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 Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 1:41 pm
Once, there was a man.
He was not, by any definition, a good man. Quite the opposite, in fact. A thoroughly wicked one. Feared by his enemies, though loved by his people, he warred to defend his homeland from invaders.
But his methods were vicious, bloody, brutal. And he earned the ire of Eurynome Herself, who cursed him to walk the world in eternal unlife as punishment for his crimes.
He was the first Dragon. All who follow walk in his footsteps.
We are Ordo Dracul.
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 2:35 pm
The Ordo Dracul: Nicknames: Dragons, the Defiant Faction: Independent Disciple: Vlad Tepes Dracula, called "The Impaler" Antediluveans: Mara, Anoushka and Lisette - together known as "The Brides," though their current whereabouts are unknown...... Methuselahs:Elders:Ancillaes:Adela VasileNeonates:CassiopeiaFledglings:Dacian VasileVirgo VasileRank Unknown:
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:03 pm
The Coils of the Dragon Members of the Ordo Dracul practice unique Disciplines known as the Coils of the Dragon, or simply Coils. Upon joining the Order, each vampire commits to the study of a Mystery, in which is contained a Coil. The Order believes that upon achieving the pinnacle of their Coil, they will achieve enlightenment, and perhaps escape from vampiric existence entirely. This pinnacle has never been confirmed to exist, but the Dragons believe that what they have already achieved proves that such a pinnacle must be possible--particularly since the Coils change the being of the vampire who practices them.
Progression Through the Coils:
Each vampire's progression through the Coils requires three steps: study, preparation, and ritual.
To begin study, the young Dragon must find a master willing to teach her. Usually these are Ancillae or particularly learned Neonates, though rarely a Dragon with great promise might attract the eye of an Elder or older as a master. Study can take weeks, years, or decades depending on the ability of the student, the willingness of the master, and the inherent difficulty of the Coil itself.
Once the student understands the elements of the Coil, the theory behind the change, and the actual results of the process, they must make preparations for altering themselves. The longer the preparation period is, in general, the better the chances of the student succeeding. Masters, if they wish their students to succeed (and not all do, of course) advise their students to alter their lifestyle to get ready for the Coil's effects, as Kindred are, by their usual nature, static beings, and even minor changes to routine and procedure can help open the Dragon to the changes she will experience when the ritual is complete.
When the ritual, in whatever form it takes, finally comes, the vampire enters a trance-like state of near torpor where their mind is able to make the proper changes to their body. However, the student must take great care during the ritual to ensure no mistakes are made, as a failed ritual can result in anything from a lack of actual change to genuine physical damage or, worst of all, the total loss of rational mind, leaving the vampire nothing but a frenzying beast.
The Coils:
Common Coils:
Most Dragons pursue these studies, and they are supported by the broader Order.
Coil of the Ascendant: The Coil of the Ascendant strives to overcome the curse of the Sun, with even more dedication than the relatively broad Coil of Banes.
Coil of the Voivode: The Coil of the Voivode seeks to harness the power of the Vinculum and similar dominating aspects of the Blood.
Coil of the Wyrm: The Coil of the Wyrm seeks to tame the Beast and make it subservient to the Dragon, similar to the Coil of the Beast.
Coil of Banes: Fire and sunlight stir the Beast and bring Final Death. A Dragon who undergone chrysalis through the Coil of Banes reduces these risks.
Coil of Blood: The Hunger is an essential part of the vampiric condition, one which this Coil helps ameliorate.
Coil of the Beast: The Beast seeks constantly to subsume the Man, and so the Dragon transforms themselves to master the Beast.
Coil of the Flesh: The body of a Kindred has changed in many ways from its mortal days, limiting their ability to interact with the kine. One transformed by this coil has reformed their body to a closer semblance of mortality.
Coil of the Soul: The degeneration to Draugr has many steps, and many losses along the way. This less common Coil addresses maintaining the spirit in the face of degeneration.
The Coils of Slumbers: Unique among vampiric Disciplines, there are two different Coils of Slumbers, one quite ancient and the other developed by a modern Dragon named Jacob Skinner. They are both meant to stave off the effects of torpor, and a Dragon may pursue either the Ancient Coil of Slumbers or Skinner's Coil of Slumbers.
Apocryphal and Uncommon Coils:
Very, very few Dragons would pursue these, and they must be pursued in secret; generally, they are not well-regarded by the broader Order for various reasons.
Coil of Zirnitra: The Coil of Zirnitra allows a Dragon to regain supernatural merits lost during the Embrace or learn some if they have the inherent ability.
Coil of Živa: The Coil of Živa strives to deny the curse of vampirism and cling to their humanity. Because of this, they are regarded as heretics by the main Order.
Anoushka's Ladder: It can be very difficult for Kindred to retain their Humanity, flawed as they are. This coil specifically relates to staying at the top of the Humanity ladder.
Way of the Locust: Some Dragons seek to overcome the vampiric curses no matter what the cost; the Way of the Locust takes this to extremes, masking the nature of the user by covering their soul with the diablerized soul of a human.
