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Traditions of the Vampire Lineages
House Aureolus
House Benedetto
House Comet
House Giancomo
House VanMecklen (Max)
House Rogan
House Rose
Brotherhood of the Dead
House Aureolus
Founding
House Aureolus's founder was a young matron turned at the height of Rome's glory. Evangeline founded her house during the middle ages in response to the murder of her sire by a mob of ignorant humans. The founding principles of House Aureolus is that mankind is often ignorant and barbaric, but if properly guided, they have the potential for intelligence and grace. Repression and denial of "the Beast"is a large part of these principles. Relationships between Sire and Childe in House Aureolus are based on love, trust and respect. All members of the House are expected to work together towards a common and beneficial goal. Enforced bloodbonding is rare within the House.Teachings of the Elders
Evangeline taught her children as she was taught, that the Gift of The Blood, with proper preparation, precipitates the Ascension of a mortal being to a higher state of Grace. The newly made childe becomes a Guardian Angel of the material plane. Not a true Angel, but the earthly equivalent. Their combined purpose is to aide and guide the humans into a Golden Age, a sort of Heavenly Kingdom on earth, and battle the Fallen Ones, Guardians under the influence of the Devil. Adherents to the faith of the Elders call themselves "Guardians", "Servants of the Light" or "Immortales".Newfangled Thinking
After the scattering of House Aureolus in the 1780's, a number of childer were created by its scattered members and raised without the teachings of the Elders of the House. These young ones have a variety of beliefs about the nature of their kind. The most common is the belief that "vampirism", as they call it, is a fortuitously beneficial disease or other contagious medical condition. The sensitivity to sunlight, aversion to "normal" nutrients, dependence on blood as a food source, and increased physical and mental abilities are explained by scientific reasoning. Adherents to these newfangled beliefs call themselves "Vampires".Order of the Shadows
House Aureolus was one of the founders of the movement which spawned the practice of the "Masquerade". Their take on the Masquerade is that humans are not enlightened enough to understand the existence of the Guardians without fear. The mass destruction of Guardians, good and evil, during the reign of the Inquisition must not be repeated. The eventual goal is that mankind will become civilized enough that the Guardians will no longer be needed, at which time they will ascend to Heaven.Rules of Behavior
It is forbidden for true Guardians to kill while feeding. Killing is sometimes necessary in the name of the cause, but it is never the preferred method except when dealing with minions of the Devil. Creating new Guardians without the oversight of the Lord of the House and the observance of the proper rites opens the door to the Devil into the new Guardian's heart and is strictly forbidden. Proper and courtly behavior is expected of all members of the House at all times.Descendants of this Lineage
Lady Sabine Aureolus
Grace Jackson
Gerald Nubian
Jeremy Devereaux
Amanda Devereaux
House Benedetto
Founding
It is rumored within House Benedetto that its founding Lord was an ancient Etruscan demi-god or demon. Few, if any, have ever attempted to verify these claims. Relationships between Sire and Childe in House Benedetto are based on fear. Members of the House are expected to claw their way to a position of power through the use of personal politics and well-planned betrayals. Enforced bloodbonding is compulsory between the Lord and all progeny.Teachings of the Elders
The Elders of House Benedetto do little to enlighten their progeny about their natures or origins. Children of House Benedetto are taught to obey and not question. The assumption that most members of the House pass along informally to the young ones is that the blood of the House Lords have a supernatural component that "purifies" the human body, balancing the humors, and giving the recipient access to powers beyond that of normal mankind. Members of House Benedetto refer to themselves and others like them as "The Kindred".Descendants of this Lineage
Matthew Heinrich
Marcello Giancomo
Loren
House Comet
Founding
House Comet was founded in ancient China. Rumors had it that a Confucian scholar who studied the revolution of the stars and the waxing and waning of the moon had determined a propitious moment when immortality could be had. At the exact alignment of stars and planets, he drank an alchemist's potion of mercury, lead, and arsenic. The scholar was buried the next day, but at night he arose from the grave.Teachings of the Elders
House Comet follows the ancient Chinese customs of filial piety, respect of authority, and the acquisition of wealth and power for the good of one's own household. The Elders of House Comet are taught obedience, scholarly pursuits, and the art of commerce. Children are to obey and trust their elders in all things and in return, the elders will strive to protect and nurture their children until they become adults in their own right.Newfangled Thinking
What is old is new again. With the resurgence of New Age Mysticism, Zen Buddhism, and the Dahli Lama, what was ancient Chinese philosophy has returned as something new. There were never any Vampires in ancient China per se, but Geong Si existed which may have been a precursor to the European Vampire. The Geong Si's of House Comet *are* Chinese Vampires, but *Chinese* first, and Vampires second. The Geong Si's do not drink blood, considered a barbaric and messy practice, but instead extract the life force from their victims by other, more civilized means.Order of the Shadows
House Comet lives by the rule of: "Never reveal the true nature of one's self to one's enemies."Rules of Behavior
The Rules of Behavior are written down and codified as any good Confucian scholar would have done: Laws of the RealmDescendants of this Lineage
Lord Comet
Nebula
House Giancomo
Founding
Teachings of the Elders
Newfangled Thinking
Order of the Shadows/Sun/Dead
Rules of Behavior
Descendants of this Lineage
House VanMecklen/Max
Founding
House VanMecklen spawned off from an ancient and now extinct House in the late 1500's. The House's Lord and founder was a Prussian Prince, ancestral monarch of the principality of Mecklen in what is now Germany. Loyalty to the "Family" is the guiding principal of House VanMecklen. Relationships between Sire and Childe in the House are based on a healthy respect for the Lord's power and primacy. Members of the House are expected to work together without the intrusion of petty personal politics. Enforced bloodbonding is required for servitors, but not for progeny.Teachings of the Elders
