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OrderoftheVampire
ORDER OF THE VAMPIRE
General:
Order of the Vampire, aka the Order of Dracula, is a small sect of paganism that is not well understood by most of
society. On the surface it appears ill informed and deluded, due to twisted facts and propaganda by people who know nothing
of the faith. Fear and ignorance propagated by hollywood flicks spurs the propaganda OOTV habitually fights against.
OOTV is much more organized than most pagan faiths, but they are not so anal about structure that they look like an organized
religion. There are some rules they insist practitioners adhere to, but how they are interpreted depends on the individual.
The only area where OOTV allows no room for error is in the case of medical procedures and testing for diseases for blood
drinkers.
The basic beliefs of OOTV include the honoring of deity (usually one god, recognized as Dracula, though exactly who Dracula
is varies from practitioner to practitioner), blood magic, energy feeding and/or blood feeding, speaking with spirits, divination,
sex and sexuality, and honoring ones ancestors. Their practices are very pagan when you remove all traces of vampirism from
it’s structure. Most believe that deity is everywhere, that deity has many faces or facets, that energy is everywhere
and it can be used through magick to create a desired or needed result. Most believe in some form of reincarnation, but it’s
not in the traditional form usually seen in paganism.
Many practitioners have some unusual traits that mythological vampires have, such as difficulty staying in the sun or oversensitivity
to sun, anemia, very pale skin and a dire need for blood (there’s a medical condition for this but I can’t remember
what it is). However, most folks look just as normal as the rest of the world.
OOTV stresses individuality, and this is why so many members dress so weird. Some take their Vampirism ‘too far’,
though the OOTV says it doesn’t matter what you look like. It’s how you treat people and honor deity that matters.
They acknowledge that there are many forms of vampirism, but there is only one OOTV.
OOTV has something similar to dance clubs called Fang Clubs. They are small clubs that often help followers out monetarily
or spiritually in times of need. They help people pay for rent, or medical expenses. In times of trouble, they will bring
in prostitutes or lost kids and offer them housing until they can get themselves back on their feet. They are also a type
of church for OOTV members, but anyone with a Vampire fetish may come. Blood Drinking is allowed as long as safe practices
are followed and no-one is forced to be a donor against their will. Drinks and Snacks are always available, especially to
donors who may be a little tipsy after a long feeding.
To the rest of Society, The Fang Club is simply seen as a local club for vampire freaks and they are usually left alone. However,
in some parts of the world, they are picketed ad nauseum due to misinformation.
OOTV practitioners are experts in several areas: Banishing, energy feeding, first aid and Blood Magick.
Deity:
Dracula is God, but he’s not Bram Stoker’s Dracula, nor is he Vlad the Impaler. Tell anyone in the
OOTV that their god is Vlad and they will get superbly pissy and get pissy fast!! OOTV’s Dracula is a benevolent, rarely
violent creature that helps its followers attain perfection. ‘He’ is highly regarded and honored with regard by
most who know him. Most do not have an easily defined definition of Dracula. He is more like a blurry powerhouse with an attitude
and a need to propagate the vampire ‘species’. He is God, but he is a Vampire and therefore does things like a vampire.
Dracula is neutral, dark but not evil. He is the darker but more natural aspects of creation. He is neither male nor female,
though, out of habit, most refer to Dracula as ‘he’. Unlike Wicca and many other sects of paganism, OOTV does not
split deity into male and female forms, though Dracula is known to have very feminine characteristics.
Basic Beliefs:
Energy feeding and Blood feeding are the two most controversial topics between believers and non believers. Most folks
see blood feeders as people with a sick habit, or role players who have taken their characters too far. The honest truth is
that most people have an honest-to-god-fetish and it feels good to them. Others have an actual disorder that gives them a
craving for blood. Others do it in order to absorb natural energy better. OOTV has strict rules regarding blood feeding for
the safety of their practitioners, such as cleanliness, safe ways of cutting, where to cut, and blood testing for diseases.
The energy feeders are harder to pinpoint. Energy feeders can be blood feeders, but they are not limited to it. Energy feeders
have a desperate desire to feed on energy and most will feed off of the emotional or social output created by people. Some
feed off of energy created in public places, such as concerts or restaurants. Other feel happier feeding off emotion or natural
energy in a park or field. Most say that their energy feeding happens subcontiously. When their bodies feel low, their bodies
will automatically top up, like a cup held level with the waterline in a lake. Few will consciously feed and can manipulate
when and how they feed. One can learn to consciously feed, just as one can learn to shield and cast spells.
Reincarnation is not as common place as it is with most forms of Paganism. Many believe there is indeed a need to repetitively
live lives to attain perfection, but there is debate whether the soul repetitively needs to learn or once or twice is enough.
Fortunately OOTV is pretty lax about people’s religious beliefs or this would have been a hot topic a hundred years ago!
OOTV members are not as nature based as most pagans are. They respect it, but they prefer the night and the creatures of the
night than nature itself. It’s a bit contradictory, but that’s how OOTV’s think. Their main loyalty is to God
(Dracula) and their teachings are not to step on anyone’s toes unless necessity dictates. Their rules regarding life
are many but are narrowed down as so:
Live life!
Love Life!
Have Sex!
Enjoy Sex!
Drink Blood and Be Merry!!
If someone pisses you off, knock them off cleanly and legally, but only if you can get away with it!!
