PRIMOGEN

The Primogen are terrifying. Ignore them, or dismiss them, at your own peril.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Who are the Primogen? ............................................................................................................................... 3 3 Where do Primogen come from?................................................................................................................. 3 3 What do Primogen do? . 4 Who Works for the Primogen? ... 5 Primogen and the Harpy4 5 Primogen and the Sheriff ...56 Primogen and the Prince .56 Primogen and Archons 5 6 Primogen and Primogen 7 Your services may not be needed ...6 7 Misperceptions of power ..6 7 What kind of primogen are you? .7 8 End... 9

PG 2

Who are the Primogen

The Primogen, first and foremost, above and beyond all other considerations, are still Kindred. They have their own goals and aspirations. The Shocking fact is, most primogen spend the greater portion of their time doing the same things other elder and younger kindred do: feeding, pursuing their own goals and agendas, strengthening their influence and resources, maneuvering and backstabbing to advance their social standing and in essence making themselves the most effective societal parasites they can be. The position of primogen should be noted if you really hope to understand these elders, or at least to understand what it is that you dont understand, is that the title doesnt really mean much of anything. Think about it. Justicar, archon, sheriff, scourge they all have very specific duties, tasks they must perform, jobs to carry out. Even the whip, for all that many elders see the position as something of an also ran, has a specific job description: Assist your primogen. The primogen themselves have very little in the way of concrete responsibilities. Sure, theyer supposed to speak for the clans, but uncountable interpretations of that duty exist. As long as the right kindred are happy with a given primogens performance (or as long as those who arent happy lack the power to do anything about it), these elders really have precious little theyre specifically are required to do. Primogen hood isnt a bad place to be though. If one plays there cards right the position can bring much power. A primogen can gain many favors and gather free information from neonates who dont know any better. Another bonus of the position is neonates are more likley to side with you then another elder as long as you keep them happy and keep working in their best intrest that just happen to coinside with yours.

Where do Primogen come from?

Did you know that Primogen were not always as they are now? At one time they did not even get a vote. Its true. In the old days a Prince was just that, the prince or king of his or her domain. He or she was the eldest and had the power to keep the position, but what is power without subject? Noble men and woman to enjoy your nights with. Usally by a blood oath, more commonly referd to as a blood bond in current times, the prince would instill loyalties. He then would need a household and network of kindred to keep his comand. A gangrel or two for travel as lets face it back then travel was not as easy as it is today. A Nosferatu for information, a tori as a house pet, a ventrue for finances, a brujah for protection. Every clan could be useful. The prince would allow kindred into his domain, grant them land, and in return they helped protect the Prince and the land. As the prince was a shining exsample the Nobles followed the lead of the prince and set their houses up in similar standings with blood oaths runing rampet. And why not? It insures loyaties right? By pleadging alligances to nobles, low clans now had a way to get by, but the prince was still in control of everything and everyone. No one was excluded.
PG 3

When the Camarilla was formed this idea didnt change much. The strongest eldest kindred was still in charge and kept company and council with those of simalur stature or ranking or cainites that were needed. If there wasnt a kindred of your clan near the prince; then your words would fall to deaf ears more times then not. The idea of one clan one vote didnt come about till the 1750s. Philadelphia was the largest city in the Americna Colonies and Brujah Prince Isaiah van Holden though experianced in holding a city was having dificulties warding off the constant and increasing Sabbat incursions on his city. Prince Isaiah had come over with many other elder Brujah but seeing he needed help he offered a voice to each clan in return for their assistiance with the protection of the city. In a way he bought the aid of other clans by giving them a voice. The voice of their primogen would be equal to the elder Brujah, despite the age difference. All they had to do in exchange was to acknowledge and support Isaiahs authority and aid him in defending his domain from the Sabbat. The Idea took off and other princes took to purchasing the loyalty of kindred and clans that had, to that point, wanted little to do with the policies and practices of governing a new territory. The american primogen council was formed but still not perfect. Elders still got votes just like primogen so if there were 3 elders of clan ventrue and a primogen that clan got 4 votes in that city. Clans with only one vote began to complain that they were not being equaly represented. So, instead of letting citys tear themselves apart princes started giving each clan one vote to be cast by the primogen regardless of how many elders were in the city. This form of Primogen council is now quite popular in the US and some european citys however this form of council was never adopted by the camarilla as a whole. Many european citys still have a Prince who is the eldest who controls everything.

