By Steve Darnell (bladrunr@aye.net)
Degenerates, defilers of the night; that is what you have called us for centuries, yet we have persevered. You have cast us out of your society in hopes that we might wither away and die; yet we have prospered. You have attempted to hunt us down and to see us crushed, yet still we survive to see another night.
Your petty princes and your impotent councils, with your conclaves and your speeches; you have so deluded yourselves into believing that you hold the power. You pathetic Sabbat leaders; you think you hold the true alternative to Camarilla rule. You all fool yourselves. We shall show you the true meaning of what it is to wield power.
What you do not realize is that it is you who are being led and ruled by us. Even now we control the inner workings of much of Kindred society; and we do it from within your own ranks and clans. You may search all you like but you shall never find us for we are everywhere.
You call us the disgrace, but it is you who would see us all cowed and sell us to the enemy. You cast us out, yet you seek to live peacefully amongst lesser creatures. When our time comes, we shall show you the true destiny of the Kindred. Then you shall bow down and worship us even as you now worship your precious Humanity.
Aaron looked around nervously as he made his way toward the gathering. The closer he got to the crowd before him the more he could feel it. There was something very big going on here. The weight of it pressed on him, almost causing him to stop in his tracks and turn away from this place. However, at the same time, it was drawing him closer. He wasn't certain of what it all was, but he knew that he wanted to be part of it.
Aaron looked at Constanza. It was she who had invited him to come this night; or was it ordered, it was often hard to tell with her. She walked next to him smiling broadly, but with dignity. That was the one thing about Constanza that attracted Aaron to her the most, the fact that she always maintained a sense of elegance about her in everything that she did.
"There's a lot of power here," he finally spoke.
"Yes there is," Constanza replied, "More power than you know."
"How can there be so much power in one place," Aaron questioned, "Is it because so many have come together?"
Constanza looked at Aaron for the first time since they arrived at this place, "Partly, young one. It is true that a gathering such as this cannot help but to generate a great deal of power. However, most of the power you feel comes from that one over there."
Constanza gestured toward a small group of men and women. They were all hovering around a tall, lean, and powerfully built man dressed in red robes bearing a black dragon on its back. He was possibly the most beautiful creature that Aaron had ever seen.
"Who is he," the young neonate inquired, "and why do the others treat him with such reverence?"
Constanza's eyes never left the tall, gaunt figure ahead of them, "His name is Martin. He is quite young for one of our kind, but he controls power to rival many kindred five times his age. He is one of our progenitor's childer."
Aaron's eyes grew wide at his sire's words. The thought of being in the presence of one so close to the founder of their clan made him both nervous and agog. After several long moments, he finally found his voice, "He's one of Dracula's childer?"
Constanza smiled, amused at the reaction of her progeny, "Yes, little one, he is."
"What is he doing here?"
Constanza returned her gaze to Aaron, "He is why we are here, in Transylvania. It is he who will oversee the proceedings of this night, just as he always does, just as he has for many years.
"Treat him with respect, but do not be obsequious. The one thing he hates most is to be fawned over. He feels it makes a mockery of his position to have others fall at his feet in such a way."
Aaron let Constanza's words sink in, but before he could respond, he found they were before the very man they spoke of. Martin was taller than Aaron had first determined. He was well over six feet tall and a very imposing figure to behold.
Martin nodded at Constanza and smiled. He reached out and took her in his arms in a familial embrace, "Stanza, it is good to see you again. Our gathering would be incomplete without you. And who is this young one?" Aaron almost leapt in fright when the man's eyes fell upon him.
"This is Aaron," Constanza said, "he has come to be announced and to pledge himself to the clan."
Martin's stare was most unsettling as it locked Aaron in its icy grip. Martin took Aaron in an embrace similar to the one he had shared with Constanza. "At last you have brought a young one of your own to the fold."
Martin released Aaron and looked him over. "If he does well tonight he should make a good addition to the line." His eyes met Aaron's again, only more warmly, "Perhaps someday you too shall join the Order as your sire did."
Aaron looked back and forth between the two with confusion, "I don't know what you mean, Martin. What order?"
