Nightwalker Society
By: Delilah deSora

Council of Elders
A council of the most powerful stepanu

Regional Stepanu
Master vampires that rule their own regional courts. These courts are often made up of a collection of smaller courts that have their own stepanu who must answer to the regional stepanu. Cain, is a regional stepanu since his court is a conglomeration of numerous smaller courts that congregate in Romania. As Cain's mate Shido ranks just below Cain on the structure when it comes to food or comforts. Powerwise, however, Shido, with Cain's backing, would rank as a "Harem Master" instead of a "Common Vampire". If Cain were to ever replace him with a new mate he would lose his status and return to a "Common Vampire" standing in both categories.

Single Court Stepanu
Master vampires that rule a single court. Single court stepanu in populated areas must usually answer to a regional stepanu but some single court stepanu are so isolated they do not have to answer to anyone but the council.

Harem Masters
Master vampires that are not yet ready to take the final step in creating their own courts or taking over the role of stepanu in a previously existing one but who have begun to amass a following in the court they are currently a part of. Gavin is a harem master.

Master Vampires
Master Vampires are vampires that are driven to lead other vampires. They are often loners and do not readily befriend other master vampires, though they do make alliances. They possess a viciousness and drive for social power that common vampires do no possess. Note: A very old common vampire may rank with or above younger master vampires.

Common Vampires
a vampire that does not possess the power or the drive to become a master vampire. The are considered inferior to master vampires but as they age they get more powerful and an old common vampire can be stronger than a younger master vampire. Common vampires do not mind mingling with other common vampires as they are not as suspicious of others as master vampires are. Common vampires may for a harem about a certain master vampire and may leave one court to follow a master vampire who is forming a new court. A common vampire's status will change depending on which master vampire they choose to ally themselves with and that master's power level. Soryo is a common vampire but since he is Gavin's mate he has a higher societal standing then other common vampires his age.

Fledglings
very young vampires that still rely upon their maker's to survive. as they get older fledglings will develop into either "common" vampires or "master" vampires. Most fledglings created do not survive past their fiftieth year.

Grivadae
humans that are addicted to the rapture a vampire’s bite causes. Females are called grivada and males grivadan. Because they have chosen to give up their blood grivadae are usually given a higher status at court than thralls but some thralls may be prized above them.

Thralls
A person who was drained by a vampire but not offered blood in return. After their deaths they rise as a form of lesser vampire and mindlessly serve the vampire that created them. Some thralls retain a measure of power and may be given a status above that of grivadae or even fledglings made by a weak common vampire. These types of thralls, however, are rare. Cain's current thrall is one of these, though she is in no way above Shido is status.

Breed
Considered little more than base animals, the breed are considered the "dogs" of the court. They are regulated to the shadows and are often made sport of by vampires.