A SOURCEBOOK FOR VAMPIRE: THE DARK AGES

20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

 The Children of the Angevins
The Triumvirate has fallen, and Mithras rules England unchallenged. Princes from across Europe look
to the lord of London with admiration and respect. His authority has emboldened the elders of the
kingdom, who have claimed what they see as their rightful place, ruling over the Cainite society of
England. Yet hidden from view there are many dissenters, Furores, Prometheans, and other radicals,
plotters who dream of transforming the world, for Cainite and mortal alike.
realise, a
The flames of rebellion have already been lit, and, whilst few realise
bloody future is approaching

England Will Burn includes

includes:
• Information on a number of key locations in the kingdom;
• Profiles of more than 85 characters, ranging from the great
Prince of London, to villainous Furores
• Maps, timelines, and other reference material to support
chronicles based in England
James Willoughby
England Will Burn

1
CREDITS:
Written by: James Willoughby
Edited by: William Cameron
Cover Art: The Abbey in the Oakwood by Caspar David
Friedrich
Layout and Design: James Willoughby
Interior Art: Gustave Doré, Larry MacDougall, James
Willoughby

© 2017 White Wolf Entertainment AB. All rights reserved. Vampire:

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Wolf Entertainment AB. All rights reserved.
For additional information on White Wolf and the World of Darkness,
please, visit: www.white-wolf.com, www.worldofdarkness.com and
www.storytellersvault.com.

England Will Burn

2
 Table of Contents
Introduction: Night in England ................................. 7
England by Night................................................ 8
The Autocrat Princes ..................................... 8
Children of the Angevins............................... 9
Words and Lore .................................................. 9
Lexicon ........................................................... 9
Princes and Barons ....................................... 11
A Note on Names......................................... 11
Using this Book ................................................ 11
History and Continuity ................................ 12
Historiography .............................................. 12
Chapter 1: Geography of England ............................ 17
The Towns and Cities of Britain ...................... 18
Cainite Influence and the Feodum ................... 20
Travel in England ............................................. 22
Travel by Road ............................................. 22
Travel by Boat .............................................. 22
Travel Times ................................................ 22
Mapping England.............................................. 24
Reading Area Maps ...................................... 24
Reading Location Maps ................................ 25
Chapter 2: London by Night ................................. 27
London, Pearl of England................................. 28
Theme .......................................................... 28
Mood ............................................................ 29
Using London by Night ............................... 29
The Fee of London ....................................... 29
History .............................................................. 30
The Rule of the Tribunes ............................. 30
Rise and Decline .......................................... 30
The End of Roman Britain .......................... 31
A Time of Chaos.......................................... 31
Lundenwic and Lundenburg ........................ 32
The Coming of the Danes............................ 33
The New City .............................................. 33
A Threat in Normandy ................................ 34
The Triumvirate........................................... 35
The Seeds of Rebellion ................................ 36
London at War ............................................. 37
The Rule of the Angevins............................ 37
The Great Charter ....................................... 38
Storms to Come ........................................... 39
England Will Burn
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 Geography......................................................... 40
The Rivers of London................................... 40
Defending the Kingdom ............................... 40
River and Road ............................................. 42
Town and Country ....................................... 42
A City Reborn .............................................. 42
The City of London .......................................... 43
Westminster...................................................... 46
Windsor ............................................................ 47
The Cainites of London ................................... 48
The Companions .......................................... 48
The Aldermen .............................................. 50
Clerkenwell Priory........................................ 52
The Anarchs ................................................. 54
The Disciples of Job...................................... 56
The Guild of St Eustace ............................... 58
The Night Temple........................................ 59
The Cult of Mithras ..................................... 61
The Trading Circle....................................... 62
Chapter 3: Gloucester by Night ............................ 101
Gloucester, Bastion of the West ..................... 102
Theme......................................................... 102
Mood........................................................... 102
Using Gloucester by Night ......................... 103
The Fee of Gloucester ................................ 103
History ............................................................ 104
Roman Glevum .......................................... 104
The Hwicce ................................................ 104
Cnebba’s War ............................................. 105
The Triumvirate ......................................... 105
The Vale of Ewyas ...................................... 106
The Raven’s War ........................................ 106
Victory and Defeat ..................................... 107
Seren’s Peace .............................................. 107
Geography....................................................... 108
Travel ......................................................... 108
The Severn Valley ...................................... 108
The Town of Gloucester ............................ 110
Tewkesbury ................................................. 113
The Cainites of Gloucester............................. 114
The Circle of power.................................... 114
The Candle-bearers .................................... 117
Wardens of the Severn ............................... 118
Wolves Outside the Walls .......................... 120
The House of Judith ................................... 121
Chapter 4: Winchester by Night ............................ 141
Winchester, Pride of Wessex .......................... 142
Theme......................................................... 142
Mood........................................................... 142
Using Winchester by Night........................ 143
The Fee of Winchester ............................... 143
History ............................................................ 144
England Will Burn
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The Rise of Winchester ............................. 144
The Lords of Winchester ........................... 144
The Rule of Ceolwulf ................................. 145
The Conquest ............................................ 145
The Anarchy .............................................. 146
The Reign of Melusine............................... 146
Geography ...................................................... 148
Travel ......................................................... 148
Over Hill and Dale..................................... 148
The Town .................................................. 150
The Cainites of Winchester ........................... 152
Winchester and London ............................ 152
Winchester and Rouen .............................. 152
Chapter 5: Ely by Night.......................................... 165
Ely, the Hidden City ...................................... 166
Theme ........................................................ 166
Mood .......................................................... 166
Using Ely by Night ..................................... 167
History ............................................................ 168
A Church in the Fens ................................ 168
The Coming of the Danes.......................... 168
Dark Times in Ely ...................................... 169
The Normans ............................................. 169
Life in the Liberty ...................................... 170
Geography ...................................................... 172
Travel ......................................................... 172
The Isle ...................................................... 172
The Fens..................................................... 172
The Town .................................................. 174
The Cainites of Ely ........................................ 176
Ely and Cambridge ..................................... 178
Chapter 6: Chester by Night ................................. 189
Chester, Stronghold of the Marches .............. 190
Theme ........................................................ 190
Mood .......................................................... 190
Using Chester by Night ............................. 191
The Fee of Chester ..................................... 191
History ............................................................ 192
The Fall of Deva......................................... 192
The Rise of Chester ................................... 192
Leovigota’s Realm ...................................... 193
The Return of Marcus Verus...................... 193
Chester and the Triumvirate ..................... 194
Wars with the Welsh ................................. 195
Geography ...................................................... 196
Travel ......................................................... 196
Meres and Mosses....................................... 196
The Marches .............................................. 196
The Town .................................................. 198
The Cainites of Chester ................................. 200
Chester and Dublin .................................... 200
Chapter 7: Carlisle by Night ................................. 209
Carlisle, Bastion of the North ........................ 210
Theme......................................................... 210
Mood........................................................... 210
Using Carlisle by Night .............................. 211
The Fee of Carlisle ..................................... 211
History ............................................................ 212
The Birth of Caer Luel ............................... 212
War on the Borderlands ............................. 212
Geography....................................................... 214
Travel ......................................................... 214
The Borderlands ......................................... 214
The Town ................................................... 216
The Cainites of Carlisle ................................. 218
Chapter 8: Elsewhere in England ............................ 225
Thetford and East Anglia’s Lost Towns ......... 226
Lancaster and the Road to the North ............ 228
Lancaster .................................................... 229
The Road North......................................... 229
The Cainites of Lancashire ........................ 229
Lindisfarne and the Monastic Experience ..... 232
Southampton and England’s New Ports......... 234
Dover and England’s Coastal Defences .......... 236
Appendix: Key Dates ............................................. 239
Index...................................................................... 245
England Will Burn
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England Will Burn

6
Nightfall in England is known as the time of shutting in. As the last
rays of the sun disappear over the horizon, the people of the land
retreat within their dwellings, barring doors and shuttering windows.
Prayers are said, and all people, from kings to peasants, retreat to the safest
spaces within their home. The hours of darkness are a dangerous time,
feared by all good people; for who knows what one might encounter, if left
outside, as the moon rises in the night sky?

