Roleplaying Status

High to Low Status

A high-Status vampire can expect a lower-ranking vampire to act politely, listen often, answer when addressed, and behave in a deferential manner. If the two are far apart in Status, the higher -ranking vampire can expect the lower ranking vampire to carry out orders and instructions. The lower-ranking vampire is not a slave to the greater, but is expected never to interfere with a superior's activities and to obey basic directives such as "leave my club!" The younger vampire is also required to give a superior the benefit of the doubt in disputes, though, in practice, low-Status vampires often take whatever they can get.

Low to High Status

A low -Status Kindred is expected to treat a higher-ranking vampire in a respectful manner. He is to speak in a respectful tone of voice and use humble, deferential gestures. He should show every courtesy, deferring in all things to the judgment of his superior. If the character disagrees with an elder, he is entitled to express his point of dispute in a polite fashion. If the higher-ranking vampire overrules him, he is to let the matter drop. It is improper to make demands or question the judgment of the elder. The greater the gulf in Status between the two, the greater the level of respect the lesser is required to exhibit. Of course, if the difference is only one dot, things are taken quite casually, but a difference of three or more requires the utmost deference.

If a character fails to follow the customs of vampiric culture, he risks earning the enmity and wrath of the leaders of the city or his clan. He must carefully weigh the advantages to be gained by antagonizing his superiors against the backlash of hostility he will incur from them. The rewards for keeping to his station in the hierarchy are many. His clan will continue to support his activities and bail him out when he is in danger. (Troublemakers are often left to twist in the wind.)

Earning the goodwill of high-ranking Kindred is like putting money in the bank. If a character waits long enough, he'll have more than he deposited. Some younger vampires maintain that these supposed rewards are exaggerated, and point to older, sycophantic vampires who still have low Status despite an eternity of devotion and bootlicking. These young Kindred insist that no one gets elevated in Status without stepping on a few toes, and therefore, the rewards are worth the risks.

PENALTIES

The penalties for infractions of conduct vary widely between various cities and clans, and there is no standard for enforcement. Usually, the higher -Status vampire merely points out the infraction. Calling attention to the offense is often enough to right it. Pointing out the problem when the offender's close Kindred are present is also an effective response. At this stage an informal apology and improved behavior will set the situation right.

If the disrespect continues even after a protest is expressed, the aggrieved party can lodge a formal complaint with the sire of the offending party, and request that others of the offender's line discipline him. If that fails, the higher -Status vampire often takes matters into her own hands, using whatever means of coercion she has at her disposal. She may end all contact with the other vampire, or may cancel any favors or agreements she had with the vampire and her immediate kin.

At this time, the Harpies likely make their displeasure known (that is, if they still support and acknowledge the higher -Status vampire). They begin to shun the violator of their traditions and he may actually lose Status as a result ( if he has any left to lose). Assuming the above methods fail, the aggrieved vampire may appeal the matter to the prince. If the prince rectifies the matter, the higher -Status vampire will then be in the prince's debt (see Prestation, below).

If even this step does not work, the aggrieved may take matters into her own hands, sabotaging the offending vampire's plans, destroying his holdings and poisoning his "good" name among anyone who will listen. Many bitter rivalries have erupted over the amount of respect Status entails. The Camarilla is still rent by some of these feuds, and some speculate that at the heart of the Jyhad is a fundamental struggle for preeminence and Status.

Ignoring Status is a Scandal and can lead to various consequences.

Scandals must be public; a private matter is not a Scandal as long as it stays private.

Examples of Scandal:

• Airing dirty Laundry (Unless you are a Harpy or your Station requires it as part of the duties of your office)
• Behavior Unbecoming one's Station
• Ignoring Status
• Faking one's reputation
• Falsely claiming a Boon
• Reneging on a Boon
• Supporting a Scandalous Kindred (If a Kindred under Scandal has a word of Status from another Kindred the Harpies may well include the supporting Kindred in the Scandal)
• Violence
• Disrespecting Elysium
• Violation of Domain Protocols
• Frenzy
• Ignoring Camarilla Doctrine in public (This includes breaches of the Traditions, avowed belief in Gehenna, Golconda, Antediluvians, Time of Thin Blood, Red Stars, Lilith, quoting the Book of Nod, stating Boons are a waste of time)
• Public Miscegenation
• Adopt a Caitiff
• Failure to carry out duties
• Infiltrating a Clan, or being infiltrated as a Clan
• Faking your death
• Sabbat Infiltrators
• Elected Prince
• Blood hunting during a Praxis seizure
• Publicly challenging a Praxis, and failing to seize it