Sensechal

A Seneschal is considered a Princes second; at once a Princes most trusted advisor, a representative of his authority when he is away, and the Heir Apparent if they lose their Praxis. A Seneschal’s duties include aiding the Prince in all manner of ways; collecting information, taking care of minor tasks, organizing the Princes affairs, presenting petitioners to the Prince, and advising the Prince as needed. In addition if the Prince is not currently present, the Sensechal is considered to carry his authority in his absence. Opinions on Seneschals vary from domain to domain, some domain’s view Seneschal’s as little more than glorified secretaries, but most domain’s realize that the Seneschal is quite the powerful position. The most obvious powers of the Seneschal is that they may wield a Princes authority when he is gone, and that, should the Prince loose his Praxis for whatever reason, it will often default to the Seneschal. Some individual’s seek the position simply as a stepping stone to Princedom, which while effective, is a well known ploy. Camarilla history is filled with tales of ambitious Seneschal’s being elected to the position, only to attempt a bloody Coup d’état a short time later. The most effective Seneschal’s take advantage of their closeness to the Prince, and the Prince’s reliance on them for management. A Seneschal always has the Prince’s ear, and thus can advise them in such a fashion as to advance their own agenda’s. They also control who petition’s the Prince at which time, meaning they can hamstring enemies from contacting the Prince, and make sure allies are able to speak to the Prince at critical junctures, as well as being able to organize the order of petition in order to skew the Prince’s opinion in one direction or another. A Seneschal is generally given the leniency and power by the Prince needed to keep well informed, in order to keep the Prince advised. The combination of having the ear of the most powerful Kindred in the city, the power and resources to potentially have an say in any situation, access to the boons which can be collected by selectively influencing the Prince of behalf of interested parties, and the possibility of wielding the power of Princedom itself makes many Seneschals extremely powerful in any given city, and is a position usually much sought after.