ps i Ba eae aN TS ben Aaa ' % 1 ¢By Steven Kenson Vampire created by Mark Rein-HagenCredits Special Chanks - Che Duragso < Author:StevenKenson, Vampiteandthe World John “Mayhem” Chambers, for infinite uses of Darkness created by Mark Reine Hagen for zombies. Developer: Matthew McFarland Ben “Whine with Dinner” Grivno for accepting Additional Development: Philippe R. Boulle defeat gracefully Latin Consultation: Myranda Kalis, Ed “Wine with Dinner” Halll for providi Editor: Diane yn-Gelman and drink. Art Direction: Becky Jollensten Jay “Whoreador” Howe for drinking from any- Layout & Typesetting: Pauline Benney ounaylarngeced Tileeio? Ave CLE Marcie: DM, Bebe: Dari “Peekaboo” Strachan for keeping our in Rebecca Guay, Rik Martin, J. Stowe, Kieran Yanner _ T*ests aroused even as the night wore on Front Cover Art: John Bolton Front & Back Cover Design: Becky Jollensten food Jol Publishing, Inc. 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All charac The mention of or reference toany company or productin th , names, places and text herein shted by White Wolf Publishing, Inc isnotachallengeto the trademark concerned This book uses the supernatural for settings, characters and themes, All mystical and supernatural elements are fiction and intended for entertainment purposes only. This book contains mature content. Reader discretion is adv For a free White Wolf catalog call 1-800-454-WOLF. Cheek out White Wolf online at hetp://ivww.white-wolf.com; alt games.whitewolf and rec.games.frp storyteller PRINTED IN THE UNITED STA‘CABLE OR CONTENTS Prelude: Midnight: Vigil Chapter One: Crowns Castin Shadow Chapter Two: The Ways-6f Kings Chapter Three: The Blood Will Tell Chapter Four: Kings and Councilors 10 28 54 78PRELUDE: MIDNIGHT VIGIL Isit not passing brave to be a king, And ride in triumph through Persepolis? Christopher Marlowe, Tamburlaine the Great From the windows of the church, stained gla looked down onthe world of men. Were they watching? Ifthey watched, then t notsee, the poet thought. Otherwise would they allow the late dis 1¢ who transgressed God's law. Tt was certainly not ‘thought had crossed his 1 “They are beautiful, The young man started at the sound of the voice so close behind him, but Asare you, standing before him was perhaps the most beautiful man he had Not merely handsome, but beautifal in the way the poets of the ancient world spoke of masculine beauty. His hair was like spun gold, gleaming darkly in the light of the presence lamp, one errant curl actoss his forehead. His eyes were pools of the deepest blue, like the darkening sky. His features were fainlf@l noble, his skin as smooth, pale, and flawless as fine marble. The simple white a CO eerobe b zed his pallor, making him look like an angel descended ftom one of the win- dows above, although nothing could have been rom the tri th. “We find solace in things of beauty,” the strang sad, bis eyes gong wo the seat rose window behind ne laruplight “] am Henri. “A humble poet and playwright.” A ghost of a smile played about Henti’s grim mouth. “Daniel, who walked into the lion’s den. How fitting. The son of the Baron of Winchester, are you no Daniel wasn’t overly surprised Henri should know his parentage. It was hard! ter all. “The third son, yes. [have two brothers and so no hopes of inheriting my father’s estate, thank God.” greatbarony, nodoubt hrer, with fine sons and daughters of your own, There are many men who dream of such things, and many second and third sons made bitter by their “Not |,” the playwright replied. "My only dreams are to pursue my art, not to become muddled in the mire of politic ‘You nec not call me'‘sit’, Daniel, for] am not a knight yet. That is for tomorrow night. Tonight is for me toprepare myselffor my duties, and keep vigil here But first one more question for yous is it true that my lord has commissioned you to write poems and plays based on the tales you gather?” Daniel inclined his head. “That isso. His lordship is a most generous and gracious patron “Indeed he is. I rust that he has also made clear to you the rewards he offers for true and loyal service as well as the punishments for failure.” The threat hung in the still and cold air for a long moment, but Daniel chose to ignore it “{ shall not disturb your meditations in any way," he told Henri “I thank you,” Henri said. “I must begin.” He stepped past Daniel and moved up to the altar rail, where 2 knightly raiment of mail was laid out topped with a fine sword ina leather sh shilt rich with jewels and chased wich gold. Henti sank to his knees, hands clasped at his breast and head bowed, muttering wor tin under his breath Daniel kept a silently taking in the image of the squire kneeling in prayer and meditation throughout the night, until the coming of the dawn, The following it was time for the cer emony, and Daniel was permitted to watch as Henci was awarded his knighthood. Lord Rouald presided over the rite, assisted by a priest dressed in somber black, wearing a pure white stole, Henri came forth to have the white belt fastened around his waist and the gold-chased spurs placed onto his boots. Then knelt before Lord Rouald, head bare and bowed. The lord drew his sword from its scabbard, the sound of metal on metal loud in the silent chapel. He raised it before him, blade held high, and addressed the man kneeling before him. “Henri, why do you come before us to my lord,” Henti eplied in a firm voice. “I wish to become your liege- man of life and limb and of earthly worship. Fait and truth [ will bear unto you to the death... and beyond, in the name of the Dark Father and by m blood, I sw enter into your serv fell to touch Henri’ left shoulder, then ‘came torest upon thecrown of his hhen I take you as my liege-man, Henri, and invest youasmy knight. Faith and honor! shall rende unto youso longas youare in my service.” Hesheathed s Henri kept his head bowed “Rise, Sit Henri,” Lord Rouald bade, and his new ¢ was asked. Then the lord took a liege-man did as step down to where Henti stood, the two me ing face to face. Rouald spoke softly, bucin the si of the church, Daniel was able to hear the words. “You have served me well, Henti, so now I offer this gift to you.” He spread his arms an the new knight like a son. Then, with the swiftness ofa striking snake, Rouald sank his fangs deep into Henri’s throat Daniel gasped. Henri emicted only a soft whim like a sigh of pleasure. His knees buckled but Rouald held him up, his lips clinging to Heni’s nec «d the young knight’s body. For seemed like an eternity he held him in that dread race, until Henei gave another choked sigh and Rouald lowered him to the cold stone floor. Daniel was paralyzed, watching events unfold with horrified fascination as Rouald drew th athisbeleand ine knight. Th lord drew the blade across his wrist and allowed the first drops of blood, dark and glimmering in the candle light, to fall onto Henti’s lips as the priest took up an unfamiliar chant in Latin. Moments after the firs drops fell, Henri convulsed, his body stretched like a manon the rack, and he cried out. Daniel would ne\ forget the sound of that forlorn cry, like a child ripped er. Then the young knight from the“Thank you, my lord.” The dark-clad man whohadspoken w tobeseated 1a took the seat nex set his goblet on the table "Please, my friend, it is Henri, as I hope it will be. We have known each other too long to such formalities. How long hasit been, now? Henk. it hardly see 1Danie him, and Twenty years, my. “Twenty years. Indeed not, Daniel thou Dulaire looked the sam he and Daniel had first m wore finer raiment bef golden hair, the pale, flawless skin, were all exactly th s untouched by time as the statues that silently watching over the tht, to you. Lord he had the ni , all those years a >. He ting his station, but the stood in the