Martin placed one hand on Aaron's shoulder, "Someday, when you are ready, Stanza will tell you. Until then, let it suffice to say that you belong to a distinguished line within our clan and you will find that to be of great help in the future."
None of this helped to ease Aaron's confusion, but it gave him a strange feeling of pride to have been spoken to in such a way by one such as Martin. Constanza took him by the arm and led him away to take a place amongst the gathering.
The group had formed a circle around two great bonfires with a raised platform between them. On the platform were an altar and a wooden stand holding a sword. Soon the chanting began.
The sound of the voices coming together reminded Aaron of the Gregorian chants of the Benedictine monks. It gave off a feeling of peace and yet increased the feeling of great power that was already permeating the very air of this place. As the singing grew louder, Martin walked out and ascended the small stair that led to the platform. He turned to face each member of the crowd, his arms held out in a manner that reminded Aaron of a crucifix. The chanting grew louder until Aaron thought he would go mad from the sound. Just when he was about to run in terror of the great noise that assaulted him, the song ended. The entire gathering was silent.
Martin began to speak, "Brothers and sisters in blood, we have gathered again in this place where our line was founded to once again present those who would be accepted to our clan. Tonight we gather to celebrate our unity as a clan as we shall someday celebrate our unity as kindred all over the world."
The crowd lauded the opening words as though they were a church congregation gathered to hear a great evangelist. Martin seemed to ignore the cheers and applause. Without a pause he continued to address the group.
"Tonight we bring into the fold the first sired of one of our best and brightest. Come forth Aaron, childe of Constanza."
Aaron felt the call compel him forward from his place in the crowd. Constanza touched his hand as he rose to his feet and walked out into the circle toward Martin. The fire held no terror for him at this moment. The summoning calmed his spirit, and the flames seemed almost to invigorate him.
When Aaron had ascended the platform, Martin nodded to him. As though by instinct, Aaron dropped slowly to his knees. Martin approached Aaron and placed a hand upon his bowed head. The power emanating from that hand was almost enough to cause Aaron to leap in shock.
"Aaron, childe of Constanza, childe of Gerant, childe of Athena, childe of Carmilla, childe of Vlad, called Dracula, do you swear your unending loyalty to the Clan Dracul?"
Without hesitation Aaron replied, "I do swear it."
Martin continued, "Do you swear your service to the members of the Clan Dracul, to aid them in need and even to the death defend them and the Clan Dracul?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to do nothing that may in any way cause detriment to the name of the Clan Dracul?"
"I swear."
"Should you in any way fail to uphold the oath that you have sworn before this gathering of your fellow clansmen, do you offer your life to be taken by any of your kinsmen upon discovery of your treachery?"
"I do willingly give up my life."
Martin walked over to the altar and picked up a large chalice. Amongst the jewels that decorated the cup, Aaron made out the shape of a dragon carved in onyx set upon the cup. It was identical to the one that emblazoned Martin's robe.
Martin held aloft the bejeweled grail and turned around to face the whole of the gathering. He lowered it once again to Aaron's eye level. This time Aaron could smell the contents...blood. It smelled sweeter and more potent than any blood he had ever encountered.
Again Martin spoke, "Then upon this oath drink of this cup and taste the blood of our founder and become one with the rest of us."
Aaron gulped at the rich red liquid put before him. Martin had to pull away the cup before Aaron drank too much to feed the others who would be presented this night.
"Stand, Aaron, and face the gathering as a member of Clan Dracul."
Aaron stood and faced them all, drunk from the power of the blood. He drank in the calls of approval and the well wishing as he returned to his place next to Constanza. She smiled most approvingly at him and said, "Enjoy it, not many kindred get the opportunity to taste the blood of an antediluvian." She leaned closer and passionately kissed the blood-reddened lips of her lover, her childe.
It should be noted that the history of Clan Dracul is, for the most part, the history of its founder, Vlad the Impaler -- Dracula. The pre-vampiric activities of Vlad are well documented in many history books and no book of vampire folklore is complete without his mention. We will, therefore dispense with the bulk of his mortal days and take up where the real story begins.
Vlad's cruelty and bloody ways had made him one of the most feared and despised rulers of his time. Despite the fact that he tortured and killed as many Romanians as he did enemies of the state, his own people held him up as a national hero.
