Post by Tami on Mar 3, 2007 13:15:42 GMT -5
A prince enforces his rule through the Lextalionis, the body vampiric law as set forth by Caine's and expressed in the Old Ways. The Lextalionis is not codified or bound in dusty scrolls. Rather it is a code of just retribution, outlining the rights and powers of a prince, allegedly created by Caine. This code follows a simple precept: Those who break a prince's law are slain. The Lextalionis is rooted in biblical justice - "An eye for an eye, Tooth for a tooth" - and it grants the prince tremendous power to punish anyone who disobeys his laws. Through the Lextalionis, a prince can strip a Cainite of her domain, exile her or, for truly heinous offenses, order her destruction. The Lextalionis is also not the sole province of the prince. Any Cainite can evoke the Lextalionis to air grievances, but only the prince has the power to enforce it. Princes who abuse the Lextalionis soon find themselves victims of their own punishments. A prince can never hope to have the Lextalionis enforced without the support of his subjects, so he must walk a fine line between strong-arm justice and leniency. The prince can choose how strictly or loosely to follow the Lextalionis, and he is free to determine the style and severity of punishments or what constitutes an offense.
Blood Hunt
Blood hunts are common and violent, a death sentence few Cainites escape. The prince must formally announce the hunt, allowing the accused an opportunity to escape the city before midnight. Once the hunt is called, any vampire is free to hunt down and destroy the offending Cainite, though usually the sheriff and his cadre lead the hunt and destroy the offending Cainite. Some princes even offer a reward to the Cainite who destroys the renegade vampire, such as the hunted Vampire's domain, thereby unleashing a murderous, blood-hungry lynch mob. If a Cainite is unfortunate enough to be a target of a blood hunt, she is dead to all other Cainites, for all intents and purposes. Anyone caught aiding the fugitive is considered an accomplice and usually becomes the target of her own blood hunt.
Traditionally, one calls a Blood Hunt only in extreme cases, but as domain grows scarce and tension between princes flair up, no one is safe. Political enemies are usually the targets of the hunt, but anyone unfortunate enough to cross the prince can find herself running for her unlife. Even in the violent nights of the 13th century, few princes call a blood hunt lightly.
Branding
Cainites can easily resist almost all physical wounds, but not burns. Therefore, those who commit minor infractions are usually branded, their crimes visible to all. Upon being found guilty (often at the whim of the prince or Sheriff), a mark is burned onto the Cainite's forehead or arms and then rubbed with salt to slow its healing. Depending on severity, the brand might be applied every few weeks to prevent it from fully healing.
Exile
Some crimes are not severe enough for a blood hunt, but still serious enough to have the Cainite exiled. Considered Autarkis, these Cainites are branded and then cast out from the prince's domain. The fate of such unfortunates is seldom pleasant. Without rights or the protection of the prince, many are hunted down. Those who escape to other cities are usually turned away and left to fend for themselves. Few survive long, but some form bands of brigands and outlaws. In Cainite circles, these outlaws are called Furores.
Ordeals
Borrowing from mortal society, the prince can call for an ordeal and allow the offending Cainite to prove her innocence through a challenge. The challenge can vary in severity, though many are designed to be entertaining (to the prince and assembled court) than to be fair to the Cainite on trial. The most common ordeals include trial by combat, ordeal by fire, test of the Beast and the purifying light.
Trial by Combat
The most common manner in which a prince can settle the matter of a subject's innocence is through trial by combat, which pits the accused against his accusers. Princes and Elders are traditionally offered a trial by combat to prove their innocence. Lesser Cainites seldom get the privilege, unless the prince is bored and in need of a spectacle. The prince sets the conditions of the trial, naming arena, weapons and rules (though fair fights are rarely the norm). Although the trial does not have to be to Final Death, most end only when one of the two combatants drinks the other's blood.
Ordeals by Fire
In an ordeal by fire, the accused is forced to walk over burning coals or tied to a wooden stake that is then set ablaze. If the accused survives, she is presumed innocent and set free. However, few Cainites do. For less severe transgressions, a prince might order the accused to hold a burning coal or reach into a fire to retrieve a ring or other object to prove their innocence. Although not fatal, such ordeals require great will on the part of the accused--so much so that innocence rarely plays a part in the outcome.