chamber, festivities. Ic had been only a year since Henri named lord of the domain following the unfort. demise of Lord Rouald. One of the first thing: done was make sure Daniel knew that his work as the poet of the court would continue, and that he would enjoy Henri’s patronage for as long as he ruled, which promised to be a long time indeed. Daniel knew enough of the affairs of the Cainie courts of France to know that Henri was something of a rising star, a valuable patron to have. “How fares your family?" Henr saw them. Daniel preferred to keep that part of his life separate from his nocturnal activities at court. His family knew only that Daniel Winchester was ar spected poet who lived on the generous endowments of his patrons and a small family inheritance. Lord Dulaire never asked to see them at court, and Danie! never offered to bring them, but His Lordship still bout them. They are well,” Daniel replied, biting back iny lord.” “My son is betrothed to be wed in the sp “Truly?” Henri said. “That is fine news! You must permit me to give you asmall gift for the happy couple That is most generous. ‘Nonsense, Itis nothing compared to the gifts you have given me over the years. Have I told you that yout works have been most inspiring to me, Daniel? Have the ‘Can you have any doubt? You have another Daniel began. ice, andre: career since the time of my Emb: works, seeing them performed. pride but also a measure of humility, to k have come from. Your insights into the ways of e no small things, my friend.” “Thank you,” Daniel replied. “That meansa great deal to me, Henri “An your son be fruitful ‘her toast then, to your fine work and to riage. May they both contin The two goblets, one filled with wine and the other with bloo inked lightly and the two men drank. For a moment, it w: as if they were not liege and vassal, but true comrades, and Daniel put thoughts of his next work and threw himsel enjoying the celebration. ¥ t t “Grandfather!” Daniel knew that a well, but he pretended not to hear her. He dipp quill in the inkwell again, writing in a hand that atte less steady than it once was, but still practi and sure. A number of filled pages sat neatly stacked on the corner of the desk. “Grandfather,” Elaine soid again, bust! the room. “You should be resting.” “Bah,” Daniel said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I'll have time enough to rest soon.” He start to tum back to his writing but then a fit of cou seized his frail frameand he dropped the quill, stain: the blank portion of the page with spots of ink daughter supported him and kept him from ff the stool ‘ome, back to bed with you,” she said and there was no arguing with her. When the coughing fith passed, Daniel allowed her to lead him back to bed and pull the bedelothes up over him. Then she set about stoking up the brazier in the room to fight off the winter cold. “I'm notan invalid, you know,” Daniel snapped He could feel a bit more warmth in the room, buit emed enc the chill from ‘ou don’t have to take care of me mind,” Blain pstohelpshurout the cold J blithely, drawing the ‘ind blowing outsi curt “Well, you won't have to be doing it much longer, he muttered. Srandfather! Don’tsay such things!” Elaine said “ve lived a good fo score years, seen my children grown, even he ndchild in my arms. A man can hard he insisted. ed sadly and brush ou may live a good So ler’shave no more ofthis. Ir’s late, you should She bent down to kiss him on the forehead, like a mother would child good night. “Sleep well,” she said, then she blew out the candles and closed the door on her way out, leavingthe:oomlt only by the dull glow of the brazierand the {es of moonlight that slipped through the gap Daniel lay there fora time, thinking about gettin; back to his writing, but Elain« Suddenly, Daniel was aware of a presence in the rmom with him. He was not startled, for the presen vasa familiar one and he'd long since become used to s lte-night comings and goings. The shadow of a tman stood beside his bed, framed in the faint moon- light, looking down at him. Hello, old friend.” “enti,” Daniel replied. “I’m glad you've come.” doing.” Henri the desk, | wanted to see how you wilked around the bed and stopped picking up a sheet of parchment, his eyes flicking thon the page “Still writing, I see,” he said with a wry tone. “L should have known tha nothing would keep you from your work” “fear that this work will not be finished,” Daniel replied with a sigh *Mustitbe so?” Henti said. “There i Hedidn’t complete the suggestion. It had been an old discussion between them. allthe immortal had a good life.” “Tknon nri said, sinking to sit on the edge of thebed. “Ofall your work, I think what I enjoy most ishow you write about your lif, my friend. Reading it, sevingitperformed, I can almost know what itislike, almost remember being alive. 1 can understand why Youate reluctant to leave it behind.” *Ah,my youngprince,”D: huandlifted from the bedclothes to te Henr's face. Ir was as smooth and cool *You ate still as beautiful as that first night that | saw you. You are so like my work, a moment cap- tured forever in time.” Tate for me. I aniel said. One gnarled , crimson tear rolled down that pale and refined fac "No, do not grieve for me, my lor time and I am ready. I have lon Daniel said. since made ot just for you, my fiend,” Henri said “Nor even for myself. fear that Ihave done a terrible wrong in keeping your work to myself. How many artists like you have we deprived the world of by bringing you into our nighttime world? What you could have accomplished had you taken what Lord Rouald Regrets, Henri?” Daniel said with a w “Regrets are for other men, not for lords What is done is done, and perhaps the better for it. 1 am satisfied with my work and, if | did not make the to walk away from what had toward the hope of something different, then that ismy failing, and not yours.” He took a sharp intake of breath thar led to another fit of coughing, and Henri bent forward to cradle the old man like a mother would her child ve you. mile. “Two things,” he replied softly. “I do not think that I will finish my translation of the letters of Acindynus for you.” Do not worry about such things,” Hensi said. “1 jel nodded. “There is..” he gave a There is much insight in them for you, Rule well, my lord, and remember me." The snarled hand slipped from Henri’s shoulder and ped to the bed. Henri felt the tension drain out Winchester’s body like a gentle sigh, the ick onto the pillow. my friend, always. And he kept v the dawn there until the coming of(HAPTER, ONE: CROWNS CAST IN SHADOWS in the dust by @ay, fearing the your kingdom be, your prideful empire, made of fear, its crown cast in shadows.” — Book IIl of The Erciyes Fragments Thefollowiny ainitescholar Ac wn offspring. In The Temptations of into the angel of the Lord:I make my oun fate in lands east of Nod And k dren on golden And we will rule over Seth's brood together, For surely itis better to rule in the darkness. Than. to humble myself falsely in the light. So itwas that Caine first declared the right of he and hischilder to rule it was chat the rightof kingship first came into the hands of Caine the Dark Father and those who came after him, through Caine's act of willful defiance Did Caine defy the will of God in this? Indeed so, but Caine, like all men, was given free will by God, to id Eve, and ll. Caine chose the exercise of his will rather than unthinking obedi ence,a choice that hasmarked hischildren and the Road ‘of Kings from that time onward. For whatever claims — by mortal or Cai lish my kingdom in exile. I will sec my ch esta thrones. + the sons of Man in this world, So exercise as he saw fit. So, too, were Adan all their sons and daughters, given free ite — to the divine right of kings, kingship truly flows from the power of individual will