Houses Question

[dreamguardian1]

So i was finally doing the Vampire Suvey and have always known a little bit about houses, but most of it has been by word of mouth. Can anyone give me a breakdown of houses, rules, what they are, requirements and any LEGITones in California, San Fran. Basically what is a house, etc etc etc. I have been solo too long.

Im still very cautions about what i post since some things got blasted on the internet a year ago on one of the Vampire Meetup Boards to a gaming community. I only feel safe asking these things on Nox.

[StolenGlance]

Hey..I was a house member for awhile..I don't know ALL that much about rules on a grand scale..but i'd be happy to give you a breakdown of how things worked in the house I was in..

Also..if you want to ask any particular question, i'll probably be able to give you a decent answer..

[dreamguardian1]

Well my questions would be what are general requirments of a house or houses? I dont know anything about them just what i have heard in passing. If no one feels safe putting it on forums can always email me orpm me.

[Camazotz]

Sorry I couldn't really advise you of any in your area, as for rules and regs most houses have their own specific codes of conduct... Best thing that I can say is research, research, research and if you do find a group that looks good spend some time around them BEFORE you become fully involved or give away too much personal info.

[Alyushia]

Sorry I couldn't really advise you of any in your area, as for rules and regs most houses have their own specific codes of conduct... Best thing that I can say is research, research, research and if you do find a group that looks good spend some time around them BEFORE you become fully involved or give away too much personal info.

VERY good advice. I was asked to join one some time ago. After I spend three days there, I decided it definitely was NOT for me (that one any way). I STRONGLY disagreed with some of the behavior.

[Craze]

Every house differs as to its own expectations and so on. Some are good, some not so much, and there are a few that are really little more that glorified cults.

My advice would be this: Investigate anything that you come across thouroughly. Keep a close eye on how the members of said house act and interact with both the head of said house and each other.. If it seems like a cult, it probably is a cult..if a head of house seems more likely to take rumors and gossip over the words of a member, than they are to actually try and get to the bottom of whats going on, then there's a high chance then that house is little more than a breeding ground for drama and conflicts. Thats been my experience, at least.

[RKCoon]

Yup. ran into that just recently, myself. notthat pleasant either, to learn that the hard way.

[Valentina]

As said above, research, research, research.

Politics - wow. Politics can tear a house apart. I'm very anti-authorian but I have to tell you something. I believe that when a house is democratic, there will be conflict, lots of conflict.

I am very close to joining a house right now where the leader of that house is the law; no democracy, period. It's a small physical house and there is no room for negotiation. All of the laws and secrets are upfront...except for what goes on in the rituals. Now, they didn't just come out and reveal these things to me. They have known me for over a year, actually about two. It's a commitment and I have to decide whether I want to commit.

I cannot even begin to tell you - there is so much to watch out for. Does the house promote itself in the community? Some do. Some have PR persons and set up booths at Renaissance faires. Is that what you want? Do you really believe that vampirism can be acceptable to the community? Some pagan communities aren't even accepting of vampirism.

How much control does the regent have? Do you want him/her to control who is and who is not your donor? The vampire-donor relationship is a big issue in some houses. Do you need someone to enforce your having blood tests every three months? Would you resent that? Is that ok with you? Do you mind that the regent has your real name, a photo of you, your address, and telephone number? Sometimes, this is for safety reasons...in case someone disappears at a meetup.

What does the house have to offer you? What are you looking for? Write a list of what your needs are and try to find a house that meets those needs.
If something doesn't feel right, don't commit. Sometimes, it's hard to leave a house once you have joined. They can become family, but they can also use mind control to make you feel guilty (much like some churches/other cults do).

Two years ago, I was very wishy-washy..couldn't figure out why I couldn't make up my mind. What I needed was the social aspects but not the rulership. It took me awhile to figure that out.

[dreamguardian1]

Great feedback on Houses Ty and feel free to keep me/eeryone informed on houses. For me i felt this was a learning experience which is what Nox is all about in my opinion. Learning and teaching

[dreamguardian1]

So after much digging i have gotten a little closer to finding Legit houses. So far closest I have come is Los Angeles which is Coven 13. Got an email from Rose Noire who is fairly close to me in the bay area. Although i have heard rumors of an underground club for Vampires in San Francisco, just havent come up with any decent leads. Much less a lead that is safe to go to for someone who is Transgender. Double Whammy on my part here in SF psy vamp and trans lol. But the search goes on.

I did get one email for someone who said they would meet me and talk in private, i got a bad feeling about the email so didnt respond back and blocked the email address. Although it could have been totally legit the email just gave off a bad bad mojo.

[dreamguardian1]

I also received this email response to from Rose Noire can anyone validite or legitimize it any or is strictly for those who want to be.

"However, another once a year great event with a very diverse crowd is the Pleasanton Vampire Ball (peers.org). Beyond that, I would suggest maybe trying Craigslist or the vampire donor alliance http://www.darksites.com/souls/vampires/vampdonor/main.html."

Regards and best of luck to you,

[dreamguardian1]

Legit or ????

I really really need you guys/gals feedback on this stuff, remember im not knowledgeable about all this stuff, i just know what i feel inside what i am about me but knowing this stuff and being able to cope and handle it and understand are all different aspects so those who have experience and knowledge and willing to pass that on and teach me to deal and understand this stuff is always soo greatly appreciated.
Hugs
http://www.darknessembraced.com/vampire/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,27/topic,193.0/

[Camazotz]

Whilst I know of the vamp/donor alliance, unfortunatly I don't know how useful it is and am sadly too far away to have any personal experience of the others mentioned.

It might be worth your while (if you haven't already) going to meetup.com and checking to see if there is a vampire meetup in your area. Be advised that there can often be a lot of RPers/journalists etc, so get a feel for people before deciding if you want to attend a meetup- but certainly you may find others to contact personally through the site.. I know I met some of the very very few irish vampires that I know on there.

[Merticus]

Who you need to speak with regarding matters in the SF area is Gabriel of House Lost Haven. See also: http://groups.google.com/group/losthaven

For matters state wide in CA refer to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wretched

[dreamguardian1]

ANy idea how to get into contact With Gabriel of Houe Lost Have, the website is rarely used according to what i can see and i dont want to post information on there for just anyone to see and Google search turned up nothing.

[Merticus]

He's working on some net issues at the moment with the LH main web site (not the google group) but off-and-on you can find him and others from LH on IRC Dalnet #losthaven. Usually 10-15 people around, several whom are from CA.

[dreamguardian1]

ok i signed up on that site link and im asking around.

[Liquidess_Shade]

I'll be honest, in my mind, most houses are worthless.

People get together, and can create a house that is whatever they want, and then assume they can do whatever they want.

No point in denying the fact, that this lifestyle brings in some of the most insane, crazy, out of touch with reality people you could ever know....

I can understand wanting a house for support, but in the end, I believe for the most part, your not gonna find that in a house. Too much drama, chaos, and lack of organization on the whole, to prevent the house, the system from every changing.

I attempted to help modify a smallish and a largish house/coven/group/whatever once. But, they were not too accepting of some of the changes I wished to implement. Partly, because it would require them to be marked by the house, as part of the house. Another, because it would not tolerate some of the outlandish, anyone can say whatever they want, and somehow have someone influential say it's all plausible and good.

Hope your search goes well.