Anarch Movement

The Anarch Movement
Nicknames	The Unbound
Type	Vampire sect
Founded	15th century CE
Clans	All Clans

Anarchs are vampires who reject the status quo of Cainite society. The resulting organization of anarchs is called the Anarch Movement, whose traditional strongholds are Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

The Anarchs especially resent the privileged status held by elders within the Camarilla and other vampire sects; when the eldest hold the most power in a society of immortals, the youngest view it as a pyramid scheme. As such, this sect is naturally targeted for recruitment by the Sabbat.

Most of the Anarchs respect and uphold the Masquerade and some of the other Traditions, even if they do not respect the vampires who enforce them or the system that benefits from them. Some truly believe in them, while others follow to avoid conflicts both inside and outside of the movement.

Under the terms of the Convention of Thorns, the Anarchs—like all vampires—were until the early 21st century considered a faction of the Camarilla by its members, but unlike the Sabbat, they were tolerated.

History

The Anarch's historical origins lie in the Anarch Revolt that birthed the Sabbat—as well as the older Promethean and Furore movements—but in recent nights, they are mostly an unorganized rabble of younger vampires and Caitiff. "Anarch" was originally a name imposed upon them by Camarilla elders, since they sought to overthrow the leadership structures of Cainite society, but while many Anarchs are indeed anarchists, the more traditional desire has been the bringing equality and democracy (or at least meritocracy) to Kindred society.

In modern nights, the Anarchs that have been sidelined to the fringes of Kindred society have gathered together under the banner of the "Anarch Movement". This organized movement made their single largest coup against the tyranny of the elders and the sects during the Second Anarch Revolt. During this revolution, the Anarchs liberated Los Angeles in 1944; within a year, they established an Anarch Free State across southern and central California, overthrowing the Princes of the liberated cities and establishing in their places the Anarch Barons - which were given a much more tolerant degree of authority over their fellow Anarchs.

The establishment and continued existence of the Free State has put a greater strain on Anarch-Camarilla relations than at any point since the original Revolt. During the second half of the 20th century, the Free State withstood constant incursions from Camarilla and Sabbat alike. However, the Kuei-jin staged a concentrated incursion into the region in the late 1990s with the assistance of a few highly-placed ex-Anarchs who sought to preserve the region's independence from both Camarilla and Sabbat.

The Kuei-jin managed to oust Jeremy MacNeill, the Baron of Los Angeles, only to lose the city to a Camarilla counter-offensive. Now, the region holds a fragile détente between four factions: the Anarchs in what remains of the Free State, the Kuei-jin in the New Promise Mandarinate centered around San Francisco, the Camarilla with footholds in Los Angeles and San Diego, and the Sabbat to the south, in Mexico.

Organization

The Anarchs themselves are not a sect, per se; in most areas, they were regarded as merely a sub-sect of the Camarilla hierarchy. However, as the loosely-organized Anarch Movement has emerged over the course of the past century, they have begun to establish their own traditions, power blocs, territories, and all the other trappings of a full-fledged sect.

On a functional level, the Anarch Movement has kindred fulfilling most official functions recognized by the Camarilla. That is, Barons have advisors and enforcers, they're often guided by a council of their peers, and intend well for their peers, on the surface. Anarchs are no stranger to revolt, and barons who do not maintain the balance between being a wise leader and a tyrannical autocrat tends to find the stool pulled from under them.

• Baron or Advocate - By its simplest definition, a baron is the Anarch Movement's equivalent of a Prince. However, it's not uncommon for a city to have more than one Baron, and for them to even cooperate together, or in-fight. The title, originally given by the Camarilla, is not flattery. A Prince rules with divine right and authority, while a Baron must show fealty to them, a reminder of the original position of the Anarchs. Understandably this title has been shed in recent nights by many in favor of the new title, Advocate.

• Architect - Like other Kindred, Anarchs are protective of their territories. As such, many Barons establish an Architect to maintain the territory to keep it worth protecting. An Architect, sometimes called a Civil Engineer, polices the territory for masquerade violations, establishes defenses, and maintains watch on any Elysiums or revered locations within the domain. They may also establish hunting grounds to avoid over-hunting, keep watch for intruders, and ensure exiles remain exiled.

• Constable - Similar to a Camarilla Sheriff, the Constable serves as the strong-arm of the local government, providing a very visible threat to those who might think an Anarch territory undefended. A Constable is elected by the people, typically assisted by a small militia, and is responsible for carrying out punishments on unruly members. Unlike a Sheriff however, a Constable has no duties towards the Masquerade other than those which are expected of all Anarchs.

• Ambassador - Also known as Heralds or Emissaries, Ambassadors are usually chosen from more politically apt members of the Movement. In most cities, Anarchs and Camarilla members intermingle, making a public relations position invaluable. An Ambassadors primary role, when necessary, is to convince other sects, or individuals, to leave the Anarchs alone. Anarch Ambassadors to the Camarilla especially use the practice of boon-trading for the advantage of Anarch gangs or domains.

Status Bans

Status Bans in the Anarch Movement reflect the movement's ideals. Most importantly, freedom, humanity, and modernism. Individuals who willingly give up their Humanity or act with negligence are considered untrustworthy and unworthy of glory. Further, those who would steal freedom from others through diablerie or vampiric blood are also scorned.

Unlike the more organized sects, Anarchs do not have a prescribed manner of removing or lessening a status ban. Although actions such as diablerie were customary in the 16th century, the Anarch Movement has shifted over the centuries and their status bans have as well. Wait long enough, and you may lose a Status Ban as it shifts again.

Lesser Bans

• Members of the Anarch Movement who have ever committed diablerie.
• Members of the Anarch Movement who are known to Blood Bond others (including Ghouls). This ban lasts while the blood bond exists, plus an additional 3 months. If reoccurring, it becomes permanent.
• Members of the Anarch Movement who were members of the Camarilla or Sabbat within 10 years.

Greater Bans

• Members of the Anarch Movement on a Path of Enlightenment.
• Members of the Anarch Movement who have refused to participate in a local Call to Arms within the past 5 years.
• Members of the Anarch Movement who are responsible for large-scale breaches of the Masquerade.