and the conviction to exercise that will in the face of all obstacles. In truth, the divine right of kings is the uunshakable will to achieve power, no matter what may stand in the way. This iseven more trueof ourkind, sir no Cainite isking by birth (or Embrace) without the will to take power and hold it Thus the right of kings is a macter of individual d will, the will ro power. We shall consider but it can be seen clearly in the rise of the throughout choice a this further children o} our history From the commentaries of Fioré Caine to power in the wor cindynus is blasp that the will of God has novking to do with the right of Sings, mortal or Cainite. In fact God's will has everything to dow ale over the mortal cattle, and for certain mortals to rule the day while we rule the 1 in placing ‘His mark upon Caine, God showed “His favor to the Dark Father by saying that anyone who i ill Caine would suffer greatly. ‘Through ord gave us the power to rule, and ight. To suggest otherwise isto court a shment emous in his inferenc four right to therefore the terrible Still, Acindynus’ point regarding the importance of isvalid The Lord has ordained that the ne will hold the night and rule over the ‘one must stilt have the willand that divine right theysllto pov children of C children ofS cunning necessary tos and to defend tt a The First City Caine took hold of his destiny and Tand until he came upon Enosh, the favored first-born, son of his brother Seth, who went into the wilderness dered the seeking the voice of God. He found Caine instead and nosh for his own, calling him Enoch men, where been offered the First City ey returned to the e the crown wecame king first to hi "And because they bow will, The Lord of Heaven di Such is the power of free will and the first lesson on the Road of Kings: that freedom cannot be taken, only relinquished by those who have it. Caine, like every king and prince who followed him, ruled at the suffer ance of his subjects. Had they risen up against him oun to me of their oum free ave b Enoch then and there, the Furst City would and the history of our kind would have been quite diffe Even if Caine’s power had been enough to slay his rebellious subjects to the last man child, their freedom would still be given to them in Heaven, with Caine left alone once again on Earth. for such was th of the Lord. Instead, the people of the First City feared Caine’s power, and the mak of God upon his brow, so they did not choose 0 defy him m such fear and respect that the power of kings flows. cis fr Thus the right of kings is a matter of fear and respect. A monarch who is feared and respected earns the fealty of his subjects. A monarch who does not maintain his vassals’ fear and respect soon loses their fealty as we In his rule of the First City, Caine became Lawgiver, The ancient basis for all Cainite law and the Road of Kings is built proclaiming his commands to his childe code of the Canaille is the foundation upon which Weare given Dominion over the line of Seth, third son atch over ww the of Adam, as he is our youngest Brother, we w his Children as if they were our own, we will s right way and in return, they will They will serve us while the Sun rides the sky and watch over our houses, with quenching water the ve us all of They will feed us and provide us with clothes, They will dance for us, and prc le us with song will lay with us, and provide us with comfort ten to their advice, allow their worship. we will will advise us, a They will worship us, and we mus This last point is a vital one. Above all, Caine admonished his childer not to accept the worship of the Children of Seth. They were destined to be kings and rulers, yes, but not gods. To challenge the place of God vas to court His anger, as Caine well knew, and the has commanded, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." So Caine wisely forbade his childer the worship of their mortal subjects:shepherd guides his flock.” Instead they were led like lambs to the slaughter So when Caine returned to see the Second Gen eration decimated, his grandchilder warring amongst themselves, his fury knew no bounds. “I gave you dominion over mortal men and you have abused ie!” he cried, He cursed his surviving children and they would carry his curse in their blood down through the genera: tions. The Second City was no more and both the Children the Children of Seth were scattered to the four winds. Thus we learn that the right of kings has correspond ing duties, Those who ise the dominion granted them by Caine face not only his wrath, but the wrath of their vassals and subjects as well. The price of power isthe duty to use it well and wisely. The glories of the Second City were lost, but not forgotten. Veddartha, the founder of our noble clan, offered words to his childer, recorded in the annals: Be the law-giver, the tool-maker, Carry the sacred tothe people, Keep the covenant, Bind those that rebel, Glory in those who fight and win, Keep strong swords always, and sharp eyes at you Cower not in fear of the Sun! Shrink not from Fire! ‘Though cursed we may be We are the Lords ofthe Earth, and all things fll under ow dominion Holding to their founder’s words, the first Ventrue set out to make them so. In Veddartha’s teachings and. Caine’s laws lay the seeds of the Road of Kings, waiting ut you fertile soil in which to take root and grow From the commentaries of Antasia While] ampleasantly surprised by Acindymus’ dismissal of the notion of “the divine tight of kings,” 1 am otherwise disappointed by his logic and interpretation of the mords of aint, t0 say nothing of his clear bias in favor of is own clan. and theie ways. Chese poor justifications for Cainite rule ave just that, and as thinly veiled as the “divine right” that Acindymus rejects. Acindynus quotes Veddartha in support of his argu- ments. |s the right t9 rule granted by mete tords? What of Beujah’s commandments te his childer? Se sai: Throw off the Elder's shackles of the mind, veach into thyselfand see the truth revealed, Che Cruth, as truth is seen will illuminate your soul and heal your mounds, Know mho you ar, first, and be true to yourself Wise words indeed that 50 many of our kind choose to ignore, Acindynus and the Patricians would have us believe that looking within reveals only these teuths: Siest, that there is no higher power than the free will given by God to all thinking creatures. Second, that theough fear and porwer one can break the mills of others and forse them into fealty and servitude. Chitd, that such an arrangementis right and natural boecanse it is “freely” entered imo. only This is nothing but clever semantics. Does the peasant truly bave the freedom to choose to disobey his liege-loed? Dethaps, ifhe values not his life and the lives of his family but what choice is that, truly? Co pretend that ts of kings s anything ot}er than base coercion s foolish, Iris teue that all men have free will, including the freedom to eebel Against a tyrant, but itis also teue that not all men have the courage to do so. Hfkingship is a matter of exercising one’s will in coopera- tion with others, thy then should it not be more egalitarian and tothe benefit ofall? Acindyras would have us believe that hip catvies with it Duties and vesponsibiltes, and hete gree, but | say that those duties and responsibilities go far beyond those acknomledged by him orby any other ofisclan. Wany on the Read of Kings refuse to acknowledge these greater responsibilities, which the leals of Bruja reveal tous because they limit the exercise of their “will” to power. The Ancient World The first true sticrings of what we know now as the Road of Kings began in the ancient Roman Emapire, where Clan Ventrue put the commandments of theit elders to the test: The Ventrue were the most influential Cainitesin the