The Ravenblack Grimoire

Integrity. It’s a big word that most claim to know and understand, but what does it really mean? According to Webster, integrity is uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. But is this a static definition, or has it developed into something more fluid? Let me explain.

Let’s say someone has an over inflated sense of self and feels that he or she has done more than they actually have. To help support this stance, white lies are told in hopes to gain support. Can this behavior coexist with a vampire that also has integrity? White lies are just that…white lies. Is it a big deal? Should it just be passed off and taken with a grain of salt although it may directly affect the perceived integrity of another party?

Let’s review another example. Say a vampire is taking part in an espionage mission on behalf of their clan leader. They are following orders to a T and as a result, they are able to provide much needed information to help their clan protect themselves from an aggressive maneuver. Is this integrity? Are they noble and just for protecting their clan, or are they deceitful due to the method used to obtain it?

What about the usage of masks and the multiple lies told in order to maintain the charade. The information is always of benefit, but where does the line fall? Is it acceptable? To deceive your own on top of the targets in order to make it work…is this just?

Sometimes things start with just one small lie. Then, in order to support this lie, another needs to be told. Then another, and another and so on and so forth until the web of lies is so thick, one gets stuck in it. Then desperation sets in, and as one attempts to wriggle themselves out of the web, things get moved and tossed around. Priorities are lost, pieces of the web begin to get stuck onto each other, and what was once a beautiful yet fragile web has turned into nothing more than a disgusting and sticky mess.

So, Seyda, where are you going with this?

Let me tell you.

Over the past week, I have been covering events in the city between several vampires that I have had close contact with. Knowing my closeness to the situation, I insisted upon providing the information in an editorial fashion. I had been repeatedly asked about my involvement, and I said that if I were to get involved, the parties involved would know. Well, with all the information that was being given to me from several sides (so yes, friends, I WAS writing based on more information than some would claim), I became involved. And, as any reporter worth their weight would do, at that point in time, I stopped my reporting.

I never claimed to involve myself with holy water, although I had been prepared to do so if required. What I did was I took my findings and I presented them in a factual manner. Allies of the involved clan called off their attacks. Some members of the clan involved stopped fighting on their own as the blanks began to be filled in. Other information unrelated to the battle was discovered, and I shared that, too.

Simultaneously, the editor of this paper gave the group speaking out vocally against my editorials the opportunity to write out their own side to the situation. The platform to present their own findings and facts was clearly given. This option was not exercised. Why not? If I had facts and findings to disprove what someone was saying about me, I would be the first in line showing everyone.

Instead, as a result of this effort, I have been branded a liar. That’s fine. I do not care. I have enough vampires that know me and respect me in this city, and their opinions are the ones I care about. However, the web keeps spinning. Innocent 'pires have been called out as liars and spies and are being harassed for wanting reasons. The Queen and her court still continue to deny things with facts handed to them. Passive-aggressiveness has taken over. As the keys are being jingled, possessiveness has also begun to surface. My, my, my… No one seems to have recognized that some days…it’s just not about “you.”

So, after presenting just what is making me think about integrity, my personal definition of it is the following. To me, it is about being above board in what you’re doing. Is sneaky okay? Well, yes, I believe it is. Outright deceit? I personally don’t find it necessary. And yes, this is coming from the mouth of someone who was trained in the art of deceit, lies, and the wearing of several masks. In my opinion, the easiest way to keep a story straight is to not wrap it in a web of lies. I should know. I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and don’t even wear the bitch.

What I really would like to know is what your definition of integrity is. What exactly IS integrity in Raven Black City? Email me at seyda@ravenblack-grimoire.biz and tell me. All of your answers will be used in a follow up column to show what integrity is to you, the public.

So, like always, until next time, I tell the truth, so you don’t have to...not that you planned on it, anyway...

~S~