine. will disseminate to the players’ characters as the story
If all the players’ characters are primogen, the progresses.
Storyteller needs to prepare for the backbiting and The players need at least enough information to
maneuvering against and between player characters. make educated guesses about their future. Similarly,
Since the Primogen to Be story can evolve into so many on any given political issue within the city, a primogen
different styles, it is best for the Storyteller to familiarize can reasonably expect to gain pertinent information
herself with the other styles and their inherent benefits so that he can make intelligent decisions. Note that
and dangers so that she can tailor the story to the type “intelligent” does not always mean “correct” or “useful,”
that she, as well as the players, will enjoy. and it’s realistic to include biases and patently incorrect
information for the player to sift through. Part of the
MANAGING PLAYERS’ reward for making a good decision is the knowledge that
CHARACTERS AS PRIMOGEN you were able to sort through all the dross.
Okay, now that we have general styles of play for players You should be ready to reward enterprising play-
out of the way, let’s discuss how to manage those players. ers. Creative uses of Backgrounds or picking up on a
One key aspect to managing players’ primogen characters particularly esoteric clue can lead to more beneficial
is to make sure that they feel empowered. Every player who information or the respect (and accolades) of other
creates a primogen character or is able, through roleplaying, Kindred. On a similar note, if you are feeling over-
to elevate his character to that position is going to want burdened, then particularly helpful players should be
the corresponding rewards. Players do not always anticipate rewarded with access to useful allies and information
the responsibilities of playing a primogen character, but (or other appropriate rewards).
they inevitably have preconceived notions of what they There is a fine line, though. Too much information
will be able to do through their position. and the story is no longer a challenge. Too little, and
As primogen, the characters are leaders. They are the players (and their characters) are impotent.
the ones making decisions that the other Kindred of
the city act upon. They are often the ones who take the
CHARACTERS AS ELDERS?
initiative. As such, players with primogen characters A couple of other considerations should be kept
are going to expect a certain amount of latitude in in mind. Players may have a tendency to believe their
deciding their own futures and being able to do what primogen characters will be quite old. Many will want
non-primogen may not be able to do. These burdens to play Kindred that are seventh generation or below,
and responsibilities are exactly what make a primogen thinking that a position such as primogen naturally is
story different from other Vampire stories. filled by the eldest and most venerable Kindred.
It is perfectly all right to startle characters with a If older characters fit the story well, then no problem
decent amount of responsibilities and to highlight the exists. On the other hand, players who expect older
dirtier side of being a council member (such as constant characters when a Storyteller feels it may unbalance
harassment by clan members wanting their issues to be the game can be a problem. The best solution is to give
heard, or constantly being watched by the opposition). the players reasonable explanations as to why elder
In fact, to some degree, a Storyteller is expected to give characters will not fit the story.
COUNSEL OF PRIMOGEN
120
 Remember, primogen are not by definition the most the player’s best laid plan will eventually gain him the
powerful Kindred in the city. Instead, they are the ones upper hand. Sure, the Sabbat and Cathayans present
who, for one reason or another, decided to take the nice and easy adversaries for primogen characters, but
position. Sometimes they are cajoled or bullied into the they are not the only option for opposition to a coterie
position. It is not rare for the real power brokers to use the of primogen characters.
primogen as fronts for their machinations, or outright to THE “OTHER” PRIMOGEN
pull the primogen’s strings. Elder Kindred are often very
tired of the petty politics that the primogen represent The most common enemies of a primogen player
and will usually only reluctantly join. Thus, if you wish character will come from the ranks of the Camarilla.
to avoid having players portray elder characters, simply Other primogen naturally see the character as both a
point out that the elders of the city are not interested potential ally and adversary, and most will do every-
in the types of games the primogen play. thing in their power to humiliate or unseat the player
character if he turns out to be an enemy.
