Larp 101: The World » Vampire Society

The setting of Carpé Noctem is centered around the vampiric organization known as the Camarilla. Not all vampires belong to the Camarilla, but the city the campaign is set in is officially part of it. The Camarilla is a centuries-old sect that was organized for the mutual interest of vampires: to protect vampires from external threats and uphold the laws of immortal society, supposedly laid down by Caine.  In Camarilla society, the polite term for vampires is Kindred.

Vampires are urban creatures, and the basic level of Camarilla organization is the city.  The ruler of a city is known as the Prince, regardless of gender; although they may be answerable to higher levels of the Camarilla, they are absolute rulers of their domain.  They are advised by the Primogen Council, and appoint a variety of officers to assist them in running the city.

The central principles of the Camarilla are the Traditions:

  1. The Masquerade. The existence of vampires and the supernatural must not be revealed to mortal society.  This Tradition is considered critical to maintain Kindred society and existence against mortals, and violations are treated with the utmost seriousness.
  2. The Domain. A vampire’s territory is sacrosanct, and their responsibility to maintain.  The city is the Domain of the Prince, and all other Domain exists at their sufferance.
  3. Progeny. Permission to create a Childe must be granted by the Prince. 
  4. The Accounting. A Sire is responsible for the actions of their Childe until they are released, and may be punished for their actions.
  5. Hospitality.  No Kindred may enter another’s Domain without their permission; upon entering a new city, their first action should be to present themselves to the Prince for permission to remain there.
  6. Destruction. The right to destroy other Kindred lies with the Prince, and requires their permission.  The Prince may call a Blood Hunt against a vampire, allowing the city to hunt and destroy them.

Vampires meet at a gathering place known as an Elysium; within the walls of Elysium, violence and the use of most Disciplines is forbidden.  In Carpé Noctem, most game sessions are organized around Elysium.

The Sabbat and Other Groups

The greatest enemy of the Camarilla is the Sabbat.  According to Camarilla propaganda, they are violent packs of uncontrolled Kindred who are obsessed with Gehenna and Diablerie; they are in a constant state of conflict with the Camarilla for control of mortal cities.

There are also Anarchs, a loosely-organized set of vampires who want to maintain some form of organized vampiric society without the hierarchy of the existing sects.  In addition, some clans of vampires maintain their own independent organizations outside the sects.