The Society of Vampires

Vampire society is governed by the Rules, handed down over millennia. Rubius, an original Elder, is the keeper of the Rules.

According to the Rules:

• Vampires live one to a city so their presence can be concealed and they don’t deplete the food supply.
• A vampire needs permission to enter another vampire’s city.
• When a vampire moves on (to conceal their age) another vampire may claim the city.
• A vampire may not make another vampire. This keeps the population at a sustainable level.
• If a vampire is made they must be killed according to the Rules. Rubius can make an exception and take a made vampire into Mirso Monastery for rehabilitation but this is rarely done (see Sacrament, Sacrilege). Made vampires are not truly accepted by vampire society.
• Once a vampire takes the Vow, they can never leave Mirso Monastery.
• Infractions of the Rules are punished by the Harrier, directed by Rubius.

In addition:

• Over the years, vampires have nearly lost the ability to have children together. Beatrix Lisse and Julien Davinoff were the last born vampires.
• A baby is vampire if the mother is vampire.
• Young vampires are fed blood periodically by their parents, but their Companion truly wakes at puberty and only then demands frequent feeding. Only then are vampires taught to hunt.
• The Elders at Mirso Monastery may make adjustments to the Rules. Because of their age they are inherently conservative. They protect the status quo.
• Vampires rarely interact with one another because of the one-to-a-city Rule. Theirs is a lonely life. Two vampires rarely get together. Relations with humans are difficult.