Carthian Movement - Revision history

West at 04:40, 23 February 2017

2017-02-23T04:40:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:40, 23 February 2017
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-	==Carthian Unity==	+	=Carthian Unity=
	Carthian unity is real, no matter what sneering petty tyrants from other covenants say. Sure, the Carthians are no selfless band of brothers, all for one and one for all in the grand musketeer tradition — Kindred are instinctive loners with a lot to gain from secrecy and a “me first” attitude. If nothing else, though, the Carthians have some key traits in common beyond the name and a preference for Proletariat Chic fashion.		Carthian unity is real, no matter what sneering petty tyrants from other covenants say. Sure, the Carthians are no selfless band of brothers, all for one and one for all in the grand musketeer tradition — Kindred are instinctive loners with a lot to gain from secrecy and a “me first” attitude. If nothing else, though, the Carthians have some key traits in common beyond the name and a preference for Proletariat Chic fashion.

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	Philosophical accord is fine. Most Carthians, however, are in the Movement because it functions. The more it works for them, the more they believe in it. The more they believe in it, of course, the better it works.		Philosophical accord is fine. Most Carthians, however, are in the Movement because it functions. The more it works for them, the more they believe in it. The more they believe in it, of course, the better it works.

-	===~~One:~~ Tolerance, Within Reason===	+	===Tolerance, Within Reason===
	One idea the Carthians support is the notion of an environment in which a broad coalition of ideologies can move, interact, exchange concepts, challenge one another without animosity and thereby		One idea the Carthians support is the notion of an environment in which a broad coalition of ideologies can move, interact, exchange concepts, challenge one another without animosity and thereby
	become stronger.		become stronger.
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	That’s the Movement in a nutshell. Theoretically, the Carthians’ factional disagreements should yield resentment, spite and murderous hatred. In practice, most Carthians would rather get along than fight about matters of personal choice. At least, they’d rather get along with other Carthians.		That’s the Movement in a nutshell. Theoretically, the Carthians’ factional disagreements should yield resentment, spite and murderous hatred. In practice, most Carthians would rather get along than fight about matters of personal choice. At least, they’d rather get along with other Carthians.

-	===~~Two:~~ Collective Action===	+	===Collective Action===
	One powerful impetus for getting along is that Carthians are fans of collective action. Even something as personal as feeding is easier when you’ve got a couple of coterie-mates at your back keeping your meat from reaching the rear exit and guarding the door from prying mortal eyes.		One powerful impetus for getting along is that Carthians are fans of collective action. Even something as personal as feeding is easier when you’ve got a couple of coterie-mates at your back keeping your meat from reaching the rear exit and guarding the door from prying mortal eyes.

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	That said, the collectivism of the Movement also has a lot to offer those who seek only power, security and knowledge. Existential rewards aren’t universal, they’re rare — and only an option for those motivated to seek them.		That said, the collectivism of the Movement also has a lot to offer those who seek only power, security and knowledge. Existential rewards aren’t universal, they’re rare — and only an option for those motivated to seek them.

-	===~~Three:~~ Individual Rights===	+	===Individual Rights===
	While duty to the Movement is job one (at least, the other Carthians think duty should be job one), once that’s discharged the Movement takes a hands-off attitude. Carthians don’t let members trounce the Traditions on a whim, but other than that, they don’t much care about any individual interests, obsessions and crusades its members pursue. There are Carthians who study occult texts, sites and incidents as fanatically as anyone in the Ordo Dracul. There are Carthians who pursue penitence and scripture with fervor one of the Sanctified would envy, if envy wasn’t a sin. Because the Carthians as a whole are aggressively secular, individual Carthian mystics can follow their beliefs without worrying about cleaving to some contrary covenant-wide party line.		While duty to the Movement is job one (at least, the other Carthians think duty should be job one), once that’s discharged the Movement takes a hands-off attitude. Carthians don’t let members trounce the Traditions on a whim, but other than that, they don’t much care about any individual interests, obsessions and crusades its members pursue. There are Carthians who study occult texts, sites and incidents as fanatically as anyone in the Ordo Dracul. There are Carthians who pursue penitence and scripture with fervor one of the Sanctified would envy, if envy wasn’t a sin. Because the Carthians as a whole are aggressively secular, individual Carthian mystics can follow their beliefs without worrying about cleaving to some contrary covenant-wide party line.

