BLACK ROSE PRODUCTIONS VAMPIRE STATUS RULES
Revised (03/04/98)
In a continuing effort to strengthen our Chronicle by enhancing non-physical resolution systems, we present the following streamlined rules for the use of Status by Kindred within the Camarillia. Should these rules prove out, similar rules for Sabbat characters will be instituted.
Challenges: Simply put, Status Traits can be used in Social (and some Mental) Challenges where a Kindred’s Status can have influence. This includes both Discipline and non-Discipline Challenges.
To use Status Traits, the user must declare "I have Status," much in the same way possessors of "Might" declare "I’ve got the Bomb."
At the same time, the person being Challenged can (a) proceed as normal, (b) also declare that they are using Status, or (c) declare "I am Ignoring your Status."
If they choose (b), the Challenger also has the option to Ignore Status.
If either participant elects to Ignore Status, and it gets back to the Harpy (or another well-placed Camarilla individual), it is likely that this breach of conduct will result in a loss of Status (see below).
If using Status Traits in a Challenge, they can be "expended" in the same way that any Social Trait can (although it may not be wise to do so). Such a loss is Temporary (explained below).
Petitioning the Prince: A Kindred must have at least one Status Trait to petition the Prince about anything. The only exception is when they seek to present themselves, at which time they will receive Acknowledged as their first Status Trait in the City.
Using a Status Trait in such a way expends it Temporarily (for the evening; more explained below).
Resolving Kindred Debates and Accusations: In a situation where two or more Kindred are in open debate over an issue that the Prince (or a Primogen, or other highly-placed entity) must make a choice, or where a crime or breach of conduct is in question, that judging entity is perfectly within their rights to consult the Harpy to determine who has the highest Status. In any case where hard evidence is absent or inconclusive, the Kindred with the highest Status can be granted the highest credibility, and therefore their word accepted.
This is perhaps the most powerful aspect of Status.
Temporary Loss: Much like a Character has a permanent Blood and Willpower rating, they have a permanent Status rating, indicating their total Status Traits. In certain situations, a Status Trait may be temporarily "used." If this happens, it is gone for the evening/rest of the session. It will return (like Willpower and Blood) at the beginning of the next Session.
Such Temporary losses affect how many Traits a Character has to use in Challenges, or how many they can "spend" on certain things. However, Temporary Status losses will not affect their Status Level when a Prince is judging them, or leave them without Camarilla protection should all their Status Traits be used up for an evening.
Permanent Loss: However, there are situations where a Character can lose Status permanently. Such losses normally come as a form of punishment, although there are certain efforts that will simply cost a Status Trait permanently. Such losses are just that – Permanent. The Player must erase them from their Character sheet, for they are gone.
It is important to note that should a Camarilla Character suffer a Permanent Loss of all their Status, they are considered no better than Caitiff or Anarch; they are outside the boundaries of Camarilla protection, which means the Prince and the Council are under no obligation to protect them or enforce the Traditions on their behalf. This can be an exceedingly dangerous position to be in.
The Status Traits are: Acknowledged (the first any Camarilla Kindred receives and the one they must have to even function in Kindred Society), Admired, Adored, Cherished, Esteemed, Exalted, Famous, Faultless, Feared, Honorable, Influential, Just, Praised, Respected, Revered, Trustworthy, and Well-Known.
A Limit: No Kindred may earn more than one Status Trait per session, The only exceptions are (1) if you attain a Post that bestows more than one Status Trait or (2) the Prince chooses to award Status to your Character.
Another Limit: No Kindred may, under any circumstances, ever raise another Kindred's Status level above their own. The only exception to this is when the Primogen grant Status to the Harpy.
Anyone may sacrifice one Permanent Status Trait of their own and give it to another Kindred. This must be reported to a Storyteller and the Harpy immediately before it takes effect.
Anyone may also sacrifice a Status Trait to remove a Status Trait from another Kindred. They must be of a Higher Status level than the target of their efforts to accomplish this. This can be either a Temporary or Permanent Loss, but it affects both Initiator and Target the same way. Again, this must be reported to ST and Harpy to take effect.
Anyone may Temporarily expend a Status Trait to grant a Permanent Status Trait to another Kindred. They must have more than twice the Status level of the person they are elevating (prior to elevation). This must be done in a public fashion (before the Prince, or during a Primogen meeting, for example), and it must be reported to an ST and the Harpy to take effect.
