The Chain
The Chain is a term given to the system to organize the reign of the three Vampire Elders: Marcus Corvinus, Amelia, and Viktor.
The Chain served two functions: first, as an ingenious power-sharing arrangement among the three Elders, avoiding conflict among them by ensuring that only one of them was in command in any given century; and second, to provide each Elder with a much-needed respite from the demands of eternity. What the term itself actually represents is unclear, although it is commonly assumed to mean the chronological order in which the Elders rule. Alternatively, it refers to the chain of memories transmitted from Elder to Elder, one memory for three, thus, Selene would be breaking the Chain by awaking an Elder herself more than by awaking him at the wrong time.
The Chain follows a neverending rotary cycle which involves the three Elders taking turns in ruling over the Vampire Coven and their former Lycan slaves. By the end of the 14th Century, it is seen to be established that while one rules the other two slumber in coffin-shaped tubes hidden within the various headquarters of the coven.
The Elder currently reigning keeps the slumbering Elders under close watch and heavily guarded, transporting them to other locations if necessary. During Viktor's reign, the other Elders were kept in the depths of the mountain beneath the castle but moved by ship to different Coven households. Every century a different Elder is awakened with a small amount of blood from the currently reigning Elder, thus giving a detailed record of their reign, informing the awakening Elder of the times through blood memories.
The Chain served two functions: first, as an ingenious power-sharing arrangement among the three Elders, avoiding conflict among them by ensuring that only one of them was in command in any given century; and second, to provide each Elder with a much-needed respite from the demands of eternity. What the term itself actually represents is unclear, although it is commonly assumed to mean the chronological order in which the Elders rule. Alternatively, it refers to the chain of memories transmitted from Elder to Elder, one memory for three, thus, Selene would be breaking the Chain by awaking an Elder herself more than by awaking him at the wrong time.
The Chain follows a neverending rotary cycle which involves the three Elders taking turns in ruling over the Vampire Coven and their former Lycan slaves. By the end of the 14th Century, it is seen to be established that while one rules the other two slumber in coffin-shaped tubes hidden within the various headquarters of the coven.
The Elder currently reigning keeps the slumbering Elders under close watch and heavily guarded, transporting them to other locations if necessary. During Viktor's reign, the other Elders were kept in the depths of the mountain beneath the castle but moved by ship to different Coven households. Every century a different Elder is awakened with a small amount of blood from the currently reigning Elder, thus giving a detailed record of their reign, informing the awakening Elder of the times through blood memories.