What is beauty? This question has plagued humankind since the dawn of time. An item of particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality? A quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit? A brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance? True beauty comes from within the spirit and the duties of every single Armatagecois is to define in his own definition of what is beauty. Once defined, their goals are to seek out, cultivate, preserve and protect beauty in all its glory.

Humanity

The truth of beauty comes from the tiny spark of creativity, that which in turn stems from one's humanity. Art is that which promotes compassion, sympathy, and consideration for others. To let one's humanity slip away is to turn one's back on all that is pure and beautiful. Physically, kindred are dead. But it is the state of mind that which determine one's humanity, not one's physical state. Allow your own humanity to light the path to find true beauty. For without humanity, your are nothing.

Obligations of Nobility

Guide others to seek out beauty where ever you are, teach them to use their humanity as a light. Beauty and humanity are to be shared and experienced by all, not horded like a greedy miser. The purpose of politics is not personal power, but a chance to lead the masses into that which is beautiful and humane. Attain higher positions, but be fair and just, as the mean does not justify the end. Rule by example, and allow others to learn by your actions.

Loyality

The one single most common question asked by those who came before you is, "Where does my loyality lay, within the Clan or the Camarilla?"

The answer is of course, the Camarilla. The correct answer however, is to the Clan.

The second most common question being, "Where does my loyalty lay, within the House or the Clan?"

The answer is, both. There are no difference of loyalty between House Armatage and the Toreador Clan, we are the Toreador clan. Everything we do to better the House, in turns betters the Clan. Although the other lesser houses might disagree with the actions of our members, the fact remains we have single-handedly contributed more to the Rose than all the other lesser lineages combined. House Armatage IS Toreador, but not all Toreador have the luxury of being an Armatagecois.

With that said, there may come a time when one needs to perform certain actions which might be seen vulgar by the general clan not of our prestigious House. Just remember Le cri d'arme: Beaut�, Humanit�, Noblesse Oblig�. As long as your actions will not violate Le Philosophie D'Armatagecois, it will ultimately better the clan.

I have included here the Oath of the Clan. Please memorize and swear the Oath as soon as possible.

I, a Child of the Rose, hearing the song of my consanguineous blood, which was given to me by She who was the Mother of us all, pledge myself to the promotion and patronage of the arts, to the discovery and nurturing of creativity, and to the defense and protection of the beauty in the world, as befits the gifts given us. To this do I dedicate myself, following the Laws of Caine, the will of Arikel, the Masquerade and the Traditions, in the name of Clan Toreador. This I pledge until the End of Nights. In Arikel's name, I so swear.

Politics

The Camarilla

The Camarilla is to be praised, a worthy social architecture which brought civilization to the savaged kindred of the Dark Ages. The Camarilla presented the Tradition of Masquerade, which in turn preached the benefit of maintaining one's Humanity. But make no mistake, the Camarilla are not the "good guys" or protagonists of Vampire existence. It is savage, brutal and ferocious in its Machiavellian structure, but it is also our last and best hope.

Politically, Armatagecois are free to practice any sect allegiance, with the one exception of the dreaded Sabbat. House members may be of the Camarilla, Anarch or the Autarkis, as individual freedom can indeed co-exist with House loyalty. The Sabbat, however, are damned and gruesome beasts void of all humanity and stands as everything against beauty, humanity or nobility.

The Anarch Movement

I have quite a soft spot for the Anarch Movement, as I was a rabble rouser back in my youthful nights. The Anarchs have a passion to be admired, their belief for equality is to be praised. But they lack the proper organization skills to achieve their goals. A worthy cause for member of the House is to bring the idealism and message of freedom to the Camarilla, and the skills of structure and order to the Anarchs. Peace benefits both kindred and mortal societies alike.

The Blue Rose Treaty

House Armatage and the Clan of Kings has a long history of friendly relations. This bond was further strengthened with the Ventrue House Heisenloch in 1999. The Blue Rose Treaty was proposed by House Heisenloch member, the then-Ventrue Primogen Alec Devere-Greene of Orange County, and the House Armatage member, then-Toreador Primogen Jonathan Summers of Orange County. The Treaty was formally recognized and signed by Elizabeth Walker, Regent of House Heisenloch, and Dauphine Cassandra d'Armatage on the night of New Years Day of 2000. It was a joyous occasion further cementing the political alliance between House Armatage and House Heisenloch.

We, members of the Ventrue House Heisenloch and members of the Toreador House Armatage, officially recognize this formal agreement, hence known as The Blue Rose Treaty. It is our hope this friendship would serve us well to strengthen both our Houses and Clans through strategic alliances.

Section One: Art. We, the members of House Heisenloch agree to uphold and elevate the standards of Art and Culture, for the better of Humanity. We agree to cherish and protect all things beautiful and of artistic nature.

Section Two: Finance. We, the members of House Armatage agree to assist and cooperate in any financial endeavors to further strengthen both our Houses and Clans, for the better of Society. We agree to aid our new allies with monetary support should they so request.

Section Three: Politics. We, the members of House Heisenloch and House Armatage agree to uphold the alliance by offering full support in the political arena, for the better of the Camarilla. We vow to uphold the sacred Traditions of the Camarilla, and never to allow the prejudice of the jyhad to obstruct our friendship.

Section Four: Succor. We, the members of House Heisenloch and House Armatage agree to offer safe shelter and passage to any members of our new found alliance, should sanctuary be required. We agree to support and offer assistance to all members of our Houses who are in need, unless the individual is blood-hunted for crimes against the Camarilla.

Signed on January First, Year Two Thousand, anno Domini.

by Cassandra, Dauphine d'Armatage, Clan of the Rose

by Elizabeth Walker, Regent of House Heisenloch, Clan of Kings

The Blue Rose Treaty was a joyous occasion, yet our enemies look upon it with jealousy and distaste. Not even one month has gone by when rumors of the so-called "Pax Pr�sentia" surfaced. The whispers of hearsay state our leaders are power hungry and have contacted a House of Brujah Scholars to join in the treaty and bent on controlling the Camarilla. When others approach you and ask of the Pax Pr�sentia, merely smile and say nothing.