7
Thehourspeopleof ofdarkness,
England are right to be cautious in the
for amongst them dwell
monsters. The church teaches that the night air teems
with the servants of the Devil, creatures which seek to
do evil, and erode the faith of good Christians. Yet the
real danger which faces many travellers abroad after
sunset comes not from errant demons, but from the
Children of Caine, vampires who have claimed
dominion over the night. Whilst many mortals
encounter Cainites, few learn of their true nature and
live. The collective power of the Cainite community
has kept their existence a secret from the people of the
land. Yet, though they dwell in ignorance of the nature
of the threat which is present in the hours of darkness,
the men and women of England know enough to seek
safety as dusk falls over the land, and the sun dips
towards the horizon. Night in England is a dark and
terrible time.
England by Night
England Will Burn is a guide book designed to support
Vampire: the Dark Ages chronicles set in England. The
chapters contained in this book provide details of some
of the more notable domains found in the kingdom,
including information on the history and geography of
these locations, alongside information on resident
characters. The reference material contained herein is
designed to ease the work of the Storyteller.
Whilst a small country, the Kingdom of England is a
relatively wealthy and stable one, an environment in
which Cainites have prospered. In the year 1242 the
land contains a large Cainite population, notionally
ruled over by Mithras, the Prince of London. The
society of the night is afflicted by few open conflicts,
and an outsider might easily be persuaded that this is a
land at peace. However, beneath the superficial civility
of Cainite society in England lie violent divisions.
Though few yet realise it, there will inevitably come a
time when the Cainite community erupts into violence,
a time when England will burn.
The Autocrat Princes
The stability of Cainite society in England has been
upheld by the princes of the various towns and cities of
the land. Maintaining power when surrounded by
ruthless predators requires authority, determination,
and a willingness to use violence. A prince must be
prepared to use force when necessary, lest they fall
victim to the fangs of their rivals.
England Will Burn
8
Whilst the position of prince is one which has always
been contested, matters have not always been as they
are in the thirteenth century. In the era when the
Roman Empire dominated Western Europe, Cainite
communities generally functioned as oligarchies.
Within these societies the prince was the notional “first
citizen”, a Cainite who might represent the community
to outsiders. Often this would be the oldest Cainite, or
the one who had resided in the community for the
longest period of time. Occasionally, a younger Cainite
might be found in the position due to purely pragmatic
reasons. Marcus Verus, for instance, was a relative
neonate when he became Prince of Deva Victrix.
The status of prince was transformed in Western
Europe by the fall of Rome, and the notionally dark age
that followed. As the population of the former Roman
lands went into steep decline, many Cainites were
drawn into conflict over herds, domains, and resources.
A large number of Cainites met their Final Deaths
during this period, with the survivors often being the
most capable, ruthless or brutal inhabitants of a given
city. Such struggles transformed Cainite society in
Western Europe.
Whilst the term “prince” was retained by the pre-
eminent Cainite in any given domain, the inflection
was subtly changed by the fall of Rome. The princes of
the medieval era saw themselves as the absolute rulers
of their domains, with natural authority over all other
Cainites dwelling in their territory. The powers claimed
by these princes mirrored the position of mortal
sovereigns, and many Cainites, particular those sired in
the early medieval period, were willing to accept
absolute rulers as representing the natural order of the
world. A few older Cainites, particularly amongst the
Brujah, disapprove of this new type of ruler; labelling
them the “autocrat princes”, these critics believe that
for princes to claim absolute control of their domains
threatens to destabilise Cainite society. Nevertheless,
despite these concerns, the autocrat prince appears to
have become an established feature of the Cainite
world.
The Cainite society of England is, naturally,
dominated by its autocrat princes. The most powerful
and famous of these is Mithras, Prince of London.
Elsewhere in England, capable and authoritative princes
have stamped their authority over entire regions.
Northern England is dominated by John Hawtin, Prince
of York, occasional rival and sometime ally of Mithras.
The power of John Hawtin has been somewhat
constrained by Marcus Verus, Prince of Chester, and
Stephen le Gros, Prince of Lincoln. Though the
interests of the three Cainites are often in conflict, their
collective intrigues have managed to impose a certain
form of stability in the north.
The dominance of London over the south of
England means that there are few autocrat princes in
the region who have the stature of John Hawtin and his
rivals. In the west of England the most influential
Cainite is unquestionably Seren, Prince of Gloucester.
A staunch ally of Mithras, Seren is one of the more
tyrannical of the autocrat princes, insisting upon the
deference of all those residing in her domain. Equally
notable is Melusine d’Anjou, Prince of Winchester. An
opponent of the Prince of London, Melusine is a capable
political operator, able to outmanoeuvre many of her
opponents. Her defiant stance in regards to London’s
Cainite establishment means that she has come to be a
focal point of opposition to Mithras.
Many of those caught up in the conflict between
Mithras and Melusine are blind to the fact that the
autocrat princes are often more similar than they are
different. Those rebels who back Melusine would be
disappointed if she should prevail against the Prince of
London, as they would learn that they are merely
trading one tyrant for another. The greatest risk faced
by the autocrat princes is that the Cainite population of
Britain will become aware of this fact, and that the
conflict between the princes is superseded by a war
against the elders of the land.
Children of the Angevins
In the centuries after the fall of Rome, the Cainite
community of England was wracked by brutal conflicts.
Although many Cainites were sired, few survived more
than a century, not least because of the competition for
kine in a sparsely populated land. This situation
changed in the eleventh century, when the conquest of
England by the Dukes of Normandy brought greater
peace and stability to the land. Whilst the country was
still affected by periodic bouts of war, England saw a
steady growth in population and wealth during this
time. This was naturally accompanied by an increase in
the Cainite population.
In the middle of the thirteenth century the majority
of Cainites in England are less than two-hundred-years
old. The relative youth of these vampires is in stark
contrast to the age of the elders sired in the days of the
Roman Empire, who hold much of the political power
in Cainite society. The younger Cainites are referred to
by a variety of terms; the most popular name for these
vampires is ‘the Children of the Angevins’, a reference
to the rulers of England in the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries. More pejorative is the term ‘anarch’,
originally used in reference to Cainites sired during the
Anarchy, which soon became a generalised reference to
younger vampires.
At present, the Children of the Angevins hold little
political power in the Cainite world. Only a few
Cainites of this age have attained the status of prince,
and then in domains largely seen as of marginal
importance, such as Oxford and Carlisle. This is,
according to the autocrat princes, part of the natural
order of things. There are many Cainite elders who
believe that the Children of the Angevins are only fit
to serve as soldiers in the War of Ages, disposable
resources in a bloody political conflict. Time will tell if
this judgement is correct.
Words and Lore
Whilst the Cainites of Britain share much in common
with their equivalents elsewhere in Europe, their
outlook and language has been shaped by the history of
the British Isles. The terminology they use has been
influenced by both mortal society, and by the conflicts
and history of the Cainite world. The lexicon provided
below presents the meaning of some key terms used
within this book.
Lexicon
anarch: A mildly dismissive term for a Cainites sired
over the last hundred years. The term is a reference to
the Anarchy, when many Cainites were sired without
regard to the Traditions. Note that this term bears only
a tangential relationship to the label of anarch found in
the vampire communities of the modern world.
Anarchy, the: A civil war which ran from 1135 to
1153 between the forces of Stephen of Blois and the
Empress Matilda, rival claimants to the English throne.
Baron: A Cainite who holds a feodum or fee. The
position of Baron runs in parallel to that of prince, and
commands certain privileges over a wide geographic
area. The twelve Barons currently recognised hold a
considerable amount of influence over the Cainite
politics of the British Isles.
Barons’ War, the: A civil war in England which took
place between 1215 and 1217. The conflict was
between the forces of the king and a group of rebellious
barons who wished to restrict the king’s power.
Introduction
9
 feodum: A territorial unit under the nominal control
of a particular Cainite prince. Most feodum cover
hundreds of square miles, and are centred on a particular
town or city. The feodum are colloquially known as fees
or tenancies.
Heptarchy, the: A collective term for the seven
kingdoms which dominated the British Isles during the
Anglo-Saxon era. The kingdoms of the Heptarchy were
ultimately consolidated into the Kingdom of England.
Hounds of Mithras the: A loose network of Cainites
employed to enforce the will of Mithras.
hundred: A political division of a county, used in the
administration of tax and justice; a typical hundred
contains between twenty and thirty parishes. In some
counties in northern and central England a hundred is
known as a wapentake.
justiciar: The chief minister of the English king.
Justiciars are powerful, and rarely popular. In 1242 the
post of justiciar has been vacant for close to a decade.
liberty: A liberty is a political unit which sits outside
the normal political administration of boroughs and
hundreds. Most liberties are held in ecclesiastical hands.
England Will Burn
10
murage: A toll used for the construction of defensive
walls around a town. English towns do not have an
automatic right to raise murage, and have to petition
the king for this right.
Raven’s War, the: A conflict between the Cainites
of Wales and central England, notionally focused on the
competing influences of Ventrue and Toreador elders.
The conflict led to the overthrow of a number of
princes, and lasted from 1138 to 1166.
sheriff: The chief agent of the king in a county,
responsible for enforcing the king’s will in matters of tax
and justice.
tribune: An antiquated term denoting a Cainite in a
position of power in a town or city. Unlike a prince, a
tribune did not claim the place where they resided as
their domain.
Triumvirate, the: A group of three powerful Cainites
who attempted to claim the entirety of England as their
domain in the latter part of the eleventh century.
Whilst the members of the Triumvirate were defeated
by the middle of the twelfth century, the aftermath of
the conflict still affects Cainite society.
Princes and Barons
The English word ‘prince’ is derived from the Latin term
‘princeps’, which means ‘one who takes the first
position’. Since Roman times the word has functioned
to refer to rulers in a fairly generic sense, separate from
any specific positions or titles. As such, the term has
been adopted widely by Cainites in Western Europe to
denote the foremost Cainite in a given town or city.
The term ‘baron’ was first introduced to the British
Isles in the middle of the eleventh century by William
the Conqueror. This new aristocratic rank was designed
to help pacify the country after its conquest, and was
granted to individual freeholders in return for providing
military service directly to the king. The direct feudal
relationships represented by the role of baron became
the durable basis of royal power in England.
Towards the end of the eleventh century the term
migrated to the world of Cainites, employed for the pre-
eminent figures in territories known as feodum. A
number of these individuals were appointed to the role
by Mithras, whilst others unilaterally claimed these
positions. The use of ‘baron’ to describe these figures
evolved over time and is not in universal use, even in
the middle of the thirteenth century. It is, in large part,
contested since it implies vassalage to Mithras. John
Hawtin, Melusine d’Anjou, and Stephen le Gros are all
reluctant to use the term, not wishing to denote their
servience to the Prince of London. Others in contrast,
such as Nathaniel of Carlisle or Edward de Warene in
Dublin, tend to emphasise the notion that they are
barons, using it as a badge of legitimacy; as vassals of the
Prince of London, they demand respect, even from
Mithras himself. Finally, it should be noted that there
are many Cainites in the British Isles who have no great
interest in the status afforded by these titles, and have
fallen into using ‘prince’ and ‘baron’ interchangeably.
A Note on Names
In the twelfth-century most people inhabiting England
were known by a personal name and a byname.
Although personal names functioned much as they do
today, the byname needs some explanation. Bynames
exist for much the same purposes as modern surnames,
to allow people sharing the same personal name to be
clearly distinguished. Bynames often related to a
person’s profession or place of origin. Thus, a village
might have blacksmith generally known as John Smith,
and a craftsman known as John Potter. Yet bynames
differ from surnames in two important ways. The first is
that a byname is not a family name, and is not
necessarily inherited. In our previous example, for
instance, John Potter could be the son of John Smith.
Should both members of the family be employed in
smithing it would be likely that they would each gain a
byname so that they might be easily distinguished.
Often such bynames would relate to the physical or
personal qualities of particular people. The two smiths
named John might thus become known as John
Longman and John Meager.
The previous example touches upon another point
of difference between surnames and bynames. Whilst a
surname is relatively fixed, and references a particular
family, bynames often varied within families, or even
between contexts. To take a practical example, the
Cainite Prince of York is known by many of his
contemporaries throughout England as John de York.
Whilst this byname makes sense from the viewpoint of
a resident of London, it is less useful for the inhabitants
of York who could all describe themselves, quite
reasonably, as “of York”. A more descriptive term is
appropriate, and the Cainites of York call their lord
‘John Hawtin’, though never to his face. Bynames are
often descriptive, though not always complementary.
As a final note, medieval names are indexed on a
forename-byname basis, rather than by surname-
forename.
Using this Book
England Will Burn is a reference book designed to
support Storytellers running chronicles in the Kingdom
of England. It provides specific reference material on
English geography and history, as well as providing a
number of chapters detailing particular locations. The
finite nature of this book means that certain choices
have been made in terms of what has been included and
excluded. As a general rule, greater emphasis has been
placed on characters and social dynamics than on
historical information. The intention of the author has
been to provide a glimpse of Cainite society in England,
and it is assumed that the Storyteller will be capable of
completing any additional research required for a
chronicle.
The majority of the chapters in this book focus on
particular locations. These chapters follow the same
general plan, starting with background and history,
followed by a section on geography, and closing with
material detailing the Cainite residents of the location.
The reader will note that many of the towns presented
here have relatively small Cainite populations. This is
Introduction
11
intentional, designed to support interpersonal drama
and maintain consistency with information presented
in prior works published for Vampire: the Dark Ages. In
the first edition of the core rulebook, published in 1996,
it was noted that: ‘A city of 10,000 mortals may have a
dozen resident vampires, with half a dozen more in the
surrounding towns and villages.’ England Will Burn
maintains these population ratios when dealing with
given locations.
A small Cainite population does, of course, have an
effect upon the interpersonal dynamics of a location.
Having a limited number of individuals to interact with
in a game emphasises certain play styles. These
environments promote intense character-driven stories,
personal horror, and cut-throat political struggles. In a
town with half-a-dozen Cainites, every single character
matters. There are no disposable background characters
in chronicles set in the domains portrayed within this
book.
The reader should also note that there is one
additional consequence to the adherence to the
population limits set out in Vampire: the Dark Ages.
This is that the presence of the players’ characters will
overpopulate a domain. The extent to which a
Storyteller emphasises this point should depend on the
focus of a particular chronicle.
As a final point on the subject of using England Will
Burn, the reader may note that the introduction does
not list a theme and mood for the book. Whilst the
Kingdom of England is a small country, it is still large
enough to have significant variation between the
character of particular regions. To this end, the
individual domains presented in later chapters have
their own themes and moods. Storytellers should
consider these when planning a chronicle.
History and Continuity
In 1992 White Wolf published A World of Darkness, a
supplement for Vampire: the Masquerade which
explored the world of Kindred outside of the narrow
confines of North America. The book contained a
chapter on Great Britain which introduced Mithras,
and set up a number of key recurring concepts which
featured in later World of Darkness products dealing
with Britain. Over the following ten years, various
aspects of the country were sketched out in various
supplements, from Bloody Hearts to The Ventrue
Chronicle. Without a single, focused sourcebook, the
history of Britain in the World of Darkness was
constructed in a diffuse and unstructured way.
England Will Burn
12
Characters appeared and disappeared between
sourcebooks, contradictions and inconsistencies
appeared, and anachronisms were present. The land of
Britain became a difficult place to navigate in the
World of Darkness.
England Will Burn works with this pre-existing
material, attempting to fit it into a structure supporting
Dark Ages chronicles. Many aspects of this book will be
familiar with past supplements. When changes have
been made, they have been made for a reason. In some
instances, they are designed to address anachronisms. In
previous supplements, for instance, considerable
reference was made to fiefdoms, designated spheres of
influence, overseen by powerful Cainites. The fiefdom,
however, is an anachronistic word, and an even more
anachronistic concept, in medieval terms; it has been
replaced in England Will Burn with “fee” and “feodum”,
related medieval words.
Other changes made have been for the purposes of
resolving contradictions or inconsistencies. Is the
forename of Lord Camden Thomas or Roger? Why are
characters with universally male names being referred
to with female pronouns? When such inconsistencies
arise, preference is generally given to the content of
earlier sourcebooks. In these instances, changes are
made to ensure coherence.
On occasion changes have been made to make a
better story. The reader may note that the version of
Melusine d’Anjou presented here is not the character
who appeared in earlier Dark Ages sourcebooks. Given
that Mithras has an advantage of two-thousand years of
age and three generations over Melusine, a reason is
required as to why the Prince of Winchester has not yet
been dismembered. England Will Burn provides some
reasons for Melusine’s continued existence.
Historiography
The structure of England Will Burn is guided by a
historiographic concept, which is that all historic events
fall on a trajectory. The world presented by this book is
the night-time society of England at a very particular
period in time, the autumn of 1242. Yet the meaning of
the world at this precise point is guided by all points of
time which occur before, and all points after. This is a
country which has seen the rise and fall of a foreign
empire, long, cold centuries of chaos and political
fragmentation, and the relative peace and prosperity
since the arrival of the Normans. Cainites, as immortal
observers of the world around them, have seen how the
land has changed; often, though many might deny it,
they have had their characters shaped by the events
which they have witnessed and survived.
This is a world, moreover, which contains not just
the echoes of the past, but the seeds of its future.
Though none yet realise it, the first stirrings of what will
become known as the Anarch Revolt have already
begun. Cainite society during the medieval period is
dominated by powerful elders, the Autocrat Princes,
beings of immense power who survived the violence
which followed the fall of the Roman Empire, and have
built up great wealth and influence. The bloodiest
conflict this led to was the struggle between Mithras and
the Triumvirate, as an ancient Methuselah battled
against those who would claim his domain. The major
participants in this war saw it as representing the nature
of the Cainite society, as its oldest and most potent
members sought to exert their authority. The elders of
England believed the conflict exemplified the War of
Ages, with the majority of the country’s Cainites being
nothing more than insignificant pawns.
The exertions of Mithras and the Triumvirate were
centred on the important towns in the east and south of
England; they overshadowed a second simultaneous
conflict, the Raven’s War, which was fought throughout
the west of England. Notionally centred on avenging
the Final Death of Constantius Thrax, it was exploited
by many ambitious Cainites, and the princes of a
number of English towns were overthrown by younger
rebels, eager to claim status and power for themselves.
From the vantage point of London, these struggles
appeared to be a petty conflict, presenting no threat to
the powerful elders in the capital. Yet the Raven’s War
would be a conflict with far-reaching consequences, a
step towards a transformation of the world of vampires,
from the Long Night, to the era of the Camarilla and
Sabbat.
Introduction
13
 That Name Seems Familiar…
England Will Burn references many characters which have appeared in other World of Darkness
products, and it is likely that the reader may come across names that seem familiar. Some characters, such
as Mithras, probably require little introduction; others are more obscure, appearing in passing references in
books not directly related to England. To assist the reader, a summary of these characters and their prior
appearances is presented below.
Æthelwulf, Warlord of London, appears in a number of supplements for Dark Ages Vampire; the most
detailed description of the character is presented in Players Guide to Low Clans (2003)
Aine first appeared in A World of Darkness (1992); should the players not dispose of her, she will survive
as a wight until the present day.
Alexander, former Prince of Paris, was first mentioned in Vampire: the Dark Ages (1996), with his
conflict with Mithras presented in some detail in Libellus Sanguinis I: Masters of the State (1997). Whilst
he has met his Final Death, few know this fact in 1242.
Aroasios, in his guise as Trajan, is an important background character in Dark Colony (1993); his rivalry
with Dark Selina starts when they both reside in medieval London.
Baba Yaga appeared in A World of Darkness (1992), with a full background later sketched out in Rage
Across Russia (1993).
Bindusara, sire of Valerius, was introduced in the first edition of Clanbook: Ventrue (1994).
Cretheus was introduced in A World of Darkness (1992), with greater background later provided in Lair
of the Hidden (2003).
Critias, sire of Thomas the Hermit and Tirines, was introduced in Chicago by Night (1991); whilst he is
a resident of Thessalonike in 1242, as advisor to the prince, Natalya Svyatoslava. The childer of Critias
have, meanwhile, found themselves spread across Europe, whilst his sire has disappeared across the Atlantic
Ocean. That Thomas the Hermit feels drawn to the west may not be a coincidence…
Duke & Duchess d’Ambois first made an appearance in the second instalment of the Giovanni
Chronicles, Blood and Fire (1996), with some subsequent background appearing in London by Night (2002).
Edward de Warene is introduced in Dark Ages Europe (2002); he has yet to claim the position of Baron
of Dublin in 1230.
Edwyll Whitebeard is mentioned in Players Guide to High Clans (2003)
Elieser de Polanco appears in Iberia by Night (2001); he gets a brief mention here as an enemy to Teresa
Diaz.
Eustace the Macedonian plays a role in Legacy of Lies (2017); England Will Burn has attempted to
resolve the inconsistency between the character’s name and gender.
Genevieve is first mentioned within narrative text in The Ashen Thief (2000); she is further developed
in a number of early Dark Ages: Vampire supplements, including Dark Ages Europe (2002) and Players
Guide to Low Clans (2003).
Geoffrey of Calais, the Triumvirate, and the struggles with Mithras are detailed in Libellus Sanguinis I:
Masters of the State (1997).
Geoffroi du Temple is introduced in Dark Ages: Vampire (2002), his accession to the position of the
Prince of Paris having occurred between editions.
Gerard Mannerly is introduced as James Mannerly in Ashen Cults (2001), as a loyal member of the Cult
of Mithras. Since ‘James’ is not used in Medieval England, the character’s name has been amended.
Godefroy, the disappointing childe of Marcus Verus, will come good, and will eventually serve as Ventrue
Justicar in the late twentieth century.
Harald Leifsson is a key character in the introductory fiction for Vampire: the Dark Ages (1996), where
he meets his death at the hands of Ælfred.

