Sworn of the Dying Light
Dragons who have taken the Oath of the Dying Light dedicate themselves more than any others to unlocking the secret of transcendence by pushing the envelope of what is possible with the Coils. They work only to improve upon what has already been discovered, but to go much further, eventually introducing a fourth and possibly final Coil to the Ordo Dracul. True visionaries, the Blue Dragons — an allusion to their sect’s signature color — are also given authority over the direction that other Dragons’ studies take. Most of the time they exercise great care in doing this, usually intervening in another’s pursuits only when and if the studies pose some danger to the covenant. However, it is the Blue Dragons’ prerogative to involve themselves at any time, declaring a Dragon’s efforts to be wasteful and assigning her more “productive” work instead, for example. In addition to this broad power, whenever the question of authority arises within the Ordo Dracul, it is the Dying Light’s word that takes precedence. These Dragons are the covenant’s judiciary, passing judgment whenever called for, but also offering their learned voices when only counsel is necessary.
Dracula appointed his exotic second bride, Anoushka, to lead the Dying Light. Her inquisitive demeanor, her critical intellect and her passion for discovery made her the perfect choice. What her sire did not foresee was the danger her compassion and altruistic tendencies might pose to the Order. Mara and her closest supporters were seen as too naïve by most others; they were accused of exploiting their judicial authority by taking a moral high road that was inappropriate for the covenant. The Great Work required a focus and dedication that would be sacrificed by too much moralizing, Anoushka and her followers thought, and their views and those of Mara’s faction were deadlocked over this point. The result was nearly a century of infighting that at times threatened to tear the young covenant apart.
When Anoushka departed for her Indian homeland in the late 1700s, rumor held that it was on account of her exasperation with and resignation from the ideological struggle. The fact that she was never been heard from again subsequently led many to believe that she was destroyed by a cadre of her enemies — the Sworn of the Axe are most often mentioned — to ensure that the strife that surrounded her would never again threaten the Ordo Dracul. Recent whispers that she may have risen from the fog of history and be seeking to reestablish her authority within the covenant have already caused ripples within the Dying Light and the rest of the Ordo Dracul. If the stories are true, great trouble might lay ahead. More importantly, what if during her absence she succeeded at her efforts to master a fourth Coil, or even more shocking, completed the Great Work and has transcended undeath?
The Dying Light extends an invitation to join only to those Dragons who have already contributed to the Great Work in a meaningful way, either by recovering some occult artifact, securing a place of mystical power, or unearthing a secret of considerable arcane worth. The ranking members of the Dying Light consult, and, if the offering is determined to be noteworthy and the postulant of a suitable nature and character, the individual is welcomed into their esoteric society. Most new members are already capable of wielding at least one Coil, but this is not a prerequisite — some extraordinarily gifted newcomers were chosen because they simply demonstrated credible potential. Once a member, the Twilight Dragon (as the Sworn of the Dying Light is also called) is given access to secrets that only the scions of Anoushka are privy to, dread truths that forever change she who learns them. From that point forward, a transcendence of sorts has already taken place, making the ultimate transformation seem that much closer.
Dracula appointed his exotic second bride, Anoushka, to lead the Dying Light. Her inquisitive demeanor, her critical intellect and her passion for discovery made her the perfect choice. What her sire did not foresee was the danger her compassion and altruistic tendencies might pose to the Order. Mara and her closest supporters were seen as too naïve by most others; they were accused of exploiting their judicial authority by taking a moral high road that was inappropriate for the covenant. The Great Work required a focus and dedication that would be sacrificed by too much moralizing, Anoushka and her followers thought, and their views and those of Mara’s faction were deadlocked over this point. The result was nearly a century of infighting that at times threatened to tear the young covenant apart.
When Anoushka departed for her Indian homeland in the late 1700s, rumor held that it was on account of her exasperation with and resignation from the ideological struggle. The fact that she was never been heard from again subsequently led many to believe that she was destroyed by a cadre of her enemies — the Sworn of the Axe are most often mentioned — to ensure that the strife that surrounded her would never again threaten the Ordo Dracul. Recent whispers that she may have risen from the fog of history and be seeking to reestablish her authority within the covenant have already caused ripples within the Dying Light and the rest of the Ordo Dracul. If the stories are true, great trouble might lay ahead. More importantly, what if during her absence she succeeded at her efforts to master a fourth Coil, or even more shocking, completed the Great Work and has transcended undeath?
The Dying Light extends an invitation to join only to those Dragons who have already contributed to the Great Work in a meaningful way, either by recovering some occult artifact, securing a place of mystical power, or unearthing a secret of considerable arcane worth. The ranking members of the Dying Light consult, and, if the offering is determined to be noteworthy and the postulant of a suitable nature and character, the individual is welcomed into their esoteric society. Most new members are already capable of wielding at least one Coil, but this is not a prerequisite — some extraordinarily gifted newcomers were chosen because they simply demonstrated credible potential. Once a member, the Twilight Dragon (as the Sworn of the Dying Light is also called) is given access to secrets that only the scions of Anoushka are privy to, dread truths that forever change she who learns them. From that point forward, a transcendence of sorts has already taken place, making the ultimate transformation seem that much closer.
