Editing Guide to Etiquette (section)

== Titles and Status ==
Greetings, Kindred of the Camarilla. I am Alexander Mountbatten VII, Esteemed Scion of the proud and venerable Clan Ventrue. My bloodline has, for generations uncounted, been the steady hand on the tiller of Kindred society, steering us through storms and into prosperous waters. My name has echoed through the marbled halls of Elysium, a symbol of authority, tradition, and the indomitable spirit of our clan.

In our endless nights, titles are not just words; they are a testament to our legacy and our lineage. They bear witness to our deeds and our standing amongst the Kindred. To address a peer incorrectly is not merely a slip of the tongue, but a grievous slight against their very essence. Respect and formality are the threads that weave the fabric of our society together, ensuring it does not fray at the edges.

It was with this realization and the disturbing observation of growing negligence in our ways that I felt an undeniable compulsion to put quill to parchment. And who better to partner in this endeavor than the illustrious Lazarette Haberdasher of Clan Toreador, a Kindred whose name and talents are synonymous with elegance and artistry?

In our eternal society, titles and honorifics are not mere flourishes of speech, but the very badges of respect and delineation of stature. The chasm between the Status of two Kindred is directly proportional to the degree of formality the lesser must extend. 

A neonate of the Camarilla would scarcely dare to utter a word to a prince or primogen without explicit beckoning; when given that rare privilege, they would resort to titles such as 'Your Majesty' or other fitting honorifics. Only a Kindred of equivalent stature has the audacity to employ a simple 'Sir'. 

Nonetheless, every Kindred who has maintained their standing should anticipate being addressed with the decorum of a 'Mister', 'Miss', or 'Madam', followed diligently by their distinguished surname.

Were a Kindred of elevated rank to presume to use a junior's birth name in address, it's a move akin to a maestro's dramatic pause before a tumultuous climax—indicative not of familiarity, but of pronounced disdain. It places the lesser firmly as nothing more than an attendant, or perhaps a green childe. And, let it be known, that even a childe or servant must never suffer the indignity of being called by a mere diminutive or informal sobriquet of their given name.

In Ascending Echelons of Formality (from the modest to the most august):

===Informal===

:''Anything with [First name]''

Reserved for the most familial of ties, or between lovers.

* Miss Clara.
* My childe, John. 

===Semi-formal===

:''[Esteem] [Surname]''

The least formal and most general-use form of address. Also often used to address an inferior or peer at court, or another Vampire formally who has no rank or position.

* Miss Yale.
* Mister Brown.

===Formal===

: ''[Honorific]'' only, ''[Rank] + [Surname]'', or ''[Esteem] + [Position]''

Addressing another person in a neutral formality. This is the most common style to use in general.

* Your Majesty.
* Prince Windholtz.
* Madame Harpy.
* Neonate Stevens.
* Lord Winter.
* Lord Sheriff.

===Highly-formal===

:''[Status/Adjective]+[Rank or Honorific]'' or ''[Honorific]+[Rank]''

Addressing a superior or one who must be shown greater deference. Good for showing subservience to another. You may optionally append the surname.

* Your Most Sovereign Majesty.
* Noble Primogen Smith.
* His Grace, Justicar Bell.''

===Most Formal===

: [Honorific] + [Full name] + [full title]

Used in formal oral proclamations, grand gestures of deference, and other times you want to seriously kiss ass. Full titles start with the most general (Status class, clan, house, etc) and become more and more specific. Usually a formal court position is last. The main exception to this are Architects of the Camarilla and current & former Camarilla global officers such as Archons and Justicars.

* ''His Majesty, Silas Cross of Clan Gangrel, Prince of The Domain of Nashua, New Hampshire.''
* ''His Grace, Stanford Warwick, Elder, Imperial Prince of New England, Prince of Providence, and former Justicar of Clan Nosferatu''

=== Titles of Esteem ===
These titles are used in the most general sense: They indicate a state of being and a general ranking in society.

* '''Master/Miss/Emex:''' When a vampire is Embraced but still undergoing the Accounting, the neonate is referred to as Master if male, Miss if female, and Emex as a neutral third option, followed by their surname (formal) or given name (familiar). Mister Wood. Miss Carver. Emex Brown.
* '''Mister/Madam/Misex:''' When the neonate enters Camarilla society and for some time thereafter, the vampire is referred to as Mister if male, Madam if female, and Misex as a neutral third option, followed by their surname.

'''A note for Ventrue:''' If the Vampire is a Ventrue, the titles of '''Lord''' or '''Lady''' may be substituted. In general, the term Lord in used in a gender-neutral fashion, however a neutral third option of '''Laird''' is sometimes used. Such a title generally supercedes ''Elder'' among the clan, while ''Elder'' and ''Lord'' are often used interchangeably by those outside Clan Ventrue.

=== Titles of Rank ===
These titles are used in more formal functions such as positions.

* '''Neonate/Ancilla:''' As applies to one’s rank within the sect. This title is always superceded by a positional title.
* '''Elder''': Vampires of sufficient status to be considered elders of their sect may additionally have their title replaced with the term “Elder”. Such things indicate a higher level of formality. 
* '''Position:''' One’s formal position. This might be a formal position like Prince of Seneschal, or an unofficial position. This also includes positions from other groups, like a Baron or a Doyen.

=== Honorifics ===
Certain positions carry honorifics. Others do not. This is not an exhaustive list. 

Standard honorifics are used formally in speech and writing, such as:

* Her Grace, Justicar Iadenza
* Your Majesty, Prince Daniels
* His Highness, Seneschal Bagg

Stated Honorifics tend to be used more in proclamations, announcements, and writing. In many cases this honorific may also simply be replaced with a Status of that position,, such as:

* The Sovereign Adam Winchester, Prince of Chicago
* The Honourable Abigail Forza, Lictor of New England
* The Noble Harpy Landring McHale

=== Imperial Fiefdoms ===
Some Imperial fiefdoms exist, in which case, the term ''Imperial'' may be added just before the last word of the honorific or title, such as “Imperial Prince”, “Your Imperial Majesty”, “Imperial Harpy”, etc.