Post by valdas on Apr 11, 2021 21:11:33 GMT -5
Imagine a world where the young do not need to fear the capricious whims of the old.
Imagine a world where the petty feuds of clans no longer occupy our every waking moment.
Imagine a world where the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Imagine a world where loyalty is the currency of the realm, and our kind honor the spirit of agreements as well as the letter.
I can show you this world. Read this work, study it closely, and adhere to it as best you can, and you will have taken steps towards a better future, and a better world.
Read on, and I will tell you of...
The Guild.
-------------------------------------
In your city, there must be leadership. Without leadership, the center cannot hold.
In your city, the Prince speaks with a strong voice and says,
"Serve me, for I will protect you from anarchs, lupines, and war!"
"Serve me, for I will protect you from the dark magic of the infernalist!"
"Serve me, for I will keep the kine unaware of your nightly hunger!"
"Serve me, for I will keep the kine rich and fat, that you may take their wealth for your own!"
Yet to trust one of our kind with such awesome power, for all in a city to serve them, is to offer yourself up as a complacent, fattened cow to be slaughtered at the first whim of the Prince's Beast. For the Prince promises to do many things, but few do any of these things, fewer still could claim to do all. Even then, much is done at the expense of their servants, those like you. Listen not to their well-oiled lies.
Divide the ultimate authority of the Prince among four individuals, first. Divide his mighty regalia into four mantles, in service to The Guild.
The mantle of the Captain-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to mortal soldiery, as well as the protection of the city from lupines, neighboring Princedoms, and so on. This one is responsible for setting a fine example as a warrior, and encouraging all to learn at least a minimum of martial prowess. They exhort the individual gatherings in the city to see to their haven defenses, and prepare against eventual hostility from outside the city.
This is also known as the Mantle of War.
The mantle of the Mystic-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to magic. The names for magic are many, and all are known to this one. They are to protect the city against enemies of a magical disposition. Demons and their servants, ghosts and specters, lupines and their spirits. The Mystic also studies the Beast, and the various means by which it can be contained. They encourage all in the city to learn how best to control their Beasts, and to learn any mystical arts they may be suited to learn.
This is also known as the Mantle of Mystery.
The mantle of the Merchant-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to commerce. They see to the financial well-being of the city, for our kind and the kine as well. They ensure money will flow into the city to be harvested and placed in the Guild coffers, and from there to be spent by each group as needed. They hold the purse-strings, and ensure that all receive the necessary funds to accomplish their labors.
This is also known as the Mantle of Wealth.
The mantle of the Shepherd-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to the kine. They keep their society turning, keep them distracted and happy, and unaware of the predators in their midst. They are entrusted with the task of keeping the blood supply safe and untainted, ready to be tapped by our kind. They form cults, and create vast reserves of blood for emergencies, and to help those unable to hunt for themselves.
This is also known as the Mantle of Blood.
These four individuals are bound to each other using an art known as Vaulderie. A commingling of blood, binding each leader to each other leader, ensuring they do not work at cross purposes. They shall instead work together towards a brighter future.
-------------
Each chapterhouse in the city will contain its own group of our kind, living together for communal safety. This dwelling should be large enough to grant each some measure of privacy, as our Beasts rarely encourage us to live so close to others. Each chapter will have one (or more) of the following:
Captain-Minor
Mystic-Minor
Merchant-Minor
Shepherd-Minor
Every chapter is encouraged to have a Captain-Minor and Mystic-Minor, while Merchant-Minor and Shepherd-Minor are to be considered optional. Every chapter must look to its own safety, both from external force of arms and internal corruption of spirit, through the vagaries of the Beast.
Each chapter is bound to itself, as a group, to look to its own needs. Each Captain in the city is bound to each other Captain, and the same is true for every other role in the city.
The Mantle is passed to an individual by vote of the Minors, meaning that the Major of any role is also a Minor in their own chapter, and must continue to see to their needs.
------------
The Guild is bound together by the Vaulderie. It binds the leaders to each other, and to their comrades in their fields of expertise. Every chapter is bound to itself, as well.
