The Protocols of Nashville Guide
Rules of Nashville (The City Law)
Requesting an
audience with the Council of Five
Sample Request of
Oath Removal
Pre-court mingle:
approx 1 hour
Open Court: approx
30-45 minutes
Private sessions
with the Primogen: approx 30 minutes
Mid-Court mingle:
approx 1 hour
Primogen
Deliberation: approx 30 minutes.
Closing Court:
approx 15 minutes
Nashville is not ruled by a single Prince. It has been divided into 5 parts (called territories) each of which is ruled by a Primogen. The Five Primogen rule Nashville together, and have done so for over a century. This Primogen Council is also called the Council of Five.
Resident: A
kindred who has pledged allegiance to a Primogen and resides in their
territory. Also called “peeps”. An oath of residency is required to become a
Resident, the details of which vary by Primogen (see Oaths section)
Drifter: A
kindred who has chosen not to pledged allegiance to any Primogen and/or resides
in the barrens outside the city.
Newcomer: A kindred who wishes to live in Nashville, but has not yet been accepted by a Primogen. A Newcomer who is rejected by all Primogen becomes a Drifter.
Visitor: A
kindred visiting the city, who has not yet taken residence in Nashville. New residents of Nashville are considered
Newcomers for the first 3 months.
Visitors are usually sponsored by a specific Primogen.
Each Primogen has the right of destruction in their own
territory (over Residents of their own territory, and Drifters caught
trespassing in their territory only).
They may grant this right to another (such as their Constable). Each Primogen sets the law in their own
territory. City Law can only be set by a full vote of the Council of Five, and
City Law always overrides any local territory laws.
Drifters have chosen not to ally with any particular
Primogen. They have no rights. If they are caught breaking the law in any
territory, the local Primogen may deal with them as they wish.
When a Resident is caught breaking the law in another
Primogen’s territory, every reasonable effort should be made to subdue the
kindred without final death. Torpor or
staking are acceptable should other methods fail. The Primogen may then negotiate with each other for the return of
the body. Only the kindred’s own
Primogen (or a vote of the full Council) may punish them, therefore it is in a
Resident’s best interests not to resist arrest by the local Constable.
A Resident, Drifter or Newcomer may not set up business in another Primogen's territory, nor feed in it without permission.
A “bloodhunt” called in one territory will be enforced in all territories.
An Oathbreaker is nothing and will not be accepted as Resident of any territory. They are beneath the status of Drifter. (see Oaths section)
Diablerists are not welcome in Nashville and will be executed upon discovery.
Court is the time when a kindred may attempt to bring a petition before the Primogen Council (or Council of Five). This may be a grievance, a request or other matters requiring the attention of the full Council.
During the times designated for Mingling, the Primogen will usually be mingling publicly. Each Primogen may set their own rules for how, when and by whom they may be approached during Mingling. Matters relating to a specific territory should always be addressed to the Primogen of that territory rather than the entire court.
Primogen: One of the five rulers of Nashville. Each Primogen holds domain over their part of the city (also called a territory)
The Voice: Speaks for the Coucil of Five during court functions. This office combines the standard offices of Herald and Master of Elysium.
Harpy: Responsible for matters of gossip and boons
Sheriff: Keeps the peace on a city level, and may issue a Call-to-Arms to the city’s Constables.
Seneschal: The Vice-Primogen for a specific territory. When the Primogen is absent, the Seneschal speaks with the full authority of their Primogen.
Constable: A mini-sheriff in charge of a specific territory. Each Primogen appoints their own Constable. When both the Primogen and Seneschal are both absent, the Constable speaks will the full authority of their Primogen.
Any kindred may request a public audience with the entire Primogen Council during Open Court. Note that the Council of Five may decline to hear any specific kindred in Open Court. Therefore, it may be prudent to talk to your Primogen before Open Court and try to obtain their support.
To arrange a private meeting with the Council of Five, a kindred must go through The Voice. The Voice will hear the request and determine whether it is worth a private session. The Voice may require a boon or other service in exchange for arranging the meeting. She determines who sees the Council privately and in what order, so it is worthwhile to stay in her good graces.
Pre-court mingle
Open Court
Private sessions with the Primogen
Mid-Court mingle
Primogen Deliberation
Closing Court
Court is held on Elysium. Each territory has one or more places designated as Elysium where Court is held. The Primogen each take a turn at hosting the Court in their own territory.
No weapons. The Primogen, Sheriff and Constables are the only exceptions.
No powers are to be used on Elysium except by court officers, or with permission of the Primogen.
Any sort of physical or mystical confrontation is strictly forbidden within Elysium. Violators of this rule are inevitably banished or executed posthaste. There is no way to permanently break an Elysium (per the source material). The Primogen, Sheriff and the Voice may do whatever is necessary to keep the peace on Elysium. A Primogen or the Sheriff may call the Constables to assist as necessary. If Elysium is attacked, all present may act to defend it and themselves.
Elysium will be strictly enforced. Therefore, it is recommended that any Kindred who finds themselves close to frenzy remove themselves immediately from Elysium.
There are several different levels of Oaths, the simplest being the Oath of Residency. A Residency Oath of some kind is always required to become a Resident of a given territory. The subsequent levels of Oaths may be required by a Primogen in exchange for privileges such as greater feeding rights or positions of authority within their territory. These things are often open to negotiation. Sometimes Oaths are levied as an alternative to more permanent forms of punishment (such as banishment or death).
