Post by Zillah on Mar 28, 2016 19:13:11 GMT -6
Vampires
“The Baronies of Avalon…an intriguing name. Let none ever claim that the vampires do not have a sense of humor; black humor, but humor nonetheless. Avalon — the fabled land beyond the sea, where death is unknown — is beyond our grasp, and our nation is no paradise.” — Wulfrick, Satrap of Norwich
The Cainites name the land of England the Baronies of Avalon. They break the land into fiefs, much like the mortals’ shires. The Fief of London claims dominion over all the others. Barons of other fiefs in Britain — and Ireland — must pay a tribute in gold and blood slaves to the Fief of London every year. Failure to pay such tribute can result in violence, either overt or covert. Typically, if a baron refuses to pay tribute, she can expect no aid from London in the face of Lupine raids, mortal hunters or Church interest. If the baron remains in power, Mithras’ followers have a long reach, and recalcitrant barons can be removed. On occasion, however, Prince Mithras has had reason to dispatch warriors to settle disputes. These warriors, referred to as satraps, dwell all across the Isles. They are loyal to Mithras and stand ready to enforce his dictates.
The Barons of Avalon have conspired to create an illusion of civility, of servile politics and oaths of loyalty. In truth, the Baronies are the scene of endless violence, cruelty and murder. The Six Traditions are but polite fictions. The polite rituals of court can give way at any moment to all-out warfare. The Baronies of Avalon The following are the fiefs under Mithras’ dominion:
• The Fief of Carlisle centers on the town of Carlisle, but Baron Nathaniel looks north, to Edinburgh. The Zealot baron is in constant struggle with the fiefs of Lothian and York, but should an opportunity arise, Nathaniel may side with the Scots Toreador against Mithras.
• The Fief of York centers on the old city of York, which is the center of resistance to Mithras’ rule. The Fief of York is powerful and influential, with enough strength to challenge London. Unfortunately, Baron John, a Ventrue, claims dominion over a fractious land that is under constant Lupine threat.
• The Fief of Lincoln centers on the city of Lincoln. The fief claims the eastern Midlands as its territory, but the Ventrue baron, Stephen, faces constant rebellion and the expansionist activities of the Cainites of York. Stephen fears and mistrusts Mithras, but he is loyal to the Court of Avalon for now.
• The Fief of Chester, dominating the lands west of the Pennines, centers on the city of Chester. Chester is not under the mortal king’s authority, but Cainites consider Chester the most loyal fief outside London. Chester is in constant conflict with the Fief of York and the Feral Gangrel of Wales — not to mention the Lupines of the hills. The baron, however, is none other than Marcus Verus, childe of Mithras of London, and he is more than willing to meet any challenge to his power.
• The Fief of Gloucester, taking in most of Wales and the Midlands, watches travel on the Severn. Cainites passing down this waterway must be prepared to present themselves and pay tribute to the Malkavian Baroness Seren. Seren is canny and capable, and a fearsome enemy. The fief also claims as hunting grounds the cities of Bristol, Saint David and Oxford.
• The Fief of Norwich claims much of the old area of East Anglia. The land is rich and the farmers are reasonably prosperous and healthy. They make good prey. Norwich is loyal to Mithras, but it does not have a baron. The fief is beset by Cainite Heresy infiltrations. Baron Stephen of Lincoln is said to have plans to incorporate the barony into his own as a “temporary protectorate.”
• The Fief of Exeter, in the west, lays claim to Cornwall. The fief is nominally loyal to Mithras, but it remainsneutral, dealing with the Throne fief by almost ignoring it. The Ventrue baron, Hugh, is more interested in contacts with the French Courts and trade with Ireland and the Mediterranean world. Exeter is politically weak, and the fief is home to many Gangrel and other Low Clan miscreants who do not recognize either Mithras or Hugh’s lordship.
• The Fief of Winchester stands between Cornwall and London, and is home to Mithras’ rivals. The Tremere attempted to construct their largest British chantry here, two centuries ago, but they were stopped. Now, under the protection of the Toreador, Melusine d’Anjou, the Tremere have built several chanceries (small sanctums hidden away in unimportant towns). Melusine despises the Tremere, but she knows they are useful shields against Mithras. Melusine is pressuring the Baron of Exeter to join her in opposition to Mithras — or have his fief forcibly annexed.
• The Fief of Canterbury takes in the rich coastal lands of the southeast, and is claimed by the Toreador baron, Adrian of Canterbury. Adrian is a member of the despised Cainite Heresy, but Mithras has yet to take action against him. Mithras retains a great deal of influence through his alliance with the satrap and Sheriff of Canterbury, James Mannerly. Adrian may play at being prince, but Mannerly is the true power in the fief. If Mannerly were to fall from grace (or meet Final Death), the fief could become a stronghold of anti-Mithras activity.
• The Fief of London, the Throne Fief, where Lord Mithras holds court, is not the stronghold of his power that it might be. At least one Promethean sect operates out of London, and the Nosferatu Ragged Jenny, who wields a great deal of influence on London’s streets, has no loyalty to the Prince.