Empireandembraced of the Romans (and encouraged them among mortals as well). These ideas embodied the wisdom of Caine and he patrician ideals Veddartha, teaching responsibility forone’sdomain and, subjects. Patrician teachings and the duties expected of Cainite nobility strengthened the notion of duty and power workinghand in hand to help stave offthe nightly demands of the B Along wit Kings came other roads, particularly the Via Humanitas champi- oned by the Brujah and other Cainites of Carthage, the rise of the Road following the teachings of their sire and the learning of the Greeks. The Scions of Rome noted the growth of Carthage and recalled Veddartha’s commandment to “bind those that rebel.” So they raised armies to crush and conquer C Humanitas and leaving the Brujah with a lot and- ing grudge against the Ventrue (and, among tho who remember, nearly as great a one toward the Via Regalis that we champion) thage, scartering the ideal o' Two other roads arose within the Empire, proving mote serious threats to the Scions and their rule. The first was the Road of Heaven, gathering followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation he offered. The Scions were influential in first persecuting the believers (both mortal and Cainite) and later co-opting the fait toserve asthe state religion of the Empire and strengthen their failing power. But influence over the newly formed church was always split between the Seions and the followers of the Road of Heaven as more Cainites wereMeanwhile, the followers of the Road of Sin exer- cised their own subtle influence over the Empire es and excess, encouraging others to throw offthe “shackles” of their duties and responsibili tiesto indulge their own desires, much like the Cainites of Carthage before their fall. The influence of the Sinners spread like fire through the ranks of the Torea~ dorand Malkavian clans, and then through the Ventrue rotted the Empire from within, as Decaden ssruggles for power began to tear it asunder. In the end, thefollowers of the Road of Kings could do nothing but, watch as all they had worked to build and maintain rumbled and the glory that was Rome. From the commentaries of Antasi Sow typical of the Ventrue to paint the Desteuction of arthagein this way! Sow easity they justify the growth of the Road ofKings through the Destruction of our greatest achieve- net! Since they mere triumphant in the matter of Carthage itinustbe that tele way is superior, when in fact Carthage and hat t represented mas perhaps a fuller flowering of the Via egals than any Cainite kingdom thet ot since. Carthage mas. crue embodiment of Humanitas, Indeed, itwssunlike any other place since the Sirst City itself, where the cildeen of Caine and the children of Seth could exist together in peace and harmony. What could be move pet ecorbing t0 the ideals of the Road of Rings itself? Cainite tak balanced with responsibility to the people and duty te the state herein lies a lesson about the Road of Kings that is exsly overlooked. So many followers of the Via Regalis say itisbettertobe feared and respected than loved and admited. } say just the opposite, It may be easier to be feated and respected, but not better. A reue leaders net measured solely by the power he wields, but also by the love and admiration fis subject J shall also point out that it is curious how the fall of Cartage is clearly a triumph for the Road of Kings and its ibaals, showing how superior i isto other Via, how destined for greatness. Yet the fall of Rome is a tragedy that does not teectbxdly onthe Road orthe Ventrue, Cleatly itrasno fault ofthcts, but the work ofthe Devilish Sinners. | would say that pethaps,eoen in thetrlong dead hearts, the Patricians realized ity had desteoyed something ofextraosdinary value and theie authority and ill orale fled with it. Ox perhaps the Deeds of sn’ oxm clan ate almays righteous and glorious an its fluns always due to treachery and the weaknesses of others Atleast, s0 it seems mith the Ventre, Fr The fall of ome, proof that Sinners fay waste to siifzation mfewoer ty go, Gaving the poor Selons to fi te collapse and decay ofa tat they fae Guittard fed soba. 3 asker. ifthe Srions of Rome fed their Empire so Pesious, wiy di they allow comuption and decadence to ws wel arbarians poured over the walls to sack he commentaries of Caml Fa penne ‘a rear vars Leslee spread fie fre” Ujrongf thee rans? Could it Ge tat, wien offered tje opportunity to indulge in tee true desites, the demands and duties of te road pated in comparison? Tije noble Acindynus casts aspersions on us to distract from tie truth of the matter. The Road of Sin Si play a role in the fall of Rome, as it fas in the fal of so many falSe and puffed-up empires. Brut the onGy eason the inners succeeded {in spreading the trtf of indulgence and pleasure was Gecause te pious followers of the Road of Heaven and the arrogant Scions ofthe Road of Rings afowed it, or at ast di nothing to stop it. Wat was it that Acindynus said aGout the importance of fee willin the right of kings? Pexfaps it sould Ge considered important in tir failings as well On the Growth of the Wad As tragic as the fall of Rome was for the Scions, it proved an opportunity in many ways. Like the fall of Enoch andof the Second City before it, Rome's fall came through a failure to honor and maintain the ways of the road and the teachings of Caine and Veddartha. The atest and most influential Scions saw a need for order and responsibility among the children of Caine, but they did not entirely agree on how this order would manifest. So the road split much as the Empire did, with Scions scattered throughout the known world, pursuing their goals of attaining power, first over themselves, then over their domains This was a time of great conflict among the Scions, and among Cainites in general. Some chose to cultivate the barbarian tribes that sacked Rome and placed aseries of would-be rulers upon the throne. Some abandoned Rome for Byzantium and Constantinople, where they developed a true eye for navigating the dangerous waters of politics and manipulating mortal ambitions to suit their needs. The Inconnu held what little power re mained in Rome, working to preserve its traditions and avenge its fall Those Scions who remained or cast their fates swith the German invaders were split into two camps. The majority sought power and influence among the chieftains and petty nobles of the barbarians, building 1p domains and followings of their own, only to them fall into conflict with another tribe, often influ- enced by another Scion. The cycles of warfa alliances, and betrayals continued on, and more than, a few Cainites met Final Death in the conflict. Along the Scions saw the loyalty of the tribal warriors to their chiefs as a reflection of their own. path and embraced it. Some Scions remained within the ranks of the Church, still a growing influence in the world. They ht places as priests, bishops, even cardinals, but more often influenced mortals in those roles. Although Ventrue power within the Church waned over time, the waygiving way to the Lasombra, the Road of Kings remained lesiastical Cainites sought powerand looked Js of their flocks. sof Fioné strong. after the ne From the comme Too many Scions echo Acindynus in 1 imissal of the power of the Aimigity and of rch s.a route fo power for many Cainites, a source of the divine truth Fevealed to us By our Dark Fatfier and Mother. Some, like the members of my clan, take our duties and responsibilities as clorgy True, the Church use to further ¢ fetter than the priests selling indulgences or kesping mistresses, even worse, because the truth fas been re vealed to them through the Embrace and the rouch of Caine’s Blood. On Feudalian and theMWad As time passed, more feudal system as the ideal rm uring order and allowing