Throughout his reign the one thing that gave him the greatest joy was his wife, Cneajna. After Cneajna's suicide in 1462, which also marked the beginning of his fourteen-year exile from Wallachia, Vlad became obsessed with death and how he might conquer it himself. He began delving into darker and darker levels of the occult until he eventually made the discovery that would change his life forever.
Vlad had heard tales of the vampires of the region. He remembered tales of vampires with great magics who commanded great winged beasts. He also was told of creatures that could twist the very form of flesh and bone to create horrid perversions of humanity, or make themselves more beautiful than any creature in nature. Dracula had believed these stories to be mere superstition, tales to frighten small children into behaving.
On the surface, the traditions of Clan Dracul are an odd blend of familiar aspects of both the Tzimisce and Tremere clan traditions, but the inner workings are somewhat more complex and secretive. Like the Tzimisce, Dracul tend to be strangely loyal to their sires and will often act as assistants, apprentices, or even their librarians. However, this is not due to the blood bond, but is rather due to the fact that all Dracul know that they are not trusted among other Kindred and that they wouldn't last long without the tutelage that their sires offer in exchange. The fact that those who refuse a service to their sire, before being presented before the clan, are often killed by their sire also acts as a strong incentive for a neonate not to invoke his or her sire's wrath.
Those who would prefer not to stain their hands with the worthless blood of an insolent childe often choose to cast the young one from his haven and, as his wayward progeny is desperately seeking a new haven, drop an anonymous tip to the Prince, revealing the identity of the neonate and what clan he comes from. These childer tend to disappear and very little, if anything, is done to find out what happened to him or her -- Princes and other Kindred in general tend to look the other way when a Dracul "vanishes" or is found to have been killed. Most childer, however, serve their sires out of respect for their position and for the knowledge to be gained, such as rituals they would otherwise have no access to.
Vlad is mostly seen in the Dracul stronghold in Transylvania, where he councils with his childe, Martin, on clan matters. He has delegated so much of his power that he has very little to do with the actual implementation of policy and clan law. For this reason, he has attended more and more meetings of the clan leaders, so that he might keep totally abreast of what is happening within the clan and its orders. The clan itself is run, with Vlad's support, by his six most trusted childer.
Vlad has lately taken to research. He has heard word of true dragons in the region of Eastern Austria. He is taken with the prospect of actually locating one of these beasts. Though none would be foolish enough to tell him, many members of the clan believe that this is a sign of madness, most likely brought on by Augustus Giovanni's influence.
Martin is Archduke over the Eastern European Territories and the Grand Master of the Sacred Order of the Dragon. When Vlad is out of contact with the clan, Martin acts as the clan leader. Due to his title of Grand Master, Martin oversees the annual gathering of the clan and the introduction of new members.
The two were embraced the same night, and are said to have drank from a concoction of both their sires' blood, rather than drinking from one sire alone, in order to maintain their blood connection. It is also said that the twins are also lovers, and that they have strengthened the link between them through the use of a thaumaturgical ritual of their own design.
Carmilla is Archduchess of the Western European Territory. She works closely with Martin in matters of the clan, and is the one who conceived of the Hidden Legion. Only Martin is deferred to as much as Carmilla.
She is, perhaps, the strictest of all the Archdukes and Archduchesses with regard to those under her, and tolerates no dissension among her subjects. Infighting is often resolved with the summary execution of all involved in the dispute.
Josef is Archduke over the North American Territories. His region is one of the busiest in the Dracul power base. His work at present consists mainly of trying to open up the South American continent for Dracul infiltration.
Josef is responsible for the formal structuring of the Secret Emissaries and Carpathian Guard. When candidates for the Hidden Legion require tutoring in Thaumaturgy, it is Josef who is called in to instruct.
The most enigmatic of the six Archdukes, all that is known of Mamuwalde is that he was an African prince in his mortal life and that he continuously develops his use of Necromancy and of Spirit Thaumaturgy. Rumor has it that he is secretly developing a spiritual power base for the clan to be unleashed when the time of the clan's rise to power is at hand.
Considering the size of his domain, Mamuwalde has done extremely well for himself and the clan. The African Territories have shown the least trouble and the most progress of any of the other regions.