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:14 pm
Organization The Ordo Dracul have a tightly-organized, if deeply complicated, internal heirarchy. Often referred to as the Dragon's Tongue internally, it is a forked line of progression that Clan members progress through as they learn more secrets and master the Coils.
The Dragons seek to overcome their vampiric nature through the Coils of the Dragon, thus a key part of title reflects that. The official formula for title is (Dragon's name), (rank) of (decorations, if any) (domain) (additional decorations).
For every coil power a member knows, their rank increases. These powers can be all in the same coil or in as many powers the Dragon knows. Titles are to the right.
The Dragons have many decorations to indicate a secondary domain, or particular coil (Blood, Banes, Beast, Flesh and Soul) the Dragon knows second best. There are always two different ways to express this use of decoration.
Title also reveals which domain the Dragon is most adept in.
Thus, a Dragon that calls herself "Scholar of Hunger" knows all three tiers of the Coil of Blood. An "Initiate of the Wild Hunger" knows all three tiers of Blood and a tier of Beast.
Decorations may also be used to convey secret messages. For example, using the decoration "Terrible" indicates the Dragon is here against his will. "Invincible" means enemies are listening.
Titles:
Titles are based on how many Coil powers a vampire has achieved and which Coils they are proficient in.
0 - Slave
1 - Supplicant
2 - Scribe
3 - Scholar
4 - Initiate
5 - Adept
6 - Master
7 - Philosopher
8 - Illuminus
9 - Architect
Coil of Blood, Primary: Hunger
Coil of Blood, Secondary: Sanguine/Bloody
Coil of Banes, Primary: the Curse
Coil of Banes, Secondary: Burning/Fiery
Coil of the Beast, Primary: Terror
Coil of the Beast, Secondary: Wild/Untamed
Coil of the Flesh, Primary: Pain
Coil of the Flesh, Secondary: Carnal/Vital
Coil of Soul, Primary: the Void
Coil of the Soul, Secondary: Rarefied/Elysian
All Coils Equal: Equilibrium
Using Titles:
Determining who's in charge of whom is a process dependent on three factors: rank, Sworn standing and politics. Rank is very straightforward. Higher ranks means more authority over lower ranks, just like any military chain of command. A Sworn Dragon, however, is always in charge of unsworn, no matter the rank. Thus, a Sworn slave can give orders to an unsworn Initiate.
Politics isn't so clear cut. While officially a Dragon's personality or perception doesn't matter, the reality is a well respected Scribe can have just as much Status as an ill-percieved and untrusted Master. Even then, the Master is in charge, but he'll have to be really nice about how he gives his orders if he expects anyone to follow them. Despite that, Status and rank generally move in concert.
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:18 pm
The Sworn of Dracula Allegedly founded by the three brides of Dracula himself, three different branches exist that conduct the order's research for an optimized approach. Each is given specific areas of authority as well as duties so that those Dragons best suited for one type of service to the Order are put to that use and not wasted on occupations they are ill-fit to assume. Only Elders and similar experienced Kindred are allowed to join the Sworn of Dracula.
The Sworn of the Axe, the protectors of the lore of the Ordo Dracul
The Sworn of the Dying Light, the researchers and librarians of the Ordo Dracul
The Sworn of Mysteries, the political organ of the Ordo Dracul
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:35 pm
Culture: Much of the Ordo Dracul is centered around traditional Mentor-Protégé duos. Mentoring is a serious concern among the Dragons and the practice of the Paths of Fate, a tarot-like divination based on the Virtue and Vice of the aspirant, is often used to determine productive partnerships. It is the duty of the student to be respectful of her mentor, to listen to her words and observe her actions, and to learn something from the experience. The mentor’s role is to act in a way deserving of respect, to show the student something enlightening and explain it in a way that will ensure that the lesson will be learned. This is true in an isolated cell of the Ordo as well is in a large metropolis with several rival factions.
Several variants of the Rites have risen, reacting to breakthroughs in study, cultural traditions among the Kine and geographical position. Most of these were very minor and easily dealt with, but some were more troublesome, and the stubbornness of various Dragons in the Ordo Dracul’s earlier years resulted in deadlocks that could not be reconciled. This could have led to serious fractures in the covenant that might have spelled its doom, but instead the eldest Dragons turned to their roots for a solution. Change could be tolerated so long as it was with purpose, and so, with purpose, the most egregious differences were dealt with by codifying them as various forms or Rites by which the covenant could organize itself. While some animosity remains between the different Rites even still, most are able to work together if necessary for the greater good of the Ordo Dracul. Several more still exist, but are usually junctions of one of the major rites.
Methods and Purpose:
The Ordo Dracul believes in purposeful change and the non-existence of permanence. Everything is in motion and transition, regardless how enduring or protected it seems to the untrained eye. Every action has a reaction, and until a Dragon can understand the reactions that a given course causes, she is discouraged from taking action at all. To this end, mystical studies of the condition of vampirism itself are conducted, to learn it limits and expand them. The Ordo Dracul takes great pains to train its members that they avoid thinking in categories and instead are able to perceive things from multiple angles.
