The Address of Cyro, Prince of Raleigh
(on the day he ultimately ascended to the throne, October 31, 1963)

Once again we stand united beneath the shadows of night. Once again there is vitality in the veins of the Camarilla of Raleigh, the fragility purged from us (as it must be from time to time) by aggression. Yet though this aggression ended with dialogue and ink, make no mistake that it was a coup nonetheless, and a necessary one. This is simply the way things are done.

As we enter into this new age, I feel the need to address you all: my vassals, my brethren…  my Kindred. It is essential that I present to you my vision of how this city shall be run in the eternity to come. I use the word eternity for its significance in this very vision. For that is the time allotted to us, so long as we protect it. Anyone that jeopardizes Forever shall feel tremendous pain for my irritation at their actions. There shall be no tolerance of breaches of the Masquerade and no quarter given to those who impinge upon my right of Destruction.

Indeed, every Tradition shall be followed to the very letter. Our society is one of culture and elegance and it is to be treated as such. There are, as I have stated, ways in which we operate. There is a structure that we follow, a way we mingle and interlace, a dance that we sway to…and we have named that precious path the Camarilla. I warn you, my Kindred, woe to he that strays from this road.

Yet, this iron fisted discourse is not what I wish to present; it is simply the clearest way to put brush to canvas at times. It is my belief that most of you share my opinion of the way of things. You, all of you, want the same things as I do: the ability to revel in eternal nights until the sun sets for the final time. You want to be able to cultivate your own gardens of influence, beauty, and creation. To see a childe gain strength, to feel safe from those who would steal your existence, to lessen the call of the ages through interaction with other "kindred" spirits; these are the things we seek.

In disorder we shall never find such fantasies fulfilled. Only beneath the Camarilla will the dreams prosper and grow, and only by maintaining its beautiful sense of class and culture can our city have the constitution to pass the ages. It is for this reason that my sting shall be filled with venom and my eyes with fire in the face of transgression. It is for us all that punishments shall cause anguish and example. This is my responsibility, my noble obligation, as your Prince.

I do not bear this burden alone, for each of us has our own obligation, our own price for eternity (though it be a welcome burden and an easy load). Each position in the court of the Prince such as Keeper and Harpy, are obliged to nurture our eloquence and culture and maintain the rule of the traditions. Every Primogen is responsible for the representation of their clan and the body of Primogen as a whole provides us with a means to negotiate and better our situation with a measure of civility.

It is my fervent hope to rule with a laissez-faire approach; that is to say "hands off". I would rather spend my time encouraging sophistication, taste, and a sense of refinement in our society than doling out punishment or 'instructing' under-educated neonates in the values of the traditions and status. I would rather institute parties than policies and would certainly be happier making sure each Kindred in the city will be well entertained instead of punished. My success in this depends entirely upon you, my Kindred.

Can you follow the traditions set down by the Founders? Will you band together when facing an external enemy who seeks your immediate demise? Shall you respect the rules of status and the court using the system as it is meant to be? I believe you can. I hope you can. If you do, then the need for me to be firm and terrible shall be wholly superfluous within our city. Indeed, with this help I promise you that your eternal nights shall be full of wonder and experience and thus your fight against the beast within shall ease and seem distant.

With my desires expressed, I leave you now and bid you each a peaceful evening. We deserve that much don't you think? May this court last a thousand years and may we each embody the pinnacle of Kindred achievement. May we have the Forever that we were promised the night our sires bestowed this wondrous darkling Kiss upon us.