Tatyana is prolific in several disciplines and is a fierce warrior. She is one of the most feared Kindred in Russia and the surrounding states. Her prowess is such that even Baba Yaga fears her power and strength.
Alexandru has earned a reputation as a Kindred warlord. He has forsaken the further development of his Dominate powers to concentrate on Fortitude and Celerity. He has also learned the use of Quietus from the local Assamites. It has been recently decided that all members of the Carpathian Guard and the Dragon's Guard will eventually be sent to Istanbul to learn Quietus from Alexandru.
Saint Germain is the most successful agent of the Dracul. The information he has provided about the Tremere will prove useful when the Dracul rise up to destroy them. However, it is likely that he will be removed from duty and placed in charge of the Secret Emissaries, because many Tremere and Kindred in general are beginning to ask questions about him. (For more information, see the entry on Saint Germain in Clanbook: Tremere.)
It was Akeem who discovered the secret haven of the last Cappadocians. This has given him greater access than any other Dracul to the lost discipline of Mortis, which he has added to his Necromancy in order to create rituals and effects far beyond the imagination of even Mamuwalde. With this potent combination of powers, the African Dracul could build a base of spiritual control and power to rival even that of the Giovanni.
Akeem often finds himself up against the Setites in his efforts to spread Dracul influence throughout Northern Africa. Though several assassination attempts have been made against him, including one by an Assamite, all have failed and led to the final death of the Kindred behind them.
Salvatore is rough and straightforward in his manner. This, along with his paranoid and suspicious nature, as well as his close relationship with Vlad, often puts him at odds with Martin in matters of the clan and its security. Each respects the other, but neither truly trusts the other.
A descendant of Carmilla, Armin is a cold and harsh creature. He is strict with his Lords and rules his Barony with an iron fist. He is just as swift and hard with his punishments as his ancestor, Archduchess Carmilla is.
Recently, Brujah of the Camarilla assassinated one of the East German Barons. Armin has been chosen to rule over this Barony, as well as his own, until a new Baron can be chosen. He has done so well in this capacity, however, that rumor speaks of annexing the second Barony into his own. This talk makes the other two German Barons nervous that Armin may be trying to win the entire nation as his territory, which would effectively put him on a near equal footing with the Duke.
Mihnea is a man of peace and unity. He is also very disturbed; nay, he is insane. His followers have no idea that their leader is a madman, and are therefore devoted to his cause with all earnestness.
Mihnea also has one other dark secret; he is Vlad's mortal son and eldest child. It was for this reason that Vlad took him back into his fold. He would not have his son executed for petty madness. Even Martin is ignorant of their relationship to each other, and it is unknown what the result would be if word should get out to the others.
When Mihnea broke from the clan, Arkady followed with him and helped to found the Order of Contrition. With his help, the Contritionists grew in number rapidly. Eventually, however, Arkady realized that his mentor was insane and that he might just lead the others to their own destruction.
Arkady fled from Mihnea's camp and attempted to return to the Dracul stronghold in Transylvania. He demanded a private audience with Vlad, and when brought before him, informed Vlad of Mihnea's madness.
When the Contritionists were taken back into the clan, Arkady found himself unable to serve either faction within the clan. When Vlad took this as treachery and ordered his death, he fled to Western Europe and lost himself amongst the other Kindred.
Now Arkady wanders from city to city always on the lookout for any assassins that Vlad may send after him. It is assumed that he has mastered most of the major disciplines by now and may be looking for someone in whom he might confide the information he possesses regarding the placement of Secret Emissaries within Kindred society around the world. He is considered to be possibly the most dangerous Kindred in the world, for the information he carries could result in the mass execution of hundreds of Dracul and a blood hunt upon the entire clan. All members of the clan are on standing orders to kill him on sight. It is rumored that his killer will be rewarded with the chance to diablerize a Kindred sired by Vlad directly, thus granting a huge leap in generation.
The only thing that grants any solace to the clan is the fact that Arkady, being Dracul is not likely to be trusted by any other Kindred he should encounter. If he does manage to relay his information, it is most likely to be considered a trick by the Dracul to lure the Kindred into some heinous trap of Vlad's design. This grants the clan more time to find him before he can succeed in his efforts.