Maxwell Clarke

Biography
Vampire, Ventrue, Invictus

The Prince of Chicago

"The turmoil and violence of recent nights has led to mistrust and dismay for all Kindred."

Born a mortal in Quebec, sired about 200 years ago in the old South of America; killed his sire to reclaim his freedom. Resided in San Francisco and Kansas City before coming to Chicago. Took a position at the Palmer House Hotel where he gradually worked his way up the ladder. Became the Prince in 1965 due to his political connections with the civil rights movement. Assassins took him out and Maxwell wound up in torpor until 1974.

Upon rising, Maxwell took out the vampire that ordered the assassination, Old John. He burnt John’s haven to the ground. Another Vampire had taken the throne in his torpor, The Matriarch. Her reign came to an end in 1986, Maxwell quickly seized power once more.

Now, Prince Maxwell is concentrating on making his reign look smooth and invulnerable. He knows it can never be those things, but in 200 years, he’s learned how often reality takes its cues from pretense. He seeks a calm and sustainable court, which often translates to a bread-and-circuses approach to his followers. After all, “calm prosperity” isn’t sexy compared to the orgy of bloodshed some would-be Circle Princes espouse or the “total political liberation” promised by the Carthians.

Rubbing awkwardly against Prince Maxwell’s need to keep his Kindred entertained is his genuine love of the city of Chicago. For the lowest common denominator of Kindred joy is the lust for horror of the Beast. Feeding those low urges could keep him in power for a long time, but what shadow would that cast on his city? Maxwell listens to Chicago and, better than any other vampire, understands how little influence his ilk truly have in the long run. With great effort they can, over years, make things a little bit better, if they dare. But they can so easily pull the city toward despair and injustice, even by careless selfishness. He knows he must protect Chicago from his court, but to do so, he needs to control them, and to control them, he must keep them happy.

To keep them happy, he must endanger Chicago