The Vampiric Ethos Contributions By: Sylvere ap Leanan, Michelle Belanger, Merticus, Zero, Maloryn, & RedRaven
We recognize the intrinsic value of everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or spiritual philosophy. We do not follow or promote any particular religious, political, or philosophical creed. Our community strives to create an atmosphere in which individuals are not only free to create their own meanings, values, and convictions, but also expected to do so. To that end, this document represents a basic premise for ethical, educational, and safety awareness within the vampire community. Community
Use of the phrase "vampire community" implies all those who actively participate in the discourse and social interaction surrounding vampirism. This includes those who personally identify with the psychic (psi), pranist, sanguine (sang), or living vampi(y)re archetype and subsequently practice what is known as modern vampirism. It includes the donors who many such vampires rely on and trust with their health and safety. It also includes those friends, advocates, and supporters who contribute their own voices to online discussion and offline interaction, as well as those who approach the community in the spirit of sincere discussion. Though it is primarily intended as a forum for vampires and donors to share their experiences, the vampire community is the result of all of these types of participation. There is no class system within the community, and we reject any imposed social structure which values some community members over others. All of us are relevant to the community and to each other.
Respect
If we want the respect of others, we must in turn be willing to afford them the same respect. Our beliefs evolve from our own unique experiences; there is no one set of "rules", nor one path that's right for everyone. There is no harm in disagreements amongst one another; however, discourteous behavior should be avoided when possible. We promote the fair treatment of others with open-minded contemplation of their views. However, it violates our principles to expect undeserved deference, or to accommodate that expectation in others. We will not grant respect to those who by their actions prove themselves unworthy of such. The vampire community is comprised of individuals with diverse social backgrounds and spiritual paths. Although we may not agree with someone else's belief, practice, or tradition, we all have a common right to exist, and to participate in the community.
Integrity
We encourage originality and self-expression tempered by personal accountability. Each of us is solely responsible for our own words and behavior. No member of our community, whether vampire, donor, or advocate is isolated from the rest -- our actions reflect not only on ourselves, but also on the rest of the community. More adept or tenured members of the community should assist those who ask for advice, each in accordance with their own ability and absent of any personal agenda. We recognize the existence of sensationalist media and its potential threat to both the safety and privacy of ourselves and our loved ones. We expect those members of our community who appear in public, whether at social functions, in print, or on the Internet, the radio, or film to act in accordance with these principles -- to conduct themselves at all times in a responsible manner.
Awareness
The vampire community is the result of its members engaging in self-discovery; it is not a prefabricated identity. Whether one is a vampire or donor, a friend or supporter, the substance of the community is formed through our self-awareness and interaction. We are true to ourselves, and encourage self-awareness in others, so that we all can live according to our own aesthetics and consciences. While it is acceptable to use pseudonyms as alternatives for proper names, we believe that adopting a phony persona robs us of the opportunity to form genuine, lasting bonds with each other. The vampire community is a product of our own individual contributions and perspectives; in this culture being untrue to oneself strips the entire community of relevance and purpose. In addition to our own self-awareness, we should be aware of what goes on within our community, striving always to foster a safe and structured environment for ourselves and others.
Safety
Vampires and donors alike are committed to protecting the safety of their loved ones and themselves. We will make every effort to educate ourselves on safe feeding methods, including but not limited to: basic anatomy and physiology, first aid, sterilization, disease prevention, and safer sex practices. In all matters relating to feeding we will exercise judgment with a clear and alert mind, acknowledging the bond between vampire and donor. Anyone who performs an activity that is knowingly harmful, negligent, or contrary to the prior expressed desires of a donor may endure harsh and openly voiced or published criticism within the vampire community as well as potentially become subject to involvement from law enforcement.
We encourage adhering to the following practices:
We do not fail to thoroughly screen donors for both physical and mental health conditions and concerns with frequently updated testing information as applicable. Likewise, we do not fail to uphold all applicable laws governing legal age of consent and matters relating to blood consumption or exchange.
We do not feed from those who are knowingly infected with HIV, Hepatitis, or other blood-borne diseases or from those whose physical afflictions or condition places them at risk of harm by either sanguine or psychic feeding.