England Will Burn

14
 Helena first appeared in the original edition of Chicago by Night (1991), and has been referenced in
many subsequent books. Her extensive brood is represented here in the form of Leovigota, one of the
Aldermen of London.
Hugh de Chambrey is first mentioned in Dark Ages Europe (2002); his byname is mentioned, in passing,
within Players Guide to Low Clans (2002).
Jezebel gets mentioned in Jerusalem by Night (1999) as the sire of the character Shahara al-Rashwa.
John Burden appears in Dark Ages Europe (2002) as the Promethean prince of St Albans.
John Hawtin is introduced in Dark Ages: Vampire (2002); a full treatment of the character followed in
The Ventrue Chronicle (2003). Surviving the threats he faced in 1230, he has become even more
insufferable.
Julian Cerialis had met his Final Death by 1230, but is an important part of the background to The
Ventrue Chronicle (2003).
Katla is another notable character from Ventrue Chronicle (2003); in 1242 she is absent from Britain.
Losario is an elusive Brujah Methuselah, sire to Camarilla founder Adana de Sforza.
Liseult de Taine, member of the Triumvirate, first appears in Libellus Sanguinis I: Masters of the State
(1997), and is mentioned in a number of subsequent books dealing with the British Isles.
Marcus Verus, Prince of Chester and childe of Mithras, is introduced in Dark Ages Europe (2002).
Melusine d’Anjou, treacherous Prince of Winchester, also first appears in Dark Ages Europe (2002).
Mithras is, of course, a major character in Britain in the World of Darkness, and is referenced in many
supplements. His first appearance is in A World of Darkness (1992).
Nathaniel is first mentioned in Dark Ages: Vampire (2002), with a history further elaborated on in Dark
Ages Europe (2002) and London by Night (2002).
Nicholas, Chamberlain of London, is patron to the player characters in Clash of Wills (1997). Whilst
described as London’s seneschal in that book, he post has been swapped with that held by Thomas, Lord
Camden, to better fit the character.
Paul Cordwood, Tremere spymaster, is featured within House of Tremere (2000)
Peter the Lombard is mentioned in Players Guide to Low Clans (2003) as one of the first Prometheans.
Richard de Worde is another character whose first appearance comes in Dark Ages Europe (2002).
Roald Snake-eyes is described, along with the other members of the Triumvirate, within Libellus
Sanguinis I: Masters of the State (1997).
Robin Leeland, rebel Prince of Nottingham, first appears as sire to Tyler in Chicago by Night (1991).
Selina the Black appears as Dark Selina in Dark Colony (1993); she will diablerise her sire during the
Anarch Revolt, an event alluded to within the book.
Seren is introduced in Dark Ages: Vampire (2002), though a full presenation of the character comes in
Players Guide to Low Clans (2003). A few changes have been made to her character in England Will Burn,
to give the character more agency, and to move her away from particular stereotypes.
Stephen le Gros is mentioned in Dark Ages: Vampire (2002) as Prince of Lincoln.
Thomas, Lord Camden, first appears in Clanbook: Cappadocian (1997), and features in a number of
supplements published over the following years. As noted above, his post has been swapped with that of
Nicholas.
Thomas Raet is presented as a character within Dark Ages: British Isles (2003). Although a resident of
London in 1230, he has since left the city, on a mission for Richard de Worde.
Valerius appears prominently in Giovanni Chronicles II: Blood and Fire (1996) and Giovanni
Chronicles III: The Sun Has Set (1998).
Walter de Vézelay is, again, a minor character mentioned in passing in a number of books, first mentioned
within Dark Ages Europe (2002).
Wilfred the Apostate features in Road of the Beast (2002) as an apostate who has left the road.

Introduction

15
England Will Burn

16
 CHAPTER 1:

Tthe
he Kingdom of England is located on the island of Great Britain, off
north-western coast of the European mainland. The natural
geography of the land has woven a subtle and pervasive influence on the
kingdom’s history. This is a country where one is never far from the sea, a
fact that brings economic opportunities and military vulnerabilities. The
geography of England has also influenced the character of the people
living there, encouraging an independence, and occasional insularity, in
a land physically separated from the continental politics of the lands to
the south. Understanding the geography of the British Isles provides an
insight into the nature of those who live there.

17
 The Towns and Cities of Britain
Thepolitical
map on the facing page provides a guide to the
geography of the British Isles in the year
1242. England, the largest and most powerful nation on
the isles, covers the southern two-thirds of the largest
island, Great Britain. Scotland, a significant kingdom in
its own right, controls the northern most third of the
island. Though the kingdom is sizeable, the highlands
of Scotland present an inhospitable landscape, and the
country’s population is a fraction of its southern
neighbour. Occasional allies and often enemies, the
relationship between England and Scotland will play an
important role in the histories of both countries.
In the middle of twelfth century the British Isles
contain five smaller kingdoms; these are three petty
kingdoms on the west coast of Ireland, and two rival
kingdoms spanning the islands located between Great
Britain and Ireland. The Irish kingdoms came into
existence in opposition to a Norman invasion, whilst
the island kingdoms were carved out by seafarers from
Scandinavia many centuries ago. Though these minor
kingdoms have a fraction of the wealth and power of
England, they are protected from the rapacious interests
of Norman lords by their geography.
In addition to the kingdoms, the British Isles contain
three dependent states which recognise the sovereignty
of the Kings of England. These are the Principality of
Gwynedd and the Lordships of Ireland and Wight. The
Lordships were established by Norman lords with the
blessing of English kings, and have considerable loyalty
to the Crown. Gwynedd, conversely, is the last of the
Welsh principalities to maintain any form of
independence, and its rulers resent the imposition of the
English monarch as their overlord. It will take many
years and much violence before the Kings of England
can assert direct rule over Gwynedd.
Marked on the map are all towns of notable size.
Medieval demography is a difficult and contentious
subject even within academia, and no attempt will be
made here to give objective population sizes. For the
purposes of this book, assume that a small town has
approximately 5,000 inhabitants, a large town has 7,500
England Will Burn
18
inhabitants, whilst a leading town has around 10,000
inhabitants. England has two urban centres large
enough to be termed cities, London and York; these are
assumed to have around 20,000 inhabitants. In terms of
real-world history, these are relatively high estimates,
though not wholly unreasonable. Storytellers may wish
to alter town populations to fit the needs of their
chronicles, though, for the sake of consistency, it is
generally advisable to maintain the relative size of
different towns.
By the middle of the thirteenth century, many of the
towns of England have been fortified; walled towns are
marked on the map with a circle around the settlement.
The interest of the English kings in fortifying the
country’s towns has been of considerable benefit to the
Cainite princes, as it gives them considerable ability to
controls the boundaries of their domains.
Most of the important towns in Britain are ports, and
these are marked on the map by blue town icons. A port
so marked is capable of receiving ocean-going vessels. In
many instances, towns were built on the tidal limits of
Britain’s rivers; whilst most of these ports are located
close to the coast, in some instance, most notably with
London, York, and Gloucester, the tidal limit is located
far inland.
Major roads are marked on the map in lines of dark
purple. Although the condition of these roads varies
considerably, they are generally drained and maintained
routes. In most instances, the roads used in medieval
Britain were first laid out by the Romans. In some areas,
particularly in Wales, the Roman roads have been
allowed to decay into disrepair; in other areas, such as
in Scotland, energetic rulers have, in recent times,
extended the road network throughout their domains.
Finally, the map provides a rough guide to
population density. The light areas of any given country
have a population of greater than 25 people per square
mile, with shaded areas containing fewer people. Whilst
this will generally have little effect in game terms, sparse
populations may have an impact on how Cainites travel
and feed.
Geography of England