What do primogen do?

What do primogen do? It was already stated that primogen have no real power but they are the movers and shakers of the camarilla. The Primogen are primogen for a reason. Over the years they learned how to make their shit smell like roses. The primogen have a large number of pawns in front of them. In fact a whole city of pawns just waiting to be moved, sacrificed, and set into positions to get a check mate on their enemies. The Primogen have a vast network of allies, resources, and an ever growing pocket of boons owed to them. A boon is a simple matter for a primogen. A clan mate wants an appointment with the primogen, how much is your time worth for a simple neonate to see you? Especially one not of your clan? On the other hand a neonate breaks a tradition and turns to their primogen for help. The prince and the sheriff say come to us if a tradition is broken. The good primogen then takes the neonate to the prince for punishment. What are you mad? No, if you can cover it up yourself or cash in of a simple boon you do it. Why? Just think of the rewards. A neonate now owes you a life boon and they wont be neonates forever. You gain their trust and you come out smelling like roses. Remember the best trick to being a Primogen is not looking at the bad but finding a way to make the bad work in your favor.
PG 4

Who works for Primogen?

Myrmidon Once the precursors to Archons, Myrmidons act now as personal body guards for the primogen but often have a more offensive and more secretive job set forth by the primogen. These kindred answer to no one but their primogen and receive no approval from the prince to engage in their violent and often lethal activities. Most primogen have their Myrmidons blood bound so if they are ever caught in a bad act the primogen wont have fingers pointing back to them. Most kindred would rather face the sheriff of even a scourge then one of the Myrmidons of a Primogen. Most myrmidons are a kindred that no one would ever suspect sometimes including the prince of a city.

Scribe The scribe is usually a mortal or kindred in charge of keeping track of notes for the primogen during primogen meetings. The scribe is not one set kindred or mortal just who ever happens to be around, a whip or other grunt good at taking notes. Not all meetings are allowed a scribe and of course at these no scribe is assigned.

Steward The steward is much like the keeper of Elysium/ secretary for a primogen. This kindred is responsible for maintaining and protecting the meeting place of those primogen who choose to gather outside the recognized Elysiums, setting up meetings for the primogen, keeping financial record, and keeping relations with other kindred for the primogen. The whip is usually both in small cities.

Whip The whip is an all around gopher and errand person for the primogen. His/ her job is to be an allaround assistant for the primogen being served. The Whip must keep their master informed of all relevant activities and clanwide issues, to keep things from getting to bogged down at council meetings and run whatever errands the primogen needs handled. This is the only position that primogen actively allow kindred.

Primogen and the Harpy

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and a harpy in your pocket. This keen eyed sharpened tongue secret monger can make or break any cainite including the primogen. For the primogen, the harpy is simply one more power to covet and one more resource to be used in the pursuit of the nightly duties.
PG 5

In fact if presented correctly a harpy will happily take up some tasks without reward beyond the glee of tearing into a new victim. In these rare and exciting cases the primogen need only provide the harpy with convincing evidence and watch the show. But be warned the harpy give very little away. It is good to have a harpy owe you a boon but not even a major boon will get a harpy to lie for you. To get a Harpy to lie to you requires a vast boon, as it should, because the price the harpy will pay if word of the deed leaks out is staggering. Word of advice; dont piss off the harpy unless you have the backing to destroy him.

Primogen and the Sheriff

The sheriff is the one that most primogen will have the most interactions with. It is in the better interest of the primogen to not only be on good terms with the sheriff but on excellent terms. Ideally, the sheriff should owe the primogen a hand full of boons just to be on the safe side, because, if nothing else, many times will come when the sheriff is the only kindred standing between the primogen and an unpleasant visit to the princes chambers to discuss the behavior of a member of the primogens clan. The more likely of the latter is that primogen owe the sheriff many, many boons making the sheriff the richest kindred in the city. No primogen wants a clan member being drug into Elysium by the sheriff. At very least it makes him look like he cant keep his clan in line. If you can avoid owing the sheriff do, but that case is not very likely for a primogen unless they have good reins on their clan.

