Laws for the City of London's
Kindred Denizens
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The members of the Metropolitan Council of London hereby welcome all Kindred who follow the Traditions into our fair city. Let it be known that the Council keeps a peaceful domain and welcomes visitors… as long as they do not disrupt its peace.
The First Tradition: Masquerade
Do not reveal your true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so forfeits your claim to the Blood.
The Second Tradition: Progeny
Sire another at the peril of both yourself and your progeny. If you create a childe, the weight is your own to bear.
The Third Tradition: Amaranth
You are forbidden from devouring the heart's blood of another of your kind. If you violate this commandment, the Beast calls to your own Blood.
Any Kindred entering this Domain must present themselves to the Sheriff or his staff within seven nights of arriving in London. Should they fail to do so they will be considered trespassers and outlaws. When trespassers are discovered, they shall be banished from this Domain immediately.
a. Only the Metropolitan Council may call a Blood Hunt upon a Kindred outlaw. Upon such a Hunt being called, the Council expects all Kindred of the Domain to actively and willingly participate until a satisfactory conclusion has been reached.
b. Only the Metropolitan Council may confer the Right of Destruction. An unsanctioned, intentional or maliciously reckless act resulting in the Final Death, incapacitation, or abduction of another Kindred or the destruction, incapacitation, or abduction of a Kindred's un-abandoned, fully Bonded Ghoul is a criminal offence, and subject to the Metropolitan Council's Displeasure.
Treason shall be defined thusly and is subject to the Metropolitan Council's Displeasure, which will likely entail Final Death: violation of allegiance toward the Metropolitan Council, its Property or its Will, especially in the acts of waging war, actively or passively, or by consciously and purposely acting to aid its Enemies.
6. Elysium and Required Etiquette
a. Restrictions for any Elysium: Elysium shall be coveted and kept safe from unwanted attention. In support of this no kindred or ghoul shall feed, commit an act of violence or civil disorder or make use of Kindred Gifts within a 5 block radius of any designated Elysium. Those in breach of this Commandment shall suffer the Metropolitan Council's Displeasure.
The below signing: Lord Thomas Silverthorn, Heirophant Shashiprabha Verma, Draig Finley, John Smith, and Joseph Abdul set our signature to validate these laws on this the 5th night of November, 2001. Let them be obeyed.
i. Duels or Contests of Arms: the Metropolitan Council confers the Right of Destruction to those who would participate in duels or contests of arms entered into by mutual consent. This Right of Destruction exists only for the duration of the formal duel, which shall abide by the following rules.
1. The Metropolitan Council must be given a minimum of one week's notice, in the case that any Council member wishes to attend.
2. At the conclusion of the duel or contest of arms, a witness representing each participant will present themselves before the Speaker of the Metropolitan Council to offer testimony.
i. For the purposes of these laws, a city block shall be defined as 0.05 miles in measure.
ii. Each Elysium shall have one accountable Keeper. The accountable Keeper is granted permission to establish an independent policy for feeding within Elysium's walls, but does not have the authority to dictate feeding policies outside of Elysium's walls. Special dispensation may be sought on a case by case basis.
iii. The members of the Metropolitan Council, the Speaker, the Sheriff and his/her Deputies, the Keeper and his/her Assistants are exempt from any and all Elysium laws which restrict both violence and their use of kindred gifts inasmuch as they are used to maintain the peace and safety of Elysium, subject to the Metropolitan Council's Displeasure.
b. The City's Hierarchy shall comprise of a specific number of offices and officers. There shall be a specific number of officers who may be appointed or discharged by the Metropolitan Council. A position need not be filled at any given time.
1. The Metropolitan Council: in order to best rule the city, the covenants chose a representative to sit at the council and rule over the city, in an egalitarian way for each covenant, in order to provide the same rights for all kindred. Their personal domain involves the Square Mile, and anyone seen feeding in these grounds shall be treated as a trespasser. Permission to reside within the Square Mile might be granted.
2. The Speaker: The speaker is the Council's mouthpiece. When the Council makes a decree, the Speaker's job is to make sure that all of the city's Kindred hear of it (assuming it's meant for all ears…). The Speaker hands down judgment, represents the Council in proxy when they cannot (or will not) make a personal appearance, and otherwise serves as something of a "secretary of state." The Speaker is assumed to speak with the Council's voice at all times.
3. The Sheriff: A combination police investigator, enforcer and inquisitor, the Sheriff is responsible for enforcing the Council's laws and dictates, for bringing outlaws before the Council for judgment and - at times - for carrying out sentences. Some Sheriffs truly believe in the rule of law and believe that they serve their society and fellow Kindred by keeping the city as orderly as possible. Others love the position for the power it offers, as they are permitted to bully and push around others vampires, even those who would normally be too dangerous to touch. Some Sheriffs are clever, subtle investigators, while others are little more than bruisers with rank.
a. The Sheriff may appoint deputies to assist them in his or His task. These deputies may also be appointed or discharged by the Council.
b. An un-coerced spoken or written statement made to the Sheriff or the Sheriff's Deputies may be introduced as sworn testimony before the Council.
4. The Priscii: The Priscii of London are selected by the clans, and permitted to congress with the Council and offer their opinion, subject to the Council's Pleasure.
5. Master of Elysium: In essence a combination master of ceremonies and groundskeeper, the Master of Elysium is responsible for maintaining a city's Elysium, ensuring its readiness for official functions, cleaning up afterward and making sure that word of specific Elysium-related events reaches those who must attend. The Master of Elysium is also responsible for enforcing the custom of nonviolence at such gatherings, and he often works hand-in-hand with the Sheriff for such purposes.
a. The Master of Elysium may appoint deputies to assist them with tasks. These deputies may also be appointed or discharged by the Council.
c. Required Etiquette for All Kindred
i. No Kindred shall harass the members of the Council at any time.
1. If Kindred find themselves within the vicinity of any member of the Council they will keep a respectful distance and not approach unless welcomed.
2. All petitions, requests for audience, favors, etc. must be submitted to the Council's Speaker for approval and calendaring. Those who are unfaithful to this procedure risk the Displeasure of the Speaker.
a. Those that are approached directly by the Council are exempt from this protocol.
i. Should it come to pass that the Sheriff or any of his department is neglectful in their duties in reporting new Kindred, that member of the Sheriff department shall be replaced.
i. By Order of the Metropolitan Council: Should a Kindred reveal his/her true nature to one not of the Blood, that Kindred shall be present for trial by the Council and suffer the full measure of the punishment imposed by the Council.
ii. By Order of the Metropolitan Council: Should a Bonded Servant reveal his/her/your true nature to one not of the Blood, both Servant and Regnant shall be present for trial by the Council and suffer the full measure of the punishment imposed by the Council.
i. By Order of the Metropolitan Council: Should a kindred wish to sire another, there should be first made a claim to assure that said mortal is not the property of another. Once satisfied that no one else holds a claim, permission from the Council shall be sought for the embrace. If the Council refuses, and the kindred still sires the mortal, they shall stand to trial by the council and suffer the full measure of the punishment imposed in the sentence.
i. By Order of the Metropolitan Council: Diablerie is forbidden. Any Kindred found to have committed this act will be exiled from the city. A Blood Hunt shall be called. Come not into this Domain with black streaks upon your soul, for you are a threat to all.
i. A Kindred's haven may be considered his personal Domain as long as they do not conflict with the Laws of London or disrespect the Metropolitan Council and its edicts.