All Oaths are given publicly at Court and are considered very serious indeed. Oathbreakers are dealt with harshly, for a kindred who cannot keep his word is not welcome in Nashville. The only options open to an Oathbreaker are Exile from Nashville or drinking the blood of the personage to whom the oath was broken (in public court).
These sample oaths are given as examples of several levels of Oaths (some Primogen have more levels). The specific wording of any Oath is determined by each individual Primogen. (Note: Anyone who entered play as a Resident is assumed to have given at the very least an Oath of Residency to their Primogen.)
This is usually the first oath given by Newcomers when they become Residents. It is fairly undemanding, generally requiring the kindred to obey the laws and not cause trouble for their Primogen.
(Note: Oaths of Residency are given to the territory. In other words, they remain in effect if the Primogen of a given territory changes. Some Primogen require a regular re-swearing of the Oaths.).
I ________________ do hereby petition to become a Resident of the _________ territory, ruled by ___________. As a resident, I swear to obey all city laws and all laws of the territory in which I reside. I swear to do no harm, through action or inaction, to my Primogen and their appointed staff, nor to hinder or work counter to my Primogen’s interests. This oath binds me (until I am released) or (for X months) or (while I remain a Resident of this territory).
Primogen Response: Let it be known that I accept your oath of residency. Let _________ now be considered a Resident of my territory and under my protection.
Oaths of Fealty are usually a little more demanding and are often given in an exchange of some kind.
(Note: Oaths of Fealty are usually given to the individual Primogen, not the territory. They are void if the Primogen changes.)
I ___________________ do hereby swear this oath of fealty to __________________. I swear to obey all lawfully given commands in all matters concerning this land. I will cause no harm, through action or inaction, to my Primogens person, his secrets, his honor, justice, or possessions. I will remain mindful that the harmony of Nashville springs from my own deeds. This I swear until I am released from this Oath, or the Primogen departs from these lands.
Primogen Response: Let it be known that I accept your oath of fealty. Let all know that _________ is my faithful vassal.
The strictest of the Oaths, the Blood Oath is sometimes though of as a Blood or Life boon. It is certainly not something to be given lightly, for you are swearing to support your Primogen in all things and accept whatever punishment he desires for displeasing him.
(Note: This is a very intense Oath and signifies a much greater bond to the Primogen in question)
By the vitae which empowers me and before kindred society, I will to ________________ be true and faithful, and love all which (s)he loves and shun all which (s)he shuns, according to the laws of the Blood and the order of our world. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him/her, on condition that (s)he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that (s)he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.
Primogen Response: Let it be known that I accept your Promise of Blood.
I _________________ do ask to be relieved of my Oath of ____________ given to __________.
Primogen may mingle freely. At this point, anyone who wants to arrange a private meeting with the Primogen, can approach The Voice. She must use her judgment to decide whether the matter is worth a private session, and may charge a suitable boon.
This is also an excellent time for people to speak to their Primogen, and ask for their support in addressing the Council during Open Court. The Sheriff may use this time to question kindred who are new to the city and visitors.
* Sound to call the court to order. Gong? *
The Voice announces “All take your seats. Open Court will now begin”
* The Voice gongs again to signal that everyone is ready *
The Voice recites the Invocation as the Primogen enter. The Voice introduces each Primogen, along with the Harpy and the Sheriff.
Announcements by the Council are made by The Voice, if any. The Sheriff and Harpy may also have announcements.
The Voice says “Any who would swear Oaths, rise at this
time.”
Any kindred wishing to swear an Oath stands and waits to be acknowledged by the Voice. The Voice calls each kindred in turn to the front, where they recite their oath.
The Voice says “Any who would address the Council, rise at this time.”
Any kindred may stand to represent her desire to address the Council. The Voice recognizes each person in turn, by turning to the Council and asking “Will the Council hear the words of <blah>?”
Each Primogen then votes. The Voice silently counts the votes and announces the results. If the majority vote No the Voice says “The Council declines to listen at this time”. The person must sit back down and may not attempt to speak again during evening’s court.
If the Council votes yes, the Voice says “The Council will hear your words. <Blah> may now address the Council.” The person may then make their case.
The Primogen do not address the people directly, but may speak through the Voice. The amount of time a person may speak is limited. This is enforced by the Voice
The Voice announces, “Court will now recess.”
* The Voice gongs again to signal the recess *
The Primogen stand and exit into an adjacent room. People can again approach the Voice and attempt to arrange a private session.
The Primogen adjourn to a private room for private sessions. The Voice organizes and locates each kindred who has arranged for a private session, and fetches those with whom the Primogen wish to meet. Each private session has a time limit, enforced by the Voice.
The Primogen exit the private room and mingle freely with the people. They may socialize or discuss matters with their people. Information can be gathered and topics discussed. Boons can be exchanged and votes negotiated.
If necessary, the Primogen meet privately.
* The Voice gongs to signal re-convene *
The Voice announces “All take your seats. Closing Court will now begin”
The Primogen return and take their seats.
The Voice repeats any issues the Primogen have been deliberating, and calls for a vote of the Primogen (if needed). The Primogen vote and the Voice silently counts and then announces the results.
The Sheriff and the Harpy may speak, if needed.
Voice gives Benediction, the Primogen exit
* The Voice gongs to signal the end of court *