Post by Ashurr on Jun 1, 2008 19:41:33 GMT -5
A vampire who loses herself to the Beast during a
chrysalis is sometimes said to be “lost to the Dragon.”
This condition is incurable, and unfortunately requires
the Kindred in question to be hunted down and destroyed.
Redemption
Is it possible to save a vampire who has become
lost to the Dragon? Scholars of the Ordo Dracul
aren’t certain. It doesn’t happen often, after all, and
when it does, the priority is normally placed on destroying
the Kindred rather than trying to save her.
That said, Dragons who have made the attempt (or at least toyed with the theory) agree that if it is possible,
the rescue must be performed within the first
few nights,How exactly a rescuer
would go about it is a murky topic, but mental
communication, perhaps aided by the Auspex Discipline,
might be useful. Interestingly, Ordo Dracul diplomats have come
across evidence that the Lancea Sanctum possesses
rituals that can cure Kindred “in a special state of
Wassail, wherein the Beast is not a ravening monster
but a plotting fiend.” The Sanctified don’t seem
to know what state these rites refer to, however, but
if the rumors are true, they date to the 16th century
— about the time that Dracula allegedly had dealings
with the covenant.
The most recognized achievement in the Ordo Dracul
is mastery of the Coils of the Dragon. Given that every
Dragon pursues the same Great Work — even if they
dedicate more time to other, Lesser Works — and the
Coils are proof of further progress towards that goal, only
the most loutish Dragons do not feel respect for a fellow
Dragon who has surpassed them in this sphere. However,
the covenant has concerns that often must come
before the meritorious achievements of its membership,
no matter how impressive. For this reason, it is just as
often politics, economics, security and personal influence
that determine the chain of command within an
Academy. What’s more, not every bookish genius is fit
to be in charge of a complex organization that faces all
sorts of challenges night in and night out.
Therefore, while a Dragon’s esoteric progress is worthy
— nay, demanding — of respect, it does not automatically
determine one’s rank. This has led the path to
political power within the covenant to become known
as the Dragon’s Tongue. All Dragons set out on that path
by following a similar route, serving and learning from
mentors and pursuing the Coils of the Dragon, but before
long they will recognize that the path divides, and a
host of possible routes to power are available to them.
Which route they choose not only determines much
about their future role in the Ordo Dracul, but it says
even more about the Dragons themselves.
Despite this, the ranks of authority the Ordo Dracul
typically recognizes — ranks devised by Dracula himself
— are still technically defined by how many Coils one has learned. This is usually interpreted only as a suggested
guideline. Also, because it is so difficult to prove
whether a certain Dragon has or has not demonstrated
sufficient mastery of a particular Coil, many Dragons
are promoted to ranks they would never deserve if
Dracula’s original criteria were still used. Some of these
individuals are outright pretenders, lying about their
capabilities in order to a better position themselves for
promotion. Rarely are such shysters punished by revocation
of rank, in part because the Coils are no longer a
requirement, but also because it would likely result in
too much turmoil for the entire Academy. In addition,
the pretender might actually be well-suited for her new
duties, even if her mystical talents are lacking. When it
comes down to this, most Dragons show themselves to
be pragmatists.
In addition to a Dragon’s rank, the covenant recognizes
the particular direction a Dragon takes as her work
progresses. Called a domain, it announces the Coil the
Dragon is most expert in. Domains are seen by many
to be a key to a Dragon’s nature that provides further
insight beyond what the Tarot can offer. More than
simple decorative titles, they are treated as important
by most Dragons. In much the same way as some people
impart great meaning to one’s astrological sign and
make decisions based upon that, the Dragons tend to
cede the same kind of significance to the domains.
Duties assigned to an Initiate of Hunger will likely be
different than those given to another Initiate whose
domain is of the Curse; each is seen to have its own
strengths and weaknesses and decisions are made accordingly
whenever practical.
Many Academies also recognize the use of so-called
“decorations,” descriptive flourishes added to a Dragon’s
title to emphasize things like the subject’s second-most
favored Coil, her mentor’s rank and even clan or bloodline.
Each Academy has its own precise rules for use of
these heraldic devices, and, while many are common,
many more are unique to the particular domain. In London,
a Master of the Curse who also is quite accomplished
in the Coil of the Beast is called an Untamed Master of
the Curse — in Los Angeles, a Dragon of similar rank
and achievement is a Master of the Furious Curse.
chrysalis is sometimes said to be “lost to the Dragon.”
