Wallachian Rite
The Loyal and True Rite of the Impaler Prince of Wallachia developed as a reaction to what some Dragons felt was a growing unorthodoxy that threatened the very principles upon which the covenant was originally built. The creation of the Damascene and Palatine Rites (as well as a few other, smaller Rites) worried many Dragons that those Academies that did not formally declare themselves to be organized as a formal Rite would become weakened and far more prone to fragmentation and chaos. The concerned parties held a unique Grand Dragon Council in London in the summer of 1782 that was attended at least in part by both Anoushka and Lisette. When the councilors concluded their work, they each left with a copy of the Code of Wallachia, the document they produced that laid out the specific orthodox Rite of the covenant. The councilors returned to their own domains and many of their Academies adopted the Wallachian Rite. By 1900, many non-denominational Academies had done the same, swearing to obey the Wallachian Rite and remain true to the original vision of Vlad Tepes. Tonight, perhaps half of the world’s Academies still heel to this Rite.
Because of its aim to restore authenticity to the covenant, the Wallachian Rite is the standard by which others are compared in terms of orthodoxy or lack thereof. Technically, the Wallachians adhere almost verbatim to the Rites of the Dragon, with few notable exceptions. For example, while a few Dragons are granted a rank above what they have earned by virtue of their mastery of the Coils, this is very rare — especially as compared to the Philadelphian Rite. The Wallachian Rite also maintains a very heavy cloak of secrecy not only on its activities and membership lists, but on its very existence. Officially, it does not exist. In the aftermath of Bram Stoker’s novel, the Wallachians learned that so long as they remain invisible they hold out the best hope to continue their allimportant work without interference. Of course, this secrecy is not 100% and many urban legends of Dracula’s progeny, diabolical ceremonies and grand conspiracies still center around the existence of The Ordo Dracul in the Old World.
Hungary and parts of Romania are the covenant’s spiritual heartland, but the Wallachian Rite is not assured of dominance. While The Ordo Dracul as a whole has a strong influence on the region’s vampires, it is engaged in a powerstruggle within its own ranks from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube River. The Wallachian Rite claims perhaps half of all Academies, but it is threatened by the Palatine and Oriental Rites, to the west and east respectively — even the Damascene Rite has made some inroads in the south. The peace these various Rites maintain elsewhere — even outright cooperation in some places — does not exist here, where each Rite seeks to proclaim itself the true heir of Dracula by seizing control of his historic homeland. Elsewhere, many believe that this battle is a serious threat to the real purpose of the covenant and in the past decade some have spoken of formally ostracizing those Dragons involved in the “Transylvanian Issue” until they set aside their open differences and re-dedicate themselves to the Great Work that all Dragons ostensibly pursue.
Throughout the rest of Europe, notwithstanding the German-speaking regions, the Wallachian Rite is relatively commonplace. A few American Academies are organized according to the Wallachian Rite — mostly in New England — and these tend to place emphasis on maintaining the orthodoxy of the Old World.
Because of its aim to restore authenticity to the covenant, the Wallachian Rite is the standard by which others are compared in terms of orthodoxy or lack thereof. Technically, the Wallachians adhere almost verbatim to the Rites of the Dragon, with few notable exceptions. For example, while a few Dragons are granted a rank above what they have earned by virtue of their mastery of the Coils, this is very rare — especially as compared to the Philadelphian Rite. The Wallachian Rite also maintains a very heavy cloak of secrecy not only on its activities and membership lists, but on its very existence. Officially, it does not exist. In the aftermath of Bram Stoker’s novel, the Wallachians learned that so long as they remain invisible they hold out the best hope to continue their allimportant work without interference. Of course, this secrecy is not 100% and many urban legends of Dracula’s progeny, diabolical ceremonies and grand conspiracies still center around the existence of The Ordo Dracul in the Old World.
Hungary and parts of Romania are the covenant’s spiritual heartland, but the Wallachian Rite is not assured of dominance. While The Ordo Dracul as a whole has a strong influence on the region’s vampires, it is engaged in a powerstruggle within its own ranks from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube River. The Wallachian Rite claims perhaps half of all Academies, but it is threatened by the Palatine and Oriental Rites, to the west and east respectively — even the Damascene Rite has made some inroads in the south. The peace these various Rites maintain elsewhere — even outright cooperation in some places — does not exist here, where each Rite seeks to proclaim itself the true heir of Dracula by seizing control of his historic homeland. Elsewhere, many believe that this battle is a serious threat to the real purpose of the covenant and in the past decade some have spoken of formally ostracizing those Dragons involved in the “Transylvanian Issue” until they set aside their open differences and re-dedicate themselves to the Great Work that all Dragons ostensibly pursue.
Throughout the rest of Europe, notwithstanding the German-speaking regions, the Wallachian Rite is relatively commonplace. A few American Academies are organized according to the Wallachian Rite — mostly in New England — and these tend to place emphasis on maintaining the orthodoxy of the Old World.
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