backImpigritates
Noctis Quae Insolentem Sunt
The Customs of the Night
These are the customs that govern the affairs of Kindred. Some are enforced
only by popular opinion, some (especially Sanguis Patrocinor Sanguinem) are
enforced by the Kindred representatives from Rome, but all are obeyed, as least
as much as one has to. Law enforcement in Gaul is considerably less stringent
than that of the modern day. These are the customs of the Roman (some
would say "civilized") world, or at least the corner of it known as Gaul.
Assuming the same rules hold in Germany, Parthia, or even Greece would be foolish.
Primus
Dignitas
(Above all else, behave with dignity.)
The Kindred, most especially the Fili but also the Patruelis, are a breed apart.
Not only are they different than mortal men, they are better. They excel
in all forms of physical activity, and therefore must excel in all forms of
mental activity. Their very flesh is kept forever young by the blood that
flows through their veins. Who can doubt their privileged position?
And so it is that all Kindred must comport themselves with the dignity befitting
their station. They should be magnanimous or fickle as their temperament
suites, but never servile or petty. They must fulfill their part of the
social contract as well, they must not hinder the state and must aide those
they take as clients. Toy with a mortal for your personal amusement, not
for your gain. If you wish something from a mortal, take it. Remember
the examples of the gods in the Iliad, Odyssey and Aeneid. From this first
rule do all other rules derive. Many Kindred would not think to list all
of the below customs if asked, but each and every one would mention this as
the first and greatest rule of the night.
Cliens
Inviolatum Est
(A Kindred's clients are his and his alone.)
A Kindred may take clients to rule as his or her own. These clients have
the right to have their basic needs provided for by the patron; many Tzimice
practices would be dramatic violations of this custom. The Kindred, as
patron, has certain rights as well. They have the right to ghoul their
clients if desired, the right to reveal their full nature to their client, and
most importantly the right to protection from interference with their client.
No other Kindred may use disciplines on the client or injure them directly or
indirectly. Even conversing with them for too long is suspect. The
patron forfeits their rights regarding the client if they do not provide for
the clients needs or if they clearly care nothing for the client. Sending
the client on a near suicidal mission is certainly demonstrates a lack of caring.
Kindred are limited by the number of clients they may have by the fact that,
baring extraordinary circumstances, the client must meet personally with them
at least half the nights of the year, customarily near dawn. For this
reason few Kindred keep more than twenty or so clients, they control more mortals
via their clients' clients.
Non
Serviuntor
(Be a slave to no mortal.)
A Kindred must not serve a mortal master. This means that no Kindred can
obey the orders of a mortal, as client or slave. A Kindred has the blood
of the gods running through his or her veins, did Apollo or Juno ever bend knee
to even the mightiest mortal king? On the other hand, the gods commonly
did masquerade as servants and the like, but the Kindred in question should
be clear that it is just a game. Also, this should not be interpreted
to mean that a Kindred may not help a mortal who is not directly allied to them.
Kindred should allow their whims to decide who has the favor of their strength.
But they should never allow an inferior to force them to use that strength.
Beluam
Sis, Beluam Eris
(Do not reveal your nature crudely)
Only the most uncouth of Kindred solve their problems by brute force.
There is no need to terrify the mortals into submission when the Kindred have
far more refined tools at their disposal. A terrified mortal will do as
the Kindred bids, but later they will see through the facade of strength and
see that such displays show only weakness. And so such displays make all
Kindred look weak. Baring fangs or using high levels of physical disciplines
is never acceptable. Nor are gross physical transformations like all levels
of Protean and several levels of Obtenebration. Relatively subtle disciplines
can be used as the Kindred wishes. One can use all levels of Dominate,
Presence, and Obfuscate without violating this custom.
Sanguis
Patrocinor Sanguinem
(Roman citizens have special protections from non-citizen Kindred.)
Just as citizens have special protections in the mortal world, they have protection
in the immortal one as well. If a Kindred has citizen's blood in their
veins, either mortal or immortal, they may ignore this custom. A Kindred
who is in no way a citizen though may not interfere with mortals who are citizens.
They may use no supernatural powers on citizens, nor may they injure citizens,
nor may they feed from citizens. Thus for non-citizen Kindred living in
a heavily Roman city is rather difficult. Feeding from slaves or freedmen
is always an option though as they are never citizens.
Pater
Necare Sinotus Est
(Only the sire has the right of destruction.)
The sire has that most important right of the pater familius, destruction.
The sire need specify no reason or crime; they may simply kill the childe.
The sire does, naturally, have to consider the political climate however.
Killing a popular childe is never a good idea and killing a childe is often
seen as a sign of weakness.