House Layla

House Layla was a Prominent Vampire House in Northern California. The House was destroyed during the finale of the Third World War.

### History

#### Founding

In 1675 in New York several members of the vampire clan of Broken Reeds ended up splitting off to found their own House after the clan of Broken Reeds collapsed due to infighting. House Layla was one of three clans with a claim to Broken Reeds territory - however unlike the other two clans, Layla only seized a small portion of territory before stopping, not pushing for conflict and largely stayed out of inter-clan vampire drama, slowly building up their own strength and territory.

House Layla was founded by Matriarch Alicia Layla who had a vision for her new clan, one that differed wildly from Vampire norms at the time, instead of a House driven by an intense desire to consume, Alicia had a vision of a clan that gave instead of took, that built instead of destroyed, and so she put into writing her ideals in the Clan Code of Laws. The Code of Laws are as follows -

1. **Spearhead of Change** - Meaningless wars of honor and to acquire captives lead our brethren into the jaws of human and elven vengeance and the daggers of each other. This Clan has rejected those ways and cast aside the silly notion of honor killings, wars of attrition, and vengeance. Wars this clan engages in should not be done from emotion, but from logic. We do not meet our foes on an even battle, but rather strike where the enemy is weakest and bring all of our force to bear. We are not interested in honor but rather in victory and will do whatever is necessary to achieve these means.
2. **Strengthened Matriarchy** - This House has been founded by a Matriarch and will remain with a Matriarch as the leader throughout its history. House headship is not open for contention and will pass through the mothers line to the oldest daughter. If there are no daughters than when the son marries his wife may take a bride, the wife will become the head of the house. Thus sayeth the Founder.
3. **Christian Purity** - This house recognizes Jesus Christ of Nazareth as a vampire and the son of God. We will pray every night and every morning to the most high as we are created in his image. Wherever we find demonic forces or satanism at work we shall cast them out. Any blasphemers must be killed without question and atheism, paganism and Islam must be purged without question. Thus sayeth Christ. Dues Vult.
4. **Strength of Wolves** - As per tradition that the Founder had, the current Head of the house must have tamed a Timber Wolf through the art of manipulation in order to prove strength.
5. **Manipulation** - This Clan has always been strong in the Psionic field of manipulation, and thus all members of the house are required to have done cursory reading on this art.
6. **Gnome Vileness** - Gnomes encountered by any member of this clan must be dead by dusk or dawn, whichever is next.
7. **Vimpyr Doctrine** - Clan Layla does not recognize Vimpyr's as being true Vampires and therefore cannot be married or treated as equals. Vimpyr's were created as, and are servants and will be treated as such. They are for food, pleasure and trading stock, not to be kept in a similar line as a true vampire.
8. **No Lesser Vampires** - This house rejects the idea of allowing in lesser vampires, New York Stalkers, Imperials, and others of similar stature. Lesser vampires may only be allowed in through marriage or by earning their position through 10 years of servitude as an indentured servant.
9. **Marriage Doctrine** - This Clan rejects any notion of the idea of polygamous or male homosexual marriages. Anyone attempting otherwise must be put to death. This does not prohibit concubines, secondary spouses which are in a servitude role or Vimpyr servants.
10. **Human Symbiosis** - This Clan lives in the shadows with the species of humanity, and therefore believes that whatever threatens the core of humanity, should be of concern for this clan. Humans should be treated with higher respect than other species and human captives should not be executed for no reason.

This Code of Laws was set in stone as the Clan Code of Laws by Alicia Layla in 1675.