| Kindred Of The Ebony Kingdom |
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| vampire: the masquerade | |
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The most striking difference between the Laibon and the Kindred is their tenuous balance between the world of mortals and that of the supernatural. Unlike Kindred (who are most commonly defined in their adherence or violation of "Humanity"), the Laibon owe a dual loyalty to their mortal counterparts (called Aye) and loyalty to the spirit world (called '''Orun'''). Failure on both loyalties leads to monstrous degeneration and feral predatory behavior. High Aye causes a Laibon to appear alive, while high Orun causes a Laibon to appear unearthly and often demonic. Those few Laibon who can maintain high Aye and high Orun simultaneously appear angelic, possibly transcendent. THE TENETS OF THE EBONY KINGDOM Handed down for millennia, the Tenets represent the conservative status quo of Laibon society. Recently brought into question by the rapid change of the modern world, they are nevertheless fiercely upheld by the Guruhi and the Shango. # The Guruhi Are The Land: In other words, as the oldest Legacy, the Guruhi have a natural right to rule. # Those Who Endure Judge: Leadership and status is naturally assumed to derive from age and experience. # Belonging Grants Protection: More cynically, "citizenship implies fealty." This Tenet helps ensure that power is not questioned and rulers not overthrown. # The Secret Must Be Kept: This is essentially a variation of the Masquerade, ensuring that mortals are not acutely aware of the existence of the undead. # No Secrets From The Magaji: The Magaji (dominant Laibon ruler of an area) has little to benefit from allowing scheming to occur, and this Tenet is enforced to keep the Magaji "in the know." # Sires Command, Childer Inherit: In other words, just as age determines leadership, lineage determines fealty. # The Eldest Command Undeath: A reinforcement of the rulership by the eldest, this explicit rule has come under considerable fire in recent times, and is treated delicately by wise Magaji. # Travellers Obey The Tenets: This twofold rule requires that Laibon away from home adhere to the Tenets, as do outsiders in the Ebony Kingdom. # The Eldest Are Kholo: This Tenet allows some flexibility in any given areas power structure, as travelling elders (particularly among the Kinyonyi) are granted due respect despite their not Belonging. LEGACIES Unlike the highly political clans of the western Kindred, Laibon can be divided into Legacies, which act more as extended familial relations than as unified factions. These Legacies are bound by a common lineage and curse, but hold no overwhelming loyalty to one another.
MINOR LEGACIES & CLANS In addition, a handful of minor legacies exist in the Ebony Kingdom. Some clans also maintain a presence on the dark continent living an existence at the fringes of Laibon society.
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