Christianity had yet to take hold in the Fatherland in the early days of House VanMecklen, so the belief structure within the House follows decidedly Pagan lines. The Elders were taught and passed on in their turn that the supernatural powers wielded by the Lord and his children were a gift from the God-Lord Wotan. The Norse and Germanic deities have always been revered, or at least respected, in Max's House. Because of this ancient connection, those of Max's bloodline and the bloodbound members of the House have a natural aversion to the children of Fenris, the werewolves. The members of Max's House have not been encouraged to use any specific name for their kind, resultantly they tend to use whatever name is in vogue with the crowd they're associating with at the time.Newfangled Thinking
The Elders of Max's House are not much concerned with the passing on the "doctrines" of vampire origins. Often children of Max's House are raised without formal teachings of their Elders' beliefs. They are only enlightened when they themselves ask, and then only get that Elder's opinion. The young ones have a variety of beliefs about the nature of their kind. The most common is the belief that "vampirism", as they call it, is a fortuitously beneficial disease or other contagious medical condition. The sensitivity to sunlight, aversion to "normal" nutrients, dependence on blood as a food source, and increased physical and mental abilities are explained by scientific reasoning. Adherents to these newfangled beliefs call themselves "Vampires".Order of the Shadows
During the time of persecution in the middle ages the lands of the Lord of Mecklen and his neighbors were not much affected. It is only in the more modern ages that the House's Lord has seen the wisdom of the practice of the Masquerade. Humans are much easier to manipulate and control when they are mis-informed.Rules of Behavior
Lord Max places no restrictions on his progeny's feeding habits or treatment of humans. Creation of progeny and servitors is reserved for the Lord alone. Murder or abuse between members of the House is strictly forbidden.Descendants of this Lineage
Lord Maximillian
House Rogan
Founding
Rogan's House spawned off from that of the powerful Lord Petrov of Russia in the early renaissance, during the resurgence of rational thinking after the terror of the dark ages. It is rumored that Rogan slew his fellow First Childer and made a thwarted bid for the Lordship of his Sire's House. Already an Elder at the time of his House's founding, several of Rogan's First Childer have been a part of his entourage since before the time of the founding. Relationships between members of House Rogan are based on power and intrigue. Progeny are expected to claw their way to a position of power through the use of social politics and well-planned betrayals. Enforced bloodbonding is compulsory between the Lord and all progeny.Teachings of the Elders
Rogan's power, and that of his progenitors and progeny, originate from the divine right of the royal bloodlines to rule over mankind. Rogan's progeny are taught that all monarchs are descended from the same line, but that only in the Houses of the Truly Blessed has the Blood stayed strong and pure. Adherents to the faith of the Elders use a variety of honorifics to describe themselves, some of the most common are "Of The Blood", "The Annointed" or "The Blessed".Newfangled Thinking
The practice of referring to those of the Blood as "Vampires" is seen as an uncouth fad. The term is often used as a derogatory reference to someone who's Blood is thought to be thin or impure.Order of the Sun
Those of Rogan's House have always felt disdain for commoners and those of false nobility (those not of the Blood). It is the right and duty of the Annointed to rule over mankind. Just as it is humanity's sole purpose is to serve their superiors.Rules of Behavior
Many of the rules of Rogan's House change with its Lord's whim, often in accordance with a favored Childe's planned intrigues. The only formal and unchanging rules are that all members of the House must show respect for their Elders, all new progeny must be approved by and bloodbound to the Lord, proper decorum must be upheld at all times, and don't shit where you live. All members of the House are expected to disguise their feeding and other "messy" pastimes from the human authorities.House Structure
Rogan's House has a complex structure. The Lord Rogan himself is rarely approached by lesser members of the Household. He holds himself above his progeny as a monarch above the common people. Rogan's First Childer, his direct progeny, form a council which advises him of the doings in his House and oversees the workings of his many plots in the human sphere. The First Childer all have childer and grandchilder of their own. Those lesser ones are the courtiers, the fawning ranks aching for the chance to raise themselves over their brethren. Below the courtiers are the servitors and thralls. Purely expendable ghouls and blood toys.Descendants of this Lineage
Lord Rogan
Darcy Farrow
House Rose
Founding
The House of Rose was founded during the reign of the Tudor monarchs of England. Originally from the continent where religious strife and absolute monarchies reigned Lady Rosw was inspired by the strong yet tolerant example of Queen Elizabeth. Rose set out to form a House of strength, refinement and good common sense. To this day Rose's House is an ever practical one.Teachings of the Elders
A House strong in the Arcane Arts, both modern and ancient, Rose has always encouraged her progeny to discover for themselves the truth behind the myths of their kind's origins. Most understand the strong supernatural component of their natures, but don't overdramatize it with tales of legendary forebearers or divine or demonly aspects. The Elders of the House tend to agree that they are, after the embrace, a breed apart from mankind. In general, the members of House Rose identify themselves as the "Kindred", or by the newly popular term "Vampires".Order of the Shadows
The House of Rose has always seen the value of keeping their true nature a secret from mankind. They abide by the Masquerade because it is practical and beneficial to do so.Rules of Behavior
Lady Rose is most strict where it comes to matters of behavior. Her rules are simple and straightforward, she even lists them on the internet. Excerpt from the "Laws of Rose";The Deeds Not Done
- No Mystical shall ever reveal their nature to the eyes of man.
