Presentation Letter

Whereas there is a state of customs degeneration shown by many Kindred in the Brazilian Camarilla, including many who hold higher offices;

Whereas the system of checks and balances, centered upon the equilibrium of power between its various offices is the core of the Camarilla's equilibrium;

Whereas the advent of modern communication media has made possible a higher agility in conversations, it has also made possible the mass proliferation of undesirable behaviors.

Whereas the customs of the Camarilla, "stricto sensu", do not allow some perpetrators to be reached by the consequences of their acts;

Whereas that fact makes the Camarilla vulnerable to more subtle aggressions;

Whereas fast, conjunct and concerted action by well-intended Kindred, faithful to the Camarilla, allows, as it has already allowed, the containment of damage which comes from that vulnerability;

Whereas the Arbiter Eleganciae, His Excellency Titus Petronius Niger, has made manifest he frowns upon the establishment of named coteries with the only finality of empowering its members;

Therefore, the Kindred known as (...) hereby approach the Arbiter Eleganciae, His Excellency Titus Petronius Niger, to ask him if he, in his most elevated grace, sees any problems in their making a Coterie, named The Optimates, after the old conservative faction in the Roman Senate.

Optimatiis

Response

Mmes. and Mssrs.:

I have spoken with my Master regarding your inquiry, and must convey his gratitude that your would-be organization has had the forethought to discuss this matter with his office before taking action. We commend your diligence and care in this regard.

Noble Petronius has also this advice to share:

It is not technically "illegal" to form a named group. It is when those named organizations, thus named and given identity, find that their loyalties to one another grow greater than each individual's love for the Camarilla and its laws that such groups are to be condemmned.

Indeed, many weak and young kindred succumb to this temptation, though their intentions begin with utmost nobility. His Arbiter Eleganciae has found that such groups quickly fall sway to the despicable habits of the Sabbat, even going so far as to learn the twisted magics of the Rebellion and corrupt their bodies with its diseases.

You can begin to see the reasoning behind his caution, I am certain.

The Optimates were, in their day, a force of Tradition, Nobility and Loyalty. These are worthy aspirations to emulate.

Should you choose to take up their name, we trust that you will continue to uphold these same ideals. If not, noble Petronius offers this last reminder - should any one of you be found guilty of crimes against the Camarilla, all of you will stand together to reap the consequences.

~ The Lady Ophelia ~ Chief Archon in Service to Titus Petronius Niger ~ Office of His Arbiter Eleganciae, Toreador Justicar

Classified

Optimates,

It is rare that a kindred in our times has the wisdom to re-evaluate one's position, and seek further guidance from one's elders. I applaud your conscientious approach, and am grateful for your foresight in contacting the Toreador office for counsel.

I have delivered your words to my master, the noble Justicar Petronius. He maintains that his position on your coterie has not changed - he is uncomfortable with the existance of named coteries, and cautions that in his observation, such coteries often fall into disgrace and criminal behavior. He maintains that your behavior is not illegal - you have not, to his knowledge, committed an actual crime against the traditions or the edicts of the justicariate - but reminds you to be wary of temptations of that nature.

I would note, however, that there are those who have come to this office stating that Petronius has given your coterie his "blessing" to operate as a named group. Petronius firmly asserts that this is not the case, and asks that you work against that perception. Petronius has merely confirmed that the act is not criminal.

(...)

Dulcis vita,

The Lady Ophelia

Optimates,

If you have any proof of your claim regarding the Followers of Set in Sau Paulo, it would help me greatly to futher your efforts. I am attempting to clear the way for the Optimates to continue your investigation regarding Donatello and the rest of Clan Malkavian. I do not think you will earn the ire of Justicar Streck unless she requests that Malkavian Archons perform that investigation. Regardless, I believe it would be in your best interest to contact Archon Writer and share your information with him so that if you find that a large number of Malkavians have been converted to the Setite religion, you will be thanked by Clan Malkavian and you will have assistance from Clan Malkavian to deal with the problem in a most forceful way.

(...)

In Service, David Rhumer

Lord Arcanum to Justicar Maris Streck