And there are many more that are too boring to repeat...
Magic is seen as a gift anyone can learn to wield. OOTV has classes akin to wicca’s year and a day classes, but they
are devoted to the darker (NOT evil) aspects of magic, including totems of the night and moon Magick, and teach the basics
of energy/blood feeding. OOTV has chants and practices that are mainstream among Vampires, much like the reed and circle
casting are mainstream among Wiccans. The major difference is that Vampires handle much darker energy and they have less of
a problem forcing their will upon others. They’re not obnoxious or demanding with this last ideal, but it has gotten
them into direct conflict with other faiths. They condone rape, despite what nonbelievers claim, and they are experts in performing
bindings. The magic they use tends to be much darker than what most pagans use. Most OOTVs agree that one would have to be
an idiot to summon any evil creature or energies.
Males and females have equal status in the OOTV. Both males and females are treated with respect and are given equal status
in the priesthood. Lesbians and Gays are given no special attention, yet they are not ignored. Sex is seen more as a gateway
to spiritual gratification than a need to procreate. However, safe sex is promoted. They have a semi mithraic view on sexuality:
Have as much sex as you want, but try not to create children... However, children are favored and smiled upon.
OOTV encourages people to research their interest in Vampirism before they commit. Once someone is granted access to vampirism,
practitioners are not expected to leave their equal, but different religious convictions, but Dracula is **NOT** to be denied
as a God / power source. Younger members of the faith are expected to accept or deny Dracula as god over time and depending
on their religious persuasions.
All OOTV Vampires believe they are immortal beings in the spirit and not in the flesh. However, many (often sadly misguided)
souls feel they are everything that mythology claims and the OOTV elders simply point and laugh at these people. Unfortunately
these misguided folks are one reason why Vampires get such a bad rap from society.
Some standard spells in the OOTV include shielding. You know when someone is starting up one of these spells because of their
peculiar gestures. The more common gesture, which is also one of the most often joked about ones, is the guy walking in a
crowded room with his arms crossed across his chest. Someone quite adept at OOTV magick only has to do this for a few moments
before the spell ‘kicks in’.
Blood Magick is a controversial part of OOTV. This is a type of magic where one uses one’s own blood, the blood of a
willing participant, or the blood of a dying person to get a deed done (usually a binding or love spell). All it requires
in most cases is a single drop or small smear. Blood Magick is a subject that often gets OOTV practitioners into a **LOT**
of hot water as most people don’t know what the heck Blood Magic is, how it works, or what the rules are. Many people
accuse OOTV practitioners of sacrificing animals or killing people to do evil spells and crap. OOTV Elders are working hard
to eliminate this most hated propaganda from society and in some places it has been hard to eliminate.
Blood Magic uses the blood of a willing participant. If the person is dying, someone would offer to perform a Blood Magick
spell to help banish the illness, or to petition Dracula that the dying person be allowed a safe or smoother passage into
the afterlife. There is no animal sacrifice involved, unless an animal willingly stays still long enough for a OOTV practitioner
to ‘poke’ the animal with a diabetic’s lancet. It’s mostly painless and very quick. No knifes or throat
cutting involved!!
Hierarchy in the OOTV:
There are several levels of religious authority in the OOTV. First on the list are the Awakened. These people know
they are not like the rest of society and they are searching to see what they are spiritually. OOTV provides some help and
some publications on helping people who may have awakened.
Then there is the convert, or Embraced. These are folks who have joined the OOTV and know that the other religious
persuasions are not for them. They are people who have done thorough research into their religious interests and they know
vampirism is for them and are willing to deal with the good and bad points of the faith. The vast majority of OOTV practitioners
consider themselves Embraced.
After Embraced, there is Acknowledged. Acknowledged is when someone has been a practicing vampire for several
years and they have made their knowledge and efforts known in the community. It’s similar to Elder status in Wicca. Acknowledged
individuals often aid Priests holding classes on Vampirism and are actively involved in removing stereotypes regarding vampirism.
Childer is a term for anyone who is not Acknowledged but they are farther along than someone who has been Embraced.
It’s much like a Wiccan calling themselves a Priest or priestess. These individuals are knowledgeable enough in Vampirism
that they can honestly say they are wise and experienced but they are not quite an elder and they don’t have a Priest’s
training.
Priests, lovingly known as Counts, Princes or Regents among LARPers, are the second highest title one
can hold under the OOTV. These individuals have taken classes and a detailed test regarding vampirism and have passed the
training and courses in order to be a Priest. This title is not very common, but everyone knows at least one Priest. Most
Priests are well liked and regarded, both as individuals and as people who have been been trained to be versed in the arts
of Vampirism.
The highest and most demanding title one can earn in the OOTV is the title of Morpheus. These people, male and female,
are Priests who have taken further training and have taken the role as Vampire Activist, promoter, and religious informants
for the public. They are outspoken promoters and Myth debunkers for the OOTV and other Vampires. They are often asked to present
speeches in churches and they are usually asked to be guests on talk shows. Technically, any member of the OOTV are Morpheus’
in training, but only a select few are actually trained to be one and hold the title.
OOTV practitioners do **NOT** try to convert anyone. If someone wants to learn about OOTV style vampirism, they are encouraged
to talk to a priest or other practitioner, or join in a beginners class to see what the heck is involved in real life vampirism.
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