| Advantages of Princedom |
| Some vampires believe that only the insane or vein seek out the position of Prince.After all, as the symbol of Cainite power in a city, the Prince is the likeliest target for anarchs, Sabbat and other Perils.Add to this the political squabbling and jockeying for position within a Prince's "court," and perhaps the critics are right.However, Princedom must come with advantages to entice even the lowest to dream,and it does in spades. Right to Progeny---Only the Prince may freely create progeny.Other vampires who wish to sire must first obtain his permission or risk the destruction of themselves and their new childer.The Prince may deny a Kindred who has offended him permission to sire a childe; conversely, he may sire as he chooses,in order to have more loyal followers.Most Princes are reluctant to allow their subjects to sire.This stems partly from paranoia,partly from simple space conciderations; after all, an overcrowded city risks the Masquerade. Protection of the Elders---The Primogen generally support their Prince so long as he maintains order,preserves the Masquerade, and protects the city during times of trouble,such as werewolf inursions or Sabbat attacks. Political Power---Among the Camerilla, a Prince can expect to be heard by most elders and enjoys greater status than the ruck and run of Kindred.In almost any gathering, he is typically accorded great respect. Control Over Domain and Those Who Enter---Under the Fifth Tradition, the Prince may extend his reign to those who enter his domain,which is the entire city or region.New vampire arrivals,whether travelers or hopeful residents, are expected by the same Tradition to present themselves to him.The Prince may punish Kindred who fail to introduce themselves. Feeding---The Prince may restrict or limit the feeding grounds of other vampires for any number of reasons, chief among them the preservation of the Masquerade.This most often affects where Kindred may feed (e.g.,"Not in the red-light district" or "Avoid the Cleremont Hotel") and from whom (e.g., "Clergy and children are forbidden").Disobeying orders reguarding feeding can be very dangerous, as the Prince may punish violators on grounds of breaking the Masquerade. Domain over Enemies---By the Sixth Tradition, the Prince may call a blood hunt against those who cross her too many times.She may not destroy at will (the elders' protection can run out inconveniently if she oversteps her bounds), but if she determines her enemies to have broken one or more Traditions, she is perfectly within her rights to punish them.Naturally, what constitutes as a violation of the Traditions can be stretched quite far in the name of power. |