Structure
Whereas the Sworn of the Axe arrange themselves as a military order, those who have taken the Oath of the Dying Light draw upon the traditional structures of guilds and courts for their hierarchy. The most common titles include the following:
Apprentice, Journeyman, Master of the Dying Light, Twilight Judge, Provost, Gaillard
Apprentice, Journeyman, Master of the Dying Light, Twilight Judge, Provost, Gaillard
Culture
Custom and Ceremony
The Sworn of the Dying Light are no less bound to ritual and tradition within their ranks than the Sworn of the Axe, though the Dying Light’s emphasis is far more scholastic. Most of their affairs are open to the entire Academy, including their graduation ceremonies and frequent symposiums. The former are typically gaudy affairs that elevate the graduate by providing her superiors a public forum to make known the student’s achievements. Symposiums are held on a weekly basis and usually consist of a few speakers of at least Journeyman Status relating the fruits of their labors or discoursing on some occult mystery, solved or not. These sessions usually end with open discussion that can become quite heated exchanges, especially when the presenter argues for a particularly unorthodox point of view.Demonstrations showcasing a Dragon’s progress in the Coils or introducing a discovery that has the potential to literally shake the foundations of The Ordo Dracul and perhaps all Kindred society are almost always held in private. Called practicums, such meetings take place in the most secure part of the chapter house, in case a disastrous accident occurs. Attendees are limited only to the highest-ranked Twilight Sworn and the presenter, of course. Various additional precautions may be taken, depending on the precise nature of the demonstration, and a careful record is kept of the proceeding. All attendees are required to take a Simple Oath before the meeting commences, ensuring the utter secrecy of the affair. Practicums are uncommon and can only be called by a Master of the Dying Light who is convinced that the demonstration or revelation is worthy of such import. Naturally, the lengths to which the attendees go to keep the practicum secret only increase the rumors that are already part and parcel of unlife in an Academy.
Languages: One of the most important requirements of a good researcher is the ability to understand the works she is examining. The study of foreign tongues, particularly the archaic and even esoteric languages used by the world’s greatest occultists and scholars, is a necessity and consumes much of a Twilight Dragon’s nights. Latin, Ancient Greek and Arabic are of primary importance, but nearly any Language or dialect can prove valuable. Many rely on their fellow Sworn of the Dying Light to provide translation services, but given the secretive nature of their work and the inherent academic competitiveness, it is far better to be self-reliant in this capacity. The sub-order’s cumulative linguistic skills make them an invaluable resource in the domain, and they are frequently consulted by other Kindred for their expertise.
Curators: Commonly, the Sworn of the Dying Light employ one or more kine to serves as their personal librarians, housekeepers and Research assistants. These individuals are usually intellectuals and academics chosen for their particular realm of knowledge and induced into service by a combination of fascination, Blood Addiction and fear. Most serve their master full-time, but continue to maintain at least some connection to a university, museum or important library in order to take advantage of its facilities and Resources. Curators are valued assistants, and many become Ghouls to enhance their capabilities. Exchange of curators is rare, but it does happen — the gift of a particularly gifted curator can be a very canny move for a Dragon wishing to improve her position in the Danse Macabre.
Blue or Azure: It is the privilege of the Dying Light to claim blue as its own color as the Axe claims red. No other Dragon may wear this color when formally garbed, and even informally dressing in blue is taken as a slight to the Dying Light. The color is believed to have been chosen as reflective of the twilight sky, but this is only conjecture — its original meaning has been lost. On account of this hue, the Sworn of the Dying Light are often referred to as The Ordo Dracul’s Blue (or Azure) Dragons.
Sunset: Most of the Dying Light’s ceremonies begin at sunset, a testament to their facility with the Coils. Naturally, not every Twilight Dragon can attend such events, so the first order of business is often perfunctory, with weightier matters addressed only once darkness has fully descended.
Type
Education, Magic
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Parent Organization
Related Ranks & Titles
Forbidden Studies
It is one thing to push the limits of occult investigation and explore things that verge on the truly blasphemous in order to gain useful knowledge; however, it is quite another to step beyond that limit and embrace the truly anathema for the sake of saving time and effort. From the perspective of the Dying Light, nothing is more unforgivable or unbearable than a Dragon who literally sacrifices her very soul and the transcendence she seeks in exchange for some momentary gain. Trafficking with spirits, ghosts, angels and demons is not uncommon in The Ordo Dracul and, while often suspect, is not proscribed. However, a Dragon who opens herself up to the true black arts and invites possession or otherwise submits herself to such a being has embraced the utterly forbidden. No excuse can ever justify such a thing.This crime is so ghastly that even bald-faced treason pales in comparison. For the black magician, the Dying Light reserves the most final and terrible of all punishments: sanctioned Amaranth. The guilty party is staked, and a fellow student, nearly always another member of the sub-order, is granted permission to drink her blood and consume her soul.It is rationalized that it is a far better thing to allow another worthy Dragon to gain strength from the soul forsaken than permit it to be the plaything of a capricious demon or other spirit. This act is clearly acknowledged to be a violation of The Traditions, but these Dragons have few qualms about this. All arguments aside, who outside their Oathbound brethren will ever know?
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