Invictus

• The Invictus is a Kindred Covenant focused on the acquisition of power, also known as The First Estate.
  
• Advantages: Reduced XP cost on Merits: Resources, Retainer, Mentor, and Herd.

Covenant

Taking their name from the Latin word for "Unconquerable", The Invictus are a covenant that believes they are the rightful rulers of the race of Kindred. Lords and ladies of the night, the First Estate (as they call themselves) wield money, human pawns and political influence as tools to accomplish their goals.

Daeva and Ventrue make up the bulk of the population, with many a city's Prince being a Ventrue Invictus. Nosferatu more often than not serve as the enforcers and bodyguards of the Invictus. Mekhet are also found as members, but they usually strive to maintain secrecy of their involvement in the covenant. Gangrel usually find the Invictus to be too stuffy and rigid for their tastes, although some do lust for the power that the First Estate can grant.

Nevertheless, The First Estate's members, however varied, are united in one common goal - the acquisition of power.

The earliest Kindred document mentioning the Invictus is a grant of hunting rights, made in AD 84. During this time, the Camarilla still ruled Rome. Those Kindred around at the time claim that the Invictus ruled the Camarilla. When that organisation fell, the Invictus filled the power vacuum with overwhelming speed. Jealous Kindred say the Invictus deliberately overthrew the Camarilla, but found that it was not quite as powerful as it thought.

The Middle Ages - which the Invictus refer to as the "Heroic Age" - were when individuals and dynasties performed great deeds for the Covenant, cementing their place in the Kindred power structure.

Organization

The at the head of each city sits the Inner Circle. This is typically comprised of the oldest (and theoretically most superior) Invictus members of the city, and it is they who direct their colleagues and subordinates to further the First Estate's plans.

Titles of Esteem

This title denotes general age of a vampire. Everyone has one, which is the first title that counts against their maximum number of titles.

There are also Titles of Esteem that can be used to designate familial relations. These are appended after a person's address when introducing them. These are not counted against a character's maximum number of titles.

• Master (m) / Miss (f): A vampire that is embraced but still under going instruction by sire. They have not undergone Manumission.

• Mister (m) / Madam (f): A vampire that has undergone Manumission to join the Invictus but who is not yet old enough to be considered an Alder or is not a member of a Knightly Order.
• Sir (m) / Dame (f) : If a vampire is a member of a Knightly Order and otherwise qualifies for the title Mister or Madam, then he or she uses this instead. (this still is not an actual title of Esteem just replaces it)

• Alder: Regardless of gender or profession, if an Invictus is well beyond the average age of a domain's entire vampire populace, then they use the title Alder. Alder is never combined with Sir or Dame.

Titles of Tribute

These titles denote actual accomplishment by the character to which they are attached. They are supposed to be rare and highly sought after; however, within the Camarilla its hard to swing a cat in a room full of Invictus without hitting more than a dozen people with these. In part this is because we have a very low vampire population as compared to what is in canon. In part it is also because people want titles.

Normally these are only used in specific forms of address; however, some of them add a prefix to other forms of address.

• Lord (m) / Lady (f): Generally considered the least Title of Tribute, this is given to Invictus who have distinguished themselves in some positive way through dint of merit or lineage.

• Baron (m) / Baroness (f): A step beyond Lord, this title is given to Invictus who have repeatedly distinguished themselves, exceeding the call of duty.

• Viscount (m) / Viscountess (f): Bestowed upon a kindred given permanent domain within Invictus territory. The name of the domain is appended to the title. Example: The Viscount of Beacon Hill. If the domain is lost, the name of the domain is no longer appended, but the character retains the title. "The Good" precedes introductions.

• Earl: Given to a kindred who conquered a domain, thus adding the territory to those of the Invictus. The name of the domain is appended to the title. Example: The Earl of Georgetown. If the domain is lost, the name of the domain is no longer appended, but the character retains the title. "The Honorable" precedes introductions. There is no feminine form for this title, though it is arguable that Countess could work if a female character did not want to simply use Earl.

