The Traditions are universal laws that are passed down as liquid truth by way of the curse of undeath, and are hardwired into the very physiology of the Damned. These are what binds the Kindred together beyond Covenant and Clan
Overview
Upon the Embrace, each Kindred knows each of these laws intuitively. Despite their differences (and they had many), most of the Kindred were in agreement about what was and was not a good idea for their kind, especially when their own bodies told them it was so. They might disagree on theory or implementation, or even on basic precepts, but few argued with the wisdom of such incontrovertible laws.
Beyond the Traditions are the less official, more fallible customs that arise within Kindred society over time. After weathering centuries upon centuries of at least nominal adherence, a few of these customs have become unofficial traditions of their own. Some of these latter-day laws are provincial in outlook or unique to a particular clan or region, while others are observed only within a particular covenant of Kindred. Three of them in particular are considered nearly as important as the Traditions themselves, but without the fundamental connection. They merely serve to further gird and bolster society as the Kindred know it. Each of the Traditions gave rise to one such custom, and each is discussed after the relevant law.
The First Tradition: The Masquerade
| “ | Do not reveal your true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so forfeits you your claim to the Blood. | ” |
Accepted as the most important and basic tradition, this is the one least challenged, the Tradition that demands that vampirism must remain a secret. Before the dawn of the modern era, this Tradition was significantly less enforced, and in some cases, even scoffed at by the more haughty (and foolish) among the undead. Today, however, even the most jaded ancient knows just too well that the canaille is more than a match for them and that secrecy serves not only him, but all of the Damned.
The Second Tradition: The Progeny
| “ | Sire another at the peril of both yourself and your progeny. If you create a childe, the weight is
your own to bear. |
” |
This Tradition prohibits the creation of new vampires. As it can be seen, most Kindred are not as strict with this Tradition, causing them to violate it in order to create new childer. While few Kindred would deny that it is wrong (or at least complicated) to perpetuate the race of the Damned, many take issue with how the Tradition is enforced tonight. Many among the unbound (and a few members of formal covenants) believe that the Curse itself is enough to limit the numbers of new undead in the world, naturally and without need of politics or hierarchy
The Third Tradition: The Amaranth
| “ | You are forbidden from devouring the heartsblood of another of your kind. If you violate this commandment, the Beast calls to your own Blood. | ” |
Given the predatory nature of the Kindred, this Tradition is among the most violated. It is the commandment that prohibits Amaranth, the decouring of the soul of a Kindred.
References
Vampire: The Requiem Rulebook, p. 74-78