- No Murder shall be committed against those under the shelter of The Ban.
- No Prideful voice shall be raised in the Court of Rose.
- No Raucous Youth shall gather in Incautious Assembly.
- No Bond of Blood shall be broken by the Mind of a Mage.
The Benefits of the Ever Life
- No Mystical shall suffer under the laws of men.
- No man shall survive the Murder of the Ever Young.
- No Vampire shall deny themselves The Drink of The Gods.
House Structure
House Rose is of moderate size and its members are allowed a great degree of autonomy. Rose presides directly over the matters concerning her House and the territory over which she is Tyrant. Beneath the Lady is a small band of advisors/attendants consisting of the Voice, the Hand, and the Compass. The Voice is the Lady's primary lieutenant, most correspondence, protocol and minor problems are handled by the Voice. The Hand is the Lady's personal bodyguard and thug, all the "dirty work" is handled by the Hand. The "Compass Rose" is the court mage and the Lady's primary advisor, magical matters such as protections are handled by the Compass Rose. The remaining members of the House, progeny, ghouls and pets, may be placed under the direction of one of the three officers or are allowed to pursue their own interests. House Rose is of sufficient presige and power that it is the sponsor of one of the twelve Justicars.Descendants of this Lineage
Lady Rose
Justicar Reginald
Justicar S.H. Mallory
James Villiers
Sophie Villiers
Mortimer Villiers
Brotherhood of the Dead
Founding
The Brotherhood of the Dead was founded in the 1920's, probably in response to the European fascination of all things Egyptian during the sensational discovery of King Tut's tomb. The roots of this "tradition" can be traced to the old Egyptian religions during the time of pharaohs and priest kings. The Brotherhood of the Dead embodies not only the old Egyptian traditions, but it has also infused in itself the sensibilities of the modern day society. It operates more like a club where members pay to join, but its teachings and activities do suspiciously fall into the category of religion. The club name does have a religious overtone.Teaching of the Elders
Compared to the age of traditional Houses, The Brotherhood of the Dead is fairly recent. In these modern times it has gained a reputation for collecting massive archives on many subjects related to death and dying. Their main belief is that death and the paradise of the afterlife is much more preferable than the world of the living, but members must be productive while in the world of the living in order to successfully pass through the trials of the dead and to acquire a pleasurable afterlife. The dead members of the Brotherhood tend to call themselves and others of their kind "The Walking Dead" or some other equally unsavory term. Their current motto is "The dead should stay that way."Rules of Behavior
The Brotherhood of the Dead do not abide by the Masquerade. The Brotherhood publicly recruits members from all walks of life and unlife by mailing out fliers, publicizing seminars, and running support and discussion groups. Most normals seem to think the Brotherhood of the Dead is a fringe element and avoid them like chanting Hari Krishna's at an airport terminal. The Brotherhood seems to have gained much power in the last few years through the growth of the internet and electronic medium. The old Houses have shunned the new medium. Because of this agressive promotion, it has gained a vast amount of monetary and underground support. Since membership isn't limited to specific Houses or breeds, and there are no identifying marks as to who is a member, the Brotherhood can be anywhere.Club Structure
The Brotherhood of the Dead is democratic. The general membership votes members into various positions such as president, vice-president, treasurer, membership, and public relations. There doesn't seem to be a ruling party, but there are factions within the Brotherhood and there are rumors of a secret inner circle.Visit their website at: http://www.geocities.com/brotherhoodofthedead
Descendants of this Lineage
Molder
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