Primogen and the Prince

Many kindred never see the prince after being acknowledged but primogen should be on good grounds with the prince. Buddy Buddy. The prince holds all the power and if you want a slice of the pie and good standings for your clan you know how to make friends. If the prince has a problem, be his/ her right hand kindred. The little things add up and who would suspect a friend of waltzing in to over throw them? So heres the trick; either owe so many boons that you become indispensable. Who wants to get rid of someone who owes them so much? Or, befriend the prince and be his right hand man. I suggest the right hand man, as who likes owing the prince?

Pimogen and the Archons

Being owed a boon from an archon is like being owed a boon from Jesus, but good luck trying to get one out of them. If you are good you can do it but archons are on to you the second you offer your help. Or they may just demand it and say your in cahoots if you dont help for free.

PG 6

Primogen and Primogen

Lets whip out our ego and see who has the biggest one? Primogen meet with other primogen frequently holding special courts (not the princes court) to discuss things away from the prince. Most princes know that these meeting occur and are often invited but rarely attend.

Your services may not be needed

Nothing in the traditions states that prince must have a primogen council, nor is there a guarantor anywhere in the annals of kindred history that each clan may put forth a primogen. Should the council wish to block someone from taking her seat, they may state that they don not recognize this persons authority to speak for her clan. The prince may do the same if the kindred in question has annoyed many others, but if he does so, chances are more likely that he does so at the behest of the primogen, whose support is so critical to allowing him to retain his seat.

Misperceptions of Power
A frequent perception, particularly among the young, is that the primogen becomes the de facto boss of the clan. Its handy for keeping the rabble in line, but it is, in short, not true. The prince is the ultimate authority in a domain. The sire looks out for the interests of the childe. The donator commands the thrall. Primogen do not rule their clans, thought they speak for them. When a childer is released from his sire, he is expected to have the good sense to give heed to his primogen, obey local custom and generally behave himself. What a primogen receives is courtesy, attention and respect. Its not up to her to enforce edicts handed down from officers of the princes domain. She delivers the message and thats that. A primogen must never forget they to are bound by the rules of the camarilla. They must be cautious of the prince or a terable price shall be paid. The prince is the ruler of the city and allows the primogen a seat by his grace alone.

PG 7

What Kind of Primogen Are You?

Silver Spoon Your sire was an influential figure in your clan and you reap some of the rewards for his deeds. Maybe he was the Primogen and decided you should have the seat now. Perhaps he is the prince whatever the situation his importance makes you important whether you want to be or not. When your sire said he wanted you in the seat of primogen there was no fighting it. Now your primogen what will you do? No Not me You never wanted to be primogen, but neither did anyone else. Maybe you decided to put your hat in the ring because you thought you could make a difference, or maybe someone else put your name in the ring and now your stuck with no way out. So do you do the best for your clan or the best for you? Seat of power You saw where the powerful were and decided thats what you wanted. You worked hard to get here and youll be dammed if anyone is going to take it away from you. But now that youre on top do you work or let others work for you? Are you the boss? Do you tell your clan the way it is or do you listen to them? Opps How did you get here? No, really how did you get here? You didnt even know you were in the running to be primogen. One day you just got called to the post. Do you work hard and keep your clan happy or beg someone else to be primogen. Either way youre here now and you have a lot of learning to do or risk being some ones puppet. Second Chance Your whole life you never wanted anything or maybe you messed up. Now that your primogen you have a chance to make things right. You got here through a lot of hard work and now this it is a labor of love. Your not going to mess it up this time. Backstabber You walked over everyone to get here and didnt look back in the process. You dont care who you lie, cheat or still from as long as you are on top. Anyone in your way or who opposes you has a harsh lesson to learn that may be their last. You dont care what your clan says you tell them the way it is and they better listen. To many promises You make promises to everyone but cant keep them. So far your promises are so far out there you have everyone else fighting on your word alone. Your holding on to your spot lie after lie. How long can you keep up the web of lies before someone gets savvy to your ploy?
PG 8

Truth You worked hard to become a primogen. You saw the seat abused and are sick of it. You want your clan to prosper and be happy. You hold your clan in your heart and will do what is right for them even if they themselves do not know what is right.

End
Yeay you made it though the short version of Primogen. Remember as long as the younger vampires dont know any of this your ok. Just play it safe for you never know when theyll get wise to your games. This is just a guide and some tips for playing a primogen. The book is a condensed version of Vampire Counsel of Primogen! I suggest reading that for more information! Good Luck.

PG 9