{ House Specific | Vampire | Otherkin }

Q: Who can be a member?
A: In terms of specific types, anyone can join the House. It's simply a matter of dedication and diligence, for most people. The House is intended to be a sanctuary for Otherkin, but we know that not every 'Kin knows what they are right away. We also know that not all outcasts and 'changeling' types are actually Otherkin, but still feel the desire for friends among us. Therefore, anyone who is able to attend at least one large function a year, willing to heed the Charter and swear the appropriate oaths, and diligent in their work to further their promises with goodwill and honesty is welcome among us.

Q: How do I join the House?
A: Well, for starters, contact the House and join the Yahoo! group. We don't simply take all comers, there's a period of evaluation for every member, usually lasting about a year. During that time, the hopeful member will be involved in various interactions with the other members, and will be expected to show initiative in seeking such interactions out. Character witnesses and sponsors are a major part of acceptance into the House. We're very protective of our own, so there's a fair amount of screening done for dedication. Don't let that discourage you, though: we're pretty easy to please.

Q: What will be expected of me as a member?
A: You'll be asked to swear oaths to abide by the Charter, and to choose Thorns to work for. Truly, most of what's expected of you is that you keep your word, and do what you promise to do. Other than that, we're pretty open and lax.
If you wish to remain an active member, you will be expected to complete Thorns in the same timeframe as outlined in the Charter. Also, we expect most active members to be near Reno, or at least able to come out for 1-2 of the major celebrations each year. Long-distance memberships are possible, but only in special cases.

Q: Are there any prohibitions or restrictions?
A: Not really. We don't make rules about what our members do, not even to each other. We only set consequences where group interaction is involved, and otherwise, people are expected to take care of themselves, asking for help (and offering repayment) when necessary. Pretty much the only restrictions to being a member are based around your oath. The spoken promise is central to our tradition, being a tradition of witches, fey, and other 'Kin.
Since we do ask for respect of the House and its members, if you choose to engage in something illegal or calling negative attention to yourself or the community, keep your affiliation to the House out of it. Don't punish us for your bad habits, or else we will ban you in effort to protect ourselves.

Q: How much magickal / energetic training or experience do I need prior to becoming a member?
A: None, if you're not planning to teach. If you want training in something (most people who join are looking for exactly that), go ahead and ask. There are plenty of people to talk to about magic of any sort. However, we do ask that you don't offer yourself as an expert without checking with the Consuls or the Mantle beforehand: we don't mind people giving information where needed, but the volume of 'armchair expert' advice out there is alarmingly large, so we seek to uphold a standard of competence among the House. Don't be surprised to be asked for proof if you claim something that someone thinks is far-fetched. Since we're a local-based group, it shouldn't be too difficult to arrange.

Q: Are there any monetary dues to join or be a member?
A: Not at all. This isn't a fund-raising group; any money raised for any sort of event will be raised on a case-by-case basis, and spent on that event alone. We're a group of individuals, and we keep our resources individual. If we ever do ask for money, it will probably be to cover the expenses of a single event or to pay for a token or something you may need for the House, in which case we will specify the purpose upfront.

Back to top

Q: What is a vampire?
A: In the modern politically-correct vernacular, a vampire is defined as an individual who is unable to naturally produce sufficient (and usable) vitality to fuel basic operating functions under normal means and must take it in from outside. Many, however, do not need blood or spiritual vital essence from humans: some are capable of finding sustenance in plants, minerals, or even such esoteric sources as spirits.

Q: Are the myths and folklore true?
A: Honestly, I'm going to offer the non-PC answer here: yes, a lot of the myths have some basis in truth. Of course, none of them are entirely true; most of the myths are stories fabricated from small kernels of truth, but they do have some basis in fact. For example, one cannot make a normal human into a vampire by feeding on them. However, one can, by feeding on someone over a prolonged period of time or in a certain way, give a person many symptoms of vampirism, such as the hungers one feels from a state of need, as well as some of the secondary characteristics, like heightened psychic awareness or slightly swifter reflexes.

Q: How do you become a vampire?
A: The short answer is- you don't; you either are vampiric or you aren't. Even sympathetic vampirism, such as the kind induced by being fed upon overmuch, is only a temporary condition. People of many types have various kinds of 'vampirism.' This, however, is not a normal human condition, and honestly, many days it isn't a desirable thing to be. One might as easily pine and mourn not being diabetic as long to be a vampire.
Now, there have been several incidents where various possible means of 'becoming' a vampire have been discussed, some with very plausible theories or practices behind them. To this, I have to confess that most vampires sigh in frustration, and wonder not only what the devil such intrepid innovators are trying to do, but why in the Garden they would want to do such a thing. Most 'self-made vampire' techniques seem to be as ludicrous as the techniques used to 'cure' vampires. It simply is a ridiculous thing to want to do. Truly, one would be better off figuring out what one is, than wasting time trying to be something one isn't.

Q: Can you make me a vampire?
A: *laughs* Only if you buy me something pretty. Truly, the answer is no, none of us in House Rosa can make anyone into a vampire. And even if we could, we wouldn't.

(For more information about vampirism, please read the articles in our Library.)

Back to top

Q: What are Otherkin?
A: Otherkin are those who identify in part as something other than human. In many cases, they are said to have a non-human soul, but a human body. People born human, but who do not feel human, who have strange gifts and stranger burdens, who simply do not qualify as anything but 'Other.' Among these are: faeries, dragons, wereanimals, angels, demons, deities, and so on. Truly, there are so many kinds of Otherkin, it's rather counterproductive to attempt to categorize them all.

Q: What about werewolves/lycanthropes?
A: Shapeshifters, or Therians as they call themselves (from the word therianthropomorphos, which is Greek for a mouthful of something interesting, I'm sure) are classified as Otherkin along with the rest. Truthfully, anything that has walked around in a human body since birth, but isn't human in spirit, is classified as Otherkin.

Back to top

(For more information about Otherkin, please read the articles in our Library.)