Road of the Serpent
Description: Via Serpentis, commonly called the Road of the Serpent and known as Tariq el-Hayya to Islamic Cainites,, is one of the minor Roads that kindred may choose to follow in Vampire: The Dark Ages and Dark Ages: Vampire. It is mainly followed by the Followers of Set.
Perhaps no road is as clan-centered as Via Serpentis, as the Road of the Serpent holds one purpose: to honor Set and his works. At the same time, the Tempters work to free themselves from the reign of Osiris. The Tempters view him as abusive of his power and repressive, and so seek to undermine his laws at any opportunity. Amassing wealth and power in order to continue the fight is also asked by the followers of Via Serpentis, as is embracing those who might serve Set well.
Like Via Peccati, the Road of the Serpent urges its followers to act on desire, but the Tempters take things one step further and attempt to spread this idea to their followers, Cainite and mortal alike. Several roads, Via Caeli and Via Regalis in particular, view the Tempters to be as debased as the Sinners.
By the modern nights, the Via Serpentis has evolved into two Paths of Enlightenment, each offering a different focus in following the word of Set: the Path of Typhon and the Path of Sutekh.
Sobriquet: Tempters
- Ethics of the Serpent
-Worship Set and uphold his memory with reverence, for too many people have forgotten him and his great cause
-Undermine the rule of law, by which Osiris has abused his power
-Help others to realize their desires, for only desire can set them free
-Amass personal wealth and influence, for these are tools of strength and seduction
-Embrace only those who are worthy to serve Set, for otherwise you debase his memory
Initiation:
Organization:
Aura: Devotion: The Tempter do everything with an eye on how they might best serve their god. The aura modifier aids in attempts to win converts to their religion and in rolls to resist powers based on other faiths.
Virtues: Conviction & Instinct
Hierarchy of Sins against the Serpent
| Morality Rating | Moral Guideline | Rationale |
| 10 | Failing to indulge your urges when they do not interfere with your work. | You must understand desire in order to teach it. |
| 9 | Indulging your desires when they interfere with your devotion to Set. | Desires are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. |
| 8 | Failing to collect wealth and influence. | Every artisan must acquire the tools of his vocation. |
| 7 | Failing to spread Set's truth among mortals. | If his name is forgotten, he will cease to exist. |
| 6 | Failing to encourage mortals to seek their freedom from Osiris. | Your work is more important than anything except your worship of Set. |
| 5 | Abusing a ghoul. | Your priests are disciples of and gifts from Set. |
| 4 | Supporting the rule of law in any way. | Osiris is the enemy of Set, and you must take no action that aids him. |
| 3 | Putting any other vampire under the blood oath. | Using the essense of Set to bind another vampire goes against the very freedom he champions. |
| 2 | Embracing one who does not worship Set. | Only the deserving may drink of the river between life and death. |
| 1 | Failing to uphold Set's memory and worship him. | What you do means nothing without your devotion to Set. |
Paths: Path of Typhon, Path of Sutekh
Role-playing Tips:
