Camarilla (VTR)

Long ago there was a single covenant which united all vampires. The Camarilla was born in the glory of Rome and many of the beliefs and traditions of modern vampirism were forged during this ancient time. But as Rome fell, so did the Camarilla. Without the extensive organization and culture of the Roman state, many vampires reverted to a state of barbarism, as did their human prey.

Out of the ashes of the old Camarilla, and the dark times that followed, grew a new order, the Covenants we know today. It was not an easy or peaceful process. Many covenants, many ideas, were tried. Many, if not most, failed. Indeed, there may still be some small remnants of those old covenants hidden in the less well-traveled parts of old Europe. Some of them may even have made their way to the new world, to the far east, or to darkest Africa only to grow or die or change.

Tonight there are five covenants which shape the Kindred world. Several more are known, and most of these, such as Belial's Brood, VII and their ilk are justly shunned. But the newest covenant, the Carthian Movement shows that vampires need not be as hide-bound nor staid as might once have been presumed. Perhaps, in the nights of a new millennium, vampires will find a way to set aside their petty factionalism and a second great Camarilla of all vampires can be formed. Indeed, they may have no choice, for with the advance of human technology and civilization, it may soon be the case that vampires will find they can no longer hide themselves among the kine and the masquerade will dissolve like gossamer mist in the light of a new dawn. What then for vampire kind? What then?