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	While the role of individual rights is clearest in the case of those with individual obsessions, individual rights plays a role for Kindred who are less focused on specific, esoteric goals such as enlightenment or Golconda or claiming praxis. Citizen Kindred with a more night-to-night focus on getting by, being comfortable and attaining security grasp, pretty quickly, that every covenant asks you to jump through some hoops. The Carthians aren’t a free ride. But often, the price they ask (“help a brother out when he’s low”) seems a lot more palatable and simple than covenants that promise far more, but demand humiliation, servitude or spiritual pollution in exchange.		While the role of individual rights is clearest in the case of those with individual obsessions, individual rights plays a role for Kindred who are less focused on specific, esoteric goals such as enlightenment or Golconda or claiming praxis. Citizen Kindred with a more night-to-night focus on getting by, being comfortable and attaining security grasp, pretty quickly, that every covenant asks you to jump through some hoops. The Carthians aren’t a free ride. But often, the price they ask (“help a brother out when he’s low”) seems a lot more palatable and simple than covenants that promise far more, but demand humiliation, servitude or spiritual pollution in exchange.

-	===~~Four: The~~ Duty to be a Complete Being===	+	===Duty to be a Complete Being===
	Along with a sober recognition of Kindred limits and a healthy appreciation for cooperation, the Carthian philosophy holds deeper levels. Even as its tolerance for diversity makes the Movement a haven for comfortable Kindred who just want to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble, there’s a contradictory urge for members to find a passion and pursue it. In Carthian lingo, this is called “mission” and “position.”		Along with a sober recognition of Kindred limits and a healthy appreciation for cooperation, the Carthian philosophy holds deeper levels. Even as its tolerance for diversity makes the Movement a haven for comfortable Kindred who just want to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble, there’s a contradictory urge for members to find a passion and pursue it. In Carthian lingo, this is called “mission” and “position.”

-	~~===~~=Position~~===~~=	+	=Position=
	The Carthian Movement gives its members tremendous latitude of belief. The reason the Movement hasn’t been weighed down by inertia is its expectation that members act on their beliefs. That core belief is termed a “position” — some attitude or philosophy the individual not only likes or approves of, but which she thinks is important enough to merit the full attention of her Requiem.		The Carthian Movement gives its members tremendous latitude of belief. The reason the Movement hasn’t been weighed down by inertia is its expectation that members act on their beliefs. That core belief is termed a “position” — some attitude or philosophy the individual not only likes or approves of, but which she thinks is important enough to merit the full attention of her Requiem.

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	Positions can be lone beliefs, but far more often they’re held in common with other Carthians. The Movement contains many “position coteries,” which function much like activist groups, or revolutionary cells. Some beliefs are popular enough to encompass several coteries within a city, or several Carthian groups within connected cities or (if a position is broad and strong enough, like “Kindred should be governed democratically”) multiple cities on a continent.		Positions can be lone beliefs, but far more often they’re held in common with other Carthians. The Movement contains many “position coteries,” which function much like activist groups, or revolutionary cells. Some beliefs are popular enough to encompass several coteries within a city, or several Carthian groups within connected cities or (if a position is broad and strong enough, like “Kindred should be governed democratically”) multiple cities on a continent.

