Post by Tami on Mar 3, 2007 12:17:21 GMT -5
Of course, not all of a vampire's servants are ghouls. Few Cainites can afford the effort and vitae necessary to maintain a large number of ghouls, so most servants are ordinary mortals. Although they do not possess any supernatural abilities, the loyalty of these servants is often acquired or secured through supernatural means. Cainites are all too vulnerable to treachery from those close to them, so they choose their servants carefully.
One common means of securing loyalty is through the blood oath. This is why ghouls are among the most trusted servants. Since they drink their master's blood regularly, their loyalty is strong. Mortal servants are given smaller amounts of vitae, not enough for them to become ghouls, but sufficient to secure the blood oath and maintain it over time. Once the oath is in place, few mortals have the will to resist it. ((The same rules for Blood Bond apply to thralls as well as ghouls and other vampires.))
Cainites also use their various Disciplines, particularly Dominate and Presence, to create thralls. Over time Dominate can erode a mortal's will to the point where he becomes a mindless servant (often referred to as a "vessel"), while regular exposure to Presence can enthrall a subject's heart and win his undying loyalty. Presence tends to create more passionate and mindful servants, while Dominate creates mindless, but utterly obedient, thralls.
One common means of securing loyalty is through the blood oath. This is why ghouls are among the most trusted servants. Since they drink their master's blood regularly, their loyalty is strong. Mortal servants are given smaller amounts of vitae, not enough for them to become ghouls, but sufficient to secure the blood oath and maintain it over time. Once the oath is in place, few mortals have the will to resist it. ((The same rules for Blood Bond apply to thralls as well as ghouls and other vampires.))
Cainites also use their various Disciplines, particularly Dominate and Presence, to create thralls. Over time Dominate can erode a mortal's will to the point where he becomes a mindless servant (often referred to as a "vessel"), while regular exposure to Presence can enthrall a subject's heart and win his undying loyalty. Presence tends to create more passionate and mindful servants, while Dominate creates mindless, but utterly obedient, thralls.