 |
This article refers to elements from Original Dune Pages for this subject as it appears in other canons: |
The Great Convention was a historic treaty brokered between the Great Houses, the Spacing Guild, and the Imperium shortly after the destruction of the thinking machines. It prohibited the use of atomics against human targets,[1] established Kanly[2] and the War of Assassins,[3] and outlawed Thinking Machines.[4]
Every article of the Great Convention began with the term "The forms must be obeyed...".
The underlying philosophy of the Great Convention was that of human life being precious and superior to all other forms of existence. Its principal guideline is that human life was to be protected. As a result, strict rules were put in place for wars and feuds. Kanly was a principal example of this, as was the War of Assassins.
After the rise of Paul Atreides to the Golden Lion Throne, the influence of the Great Convention lessened. Indeed, less than twenty years into Paul's rule, he was blinded when a stone burner was set off in Arrakeen on the planet Arrakis. The culprits were the Tleilaxu and dissident Fremen.
Examples[]
 |
This article or section refers to elements from Expanded Dune |
- Volume 30, section 6.3
- By mutual agreement between the Federated Council of the Landsraad and House Corrino, the regulation was designed to prohibit Emperors from taking sides but act as a neutral arbiter; It concerns situations of House-to-House warfare, in which an appeal to the Emperor has been made by one side.
- The Emperor is required either to render immediate assistance, or convene an emergency Security Council meeting to deal with the matter. If he doesn't, an Ambassador is within his rights to convene the Council himself.
- Jihad Appendix 19.004
- In matters involving the Butlerian Jihad and the strictures established thereafter, the Emperor is given additional latitude to make decisions regarding punishment for those who breach the prohibition against thinking machines.
Behind the Scenes[]
In Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune, it is mentioned that the Great Convention is still in place, even though the long-established order of the universe was dissolving. However, no mention is made of the stakeholders, or whether the Great Houses still had any influence over it.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Dune, Terminology of the Imperium Its chief rule prohibits the use of atomic weapons against human targets.
- ↑ Dune, Terminology of the Imperium, KANLY: formal feud or vendetta under the rules of the Great Convention carried on according to the strictest limitations.
- ↑ Dune, Terminology of the Imperium, WAR OF ASSASSINS: the limited form of warfare permitted under the Great Convention and the Guild Peace.
- ↑ God Emperor of Dune, She suspected that Ixians had fashioned the device. It had possessed some of their look. But God Himself had done this thing and she could ignore the suspicion that there might be a computer in it, that it might be prohibited by the Great Convention. "Make no device in the likeness of the mind!"