The Western Path of Paradox
Path of Enlightenment · Vampire
The Western Path is a corrupted derivative of the Mayaparisatya Path. Considered a sick abomination to most, it contains many ideas and ethics that are deeply heretical to the Ravnos Clan. On the surface, it may look like a path of debauchery and indulgence, but those who follow its precepts are wantonly cruel, deeply narcissistic, and wholly self-destructive.
While once this Path was popular among Ravnos (and some few Malkavians), many Ravnos, particularly the Rroma-born, hunt down and destroy any who adhere to this Path. It is a Path of cruelty and chaos, far more severe than mere “trickster” behavior, and one that actively endangers vampiric existence as a whole. The Clan (and, in fact, most vampires) consider the Western Path to be a plague and a threat to the Masquerade, but it is still intensely attractive to a number of vampires. And so the cycle continues.
| Rating | Moral Guideline | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Refusing to commit diablerie on an elder | Elders have great power. Take it as your own. |
| 9 | Refusing to lead a disbeliever into the light, or into destruction | Some Cainites can be shown the way. Reach out to them if possible. |
| 8 | Showing any concern for mortals | Mortals create laws to restrain us. |
| 7 | Failing to gratify your desire | The vampiric form grants us hunger and desires to know what experiences to seek out. To avoid them is to truly die. |
| 6 | Failing to trick others when the opportunity arises | The Embrace frees us to indulge our whims. |
| 5 | Being caught stealing or engaging in subterfuge | Both mortals and Cainites frown upon our activities. Do not allow them to discover your treacheries. |
| 4 | Refusing to use power to your own advantage | Greater power is greater freedom. |
| 3 | Joining a Sect or otherwise stabilizing society | Society limits action and denies us our needs. |
| 2 | Actively hindering change; allowing others to know one’s true motives | What others know, they can understand and use against you. Support change, so that the balance of knowledge is in your favor. |
| 1 | Becoming blood bound | To submit to others prospects is to cease to be an individual and to become the extension of another’s will. |