In practice, every member of the Guild is bound together, to serve the needs of the many over the few.
(TBC)
Imagine a world where the petty feuds of clans no longer occupy our every waking moment.
Imagine a world where the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Imagine a world where loyalty is the currency of the realm, and our kind honor the spirit of agreements as well as the letter.
I can show you this world. Read this work, study it closely, and adhere to it as best you can, and you will have taken steps towards a better future, and a better world.
Read on, and I will tell you of...
The Guild.
-------------------------------------
In your city, there must be leadership. Without leadership, the center cannot hold.
In your city, the Prince speaks with a strong voice and says,
"Serve me, for I will protect you from anarchs, lupines, and war!"
"Serve me, for I will protect you from the dark magic of the infernalist!"
"Serve me, for I will keep the kine unaware of your nightly hunger!"
"Serve me, for I will keep the kine rich and fat, that you may take their wealth for your own!"
Yet to trust one of our kind with such awesome power, for all in a city to serve them, is to offer yourself up as a complacent, fattened cow to be slaughtered at the first whim of the Prince's Beast. For the Prince promises to do many things, but few do any of these things, fewer still could claim to do all. Even then, much is done at the expense of their servants, those like you. Listen not to their well-oiled lies.
Divide the ultimate authority of the Prince among four individuals, first. Divide his mighty regalia into four mantles, in service to The Guild.
The mantle of the Captain-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to mortal soldiery, as well as the protection of the city from lupines, neighboring Princedoms, and so on. This one is responsible for setting a fine example as a warrior, and encouraging all to learn at least a minimum of martial prowess. They exhort the individual gatherings in the city to see to their haven defenses, and prepare against eventual hostility from outside the city.
This is also known as the Mantle of War.
The mantle of the Mystic-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to magic. The names for magic are many, and all are known to this one. They are to protect the city against enemies of a magical disposition. Demons and their servants, ghosts and specters, lupines and their spirits. The Mystic also studies the Beast, and the various means by which it can be contained. They encourage all in the city to learn how best to control their Beasts, and to learn any mystical arts they may be suited to learn.
This is also known as the Mantle of Mystery.
The mantle of the Merchant-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to commerce. They see to the financial well-being of the city, for our kind and the kine as well. They ensure money will flow into the city to be harvested and placed in the Guild coffers, and from there to be spent by each group as needed. They hold the purse-strings, and ensure that all receive the necessary funds to accomplish their labors.
This is also known as the Mantle of Wealth.
The mantle of the Shepherd-Major shall go to one responsible for all matters related to the kine. They keep their society turning, keep them distracted and happy, and unaware of the predators in their midst. They are entrusted with the task of keeping the blood supply safe and untainted, ready to be tapped by our kind. They form cults, and create vast reserves of blood for emergencies, and to help those unable to hunt for themselves.
This is also known as the Mantle of Blood.
These four individuals are bound to each other using an art known as Vaulderie. A commingling of blood, binding each leader to each other leader, ensuring they do not work at cross purposes. They shall instead work together towards a brighter future.
-------------
Each chapterhouse in the city will contain its own group of our kind, living together for communal safety. This dwelling should be large enough to grant each some measure of privacy, as our Beasts rarely encourage us to live so close to others. Each chapter will have one (or more) of the following:
Captain-Minor
Mystic-Minor
Merchant-Minor
Shepherd-Minor
Every chapter is encouraged to have a Captain-Minor and Mystic-Minor, while Merchant-Minor and Shepherd-Minor are to be considered optional. Every chapter must look to its own safety, both from external force of arms and internal corruption of spirit, through the vagaries of the Beast.
Each chapter is bound to itself, as a group, to look to its own needs. Each Captain in the city is bound to each other Captain, and the same is true for every other role in the city.
The Mantle is passed to an individual by vote of the Minors, meaning that the Major of any role is also a Minor in their own chapter, and must continue to see to their needs.
------------
The Guild is bound together by the Vaulderie. It binds the leaders to each other, and to their comrades in their fields of expertise. Every chapter is bound to itself, as well.
In practice, every member of the Guild is bound together, to serve the needs of the many over the few.
(TBC)