19
 Cainite Influence and the Feodum
Cainite influence within the British Isles is divided up
into a set of political units known as feodum or fees.
Each of the feodum is overseen by the Cainite prince of
a particular town or city, and the pre-eminent Cainites
within a given feodum command considerable power
and influence. The Cainites overseeing the feodum are
generally known as Barons, and are feared and admired
in equal measure.
The origin of the feodum lie in the early years of the
conflict between Mithras and the Triumvirate. Though
the Triumvirate was able to dominate the Cainite
community of London, Mithras had strong support in
Chester, York, and Gloucester, where the then princes
were members of his brood. He instructed these allies to
wage war against the supporters of the Triumvirate in
the territory surrounding these towns; to assist in this
process, it was agreed that the land surrounding Chester,
York, and Gloucester were to be designated as particular
spheres of influence, which, over time, became known
as feodum.
As the forces of Mithras prevailed over the
Triumvirate, further feodum were created by his
supporters in Lincoln, Norwich, and Canterbury. Other
feodum were claimed by opportunist Cainites who
wished to secure influence over particular regions. By
1157 the feodum had covered the entirety of England.
The purpose and structure of the feodum remained
unstated through eleventh and twelfth centuries.
Certain customs evolved, though these were rarely
codified, and their enforcement varied between the
feodum. Whilst Mithras saw the entirety of England as
his domain, he was content to allow the Barons to
manage their own affairs.
Matters changed in 1216, when Dover Castle was
besieged by a French army. Mithras called upon the
Barons to assist him in defeating what he believed to be
an attempt by the Prince of Paris to extend his influence
into England. He was surprised to find that the Barons
were reluctant to provide aid, or were even hostile to his
request. Mithras was eventually able to secure their
support, though at a price; by the end of 1216 Mithras
concluded the Rose Treaty, formally defining the
relationship between the Barons and the Prince of
London.
In the middle of the thirteenth century the Barons
hold a number of rights and obligations. They are
required to acknowledge the authority of Mithras and
England Will Burn
20
provide no hinderance to his messengers, whilst
supplying an annual levy of gold to his coffers, based
upon an agreed measure of the wealth of a given
feodum. In return, a Baron is seen as the ultimate
Cainite authority within the feodum, particularly in
regards to the Traditions of accounting and destruction.
In practical terms, this means that the vassals of one
Baron are expected not to interfere in the political
affairs of other feodum, and must gain permission before
making permanent residence outside of the feodum of
their liege. Only a Baron, or a designated subordinate,
may order the punishment of a Cainite within a given
feodum, though the authority to inflict such
punishments ends at the boundaries of a feodum; a
Cainite subject to a Blood Hunt in one feodum may find
safety by retreating to the territory of another Baron.
Despite the obligations imposed by the creation of a
feodum, the benefits are such that several British
princes have unilaterally declared themselves to be
Barons. In 1152 Hugh de Chambrey, Prince of Exeter,
positioned himself as a Baron, in the hope that Cainites
elsewhere in England might leave him alone; close to a
century later, in 1239, Edward de Warene, increasingly
beleaguered Prince of Dublin, declared Ireland to be a
feodum in an attempt to attract the support of Mithras.
In both cases, the princes in question voluntarily chose
to make themselves the vassal of another Cainite, in
order to secure their territorial claims.
It is important to note that, despite the rights and
obligations of a Baron, they do not rule or control their
feodum as such. In practical terms, the scale of these
territories is enormous, with the largest, the Fee of
Lothian, covering close to 30,000 square miles. The
map opposite shows the boundaries of the feodum, and
influence within them, in various shades of red. The
level of influence is displayed by the relative brightness
of the tone. It should be noted that in most feodum the
extent of influence extends little beyond the largest
settlements and main roads.
The term “feodum” itself was adopted from Latin
feudal terminology, where it defined the territorial
rights held by a vassal. As many Cainites do not speak
Latin, the feodum are also referred to using a number of
vernacular terms. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries
the term “landbec” was common, though in the early
thirteenth century it has largely been replaced by the
word “fee”.
Geography of England

21
 Travel in England
Themedieval
ability to travel is an important feature of any
state. A monarch cannot rule securely if
his agents cannot travel the land, enforcing the power
of the state, and watching for signs of dissent. The
prosperity of the land, meanwhile, requires the ability of
merchants to travel unhindered, whilst the church
needs to be able to send messages between dioceses, and
encourages pilgrims to visit important shrines. A
successful state is one where people can travel with little
hindrance.
Travel by Road
The majority of travellers in Britain rely upon the
road network which links the most important towns and
cities on the isles. The quality of these routes vary
greatly. Many of the most important highways were first
constructed in the Roman era, and retain stretches of
stone paving; these are the preferred routes of travellers,
attracting messengers, traders and pilgrims alike. These
roads are, by custom, wide enough to allow two loaded
carts to pass each other, and are bordered by large grass
verges, cleared of trees and other vegetation, to ensure
the safety of travellers.
The quality of roads do, of course, vary greatly in
quality. Few routes away from the main highways are
paved, and it is not uncommon for travellers to find
themselves on dirt tracks, meandering through the
English landscape. Occasionally, particularly in thick
woodland or upon the moors, a road will be little more
than a muddy and ill-marked path. In some instances, a
road will be of little benefit to the traveller.
In general, a traveller on the medieval roads of
England can expect to cover around thirty miles in a
single day or night. A loaded cart will move more
slowly, rarely travelling more than fifteen miles in the
same period of time. A traveller on horseback will
generally not cover a greater distance, particurly during
the hours of darkness; horses are ridden more for the
traveller’s comfort and status, than for additional speed.
In good weather, and on a well-maintained road, a rider
might cover fifty miles in a day or night. Bad weather
can, of course, reduce the distance travelled, and heavy
rain or snow can render England’s roads impassable.
Travel by Boat
Roads are not the only way for travellers to move
between the towns and cities of England. Since Britain
England Will Burn
22
consists of a number of islands, and many settlements
are either coastal, or located on navigable rivers, the
traveller may eschew roads entirely, and chose to move
by boat.
There are a number of advantages to travelling by
boat. In good weather a boat can cover a considerable
distance, whilst providing greater comfort to the
traveller. Many Cainites, prefer travelling by boat to
traversing the roads of England; with a good vessel, and
some trusted retainers, they may sail during the day,
emerging at night once their destination is reached.
Some princes, such as Mithras in London, keep the
docks in their domains under great scrutiny, rightly
surmising that unwanted visitors will arrive by boat.
Travellers by water are, however, far more
vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather, than their
counterparts on the roads of England. Calm weather
may slow journeys, whilst storms and high winds may
put the traveller in danger. Few boats will venture out
to sea during the winter, and some areas, such as Cape
Cornwall and the west coast of Scotland, can present
hazards throughout the year. Travelling by sea can be a
hazardous endeavour.
Travel Times
The map opposite presents distances between the towns
and cities of the British Isles in miles. These times will
depend on weather and other factors, such as the
changing seasons. The Storyteller should vary these
times based upon circumstances, and the dramatic needs
of a given chronicle.
Systems
An experienced traveller is able to cover
more than thirty miles, even in the hours of
darkness. When on foot, a traveller may choose
to roll Stamina + Survival; each success allows
the traveller to cover an an extra two miles per
night. A rider may roll Stamina + Ride, with
each success allowing an additional five miles.
Difficultly depends on conditions; a good road,
full moon, and fine weather presents a difficulty
of 3, whilst poor roads, bad weather, and low
visibility can increase the difficulty to 10.
Geography of England

23
 Mapping England
Erepresenting the locations discussed within the
ach chapter in this book contains one or more maps

chapter. These maps are designed to assist both players

and Storytellers in imagining the physical environment
of a particular location. Whilst the information which
they present should be relatively intuitive to
understand, an overview of how to read these maps is
presented on the following pages.

Reading Area Maps

Area maps are designed to provide geographic context
for a particular town or city, giving a sense of how an
urban centre relates to the surrounding countryside.
These maps follow a general schematic, marking out
roads (A), water (B), and open space (C); fens,
marshland, saltmarsh, and similar wetlands are marked
in dark green (D), whilst peakland, fells and moors are
marked in grey (E). Settlements are marked with icons,
which indicate the locations of villages (F), monastic
houses (G), and fortifications (H). The locations of
towns and cities are indicated by one of two icons; these
differentiate between towns which are diocesan seats (I)
and other towns (J). Some maps will include other
features; the map on the right, for instance, includes the
route of the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall (K). Finally, each
map includes a scale bar (L), and a compass rose to show
the direction of north (M).
For the sake of consistency, the location maps in
England Will Burn use modern spellings. The map on
the right, for instance, includes the village of
Washington, which was generally have rendered as
Wasindone in medieval texts. Whilst some readers may
consider the latter term more authentic, a choice has
been made to use modern language for ease of
pronunciation and reference. Similarly, various
medieval legal and administrative distinctions have
been omitted where is has been considered that they
would add little to the game experience. For instance,
whilst Lamesley is marked as a village on the map on
the right, it was a chapelry throughout the medieval
period. The distinction between a village and a
chapelry, based upon whether a settlement has its own
church, or merely a subordinate chapel, is one that is
unlikely to play a significant role in many chronicles. In
the rare instances when it may matter, Storytellers are
invited to carry out their own independent research on
the subject.

England Will Burn

24
Reading Location Maps
A location map is larger scale than an area map, and
presents a visual overview of a particular urban area.
These maps follow the same basic schematic, showing
roads (A), buildings (B), and open space (C). Most
maps will also include water (D), fortifications (E),
whilst some will also show marshland (F) or steep slopes
(G). A scale bar is included on each map (H), to give
some sense of the size of a town and the surrounding
features, whilst each map will contain a box showing
places of interest (I) and a compass rose denoting the
direction of north (J).
Although all maps use the same general schematic,
the categories used are relatively broad, encompassing a
variety of different features. Open space, for instance,
may represent arable land, meadows, orchards, or
gardens. Similarly, an area designated as a building
might be anything from a cathedral to a peasant’s hovel.
Smaller features, meanwhile, may be omitted
altogether.
Whilst a general sense of what an area is like may be
obtained from the accompanying text, descriptions of
an area is only provided in broad terms, as this will
normally be a sufficient level of detail for most
chronicles. To a great extent, the actual physical
descriptions of particular locations are up to individual
Storytellers; these can be customised to fit the needs of
particular stories and chronicles. Describing locations
can be a subtle means by which a Storyteller can convey
character information or plot points. Describing an
environment can play an important role in telling an
effective story.
Geography of England
25
England Will Burn

24
 CHAPTER 2:

‘Wour streets; for night is sinister, dramatic; it brings with it

hen night falls over London ancient and primitive things come to

something of the jungle. Beasts of prey and great cities alone in nature
remain awake when darkness comes; the one in search of death, the other
in search of an extra hour of life.’
- H.V. Morton, The Nights of London

