New Convention of Thorns

The **New** **Convention of Thorns** was a new agreement between Camarilla, Anarchs and some independent clans made on October 31st, 2018. It marked the end of the Anarch sect, the end of Inner Circle and the rule of Camarilla by individual Elders. It also marked the changes in structure of clans of the **Camarilla**

## Overview

In line with the previous event of 1493 (See **Convention of Thorns**), its name also comes from the location of the meeting: the Abbey of the Sacred Crown near the small village of Thorns outside Silchester in England.

The Convention was proposed by the Princes of Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Vienna, Bern, Budapest, Seville and Lyon around 2006. Its main purpose was to create a new buffer of security for the Camarilla after the **Disaster of St. Petersburg** for limiting the power of Elders and Inner Circle over the Kindred when the **Beckoning** is affecting most of them.

The convention was achieved, but not without years of preparation and heavy losses to both internal enemies, **Sabbat** and even the **Second Inquisition**.

The Convention achieved a merger between Camarilla and the Anarchs, creating a stronger and more cohesive community, eventually leading to the conversion to their sect of most clans, including the Lasombra.

Sabbat, after the major blow of the 2017 **Rivers of Blood** 2nd Inquisition Incursion in Spain, has been reduced to a shell of its former days.

## Events leading to the Convention

The Convention, not similarly to what happened before, was ran in a single evening, with the preparations being completed on the previous years.

### 2004 - The Beckoning

A phenomenon known as "The Beckoning" began to affect vampires across the world. Elder vampires, who had previously remained hidden in the shadows, began to feel a pull to leave their havens and travel to far-off destinations. The Beckoning created a power vacuum among the vampire clans, as many of their leaders were suddenly absent or unresponsive. This instability led to increased violence and chaos among younger vampires, who were left to fend for themselves.

### 2005 - The Disaster of St. Petersburg

A massive explosion rocked the city of St. Petersburg, killing thousands of people and further exposing the existence of supernatural to the world. The Camarilla was blamed for the disaster, which was caused by a powerful vampire who had gone rogue. The incident led to a major PR crisis for the Camarilla, as they struggled to maintain their secrecy in the face of public scrutiny (in reality, the explosion was a red flag orquestrated by the church as means to further fund the inquisition).

### 2006 - The Prince's Proposal

In the wake of these events, a group of influential Princes from across Europe began to meet in secret to discuss the future of the Camarilla. They proposed a new convention that would limit the power of the Elders and create a more democratic system of government for the Kindred. The proposal was met with resistance from some of the more traditionalist members of the Camarilla, but eventually gained enough support to be considered a real idea.

### 2010 - The Lucerne Incident

A group of Kindred in Lucerne staged a violent revolt against their Prince, leading to a bloody conflict that lasted for weeks. The incident shocked the Camarilla and highlighted the danger of allowing Elders to have unchecked power over their domains. Many Princes began to fear that similar rebellions could occur in their own cities, leading them to seek ways to limit the authority of their Elders.

### 2011 - The Paris Accords

The Princes who had proposed the new convention met in Paris to sign a formal agreement outlining the new rules and regulations for the Camarilla. The accord was a major milestone for the Kindred community, as it represented a new era of cooperation and mutual respect among the clans. The Princes hoped that the accord would serve as a model for other cities and domains, leading to a more stable and harmonious Camarilla.

### 2013 - The Berlin Summit

Princes of several major European cities met in Berlin to discuss the ongoing crisis caused by the Beckoning. The summit produced a new set of protocols for dealing with the disappearance of Elders, including the establishment of regional councils to manage domains and the creation of a network of safe houses for Kindred on the move. The Berlin Summit represented a turning point in the Camarilla's response to the Beckoning, and its protocols became widely adopted throughout the organization.

### 2015 - Vienna Accords

A group of Camarilla scholars and historians met in Vienna to develop a new framework for understanding the organization's history and culture. The resulting document, known as the Vienna Accords, emphasized the importance of preserving Camarilla traditions and values, while also acknowledging the need for modernization and adaptation in the face of new challenges. The Vienna Accords helped to foster a renewed sense of camaraderie and identity among the Kindred.

### 2016 - Barcelona Compact

The Princes of several cities along the Mediterranean coast met in Barcelona to develop a new economic system for the Camarilla. The Compact established a set of guidelines for trade, commerce, and financial management within the organization, with a focus on promoting transparency and fairness. The Barcelona Compact helped to reduce tensions and competition among the clans over resources, and it provided a framework for sustainable economic growth within the Camarilla.

### 2017 - The Lisbon Declaration

The Princes of Lisbon, Sintra, Amadora, Porto and Faro issued a statement calling for greater transparency and accountability within the Camarilla leadership. The declaration emphasized the importance of listening to the concerns of all Kindred, not just the powerful and influential, and it called for regular meetings and consultations between the Princes and their constituents. The Lisbon Declaration helped to promote a more open and democratic culture within the Camarilla, and it paved the way for further reforms in the years to come.

## Convention Quotes

### Agreement

“Once again, we see that many nights have gone since the start of our conflict, still called the Anarch Movement. Be it known that on this night of 31st October, 2018, the Jyhad has ended once and for all. The time for self-destruction is over. This Convention, bound in the Covenant of Caine by sacred vow, represents an unyielding, vigilant truce between the Kindred known unto themselves as the anarchs, the Clan Assamite, and the free-standing Kindred bound under the title of Camarilla. Henceforth, the parties shall be recognized as the new Camarilla. Each of the parties agrees to the responsibility of maintaining peace. Each shall lay its censures upon any who breech or oppose this sacred Agreement. Accounting will be made of all parties for violations by them to either the letter or the spirit of this Agreement. This document is legally binding under the accepted Lextalionis of all Cainites as it has passed through the ages. All Kindred are entreated to accept and gain pleasure from this peaceful accord. Be it known that the Anarchs will enjoin with the Camarilla as an accepted part, making it whole. Anarchs are expected to work peacefully to achieve their own ends. They must become defenders of all, and they shall receive full entitlement to all rights and privileges belonging to all Camarilla Kindred. All Anarchs shall be accepted back unto their elders and their formerly denounced clans without any fear of reprisal. Only the most vicious of atrocities shall not be forgiven. These shall stand written for the Justicars to hear within one year, after which all allegations are no longer valid. All Anarchs shall reclaim all remaining and rightful property confiscated from them. In return they must turn over any war gains taken during the conflict by giving them to their sires or any recognized clan elder. Know also that if the Anarchs are further warred upon, this open jyhad invalidates their responsibility to maintain peace with their attacker. They may act freely without fear of reprisal from nonactive members of the Camarilla. Anarchs are guaranteed the freedom to act as they please, short of breaching the "Masquerade" imposed for the protection of all Kindred from the kine. Be it known that since our eldest have forsaken us, as their sires have forsaken them and so forth since the start, so shall we remove them from our ranks, creating a new Inner Circle, to be voted in 2022, open, transparent and representative of all cainites. It is rendered that all parties involved and all showing allegiance to any of these parties shall be held responsible for all aspects of this Convention brought forth here, in the neutral Kingdom of England, outside the hamlet of Thorns, near the town of Silchester. May Caine hold truth and peace for us all until the end of times"