Philadelphian Rite
When the publication of Stoker’s Dracula exposed many of Europe’s Dragons, fueling Paranoia and Hysteria among their fellow Kindred, many Dragons chose to leave the Old World for the New rather than face likely extinction. Some were prominent Dragons who were saddened by the sad state of the American OrdoDracul, little more than a broken network of Kindred who had learned what they could of the covenant from sires and third-parties. The newcomers immediately set about rebuilding The Ordo Dracul the right way in their chosen cities, largely through emulation of the Old World Academies. However, in order to avoid the very troubles that drove them out, they chose to make their presence known to Kindred society, rather than working to keep it a secret. While they did not simply divulge their true aims and activities, they did make known their general purpose and invited Kindred with a similar bent to apply for membership.
Among the most successful of these early Academies was one in Philadelphia, which boasted a large and well organized population of Dragons before the year 1920, and lent its name to the Illustrious Rite of the Sojourn Dragon of the Temple of Philadelphia. The interest in spiritualism, psychology and the occult so popular at the time helped tremendously, and their public façade of simple academics and scholars organized like the secret societies common of the time appealed to many. They also maintained a relatively lax atmosphere, at least for the unsworn, in order to better guard their secrets. A few fledglings were even invited to join and then purposely driven away so that they would tell others “the truth” about The Ordo Dracul. Of course, these dupes revealed only what the wisest Dragons wished, and so protected the covenant’s secrets even better.
The Philadelphian (or American) Rite differs most from the rest of The Ordo Dracul in its relatively public posture. American Dragons openly admit the existence of the covenant to other Kindred and make no excuses for belonging to the secret society. They argue that the rumors and accusations are merely propaganda to discredit the Order, which they claim is dedicated only to a better understanding of the Kindred condition so that all vampires might be able to ease the hardship of the Requiem. To the question of why they don’t share the Coils with outsiders, they answer by explaining that without the proper dedication a student can inadvertently harm or even destroy herself. The Coils are certainly powerful, but they are far more complex than simply learning a Discipline like Auspex or Majesty. Therefore, unless a Kindred is willing to first undergo the physical and mental training necessary to grasp the Coils, the Dragons feel it is their responsibility to hold back that knowledge so that they don’t accidentally unleash further suffering upon the already damned.
The greatest concentration of Philadelphian Dragons is, of course, in North America. The city of Philadelphia is still considered to be home to one of the most esteemed Academies. There has been a movement in some Academies for the Philadelphian Rite to rectify its differences with the Wallachian Rite and bring itself more in line with traditional orthodoxy, butso far it has gained little traction, partly because it is believed the movement is instigated by European Dragons who really seek to gain greater access to Wyrm’s Nests and other mystical sites in the Americas. In New England, where the Wallachian Rite still holds significant influence, the Philadelphian Rite is a target of regular harassment and ridicule.
Among the most successful of these early Academies was one in Philadelphia, which boasted a large and well organized population of Dragons before the year 1920, and lent its name to the Illustrious Rite of the Sojourn Dragon of the Temple of Philadelphia. The interest in spiritualism, psychology and the occult so popular at the time helped tremendously, and their public façade of simple academics and scholars organized like the secret societies common of the time appealed to many. They also maintained a relatively lax atmosphere, at least for the unsworn, in order to better guard their secrets. A few fledglings were even invited to join and then purposely driven away so that they would tell others “the truth” about The Ordo Dracul. Of course, these dupes revealed only what the wisest Dragons wished, and so protected the covenant’s secrets even better.
The Philadelphian (or American) Rite differs most from the rest of The Ordo Dracul in its relatively public posture. American Dragons openly admit the existence of the covenant to other Kindred and make no excuses for belonging to the secret society. They argue that the rumors and accusations are merely propaganda to discredit the Order, which they claim is dedicated only to a better understanding of the Kindred condition so that all vampires might be able to ease the hardship of the Requiem. To the question of why they don’t share the Coils with outsiders, they answer by explaining that without the proper dedication a student can inadvertently harm or even destroy herself. The Coils are certainly powerful, but they are far more complex than simply learning a Discipline like Auspex or Majesty. Therefore, unless a Kindred is willing to first undergo the physical and mental training necessary to grasp the Coils, the Dragons feel it is their responsibility to hold back that knowledge so that they don’t accidentally unleash further suffering upon the already damned.
The greatest concentration of Philadelphian Dragons is, of course, in North America. The city of Philadelphia is still considered to be home to one of the most esteemed Academies. There has been a movement in some Academies for the Philadelphian Rite to rectify its differences with the Wallachian Rite and bring itself more in line with traditional orthodoxy, butso far it has gained little traction, partly because it is believed the movement is instigated by European Dragons who really seek to gain greater access to Wyrm’s Nests and other mystical sites in the Americas. In New England, where the Wallachian Rite still holds significant influence, the Philadelphian Rite is a target of regular harassment and ridicule.
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