What is status
It's the reputation and standing of a Kindred within Vampiric society. It stems from the vampire’s generation, age, bloodline and his own actions and cuts across clan lines.

Status in an on-line RP setting
Due to difficulties of time zones and the less than fluid aspect of status used in a tabletop setting, I've tried to put together a method in which Status may achieve the more fluid description in the books. The base structure is taken from WW's Minds Eye Theatre : Laws of the Night LARP rulebook (1st Edition) but certain changes have been made for the on-line setting.

The Structure
Status will be broken into two forms: Sect and Local Status traits. Sample status traits are below :
Admired, Adored, Acknowledged, Cherished, Esteemed, Exalted, Famous, Faultless, Feared, Honourable, Influential, Just, Praised, Respected, Revered, Trustworthy and Well-Known.

Certain positions or stations in Kindred society give holders additional levels of Status. These levels are specified within their job descriptions and may never be permanently removed from the holders so long as they hold the position. However they do NOT count towards a Kindred's Sect Status.

Note that only 1 Sect Status trait may be gained in a month but there is no limit of Local Status that may be gained in the same period. There is also no limit on the lost of Sect or Local Status a Kindred may suffer (though there are no negatives). Status may be gained either through the actions of other characters or through ST intervention.

Sect Status
This describes the Status of a Cainite within Kindred society as a whole. It indicates the starting status of a Kindred who moves to another city, it is the base level whenever encountering another individual within a setting beyond each Kindred's home city e.g. a Conclave. Sect Status is very much harder to change and effect than Local status. Sect Status is generally limited to 5 except in exceptional cases e.g. Lucinde and Madame Guile.

Local Status
This is the Status of a Kindred at the current moment within his home city. It is possible for Local Status to be higher than Sect Status and is more prone to fluctuations than Sect Status. Local Status is for the most part not transferable between cities and is an indication of the regard held by other Kindred within the individual's home city.

Uses of Status
Some uses of Status that are possible within the proposed system.

Status may be ignored by a character but by doing so you risk losing one or more of your own Status Traits permanently if word of the offence spreads to the Harpies. The degree and level of the offence is dependent upon the influence (Status) of those you offend and other mitigating circumstances if any.

Status the Background
Individual characters purchasing the Status background during character creation should select one Status Trait for each dot of Status bought. This is Sect Status and may be transferred from city to city as such. Players should keep in mind the reasons for the increases in Status and choose appropriate traits.

Tracking Status
Due to the particular nature of on-line RP, it is often difficult to co-ordinate an entire group. The following are suggested methods for tracking and disseminating information concerning status :

Sect Status
Is best tracked through a single homepage which lists the Sect Status traits held by each Kindred within the city. Due to the difficult nature to either gain or lose Sect Status, this method is believed suitable for the medium and allows players a base setting to which derive Local Status from.

Local Status
Local Status fluctuates greatly. It is possible for one Kindred to be exalted one moment and to be considered a pariah the next (most especially when speaking of the Toreador). For this reason, it is suggested that a forum be used to indicate changes in Local Status. Any individual wishing to increase/decrease another individuals Status must post his actions and words within the forums such that all players/characters may react accordingly.

Unlike Sect Status, Local Status may be unknown till noted - for example, the letter of recommendation by Lenny to Jacob would not be in effect until it was presented to and read by the Seneschal. Note also that the forums allow players to interact with characters that they rarely see or when individuals wish to jump on the bandwagon. e.g. "Well, as a Well-Known Malkavian Elder I would have thought that the Keeper; you know, that supposedly well Respected Toreador Ancilla would have tried to speak with me at some point. But I guess the manners in some people..." "Oh yes, I totally agree. I don't understand why she is so well Praised by everyone, after all her conduct is completely unlike my Faultless one."

The Positions and Status
A detailed list on the effects and powers bestowed on a character holding one of the listed positions within a Camarilla city in relations to Status.

Status traits and levels
An observant individual might notice that whilst Sect Status may very easily be lowered, it is very difficult to gain it, especially at the higher levels. This is purposely done as it is part of the nature of Kindred to pull others down. Sect Status is thus unlikely for players to rise above Status 2 unless either the Prince undertakes to raise the Kindred's Status or the ST intervenes.

Arguments for low levels of Status - even Justicars and Archons have only Sect Status of 5 and 4 for the greater part (see CotN). Prestigious Prince's might have Sect Status of 3 or 4 but unlikely to have 5 (again see CotN).

However, this does not reflect the views of Kindred within their home city. Note that Local Status may easily in this system move above that of Sect Status. A prince with Sect Status of 3 will have within his own city Local Status of 6. The Seneschal will then have Local Status of 5 or 4 whilst Elders on the Primogen Council will range from 3-5. This give a base indication of the regard individuals will have on those who might more easily affect your life. Whilst every individual is fearful of a Justicar, a Prince is often more greatly feared by the populace of a city in which he rules as he is the more prominent threat. At least until the Justicar arrives.