-	~~===~~=Mission~~===~~=	+	=Mission=
	Having a deeply felt faith is a great first step, but it’s only the first step. Carthians have very little patience for those who develop elaborate theories and then sit on their asses, even if they’re sitting around elaborately discussing the theories they’re developing. Position is what you believe and that’s important. But it’s hollow without mission. Mission is what you do.		Having a deeply felt faith is a great first step, but it’s only the first step. Carthians have very little patience for those who develop elaborate theories and then sit on their asses, even if they’re sitting around elaborately discussing the theories they’re developing. Position is what you believe and that’s important. But it’s hollow without mission. Mission is what you do.

Marco Fernandez at 13:55, 27 July 2015

2015-07-27T13:55:34Z

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West at 01:14, 15 May 2015

2015-05-15T01:14:40Z

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{{header|vtr}}{{Vampire/CM}}{{Askpc/Rank|Vampires|Covenant|Carthian Movement}}{{clear left}}
=Overview=
The Carthian Movement (or simply the Movement) is comprised mostly of neonates and ancillae bound together by the desire for political reform, the search for a Kindred Utopia. Refusing to simply accept the status quo as ''inherently right'' or that medieval feudalism is the best system for governing Kindred, Carthians advocate any number of more recent -or more ancient- systems of governance. Communism, democracy, ethnocracy, kratocracy, logocracy, totalitarianism; there are almost as many ideologies as there are Carthians. The Carthian ideal often espouses every member having a voice, and everyone contributing to the betterment of all. As such, internally, Carthians are generally far more supportive of each other than other Covenants.

Carthians tend to cleave more closely to the mortal world than other vampires. This tendency, along with their willingness to work together against the oppression of those established gives them a unique advantage and allows them to interact more effectively in mortal society which can provide them vast networks of mortal contacts and allies.
* Members of the Carthian Movement receive reduced XP cost on [[Merits]]: [[Allies]], [[Contacts]], and [[Haven]].
{{TOC right}}

=Titles=
===Prefect===
The Kindred in charge of much of the night-to-night running of Carthian operations in a given city is known as the Prefect. In most every case, the Prefect is elected (in whatever form that takes) by a majority of other Carthians, with the exception of any active Myrmidon, who traditionally abstains from such voting. The Prefect is at once the spokesperson for the Movement in his domain, the “chair” and organizer of Carthian events, and the one responsible for making sure that no single faction member’s actions jeopardize the others. The Prefect must therefore have some public relations savvy, as it is to him tha the Prince inevitably turns when a Carthian is suspected of some wrongdoing. While the Prefect carries considerable sway among his confederates, he is not their leader in either name or truth, and most prefer the relationship that way.

*Current Prefect: {{#ask: [[Carthian Movement Title::Prefect]]}}

*Former Prefect(s): {{#ask: [[Former Position::Prefect]]}}

===Myrmidon===

The majority of incarnations of the Carthian experiment involve Kindred getting together and democratically parceling out both feeding rights and potential dispute resolutions. As such, the need quickly arises for an entirely “neutral party” to help maintain order and restore peaceable negotiations to the table, when necessary. A Carthian known as a Myrmidon fills this role. Although the Myrmidon works very closely with the Prefect, he is not the Prefect’s “right-hand man,” despite appearances to the contrary. Rather, he is the one who often acts as intermediary between two quarreling Carthians or between a Carthian and a non-Carthian of no political importance. Given the Prefect’s duties to the cause, the Myrmidon can and often does end up acting as the one enforcing the Prefect’s duties, simply by virtue of the fact that nobody else could do it without cry of foul.

*Current Myrmidon: {{#ask: [[Carthian Movement Title::Myrmidon]]}}

*Former Myrmidon(s): {{#ask: [[Former Position::Myrmidon]]}}

=Observances=
===The Chain===

At almost every Carthian gathering, at some point in the evening, some Kindred (usually the Prefect) steps forward and requests that everyone present take part in a long-standing custom that Carthians call the Chain. The entire rite (such as it is) is over in a matter of moments, so even the most turbulent of Kindred usually acquiesce to their involvement. The idea is simple. All the Carthians present gather in a circle, and following a few inspirational words from the Prefect, each passes a single artifact that is esteemed by the local Carthians to the Kindred beside him, thus forming a symbolic chain representing that what one Kindred does affects all others. The symbolism is blunt but effective. Each vampire in the circle is beholden to the next and responsible for another, but not directly. In this way do the Carthians remind themselves of their outlook, common goals and objectives. Artifacts can be anything, such as a relic of a fallen Carthian leader, an effigy of an enemy or a personal possession of someone soon to be drawn into the Carthian ranks.