27
 London, Pearl of England
Ttohe the
people of London have many legends in regards
origin of their city. Some say that it was
founded by King Lud, a great monarch who lived long
before the arrival of the Romans. Others claim the city
was built by Brutus of Troy, who fled to Britain after the
close of the Trojan War. Such legends have become
attached to the city as many Londoners believe their
home deserves a great and noble past. London, they feel,
is not an ordinary city, but a unique metropolis, one
which deserves an equally notable history.
London’s importance comes, in large part, from its
position on the Thames estuary. As a port it links the
Kingdom of England with continental Europe, whilst as
a crossing point on the Thames it holds a strategic
position in southern England. Since the eleventh
century it has been the largest city in England, and its
capital since the twelfth.
For visitors from smaller towns, the urban
environment of London can often seem overwhelming.
The city’s houses are tall and narrow, packed tightly
within the London’s walls. Whilst the main
thoroughfares running through the city are wide and
well-kept, in many parts of London they are linked by
winding lanes, or even narrow passages, running
beneath the city’s buildings. Even the residents of
London sometimes get lost in unfamiliar quarters of the
city.
Though London is England’s capital, the rulers of
the country are wary of the independent nature of the
city’s inhabitants, and most of the institutions of state
are located in nearby Westminster. Home to a royal
palace since Anglo-Saxon times, Westminster is now a
seat of government, home to the royal treasury, the
highest courts in the land, and the finance and
administrative records necessarily for the efficient
management of the kingdom. Though the Kings of
England are only periodically resident, the Palace of
Westminster is now permanently occupied by a small
army of clerks, serving the Crown to the best of their
abilities.
The city of London itself is a centre of trade and
commerce. Keen to protect their interests from
rapacious rulers, the people of London have, over the
centuries, wrung a number of privileges from the rulers
of England, designed to protect their legal rights. This
includes the right to elect their own lord mayors and
two sheriffs. The current lord mayor is Ralph Ashley,
whilst the sheriffs are Ralph Eswy and Robert fil John.
England Will Burn
28
All three are drawn from London’s mercantile
community, and work hard to protect the city’s
commercial interests. A fourth notable figure in
London’s governance is the bishop. The current Bishop
of London, Fulk Basset, was elected by the canons of St
Pauls in 1241, against the wishes of the king. Though
not the preferred candidate of the Crown, Fulk is the
son of Alan Basset, a former Baron of Wycombe and
close ally of King John. Representing both aristocratic
and ecclesiastical interests, Fulk is fast becoming one of
the key supporters of the king within London.
Theme
London is both the largest and most cosmopolitan city
in England. The wealth and opportunities it provides
are attractive, and the city draws both mortals and
Cainites from across the country. It is a city for the
determined, for the independent, and for those who
value their own personal ambitious beyond their
loyalties to others.
The theme of London by Night is the cult of the
individual. Medieval society puts great stress upon
community and conformity. In such a world, personal
ambitions and expressions of individuality are viewed
with considerable suspicion. The only space in which
one can flee such pressures in the medieval world is in a
large city, such as London, which provides a haven for
those who wish to escape from the stifling nature and
conformity of village life. An apprentice who wishes to
flee from a life of service can easily find their freedom in
the back lanes of London.
The freedoms provided by London are as appealing
to Cainites as they are to mortals. Over the centuries
many of the Children of Caine have been attracted by
the benefits the city provides. London is a place where
a Cainites may reinvent themselves, or else pursue their
own particular ambitions. Though many outsiders see
the Cainite society in the city dominated by strong and
cohesive power blocks, the reality is that most Cainites
dwelling within London are promoting their own
interests. Even the Companions, the supposedly loyal
followers of Mithras, are divided, fighting over their
own petty causes.
Whilst London prospers, the individualism of the
city’s Cainites is of little consequence. Yet if London’s
peace is every interrupted, the fault lines of Cainite
society will be exposed, possibly with grave
consequences.
Mood
The city of London has been largely untouched by the
many conflicts which have beset the Kingdom of
England over the last two hundred years. Regardless of
the civil strife which has afflicted other parts of the
land, London has enjoyed an extended period of peace
and prosperity.
The mood of London is triumphal. The city has been
transformed, since the arrival of the Normans, into a
powerful and wealthy trading city, and its inhabitants,
both mortal and Cainite, have become enamoured with
what they see as the accomplishments of London. The
city attracts the successful and ambitious, those who
wish to make their presence known, and those who wish
to hide.
Although triumphs are generally seen as positive
achievements, they also present risks. Success can easily
lead one into arrogance, hubris, or complacency. This is
true of many of the Cainite elders who reside within the
city. For a century after the Norman Conquest London
was the focal point in the conflict between Mithras and
the Triumvirate. The defeat of the Triumvirate has left
many of the supporters of Mithras believing that they
are untouchable. Imagining that their next conflict will
be a repeat of their last, they are blind to the real threats
hidden within the Cainite community of London.
Using London by Night
London is both the largest and most famous city in
England, and is a natural focal point for any chronicle
set in the country. The city is populated by a relatively
large number of Cainites, from a variety of factions;
players in a chronicle set in London are likely to
encounter characters who can serve as mentors, allies,
and opponents. This range of characters can support a
range of gaming styles, from political intrigues
surrounding Cainite elders, to bloody street conflicts
involving London’s criminal underworld. The city
presents a versatile background, a rich backdrop for
many different types of chronicles.
The power of Mithras, and influence of London,
means that the Cainite politics of the city can intrude
on chronicles set in other parts of England. Plots
hatched in Lincoln, Exeter, or Newcastle might easily
be de-railed if they come into conflict with the plans of
the elders of London. This is particular true in
chronicles set in locations where a Cainite prince is
seen as a rival or enemy of Mithras. The Companions,
the loyal circle of Cainites which surround the Prince of
London, take a special interest in threats against their
master, and often interfere in the affairs of other towns.
A Cainite might be seen as an enemy of Mithras, merely
for having the temerity of residing in Carlisle,
Winchester, or Durham.
The sheer overwhelming power of the city’s prince
may present challenges in some chronicles. Few
characters will have a realistic expectation of defeating
Mithras, either directly or indirectly, and this should be
taken into consideration by any Storyteller who wishes
to set a chronicle in the city. One solution to this
problem is to use Mithras in the manner of an impartial
deity, who has great power, but rarely considers it
necessary to interfere in any practical matter unless it
directly opposes his personal interests. The presence of
Mithras may be oppressive and threatening but,
carefully managed, need not derail a chronicle.
The Fee of London
The realm overseen by Mithras is popularly known by
British Cainites as the Fee of London. The fee is
relatively large, covering the entirety Essex, Middlesex,
Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and
Surrey, as well parts of Berkshire, Northamptonshire
and Kent. The feodum covers those parts of England in
which the Triumvirate had residual influence at the
time when Roald Snake-eyes was deposed, and were
claimed when Mithras became Prince of London.
Whilst most barons jealously guard their feodums
from outside influence, Mithras has little interest in
what occurs within the Fee of London beyond the
boundaries of the city. Confident that no Cainite
residing within the feodum would be foolish enough to
directly challenge his authority, Mithras asks little of
those vampires who choose to dwell in the area
surrounding the capital. The Prince of London is,
nevertheless, not so arrogant as to completely ignore the
possibility that his enemies may try to establish
themselves within the Fee of London. To this end,
Mithras has given the Duke d’Ambois the task of
ensuring that the roads of the feodum are patrolled by
loyal agents, and has appointed members of his
bloodline to the post of prince in both Colchester and
Northampton.
The Cainites who travel the roads surrounding
London often comment on how safe these routes seem
to be. Few realise the level of scrutiny paid to travellers
in this region in the hours of darkness, and that their
journeys are monitored by men loyal to Mithras.
London By Night
29
 History
W
hen the Romans first came to the area now graced
by the city of London, they found a marshy river
valley, sparsely populated and barely cultivated. Their
arrival was part of a military campaign, pursuing the
remnants of the British forces defeated at the Battle of
Medway. The River Thames formed a defensive line for
the British, a barrier to the movement of Roman armies.
The Romans found a favourable site for a bridge, built
despite opposition from the resident Britons. Crossing
the Thames, the Roman armies marched north towards
the British town of Camulodunon, capital of the
Kingdom of the Trinovantes. Few of the Roman
legionnaires who marched across the bridge on the
Thames would imagine that they were travelling
through the site of what would, one day, be the largest
and most important city in the British Isles.
Despite its unpromising appearance, the Thames
valley would prove to be of great strategic importance
to the Roman conquest of Britain. The river was deep
and tidal, a suitable anchorage for ships travelling from
Gaul and further afield. The bridge across the river,
meanwhile, was part of a vital supply route supporting
Roman military campaigns in the north of England. The
location was the natural site for a city. Four years after
the beginning of the Roman conquest of Britain,
Roman settlers in the Thames valley founded the
settlement of Londinium.
The early years of the settlement were turbulent.
Britain was still a frontier province, and the Britons
were reluctant to accept the rule of Rome. In 61 British
rebels, led by Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, razed the
town. After she had been defeated, Londinium was
rebuilt, this time as a planned Roman town. The rulers
of Roman Britain, keen to maintain their control over
the land, saw the value in securing the main crossing
point on the Thames.
The Rule of the Tribunes
As Londinium was rebuilt it attracted a number of
Cainites, eager to claim influence in the new Roman
town. Duro and Riomandus, a pair of British elders who
had been displaced by Boudica’s war, chose to make
their havens in Londinium; so too did Dioscorus, a
Roman Cainite who had arrived in Britain at the time
of the conquest of the land. One visitor who decided not
to stay was Mithras; arriving in Londinium in 71, he was
unimpressed with the small and humble nature of the
England Will Burn
30
settlement and chose to travel north, preferring the
drama of the Roman frontier.
Over the following years Londinium attracted other
Cainites, both from Britain and abroad. To ensure that
order was maintained within the city Duro, Riomandus,
and Dioscorus formed a council, taking for themselves
the title of tribune. The abilities of the three
complemented each other. Dioscorus, roguish and
charismatic, was adept at managing troublesome
Cainites. The scholarly and thoughtful Riomandus was
a capable planner, able to foresee threats to the city.
Duro, an experienced warrior, could be relied upon to
defence Londinium, and protect his fellow tribunes from
harm. With the three overseeing the city, the Cainite
community of Londinium was able to prosper.
The first challenge to the rule of the tribunes came
in the autumn of 122, with the arrival of Cretheus.
Earlier that year a decision had been made by the
Emperor Hadrian to abandon attempts to conquer all of
Great Britain, and withdraw Roman forces behind a
fortified frontier. Mithras, who had travelled with the
Roman armies for almost half a century, decided that he
wished to consolidate his influence in Britain. He sent
his childe Cretheus south, to take control of Londinium.
Whilst Cretheus arrogantly believed he could
declare himself prince, he was met with considerable
resistance from the Cainites of London, led by the
tribunes. Violence was threatened, particularly after
much of the city was destroyed by fire in 125, an event
which the tribunes blamed upon Cretheus. Tensions
were only diffused in 128 with the arrival of Mithras in
Londinium. Whilst most observers expected the
Methuselah to force the Cainites of London to submit
to his childe, Mithras was sympathetic to the concerns
of the inhabitants of the city. The end result was one
that no-one expected; Dioscorus was appointed as first
tribune, the representative of Mithras in London, whilst
Cretheus was chosen to be his sire’s envoy to the court
of Camilla in Rome. The tribunes retained their role
overseeing London’s Cainite community, and the
threatened conflict was averted.
Rise and Decline
As the Roman Empire consolidated its control over
much of Britain, the city of Londinium prospered. Its
port facilities meant that it was the strongest link
between the northern province and the Roman
heartlands to the south. The Roman governors of
Britain invested in the construction of public buildings,
and Londinium was graced by a forum and basilica, as
well as a number of large temples. As provincial capital,
Londinium stood at the centre of Britain’s road
network, and acted as the region’s one truly
cosmopolitan city. Of the Cainites who dwell within
London during the thirteenth century, only Mithras
and Vendicina remember the city of this period; in the
minds of many, however, it has become a legendary
golden age of Cainite society, when London was
prosperous, cultured, and free.
This period in London’s history lasted for less than
fifty years. In the decade after 165 the city was ravaged
by a deadly epidemic, the so-called Antonine Plague,
which ravaged the mortal population, and forced many
younger Cainites to flee Londinium, seeking sustenance
elsewhere. The city never truly recovered; for a century
it had been the capital of an expanding Roman
province. In 162, however, the Roman army had
abandoned the northern-most frontier in Britain, the
Vallum Antonini, retreating to Hadrian’s Wall. The
move was a sign that Rome was aborting its plans to
conquer all Britain. The frontier of the Roman Empire
in the north was contracting, under threat from the
peoples that lay outside its boundaries. In 190 work
began on a wall to enclose Londinium. This was an
ominous sign, an indication that this was now a city
threatened by outside forces.
The End of Roman Britain
The collapse of Roman authority in Britain was a long
and contracted affair. By the third century, the hold of
Rome on the British and Gallic provinces of the empire
proved to be weak, as shown by a number of protracted
rebellions which affected these regions. Between 260
and 274 Britain was claimed as part of the territory of
the Gallic Empire, a swathe of western Europe
controlled by the rebellious Roman general Marcus
Postumus. Little more than a decade after the defeat of
this usurper, Britain was again in revolt, controlled by
another Roman commander, Carausius. The provinces
of Britain remained independent for ten years, until the
defeat of Carausius’s successor, Allectus, in 296. Though
Britain had been returned to the control of Rome, the
extended conflicts over the region had damaged trade,
drained imperial coffers, and left the British distrustful
of Roman intentions. Although none would realise it at
the time, the crises of the third century would
permanently weaken Roman authority in Britain.
Whilst the tribunes sheltered Roman Cainites from
the direct effects of these conflicts, the indirect
consequences were palpable. A Brujah orator named
Eutropius claimed that the tribunes were failing in their
duties; obtaining support from a number of younger
Cainites, he raised a rebellion in 288, with the aim of
installing himself as Prince of Londinium. For a number
of weeks the nights of the city were beset by violence,
as the party of Eutropius and the supporters of the
tribunes attempted to prevail. The revolt was only put
down with the arrival of Mithras and a contingent of
experienced ghouls. Eutropius fled Londinium, and
many of his supporters were put to death. Mithras,
seeing that stability in Londinium was important to
retaining his authority in Britain, chose to remain in the
city. He took a mithraeum beside the Thames for his
haven, and cautiously monitored the Cainite plots
conducted within the city walls.
Though Britain enjoyed a few peaceful decades, the
anger of Eutropius’s revolt had not dissipated. In 383
Magnus Maximus, the Roman general overseeing
Britain, rebelled against the emperors in Rome. Magnus
crossed the English Channel with the majority of the
Roman forces stationed in Britain. Eutropius, seeing this
retreat of Roman power as a chance to reassert his claim
on power. He deposed the Cainite Prince of Eboracum,
and his supporters rebelled against the allies of Mithras
in many towns and cities across Britain. The conflict
was bloody and protracted, leading to the Final Deaths
of scores of Cainites. The weakening Roman power
aided the rebels, as many mortal institutions on which
the elders relied collapsed in the absence of Roman
power. Seeking a decisive end to this rebellion, Mithras
travelled to Eboracum to confront Eutropius in person.
Surprised by this move, the rebels were forced into
battle. Eutropius was destroyed and his followers were
scattered. Mithras, gravely injured in battle, retreated
into torpor, his body placed in a safe underground
chamber by his childe Julian Cerialis.
In 407 the remaining Roman troops in Britain were
withdrawn to Gaul by Constantine III, in an attempt to
usurp imperial authority. Left defenceless by their rulers,
the people of Britain chose to expel the remaining
Roman administrators. As the emperors were
preoccupied with war in Gaul and Italy, Britain quietly
slipped from Roman control.
A Time of Chaos
The collapse of Roman authority in Britain left
Londinium in a precarious position. Although the city
London By Night
31
remained a prosperous trading centre, the retreat of
Roman authority left it vulnerable to attack. In the early
decades of the fifth century Britain was subject to
numerous incursions from Saxon raiders from across the
North Sea. With each success the Saxons were
emboldened, and their raiding parties grew to the size of
armies. Finally, in 457, a Saxon force met the Britons at
Crecganford, to the south-east of Londinium. The
battle was a decisive victory for the Saxons. The Britons
abandoned Londinium, retreating in the face of the
Saxon advance.
Whilst the mortal population of Londinium
abandoned the city with little violence, the end of
Cainite society in the city was a far more bloody affair.
As the population of Londinium collapsed, the Cainites
of the city fought over the remaining mortals, wishing
to retain them for their herds. Meanwhile, Gangrel
Cainites who had accompanied the Saxon vanguard,
attempted to claim domains in the vicinity of
Londinium. A violent decade of conflict led to the Final
Deaths of many Cainites. Duro and Riomandus
disappeared in the chaos, whilst Dioscorus, seriously
England Will Burn
32
injured by Saxon warriors, fell into torpor. By the end
of the fifth century the ruins of Londinium were
populated by a mere two Cainites; these were
Vendicina, childe of Dioscorus, and an elusive
Nosferatu named Taximagulus. By this time the
grandeur of Roman Londinium was long gone. Mere
decades later, the monk Gildas described the sad sight
presented by such ruins, observing how, ‘in the midst of
the streets lay the tops of lofty towers, tumbled to the
ground, stones of high walls, holy altars, fragments of
human bodies…’
Lundenwic and Lundenburg
In the closing years of the sixth century the Saxons of
the Kingdom of Essex settled a stretch of the River
Thames to the west of the ruins of Londinium. They
called this town Lundenwic. This place was a meeting
place for traders and travellers; whilst it lacked the
grandeur of old Londinium, it soon became one of the
more important settlements in Essex. The River
Thames was the basis of strong trading links between
the kingdom and continental Europe. In 604 the town
was chosen as seat for Mellitus, an evangelist bishop
sent to convert the Saxons of Essex.
The town of Lundenwic drew in a number of
Cainites who had survived the troubled centuries since
the collapse of Roman power in Britain. These included
Crotus, childe of Eutropius; a pair of Malkavians named
Gwladus and Godwine; the maiden Godgifu; and
Eanfred Heáfodman. They mocked the few Cainites
who clung on to an existence within the walls of the
Roman city as trapped by the past; in contrast, they
called themselves the Freemen of Lundenwic, claiming
that their community had cast off the baleful influence
of the ancient Roman Cainites which had once
dominated the land.
Opposed to the Freemen were the Cainites who
retained the territory of the ruined Roman city. Called
Lundenburg by the Saxons, the old settlement was
populated by no more than a handful of people. Its
Cainite population consisted of the now-revived
Dioscorus and his brood. Though their influence within
the mortal world was weak, they commanded well-
defended havens, built into the fabric of the Roman
city, and jealously guarded their territory.
For two centuries the Cainites of Lundenwic and
Lundenburg found themselves in a simmering conflict.
Crotus claimed the post of Prince of Lundenwic, whilst
Dioscorus was recognised as Prince of Lundenburg.
Crotus, controlling the Saxon port, and having
influence over much of the population of the region,
was generally recognised as the more powerful of the
two. His court attracted many Cainites settling in the
region, and his status was enhanced in the middle of the
eighth century when he won the support of a pair of
powerful Brujah who chose to settle in Lundenwic,
Gundovald and Selina. As the ninth century opened
Lundenwic was one of the most important ports on the
east coast of Britain, and many Cainites in the region
were confident that Crotus would prevail over his rival.
The Coming of the Danes
In the spring of the year 839 a small fleet of Danish ships
sailed up the Thames. The attack that followed was
wholly unexpected and devastated the unprepared
town. Many of the mortal inhabitants of Lundenwic
fled, whilst Crotus and Eanfred met the Final Deaths.
Lundenburg, meanwhile, attracted little interest from
the raiders, and Dioscorus and his followers remained
safe within the old Roman walls.
Most of the surviving Freemen in Lundenwic were
inclined to believe that the attack upon the town was a
singular misfortune, unlikely to be repeated.
Gundovald, meanwhile, having once fought in the
vanguard of the Gothic armies in the east, correctly
judged that this marked the beginning of a new conflict,
and the vulnerable town of Lundenwic might well be
subject to further attacks. In a blow to the prestige of
the Freemen, Gundovald and Selina transferred their
allegiance to Dioscorus, and retired to new havens
within the walls of Lundenburg. The remaining
Cainites in Lundenwic rebuilt the town, believing that
the attack was a singular misfortune, and unlikely to be
repeated.
In 851 the Danes returned to Lundenwic, with a
fleet of 350 ships; the town was plundered and left in
ruins, with many of the remaining Freemen destroyed as
Lundenwic burnt. Twenty years later, in 871 the Danes
returned to Lundenwic, with it used as a winter camp by
the Great Heathen Army. For the following decade the
town, and the surrounding area, was used as a base for
Danish raids into the surrounding region. Although
Lundenwic was largely depopulated, the constant
military conflict meant that the Cainites resident in
Lundenburg were rarely short of kine. Under the
cautious leadership of Dioscorus the Cainite community
survived, and even flourished, united in the face of an
external threat.
In 886 the forces of Alfred, King of Wessex,
occupied the ruins of Lundenburg. The town was
resettled, and refortified, to serve as a defensive point on
the frontier of the Kingdom of Wessex.
The New City
The Saxon settlement, now known as London, was
afforded considerable freedom by the Kings of Wessex.
For a century after Alfred’s conquest it grew and
prospered, rebuilding the trading connections with
continental Europe which had existed in Roman times.
The town’s commercial success allowed Dioscorus to
consolidate his position. He could now claim,
uncontested, the position of Prince of London; his
closest supporters became known as the Aldermen, the
title taken from the Anglo-Saxon term for a man of high
status. The principal Aldermen were Vendicina,
Gundovald, Selina, and Taximagulus; they were joined
in the mid-tenth century by Leovigota, an influential
Spanish Toreador. Opposed to the Aldermen was a
second group, the Poor Men of London, which had been
formed out of the remnants of the Free Men of
Lundenwic. Although the Poor Men commanded little
political influence within the Cainite community, they
London By Night
33

