No organization created by Kindred has been as influential as the Camarilla. Ostensibly founded to preserve the Masquerade, the so-called “Ivory Tower” is a conspiracy to preserve the power of the elders, a local governing body , and a many city-wide webs of influence that have infiltrated most sectors of a given city’s mortal society. A Camarilla Court’s pawns move in the halls of power, influencing the course of political and financial history through blackmail, bribery, and clever lies. Led by the elite and what are considered “the pillar clans” - currently the Toreador, Ventrue, Malkavian, Tremere, and Nosferatu, along with the recently-accepted Banu Haqim - a Camarilla domain’s feudal society resembles an aristocracy dedicated to growing and preserving vampiric power.

Camarilla members are expected to preserve their Humanity to the best of their ability; doing so both supports the Masquerade and maintains their moral superiority to the mortals they aim to puppet. Power, wealth, and relative safety, away from the dangers of the streets, has led to Camarilla members often being older, richer, and more insulated than their rebellious counterparts in the Anarch Movement. Camarilla members often gather at safe havens known as Elysium, where no violence is permitted. 

Camarilla vampires do not typically believe Caine is anything but a myth. Mortal faiths still hold sway among some Kindred seeking meaning. Other Kindred pursue the lessons of their forefathers, worshiping their Clan’s ancestors as saintly examples to be followed. Religious practices are widespread and accepted in the Ivory Tower in modern times. 

Globally, all Camarilla domains have six main laws, known as the Traditions. These Traditions are interpreted and applied differently from domain to domain. However, every released Camarilla Kindred knows them and that there is no excuse for breaking them. 

The First Tradition: Masquerade 

Thou shall not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing such shall renounce thy claims of Blood. 

The First Tradition is the only one that is universally respected among vampires. In short, it is illegal to reveal the existence of vampires to mortals. While young vampires might feel compelled to share their nature to their dearest friends, or a feeding might go awry, there is no excuse for leaving a loose end untied when it comes to the Masquerade. 

Even the Anarch Movement takes the Masquerade seriously. Most Kindred know or have heard stories of someone who was executed by a Prince for trifling with the line. While the mortal masses may not take a story about a vampire attack seriously, vampire hunter organizations are ever vigilant in the modern age of surveillance. 

The Second Tradition: Domain 

Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word while in thy domain. 

From the Second Tradition, the feudal system of the Camarilla is derived. A Prince’s Domain is theirs absolutely, with loyal servants permitted to rule over certain districts on the Prince’s behalf. Liege lords control territory, which is parceled out to vassals in a modern adaptation of medieval hierarchy.

The Prince’s right to set down local law arises from this Tradition. Referred to as Courtesies, a local ruler may make decrees around all manner of issues that may arise on a night-to-night basis. Wise Kindred make certain that they know what laws apply in a Domain and who has claims to territories in the city. Doing so is essential to successfully navigating the night in a Camarilla Court. 

The Third Tradition: Progeny 

Thou shall only Sire another with the permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine Elder’s leave, both thou and thy Progeny shall be slain. 

Vampires require blood to live, and the more vampires that exist in a territory, the greater the strain on local resources. This can threaten the Masquerade. To prevent overpopulation, a vampire who wishes to make a childe must ask the Prince’s permission to do so first. This honor is both rare and precious. After all, what vampire would not desire a companion in the eternal night? 

For most of modern history, approximately one vampire existed per 100,000 mortals. The ongoing Second Inquisition has emptied some cities by the sword. For example, London’s vampire population was destroyed en masse after their recent crackdown. Other cities have overpopulation issues, as far too many young vampires and thin-bloods are created through wanton Embrace practices. Afraid of being the hunter’s next target, most Camarilla domains manage their population through crackdowns against poachers and strict application of the Third Tradition. 

The Fourth Tradition: Accounting 

Those thou create are thine own children. Until thy Progeny shall be Released, thou shall command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure. 

A sire is expected to teach their childer how to be a vampire and a future member of the Camarilla. This process is known as the Accounting, and typically it lasts several years. From learning how to feed safely to mastering the Traditions and Camarilla etiquette, there is much to study and little tolerance for failure. After all, the sins of the childe are the sins of the sire. No small number of sires have Embraced a new childe, then found themselves and their wayward descendant staked in the sun for the childe’s crime. Therefore, it is not unheard of for a sire to change their mind about a wayward childe, discharging them to the Anarchs or even killing them off, lest they bring scandal to the sire through their actions. 

Becoming a member of the Camarilla is challenging, even if one’s sire is a member. If a childe does not master the skills necessary to become one of the elite few, they will not be admitted. When a childe is ready to progress past the Accounting, they will seek Acknowledgement from the Prince of the city with the approval of their sire. Whether the Prince grants it is entirely up to them. 

The Fifth Tradition: Hospitality 

Honor one another’s domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shall present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art nothing. 

The Tradition of Hospitality requires a newcomer to present themselves to the Prince for Acknowledgement. Of course, it can be rather difficult for the Prince to keep track of everyone who is in their city. Some are lax about enforcing this law, but others are viciously draconian, tasking their Sheriffs to appoint deputies whose job is to find and capture interlopers. Such an intruder might find themselves deemed a poacher at best, assuming they have fed at least once. Others are executed as spies. 

To hold Status in a Camarilla Domain, a vampire must be Acknowledged or Accepted. 

The Sixth Tradition: Destruction 

Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right of destruction belongeth only to thine Elder. Only the Eldest among thee shall call the Blood Hunt. 

Normally, the destruction of another Kindred is seen as a grave sin in Camarilla society. A Prince, however, can grant the right to destroy any vampire in the city they hold Authority in. Additionally, in Camarilla law, a sire always has the right to destroy their own childe. 

When a Prince wishes to make a public spectacle of a vampire’s destruction, she invokes a Blood Hunt. Those who are subject to a Blood Hunt are viciously chased down and killed by their fellows. Even thin-bloods, Anarchs, and independent Kindred are invited to pursue the Hunted. Anything goes in the Blood Hunt. Even the diablerie of the Hunted is permitted. 

Helping carry out a Blood Hunt is an excellent way for a non-Camarilla member to attract positive attention if they seek membership. Accordingly, Anarchs who help in a Blood Hunt are frowned upon by their Anarch peers. 

The Camarilla Court 

Part of the power of a Camarilla domain is its structure and presentation. The Ivory Tower’s hierarchies have been forged in tradition developed over centuries. In the view of most Camarilla vampires, feudalism is the finest method of enforcing the stability of their society. The Court is the basis of their culture and is a source of strength. 

The Prince 

The supreme ruler of a Domain, the Prince represents their city for good or for ill. They are responsible for the enforcement of the Traditions, creating laws and judging lawbreakers, governing their Domain and its territories, holding Court to meet with visitors, hearing petitions, and Acknowledging Kindred in their Domain. 

To claim Praxis is a statement of sheer will and commitment, for once a vampire takes on the mantle of Prince, they are declaring that they are the strongest predator in the Domain. How a Camarilla vampire gains enough strength to claim Praxis is up to them. Some Princes are mighty warriors who have gained their role through military might, cutting down those who would challenge their rule. Others are adept socialites and politicians who have garnered support through charm and guile, or cunning masters of the economy who have used their skills to use prestation to guarantee support. What matters is that their Domain accepts the Prince as their ruler. 

A vampire becomes the Prince when they can stand before their Domain and declare themselves Prince without any challenger standing up to contest them. A Prince maintains all her power, even when challenged. Resolving a challenge to a Prince’s praxis is not cut and dry. It could end with the sitting Prince or challenge...