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Mind's Eye Theatre - Vampire The Requiem.pdf - RoseRed

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to a Vinculum, banishment or even been<br />

faced with the sunrise when initial warnings<br />

proved insuffi cient.<br />

In some cities where the Invictus wields a<br />

majority of the power, this formality extends<br />

even beyond Elysium. Kindred in such domains<br />

are expected to keep very close track of<br />

social status among all those with whom they<br />

interact, and to act accordingly. In such a city,<br />

failing to show proper deference to one of<br />

higher status can result in punishment, and<br />

showing too much deference to one of lower<br />

status results in substantial mockery and loss<br />

of face. Harpies hold nearly as much power<br />

in these cities as the Primogen, for they can<br />

grant or rescind social status at whim.<br />

Old-Fashioned Communication<br />

As an offshoot of the formality issue,<br />

many elder Invictus insist that most of their<br />

correspondence be conducted through the<br />

use of messengers or written letters. Telephones<br />

and email are considered gauche,<br />

the tools of an unlettered and ill-mannered<br />

youth. (Additionally, many elders are<br />

rightfully concerned that they don’t know<br />

enough to protect themselves from outside<br />

eavesdropping.) Most elders aren’t foolish<br />

about this protocol. When it comes to vital<br />

news or emergencies, they don’t object to<br />

receiving a call or an email (though even<br />

then, Princes often prefer their Seneschals<br />

or other servants to receive the information<br />

then deliver it in person). Using these<br />

techniques for any other purpose, however,<br />

is grounds for a social snubbing at the very<br />

least. (Some young Kindred claim that this<br />

“tradition” actually exists only so that elders<br />

aren’t forced to reveal how uncomfortable<br />

and incompetent they are with modern appliances.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y rarely make this claim in front<br />

of their elders, though.)<br />

Monomacy<br />

Tradition states that, in years gone by, the<br />

Invictus used formal duels, contests and trials<br />

by ordeal to settle otherwise unsolvable<br />

disputes. <strong>The</strong>se duels and ordeals are known<br />

collectively as Monomacy. Some members of<br />

the covenant believed, as did many mortals in<br />

the invictus<br />

61

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