Editing Pelops (section)

==<b>Beliefs and Obsessions</b>==
Pelops lives wholly in a world of his own which is only tangentially connected to any sort of consensual reality. While he is able to interact with others quite freely, it is always through the filter of his complex, interlaced derangements. Much of his power comes from introducing others to his teachings and warping them step by step until they come to live in his bubble and share his delusions. The following is a list of his pecularities.

- He believes that the Antedeluvians are literal gods, part of a vast pantheon which also includes the mysterious ancestors of other species of supernatural creatures. He completely discounts any and all legends that posit Caine as the first vampire. In his eyes the Book of Nod is a forgery made to support a Judeo/Christian narrative fabricated by much younger Kindred trying to gain strength and influence through undermining the pagan ways of their ancestors.

- Because all vampires are descended from literal gods, they are literal demi-gods and heroes (in the original sense of the word). They need to strive for prowess (andreia), wisdom (gnosis) and nobility (arete) and shed all their inner and outer limitations to honor their heritage and activate their true divine potential which is limited by the remnants of a human perspective a vampire needs to overcome. All traditional weaknesses of the Kindred condition and all limits of their powers are merely proof of one's imperfections.

- Golconda is a perfect state of enlightenment in which the full divine potential of a Kindred is unleashed. They way to achieve Golconda is through solving the inner conflict between creative Man and devouring Beast without favoring one or the other but achieving perfect synthesis. This requires questioning and destroying all 'unworthy' beliefs, morals and habits which stand in the way of acknowledging the fact, the burden and the potential of one's divinity.

- Because vampires are the children of the gods their blood is sacred and must no be shed in vain, nor stolen or otherwise taken without consent; neither must it be misused, transformed or destroyed. When it is given to mortals (be it for the purpose of creating ghouls or childer) it is a divine sacrament meant only for worthy vessels. What one has created one may destroy, none other may touch it.

- Conversely, the blood given by a mortal to feed a vampire is a holy sacrifice and must be treated with the respect it deserves. Blood must be savored and used in moderation; it must not be wasted or taken without need. If a human dies feeding a vampire's appetite this is not to be regreted but to be praised as the ultimate form of sacrifice. Only the pure are worthy of being sacrificed in this manner, though, for no mean meal must defile the throat of a god. One vampire must not poach the herd of another.

- Their divine heritage and the commonality of blood bind all vampires together. They must live by alliances and their sacred word, adhering slavishly to the rite of prestation. They must police their own ranks against miscreants and make war when necessary to cull the unworthy who violate the principles of arete.

- The ancients bear the responsibility of being the sheperds and sponsors of the young. They must teach them the ways of their kind and help them overcome their confusion and mediocrity through constant trials and temptations. It is better that the unworthy perish early than live on in ignominy and pain, while those who have the spark of true greatness cast off their mortal limitations and ascend to divinity. The best teacher, however, is a subtle one who has the pupils learn their own lessons, manipulated into scenarios where the elder sets the stage but then sits back to let the drama unfold.

- As for humanity, it has lost its way and has fallen into apostasy. That's why the gods have to live behind the veil of silence, which only a few true and vibrant souls can pierce. Those worthy should be raised above the flock, while the sheep should be treated well and kept content so they pose no danger while they bear children and feed the needs of the Kindred. However, a just god will recognize true devotion and proper sacrifice and reward those who come before him according to his will. 

'''The Road of Arete'''

Road Rating     Sin

10      ---         Accepting the limitations of any Kindred weaknesses as hindrances to achieve one's goals 

09      ---         Avoiding any change or transformation of one's state of being to avoid inconvenience, complications or danger

08      ---         Missing a clear opportunity to honor, aid or teach someone worthy to avoid inconvenience, complications or danger

07      ---         Being beholden to, being dependent on or giving something of value to someone unworthy

06      ---         Breaking one's freely given word

05      ---         Taking something without having earned or paid a price for it

04      ---         Missing a clear opportunity to learn, to challenge oneself or others to avoid inconvenience, complications or danger

03      ---         Giving in to the Beast when rational thought is required or denying the needs of the Beast when passionate action is required

02      ---         Committing an act of sacrilege against the divine vitae or not trying to intervene with such when witnessing it 

01      ---         Disbelieving in or denying one's divine nature to someone worthy