A Clan can Temporarily remove a Status Trait from an Elder if they can collectively provide Temporary Status Traits equal to the Elder’s current Status Level (not Permanent; whatever they have at the moment). They can Permanently remove one of an Elder’s Status Traits if they collectively sacrifice a number of Status Traits equal to the Elder’s Permanent Status rating. As always, this must be reported to the ST and Harpy.
The Primogen can perform the same actions against the Prince that a Clan can against an Elder, for the same costs. Again, this must be reported.
The Prince automatically gains the Status Traits Exalted, Famous, and Well-Known upon taking office. These Traits cannot be taken away Permanently while the Prince is in office (although they can still be spent or taken Temporarily).
The Prince can confer the Permanent Status Trait, Acknowledged, freely upon any Kindred. No one can have this Trait more than once.
The Prince can confer Status Traits upon anyone they wish, at a cost of 1 Temporarily Lost Trait for every Status Trait granted. They can confer up to three such Traits in this fashion on any one Kindred. If they wish to confer more than three, each subsequent Trait will cost Permanent Traits to grant.
The Prince can remove Status Traits from anyone they wish, at the same cost as granting Status. However, they never lose Permanent Traits; all Traits spent in stripping someone of their Status are Temporary losses.
The Seneschal gains the Traits Cherished and Esteemed upon taking office. These Traits cannot be taken away Permanently while the Seneschal is in office (although they can still be spent or taken Temporarily).
The Seneschal has all the Status-affecting powers of the Prince, although the Prince may reverse their effects or revoke the powers completely at any time.
The Primogen gain the Trait Revered upon taking office. This Trait cannot be taken away Permanently while the Primogen is in office (although it can still be spent or taken Temporarily).
The Primogen can grant and remove Status Traits in exactly the same fashion as the Prince, but only for members of their Clan. Note that they cannot add more than one Trait to a Clan member per session.
Whips have the same Status powers as Primogen, although they gain no additional Status Traits for taking office.
The Harpy gains the Trait Influential upon taking office. This Trait cannot be taken away Permanently while the Harpy is in office (although it can still be spent or taken Temporarily).
The Harpy receives One Status Trait from each Primogen upon taking Office. These are Temporary losses for the Primogen, and the Status becomes Permanent for the Harpy. Yes, this makes the Harpy the single most powerful Socialite in the City…
The Harpy can remove a Status Trait, either Temporarily or Permanently, from anyone who has backed out of a Boon, is part of a major scandal, or has otherwise acted in a supremely inappropriate fashion. There is no cost to Harpy to do this, although they must provide some sort of evidence at a Kindred gathering for this to take place.
The Harpy may restore Status taken away by themselves or another Kindred at a cost of one Status Trait (Temporarily) per Trait restored.
Lesser Harpies can be created by the Harpy; they must grant at least one of their own Status Traits (Permanently) to their protégé for it to take effect.
Lesser Harpies can remove Status Traits in the same fashion as the Harpy, although any such removals are always Temporary. However, the Harpy may review their actions and declare such a loss Permanent.
The Sheriff gains the Trait Feared upon taking office. This Trait cannot be taken away Permanently while the Sheriff is in office (although it can still be spent or taken Temporarily).
The Sheriff may demand that any Kindred within the City accompany them for questioning or judgement. Failure to comply results in the immediate loss of one Status Trait (Permanently). This must be reported to a ST and the Harpy immediately.
The Sheriff is immune to the powers of the Keeper of Elysium.
The Keeper of Elysium gains the Trait Honorable upon taking office. This Trait cannot be taken away Permanently while the Keeper is in office (although it can still be spent or taken Temporarily).
The Keeper may remove one Status Trait (Permanently) from any Kindred breaking the Masquerade or violating Elysium. If the Keeper does not witness the breach, sufficient evidence must be brought forth. This removal costs the Keeper nothing to perform, but it must be reported immediately to a ST and the Harpy to take place.
Final Note - The Storytellers may grant Status Traits to any Character at any time. This will often (though not always) reflect the overall Camarilla's respect, admiration, or gratitude towards a certain Character. It may also reflect the same qualities on behalf of the Storytellers.