them to pursue their goals, Mortal lordssecured the fealty of their knights and landholders, in turn, heir own lord, such as the monarch of ions came to embrace the swearing fealty to a nation. How like , the ford is not Lely to Ge destroyed for the nftaction ofa fledating, wile the sie may Ge, Mor ave 3 seen afl Scions (and certainly not all princes) tae Acindynus abviec to fart. Coinite ord treat tele cfulder (as welTas ter subj as little more than chattels, tools to be used and then discarded at their whim, and why sfould they not? After all. few can dispute with tem, and fewer stfTace alto stay eit Hands. The eals of the Road of Kings are noble ones. Eke reafty often falls quite short. The Need for Silence “Never shalt thou reveal thy ee nature to those not of the blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims to my Cov- enant.” Thus spoke Caine Once Caine and his childer ruled openly over the Children of Seth in the First City, but God unleashed the Flood upon them and the First City was sweptaway The Antediluvians ruled over the Second City and waged war upon each other, until their number was decimated and Caine pronounced his curse upon them. He gave hiscommandment that forevermore we would rule from the shadows, not openly as before, lest we draw the suspicion and ire of the mortal herd, and they come to destroy us. ions bridle at the restrictions of the Tradi ion of Silence, that requires them to conceal their deeds and their achievements from the mortal world. Cer tainly there are those who would rule over the kine openly, asin the ancient days. Tothem I say: Look to the lessons of Enoch and the Great Flood. Look to those Cainite lor of underestimated the mortals, They are dust, and less than dust, scattered forever on the winds, brought low by those they thought they had no reason to fear. who became Though we may rule the night, it is while the mortal world lies sleeping, unaware of the truth of what happens in their halls and in their cities when the sun. sinks below the horizon. The wise Scion learns subtlety stealth, the better to hide his doings from the mortal world. These lessons also serve well in court. The Scion who understands ruling from the shadows .e wise man knows when to will be successful, just as in silent and to listen. From the commentaries of Anatole Sora wise man, then, Acindynus speaks great deal. But then, it's hardly the first time that he conteadicts himself. Stil, there isa difference betmveen obeying the Cradition of Silence and hiding one’s light under a bushel, so t0 speak. Dost Scions areable to appreciate the frst, but not the second, Chey bave a need to heat of thet deeds and theie names throughout the land, and seek the attention and approval oftheir elders and beters. Scion knights go off a-questing for glory and nobles wage tear upon each other, ether with armies inthe fields oF with words and innuendo at court. Chose who teuly understand the alte of silence and subtlety on the Road of ‘Kings are fero and far bettoeen in my experience, although | gree with Acindynus that they mill go farindeed in thistmorl. They will be around long after the legends and names of those who bluster and brag ate forgotten. Chey will be the worthies to greet the Dark Sather upon hisreturm, and they are the ones bye mill judge From the commentaries Sere 2 think thot eludyuas gives too wach Iupurtauce to stalling tw the shadans. Crue, we mast couecal our true nature and herttage from those who do ot and cannot understand {t, bnt that {S na reason for us to bide Uke Sepers, afraid of snr own reflections, ta enst anr eges dawn mben they spauld be raisr® beavenwar’, Should we not take pride in oar acbiewenacate? Should we tot nudertake the quests thet others shy away from? 27 ise are to be leaders for our people, thee we must tead through example and througy action vot ouly thraugy wards, but also thrangh deeds! The ight of Destruction Forbidden art thow 0 spill the blood of another of th kind who is elder. This right belongs only to those 0 me and none other. Iv is forbidden for those of weaker blood to rise against their elders, in this my final covenant.” Thus spoke C ‘The final Commandment of Caine places the Right of Destruction, of Final Death, in the hands of those who rule, since they are given the power to mete out high and low justice over their subjects. Although rsifal Caine does not forbid spilling the blood of your juniors or childer, Cainites should not fight among themselves needlessly. Itis the duty of the Scions to maintain order and to protect the existence of all Cain it may call for the destruction of thos te the law or threaten the stability of our society. Administer ing this justice is the duty of the nobility, which we shall consider further. The Sixth Tradition also calls for respect for the elders of our kind, those who are closest to C. generation, and oldest 1s. On the Road of Kings, the Sixth Tradition includes respect and obe dience for one’s betters in rank and position. A younger Cainite should defer to an elder in all mat- ters, just as a knight should defer to a baron and a ‘on to a prince. Such respect is the thread that binds the fabric of our society together, and al childer must be taught the importance of respecting their elder and rightly so, to protect our ways. Jest they be judged unfic and destroyed,From the commentaries of Antasia Of all the Craditions, the one that is violated the most afien — by the Scions most of all — is the Right of Destruc- tion. Acindynus would hare us believe thatthe blood of elders ‘emt shed by followers of the Rosd of Kin tee is no orjer means for a Scion to achieve a higher station inunlfe except by desteoying a superior. In some rare cases tiny aw clever enough to arcange for thee tial ro be elim ‘ed ia may that does not bloody their own bands. Disgrace nenety before a monarch, or expose him to a rergeful mob, andopportunities may open, Bur many ambitious Scions have anne) their positions by the desteuction oftheir elders, All the sopbistey and justification Acinoynus offers us does not change this simple fact Lertalionis_ OF Justice High and Low ‘A.code of law and justice is all that separates us from the power of the Beast. It is the duty of all Scions touphold the law, and ofall the nobility of the night to inforce it. Our laws are simple ones, compared to the vast collections of scrolls and tomes that describe the ws of mortal kingdoms. Our laws come from the commandments of Caine and from the precept of Lextalionis. The enforcement of the law isin the hands wbility, and they have the right to punish 8 as they see fit to ensure that justice is done of the offend and order maintained. Such justice must be swiftand sure, a clean stroke to cot out any lawlessness thar festers within the domain before it can poison other Cainites. In this, nobles often ‘empower their vassals and agents, pacticularly a sheriff, with the authority tomere out justice and deal with most ofthe small crimes that may occur within the boundaries oft domain. Only matters ofhigh justice need concern, theprince, although the prince can and should take an. interest in how justice is dealt out within the domain, and ensure that it is fair From the commentaries of Fioré. Other roads claim a role in adi stice to not always enough to overcome the riglit of princes. Lextalionis Sires, but feaven. Powerf is suffictent justice for ways for Hun priests nefit of lengy and the right tobe tried befor. aurt of their peers. Influential te ers ota Road y niay claini the same, and such requests « almost solely on the basis of fiow much the prince fears the retribution of thei followers and fellow aadlerents. A newly initiated member of the Faithful or not al lowly member of the Humanitas will find lire mercy orb ance without a powerful patron or ally, unless