Strange
Visitors
Located on an island on the far north-west of
Europe, London is not a city which sees many
casual visitors. A person or Cainite who arrives
in London is invariably there for some good
reason, even if the visitor maintains the pretence
that their arrival is a spontaneous visit.
The visits of some parties to the city has
taken on a legendary nature. Stories of these
strange visitors circulate amongst the Cainites of
London, many of whom have little sense as to
the truth of the tales.
In Roman times it is said that Mithras, when
resident in London, was visited by an
Antediluvian, supposedly the progenitor of the
Assamites. Mithras, understandably, refuses to
speak of the matter, and the event supposedly
predates the embrace of any other Cainite
currently resident in the city. It is averred that
Mithras first met Haqim in Persia, in the distant
past, so it is presumed that the pair were
associates of long standing. Why Haqim would
chose to travel to London is unknown, but it may
be presumed that he must have had a very good
reason for making the journey to Britain.
A more recent set of events which has been
the subject of speculation and rumours were a
series of attacks against the Cainites of London
in 1212. The attacks took place in daylight, and
were clearly carried out by a being of great power.
The mysterious attacker was eventually driven
off, thanks to the Companions. Though the
identity of the attacker has never been revealed,
one story in circulation amongst the Cainites of
London is that the attacks were carried out by a
mummy, an immortal being of great power, with
a supposed origin in the far-off land of Egypt.
The tale is dismissed by most Cainites; what
reason could such a being possibly have to travel
to Britain, and to risk his own safety to make war
on the Cainites of London? Yet if the story of
mummy is untrue, what other being could have
been responsible for the concerted campaign of
violence?
England Will Burn
34
were numerous and tenacious. In another era the
presence of these opposing groups may have led to
violence. After the conflicts of the ninth century there
was little desire amongst the Cainite residents of
London for further bloodshed, and an uneasy co-
existence prevailed.
As the tenth century drew to a close, the military
situation in England began to deteriorate, as the Kings
of Denmark attempted to extend their power. In 994 the
Danes besieged London, though were driven off by
Saxon armies; in 1013 the Danes returned, this time led
by the King of Denmark, Sweyn Forkbeard. The Danish
siege was successful, and, in the following military
campaign Sweyn was able to drive the English king,
Æthelred Unræd from England, and claim the throne
for himself. The military success of the Danes was a great
surprise to many of the residents of England, Cainite
and mortal alike.
The capture of London was a major blow to the
prestige of Dioscorus. The event also fuelled a growing
rift between the Prince of London and his childe,
Vendicina. A long-term resident of the city, Vendicina
believed that he lacked the discipline to be a truly great
prince. She also resented Dioscorus for appointing a
younger childe, Cuthwulf, as his seneschal. By the early
years of the eleventh century Vendicina had started to
look for new allies overseas.
A Threat in Normandy
The Danish raids of the ninth and tenth centuries had
not been confined to England. In France the Danes had
first devastated, and then settled, a region then known
as the County of Rouen. This area was ceded by the
King of France in 911 to a Danish warlord, Gaange Rolf.
The territory under his control became known as the
Duchy of Normandy, an autonomous region in the
north of France. Rouen, capital of the duchy, soon
became the second largest city in France.
During the late tenth and early eleventh centuries
the Cainite community of Rouen was ruled over by
Roald Snake-eyes. Roald had been a member of Gaange
Rolf’s entourage whilst he had been alive. A canny
political operator, he was embraced by Alexander,
Prince of Paris, who believed that the capable and
dynamic Roald had great potential. The Norman did
not disappoint and, though relatively young compared
to many of his rivals, was able to manoeuvre himself
into a leading role in Normandy’s Cainite society.
By the 1060s Roald had been a Cainite for little
more than a century. Having bested all challengers in
Rouen he looked further afield, thinking of where he
might extend his influence. To the north he saw that
England had a weak government, a fractured Cainite
community, and amazing wealth in terms of natural
resources. It was a land which might be vulnerable to an
ambitious usurper.
Though Roald needed little encouragement, in the
early 1050s he was approached by agents of Vendicina,
who brought messages suggesting that London required
a new prince, one capable of managing the city and its
fractious Cainite community. For a decade a secret
correspondence was conducted between Vendicina and
Roald, discussing how best to challenge Dioscorus. The
ideal opportunity would come in 1066, when the Duke
of Normandy invaded England, intent on claiming the
English throne.
The events of 1066 were a consequence of
uncertainty over the succession to the throne in the
wake of Edward the Confessor’s death. Though Harold
Godwinson, the powerful Earl of Wessex, was crowned
as the King of England in January, the position was also
claimed by Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, and
William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy. It was obvious
that Harold Godwinson would have to defeat his rivals
if he wished to secure his position.
Roald Snake-eyes immediately threw his resources
behind the Norman duke, knowing that an invasion
from Normandy would be a significant distraction for
the Cainites of England, a perfect cover should he
attempt to claim power in the kingdom. In September
the Duke of Normandy’s fleet set forth, carrying the
army that would conquer England. A single ship,
launched the following night, travelled towards
London, carrying some of Rouen’s most powerful
Cainites.
The Triumvirate
Roald Snake-eyes, a warrior in life, chose to personally
lead the conquest of the Cainite domains in England.
He was accompanied by a number of allies. Chief
amongst them were Liseult de Taine and Geoffrey of
Calais, reliable and trusted elders; Stephen le Gros, a
clever politician and planner; and Roald’s childer Iseldis
and Landina.
The group arrived in London one night in early
October, whilst the Cainites of the city were awaiting
news of an imminent battle due to be fought in Sussex.
Dioscorus and his supporters were not expecting the
Norman Cainites, and were defeated in less than a
week. Dioscorus himself met his Final Death at the
The Lost
Normans
The long war between the supporters of
Mithras and the Triumvirate led to the Final
Deaths of many Cainites. The close followers of
Roald Snake-eyes were targeted, in particular by
the Hounds of Mithras, and many Cainites who
followed Roald from Rouen to London were
killed. Others chose to flee England when defeat
seemed imminent, whilst a few disappeared,
taking on new names, and finding new positions
in Cainite society.
A few of the latter are still hunted by the
Hounds of Mithras. Landina, childe of Roald
Snake-eyes and diablerist of Dioscorus, fled
London in 1153. Ruthless and capable, it is
suspected that she remains in hiding, and the
Companions are willing to offer rich rewards to
any Cainite able to locate her.
A second Cainite sought by the Hounds is
the Merchant, a supporter of the Triumvirate
known to have facilitated communication and
movements of Cainites between Rouen and
London. The real name of the Merchant remains
unknown at present, a fact that has hindered any
attempt to trace him.
Once Roald was defeated, a decision was
made by Mithras and the Companions to pardon
those supporters of the Triumvirate who did not
present an overt threat to the Prince of London.
In some instances, these Cainites sit in positions
of power. The Princes of Cardiff and Dublin were
both Normans embraced at the behest of Roald;
they were left in place, after pledging loyalty to
Mithras. A third prominent Cainite, Stephen le
Gros, now serves as Prince of Lincoln, despite
having been a close personal ally of Roald
Snake-eyes. Whilst the Companions distrust
Stephen, there is no doubt that he is an effective
leader, who played an instrumental role in
imposing order on Lincoln after the bloody
events of 1225. Stephen’s career is a reminder of
how circumstances can transform enemies to
allies in the space of decades.
London By Night
35
hands of Landina, whilst Leovigota, Gundovald, and
Selina fled the city, believing that abandoning London
was preferable to submitting to these interlopers. By the
time the news of the Duke of Normandy’s triumph in
Sussex arrived in London, Roald Snake-eyes conquest
of London was complete.
After defeating the forces of Harold Godwinson, the
armies of William the Bastard marched on London.
Camping at Berkhamstead, to the north-west of the
city, he received a delegation of notable Londoners,
who recognised the Duke of Normandy as King of
England. This was a significant victory for the duke,
who was able to claim the largest city in the land
without the need for battle. As a reward, William would
grant London a charter in 1067, recognising the rights
and privileges to the city granted by previous monarchs.
Wary of the London’s independence, William’s
followers also commenced building a number of castles
at strategic points around the city.
As Norman power consolidated in the autumn of
1066, Roald Snake-eyes declared himself to be Prince of
London. Claiming authority over all Cainites in
England, he established a ruling council, consisting of
himself, Liseult de Taine, and Geoffrey of Calais. This
group, which soon became known as the Triumvirate,
took on an influential role in the Cainite politics of
England. The sudden and bloody nature of the
Triumvirate’s capture of power cowed most Cainites,
and few were willing to openly oppose the Normans and
their supporters. Yet Roald and his supporters were
distrusted by many Cainites, who feared that the new
Prince of London was a dangerous autocrat.
The Seeds of Rebellion
Though Harold Godwinson was dead, and his armies
defeated, a number of Saxon nobles were still at large
and, in the latter part of 1066, shortly before London
submitted to the Normans, the remaining Saxon leaders
met in the city and elected Edgar Ætheling as new king
of England. Edgar was young, and had spent much of his
life outside of England; taken into custody by King
William, he initially made no attempt to exert his claim
on the throne, and did homage to the new King of
England when he was crowned on Christmas Day, 1066.
In 1068 Edgar arrived at the court of the Scottish
king, Malcolm Canmore. Malcolm, distrusting the
ambitions of William the Conqueror, and related to
Edgar by marriage, pledged to support the Saxon lord’s
claim to the English throne. An opportunity to press
this claim would arise in the following year, when a
England Will Burn
36
running dispute over appointees to the Earldom of
Northumbria broke out into open revolt against the
Norman lords of England. Edgar marched south from
Scotland with a band of supporters, whilst Sweyn
Estridsson, King of Denmark, sent an army to raid the
English coast in support. For a brief period of time, it
appeared that Norman control of the north of England
might be under threat.
In reality, the threat to the new kings of England
would pass quickly. Edgar did not have an army strong
enough to meet William in battle, and the Danes had
little commitment to the conflict beyond the plunder
they could gain. By early 1070 Edgar had retreated back
to Scotland, whilst the Danes had been bought off. Yet
William could not count on the loyalty of northern
England, and many rebels were dispersed within the
counties of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland.
To rob northern England of its ability to rebel, William
sent an army north, to harry the rebels, attack their base
of support, and destroy any chance they might have to
dispute the king’s power.
The harrying had the active encouragement of
Liseult de Taine. She had argued that the Cainites of
northern England were unlikely to submit willingly to
the authority of Roald Snake-eyes and would have to be
supressed with force. A number of prominent elders had
been able to flee London, most notably Cuthwulf and
Gundovald, and their continued existence was a threat
to the power of the Triumvirate. Liseult also had a
personal interest, desiring to claim the domain of York,
held, at that time, by a powerful Ventrue named Julian
Cerialis. Liseult believed that any war in the north of
England would erode the traditional powerbases of the
elders of the region, leaving their domains vulnerable to
attack.
King William spent the closing months of 1069 in
the city of York. The Norman armies, which had
accompanied the king north, marched out during
winter, destroying crops and supplies, burning villages,
and indulging in wanton killing and destruction. The
violence inflicted upon the people of the north was
unrestrained, and any resistance to the destruction was
met with slaughter. The destruction was such that one
chronicler, the monk Orderic Vitalis observed that the
king ‘made no effort to control his fury, punishing the
innocent with the guilty’, concluding that, despite
admiring William he could ‘say nothing good about this
brutal slaughter’.
The unrestrained violence, inflicted on mortal and
Cainite alike, infiltrated the dreams of the slumbering
Mithras. After more than five hundred years in torpor
the Methuselah awoke.
London at War
Mithras travelled south through an unfamiliar land,
planning to seek out his allies in London. When he
arrived there he was met with hostile Cainites, many of
whom did not believe that this new arrival in the city
was truly a Methuselah of great age. The attempts made
by Mithras to rebuild his pagan cult in London was met
with hostility, and Mithras was forced to retreat north,
in the face of the aggression of the Triumvirate.
Mithras still had allies in many towns in England. In
1081 he summoned the Princes of Gloucester and
Chester to the city of York. Here, Mithras set out his
plan to overthrow the Triumvirate, exert his authority
over England, and claim the post of the Prince of
London. Whilst conflict had brewing since Mithras rose
from torpor, this conference left no doubt to Cainite
observers as to the situation. Mithras had declared war
on the Triumvirate.
Despite the prestige of Mithras, many Cainites
resident in London pledged support to the Triumvirate.
Whilst the ancient Ventrue seemed strange and alien,
Roald and his supporters were relatable, local, and
promised their followers power and influence. Though
the surviving Aldermen either remained aloof, or
pledged support to Mithras, the majority of younger
Cainites chose to support Roald. The peace imposed by
the Norman rulers of England, along with stronger ties
to continental Europe, meant that London was now an
important centre of international trade. The Cainites of
the city, looking outwards at affairs overseas, paid little
heed to the growing threats to peace.
Between the 1080s and 1130s the conflict between
Mithras and the Triumvirate was largely fought in the
north and west of England, as the agents of these
Cainite powers contested various territories. For many
London Cainites the first sign that the power of the
Triumvirate was on the wane came in 1135. On the day
of Pentecost, at the end of May, a fire broke out in the
home of Gilbert Becket, Sheriff of London. In the hours
that followed the fire raged across London’s waterfront,
destroying hundreds of houses. As night fell, a pack of
the Hounds of Mithras descended upon the city, seeking
out and killing vulnerable Cainites. By dawn over a
dozen of the Triumvirate’s followers had met their Final
