Path of Honorable Accord

The Roads

A Modern Path on the Road of Kings

Nickname: Knights

Basic Beliefs: From a sermon given by Azrael, Salubri antitribu Paladin:

Cultures have two ways to control their miscreant members: guilt and shame. Guilt is based on adherence to a moral code - ideas of salvation and sin, good and evil. Shame is fostered by a breach of ethics - deviation from accepted doctrine, creed or code of behavior. As predators, we have no room for morality - it is a mortal invention. Guilt falls to the Beast like a paper screen to a raging tiger.

Ethics are also an invention, but they are far more efficient in their function. One has only to look at the kine world to see the impossiblity of enforcing morality. The spiral of hypocrisy and rationalization, the chaos and madness that reign when morals fail. Ethics fail, too, much of the time, but they sometimes succeed and are clearer and less subject to justification and prevarication than is morality.

When one looks at the supreme ethical codes among mortals - the samurai of japan, the knights of Europe, the tablets of Hammurabi and the iron codes of draco - one sees a discipline, a purity, that is not subject to argument or erosion. Most fail to live up to these codes, but the failure is of the individual, not the code itself.

You have chosen such a cage, but for you it shall be an armor of sturdiest steel. You have gazed into the abyss. You know what lies there. We have dipped our pens into that abyss and written a code as encompassing as the night sky and as strong as black iron.

Is our path a lie? No. Will it last until the stars wink out and the moon spins into the void? perhaps not. Will we hold this code as our truth, as a spine and axis and axon of our existence, for howsoever long as our undeath sustains us? Yes.

The Path of Honorable Accord strives not only to be different from the way of humanity, it strives to be better. Its members would argue that there is no alternative.

The entirety of the path - and the path follower - lies in a code of duties and prescriptions known as the Code of Milan. Though neither overly lengthy nor overly complex, the code dictates its followers' entire existence. The Beast claims the souls of the Damned by insidious rationalization. So, their code of behavior must be so clear that such rationalization is impossible. The Beast claims the souls of the Damned through blind emotion. so, any such emotion must be replaced by the cold logic of the code. Whether their sworn duty involves protecting an ally - or enemy - or torturing a child to death, knights carry it out to the letter. If they give their word that a task will be accomplished, it will be or they will reach Final Death trying.

The code upholds duty, courage and duty. In some ways, this path is the ultimate example of "negative reinforcement." Its precepts and followers are cold and harsh - but those who follow the Path of Honorable Accord are a thousand times as harsh on themselves as they are on the world. they take first blame for failure and if it is their duty to defend someone, they will be destroyed before allowing her to be harmed. Truth, no matter how terrible, is cultivated, for lies are the soil in which the Beast tunnels like a worm. The soil of the vampire's soul must therefore be stone.

Make no mistake: While many of this calling's tenets are "virtuous," they are by no means "good." Love is a lie. All the Damned know that. Honorable Accord rejects compassion of any sort. Error leads to flaw, flaw leads to weakness and weakness leads to ruin. Adherents of this code must be without error. Nor may they tolerate it in others. Different paths seek to guide the Beast or let it run along prescribed channels. This one would cage it, then freeze it into immobility. To do that, a vampire's heart must be as hard and cold as steel.

History: Practitioners of the path are called "knights"; the origin of this path can certainly be traced to the chivalric ideals of the High Middle Ages. While individual Cainites had acted in accordance with this path prior to this time, it was not institutionalized until about A.D. 1150.

By the time of the late Crusades and the religious orders of knighthood, the rudiments of this path had been laid. Church records point to folk tales of "darke knytes" with supernatural powers seemingly granted by the Devil himself, yet who would keep their word when overcome by faithful mortals.

Most Cainites give little credence to the idea that Jacques the Molay was Embraced at all, let alone became a founder of this path. Still, the word "Templar" was introduced into the Sabbat patios by members of this path, and Honorable Accord practitioners have had dealings, albeit transient and superficial, with Knights Templar, Teutonic Knights, Knights of Malta, Freemasons and similar esoteric orders and fraternities.

Although the chivalric tradition was dying out among mortals at the time of the Anarch Revolt, many of the vampires Embraced during its heyday were just coming into their own. Many of the newly Embraced (and destroyed and Embraced) childer that rose during the sects' formation were sired by ex-knights and similar upholders of chivalric ideals. Several members of the nascent Sabbat tempered their cruelty and wantonness with a dose of their sires' teachings. These vampires codified their beliefs into a work known as the Code of Milan, after the city in which it was penned. the code clarified the different chivalric ideals of duty, honor and courage, while rejecting parts of the old ways unsuitable for Cainites (courtly love, for example).