ce isa follower of the same road. Protection of the Domain A prince has the right and the responsibility to prorect his domain from all that may threaten it, and the prince's vassals have the duty to aid in protecting the domain, with their blood, ifnecessary, although the wise prince knows not to waste the blood of his fl needlessly. Many things may threaten the safety and integrity of a domain, not the least of which are other less honorable, Cainites. A threat may come from outside the domain, in the form of an aggressive or upstart Cainite seeking to claim territory for his own. Although once it was rate for princes to field armies of their own to battle forcominion and territory, it has become more common in recent years, with troops of mortal soldiers, ghouls, and even Children of Caine fighting to conquer or protect a prince's domain. Still, outside threats are often subtle, and make take the form of spies or agents of an opposing prince acting andits or brigands, causing trouble and weakening the power of the prince if with them. The princ targeted, weakening his support and peth ing them against him ifhe fails to protect them, Certainly Joes not act swiftly to deal vassals and subjects may be aptince unable to protect his subjects is not worthy of their loyalty or support, particularly if he hides behind them our of cowardi A threat to the domain may also come from within, when € break the Tradi tions, defying the law. This is particularly true of upstarts who commit murder and diablerie against their own kind or those who sire with perhaps seeking to create their own childer to raise a force to overthrow theie prince. In such matters jus tice must be swift and certain. The prince may tely upon his sheriff, but should n threat, of else his domain may be lost. From the commentaries of Antasia Of course, most of the “less honorable” Cainites who move against Scions in positions of poroee are in truth theit fellow Scions, secking to usurp that porer. Not al followers of the Road of Kings are bound by codes of honoe that forbid themtomove against aneighbor, particularly when things like territory and paluable feeding grounds ate at stake. Some easily justify such conquests as pact and parcel of thei t0a9 and their gveater destiny, and anyone tbo fails to recognize tis destiny pays the price Shepherding the Flock The final, and perhaps most important, duty of the rrince’s subject 1 overlook any possible prince and Scion is the quiet guidance of the mortal flock, In the First City, Caine and his progeny ruled over the Children of Seth, and the mortals served them, butCaine also admonished his childer to care for and protect the children of his brother. In the same way it is our duty to oversee and protect the mortals dwelling in our own domains, and for vassals to shepherd the flocks of their liege-lords, for the good of all. When the mortal herd is healthy, strong, and content, a domain can rest easy in the knowled that vitae will never be in short supply and the hunting will be plentiful. When the herd becomes sickly, starving, or unruly, the hunting is poor for all Cainites in the domain. This also raises the possibility of rebellion and uprising among the mortals, perhaps even war against a neighbor, which can lead to the destruction of the domain if itis not handled carefully, featest threats jerd. A plague Plague and disease are perhaps the to mortal welfare and the health of can sweep through a mortal village, town, or even a city, and render it almost lifeless. The blood of the dead and the dying cannot satisfy us, and those who remain may be too sickly to offer much strong vitae. Steps must be taken to keep the herd free of contagion and to root out any signs of plague among their number. We must admonish our vassals to feed not on the diseased and plague-ridden, lest they spread the contagion further among the herd. Instead, use the guise of fevers and disease to conceal feeding on occasion, enough to keep the mortalsalert fordanger, butnorso muchas tocreate waves of panic about an epidemic Of the Sunlit World Some Cainites would deny any the sunlit world, content to lord over t sociation with night. Al- though the night isours, we must extend our reach into the day if we are to be successful and to understand the mortal realm that is also ours to command, by right of blood and power. Mirror Kingdoms Pechaps more than any other Via, the Road of Kings interacts with the mortal world. While kings and mortal lords rule the day, Cainite Scions and princes rule the night, often from the same halls and throne-rooms as those mortal monarchs. We are their dark reflections, much as they are our mortal mitrors, although few monarchs are truly aware of what goes on in their own palaces in the dead of night. From the very beginning Scions have attached themselves to particular mortal realms, and to particular mortals and their holdings. In the Roman Empice, Cainites walked the darkened streets and alleys, the silent halls of the Senave and the villas of the wealthy and powerful patricians. We have held court in Byzantium, Alexandria, London, Paris, and every other place from which mortals have ruled. Over time, we became associated with these mortal dwelling place close to centers of power, close to those over whom we rule in the night Icisno simple matter fora Scion to create and rule ‘over a manor, much less a castle or great palace, without drawing the suspicion (and eventually, the wrath) of mortals, Only in the most isolated places can a Cainite lord maintain a haven. The Tsimisce rulers of their own small princedoms do so, with generations of mortal subjects dimly aware of what dwells in the craggy castle or villa set high above their humble valleys. The greatest of Cainite elders also keep their own havens, such as the Castle of Shadows where Lasombra dwells on the isle of Sicily mortals know not to approach this dark place, for fear Even of their lives and souls Isolation, however, does not suit most of the children of Caine, particularly those on the Road of Kings. We dwell close to the centers of mortal power in the great possible to maintain a ities of Europe. In these places, it is mall house or manor without raising too many questions, but mortals (nobles in particular) are certain to notice the appearance of the odd palace or castle where the known. In fact, it would serve mortal monarchs to claim such a place as their own n invitation for So we permit them to do so and conceal the place's Thus the great Cainite courts and palaces of Eu rope are often hidden within the great mortal courts and palaces throughout Christendom, and beyond. By day, the place’s mortal inhabitants go about thei busi ness unaware of what sleeps hidden in catacombs, tombs, and secret chambers all around them. They remain ignorant of the ghouls and vassals moving among them, looking after our affairs and carrying out our orders until the sun sinks below the horizon and night settles over the land. Then, as the mortal inhab itants sink down to slumber, coffins, tombs, and crypts swing open and we emerge to greet another night. We hold our courts, conduct our affairs, and rule over the nighe. We also hunt, satisfying our endless hunger from the mortal cattle, either from ourservants or those who, sleep believing strong walls and barred doors will pro- tect them. Then we retire to our havens before the coming dawn, when the mortal inhabitants ofthe place rise and it hegins all over again. So it is thar most Cainice domains mirror the king doms and realms ofthe sunlit world and have done since the fall of the Second City. Our fates are tied with those of mortals, giving us good reason to shepherd and guide them toward our own endsOn Matters of Faith The Road of Kings is not without faith in God and Hispower. Afterall, id not God make