Oriental Rite
The most recent of the Rites is the Esoteric Society of the Ancient Oriental Rite of the Third Invisible Rajah of the Middle Realm, established in the 1930s. The founders — there are several different Academies that claim to be the first of this Rite — sought to re-emphasize the importance of mysticism and non-Western ideas to The Ordo Dracul. Certainly, the covenant already made much use of such things regardless of Rite, but the Oriental Rite was created to ensure that these ideas were given even greater priority over the practical sciences. While the scientific method was still deemed a worthwhile contribution to the Great Work, the Orientals felt that other, far more ancient methodologies and beliefs could serve equally well. Too often the Dying Light had interfered and directed these Dragons away from such things in favor of more Western approaches. With the creation of the Oriental Rite, this would no longer be the case and, the Orientals argued, the Great Work would be advanced far more quickly.
From the perspective of many Dragons who do not belong to the Oriental Rite, it is barely recognizable as The Ordo Dracul. Seemingly outlandish ideas are given unprecedented respect, empiricism is under attack or is already completely defeated in some Oriental Academies, and a hierarchy that seems wholly incomprehensible replaces the one devised by Dracula. This Perception is partly skewed, of course, but the Oriental Rite does allow itself significant leeway to depart from orthodoxy, which it philosophically challenges. If an unchanging orthodoxy limits progress, then it must be changed to benefit the covenant. From where they stand, this is not only necessary, but is ultimately in-line with the most essential fundamentals of The Ordo Dracul. For this reason, they often argue that they, not the other Rites, are the most true to the real vision of Vlad Tepes. They usually maintain a semi-secret façade, admitting the existence of The Ordo Dracul in domains where its members reside, but maintaining that it is less a covenant than an extended coterie of philosophers and intellectuals who are organized simply for the purpose of sharing Resources — mostly books and knowledge. To eastern Kindred used to cultural ideas like transcendence, astral travel, Meditation, karma, nirvana and spiritual fulfillment, the Oriental Dragons don’t seem too exotic at all, and their cover story often holds.
From the perspective of many Dragons who do not belong to the Oriental Rite, it is barely recognizable as The Ordo Dracul. Seemingly outlandish ideas are given unprecedented respect, empiricism is under attack or is already completely defeated in some Oriental Academies, and a hierarchy that seems wholly incomprehensible replaces the one devised by Dracula. This Perception is partly skewed, of course, but the Oriental Rite does allow itself significant leeway to depart from orthodoxy, which it philosophically challenges. If an unchanging orthodoxy limits progress, then it must be changed to benefit the covenant. From where they stand, this is not only necessary, but is ultimately in-line with the most essential fundamentals of The Ordo Dracul. For this reason, they often argue that they, not the other Rites, are the most true to the real vision of Vlad Tepes. They usually maintain a semi-secret façade, admitting the existence of The Ordo Dracul in domains where its members reside, but maintaining that it is less a covenant than an extended coterie of philosophers and intellectuals who are organized simply for the purpose of sharing Resources — mostly books and knowledge. To eastern Kindred used to cultural ideas like transcendence, astral travel, Meditation, karma, nirvana and spiritual fulfillment, the Oriental Dragons don’t seem too exotic at all, and their cover story often holds.
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