Traditions of Caine

The Traditions are the fundamental laws of Cainite society, supposedly handed down by Caine himself. These laws are unwritten as penning them to parchment is a breach of the Sixth Tradition. All Cainites are expected to follow all of the Traditions. Some clans alter them for their purposes or choose to ignore some. In England, this is frowned upon, and sometimes staked upon.

First Tradition – Covenant

Thy blood is that of Caine cursed by God and blessed by Lilith. To seek to change thy state or return to that of thy mortal life is a sin against thy Father and Mother.

“Thy blood makes thee my brood, crafted in my image. My curse thine, my salvation thine. I stand before and above thee as god-regent. I am the way, my Traditions covenant. Renounce me and renounce all hope.” Thus spoke Caine.

Alterations: The Tzimisce, who embody change to themselves to any form, do not uphold, or even recognize this Tradition

Second Tradition – Domain

Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word while in thy domain. When thou comest to the fief of another, thou shalt present thyself to the one who ruleth there.

“As I am master of Nod, thy domain is thine own concern. Thou art its master, and all will respect this or suffer thy wrath. All will present themselves when entering, and thou shall protect them in turn. By right thou art allowed to hunt within the bounds of thy domain, its blood thine own. Accept its responsibilities, minister thy domain and pay others the same respect thou expect.” Thus spoke Caine.

Alterations: The Tzimisce uphold this as the First Tradition.

Third Tradition – Progeny

Thou shalt only sire another with the permission of thy elder. If thou createst another without thine elder’s leave, both thou and thy progeny shall be slain.

“Thou shalt only sire another with the permission and blessing of thine elder. To create is the providence of those closest to me, for they shall be accountable. Break this and both thee and thy progeny shall be slain.” Thus spoke Caine.

Fourth Tradition – Accounting

Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be released, thou shalt command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.

“Those thou create are thine own blood until released from thy charge. Until that moment, their sins, their blood and their punishments are thine.” Thus spoke Caine.

Fifth Tradition – Destruction

Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind who is an elder to thee. Those closer to Caine know his will, and may destroy childer who are unfit in his sight. It is forbidden for those of weaker blood to rise up against their elders.

“Forbidden art thou to spill the blood of another of thy kind who is elder. This right belongs only to the closest to me and none other. It is forbidden for those of weaker blood to rise against their elders, this my final covenant.” Thus spoke Caine.

Sixth Tradition – Silence of Blood

“Never shalt thou reveal thy true nature to those not of the blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims to my covenant.” Thus spoke Caine.

Cainites generally accept that the Sixth tradition extends beyond simply keeping their nature a secret. It is considered a breach of this Tradition by some to give those not of the blood any means or information which can be used to harm vampires; such as their weaknesses and means to destroy them. Some enterprising vampires have been sowing misinformation into the peasantry for years to help make Cainites harder to detect.

Alterations: The Tzimisce allow humans to know they are Vampires in their home country. They rule by fear, but they also make sure to not give away too many of their weaknesses.