us what we ate in placing His curse upon Caine? And in sodoing, the Lord gave us the power to take and rule the night as our own, do not truck with the divine right of kings. God has given ower, but it isfor us to decide how we shall use it, Not every Cainite, nor even every Scion, is Embraced to become a monarch. Still, we recognize the power of the Lord and honor the truth of His words and wisdom through our Dark Father, Caine Ofcourse, some Scions are quite pious, while others carelittefortalk of Heaven and its doings. What can we, theDamned, know of Heaven? Instead it isour lotto rule herein the world of the living and never see the gates of Paradise. We must make our own Heaven on Earth, in thedomains we create and ule, ourown eternity, crafted an! maintained by our hands, to last out the ages until time of the Reckoning is come From s of Rodh Acindyrus says litle of i but some Scions do not istian God. keeping thelr own faith low the Ch Instead The Tzinisce may follow the Eastern Church wher they concer chemselves wich God at all. The Muslin lands anid Therta are quite Cainiees of che devine in cheir own faith, and T have encountered whe hold or mes before che Church. o the old ways of this Land. from No toube there are acher hs that. fallowers of che ‘Road of “Kings honor or profess co hovor. Te maccors lictle, since ic seems that fathis only one more weapon onthe arsenal the Sens eco excend chet power and bnfluence. shen Priests Some Scions are drawn to a different p h ropower, different way of achievement. They serve no earthly lege, but choose instead to serve and to worship God as Hispriests. In so doing, they als e the Road of Kings, 1s by their example and their words, urging uson and excellence. They support the rightful lords. ofthe night and, wh root out those unwor- thy co walk our road, or to rul On Becoming an Ashen Priest These ashen priests may have served God before the Embrace, and continue to do so after taking the blood of Caine, but many feel called to service after they have risen to unlife, and have learned from their siteallthatthey need to know to choose their own way Sometimes ashen priests of the road will choose par- ticularly worthy novitiates or novices, taking them by thehand and guiding them toward an understanding of our ways so they can be worthy of the Embrace. But ost of the priesthood is made up of Cainites who have chosenit, hearing the call roservicein the name of God and the Via Regalis. The teaching of an ashen priest is much like that of the mortal clergy. They learn the scriptures, both from the Bible and the Book of Nod, from the writings of nite priests and scholars of years past. They learn th sacraments, in particular the tites of the Road of Kings, sothey can minister to the faithful. Ir takes yearsto learn allthat isneeded, butwehavenothingsave time,and the time issufficient to weed out those whose vocation isnot strong or who are better suited to other duties. Finally the novice is ordained into the priesthood of the road, to serve God and to minister to His faithful servants in unlife, to teach and to preserve the waysand traditions of our road, and to uphold the Traditions passed down to us by Caine, our Dark Father. The Role of the Justicar While barons and princes can mete out justice 0 their subjects, and lords and monarchs can do the same with their subjects and vassals, it can be difficult for a subject misused by a liege-lord (or one of agents) toseck redress, Likewise, who is to judge prince, ifthere isno overlord to whom the prince owes fealty? In these matters, the Road of Kings looks to the Justicars ta ensure that the guilty do not go unpunished. The Justicars answer to no one prince, but to the hierarchy of ashen priests of the Via Regalis. Indeed, they are much like the mortal Inquisition, charged with main- taining the purity of the Road of Kings and upholding its honor and integrity. The priesthood sees to it tha domain of any great size has a Justicar assigned to admin- ister to its needs, although more often Justicars oversee aveling through them to hear matters 3 liege's many domains, tr requiring their attention. Only the Justicars of great cities and vast domains have enough to occupy them there. Since the Justicar is in no way bound or beholden to the prince, he is impartial and able to dispense justice fairly Justicars intervene in only two sorts of matters. The first is when a Cainite brings complaint against one of higher rank, often a liege-lord, and has evidence of viola tions of the Traditions or improper treatment. In this case the Justicar is empowered to investigate and bring the matter before the accused Cainite’s overlord. The other is when ahigh-ranking Cainite isaccused of crimeand there naght. In is no overlord to whom the matter can be case, a Justicar is empowered to act as judge, but must call aconclave of the accused Cainite’s peers to hear the case and ensure that justice isdone. Against the decisions of the Justicars, there is no appeal. ‘The existence of the Justicars ensures that the laws and traditions extend to all, and affirms the rights and responsibilities of the nobility ~ts of the Road of 5 Je Beast. But © throughout the legitimacy. Che C: not reco the Lasombea of Iberia only ba ngla butit is theie pow Seance and the Holy faction and then only w The Courts of rity, ba thata younger Cainite, or even anentie Justicar they consider may find them: and dealt with by th another weapon that the Scions us tain their pot and the Church ely related, e founding durin an Empire and during the ipread of Christendom across the world. While f the V i see the C the Church as a source o yshave. Certainly, there had in the positic n cardinal. Still found pulling th ee a ee a) yn 5 -ROADOFKINGS + ameseen atall, except when they come forth from crypts deep beneath the cathedrals and churches over which they rule, Ashen priests of the Road of Kings strongly influ the Church, offering many enc ns another route to fulfil cheir ambitions. Such Scions are often influential of our in both the mortal Church and among adherent ‘ood for their faith and understanding of doctrine. the commentaries of Fioré: ‘Here becomes clear a central tenet of the Roe Kings that is never spoken, but which damns them all The Scions claim to hold faith in God, but they choose salvation, To many of blood of todeny themselves any hop am, God has given them the power of 1 Caine, then washed His hands of the matt the Children of Caine and the Children of Seth to t own devices Yet it is so clear that the power of the Lord is with ‘He watches over all his children, including those descended from the blood of Caine. What bagan with Caine has not yet ended. The Lords testing us, testing our faith and our understanding of His will. On by doing is work can we understand and prove arches worthy, 4m time, those Scions who reject the sonkof God to create dowof Paradise on Earth wildiscover they havi only created Hell for their own inprsonmane. time, she hb judged Of the Inquisition The gravest threat to our influence in the mortal nurldalso comes from within the Church, from the Holy Office of the Inquisition, charged with seeking out hecesy and protecting Christendom against it. Unfortu nately some ofthe priests and scholars of the Church are avate of our existence and have not been brought into hefld They see usas Hell-spawned creatures, and hunt ws with fire and steel, believing that their faith will 1s even still, and tha sinners and the faichfulwill otect them Caine wamed against underestimating the mortal berd and against usurping the place of God. Cainite influence within the Church is more important now than ever if we are to stem the tide of this new threat before it hecomes a true danger to us. Commentaries on theIoad of Kings n addition to those com scholars of the