Road of Kings
The Road of Kings
Just as God ordained that kings should rule over men, by placing His mark upon Caine He ordained that Cainites were above the mortal herd, and that some also held the divine right to rule. The Scions, followers of the Road of Kings, believe that power and rulership are their inheritance, secured by strength of arms and skill at court. Just as the mortal nobility wars for control over land and wealth, so do the Scions war among themselves for control of Cainite domains, with lesser vampires and mortals arrayed like pieces on a chessboard.
But the Scions are not all war and glory. They are also concerned with rulership, and the first lesson an initiate of the road learns is that one must be able to rule over the Beast within before commanding the loyalty of any subject or vassal. In a world where one either rules or is ruled, the Scions learn to master the Beast, to command inferiors and to defer to betters, all while seeking to claim the destiny of power laid before them. They understand that all Cainites are empowered to rule - as all royal families are - but that only the strong, the swift, the cunning and the bold can seize a throne and hold it. Divine (or Damned) right can become manifest only through skillful action.
The Beast stands in the way of a Scion's destiny. It represents all the dark impulses that drag a ruler down and lead to rebellion and betrayal. But, carefully controlled, those same passions can raise a ruler up to greatness and give him the power to conquer his enemies and hold on to his throne. So the Beast must be controlled, and conquering the Beast is a necessary first step in conquering the world.
It's little wonder that the Road of Kings draws many of the High Clans to it, particularly the Lasombra, Tzimisce and Ventrue. Those who rise to the position of prince often do so by following this road. Although there are princes of the other roads as well, none have made rulership so much a part of their very being. And Scions often make the best rulers because they see their endeavor as larger than simply hoarding personal power - that is the domain of the Beast. A true king creates justice for his subjects and inspires loyalty in his vassals. And the only way to understand how to inspire loyalty is to have been loyal oneself, therefore, many Scions spend time as vassals and knights in other's service. Others serve as judges and magistrates, dispensing justice in the name of a lord whom they serve.
Because of their appreciation for feudal bonds, Scions have adopted the tradition of chivalry as their own, and Cainite lords sponsor orders of knighthood wherein initiates and adherents of the road can learn its ways and prove themselves worthy through their deeds. But chivalrous Cainites are proving a challenge to more traditional Scion lords. The lords claim that they are the ultimate source of law, whereas the knights look to a nebulous moral code, either drawn from mortal chivalrous tradition or said to be handed down by Caine.
Sobriquet: Scions
Initiation: Initiates come to the Road of Kings in two ways. Some are chosen by mentors and groomed for the role, sometimes Embraced for that very purpose. They eventually become trusted vassals of their liege, though the ambition of some carries them higher. Others achieve the Road of Kings through their own drive, winning the favor of a patron with glorious deeds and carefully chosen words. In either case, initiates usually enter their patron's service for a time (with or without the assurances of the blood oath). They learn discipline and personal mastery under their patron's guidance while serving as page, squire, clark or the like. With the rise of the orders of chivalry, it is common for initiates to begin as squires and eventually achieve the rank of knight. It has also become common for sires and liege lords to "foster" fledglings with each other to strengthen the bonds of fealty between them.
Organization: The Road of Kings is perhaps the most organized of all, with each adherent owing fealty to his betters and having it owed to him by his inferiors. Much of the organization of the Cainite courts is dictated by the traditions of the Road of Kings, and lord is currently the highest rank for any adherent, although many have even higher aspirations. Below the lord and princes are many lesser nobles: barons, dukes and the like. Beneath them are the knights and knightly orders, often sponsored by one prince or another. In and around the court are roles like seneschal, advisor, minister and such, for those who follow a subtler road to power. Scions struggle to climb the ladder, often over the bodies of their rivals, and they fight to maintain what they have gained.
Roleplaying Tips: You are a scion of Caine, superior to the mortal herd and destined for greatness. You are the master of your fate, not a slave to it. Take up your destiny and let none stand in the way of achieving what is yours by right. You are just and firm with your followers, deferent to your betters and terrible to your enemies. You will rule the night for ages uncounted, and all glory and honor will be yours.
Paths of the Road of Kings.
- Path of Chivalry: Honor and service are al; follow and uphold the code of chivalry.
- Path of the Tyrant: It is better to reign in hell than to serve in Heaven.
- Path of the Vizier: power is a subtle game. Play it like a master and become the power behind the throne.
- Path of the Merchant: Money is power greater than rulership.
- Path of Honorable Accord: Your honor and place in your society are all.
- Path of Power and the Inner Voice - Revised: Power over others and power over the Beast are entwined.
Systems
Aura:
Noble Virtues: Conviction & Self-Control
Ethics of Kingship
- There are only two roles in this world: that of master and that of servant.
- You are superior to mortals, made to rule.
- To master others, you must first master yourself and the Beast within.
- Only those who seize power gain it; only those who use power keep it.
- Your word is your bond. Without it, you are nothing.
