Greetings Sapience,
I would never presume to speak for the majority of vampires- my views
are my own and I stand by them willingly. Questions have been raised,
many of them good ones, some of which I feel beg to be addressed.
A point which you made to young Vilreth, Searoth, was that he 'can't
comprehend the things (you) speak of until you've BECOME Blooded...' And
I agree wholeheartedly. NOBODY can truly understand the existence of a
vampire from the outside in, just as I would never presume to understand
you, or anyone else, simply because of a chosen class.
You say you know of more vampires who want to be 'cured', as you put it,
than not, and I would guess that that is probably true... but I wonder
if that might be because the rest of us, what I might even hazard to say
is the majority of us, are out enjoying and exploring our existence, as
opposed to standing around complaining about it.
I agree with you as well, that giving or accepting the embrace is a
matter of utter seriousness and consideration, and one which some have
undertaken without appropriate thought or regard. But that is hardly the
fault of the Blood- more truly just simple mortal recklessness and
impetuosity. And I would be happy to be part of a discussion which
addresses this carelessness, with hopes of curtailing it.
You call the Blood a curse, yet I say just as one man's trash is another
man's treasure, so too is one man (or woman's) 'curse' another's
blessing. I have stood upon impossibly distant mountaintops, face
flooded in moonlight, with no sound about me but the whip of wind and
the distant stirrings of animal life. Not even the chaotic patter of a
mortal's heartbeat disturbs my peace. What you've called a shell I
celebrate nightly as the refined essence of being- a body quicker,
stronger and more graceful than it ever was in 'life.'
I did not take the Blood for power, or for glory- most certainly not for
wealth. I did not take the Blood as a personal statement on good, or
evil, light or shadow. In Blood I explore the final mystery, beyond any
mortal's ken- the mystery of life, and death,, and all that's inbetween.
Ironically, I feel now more alive than ever before, as I strive ever
onwards towards a greater understanding of my own, and all of our's,
place in the Celestine's Grand Creation.
ALL of us take life to continue our existence and grow, vampire or not.
And ALL of us, mortals and vampires alike, bow forever to the will of
the Gods. Service is forever implicit, and often-times I think it's
freedom that's the illusion.
Loathe us if you so choose, pity us even, though we don't ask for nor
desire such. Yet judge not, for in the end we are all but commingling
threads in the tapestry of Creation.

Regards,
Levanthe

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Variach, in the year 131 MA.