The Cauchemar Praxis
Chicago's era of "peace" (1913 to 1966)
The next 50 years have become known as Cauchemar Praxis, a time of peace among the Kindred. Lodin liked to take credit for this quiet era, but most Cainites think of the time as the years when Chicago muddled along. Still, even this relatively quiet period had its share of excitement.
The Creation of Elysium
Lodin learned to fear the growing power of the primogen during this time. This powerful coterie of elders first demonstrated its power shortly after Lodin seized control of the city. Originally, the primogen consisted of those who felt the new prince had overstepped his bounds. While none had been able to accuse him of violating the Traditions, at least three - lnyanga, Khalid, and the Brujah Procet - felt that his actions created a dangerous precedent. They also feared Lodin might use his new power for ill, possibly by hunting them for their own ancient vitae.
These three threw their support behind Modius, but found their power checked by the mysterious might of the Ventrue, the Tremere, and the Malkavians. Thus, they decided that the city's true authority should rest in the combined forces of the elders. Shortly after World War I, tentative invitations went out, and soon the greatest of Chicago's Cainites began to gather.
They took their cue from an ancient Toreador tradition that rendered places of cultural significance off-limits to violence. Calling these places of safety the Elysium, they met in the hallowed halls of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Wreathed in the strains of the Brandenburg Concertos, the city's supreme vampires found themselves engaged in what would become a hallowed tradition. While the first meeting ended with few tangible accomplishments, all who attended left with the feeling that they had found a way to settle differences that might otherwise flare into bloody conflict. Passing notes, engaging in heated telepathic debates, and carrying on arguments through messengers, the primogen began to establish a power structure superseding that of Lodin. As long as they reached a consensus among themselves, they were more powerful than he. These ancient Cainites were utterly unconcerned by the fact that much of what they wanted to accomplish would require Lodin's acquiescence- willing or otherwise.
Lodin knew about the gathering but did not fully appreciate its import until he moved to make Capone his newest lieutenant. This conflicted with Procet's own plans to manipulate the underworld and put the two on a collision course. Whereas in the past this conflict might have been decided by combat or kine manipulation between the two protagonists, now the question came before the primogen as a whole. By a 5-2 vote, they decided to allow the prince his new neonate, but on matters of the underworld, Capone would have to bow to his elder. Lodin shook with rage when he learned of the decision. There had been no primogen in the land of his Embrace, and these meddlers seemed bent on ruining all his hopes and dreams. Again and again, he found himself checked by their might, with no means to resist them.
The Interdiction
Lodin refused to forget the challenge Modius had made to his rule. As long as no new threats emerged, the Prince of Chicago's primary goal remained the destruction of the Prince of Gary. He began what is known as the Interdiction of Gary- a scheme to strip Modius of power by destroying the power of the mortals he controlled. To this end, Lodin gave Ballard and Capone almost free rein to cripple the Indiana city's economy and destroy union influence. Though the Interdiction took some time for its effects to be felt, by the time Modius and the other socialists realized what was happening, it was too late.
Gary's economy had long been based on steel. Unable to drive the steel plants out of the city, Ballard attacked the steel industry nationwide - something he did with astounding efficiency. By Dominating the mortal leaders of the industry into making the most asinine decisions, by strangling investment, and by supporting the growth of foreign steel manufacturers, Ballard managed to drive Gary's economy into a depression that has thus far proved incurable.
Capone used the forces of organized crime just as effectively. Extortion, hijacking, and various other rackets contributed to the steady decline of Gary. He managed to place his underworld pawns in positions of power in the national unions, letting them attack Gary through the unions which were active there. After a time, they began to attract the attention of federal officials. On top of this, all the Ventrue of Chicago combined to keep Gary from expanding its infrastructure, building a decent airport or thriving in any way. The Interdiction has been most successful, and Modius has proved incapable of breaking it.
In spite of the numerous travails with which Lodin dealt during these 50 years, he found these times to be among the best of his unlife-especially in comparison to what was to come