We do not feed from someone whose psychological health we have reason to believe may be harmed by either sanguine or psychic feeding
We do not allow others to feed from us if our physical or mental health is in any manner compromised or we harbor any doubt as to our present health status.
We do not fail to practice safer sex, and likewise do not feed from those who do not practice safer sex. Blood exchange should occur between consenting adults, ideally while engaged in a monogamous relationship or otherwise universally agreed upon arrangement.
We do not feed from anyone who is intoxicated, under the influence of illicit or illegal substances, or otherwise unable to render informed written or verbal consent.
We do not draw unfavorable attention to our donors or ourselves by either flaunting feeding practices in an inappropriate setting or by exposing ourselves to those who actively seek to exploit us for personal gain.
Whether we are vampires or are donors, we are not hesitant to report illegal behavior to law enforcement and remove ourselves from harmful situations.
The Black Veil 2.0 House [AVA] does not endorse, nor recognize any other version of the Black Veil.
Discretion
Respect yourself and present yourself so that others also respect you. Take care in who you reveal yourself to. Explain what you are, not to shock, but to teach and to inform. Do not flaunt what you are, and know that whether you want them to or not, your actions will reflect upon the rest of the community.
Share your nature only with those with the wisdom to understand and accept it, and learn to recognize these people.
Diversity
Among us, there are many different practices and many points of view. No single one of us has all the answers to who and what we are. Respect each person's individual choices and beliefs. Learn about them and share what you know. Our diversity is our strength, and we should not allow misunderstanding to weaken our community.
Find the path that is right for you and uphold this freedom for others.
Control
Do not allow your darkness to consume you. You are more than just your hunger, and you can exercise conscious control. Do not be reckless. Always act with a mind toward safety. Never feed because you think this makes you powerful; feed because this is what you must do.
Be true to your nature, but never use it as an excuse to endanger those around you.
Elders
Give respect to those who have earned it. Anyone can claim a title, but a true leader will prove him or herself through dedication, hard work, and great deeds. Even so, leaders should be guides and not dictators. Look to them as examples, but always decide for yourself what you must do.
Respect the person, not the position, and understand that your choices are always your own.
Behavior
Know that there are repercussions to every action, and that you alone are responsible for your decisions. Educate yourself about risky behaviors, then always act with wisdom and common sense. Do not allow others to abuse you, but also, do not selfishly abuse.
Respect the rights of others and treat them as you would be treated.
Donors
Feeding should occur between consenting adults. Allow donors to make an informed decision before they give of themselves to you. Do not take rapaciously from others, but seek to have an exchange that is pleasant and beneficial for all.
Respect the life that you feed upon and do not abuse those who provide for you.
Community
Reach out to others in your community. Exchange ideas, information, and support. Be hospitable to others, and appreciate hospitality when it is extended to you. Do not engage in illegal activity, for this can endanger us all.
Seek to nurture our community and support all those who do the same.
History of the Black Veil
The widespread version of the Black Veil, hosted on literally thousands of real vampire sites across the Internet, is the result of a collaboration between Father Sebastian and Michelle Belanger. The original concept for the Black Veil was developed by Sebastian in the early nineties. It was strongly influenced by a widespread code of conduct honored in the New York fetish scene with overtones of chivalry borrowed from the Renaissance circuit. The first printed mention of the Black Veil appeared in the 1998 Vampyre Almanac. Here, the Black Veil was not specificly laid out as a document unto itself but instead was referred to in loose and general terms which stressed both secrecy and chivalry. Sebastian's later version, published online in 1999, had seven rules of behavior which perpetuated the focus on secrecy and a chivalric attitude toward fellow vampires. A combination of the flowery wording, points which stressed respect toward elders and hospitality, and the fact that there are specifically seven rules reminded too many people in the online vampire community of the Traditions of Vampire: the Masquerade -- a popular vampire-themed role playing game. While many in the worldwide vampire community saw the need for an ethical code of conduct and embraced the Black Veil in spite of its alleged connection to the game, the document still received some criticism because it could confuse real vampires with vampires from an RPG. I got involved with the Black Veil because I liked the idea of a code of ethics that could serve as a guideline of behavior within the real vampire