Deaths, either in the fire, or at the hands of the Hounds.
These events, which became known amongst the
Cainite population of London as the Bloody Pentecost,
were only a hint of the violence to come. At the end of
the year the English king, Henry Beauclerc died
unexpectedly. Whilst his nominated heir was his
daughter, Matilda, the king’s nephew, Stephen of Blois,
seized power, and was crowned the new King of England
on 22 December. Despite the popular support the
Stephen enjoyed in England, Matilda had backers
amongst the Anglo-Norman nobility, who were
prepared to fight to protect her interests. It was clear to
all observers that a civil war was imminent.
The conflict, which became known as the Anarchy,
was used by Mithras and his allies as a means of
displacing the supporters of the Triumvirate. In 1141
Roald Snake-eyes lost a number of his key supporters in
a series of attacks, as Liseult de Taine was assassinated
in Nottingham, whilst Geoffrey of Calais fell at the
Rout of Winchester. Mithras, an experienced soldier,
ably used the battles of the Anarchy to crush his
opponents. In 1153, after nearly twenty years of war, it
was clear that the Anarchy was drawing to a close, as
Henry Curtmantle, Matilda’s son, secured sufficient
military power to provide an effective challenge to
Stephen of Blois. Roald Snake-eyes, seeing his power
ebb away, fled London, eventually meeting his Final
Death at Gloucester. Godwine of Lindsey, leader of the
Poor Men, and Sheriff of London, was less willing to
leave the city. He claimed the post of Prince of London,
declaring that he would rule in the interests of all
Cainites. Godwine would remain prince for less than six
months. The arrival of Mithras in London in the early
part of 1154 saw Godwine executed, and his ashes
scattered in the Thames. The Ventrue Methuselah was
now the undisputed ruler of London.
The Rule of the Angevins
Many of London’s Cainites feared the arrival of Mithras.
Having seen the harsh treatment of the new prince’s
enemies during the war, they thought that Mithras
would take vengeance on the Cainite population of
London. Such fears were misplaced; Mithras, keen to
win the support of local Cainites, treated them with
consideration and leniency. A few key supporters of
Roald Snake-eyes were punished, either subjected to
public execution, or exiled from the city. If this response
did not win the trust of the Cainites of London, it did at
least discourage them from rebelling against their new
lord.
Mithras, a military leader, was unused to playing the
role of prince in a time of peace. Knowing his
limitations, he placed members of his key supporters,
London By Night
37
the Companions, in positions of power in the Cainite
hierarchy of the city. This ruling council, consisting of
younger Cainites, were more sensitive to the needs of
London, and worked to promote the city’s security and
prosperity.
To a great extent the Companions have succeed in
these aims, in part due to ensuring that the city does not
face undue interference from the Kings of England;
benefitting from the wealth of London, were persuade
to give considerable freedom to London of mercantile
matters. Richard the Lionheart, son of Henry
Curtmantle, was crowned king in September 1189;
spending little time in England, he granted London
considerable autonomy, allowing the city’s mercantile
interests to elect a mayor. the first incumbent, Henry
FitzAilwin, was a draper, and a forceful advocate for
trade and business. The Cainite of London profited from
this situation, and many grew rich on the city’s trade.
The rule of Mithras was not without its challenges.
The first came in 1196 when William FitzOsbert, a
demagogue and former Crusader, fomented a rebellion
against the rich citizens of London, assisted by a group
of Furores led by a Malkavian named Kinczel. The
revolt was quickly and effectively dealt with, ending
with the execution of Willian and the destruction of
Kinczel’s band of Furores. A more serious threat would
come at the beginning of the thirteenth century, when
a confederation of barons revolted against the then
king, John Lackland, believing him to be a tyrant.
Whilst the revolt of William FitzOsbert was crushed
with ease, the war against King John threatened to
destabilise the entirety of England.
John Lackland had come to power in trying
circumstances. The younger brother of the previous
king, Richard the Lionheart, John was crowned at
Westminster in 1199. A clever man and an able
administrator, John nevertheless faced difficulties in
many quarters, including a simmering conflict with the
King of France, and a treasury strained by Richard’s long
years of crusading.
Whilst the main conflict faced by John was the
outbreak of hostilities with the Kingdom of France in
1202, the threats facing the Cainites of England were
largely domestic. During the latter part of the war
between Mithras and the Triumvirate, a number of
midland towns had fallen to rebellious bands of younger
Cainites. Nominally loyal to the Prince of London,
Cainites such as Dunstan in Coventry, Robin Leeland
in Nottingham, and Wulfrun in Oxford were relatively
young and sympathetic to the cause of the Furores.
England Will Burn
38
These princes provided refuge to bands of dissidents and
rebel Cainites. As the reign of King John progressed, the
Furores of the midlands began to capitalise upon the
economic disquiet of the time, raising support from their
peers whose influence had been eroded by heavy
taxation, and demanding the overthrow of the
supposedly more tyrannical prices of the region. Whilst
Mithras initially ignored the conflict, he was drawn in
after the Final Death of Cuthwulf, Prince of Lincoln and
close ally to the lords of London. This event was
sufficiently threatening that Mithras was persuaded that
he should intervene, sending his agents north to
suppress the rebel Cainites.
The Hounds of Mithras were effective in putting
down the rebellion. Through 1214 and 1215 they
scoured the midlands, defeating many dissident
Cainites. Dunstan chose to pledge allegiance to
Mithras, whilst Robin Leeland was driven into torpor,
and Wulfrun met her Final Death. Yet the campaign
distracted Mithras and his Companions from
international affairs, at what would prove to be an
important moment in English history.
The Great Charter
In 1215 many barons of England, distrustful of King
John, organised themselves into a military faction, and
marched on London, Lincoln, and Exeter. The king,
keen to placate the rebels, met their leaders at
Runnymede, near Windsor, and negotiated a document
which outlined the rights which should be accorded to
the king’s subjects. This document, which would
become known as the “Great Charter” or “Magna
Carta”, was an attempt to define the powers of a
monarch, and stave off further rebellion. Despite the
creation of the charter, many rebel barons were not
appeased and, in the latter part of 1215 invited Louis,
son of the King of France, to England, to protect their
rights. Louis arrived in 1216, first occupying London,
before claiming much of southern England. Meeting
little resistance, it appeared as though the kingdom
might soon gain a new ruler.
The arrival of Louis was of concern to Mithras.
Whilst he had little interest in exactly who claimed the
throne in England, he believed that the arrival of Louis
was a ploy by Alexander, the Prince of Paris, an attempt
to extend his influence into England. The rebellious
Cainites in the midlands, he supposed, were nothing
more than a distraction, one arranged by Alexander and
designed to remove key supporters of Mithras from the
capital prior to the invasion.
 A key point in this new conflict came in the summer
of 1216, with the siege of Dover Castle. Whilst the
presence of French forces in the Kingdom of England
might be tolerable, Mithras was concerned that the fall
of Dover might leave the land vulnerable to invasion of
hostile Cainites. However, when he called upon the
Barons to provide aid against the French, he found that
they were reluctant to support him, concerned more
with their own local issues, than with defending the
position of Mithras. The Prince of London hastily
convened representatives of the barons at
Northampton, where they were persuaded to sign what
became known as the Rose Treaty. The terms of the
treaty defined the rights and obligations of the barons,
and won their loyalty, at least for the short term. With
the barons now loyal to Mithras, the Prince of London
was able to counter the manoeuvres of Louis, and restore
power to the English throne. Crisis was averted in
London when the French retreated from England, yet
the events revealed the weaknesses in the rule of
Mithras. Though influential in himself, and surrounded
by powerful allies, his pre-eminent position in England
was dependent on the support and submission of
Cainites throughout the country.
Storms to Come
Over twenty years have passed since the French
invasion of England. The current king, Henry of
Winchester, has been upon the throne for over twenty
years. As a cautious ruler, aware of the unpopularity of
his father, Henry has emphasised the ceremonial
importance of his role, whilst being wary in exercising
power. Mithras, on the advice of the Companions, has
cultivated a similar image. However, whilst the king is
sincere in his beliefs as to the nature of kingship,
Mithras’s restrained exercise of power is largely a pose,
one taken on to disguise his ruthlessness, and
willingness to use force when necessary. Mithras is
aware that his enemies are powerful, but he is old and
patient, and prepared to wait before acting against
them.
The domestic enemies of Mithras, the Tremere,
Melusine d’Anjou, and Nathaniel of Carlisle, could be
dealt with by a short show of force if necessary. The
Companions have cautioned that such action would be
ill-advised, likely to create more enemies, and that it
would be sensible to slowly undermine their political
power. Mithras is not especially concerned about the
risks that these Cainites pose to his own position.
A greater threat is presented by the enemies of
Mithras abroad. Though Alexander is no longer Prince
of Paris, his successor, Geoffroi du Temple, is no less
hostile, and both sufficiently powerful, and remote from
London, to be a real danger. At present, the policy of
Mithras has been to maintain cordial relations, whilst
waiting for an opportunity to challenge his rival. This
policy has not always run smoothly. For fifteen years the
Prince of Paris had a representative in London, Walter
de Vézelay. Over the past ten years the relationship
deteriorated, particularly as Walter came to believe that
the Prince of London was favouring the interests of
Rouen and that city’s representative, Odila. Walter has
since decamped to York, and Mithras and his allies
believe that he is now conspiring with John Hawtin, the
ambitious prince of the city.
Concerned with these enemies, Mithras and his
allies see no real threat in the rising number of younger
Cainites in England, and their sympathies with groups
like the Furores and Prometheans. Having survived the
dark period after the fall of Rome, the elders of London
see themselves as powerful and in control, with little to
fear from an inexperienced and disorganised rabble.
London By Night
39
 Geography
Theoutside
region surrounding London might seem, to an
observer, as a wholly unpromising
landscape. The agricultural land is not particularly rich,
there are few natural resources and, to the east, the
countryside is dominated by the marshy river estuary of
the River Thames. Yet the Thames valley is home to
London, the wealthiest city in the British Isles, and an
important centre for international trade. The presence
of this city alone counteracts all the disadvantages
which might otherwise affect the region.
The Rivers of London
The wealth of London is largely a product of its position
on the River Thames. Whilst the river is not the longest
in England, it is wide and deep, and faces to the east,
towards the trading routes of continental Europe. The
position of London was chosen as it was the western-
most point which could be reached by ocean-going
vessels, a fact that led to the revival of the city in the
era of Alfred the Great.
A river does not necessarily just represent trade, and
the Thames provides many more benefits to London. It
is a source of fish, and the Thames estuary Britain’s most
notable source of oysters and pearls. A tale is even told
that the main motivation of the conquest of Britain by
the Romans was that they wished to take control of the
pearl fisheries of the Thames. The river formerly
provided much of London’s drinking water though, as
the city has grown, the Thames has become
progressively more polluted. Few now would actively
choose to drink water drawn from the river, and the
civic authorities in London have now obtained
permission to lay a conduit to the Tyburn Spring, which
lies to the west of the city. It is hoped that the spring
will provide cheap drinking water to the city, and the
project is a major undertaking for the civic authorities.
The Thames is not the only river in the vicinity of
London. The two main watercourses in the location of
the city are the Walbrook, a small channel which runs
through the middle of London, and the River Fleet,
which marks London’s western boundary. The Fleet,
also known as the Holborn, is slowly becoming
surrounded by a series of suburbs which lie outside of
London’s walls. Unlike the River Thames, the Fleet still
runs relatively clean, with the water drawn off via a
number of wells, the most notable of which is the
Clerkenwell. For the past sixty years Clerkenwell has
England Will Burn
40
been the site of the English headquarters of the Knights
Hospitaller, a fact that has encouraged further
development of the area.
To the west of the Fleet is the River Tyburn, a short
river that runs from hills to the north of London and
meets the Thames at Westminster. The Tyburn splits
into two branches as it approaches the Thames; the area
between these branches, known as Thorney Island, is
the location of Westminster. In the era of the
Heptarchy the island was well protected by its location
amidst the marshy fens which fringe the Thames. As
centuries have passed the channels of the Tyburn have
become less pronounced, and few travellers now visiting
Westminster realise that they are standing upon an
island.
The Fleet, Walbrook, and Tyburn are merely three
of the more notable tributaries of the Thames. To the
east of London lies the Lea, a wide, shallow river known
for water mills and eel fisheries, and the Roding, a
winding river which travels deep into the county of
Essex. To the west one finds the Colne, a long, placid
river which runs between the Thames and the Chiltern
Hills. Beyond the main rivers, moreover, are dozens of
creeks and channels, which help form the landscape of
the Thames valley, and add to the character of the
settlements which lie along the banks of the river.
Defending the Kingdom
The strategic position of London on the Thames means
that its capture will always play an important role in any
attempt to conquer England. The Normans were aware
of this fact when they took control of England in the
middle of the eleventh century. To maintain their grasp
on both London and England they planted a series of
castles in the Thames valley, generally around twenty
miles from the capital. The intention of these
fortifications was to position them close enough
together so that, should one be besieged, forces from
other castles would be able to come to their relief.
These castles became less essential once the Norman
lords of England had consolidated their control over the
kingdom, and many have fallen into disrepair. Some,
such as Ongar Castle, have become the residences of
aristocrats or wealthy commoners. A few have retained
their strategic importance, such as Windsor Castle,
which guards the road to Winchester. Together they act
as a reminder of the Norman conquest of England.
London By Night

