The Prince's Tranquility

Maxwell's Decree
Whereas the turmoil and violence of recent nights has led to mistrust and dismay for all Kindred present and

Whereas the uncertainty and inclination to precaution beggar even the wealthy and lead to the betterment of none and

Whereas the causes of these conflicts arise principally from innate competition, only fed and goarded by political competition,

Therefore I, your Prince, henceforth declare a twofold policy to ensure tranquility and prosperity for the Kindred of my doman. These policies apply to all, without exception, regardless of Covenant, Clan, or creed. Regardless of loyalty or pledge. Regardless of station and regardless of ignorance. Any who trangress shall pay the penalty.

Injunction the First. All Kindred are categorically banned from the creation of Childer within the environs of Chicago and those areas within the Praxis of Maxwell Clarke. There are to be, without exception, no Embraces.

Those who transgress this prohibition shall be punished by enforced torpor, exile, mutilation or other punishment as judged on a case-by-case basis. Those Embraced willingly or upon request share in the guilt of their sires but are to be held less accountable. Those who travel outside the environs of the city to perform these acts and then return with the fruit of their deeds are to be judged as if they had Embraced inside Chicago itself.

Injunction the Second. All beneath my law are enjoined from slaying Kindred, be it directly or indirectly. While we are eternally subject to the vicissitudes of sun, flame, and mortal wrath, within Chicago we shall be safe from one another.

Those who commit this crime shall be punished as above, whether they kill directly or through means of living agents. If your ghoul kills, the ash is on your hands; he does not shield you any more than a dagger protects its wielder from guilt.

By Means of These Injunctions, peace shall descend at last upon weary but unbowed Chicago. With no strain of competing neonate appetites, my followers can exist in equilibrium. With no fear of harm at others' hands, we can work together to solve our problems with civil equanimity.

Should circumstances merits exceptions to these rules, they shall come only in the form of a Prince's Indulgence, and then only with at least 12 days' forewarning. A Prince's Indulgence is a single night in which these rules are rescinded: while it is in effect, all Kindred may Embrace without legal repercussion, and may similarly slaughter each other with no fear of the Prince's wrath. Do not look for the Indulgence soon: I describe it solely so that all who follow may know that in this place, in the collective, extending our condition is inextricably linked with its destruction.