Brenador
Warlord
How many people know that the Calabim aristocracy are vampires? Do the common people know? How well known is it in other lands? And, are there any non-vampires in the Calabim nobility?
Calabim vampires
- Thread starter Brenador
- Start date
cyther
Lord of the Dance
The knowledge of the Calabim being vampires was a bit of a secret outside of their lands for the beginning of the age. Unfortunately, the events of the Decius storyline led to the world knowing of their existence.
The commoners of the Calabim probably knew earlier as their culture is built to serve the aristocracy. They don't revolt of resist that much because the upper classes to can take care of them. The most notable revolt led to the creation of the pillar of chains and all dissenters were affixed to it.
I believe there are no non-vampires in the Calabim nobility. To be a member of the nobility, you have to be a vampire. Some Moroi and one human (Decius, Calabim storyline) have held positions of power in the military but only vampires are in the nobility.
The commoners of the Calabim probably knew earlier as their culture is built to serve the aristocracy. They don't revolt of resist that much because the upper classes to can take care of them. The most notable revolt led to the creation of the pillar of chains and all dissenters were affixed to it.
I believe there are no non-vampires in the Calabim nobility. To be a member of the nobility, you have to be a vampire. Some Moroi and one human (Decius, Calabim storyline) have held positions of power in the military but only vampires are in the nobility.
thomas.berubeg
Wandering the World
Though, of course, any mortal can be raised to a position of Nobility, and receive the gift.
MagisterCultuum
Great Sage
Another important question might be how many know what vampires really are?
I like to think that the Calabim may have spread a few rumors, at least among their own serfs, approximating more common vampire lore of our world. (I remember that in one D&D campaign Kael enjoyed letting an adventurer spend most of his funds on garlic and maybe holy water before facing a vampire lord, and that said player was rather upset to find that such things have no effect. Calabim vampires might enjoy spreading rumors of such weaknesses and then showing those who defy them how wrong they were.) Commoners may believe that they are going to loose their blood, but it is likely a much more closely guarded secret that vampires actually devour souls.
Calabim commoners are in general the worst educated people in Erebus. I doubt many ever learn to read, and they likely lack even oral tradition because no one makes it to become an elder. Thus, they may know less than would be expected of their lords' true nature. They do however recognize dull yellow eyes, a pale complexion, and a perpetual sneer as marks of nobility.
I vaguely recall reading (in something not-FfH related but which Kael may have drawn upon) that the term Moroi is sometimes used to refer to the children born to a vampire. This makes me think that many Moroi may be drawn not from the chattel class, but from the biological children of vampire aristocrats. This may give them some degree of distinction similar to lower nobility or gentry in other societies, but in order to become full fledged aristocrats themselves they would have to first prove themselves worthy of being given the gift (that is taught how to murder a man in such a way as to drain all the energy from his soul). Flauros likes to consider the Calabim a meritocracy, because all of their noble had to earn their rank personally rather than inheriting it. In human society many weaklings gain wealth and power purely by being born "rightful heirs," but the concept of heirs does not exist when those who have anything worth inheriting firmly believe they will never die.
(Interestingly enough, it seems more traditional Eastern European uses of the term Moroi referred to a type of vampire which, like the Calabim, did not subsist on blood but energy drained from mortal victims.)
Non vampires (mostly Moroi class I'd guess) frequently serve in important positions such as generals in the Calabim army. They can be very influential (in Decius's case he was even given charge over many old and powerful vampire), but would not be recognized as true aristocrats. The true aristocrats are mostly too busy living lives of leisure to continue with the responsibilities they had as Moroi.
I like to think that the Calabim may have spread a few rumors, at least among their own serfs, approximating more common vampire lore of our world. (I remember that in one D&D campaign Kael enjoyed letting an adventurer spend most of his funds on garlic and maybe holy water before facing a vampire lord, and that said player was rather upset to find that such things have no effect. Calabim vampires might enjoy spreading rumors of such weaknesses and then showing those who defy them how wrong they were.) Commoners may believe that they are going to loose their blood, but it is likely a much more closely guarded secret that vampires actually devour souls.
Calabim commoners are in general the worst educated people in Erebus. I doubt many ever learn to read, and they likely lack even oral tradition because no one makes it to become an elder. Thus, they may know less than would be expected of their lords' true nature. They do however recognize dull yellow eyes, a pale complexion, and a perpetual sneer as marks of nobility.
I vaguely recall reading (in something not-FfH related but which Kael may have drawn upon) that the term Moroi is sometimes used to refer to the children born to a vampire. This makes me think that many Moroi may be drawn not from the chattel class, but from the biological children of vampire aristocrats. This may give them some degree of distinction similar to lower nobility or gentry in other societies, but in order to become full fledged aristocrats themselves they would have to first prove themselves worthy of being given the gift (that is taught how to murder a man in such a way as to drain all the energy from his soul). Flauros likes to consider the Calabim a meritocracy, because all of their noble had to earn their rank personally rather than inheriting it. In human society many weaklings gain wealth and power purely by being born "rightful heirs," but the concept of heirs does not exist when those who have anything worth inheriting firmly believe they will never die.
(Interestingly enough, it seems more traditional Eastern European uses of the term Moroi referred to a type of vampire which, like the Calabim, did not subsist on blood but energy drained from mortal victims.)
Non vampires (mostly Moroi class I'd guess) frequently serve in important positions such as generals in the Calabim army. They can be very influential (in Decius's case he was even given charge over many old and powerful vampire), but would not be recognized as true aristocrats. The true aristocrats are mostly too busy living lives of leisure to continue with the responsibilities they had as Moroi.
Kael
Deity
The people know that the Calabim nobility are eternal. Most believe them supernatural, all powerful and possessed of more power then the considerable amount they truly hold.
They whisper stories of talented prodigy's that are selected as servants of the nobles. Even they become something more in the Calabim's very strict caste system. There are the servant dancers and musicians who the lords like to maintain naked and unblemished. There are the military Moroi and a small overseer and merchant class.
But the real change comes if one joins the noble hierarchy. The commoners wouldnt classify it as "becoming a vampire". They would say that they have become a lord, or gained the kiss of Aeron, drank from the razor chalice, or whatever metaphor or ritual those local lords wanted to cover the transformation in. Regardless of the story when that new noble was seen again it is hard to believe he was ever one of the weak, groveling, dirty commoners. His power and authority are obvious. He is now something more than human.
So no, it isnt as simple as knowing they are vampires. They believe a thousand things, and most of the stories are created specifically to make sure that the commoners never rise up against their lords. So the rumors are great and terrifying.
They whisper stories of talented prodigy's that are selected as servants of the nobles. Even they become something more in the Calabim's very strict caste system. There are the servant dancers and musicians who the lords like to maintain naked and unblemished. There are the military Moroi and a small overseer and merchant class.
But the real change comes if one joins the noble hierarchy. The commoners wouldnt classify it as "becoming a vampire". They would say that they have become a lord, or gained the kiss of Aeron, drank from the razor chalice, or whatever metaphor or ritual those local lords wanted to cover the transformation in. Regardless of the story when that new noble was seen again it is hard to believe he was ever one of the weak, groveling, dirty commoners. His power and authority are obvious. He is now something more than human.
So no, it isnt as simple as knowing they are vampires. They believe a thousand things, and most of the stories are created specifically to make sure that the commoners never rise up against their lords. So the rumors are great and terrifying.
PPQ_Purple
Purple Cube (retired)
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That would be both.
He likes to play with his food.
He likes to play with his food.
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