he following commentaries and elsewhere in this work) co arher, lesser roads. They are included here simply te remind any wavering Scion what awaits him outside the Via Regalis. TheWoad of the Beast by Rodrigo ‘The Road of “Kings has caken a simple dea anid needlessly tangled i in a web of Words. eraditions symbols, and li chat we Ferals fallow Te is in may ways the sane idea In his world everyching és eicher predator or prey. “Being one, honygh does oe mean that one cannot become che over. Careless predators may fon themselves hunted by skilled and cunning prey. If th h, chen chey are beter for others y are Hot strony enou led from che howe 9 m “The Scions are right that we Cainites are-siiperior to mortals, but not that we should rule over. them. Does che wolf ruleover che sheep?’Ooes che lion rule over catcle? “No. we may direct cheaarcal herd where and hen necessdryy to suit our needs, but we-caimnot rule ChesicThe games of kingship avtd power-chaitsche Scions play are 4 waste of tinea dilution of our essencial mature. ant a foolish. accempete dew the pawier of ie Beast wickb ss all The Sons use che works of Caine to Support chetr eas" Out consiber-the fate’ of Caine wnd.the Parse Ciey, Te wias.nse uncil Cate claimed resoney of 4 etty of mortals'thae che Great Flood cane) Te was fightory over the Second Cicy chae broigihe Caine his childer, “We are vac meant. 9 Pule eities They are ut prey andiwe dire the Wolves that howl AVhat weed do wehave for hearths, when curse ipon the home. at the door our blood has made usserong enough €9 rum free in che wild, wich the Earth coppracect us ky day and che whole wort before us at night? Thave borne wieness to i®-sernggles of chose who would be kings amd monarchs of our kind and che mortal world ax well, Thave seen the earnage that aise fave chose serugglan Tea dee che auiek and clean fll chae chey affer.Te és corcure and mayhem ry. ‘Death and Worse on Ie is servitude and slave! muddied field for a me ningl T say chat ic is foolishness, bue iis no concern of mine, 39 long as the Scions confine thi Those that would lay waste sacelefields, be warned hunter can become the prey games co cheir own oi to the wilderness and use our lands as their the ig us only the truly strong shall survive TheMad of Heaven by Fioré at is undeniable fact that there és an order to Creation, and that kings and princes are a part of this divinely ordained structure, with the Lord at its pinnacle, and below Him arrayed the ranks of the ‘Heavenly ‘Host, on down to mortal man. We, too, aredivine plan. God p 1% Caine, and Caine sired us through nus darés torsuggest that Caint)s defi- Land his rule of the First Ciry places e Lord's concer, but the Great Flood rubtion’of the First City-thakes it clear atherfias-not abandoved us: He watches and knows afl So what thew ef there shar kings sfroyuelor le idancesf the Wotdof Ged This ruth rule th the naam that thet power and:their Burden cones solely Him. They are righteous lords and princes, avid should their lass only reason, ic Olayphemes apa f/ God, anck-Fimal Death isthe ely prinishnicnt suitable for such-a.crinse iit thon some Scioy cindynus, donor giv chi propar due to the Lord Our God. Even worseare those who commit terrible blasphemy in denying the ill.and power of therford, claiming thatithe ultimate power ‘Believing that they are erzrnal they do not fear the Judgment of Heaven, bur they for only God ts truly erernalyand His judgment tsswift ble, as the Antediluwians know se Srians Pyle without the guidance iests.and prophets, altd-so-jorsakethe wery divine sthat Hey claineasthetrs, Todepy ruler & not teason, But the duty of all who follow the Word of the Lord and would seek to serv rulers who defy God follow in the footsteps of the Third wieration, aitd they will bring a terrible wrath w them, as in the First ( The blood of Caine i a test (aid upor must not falter or be found wanting in the eyes of the Lord. Those Scions who remain true to ‘His word and willareworthy and shall ead us toglory ct aside the will of God for their own aggrandi hall follow the path théy have laid out into He TheMad of Humanity by Julia Antasi ‘Wore than any other, the Road of Kings seeks to divide sects, is united in its faith in God ipine plan, But the deliberately pits us against each other be 9 be attained by all, but others of our kind, cloaked in the same divine no mortal kings and princes claim. They are set above common folk and they choose to set the Children of Caine above the Children of Seth. Chen the adberents of the Roaditslf are divided into their tanks: Squires and knights, bons and princes, lords and great monarchs, each with a tle and a place im the grand order. Am J an enemy of order? Not so, 1 say. The order of the Roxd of Kingshas but oneend, the epportunity fora select few tostize porer and hold it, climbitig on the backs of both mortal an Cainitewassalsto achieve theit goal. By tsvery nature the Rond of Kinigs leads us to conflict, atd the War of Princes is Ader tesult ofits mays) Afterall, there ate fae more Scions thin cromis. Sooner ot later it must come t6 war. Wuchis tobe admired abourthe Road of Kings but for this fatal flaw. The road — particularly:thenoble Path of Chivalry — emphasizes obedience to thellam, tesponsibil iy, duty, and, the value of honioe, all qualities we should held tofuthe face ofthe Beast. Some Scions’sre truly noble athearf butare they a match for the schemters and tyrants oftheir Roady rho want nothing more than power and the pstige tharcomes mith it?) pray that shey ate, because if the tytants seize power throughout the civilized world, at lest one of Acindynus'ytheories may be proven true, onarchs rule atthe suffecance of thetr subjects, and itis nithin our power ioxise up and eveet}eow them, if they do sot rule rll TheBoad of Sin by Camilla Bie Road of Kings, noble and prowd, lords of all tat they survey. Rillers and fiypocrites all, 3 say. They disteact tfomnseoes wit all fete talK of Suty, se forporermfen int reer Ge enough for them. Trey Deny tte true natures and bery emsefbes all tat they cou fave in the fopes of sxeing someting in ee of service and duty. Gome understand that the purpose of is to Bring pleasure and satisfy offer, move primal needs and desires. 3 lave attended lavish fetes thrown by tfjose on the Road of Rings tijat sowed a clear unde: standing of Sesite and its satisfaction. But even the Scions sfiy away fiom/the truth, retreating Gefind their rituals and theintitfes: The nest night, tgy turn Gack to ci Bilies oe ete seeming for power. Webeeistane efit esites tovthe cause of Rinaship. and precend that, there is -someaffing tore tmportant in thei existence tan testis facstor they found in pleasure. Chey damee and fet with desire, Deaming it Cog, ten spiening if away, Bijey do not embrace tt, ds me Habel @hey fear tofOsen eit waunted control, their Blanity, and tele place int-soeteaymefien trutf we Gaugtpand mec tem, ry sou Ge so mila ont) ey cast offer quaint nations of Buty and re ty in ths world isto ourselve fe Beast reminds us well enough tht it eso and tells us rofjen we are nt satisfed. WDfly stare it and force t into a cage of duty mijen you can satiate it and Gut to sleep with 4 ffuntdred different sensations and experiences That's really the greatest disappointment about the Road of Kings. forall tir figh-minded ibeats and tir fofty goals, their Aimited. Cfey continue t play out the same games for power and controf tat mortals fave Sone througout time, when there is an entire world {aid out Gefore them for the taking, Like the Cacti and the Humanitas, they prefer to ape tfe ways of mortals and cing to mfjattjey once mere, instead of that tey could 6e. Che fact tat they are so close to the trutf is mfjat tem many of us to try and sfow them the may, 3 think. Store often than not, it’s wasted effort