Followers of the code were not particularly numerous among the early Sabbat. Most vampires preferred to raven and rape. But code followers were among the most effective of the sect's agents. The up-and-coming leaders of the sect didn't fail to notice that, while these strange vampire-knights weren't necessarily the most fun to be around or the most amenable to the sect's "run wild and free" philosophy, they got things done. And they kept other vampires in line during incursions and raids. The honorable vampires established collective traditions, the ritae, to instill a sense of camaraderie and unity in the otherwise disparate sect.

Thus, the followers of the code gained an influence perhaps out of proportion to their actual numbers. This mitigating force proved good for the sect. Without the unifying influence of the knights (as the followers of the path came to be known), the Sabbat would likely have disintegrated or been assimilated into the Anarch Movement. Other Sabbat, not necessarily liking the knights, respected them enough to participate in their ritae and form themselves into crude military-style units - packs.

During the Renaissance, the knights gradually found themselves brushed aside. Overt warfare between the sects was increasingly replaced by subterfuge and trickery, acts not to the knights' liking. While they acknowledged the necessity of such duplicity, they preferred not to participate in it. They thus gave up or were overlooked when positions of leadership became available. the knights found their niche as solitary warriors carrying out the dictates of particular archbishops or the sect as a whole. This office, known as "templar" or "paladin," survives to this day. Not all templars are on the Path of Honorable Accord, but the majority are.

The influence of the mysterious Cathayans means that relatively few Far Eastern mortals were Embraced until recent nights. Nonetheless, when Commodore Perry opened japan to the West in 1867, path practitioners found themselves intrigued by the samurai code of Bushido. In the late 1800s, new amendments reflecting the principles of this philosophy were introduced to the Code of Milan, and the path adopted elements of Zen-like philosophy and spirituality into its heretofore pragmatic precepts.

In the 20th century, the knights dutifully carried out sect duties even as they grew appalled by the lack of any kind of ethics among neonates... both Sabbat and Camarilla. Vampire and kine society alike took on the fin de siecle characteristics of shallow hedonism, individualism and mob rule.

Some young members of the path, those Embraced in North America, took an especially dim view of the events following 9-11, 2001. For a while it seemed as if the society of American mortals might truly come together, putting aside crass capitalism and uniting as a people. the fact that this didn't happen - that 9-11 became an excuse for shallow "buy the flag" marketing, politicking and eventual apathy - struck a chord even among these undead. A nation of 260 million rejecting CNN in favor of The Anna Nichole Show... surely this was the mark of a greater Beast, a Beast of indifferent consumption. Perhaps, these knights reasoned, the only way to motivate the kine was through constant terror and negative reinforcement. If righteousness could be achieved only through dread, so be it.

Packs of these knights now take it upon themselves to terrorize mortals in their vicinity, hoping that such actions will provoke order and community among the kine. some have even considered perpetuating further horrors on mankind as a whole, to shock them into realizing the seriousness of the Final Nights.

The Code of Milan: Like most things associated with Honorable Accord, the Code of Milan is simple. It's a three-part folio; when translated into English, it rarely exceeds 72 pages. The three chapters are the Tower of Duty, the Tower of Honor and the Tower of Courage. Symbolic links to the Tower card of the Tarot are obvious and intentional. The Tarot tower represents the great fall that one must undergo before rebuilding one's spirituality in a higher form. The links between this and a Path of Enlightenment are obvious.

The Tower of Duty is the most straightforward chapter. It is a simple listing of various examples, creeds and rules of conduct governing such things as hunting kine, dealing with other Cainites and controlling frenzy. It is the most practical chapter, an "etiquette guide" rather than a spiritual tract. Still Sabbat templars and paladins learn its maxims by heart, quoting them as reflexive mantras in times of physical or spiritual crisis.

The Tower of Honor is the central, spiritual part of the text. Written as a dialogue between student and teacher, this section imparts lessons through parable rather than through straightforward lecture. Six different stories - the Tale of Blood, the Tale of the Lone Wanderer, the Tale of the Midnight Court, the Tale of the Kine, the Tale of the Wolf and the Tale of Dawn - compose the chapter. Each story imparts a lesson by both logical and intuitive example.

The Tower of Courage is the story of a knight who wanders through a dim valley, comes to a showy tower, and enters and confronts a monster within. Depending on the translation, the monster can be a dragon, a beast, a great wolf or some other horror. The story is convoluted - deliberately so - and allegorical. There are hidden and coded messages within the text and certain letters, phrases adn sentences can be recombined into other meanings altogether. Some of the suggestions uncovered in so doing are downright dreadful, and reading and comprehension of the story is designed to be a harrowing experience.

