Invictus Core ideas: The Purpose of Power is Power 1 : For the Invictus, power is both the means and the end. Every transaction made with other kindred should be a step towards increasing one's power as well as placing the other kindred in a position of having to continue to rely on you in the future. The Elite Lead, the Masses Follow 2 : The Invictus accept the responsibility of taking charge and governing other kindred. Not everyone has the ability to wield power effectively; the Invictus remove that onus from the other covenants, taking it upon themselves to mind the big picture so that others may pursue their goals. By making politics their focus, instead of matters of faith or research, the Unconquered hone their skills and offer themselves as professional leaders. Rank Has its Privileges 3 : The elite of the Invictus follow different rules than the common kindred because as leaders of kindred, they are different creatures. Also, because they can. But they do follow those rules and take their duties seriously. Order Above All 4 : The rules must be followed. Order must be maintained. Every Invictus has their role in kindred society and must keep in their place. Tradition 5 : Nothing is new under the sun. People don't change - kindred even less so. Fads come and go. History repeats itself. The traditions became traditions because they work. "Innovative" is a dirty word. Leadership: The lead Invictus in a domain is the Prince, if she s Invictus, or the Primus of the Inner Circle, if she s not. Inner Circles are established in cities where the Invictus is not the dominant covenant and consist of a handful of First Estate elders and whichever ancillae and even neonates they believe to be loyal and worthy members of the covenant. 6 Members of the Inner Circle are called Councilors and the lead Councilor is usually referred to as the Primus. Princes and Inner Circles set the Invictus agenda for their domains. In domains without enough Invictus to form an Inner Circle, leadership falls to the Invictus with the highest standing and power. 1 Invictus, p. 45 2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Invictus, p. 46 5 Ibid 6 Invictus, p. 75
The Patronage System 7 : The purpose of the Invictus tightly held social order is that every kindred should know exactly where she stands in the scheme of Invictus society 8. The patronage system reinforces this. Those Invictus with power and higher covenant standing are the patrons; clients help patrons to maintain and increase their power and in return receive largesse in form of money, titles, boons and such. This doesn t remove the ability of lower ranking Invictus from pulling strings behind the scenes but does force them to play their political games with more care and subtlety. While the source material doesn t require it, it was expected last chronicle for most Invictus PCs to be part of a fealty chain. This may or may not be expected this chronicle. However, Invictus PCs are expected to be connected to other Invictus, either above or below them, to reflect the patronage system Nearly every member is a client to someone else. 9 Being part of a fealty chain is the easiest way to accomplish this, as is a defined and recognized patron / client relationship. Another option is to swear an Oath of Service 10 to an Invictus of power / position / standing. Etiquette and Protocol 11 : Often mocked by other kindred, the Invictus are deadly serious about etiquette. There are many reasons for the covenant s obsession with elaborate manners. Titles and honorifics are an indicator of formal rank. It is always important that each member of the First Estate not only knows his place but makes his rank clear to all who meet him so that they may address him with the proper deference or authority. Punctilious codes of conduct help to distinguish Invictus members from non-members and are a useful way of identifying infiltrators. Etiquette gives Invictus members a way to compete with each other, without risking anyone s unlives, by providing a social arena in which to maneuver. It also provides a way to resolve accidental transgressions. By respecting the covenant enough to learn its complicated rules, a kindred shows that she knows her place in the hierarchy of power as well as demonstrating her commitment to the covenant. Respect given earns respect in turn. Social rituals help elder kindred hide the madness that comes with age and inhumane Invictus to hide their monstrosity. It is never acceptable to be openly rude or crass in reference to another Invictus, especially in public. 7 Invictus, p. 46 8 Invictus, p. 66 9 Invictus, p. 48 10 Coteries, p. 95 11 Invictus, pp. 36-37
Titles 12 : Titles are bestowed upon Invictus by the Prince (if Invictus), the Inner Circle (if the Prince isn t Invictus), or a Guild Meister or Mentor. Titles of Esteem 13 are the most common titles. Invictus in training are referred to as Master or Miss. Upon entering Invictus society this becomes Mister or Madame. Other titles of Esteem include Sir/Dame (if sworn to a Knightly Order) and Alder (typically for the oldest Invictus in a domain). Titles of Tribute 14 are noble titles given to Invictus who have distinguished themselves. Some carry territory, some do not. Some can be easy to achieve Lord / Lady is often given to any Invictus who gains Invictus Status x2. Others require recognized achievements Duke is given to an Invictus who has conquered a domain. Titles of Function 15 are given to Invictus who have completed Guild training or demonstrated ability in a profession of worth. It s possible for an Invictus to hold multiple titles of Function. The simplest form of address is Titles of Esteem + Function: Madame Seneschal, Mister Notary, etc. It is Esteem + Surname when the PC doesn't yet have a Title of Function: Mister Eddington. When there is more than one of a given Function being referenced (e.g., two Notaries), surnames are used: Mister Notary Thompson and Mister Notary MacGreggor. This is a very, very basic overview of title structure and it is strongly suggested that players of Invictus PCs read the Terms of Address section of the Invictus covenant book 16. A summary of this section, including covenant Functions, can be found at: http://currentwiki.mindseyesociety.org/index.php/invictus_titles Most Invictus titles are used in public and not considered covenant secrets. Invictus often show the same formality when dealing with other kindred, using the other vampire s title and insisting on the same courtesy in return. Becoming Invictus: Sires often watch prospective childer for periods of time. This gives them the opportunity to investigate their backgrounds and determine what will ensure their loyalty. While it s rare for Invictus to Embrace in passion or for revenge, it s not entirely unknown. A kindred without an Invictus sire looking to join the covenant needs an Invictus to stand as her sponsor. If the kindred is a member of another covenant, that Invictus must have more Invictus status than the kindred did in her previous covenant. 12 Invictus, p. 37 13 Invictus, p. 38 14 Invictus, p. 39 15 Invictus, p. 40 16 Invictus, pp. 42-43
In both cases, kindred go through a period of training to learn the complexities of covenant etiquette and protocol. For an unaligned kindred or one coming from another covenant, this period is a year. 17 There is no set length for training for a kindred who was embraced into the covenant. 18 These periods can vary in game and the player should discuss the length of training with his VST and the player of the sponsoring Invictus. Typical training durations run from six (6) months to a year. RP Guidelines: The most common goals of Invictus PCs are the accumulation of power, the increase of one s rank in the covenant, and either making the Invictus the dominant covenant in the domain or keeping it there. Invictus role play is rooted in the basics: Power, Protocol, Etiquette. For those players not interested in playing the political game, it can end there - follow the rules as closely as possible and perform your function(s) to the best of your ability. For players looking to play a more complex game, these basics can then be expanded by context and intent. Tone can turn a statement of perfect protocol into insult. Timing and body language can turn the simplest of comments into an essay of contempt or praise. Where one stands or how one dresses in relationship to other Invictus can express volumes. 19 Invictus love to advertise rank and privilege. 20 Mastering disciplines and gaining court positions and titles are big achievements. On formal occasions, Invictus courtiers use clothing and ornaments to communicate their rank and achievements. Systems may vary from domain to domain or be codified over areas or regions, etc. They include clothing (uniform jackets with insignia), belts and sashes (color coded, with livery), jewelry and medals, and patches and badges. PCs are encouraged to serve a defined purpose by being trained in a Function. A summary of Functions can be found in the link given above and are detailed on pages 40 42 in the covenant guide. 17 Invictus, p. 96 18 Invictus, pp. 94-95 19 Invictus, pp. 44-45 20 Invictus, p. 84