As was mentioned earlier, there are no dynasties or royal families from which Princes are selected (though some clans would argue the point).Traditionally,the eldest vampire of a city rules,although this is no longer true in every city.It is one thing to say that the eldest traditionally rules the city,but any vampire may challange for domain and princedom.A Prince reigns freely only when her claim is unchallenged.If she finds herself squaring off with one or more other claimants, then things get messy.There is a mad scramble for the crown,and whoever is left standing will rule."Coronation," if it can truly be called that, can be anything from a bloodless,elder-backed coup to a violent unsurpation led by a blood-thirsty coterie. Normally,the current regime is overthrown brutally and mercilessly,serving the dual purpose of dealing with the old Prince and providing a graphic demonstration of the new Prince's power.Whoever the new Prince and however she takes the throne, though, she needs the support of the elders if she wishes to hold the crown for more than a night.Most importantly, the council of elders known as the Primogen must sanction the reign of the Prince; without this acknowledgement, the reign will be a remarkably short one.
COmbat for the Princedom is not simply a matter of Pistols and midnight on a deserted street, or for that matter any kind of direct combat.Like everything about the Children of Caine,subtlty in all things counts,and the war for the crown takes lace entirely in the shadows.The city's vampires---elders,corteries,individuals--- choose their sides as the rivals cultivate allies and determine enemies.Many things can drive a Kindred to choose a particular claimant---promise of reward,loyalties to the vampire or her clan,concessions guarenteed upon ascension,personal beliefs,or threats---but once she has chosen,changing loyalties can be extremely dangerous, particularly if she has backed the wrong claimant when the fighting is done.Mortal institutions under vampiric influence---banks,industries,high society,education, police,the undrworld---are brought to bear on the rival.Anything that can be done to give an added edge can,will,and has been tried.When the smoke clears,there is usually one claimant left standing, and the prize is in her grasp.Rarely is a new Prince generous enough to leave her rival alive;even if she were, the Primogen would never allow it to happen.Revenge, particularly that of fallen rivals, is a dish best not served at all. |