Post by Zillah on Mar 4, 2007 9:43:45 GMT -6
The Prince
Since the time of Enoch and Caine, lone vampires known as princes have ruled over clutches of others--serving as leaders and protectors. Blood and ago shape Cainite hierarchy, but it is the rule of the princes that gives it its draconian and predatory nature. Indeed, a prince does not rule for altruistic reasons, he does so for his own security and to feed his need to dominate other Cainties. Among the Children of Caine, there is neither equality or democracy, only rule of the strong and the cunning, who use the title of prince to symbolize their dominance. Throughout the ages, the title and duties of princes have changed, usually influenced by the civilization to which the prince was born or over which he ruled. Although princes are common, so are kings, dukes, Caesars, archbishops and countless other titles. Woman who rule as prince (and many do), traditionally assume the title queen or duchess if they wish for a gender-specific title. Princess is uncommon, and many simply go by prince, gender be damned.
Traditionally, as in Enoch, the eldest Cainite in an area serves as prince--his age conferring this honor. Such is rarely the case in these nights, though. Those who are strong enough and powerful rule, all others are either vassals or rivals. As the War of Princes marches on, younger, more ambitious Cainites are usurping princedoms from older, complacent vampires. In turn, many elders realize the obvious danger of holding the title of prince and either bequeath their title to a younger Cainite in hopes of hiding in the shadows or slavishly defending their domain, creating a schism between young and old.
Domain
Vampires are territorial creatures, as most predators are, and a prince's domain is his font of power. Without a fiefdom, a prince is not a prince. A prince's domain can be anything from an isolated hamlet in the Bavarian mountains to a vast expanse of land overlooked by a fortified stronghold. The larger the territory is, the more prestige and influence the prince holds. Usually, a prince rules over a city and claims domain over its walls, taverns and estates, forcing all Cainites within (through force or oaths of fealty) to acquiesce to his rule.
Domain is critical for a prince. First, it grants influence and temporal power. The prince often has his agents and observers among the mortal institutions of the city. Through favors or guile, the prince knows what the merchants are smuggling, who the archbishop invites into his chambers at night and just what can agitate the nobility into marshaling troops against a rival city. Domain grants the prince and his subjects feeding grounds, the most prized commodity of all.
Revised core book p37
Since the time of Enoch and Caine, lone vampires known as princes have ruled over clutches of others--serving as leaders and protectors. Blood and ago shape Cainite hierarchy, but it is the rule of the princes that gives it its draconian and predatory nature. Indeed, a prince does not rule for altruistic reasons, he does so for his own security and to feed his need to dominate other Cainties. Among the Children of Caine, there is neither equality or democracy, only rule of the strong and the cunning, who use the title of prince to symbolize their dominance. Throughout the ages, the title and duties of princes have changed, usually influenced by the civilization to which the prince was born or over which he ruled. Although princes are common, so are kings, dukes, Caesars, archbishops and countless other titles. Woman who rule as prince (and many do), traditionally assume the title queen or duchess if they wish for a gender-specific title. Princess is uncommon, and many simply go by prince, gender be damned.
Traditionally, as in Enoch, the eldest Cainite in an area serves as prince--his age conferring this honor. Such is rarely the case in these nights, though. Those who are strong enough and powerful rule, all others are either vassals or rivals. As the War of Princes marches on, younger, more ambitious Cainites are usurping princedoms from older, complacent vampires. In turn, many elders realize the obvious danger of holding the title of prince and either bequeath their title to a younger Cainite in hopes of hiding in the shadows or slavishly defending their domain, creating a schism between young and old.
Domain
Vampires are territorial creatures, as most predators are, and a prince's domain is his font of power. Without a fiefdom, a prince is not a prince. A prince's domain can be anything from an isolated hamlet in the Bavarian mountains to a vast expanse of land overlooked by a fortified stronghold. The larger the territory is, the more prestige and influence the prince holds. Usually, a prince rules over a city and claims domain over its walls, taverns and estates, forcing all Cainites within (through force or oaths of fealty) to acquiesce to his rule.
Domain is critical for a prince. First, it grants influence and temporal power. The prince often has his agents and observers among the mortal institutions of the city. Through favors or guile, the prince knows what the merchants are smuggling, who the archbishop invites into his chambers at night and just what can agitate the nobility into marshaling troops against a rival city. Domain grants the prince and his subjects feeding grounds, the most prized commodity of all.
Revised core book p37