community. But, like many others familiar with V:tM, the version Todd had online in the late 90s was a little too reminiscent of the Traditions for my taste. Originally, I asked permission to update it and offered that my name be left off -- I had no problem with the revision being passed off as Todd's own work, so long as the changes I considered so crucial were made. In the end, my name got associated with the rewrite anyway. This first revision also became known as the Thirteen Rules of Community, for I'd expanded on the original seven rules specifically to draw comparisons away from the Traditions of the Masquerade. While this revised version of the Black Veil still received some amount of criticism for its sometimes melodramatic turn of phrase (as I said, there's no getting away from that in the vampire community), it was a good compromise between the original spirit of Todd's work and an ideology more specific to the evolving real vampire community. My main concern with the original Black Veil was to develop wording that retained the spirit of the code without calling to mind an RPG. If it were to fly as a code of conduct, as many people as possible had to take it seriously. Apparently I did something right, because after the first rewrite, the Black Veil became the most widespread code of conduct in use within the international community, and it clearly inspired numerous factional groups to develop similar codes with their own wording. In 2002, another revision was released, stream-lining the wording, clarifying meaning, and trimming the total rules from thirteen back to seven. At this point, the document had established itself as an entity in its own right, and the fact that there were seven rules no longer automatically classed it as derivative of Vampire: the Masquerade. Since its inception in the mid-nineties, the Black Veil has grown to be one of the most widely recognized tenets of the vampire subculture. It has been referred to in numerous books, and it was even given references in a February 2004 episode of CSI: Vegas. The Black Veil is mentioned in SciFi's bio of its resident vampire, Don Henrie, and through his work on Mad, Mad House the Black Veil, and the culture it represents, have gained unprecedented exposure and acceptance in the mainstream world. --Michelle Belanger
(c) 2000-2004 Michelle Belanger (www.kheperu.org) and Father Sebastian
The Black Veil is a Registered Trademark of the Ordo Strigoi Vii
Donor Bill Of Rights
This Bill of Rights is to promote the continued safety of the most precious of gifts to us, their life essence. It is suggested that this be signed by both the vampire and the donor on a 30/60/90 day trial basis. After this, the contract can be resigned for an extended period of time which can be either the 30/60/90/ or 6 months to 1 year. At the end of these contracts, discussions can be made as to whether or not changes should be done. What will be allowed and what will not be allowed.
1) As a donor, I know that it is through my personal sacrifice that the vampires needs are met. It is my loving nature that allows this relationship to continue. It is my right to decline to feed the vampire for any reason.
2) As a donor to a vampiric being, it is my right to know that I am in a vampiric/donor relationship that will be mutually beneficial to both me and the vampire I am donating my life essence to.
3) I am the essence provider. It is for me to decide whether or not I am able to give of my essence to the vampire I am with. I must be allotted time to heal and regain my essence in order to better support my vampiric partner.
4) At no time should my wounds not be allowed to heal.
5) At no time should I feel stressed about giving of my essence, if at any time I feel stressed, I have the right to back away from the feed, without being or feeling threatened by my vampiric partner.
6) Should I feel threatened in any way, shape or form, I have the right to seek guidance and council from other donors and leaders of the vampire community.
7) As a donor to a vampiric individual, I have the right to know that my position as lover, friend, family, roommate should not be jeopardized by my not wanting to give of my essence. In the slang, “it should not cost me my ass to be a donor.”
8) As a donor, I should also respect the needs of the vampire and try to learn more about his/her feeding habits in order to help stabilize his/her imbalances in energy.
9) As a donor in a vampire/donor relationship, I realize that though I have many necessary rights, I must also take cares not to abuse the person I am donating my essence to. These same rights afforded me in this Bill of Rights should also be extended to the vampire I am donating too.
10) Ultimately it is my right to know that I will be safe in all aspects of the vampiric/donor relationship and should I ever feel that my safety is jeopardized, I have the right to walk away clear and free.
Ultimately, it is our (both the donor and the vampire) responsibility to insure that we are not abused. It is our (both the donor and the vampire) personal responsibility to leave a vampire/donor relationship that we feel is abusive in any nature. We can not be abused unless we allow ourselves to be. thank you to sangy from http://www.sanguinarius.org for use of this article
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