Furthermore, the Ordo Dracul emphasizes the Solitude Paradox to its aspirants: Observation is interaction, and therefore has an effect on what is being observed, even if that effect is immeasurable. A member of the Ordo Dracul seeks to change themselves and must thus turn their focus inward, but must take for granted that they are never truly alone or unnoticed. Something is always watching in the night, whether this is another vampire, one of the Strix or the Gods themselves. No matter what they do or discover, someone will eventually discover it, so it's better to disclose their findings to someone they know and trust (referring to the Order, of course).
As a Dragon is trained, they are expected to expand beyond the basic five senses to broaden their viewpoint. The Discipline of Auspex is very helpful in this case, but exposure to a Wyrm's Nest also helps. If the mentor is sure that the aspirant has learned enough, they are allowed to take action themselves. The aspirant is then advised to watch the domino effect of this particular change he brought to the world (a favourite is the killing of a mortal, to see how it ripples through their entourage, society, the supernatural and on the killer themselves). This process is described as "following the Dragon's Tail". The same principle is then continued with every other practice of the Dragon, from their involvement in the Danse Macabre to their own studies in the Coils of the Dragon.
This directed and observed change is not random, but seeks a specified goal of transformation of the vampire into something unhindered by the Banes of its existence. This, the Great Work, is the raison d'être of the Ordo, in which all Lesser Works eventually enter.
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:39 pm
Factions: Almost all Dragons follow purviews that are different from their peers. Individualism is a vital part for a Covenant of scholars and as long as a Dragon observes the Principia Draconis and adheres to the scientific method, the precise way in which she approaches the Great Work matters little. Some resort to using alchemical means or practice Theosophy or Mesmerism, while others use scientific (or pseudo-scientific) methods to unlock the secrets of their unnatural condition.
That's not to say that these different Methodologies accept or even respect each other, and there may indeed be conflicts between different Factions, Rites, and Camps at any given time.
Known factions are:
Sworn of the Locust: Adepts of Mara, Dracula's first childe, the original goal of the Locusts was to rail against the God who had cursed Dracula originally. Their goal, since. has become to escape the snares and toils of the Kindred condition by any means necessary. Instead of acting in deliberate opposition to mortal morality, they would become amoral and perform any action - good, evil or indifferent - that would exalt them personally and improve their individual state.
Sworn of the Ladder: Adepts of Anoushka, Dracula's second childe, the Sworn of the Ladder seek to mitigate the curse through selfless deeds that would counter the cravings of the Beast.
The Impaled: The sub-culture of the Dragons that calls itself the Impaled has coiled the Dracula legend back onto itself with a gruesome ceremony of torture and exaltation, cruelty and remorse, that casts the followers of Dracula as both tyrant and subject, monster and victim. In the eyes of the Order, the rite of the Impaled feeds the dragon its own tail. The Impaled use the strengths and weaknesses of their undead bodies to experience both perspectives of Dracula's atrocities. They subject themselves to his own torture to better understand him and themselves.
Camps:
Camps are ideologies of what will be the end result of the Great Work, once the Curse is transcended and the vampire has mastered itself.
Angelics: Also called the Nephilim, they believe they must eliminate the stigmata of spiritual imperfection that is the source of their physical weaknesses and psychological torment. In doing so, they will attain Gnosis, which will transform them into semi-divine beings. They believe that only achieving omniscience will conquer the curse.
Arahats: Arahats believe their state is a form of karmic punishment that will be left behind when the vampire ends the Great Work with his transcendence, achieved by attaining the pinnacle in a chosen field of study and gaining a Bodhisattva-like state of omniscience .
Cthonians: Their belief is that once a vampire has shed the curse, he will become one of the entities beyond existence, Lovecraftian horrors dwelling behind the stars and under the sea. Most of their Requiems is dedicated to learning more about these entities and how to join them.
Devourer Worms: Drawing upon the image of the serpent Apophis, the Devourer Worms seek to become perfect predators, honing and training their Beast, so that it can one day replace the Man in a proper fashion. For the Devourers, they have achieved this state when no creature, regardless of its power, skill or intelligence, can challenge them.
Eleusians: Eleusians believe that undeath is an exalted state. Mortality is an illusion that limits the potential of an individual, constricting her ability to perceive truths and act accordingly. As even vampirism has its drawback, they seek the perfect "death", that will allow them to extinguish their form beyond any hopes of return.
Liches: They believe that transcendence is all about control; over one's own body and soul as well as over all other creatures. The only limitation for a lich will be imagination and desire. To this end, they study the occult physics behind the world, in addition to the mundane sciences.
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:42 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:43 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:43 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:43 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:43 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:43 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:44 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 3:45 pm
For Further Reading:
Much information on this page was taken from the above sources![.size]
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