Damascene Rite
Officially the Sacred and Ancient Rite of the Scaled Dragon of Damascus, this Rite is the oldest still recognized by the greater Ordo Dracul. It was founded not, as its name implies, in the Middle East, but rather in Paris by Michaud Al Yahuudi, Elder Architect of the Weeping Sands of the Untamed Blood and Rampant Dragon of the Axe Sworn. In 1719 he was ordered by the Sworn of the Dying Light to curtail some of the demands he placed upon subordinates and reduce his emphasis on obedience. The first of the Principia Draconis is clear that a Dragon’s personal labors come before all else, but Al Yahuudi, a Jew in life, believed differently. He felt that until a Dragon had achieved the rank of Master and has taken a Great Oath, she should effectively remain a servant of her elders. Her own desires and pursuits would have to wait until she had proven over time her absolute loyalty to Mentor and covenant. Unwilling to lose so skilled and useful an ally — the Architect had more than a few times saved The Ordo Dracul from disaster — the Oracles blessed the creation of the covenant’s first Rite, which he named for the magnificent sword he carried, a blade of precious Damascene steel.
The chief difference between Al Yahuudi’s version of The Ordo Dracul and others is the strong emphasis on submission and obedience. The influence of the Sworn of the Axe is also felt in numerous other ways, with additional titles and honorifics available to recognize any Oathbound Dragon’s exploits. Pomp is quite common in such Academies, with a notably Middle Eastern flavor to covenant affairs. Oracles are instead referred to as Jinn and all members of the Academy carry a dagger of Damascene steel during ceremonial events. (In Spain, blades of Toledo steel are often substituted.) The Sworn of the Axe also have greater say in matters pertaining to the entire covenant where this Rite is practiced.
The Damascene Rite remains popular in parts of Europe, particularly in France, Spain and Italy. A Paris chapter remains powerful and, like many Old World Academies, does not announce its presence to other Kindred. Al Yahuudi has not been seen in more than a century, but some say he merely sleeps and will rise again to lead this most oppressive Orderial Rite. The Rite is also very popularin both North and Sub-Saharan Africa. The frequent violence in African domains seems suited to the Rite’s martial ways. In the Middle East, the Rite is also well-represented, but, perhaps strangely, it is often overshadowed by other, more politically adept Rites — most notably the Oriental and Wallachian Rites. Al Yahuudi’s loyalists have had little luck in North America, but have had some success in Central and South America.
The chief difference between Al Yahuudi’s version of The Ordo Dracul and others is the strong emphasis on submission and obedience. The influence of the Sworn of the Axe is also felt in numerous other ways, with additional titles and honorifics available to recognize any Oathbound Dragon’s exploits. Pomp is quite common in such Academies, with a notably Middle Eastern flavor to covenant affairs. Oracles are instead referred to as Jinn and all members of the Academy carry a dagger of Damascene steel during ceremonial events. (In Spain, blades of Toledo steel are often substituted.) The Sworn of the Axe also have greater say in matters pertaining to the entire covenant where this Rite is practiced.
The Damascene Rite remains popular in parts of Europe, particularly in France, Spain and Italy. A Paris chapter remains powerful and, like many Old World Academies, does not announce its presence to other Kindred. Al Yahuudi has not been seen in more than a century, but some say he merely sleeps and will rise again to lead this most oppressive Orderial Rite. The Rite is also very popularin both North and Sub-Saharan Africa. The frequent violence in African domains seems suited to the Rite’s martial ways. In the Middle East, the Rite is also well-represented, but, perhaps strangely, it is often overshadowed by other, more politically adept Rites — most notably the Oriental and Wallachian Rites. Al Yahuudi’s loyalists have had little luck in North America, but have had some success in Central and South America.
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