Knights are expected to keep a copy of the code with them at all times. Recently Embraced vampires with political inclinations occasionally jest about path followers' "little red books," but the knights take this precept exceedingly seriously.

Current Practices: Practitioners of Honorable Accord are the primary creators and maintainers of the sect's "pomp and circumstance." The Path of Caine records the sect's history, but it is the knights who keep the traditions and ritae of the current nights. Some (especially the knights themselves) speculate that without this path to provide cohesion, the Sabbat would have splintered long ago.

As expected, followers are at the forefront of sieges, war parties and other military operations. They revel in vampiric struggle, seeing it as an opportunity to display their courage. In particular, knights seek out "champions" from the other side (Camarilla, Setites, Assamites) and attempt to engage them in personal combat. Defeating a foe of similar power is a mark of prestige, particularly if the enemy was a noted proponent of another path (high score in Humanity, Path of Blood, Path of Typhon). Honorable Accord vampires tolerate other paths, and perhaps respect them to a degree, but seek to demonstrate their way's superiority when possible. Path leaders expect that the Sabbat's most glorious challenges be undertaken primarily by adherents. In this role, knights often conflict with the followers of the Path of Power and the Inner Voice. Where the paths differ is that initiatives taken by knights should be primarily for the good of the sect, perhaps even at a knight's own expense, while unifiers seek to advance themselves and their status above all else.

Although followers of this path, like all Sabbat, are pleased with the success of recent campaigns against Camarilla rivals in the New World, they are disheartened by what the perceive to be the breakdown of all virtues and codes in recent nights. though they hold themselves above the kine, knights had hoped for some degree of their ethical sensibility to carry over into mortal society as a whole. Instead, the 21st century seems to be a world of overt individual self-interest, "welcoming change" (i.e., discarding people and institutions at the slightest pretext), and disinterested third parties.

The society of the night as fared little better in their eyes. Clan Gangrel, an enemy but by and large a noble one, has broken its ties to the Camarilla. Clan Ravnos, an ancient line worthy of respect if not trust, has imploded. Knights' own sect is riddled with demonic corruption, and even ties of blood grow thinner by the night. When the Antediluvians come, will they find a resisting army or simply shiftless, apathetic fodder?

Some practitioners now meet in secret, across pack lines, to discuss potential courses of action. Most suggest that individual knights must set examples where they can, performing deeds of such glory or importance that the Sabbat cannot help but take notice. Other, wilder ideas include a crusade against shapeshifters as a whole, an alliance with the mortal Christian Church, or a coup to take control of the Sabbat "for its own good." To date, none of these ideas has been taken seriously.

Upholders of Honorable Accord who use weapons, particularly melee weapons, grant them a degree of reverence and respect otherwise unknown in Cainite culture. If a practitioner has a haven, she often mounts her weapons in display cases or stands, and keeps her firearms oiled and in pristine condition behind glass panels or otherwise in positions of value.

Description of Followers: Some neonates, proud, honorable and unyielding in life, seek to find a dark and tragic nobility in their state of undeath. Most of these vampires strive to cling to Humanity and of these, most fail. A few bend - once - to accept this path's teachings, and having saved themselves resolve to never bend again. They must not. Neither the Beast nor their own egos would allow it. But as the realities of unlife become all to clear, a new code of behavior becomes all the more appealing.

Followers of other paths see knights as cold, aloof and rigid. This is true to an extent. The coldness comes from intense focus rather than disdain - a knight does everything possible to keep his Beast in check through sheer will. Such an introspective activity leaves little levity or energy for more sociable activities. Still, knights are known to be good "foxhole buddies," and their senses of humor can be sharp, if grim.

Of all the paths, that of Honorable Accord is most likely to receive crossovers from rival sects. Its tenets, while antithetical to human ideals of compassion and empathy, are close enough to qualities that humans think of as "good" that a formerly Humanist vampire can accept the teachings. Thus, a fair number of ex-Camarilla, Setite, Assamite, Giovanni and even Ravnos Cainites fill out this path's ranks.

Following the Path: This is not a calling ot study or contemplation. Without the capacity to act, to stem the tides of chaos and duplicity that engulf the sect and world, a member is nothing. Knights must take active roles in all things Sabbat - packs, war parties, ritae, sieges. If they do not, who will set an example?

The pack-based nature of the Sabbat simultaneously uplifts and frustrates many practitioners, on one hand, a pack provides a ready-made warrior band, greater than any one Cainite but small enough to live up to a single ideal. On the other hand, duty to pack can conflict with duty to the code if a knight's allies adhere to different principles. Eventually, many path followers end up in packs together since no other Cainites meet their standards. Such "camaraderie" intensifies their reputation as aloof and obstinate.

