Gargoyles

Overview
Gargoyles are organized repitilian humanoids of sentient intelligence that posess a rigidly constructed social order similar to the caste system of India.Scientifically speaking, the closest taxonomic relative of the Gargoyles are the Dragons, specifically Draco Minimus, now extinct, although Gargoyles are generally considered more intelligent than their Draconic relatives. The average Gargoyle is somewhat smaller than an adult human, but are stockier in build. Contrary to popular belief Gargoyles are not made of stone, but posess simply a rocky covering over their hide. Similarly, not all Gargoyles can fly, because not all Gargoyles have wings.

Legal Status
In the United States, Gargoyles are not considered legal citizens, but are classified as a protected animal species. As such, the intentional harming of a non-threatening Gargoyle carries stiff penalties. Crimes that involve a Gargoyle are treated as animal control problems, and although rare due to the strictly controlled Gargoyle hierarchy, vampire executioners are also authorized to deal with Gargoyles who commit crimes.

Social Structure
Gargoyle social structure is based upon the Judeo-Christian hierarchy of angels. Internal structure is dvided into three Spheres and each Sphere is further divided into the three internal castes yielding a grand total of 9 distinct social classes of Gargoyles. Despite this, similar to a Vampire Kiss, a Gargoyle Flock will traditionally have at least one member of each of the 9 castes, with several castes being traditionally more numerous.

The First Sphere Gargoyles of the first sphere are universal in their authority and deal with problems of all Gargoyles.

Seraphim The Seraph are the leaders of Gargoyles. The prime rule of Gargoyles can be summed as "Where there is a Seraph there is a flock. Where there is no Seraph there can be no flock.Seraphs start their lives as members of another caste, generally the lowly Angels, and are 'promoted' to Seraph by the Principalities.
Cherubim The Cherubim are the Guardians and Enforcers of a flock. They are responsible for the safety of the Metatron of the Flock and the security of the Gargoyle's meeting place.
Thrones[i] The Ophanim are the investigators and pronouncers of Justice for Gargoyles. They serve as the equivalent of Detectives and Judges, and their neutrality and truthfulness is unquestionable.

[i] The Second Sphere Gargoyles of the Second Sphere are regional in their authority and will often travel to fulfill their duties.

Dominions Dominions serve as the administrative assitants, messengers, and clerks of the of the Gargoyles. They maintain the lines of administration in working order and act as liasons amongst the other groups and also act as "lawyers" as such before the Thrones.
Powers Powers act as the scholars and historians of Gargoyles. They keep track of history and knowledge so that it is not lost to the Flock. Because of their deep knowledge and wisdom, Powers are often turned to as advisors.
Virtues Virtues act as the teachers of Gargoyles and Healers. Virtues are charged with teaching young Gargoyles about Gargoyle history and society as well as caring for the physical and spiritual well being of all Gargoyles. Amongst Gargoyles harming a Virtue is the surpreme taboo, viewed even worse than destroying the Metatron of a flock.

The Third Sphere Gargoyles of this Sphere are local in their scope. They are the doers of deeds, the Gargoyle working classes so to speak, and rarely if ever leave their place of origin.

Prinicpalities Principalities are the most common Gargoyle to be seen by humans, and are the newest caste, having traditionally been limited to one Gargoyle. Principalities were expanded to a full caste to represent Gargoyles to the other sentient creatures in this new age of wisdom and emerging general benevolence among the sentients (Humans[Including Lycans], Vampires, Merefolk, Gargoyles). Additionally, the full caste now assumes what was once the responsibility of a single Gargoyle, and chooses the leaders of all Gargoyles.
Archangels The strongest of Gargoyles, Archangels are the warriors of Gargoyle kind. They are charged with protecting the entire flock, versus the more specific nature of the Cherubim. Aditionally, Archangels are charged with administering Justice amongst Gargoyles and carry out the sentences pronounced bt the Thrones.
Angels The lowest of Gargoyles, Angels are the msot numerous type of Gargoyle. Angels are tasked with performing any function assigned to them by a higher caste.

Local administration of Gargoyles is organized into a group structure known as a Flock. A Flock is headed by a single Seraph known by the title of The Metatron of the flock, and is generally backed by a second Seraph known as the Uriel of the flock. The Metatron and Uriel are the strongest Seraph present in the area. The authority of the Metatron within his flock is unquestioned, although they are still subject to the pronouncements of the Thrones as are those to whom they owe allegiance.

Each local flock owes allegiance to another flock that was chosen to be the flock charged with regional governance. Generally this simply means that the Metatron of the regional flock rules the city that was designated as the regional capital city. The regional capitals within the United States are Los Angeles, Vancouver, Denver, Clarksville, Miami, Minneapolis/St.Paul, Boston, and Miami. New York city is a single flock, but due to its size, it is organized into sub-flocks and owes its allegiance directly to the central leadership.

The central leadership is known as the Council of Peers and is seated in Paris, France. The Council consists of a single member of each of the Nine Castes as chosen by the Prinicipalities. Each member of the Council is further recognized as the head of his/her caste. The members of the council renounce whatever their previous name was and assume their councilor title. The members of the council (in order of the castes are) Seraphiel, Cherubiel, Ophaniel, Uziel, Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, and Sandalphon. The pronouncements of the Council are not to be questioned.

Powers
Gargoyles are not generally preternaturally inclined but have been known to posess the various psychic abilities known to humans from time to time. Aditionally, they are immune to vampirism, lycanthropy, and most human illnesses. Gargoyles treat all metal similarly and are not particularly vulnerable to any particular element. They are stronger than most humans, and due to their rocky hide are generally exceptionally resilient to damage. Gargoyles with wings are generally capable of flight, and most Gargoyles posess some physical feature, such as claws or horns, that are used as a weapon.

Weaknesses
Gargoyles,despite their longevity and inherent durability are still mortal, and will heal roughly in line with a human when injured. Aditionally, Gargoyle hide can generally be penetrated by an armor piercing round or projectile posessing a narrow pointed tip (such as a crossbow bolt, or a dagger wielded by someone with preternatural strength). Also, their rigid social structure makes them slow to change and deeply conservative. Also, despite being sentient, they, like merefolk, are treated as animals by vampire powers, and generally do not posess the ability to resist the call of a vampire that calls their species.