The Six Traditions
The universal laws of the Camarilla. Though not every tradition is equally respected from one domain to the other. The one that remains consistantly respected and upheld is the first: the Masquerade.
The most important and heavily enforced Tradition, respected by both the Camarilla and Anarchs. Yet also the most broken. It is the law that dictates all Kindred must pretend they themselves are mortal when amongst mortals, and not reveal the existence of vampire or other supernatural creatures. For fear that all shall suffer a repeat of the Inquisition; a fear that has become reality with the coming of the Second Inquisition. The punishment for breaking the Masquerade did vary depending on severity for many centuries, however it was always severe. But with the Second Inquisition around most who break the First Tradition recieve the death penalty.
The Tradition that dictates a vampire who holds domain may proclaim and enforce their own local rules and laws, and that other Kindred whom spend time in said territory must adhere to these rules. This is how the Camarilla's Princes often keep fealty amongst their subjects: creating laws and rules that favour them and sending the Sheriff to "enforce the law" whenever another Kindred threatens these local customs. It is generally up to the domain holder what punishment is appropriate.
Ask an Anarch and they'll call this population control, ask the Camarilla and this Tradition is enforced to keep the Masquerade safe; and in more conservative cities keep the purity of the Blood by making sure no Kindred of too high Generation, any Caitiff or Thin-Bloods are sired. As written, the penalty for breaking this Tradition is Final Death. However, there are rumours of those who have managed to subvert the death penalty, though almost always these are tales of fledgelings dodging the same fate their sire suffered fate.
It is commonly accepted that this Tradition is to ensure that a fledgeling's sire teaches said fledgeling what skills and politics needed, to survive the ages, though more importantly not threaten the Masquerade. Read literally, whatever punishment the fledgeling recieves the sire will be given as well. Though in a centuries old society of immortal predators, with millenia of schemes and grudges accumilated many older Kindred will look for any excuse to enact the death penalty. Either to remove a possible future threat to their positions, or to remove a rival Kindred (almost always the sire.)
On short: when a Kindred enters another Kindred's territory, they must announce their presence there. Typically also their intent when there. Usually the punishment for ignoring this Tradition is either being kicked out or being denied any Kindred specific services (such as communal havens, acces to the rack, etc.) However, many tyrannical Kindred have read "thou art nothing" to mean they may do whatever they wish, to the foolish Kindred who arrived unannounced.
The law that only certain Kindred may give Final Death to another Kindred, or sentence another Kindred to Final Death. Typically it is read as the Prince of a city. It is also a means of preventing the great taboo of diablerie. The punishment for breaking this Tradition is almost always the death penalty. However, the wording "only thine Elder" has left enough room for interpretation that many older Kindred attempt to subvert the Prince's authority on the matter, citing another Tradition or local law broken as an excuse.
The First Tradition
The Masquerade
"Thou shall not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing such shall renounce thy claims to the Blood."The most important and heavily enforced Tradition, respected by both the Camarilla and Anarchs. Yet also the most broken. It is the law that dictates all Kindred must pretend they themselves are mortal when amongst mortals, and not reveal the existence of vampire or other supernatural creatures. For fear that all shall suffer a repeat of the Inquisition; a fear that has become reality with the coming of the Second Inquisition. The punishment for breaking the Masquerade did vary depending on severity for many centuries, however it was always severe. But with the Second Inquisition around most who break the First Tradition recieve the death penalty.
The Second Tradition
The Domain
"Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect while in it."The Tradition that dictates a vampire who holds domain may proclaim and enforce their own local rules and laws, and that other Kindred whom spend time in said territory must adhere to these rules. This is how the Camarilla's Princes often keep fealty amongst their subjects: creating laws and rules that favour them and sending the Sheriff to "enforce the law" whenever another Kindred threatens these local customs. It is generally up to the domain holder what punishment is appropriate.
The Third Tradition
The 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."Ask an Anarch and they'll call this population control, ask the Camarilla and this Tradition is enforced to keep the Masquerade safe; and in more conservative cities keep the purity of the Blood by making sure no Kindred of too high Generation, any Caitiff or Thin-Bloods are sired. As written, the penalty for breaking this Tradition is Final Death. However, there are rumours of those who have managed to subvert the death penalty, though almost always these are tales of fledgelings dodging the same fate their sire suffered fate.
The Fourth Tradition
The 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."It is commonly accepted that this Tradition is to ensure that a fledgeling's sire teaches said fledgeling what skills and politics needed, to survive the ages, though more importantly not threaten the Masquerade. Read literally, whatever punishment the fledgeling recieves the sire will be given as well. Though in a centuries old society of immortal predators, with millenia of schemes and grudges accumilated many older Kindred will look for any excuse to enact the death penalty. Either to remove a possible future threat to their positions, or to remove a rival Kindred (almost always the sire.)
The Fifth Tradition
The Hospitality
"Honour 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."On short: when a Kindred enters another Kindred's territory, they must announce their presence there. Typically also their intent when there. Usually the punishment for ignoring this Tradition is either being kicked out or being denied any Kindred specific services (such as communal havens, acces to the rack, etc.) However, many tyrannical Kindred have read "thou art nothing" to mean they may do whatever they wish, to the foolish Kindred who arrived unannounced.
The Sixth Tradition
The 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."The law that only certain Kindred may give Final Death to another Kindred, or sentence another Kindred to Final Death. Typically it is read as the Prince of a city. It is also a means of preventing the great taboo of diablerie. The punishment for breaking this Tradition is almost always the death penalty. However, the wording "only thine Elder" has left enough room for interpretation that many older Kindred attempt to subvert the Prince's authority on the matter, citing another Tradition or local law broken as an excuse.
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