ChadSang
02-24-2007, 12:23 PM
Chapter 11
From Voodoo to Eighth Grade
After we ate, Jon and I sat around in the guest house and discussed vampire matters that we had been working on. We went through more shielding and signature matters because even though I knew about them, I certainly was proficient in the art of those two most important things for vampires to know and respect.
Jon told me that the more proficient you become in those two areas the more protected you’ll be. We also talked about a “code of conduct” among legitimate vampires. There certainly weren’t any vamp police to make sure you abided in those methods of honorable vampires.
I can’t remember each and other word, but Jon laid out the code of conduct for me to ponder. The “Old Ways” that Stefan and Mal wrote are almost verbatim to what Jon had told me. Just in case some of you may not have read the “Old Ways,” here they are:
The Old Ways
The Laws of the Society
Written down by Stefan and Malcaius [House Phoenix Resurectus]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. You shall not divulge your nature.
2. All vampires are your Brethren; treat all with proper respect.
3. The Elders are the foundation of our society, heed their council and beware their wrath.
4. Respect the territory you visit, either of solitary or house occupation. Always contact the Elders of the territory and advise them of your movements, this is for your protection.
5. Conflict with other vampires should be kept to a minimum. Prior to a challenge always contact that vampire's Elders and your own before acting; this will keep peace amongst the houses.
6. Never reveal another vampire openly.
7. Move within this world as part of it; conceal your nature for the good of all.
8. Only the Elder can grant ingress to an Outsider (Donor, Mundane, Vampire or Elder). Failure to comply will result in immediate punishment.
9. Treat the mundane population with respect, we depend on them for nourishment - and they outnumber us.
10. Do not awaken or admit another to the lifestyle without careful research and consultation with the Elders and the house.
11. Treat the donor with as much care as your own life.
12. Do not kill your own kind without leave.
13. Wars between houses/clans are inevitable; such is our way to preserve the ideals of the society.
14. Renegade vampire/houses are subject to the review of the council. No individual Elder or Elders can pronounce judgment on a house without becoming rogue themselves, and thus subject to the council.
15. Should the council deliver a verdict, it is observed as law amongst the society.
16. It is possible to co-exist in the same territory with another house/clan provided that each respects the others claim.
17. An exiled vampire is not permitted to join with another house/clan. Should another house/clan accept them, they set themselves at odds with the house which initiated the exile.
18. Should an Elder be overthrown by his own, the house may appoint from within with approval from the council.
19. Fledgling houses are still subject to the council, though they may appoint their Elders from within. They are directly responsible for any and all actions taken until the council has contacted and approved of the elder(s) .
General Rites and Proceedings
The Rite to Tribunal
During matters of accusation when a House member faces expulsion or punishment for an act or actions they believe they did not commit, then the house member may demand a rite to tribunal. The tribunal may also be called to address egregious acts of an individual or individuals against the house or Elder(s).
Now I realize that a majority of young vampires on this site think all this is bullshit and they’ll damn well do whatever the fuck they want to do. But believe me that code of conduct worked for me in many instances, as well as for hundreds of other vampires. But then I have also learned that folks are going to do whatever they choose to do, and that includes believing in a code of conduct or not.
Wars among houses have almost faded into oblivion, but they still exist in a very real way. You’ll read more about them in a later chapter.
When our two weeks in New Orleans were up, we packed up and flew northward to our respective homes. I had a month to get ready to enter 8th grade. I had already begun to be perceived as a cool guy, welcomed into any group at school. In just a year I had become very popular. Well, we’ll see how 8th grade goes in the next chapter
From Voodoo to Eighth Grade
After we ate, Jon and I sat around in the guest house and discussed vampire matters that we had been working on. We went through more shielding and signature matters because even though I knew about them, I certainly was proficient in the art of those two most important things for vampires to know and respect.
Jon told me that the more proficient you become in those two areas the more protected you’ll be. We also talked about a “code of conduct” among legitimate vampires. There certainly weren’t any vamp police to make sure you abided in those methods of honorable vampires.
I can’t remember each and other word, but Jon laid out the code of conduct for me to ponder. The “Old Ways” that Stefan and Mal wrote are almost verbatim to what Jon had told me. Just in case some of you may not have read the “Old Ways,” here they are:
The Old Ways
The Laws of the Society
Written down by Stefan and Malcaius [House Phoenix Resurectus]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. You shall not divulge your nature.
2. All vampires are your Brethren; treat all with proper respect.
3. The Elders are the foundation of our society, heed their council and beware their wrath.
4. Respect the territory you visit, either of solitary or house occupation. Always contact the Elders of the territory and advise them of your movements, this is for your protection.
5. Conflict with other vampires should be kept to a minimum. Prior to a challenge always contact that vampire's Elders and your own before acting; this will keep peace amongst the houses.
6. Never reveal another vampire openly.
7. Move within this world as part of it; conceal your nature for the good of all.
8. Only the Elder can grant ingress to an Outsider (Donor, Mundane, Vampire or Elder). Failure to comply will result in immediate punishment.
9. Treat the mundane population with respect, we depend on them for nourishment - and they outnumber us.
10. Do not awaken or admit another to the lifestyle without careful research and consultation with the Elders and the house.
11. Treat the donor with as much care as your own life.
12. Do not kill your own kind without leave.
13. Wars between houses/clans are inevitable; such is our way to preserve the ideals of the society.
14. Renegade vampire/houses are subject to the review of the council. No individual Elder or Elders can pronounce judgment on a house without becoming rogue themselves, and thus subject to the council.
15. Should the council deliver a verdict, it is observed as law amongst the society.
16. It is possible to co-exist in the same territory with another house/clan provided that each respects the others claim.
17. An exiled vampire is not permitted to join with another house/clan. Should another house/clan accept them, they set themselves at odds with the house which initiated the exile.
18. Should an Elder be overthrown by his own, the house may appoint from within with approval from the council.
19. Fledgling houses are still subject to the council, though they may appoint their Elders from within. They are directly responsible for any and all actions taken until the council has contacted and approved of the elder(s) .
General Rites and Proceedings
The Rite to Tribunal
During matters of accusation when a House member faces expulsion or punishment for an act or actions they believe they did not commit, then the house member may demand a rite to tribunal. The tribunal may also be called to address egregious acts of an individual or individuals against the house or Elder(s).
Now I realize that a majority of young vampires on this site think all this is bullshit and they’ll damn well do whatever the fuck they want to do. But believe me that code of conduct worked for me in many instances, as well as for hundreds of other vampires. But then I have also learned that folks are going to do whatever they choose to do, and that includes believing in a code of conduct or not.
Wars among houses have almost faded into oblivion, but they still exist in a very real way. You’ll read more about them in a later chapter.
When our two weeks in New Orleans were up, we packed up and flew northward to our respective homes. I had a month to get ready to enter 8th grade. I had already begun to be perceived as a cool guy, welcomed into any group at school. In just a year I had become very popular. Well, we’ll see how 8th grade goes in the next chapter