OTHER CLANS? Not all primogen adversaries will show their true
Another thing to consider is allowing players ac- colors immediately. Primogen are masters of deception
cess to the nonstandard clans that are highlighted in and lying (they are politicians after all), and an enemy
Chapter Three. The primogen are usually the template who reveals himself as such too early loses the element
by which the higher powers of the Camarilla judge a of surprise. Kindred are undead, and the primogen often
city. Primogen are expected to toe the line (as it were), take the concept of patience to a new level. Like vi-
and the more eccentric the body of primogen, the more pers in the grass, they will wait for a character to show
weakness the prince exhibits. Not surprisingly, finding weakness and then strike with no mercy. Consider
these nonstandard clans is quite rare and will carry with how insidious a Storyteller character primogen can
it a lot of emotional and cultural baggage. be, offering her help to the player’s newly appointed
Sure, playing one of these exceptional characters primogen character. She does what she can to ease the
can bring with it a change of pace and opportunities character’s transition, offering little bits of advice and
for roleplaying that are not normally available. Playing occasionally vote-swapping to help get the character’s
these characters just for the “coolness” factor, however, feet wet. Rather than prostrating herself to help the
is normally asking for more trouble than it is worth. On player’s character, the Storyteller character is quietly
the other hand, the concept of an Assamite primogen helpful, allowing the player’s character to come to her
in a city with an exceptionally large Arabic population for advice or help, which she is all too willing to give,
may well be appropriate and provide some interesting just give her a night or so to finish what she’s doing.
aspects to the story. For such a character to work you Then, at the point when the player’s character
need a specific reason for allowing these types of char- really needs the help, the Storyteller character is just
acters in, coupled with a player willing to spend some “too busy.” The player is left to fend for himself, with
extra time on background and roleplaying. At the very the result being that the Storyteller character severely
least, some consideration needs to be given for why a weakens the player’s character’s position on the council
prince would allow such an anomaly to have a voice while not appearing as the enemy she really is. Destruc-
on the council. tion through subtle manipulation — it’s the primogen
The exceptional characters should stay that way: way.
exceptional. Allowing too many deviations from the Other options for enemies can come from within
norm with little to no extra work only cheapens the the character’s own clan. Just as the character gains the
noteworthiness of the nonstandard characters. accolades of rising to the primogen’s position, surely
some are jealous of her ascension. For every character
ENEMIES who succeeds, four Storyteller characters wait in the
OF PRIMOGEN CHARACTERS shadows for the inevitable failure.
Primogen characters are powerful and influential ANARCHS
and deserve adversaries who are both susceptible to a Don’t forget the anarchs. Technically part of the
character’s attacks and have the ability to withstand Camarilla (at least, by the Camarilla’s own definition),
others. On one hand, the enemies of the characters the anarchs are Kindred who thrive on symbols. The
need to have the ability to shrug off the ill-timed, poorly Anarch Movement needs ideologies and concepts to
planned or just unlucky assaults (or what passes as an rally behind. The fall of a prominent politico is just
assault by a primogen), but the hope must be there that such a concept. Anarchs are often too disorganized to

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 take on a prince. A primogen is just about as high as
most anarch groups shoot to make their bold statements
(and to avoid the true brunt of a prince’s wrath), much
to the chagrin of primogen worldwide.
Anarchs are not often subtle. They attack the con-
nections a primogen has with their areas of influence.
Say a primogen has a ghoul police officer in the Internal
Affairs division, offering unparalleled access to police
records and just about anyone with a criminal record.
What happens if that officer is killed in a gang-related
revenge shooting? The result is the anarchs striking
the primogen where it hurts, severing one of his most
important assets and making unlife more difficult for the
character. If the anarchs are lucky, the loss of influence
may be just enough of a weakness for other primogen,
harpies or even the prince to outmaneuver the player’s
character.
Anarchs are experts at striking quickly and in
unexpected ways. While a primogen may be used to
using proxies, influence and her social graces to best
her political enemies, she may be woefully unprepared
to defend herself from a determined anarch pack that
focuses on physically confronting the character’s allies.
The anarchs are unlikely to attack the primogen directly,
but any contacts, resources or other connections to the
character are fair game.
Just like sharks scenting blood in the water, if a few
anarchs are successful against a primogen, others will
come running. Soon the character may be forced to
retaliate constantly against attacks upon all her allies.
