Ascent Mother
A high-ranking female diplomat in the Tranadin Clan who dedicated her life to having mixed-species children.
Qualifications
Ascent Mothers are chosen from the most powerful magic wielders in the clan. Besides that, they need to prove their worth by excelling in academic matters, the arts, or - in the best case - both.
Requirements
The title is only given to women with predominantly Vampire features. People of mixed-species lineage tend to inherit their appearance from the mother's side, so this restriction makes the children more likely to resemble Vampires as well.
They also need to be in perfect health, without birth defects or chronic illnesses. This reduces the risks of passing on health problems to the children, and also ensures that they can handle several pregnancies without additional stress.
Appointment
Every generation, one new Ascent Mother is elected from a pool of suitable candidates. Any adult woman who meets the requirements can apply for this title. The clan's elders review their academic and artistic achievements, their health history, and - most importantly - their Elemental Attunement.
After the choice was made, the woman's extended family holds a big celebration and officially announces her new title.
Duties
Ascent Mothers are held to high standards of behavior. They are important representatives of the clan, especially when it comes to interacting with other species. Therefore, they train in diplomacy and constantly educate themselves about other cultures and recent events.
Responsibilities
To the outside world, Ascent Mothers serve as diplomats that establish political alliances and trade agreements with foreign cultures.
To the Vampires, however, the most important task of an Ascent Mother is to seek out suitable mates from other species and have children with them. The diplomatic visits thus serve a dual purpose, by solidifying the clan's political position in the world while helping the Ascent Mothers meet the most powerful men of other species.
Benefits
Ascent Mothers can count on the rest of the clan when it comes to pregnancy and raising the children. They enjoy a luxurious life during those times, with comfortable housing, the best food, and loyal servants who cater to all their wishes.
Due to their role as diplomats, they also wield a lot of power when it comes to politics and trade relations.
Type
Civic, Political
Mixblood
History
A Promising Start
The idea of bringing non-Vampiric blood into the clan is still fairly new. It only began 227 years ago, which roughly equates to three generations in Vampires. So far, three different Ascent Mothers have given birth to a total of 19 hybrids, some of whom had children of their own by now.Controversy
"Insidious? I am curious why you would call it that. Is the best diplomatic encounter not the one where both sides believe that they won?"The Tranadin Clan does not inform their diplomatic "contacts" about the pregnancies. The children are adopted by the Ascent Mother's legal husband, and raised to see their biological fathers as a nothing more than a resource. Not all members of the clan like the approach. Some consider it a violation of the father's rights to "steal" their offspring, whereas others are sickened by the idea of "diluting" the clan's bloodline.
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