Tests of the Beast
Inspired by tales of Byzantine Cainites, the test of the Beast consists of caging the accused, usually in iron cages suspended in midair, or in dank cells, denying them any sustenance. Cainites who frenzy are summarily destroyed, while those resist the Beast are pardoned. However, even if pardoned, there is little guarantee that the accused will be set free. Many are condemned to spend the remained of their unlives either caged like animals or in torpor.
Purifying Light
Like the ordeal by fire, few Cainites survive the purifying light. Those who are condemned to the purifying light are locked away on rooftops, open attics or courtyards minutes before dawn. If the Cainite survives for a period set by the prince, she has proven her innocence and is freed. If not, Final Death proclaims her guilt.
Blood Hunt
Blood hunts are common and violent, a death sentence few Cainites escape. The prince must formally announce the hunt, allowing the accused an opportunity to escape the city before midnight. Once the hunt is called, any vampire is free to hunt down and destroy the offending Cainite, though usually the sheriff and his cadre lead the hunt and destroy the offending Cainite. Some princes even offer a reward to the Cainite who destroys the renegade vampire, such as the hunted Vampire's domain, thereby unleashing a murderous, blood-hungry lynch mob. If a Cainite is unfortunate enough to be a target of a blood hunt, she is dead to all other Cainites, for all intents and purposes. Anyone caught aiding the fugitive is considered an accomplice and usually becomes the target of her own blood hunt.
Traditionally, one calls a Blood Hunt only in extreme cases, but as domain grows scarce and tension between princes flair up, no one is safe. Political enemies are usually the targets of the hunt, but anyone unfortunate enough to cross the prince can find herself running for her unlife. Even in the violent nights of the 13th century, few princes call a blood hunt lightly.
Branding
Cainites can easily resist almost all physical wounds, but not burns. Therefore, those who commit minor infractions are usually branded, their crimes visible to all. Upon being found guilty (often at the whim of the prince or Sheriff), a mark is burned onto the Cainite's forehead or arms and then rubbed with salt to slow its healing. Depending on severity, the brand might be applied every few weeks to prevent it from fully healing.
Exile
Some crimes are not severe enough for a blood hunt, but still serious enough to have the Cainite exiled. Considered Autarkis, these Cainites are branded and then cast out from the prince's domain. The fate of such unfortunates is seldom pleasant. Without rights or the protection of the prince, many are hunted down. Those who escape to other cities are usually turned away and left to fend for themselves. Few survive long, but some form bands of brigands and outlaws. In Cainite circles, these outlaws are called Furores.
Ordeals
Borrowing from mortal society, the prince can call for an ordeal and allow the offending Cainite to prove her innocence through a challenge. The challenge can vary in severity, though many are designed to be entertaining (to the prince and assembled court) than to be fair to the Cainite on trial. The most common ordeals include trial by combat, ordeal by fire, test of the Beast and the purifying light.
Trial by Combat
The most common manner in which a prince can settle the matter of a subject's innocence is through trial by combat, which pits the accused against his accusers. Princes and Elders are traditionally offered a trial by combat to prove their innocence. Lesser Cainites seldom get the privilege, unless the prince is bored and in need of a spectacle. The prince sets the conditions of the trial, naming arena, weapons and rules (though fair fights are rarely the norm). Although the trial does not have to be to Final Death, most end only when one of the two combatants drinks the other's blood.
Ordeals by Fire
In an ordeal by fire, the accused is forced to walk over burning coals or tied to a wooden stake that is then set ablaze. If the accused survives, she is presumed innocent and set free. However, few Cainites do. For less severe transgressions, a prince might order the accused to hold a burning coal or reach into a fire to retrieve a ring or other object to prove their innocence. Although not fatal, such ordeals require great will on the part of the accused--so much so that innocence rarely plays a part in the outcome.
Tests of the Beast
Inspired by tales of Byzantine Cainites, the test of the Beast consists of caging the accused, usually in iron cages suspended in midair, or in dank cells, denying them any sustenance. Cainites who frenzy are summarily destroyed, while those resist the Beast are pardoned. However, even if pardoned, there is little guarantee that the accused will be set free. Many are condemned to spend the remained of their unlives either caged like animals or in torpor.
Purifying Light
Like the ordeal by fire, few Cainites survive the purifying light. Those who are condemned to the purifying light are locked away on rooftops, open attics or courtyards minutes before dawn. If the Cainite survives for a period set by the prince, she has proven her innocence and is freed. If not, Final Death proclaims her guilt.