Summary
Vampire: the Masqueradefeatures some of the most in-depth lore and world-building in the world of TTRPG’s, creating a thorough, immersive world for eager newly fledged vampires and elders alike to sink their fangs into. Along with what cities to choose to play in and what sort of vampires players want to create, there are also various sects to take into account.
There are four main sects that come into play in most V5 games: the Anarchs, the Sabbat, the Independents, andthe Camarilla. The Camarilla are stringent in upholding traditions that every vampire should follow, and in the hierarchy that sees the older vampires in charge, and the younger used is pawns as they play their political games.
6Prioritize Mental Stats
Camarilla Needs More Brains Than Brawn
Whenplaying political power games, a well-placed false rumor deals much more damage than a Potence-levied punch. Camarilla politics require that deft touch of subtly and cunning, which is why a lot of Camarilla vampires value mental strengths over physical prowess.
As such, players should be mindful of this when crafting their Camarilla vampire. They should focus on putting dots into manipulation and charisma over strength and dexterity, as well as ensuring their merit points are used for resources, allies, and status. This will help players build a politically strong vampire whose strengths they can role-play while climbing the tower.
5Take Pride In One’s Appearance
Be A Proud Representative Of The Camarilla
As the ‘elite’ kindred fiction, Camarillaneeds to look the partas well as act the part. Turn up to a Prince’s soirée in a t-shirt and sweatpants, and that vampire is very quickly going to become the laughingstock and lose all the allies and respect they had. But even when not rubbing elbows with members of the court and other fellow Camarilla citizens, the kindred should still have some self-respect with how they look.
Tailored suits, ball gowns, Rolex watches, and Louis Vuitton shoes are nightly attire for proud Camarilla citizens, especially clans such as the Toreador and Ventrue. These outfits help to denote themselves as a cut above the gentry, and proud representatives of their sect when they are dealing with vampire politics.
4Choose The Right Clan
Certain Clans Flock To The Tower
There are certain clans that fit more with the Camarilla sect than others, just as some are more suited to the Anarch or Sabbat.Choosing these clanscan help players find their place in the Tower with ease, as they suit the political power players normally found in the courts of the Ivory Tower.
The main Camarilla clans as they stand are Ventrue, Toreador, Tremere, Nosferatu, Malkavian, Banu Haqim, and Lasombra, the latter two joining the Camarilla in more modern times. While not all vampires in this clan are Camarilla, and some vampires from clans not listed might be, this is still a good starting point for RPers who are new to this sect. Players who are more familiar with the Camarilla can then go on to try something new and different.
3Learn To Manipulate Others
Camarilla Are Master Manipulators
While Anarchs and Sabbat might be known to destroy their competition, Camarilla sees more use in keeping them alive rather than finally dead. As such, they will manipulate others rather than outright destroying them, as well as upholding the tradition that forbids slaying another of their kind.
As such, those looking to play a Camarilla should learn how to effectively use others as pawns in their political games without becoming one themselves.Disciplines such asDominate and Presence can aid with this or the dangerous blood bond, but this is a slippery slope that comes with its own issues. When playing the game, be ruthless but also careful.
2Know Their Place
Everyone Has Their Place Under The Camarilla
As mentioned before, hierarchy is of the utmost importance to the Camarilla. The Prince is at the top, served by other court members such as the Primogen Council, who are each representative of each clan in the city, the Seneschal who is the Prince’s Second in Command, the Sheriff who enforces the Prince’s will and punishes kindred who break laws, and more, all of which help maintain order.
Even those without an official title will know their status within the Tower, and they need to remember not to reach above their station, or face the wrath of whoever is above them. Camarilla vampires need to stay in their place, at least until an opportunity presents itself to raise their station.
1Be A Stickler For the Rules
Camarilla Strictly Follow Traditions
The Anarchscelebrate equality, the Independents value freedom,the Sabbatrevel in chaos, and the Camarilla upholds order. They believe the best way to get by in unlife is to seamlessly blend in among kine (humans), follow the traditions, and respect their elders.
Supposedly, these traditions were handed down by Caine himself, not unlike Moses with the Ten Commandments, and all Camarilla kindred adhere to them, or risk Final Death. The traditions are as follows:
