Path of HarmonyWhy should we convince ourselves we are not at all human when we speak, act and think as any humans would f forced by necessity to become cannibals? - Ezekiel Donner, Sabbat Hierophant
Nickname: Harmonists
Basic Beliefs: Everything has a purpose, even vampires. It is a vampire's responsibility to walk the tightrope over the abyss without ever losing concentration. Vampires are not human, but they share many things in common with mortals. It is best to remain true to one's human side, for the monster inside is so strong that if one gives up one's humanity, there will be nothing left.
However, a vampire cannot be human. A vampire must prey upon them as livestock for her own needs. A vampire has a right to exist, and to exist she must feed, but she must never lose sight of what it is she must do and to whom she must do it. Prey is not to be wasted or treated as valueless. All life is precious. It is just vampiric nature to feed upon humanity.
The Path of Harmony is in many ways the Path of Golconda. It is a means for vampires to achieve true inner harmony through acceptance of their dual nature. Vampires are part of the natural order as God created it. There is nothing innately evil about acting in the manner that is natural to oneself.
The Ethics of the Path
· Nothing existing in nature is innately evil -including vampires.
· Life should be respected. Human life should be taken only out of necessity, but you should never feel sorry for doing what is natural for you, like drinking blood.
· Never lose touch with your humanity or your vampiric nature. Both are part of your being. You will destroy yourself if you cannot accept that you are no longer human; however, the human part of you, your sanity, will be trampled by the animal part of you if you do not balance the two. To have one without the other is unhealthy and unnatural.History
The Path of Harmony developed in the late 1700s in the New World colonies. The Path enjoyed a great deal of growth in its early years, but its numbers have begun to dwindle because of the renewal of constant Jyhad. Most of the Sabbat have become too jaded to accept the ways of this Path. The Path of Harmony synthesized the various philosophies of the Romantics, including American ideals and transcendentalism. It put as much emphasis on emotion and divine Providence as it did on the natural law established by God.
Current Practices
The Path occasionally holds its own meetings. While the Path has no rituals of its own, followers of this Path are known to be the most selective in the gathering of recruits. They look for those with strong humanity as well as a healthy blend of intelligence and emotional stability.
Description of Followers
Vampires on this Path are among the most humane in the sect. They are very close to Camarilla Kindred in their view and treatment of kine. Most have strong consciences. By mortal standards, they stand out as the least evil of all Sabbat. They are also some of the most attuned to nature of all Sabbat.
Following the Path
This Path may be one of the easiest to understand. Its precepts are similar to those of many Camarilla Kindred and also many humans. The Path requires the vampire to use a healthy blend of common sense, knowledge, emotion and spiritual belief in all decision making. The vampire should accept the fact that by drinking blood she is not evil, but only acting in accordance with her nature.
However, life, and humanity in particular, should not be wasted, and should be respected. Players should allow their characters to oppose plans in which life is indiscriminately destroyed. The characters should be portrayed as having consciences, yet they should feel no remorse for stealing human blood. They should not kill their prey unless absolutely necessary. Most vampires on this Path are attuned to nature and love, and often spend time away from the city.
Path of Harmony Hierarchy of Sins
10 - Failing to spend at least two hours per night communing alone with nature
9 - Killing an animal for any reason other than survival
8 - Failing to hunt and drink blood whenever hungry (less than maximum Blood Points) and time permits
7 - Acting in an overly cruel manner
6 - Refusing to ride the wave as long as it is not detrimental to your own survival
5 - Killing a mortal for any reason other than survival
4 - Failing to provide safety for your loved ones and comrades
3 - Allowing yourself to act too human or too bestial
2 - Feeling guilty about doing something you needed to do
1 - Refusing to kill when it is important for your survival
The following comprise the basic tenets of the faith:
1. You shift between the human and the animal in you with ease. You try hard to balance the two sides of your existence.
2. You are very emotional.
3. You have a limited degree of compassion for all creatures.
4. You have no compunctions about killing or drinking blood for your own survival.
5. You are very sociable.
6. You fight the frenzy when it is inconvenient, but ride the wave whenever you can.
7. You consider yourself somewhat human, but now tempered with a Beast. You are not what you once were, regardless.
8. You like to be around nature.
9. You like to keep animals as pets.
10. You feel the need to visit the country often if you live in the city.
Common Abilities: Alertness, Animal Ken, Athletics, Brawl, Camouflage, Empathy, Hunting, Masquerade, Meditation, Ride, Survival, Swimming, Tracking. Most Harmonists also continue to develop Abilities they possessed as mortals.
Preferred Disciplines: Animalism and Auspex are highly respected.