Chapter 1: The Camarilla
As they did every month, on the New Moon, the night on which the Lupines were weakest, the Primogen of Simolia met in Newcrest at the Theatres les Vampires to give proper due to the Prince, and to have him settle any disagreements which might have surfaced them. Ventrue, Toreador, Brujah, and Tremere all took the occasion to mingle with their brethren, although, there was always a certain amount of distrust between the Clans, but in a room full of predators, what else could be expected. Still, the odds of anyone present violating the rules of Elysium were zero to none.
Vlad was not the oldest vampire in Simolia, but had been Prince for over 150 years, and his Ventrue were the best established. The Brujah had followed the Ventrue here, for no more reason than to make sure they didn't gain a total monopoly on power. The Toreador didn't appear until Oasis Springs became an entertainment mecca, although many had visited the great museums of Newcastle. The Tremere had always had a small presence in Simolia, but largely kept out of Camarilla politics besides being represented on the council of Primogen.
The Prince beckoned the crowd to silence so the convocation of vampires could commence. "We will begin, as is custom, with the reading of The Traditions." Vlad had sired many childer, but Oskar was his eldest and most trusted. The Prince motioned for Oskar to read from the words from the ancient parchment.
Oskar began...
"The First Tradition - the Tradition of The Masquerade - Thou shalt not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims of Blood.
The Second Tradition - the Tradition of Domain - Thy Domain is thy concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word in thy Domain.
The Third Tradition - the Tradition of Progeny - Thou shalt sire another only with permission of thine Elder. If thou createst another without thine Elder's leave, both thou and thy progeny shalt be slain.
The Fourth Tradition - the Tradition of Accounting - Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be released, thou shalt command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.
The Fifth Tradition - the tradition of Hospitality - Honor one another's Domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shalt present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art Nothing.
The Sixth Tradition - the traditon of 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."
Prince Vlad then proceeded, "Kindred, the first thing we must discuss tonight is incursions by the Sabat into areas considered under the control of the Camarilla." By control of the Camarilla, Vlad of course meant controlled by himself. "The Sabat are nothing but evil, and if they have their way, will have us at war with the humans. This puts all of us in danger. Therefore, any and all Sabat operation in any of the neighborhoods of Simolia, must be found and eliminated, or turned back into humans."
The crowd nodded in agreement. Even the Brujah, recognized the Sabat as the serious threat they were.
Vlad continued, "You will report these vampires to me, and I will ensure they are taken care of. Do not attempt to deal with these Sabat by yourselves.
Bjorn Ragnarsson, the Brujah Elder, stepped forward. "Prince Vlad, respectfully, the Brujah are much better equipped to deal with this type of physical threat. Put us to task, and we will not disappoint."
Vlad knew that the Brujah might be the best option against the Sabat, but he also knew he couldn't let the other clans think he was too dependent on the Brujah. "Good Bjorn, I thank you for your more than generous offer, but Clan Ventrue has this well in hand. " Vlad realized he must also be diplomatic. "But should the Sabat threat prove greater than currently though, we shall welcome the aid of our Brujah friends.
Bjorn did not want to press Vlad, so he acquiesced.
"The next issue deals with the 3rd Tradition, that of Progeny. Only Elders may sire childer, and they must be presented to me within a reasonable period. And, lest I remind you that they are highly vulnerable to Sabat influence, that no humans having evil tendencies should be turned."