“The Baronies of Avalon…an intriguing name. Let none ever claim that the vampires do not have a sense of humor; black humor, but humor nonetheless. Avalon — the fabled land beyond the sea, where death is unknown — is beyond our grasp, and our nation is no paradise.” — Wulfrick, Satrap of Norwich
The Cainites name the land of England the Baronies of Avalon. They break the land into fiefs, much like the mortals’ shires. The Fief of London claims dominion over all the others. Barons of other fiefs in Britain — and Ireland — must pay a tribute in gold and blood slaves to the Fief of London every year. Failure to pay such tribute can result in violence, either overt or covert. Typically, if a baron refuses to pay tribute, she can expect no aid from London in the face of Lupine raids, mortal hunters or Church interest. If the baron remains in power, Mithras’ followers have a long reach, and recalcitrant barons can be removed. On occasion, however, Prince Mithras has had reason to dispatch warriors to settle disputes. These warriors, referred to as satraps, dwell all across the Isles. They are loyal to Mithras and stand ready to enforce his dictates.
The Barons of Avalon have conspired to create an illusion of civility, of servile politics and oaths of loyalty. In truth, the Baronies are the scene of endless violence, cruelty and murder. The Six Traditions are but polite fictions. The polite rituals of court can give way at any moment to all-out warfare. The Baronies of Avalon The following are the fiefs under Mithras’ dominion:
• The Fief of Carlisle centers on the town of Carlisle, but Baron Nathaniel looks north, to Edinburgh. The Zealot baron is in constant struggle with the fiefs of Lothian and York, but should an opportunity arise, Nathaniel may side with the Scots Toreador against Mithras.
• The Fief of York centers on the old city of York, which is the center of resistance to Mithras’ rule. The Fief of York is powerful and influential, with enough strength to challenge London. Unfortunately, Baron John, a Ventrue, claims dominion over a fractious land that is under constant Lupine threat.
• The Fief of Lincoln centers on the city of Lincoln. The fief claims the eastern Midlands as its territory, but the Ventrue baron, Stephen, faces constant rebellion and the expansionist activities of the Cainites of York. Stephen fears and mistrusts Mithras, but he is loyal to the Court of Avalon for now.
• The Fief of Chester, dominating the lands west of the Pennines, centers on the city of Chester. Chester is not under the mortal king’s authority, but Cainites consider Chester the most loyal fief outside London. Chester is in constant conflict with the Fief of York and the Feral Gangrel of Wales — not to mention the Lupines of the hills. The baron, however, is none other than Marcus Verus, childe of Mithras of London, and he is more than willing to meet any challenge to his power.
• The Fief of Gloucester, taking in most of Wales and the Midlands, watches travel on the Severn. Cainites passing down this waterway must be prepared to present themselves and pay tribute to the Malkavian Baroness Seren. Seren is canny and capable, and a fearsome enemy. The fief also claims as hunting grounds the cities of Bristol, Saint David and Oxford.
• The Fief of Norwich claims much of the old area of East Anglia. The land is rich and the farmers are reasonably prosperous and healthy. They make good prey. Norwich is loyal to Mithras, but it does not have a baron. The fief is beset by Cainite Heresy infiltrations. Baron Stephen of Lincoln is said to have plans to incorporate the barony into his own as a “temporary protectorate.”
• The Fief of Exeter, in the west, lays claim to Cornwall. The fief is nominally loyal to Mithras, but it remainsneutral, dealing with the Throne fief by almost ignoring it. The Ventrue baron, Hugh, is more interested in contacts with the French Courts and trade with Ireland and the Mediterranean world. Exeter is politically weak, and the fief is home to many Gangrel and other Low Clan miscreants who do not recognize either Mithras or Hugh’s lordship.
• The Fief of Winchester stands between Cornwall and London, and is home to Mithras’ rivals. The Tremere attempted to construct their largest British chantry here, two centuries ago, but they were stopped. Now, under the protection of the Toreador, Melusine d’Anjou, the Tremere have built several chanceries (small sanctums hidden away in unimportant towns). Melusine despises the Tremere, but she knows they are useful shields against Mithras. Melusine is pressuring the Baron of Exeter to join her in opposition to Mithras — or have his fief forcibly annexed.
• The Fief of Canterbury takes in the rich coastal lands of the southeast, and is claimed by the Toreador baron, Adrian of Canterbury. Adrian is a member of the despised Cainite Heresy, but Mithras has yet to take action against him. Mithras retains a great deal of influence through his alliance with the satrap and Sheriff of Canterbury, James Mannerly. Adrian may play at being prince, but Mannerly is the true power in the fief. If Mannerly were to fall from grace (or meet Final Death), the fief could become a stronghold of anti-Mithras activity.
• The Fief of London, the Throne Fief, where Lord Mithras holds court, is not the stronghold of his power that it might be. At least one Promethean sect operates out of London, and the Nosferatu Ragged Jenny, who wields a great deal of influence on London’s streets, has no loyalty to the Prince.