Prince
Domain
Since the time of Enoch and Caine, lone vampires known as princes have ruled over clutches of others--serving as leaders and protectors. Blood and ago shape Cainite hierarchy, but it is the rule of the princes that gives it its draconian and predatory nature. Indeed, a prince does not rule for altruistic reasons, he does so for his own security and to feed his need to dominate other Kindred. Among the Children of Caine, there is neither equality or democracy, only rule of the strong and the cunning, who use the title of prince to symbolize their dominance.
Although princes are common, so are kings, dukes, Caesars, archbishops and countless other titles. Woman who rule as prince (and many do), traditionally assume the title queen or duchess if they wish for a gender-specific title. Princess is uncommon, and many simply go by prince, gender be damned.
Traditionally, as in Enoch, the eldest Cainite in an area serves as prince--his age conferring this honor. Such is rarely the case in these nights, though. Those who are strong enough and powerful rule, all others are either vassals or rivals. As the War of Princes marches on, younger, more ambitious Cainites are usurping princedoms from older, complacent vampires. In turn, many elders realize the obvious danger of holding the title of prince and either bequeath their title to a younger Cainite in hopes of hiding in the shadows or slavishly defending their domain, creating a schism between young and old.
Vampires are territorial creatures, as most predators are, and a prince's domain is his font of power. Without a fiefdom, a prince is not a prince. A prince's domain can be anything from an isolated hamlet in the Bavarian mountains to a vast expanse of land overlooked by a fortified stronghold. The larger the territory is, the more prestige and influence the prince holds. Usually, a prince rules over a city and claims domain over its walls, taverns and estates, forcing all Cainites within (through force or oaths of fealty) to acquiesce to his rule.
Domain is critical for a prince. First, it grants influence and temporal power. The prince often has his agents and observers among the mortal institutions of the city. Through favors or guile, the prince knows what the merchants are smuggling, who the archbishop invites into his chambers at night and just what can agitate the nobility into marshalling troops against a rival city. Domain grants the prince and his subjects feeding grounds, the most prized commodity of all.
The Sheriff
The prince's enforcer, the sheriff normally handles matters of jurisdition and security. It is the sheriff and his cronies who keep young neonates from causing too much trouble and make sure no unwanted Cainite have infiltrated the city. During times of war, many sheriffs become sergeants, coordinating the efforts in defense of the city while the prince and the warmaster take to the battlefield.
The Warmaster
The leader of a prince's army, a warmaster, serves only a truly powerful prince or lord who can marshal enough forces to justify his post. While the sheriff's duty is internal security, the warmaster is a tactician and leader without equal. Many warmasters of recent times come from the ranks of the Brujah or Ventrue.
The Seneschal
The prince's right-hand man, the seneschal, occupies his nights with the minutiae of the city's administration. The seneschal is the first to hear all complaints before choosing (with the right bribe or promise) which to bring to the prince's attention. In some principalities, the seneschal is nothing more than a secretary, a lackey and pwersonal attendant of the prince. In others, the senechal wields more power than the prince and is the real power behind the throne.
The Keeper
Most princes understand the need of having the counsel of a mystic or spiritual advisor. Long ago, princes used Malkavian or Nosferatu oracles (and some still do), but in the Christian atmosphere of the time, most turn to ashen priests--adherents to one of the roads of Caine. Princes use ashen priests to lead the sacraments and advise them on matters both political and mystical.
The Chamberlain
As the social heart of a prince's court, the chamberlain organizes feasts and tournaments, welcomes out-of-town dignitaries and attends to the prince's person. The chamberlain's main talents are gossip and rumour-mongering. However, all princes understand the benefits of having a chamberlain, and most allow them to feel the pulse of their subjects and weed out any potention detractors.
The Scourge
The sheriff maintains law and order within a fief, but the political nature of the position often ties his hands, making him unable to dispatch swift justice without provoking the ire of the prince's detractors. This is where the scourge, the prince's private executioner, comes in. The scourge's duty is simple, to patrol a prince's domain for the unwanted--Caitiff, Autarkis and other undesireables--and bring them to the prince or destroy them outright. The position of scourge is a solitary one, and it carries a heavy stigma. Few Cainites trust scourges, and many fear them outright.
Destruction
Only the prince can destroy (or order the destruction of) another Cainite. Princes hold the power of Final Death over their vassals as ultimate proof of their claim to princedom.
Siring
According to the Old Ways, only the prince is allowed to sire freely, while other Cainites must first ask permission. Those who don't, or who disobey, are destroyed.
Domain
Any Cainite within the domain of a prince effectively becomes a vassal of that prince. The prince is also within his right to assign and bequeath domain to those who are loyal as rewards or even bribes in return for their support.
Feeding
It is the prince who establishes feeding grounds and any rules associated with its practice (only by the light of the moon, after a certain hour, no killing and so on.)
Upholding the Old Ways
The Old Ways grant a prince charter, but this charter requires the prince to uphold and enforce all the Traditions of Caine. Complacent princes can only hope to rule through force if they fail to adhere to the Old Ways.
Protection
Just as the prince can count on the protection of his vassals, the prince must be ready to defend his subjects. A prince who looks the other way when one of his subjects is destroyed (by a rival or another vassal) stands to lose all credibility and support. The honor of the princedom requires eternal vigilance. Those who are ambivalent may soon find themselves facing the merciless sun.
Shepherding the Flock
In order to keep the peace, the prince must ensure that there are always enough humans to sustain his vassals. While the prince sets hunting limits through feeding grounds and domains, he must also shepherd the mortal flock. Without a healthy supply of mortals, the prince's vassals would soon be at each other's throats.