The goals of this path and the Sabbat Inquisition often coincide. Arguably, more Inquisitors are on this course than any other. In their ruthless purging of disruptive elements and demonic threats, these followers work to purify the sect as a whole. Sometimes the Inquisition's reliance on deviousness and double-dealing can sufficiently repulse a path follower to the point where she leaves entirely.

Similarly, path followers prefer the solitary pursuits of templar and paladin to the ranks of the Black Hand. The Hand is known for deception and ruthlessness, and few knights trust it not to have ulterior motives or hidden agendas. When they can, some warriors maneuver the sect against the Hand as best they can.

Contemplation of path precepts is more likely to involve quiet meditation than active teaching. Paragons of the path lead by example, not by sermons.

The gravest threat to members of this path, as with any honorable soldier, is conflicting duties. When, for example, duty to one's packmates conflicts with duty to one's superiors, or when duty to one's superiors conflicts with duty to the tenets of the code. In these cases, a knight must either make a choice (suffering possible degeneration for doing so) or abstain from a choice (which might lead to unwanted consequences and similar ethical suffering).

Systems

Honorable Virtues: Unique among the Paths espoused by the Sabbat, the Path of Honorable Accord espouses Conscience and Self Control.

Aura: Trustworthiness. A Knight's aura affects attempts to convince others of his honor and the value of his word.

Common Abilities: Followers of the Path of Honorable Accord concentrate on learned skills, the sort of physical capabilities that can be mastered. Given their typical roles in a pack or city, knights become experts in Melee and Firearms. Many work to hone their innate talents for Athletics, Brawl and Dodge. Knights are trustworthy and straightforward, but they are not fools. Many work hard on their Empathy talents so that they can more easily tell when another Cainite tries to deceive them. They often cultivate high Intimidation and Leadership Traits, as well.

Many knights learn Presence to heighten their aura of command and fear on the battlefield. Most put some effort into the Physical Disciplines of Potence, Celerity and Fortitude. Those in leadership positions may learn Auspex both for its usefulness in the field and to help pierce deceptions.

Ethics of Accord

• One always keeps his word and honors his agreements. One's word is one's personal Code of Milan. The first inroads of the Beast are through lies, both to one's self and to others. The next are through excusing either one's own or other Cainites' lapses. If one neither lies nor lapses, the Beast cannot gain a foothold.
• Never show cowardice; overcome fears. Ultimately, best intentions are useless if they cannot be acted upon. In some ways, fear is a knight's worst foe, for it is both a rationalization not to accomplish something and a blinding emotion. Fear is the currency of the Beast. It must be rejected at all costs.
• Duty comes before personal matters. Duty is inflexible, immutable; personal matters are subject to whim, to rationalization and thus to the Beast.
• Treat fairly and equitably with those of station. Conversely, the dishonorable are beneath contempt. As one does not lie to himself or fellow knights, so he does not lie to himself or fellow knights, so he does not lie to or exploit other noble Cainites. those who have taken pains to quell their own Beasts and to set examples for the Damned are to be respected and honored, even if they don't (yet) follow the code. Conversely, those who are clearly doomed, who wallow in their own shame and weakness, are to be avoided, placed out of sight, mind and soul. such creatures can corrupt all around them like a pestilence.
• Always repay debts. This tenet is central to the code. So long as debt or gratitude weighs on one's soul, there is an opening for the Beast to exploit. The ideal knight's mind and heart are on the code and only the code, not on matters owed to another Cainite. Debts must always be repaid promptly and in full.
• Support comrades-in-arms in all things, except when they counsel treachery. Only by being an example to all can one save others from their own weakness. Be a paragon to packmates, acting as a righteous exemplar and, if necessary, a punishing scourge.

Hierarchy of Sins Against Honor

10	Failing to uphold the precepts of your group	Your group gives you focus.
9	Failing to show hospitality to allies	Honorable beings aid their allies when in need.
8	Associating with the dishonorable	Dishonorable beings are beneath contempt, and drag others down with them.
7	Failing to participate in group rites	Provide an example to bring others to an honorable mien.
6	Disobeying a leader	Your honor depends on fulfilling even onerous obligations.
5	Failing to protect allies	Honorable beings put themselves in danger when called.
4	Placing personal concerns over duty	Duty is paramount.
3	Showing cowardice	One who cannot be relied on in the face of danger has no honor.
2	Killing without reason	Wanton destruction has no place in an honorable society.
1	Breaking your word or oath; failing to honor an agreement	Are you honorable, or are you a Beast?