Path of Carousal

By Sean J. Young (sjyoung@pipeline.com) for the Bloodline of Bliss

History

Created by Opium Denny, the founder of the Bloodline of Bliss, this path is followed solely by his children. The path was created in 1925, when Denny, a 6th generation vampire, was barely among the undead for a few years himself. Finding like-minded people amongst the "flappers" and playboys of the 20s proved very easy and Denny himself had personally embraced 10 children within a few years.

Originally, the bloodline was purely one of pleasure and blatant hedonism. However, a turn of events, allegedly involving Ventrue, somehow made the bloodline adopt a darker and more dangerous nature. What the events were are never spoken of, though all that is known now is that the bloodline is secretively one of the most manipulating and power hungry ones around (though most kindred refuse to believe it). To this day, Bliss makes their dislike of Ventrue known at every opportunity.

It was during this change in the nature of the bloodline that Opium Denny created the path. He wanted his children to gain power, yet wanted it to be done under the cover of shallowness and a non-threatening image, to make their work even easier to carry out.

Ethics

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

To show your strength is to empower your enemy. Better to be thought incompetent and non-threatening and allow fools to lower their guard.

People will not mind or care if they are manipulated if you make it a pleasurable experience.

With enough charm, you can lead a horse to water and make him drink.

The more diversion one causes, while not falling victim to it oneself, the more powerful you becomes.

Hierarchy of Sins

10	Refusing to offer a vulnerable elder of another clan over to Opium Denny for diablerie.
9	Allowing a subtle, devious and convoluted scheme to be traced backed to you.
8	Refusing to usher a level-headed person into the light of debauchery for the good of the bloodline.
7	Allowing others to see your concern or anger over a situation instead of keeping a nonchalant appearance and crushing them in due time. (keep a cool head!)
6	Allowing others of non-Bliss origins to see your true intelligence and shrewdness.
5	Allowing your own desires and wants to hinder business -- for too long a period.
4	Failing to take advantage of a victim's altered mental/emotional state.
3	Failing to seduce the lover of a rival, or the rival him/herself for damaging information.
2	Failing to be the most charming and beautiful that you can be.
1	Actively allowing a boring situation to continue.