By William Adams (william@isla.net) for the Sons of the Dragon
Slay those who do not serve the Dragon Who Eats Its Own Tail. As all other minions of the Wyrm foster corruption and stagnation, they must be destroyed to pave the way for true renewal.
Slay those who serve creation when necessary. The Dragon Sons serve the Wyrm, therefore they are opposed to the Weaver and the Wyld. Unlike other minions of the Wyrm who attack Gaia trying in some misguided attempt to destroy the works by attacking the canvas, the Dragon Sons fight the artist and the materials. Dragon Sons oppose development and abundance when these forces threaten to overrun the existing structure completely. This has led many to mislabel the Dragon Sons as both Eco-terrorists and traditionalists.
Challenge and Consumption are the paths to power. The Dragon Sons attach no stigma to the act of Diablerie. After all if the victim was worthy of his power then he would have fought harder to retain it. Also the philosophy of the Dragon Sons is a naturalistic and barbarian view of life and death. To kill someone is an act of survival and to leave the dead unconsumed is a waste of the life (or unlife) just extinguished. However Dragon Sons do tend to respect their sires and childes, preferring not to extinguish them unless they prove incompetent or weak.
Do not suffer incompetence, weakness or ugliness. The Dragon Sons are a very Draconian Clan and demonstrate this in their attitudes to one another. An incompetent or weak Dragon Son can expect to be ripped apart and Diablerized by his peers. The Dragon Sons also have a funny psychological quirk concerning ugliness. The Dragon Sons ascribe to the philosophy that corruption is dirty, mean and therefore ugly. Preferring to concentrate on the visible aspects of the process of decay. As an extension of this twisted logic they only find purity in beauty. As a result all that is ugly is impure and therefore must be destroyed.
10 | Failing to remove corruption and stagnation when faced with it. |
9 | Being weak or showing compassion in any way. |
8 | Not committing Diablerie on a vampire of Lower Generation who is less competent than oneself. |
7 | Suffering ugliness or imperfection in oneself or those around him. |
6 | Failing to acquire more power or refusing a direct challenge to ones own power. |
5 | Failure to destroy ones enemies when given the opportunity. |
4 | Supporting minions of the Wyrm who do not serve the Wyrm of Balance. |
3 | Failing to support a competent leader or supporting an incompetent leader. |
2 | Supporting corruption and stagnation. |
1 | Failing to serve the Wyrm of Balance in any way. |
Infamy: This Virtue replaces Conscience. It is a measure of how inhumane the Vampire can act in front of others. Infamy is used to project a sense of superiority and to degrade the worth of those around the vampire. With Infamy the Dragon Son is capable of committing the most heinous acts so that others will believe he is devoid of mercy and compassion and will avoid challenging his strength.
Cunning: This Virtue replaces Self-Control. It is the ability of the Vampire to hold himself in check so that he always appears to be in control of himself and his situation.
Power: This Virtue replaces Courage. Power is a measure of the confidence the vampire projects and the esteem others hold him to. Dragon Sons have no personal courage or bravery but when confronted with the possibility of appearing weak before others they do things that only the insanely brave or courageous are known to do.