• Marquis (m) / Marquise (f): Given to an Invictus who is given a permanent seat upon the Inner Circle of a city. The name of the city is appended to the title. "The Right Honorable" precedes introductions. Example: The Marquise of Goa.

• Duke (m) / Duchess (f): Given to an Invictus who conquers a city (not just a domain) and establishes a strong and lasting rule for the Invictus. The name of the city is appended to the title. Example: The Duke of Spokane. "His Grace" or "Her Grace" precedes introductions.

Positions

• Advisor - An Invictus title for a member of the Primogen.
• Almoner - A vampire who makes it a profession to care for the less fortunate, either in Kindred or mortal society or both.
• Archon - The Invictus title for a Hound.
• Au Pair - A specialist in elementary training for neonates: basic vampire survival and etiquette, Discipline use, and Masquerade preservation skills.
• Commissioner - A vampire trained in the judicious distribution of resources.
• Councilor - A member of the Inner Circle.
• Groom - An Invictus who cultivates Herds for other members.
• Interpreter - A translator and specialist in matters of subterfuge.
• Judex - A judge and arbiter of disputes.
• Knight - An oathsworn soldier.
• Librettist - A professional connoisseur of arts and entertainments.
• Meister - An acknowledged expert and instructor in any field of study who oversees a Guild.
• Minister - The Invictus title for a Herald.
• Notary - A professional witness to declarations and recitations of oaths.
• Player - A professional artist or performer.
• Prince - The city position of Prince.
• Priscus - The city position of Priscus.
• Reeve - An Invictus title for a Sheriff.
• Secretary - The governor of Guilds in a City.
• Senator - a Professional philosopher and advisor; may be called upon to give counsel on spiritual matters or interpret occult occurences.
• Seneschal - The city position of Seneschal.
• Soldier - A professional warrior who is not sworn to an Order of Knights.
• Speaker - A specialist in matters of ettiquette and diplomacy.
• Steward - A preserver of valuable artifacts.
• Technologist - An expert in the study and application of Disciplines, including the experimental development of new Devotions, categorization of bloodline-specific powers, and observations of other "foreign" abilities.
• Whip - The city position of Whip.

Advancement

Advancement in the Invictus is based on merit. The Invictus who rise to the top are the ones who have done the greatest benefit for the covenant (or who have effectively crushed all their opposition). Gaining influence and power, conquering territory for the covenant, and eliminating Invictus enemies all help the neonate earn advancement. Naturally, the higher one climbs, the more enemies one makes. In fact, an Invictus without a few powerful enemies is probably not an Invictus worth noticing.

Invictus earn power through exchanging favors, shows of fealty and swearing oaths, all in a complicated system of rules and etiquette. Invictus life is dominated by backroom deals, secret alliances and betrayals.

Culture

The Invictus is dominated largely by its elders. Consequently, much emphasis is placed on tradition. Young Invictus and most outsiders see the covenant as hidebound and anachronistic. The elders argue that following the old ways make sense - like the covenant itself, these notions have withstood the test of time, which makes them inherently superior to modern ideals.

There is an air of refinement within the covenant, perhaps cultivated by its members to distract them from the realities of being a vampire. Invictus members are typically smartly dressed, well spoken and educated. Very rarely does a member resort to anything as unseemly as brawling. Instead they practice a deadly dance of one-upmanship, acid quips and not so subtle intimidation. Still, it is this veneer of grace and civility that attracts many young members to the covenant, who have had their fill of being rudely shoved around by their fellow Kindred.

Creeds and Heresies

For the Invictus, the highest goal is power for power's sake. The system of courtly etiquette and rules help to enforce order and teach the young their role, but all that is simply to achieve the Invictus goal of absolute and unassailable power over the night.

Traditions

• Manumission
• Monomacy
• Prestation

The Florentine Code

The Florentine Code is the most popular system for showing clan membership for members of the first estate. This code assigns the following colors:

• Daeva - red and gold
• Gangrel - red and brown
• Mekhet - indigo and silver
• Nosferatu - black and green
• Ventrue - purple and gold

In some cities, influential bloodlines select their own colors or add a third color to show their distinction from the parent clan. This is far from universal, though.

Oaths

Status