If a vampire creates a childe,
she is responsible for that childe, no differently than a mortal parent is for
her child. If the childe cannot handle the burdens of vampirism, the sire must
take care of the matter one way or another. If the childe threatens the Masquerade,
either through ignorance or malice, the sire must prevent it. The sire must
ensure that the childe is taught the Traditions and the ensuing responsibilities.
And see to it that the childe will not constitute a threat to herself or the
Masquerade upon her release. The sire is also responsible for protecting the
childe. A prince is under no obligation to recognize a childe, and other vampires
may kill or feed from a childe with impunity.
Before siring, a wise vampire considers the maturity of the childe-to-be. Will
she be able to endure the changes to her body and soul? Will she understand
what is being asked of her when the Traditions are recited? No sire wishes to
be responsible for a childe forever (although a long childehood is not unknown),
but releasing a childe before she is ready courts destruction.
Releasing a childe typically involves the sire introducing the childe to the
prince who holds domain where the sire and childe live. The childe may be asked
to recite the Traditions or provide other proof that she has been taught and
understand them. If the prince, for whatever reasons, does not accept a childe,
then the childe must find a new city. On occasion, a sire must also introduce
the childe to his own sire, but this not always required.
After release, the childe (now a neonate) is permitted to live in the city with
full rights as accorded by the prince's law and the Traditions. The release
is considered a major rite of passage, much like a coming of age for mortals,
for the neonate is responsible for his own actions. He will be watched carefully
in the coming months; his actions determine whether he will be considered an
"adult" and treated as one