This condition is incurable, and unfortunately requires
the Kindred in question to be hunted down and destroyed.
Redemption
Is it possible to save a vampire who has become
lost to the Dragon? Scholars of the Ordo Dracul
aren’t certain. It doesn’t happen often, after all, and
when it does, the priority is normally placed on destroying
the Kindred rather than trying to save her.
That said, Dragons who have made the attempt (or at least toyed with the theory) agree that if it is possible,
the rescue must be performed within the first
few nights,How exactly a rescuer
would go about it is a murky topic, but mental
communication, perhaps aided by the Auspex Discipline,
might be useful. Interestingly, Ordo Dracul diplomats have come
across evidence that the Lancea Sanctum possesses
rituals that can cure Kindred “in a special state of
Wassail, wherein the Beast is not a ravening monster
but a plotting fiend.” The Sanctified don’t seem
to know what state these rites refer to, however, but
if the rumors are true, they date to the 16th century
— about the time that Dracula allegedly had dealings
with the covenant.
The most recognized achievement in the Ordo Dracul
is mastery of the Coils of the Dragon. Given that every
Dragon pursues the same Great Work — even if they
dedicate more time to other, Lesser Works — and the
Coils are proof of further progress towards that goal, only
the most loutish Dragons do not feel respect for a fellow
Dragon who has surpassed them in this sphere. However,
the covenant has concerns that often must come
before the meritorious achievements of its membership,
no matter how impressive. For this reason, it is just as
often politics, economics, security and personal influence
that determine the chain of command within an
Academy. What’s more, not every bookish genius is fit
to be in charge of a complex organization that faces all
sorts of challenges night in and night out.
Therefore, while a Dragon’s esoteric progress is worthy
— nay, demanding — of respect, it does not automatically
determine one’s rank. This has led the path to
political power within the covenant to become known
as the Dragon’s Tongue. All Dragons set out on that path
by following a similar route, serving and learning from
mentors and pursuing the Coils of the Dragon, but before
long they will recognize that the path divides, and a
host of possible routes to power are available to them.
Which route they choose not only determines much
about their future role in the Ordo Dracul, but it says
even more about the Dragons themselves.
Despite this, the ranks of authority the Ordo Dracul
typically recognizes — ranks devised by Dracula himself
— are still technically defined by how many Coils one has learned. This is usually interpreted only as a suggested
guideline. Also, because it is so difficult to prove
whether a certain Dragon has or has not demonstrated
sufficient mastery of a particular Coil, many Dragons
are promoted to ranks they would never deserve if
Dracula’s original criteria were still used. Some of these
individuals are outright pretenders, lying about their
capabilities in order to a better position themselves for
promotion. Rarely are such shysters punished by revocation
of rank, in part because the Coils are no longer a
requirement, but also because it would likely result in
too much turmoil for the entire Academy. In addition,
the pretender might actually be well-suited for her new
duties, even if her mystical talents are lacking. When it
comes down to this, most Dragons show themselves to
be pragmatists.
In addition to a Dragon’s rank, the covenant recognizes
the particular direction a Dragon takes as her work
progresses. Called a domain, it announces the Coil the
Dragon is most expert in. Domains are seen by many
to be a key to a Dragon’s nature that provides further
insight beyond what the Tarot can offer. More than
simple decorative titles, they are treated as important
by most Dragons. In much the same way as some people
impart great meaning to one’s astrological sign and
make decisions based upon that, the Dragons tend to
cede the same kind of significance to the domains.
Duties assigned to an Initiate of Hunger will likely be
different than those given to another Initiate whose
domain is of the Curse; each is seen to have its own
strengths and weaknesses and decisions are made accordingly
whenever practical.
Many Academies also recognize the use of so-called
“decorations,” descriptive flourishes added to a Dragon’s
title to emphasize things like the subject’s second-most
favored Coil, her mentor’s rank and even clan or bloodline.
Each Academy has its own precise rules for use of
these heraldic devices, and, while many are common,
many more are unique to the particular domain. In London,
a Master of the Curse who also is quite accomplished
in the Coil of the Beast is called an Untamed Master of
the Curse — in Los Angeles, a Dragon of similar rank
and achievement is a Master of the Furious Curse.