How to Become an Ancient

By irenadel

"In some faculties of mind he has been, and is, only a child; but he is growing, and some things that were childish at first are now of a man's stature."

Bram Stoker, Dracula

In the beginning there was Caine...

... and he was a farmer in the middle of nowhere.

People who begin to play Vampire usually picture themselves as Count Dracula was in the novel... but what they fail to acknowledge is that he was at least four centuries old then. When the game starts you are playing a neonate, a recently Embraced Cainite who has centuries before her. Centuries she can use to become Dracula if she should wish to.

It all depends on what you choose to do. If you want your character to be an Elder there is probably a storyteller somewhere who will be only to happy too oblige you. Yet, I believe, that it is infinitely more fun and rewarding to have your character become an Ancient rather than just being one outright.

The sense of doom and stasis that gives Ancients their auras of magnificence is much easier to play when you have lived through their hardships. Don't get frustrated when your character is not being as smooth or cool as you'd like her to be... this things come with time. Don't get angry... be smart and act cool around mortals and other neonates; you don't have to be powerful to act powerful. Remember Cainites hide many secrets, not one of which is their true capacities.

When you have played your character from neonate to Methuselah she ceases to be an inkblot in an old piece of parchment and becomes the unliving monster that she really is. Experience is so much more than a bunch of points awarded by the storyteller.

Use these early years to get to know your character better; this is the time to test her and make her stronger. Blot out weakness in a realistic way. All Elders started out as neonates... and they were very different then than what they are now. Think of your characters as neonates always; little by little you will see what type of Ancients they become.

Especially in cases when you are of powerful Blood you must understand that YOU are not an Elder. Your sire might be one but not you... Powerful Blood is only an advantage in system, not in play. Wit and subtlety will get your character farther than any number of freebies may.

Think of the time you live in. Think of the centuries ahead... and think of all those possibilities you have before you.