Theft, vandalism and kidnapping are not normally
part of the repertoire of a primogen (unless one of his
lackeys is the one doing the stealing, vandalism or
kidnapping) and, from a Storyteller’s point of view,
may present an interesting change of pace to stories
constantly centered on fighting off the machinations
of the prince or some such.
THE SABBAT
The Cainites of the Sabbat act in a very similar
manner as anarchs when they face off against a primo-
gen. They are aggressive and violent, and will use those
tendencies to surprise their primogen target and then
melt into the shadows. The Sabbat do not fight fair (at
least in a council member’s eyes), targeting the allies
and contacts of the primogen and terminating them and
forcing a primogen member to consider retaliation by
methods that are out of the realm of politics. With the
Sabbat, the greatest advantages of a council member,
such as contacts or influence within the city, are all but
nullified. In fact, where an anarch may seek to disrupt,
most Sabbat packs have no compunction about killing.

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 disadvantages that go along with being a primogen
CONSIDER THE PRINCE council member. Good luck.
For nearly every point made about a primogen THE POWER PLAY
adversary of the players, the same can be said for The players already play primogen and are ready to
the prince of the city. Just like the primogen, the take the next step. One player decides that her character
prince is politically connected and has a good deal is better suited to the princedom and wants to usurp
of resources at his disposal. Even more than the that power. She needs to array her resources — allies,
primogen, though, the prince wields considerable contacts, wealth, boons — and then make plans to make
assets and can call on a number of favors from sure the coup is successful. She must gain the support of
across the city. as many primogen as possible and gauge the reactions of
Understand that the prince maintains his the other influential Kindred of the city. Of course, she
position because he’s capable and just as ruthless has to do all this without the prince getting wind.
as the primogen. A player who makes an enemy A coterie of allied Kindred would be especially
of the prince is assured of a tough and difficult useful in this situation.
fight ahead.
SANDBAGGING
The Sabbat are moving on the city. Scouting parties
If anything, the Sabbat packs can be even more violent
have turned up and a siege looks imminent. The primo-
than the already dangerous anarchs.
gen need to prepare the city for the inevitable conflict.
At the other end of the Sabbat spectrum are the Not only do they have to lead their own clans and allay
templars and higher-ranking members. These leaders any fears, they must also help prepare the city for any
are usually significantly subtler than the packs of rank- possible violence from edgy Camarilla Kindred.
and-file Cainites and act more like adversarial primogen
The council may disband or be replaced by a war
than roving gangs. The leaders of the Sabbat are often as
council. The prince may neglect his other duties, forc-
connected and influential as a primogen, and also have
ing the primogen to pick up the slack. Any number of
the element of surprise on their side. The luminaries of
things can happen in the hours before the storm, and
the Sabbat, while disdaining mortal institutions, can
the primogen are sure to have ringside seats.
occasionally present remarkably well connected foes
and an interesting juxtaposition to the normal Sabbat Then, of course, the siege starts and the real work
stereotype. begins.
THE FALL OF A MEMBER
STORIES What happens when a council member really screws
The following are a couple of story ideas to set up? He does something so atrocious that the prince imme-
you in the right frame of mind for running a primogen diately expels him from the council and calls for another
chronicle. to take his place. How does the rest of the council react?
FORCED INTO THE COUNCIL What if one or more of these primogen watching as their
compatriot leaves in disgrace is a player’s character?
A player’s character is elevated to the council with little
The reason for the fall can be seditious or trivial.
regard for his own wishes. The elevation probably comes at
Either way, the result is the same: a time of flux that
the behest of the prince, but that is not the only possible
forces the rest of the council to cope with a situation
source. Maybe a local archon or justicar sees potential in
they did not have a hand in (or did they?). The fall of
the character and asks the prince for the “promotion.”
a council member may be especially stressful and bring
Suddenly the character is thrust into an alien po- subsequent scrutiny from the sheriff, harpies and sup-
sition and forced to cope with all the advantages and porters of the prince on the rest of the council.

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