===Independence Day===
The Carthians, being fans of democracy in all its forms, hold a special fondness for Independence Day. The term can be misleading, however, seeing how the celebration day itself is not always on the American holiday, the fourth of July. In countries other than the United States, such as Mexico and France, Carthian vampires typically celebrate on the same date mortals do, so the fifth of May is nearly as common a date of observance, for example. In actual Carthian-dominated domains, the Kindred celebrate the night their dream of a new world came to pass. The victory of an alternate political model is both rare and wondrous in the world of the Damned, and the Carthians revel in remembering the night of its advent. When free to do so, Carthians can get quite rowdy, and their parties are truly legendary.

=Factions=
Carthians are not unorganized: they are diversified. The Carthian Movement, as a covenant, includes many different political activists and philosophers, but these disparate factions are not necessarily incapable of working together or organizing. The central belief of the Carthian Movement, the idea that is common to the majority of Carthian factions, domains and members (even though this is not an idea that unifies them) is this: Kindred social systems should modernize to include broader bases of power.

==Individualists==

Individualists, sometimes referred to as "solos", hold individual agendas sacred above all else. For them, the covenant represents an organisation that will shelter them and allow them to pursue their own goals. They may or may not become actively involved in assisting in covenant affairs, depending on whether or not it seems convenient, profitable or just plain unavoidable. This is due to the fact that, according to most Individualists, no member should be forced into a duty which might undermine their right to choose. A smart Individualist knows that routinely refusing to assist other members is not a good way to make friends, and will apply just enough effort to avoid being ostracized. A good portion of Carthians consider themselves Individualists, though they generally exist on the fringes of the Movement.

==Collectivists==

All Carthians enjoy the freedom to explore new ideas; change is at the core of the Movement's creed. Individualists certainly capitalize on this freedom, clinging to it as their instrument for reform. Collectivists, however, see the blueprints for change in a different light. For a Collectivist, great change comes with a price tag: cooperation. Realizing one's goals, particularly the more lofty ones, often requires assistance. A Collectivist values an individual's ideas but prioritizes advancement of the covenant as a whole. The Movement is what gives them their sense of comfort and security. It is more than just a refuge for the neonate and unaligned; it is an engine for change to benefit all of Kindred society. This is a Collectivist's sacred duty.

==Moderates==

People conform to political ideals in varying degrees and Carthians are no exception. For many of them, Individualists and Collectivists are the extremes. There is an entire spectrum of values between the two ideologies. A Kindred may be sympathetic towards one school of thought over another, but is unwilling to commit themselves entirely to their way of thinking. Unity and communion are the core of a Collectivist's values; realizing one's personal goals is the highest calling for an Individualist. A Moderate is a realist. Moderates like the idea of pursuing their own ideas. They like freedom from the imposition of being bound to serve the covenant. They also know that, realistically, nothing will get accomplished if they all live like hermits. A Moderate is willing to sacrifice a little of their personal freedom for the sake of the collective. Compromise and assistance is looked at on case-by-case basis as they weigh out "what's in it for me" with "what are the consequences if I don't".

==Other Factions==

Not all Carthians can be easily categorized as Individualists, Collectivists or something in between. Sometimes this is because they feel that the most important argument is not in whether to value individual or collective values. An individual might feel the pull of a cult of personality within the covenant's ranks or perhaps align themselves with those of a very specific mindset. These Carthians fall into sub-factions of the Movement that have their own variations of identity, agendas and methods of pursuing those agendas.

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