41
River and Road
There are few towns in England easier to reach than
London. The city is the focal point of the kingdom’s
road network, and the English kings ensure that the
roads are clear and well-maintained.
The most important route out of the city is the Great
West Road, which links London to the cities of the old
Kingdom of Wessex. The road leaves London via
Ludgate, before travelling through Westminster and
Windsor, and on to Reading. At Reading the road splits,
with one branch going south towards the town of
Winchester, with a second branch taking travellers on
towards the major port of Bristol. To guard the
approaches to London, Mithras has ensured that the
road is patrolled by ghouls between Reading and
Westminster, as well as appointing one of his kin, a
Cainite named Ordric, as lord of the town of Windsor.
It is rare for a Cainite to be able to approach London via
this route without attracting the attention of the
servants of the Prince of London.
Whilst the Great West Road was built in Anglo-
Saxon times, most of the other roads surrounding
London were created in the Roman era. Watling Street
connects the capital to both the towns of Canterbury
and Dover in Kent, as well as running through St
Albans, going as far west as the borders of Wales.
Ermine Street, meanwhile, links London with Lincoln
and York, whilst the Great Road connects London with
Colchester. Though maintenance has been generally
intermittent over the last 800 years, these routes are
drained and paved, and are some of the best roads in the
country. Whilst Mithras pays some attention to
guarding these routes to the capital, he can rely on the
princes on the towns they pass through to protect his
interests, and Cainite travellers using these roads will be
subject to less scrutiny than their counterparts using the
Great West Road. Though little known to most
Cainites, there are a number of havens and safe houses
planted along these routes, assisting the servants of
Mithras in travelling quickly across the south-east of
England.
The roads which surround London are not the only
ways of reaching the capital, and many Cainites
travelling to the city arrive by ship. Whilst the Thames
provides a reliable means of reaching London, Cainites
face one significant disadvantage, which is that ships are
only allowed to come into port during the hours of
daylight. An unannounced arrival in London may be
uncomfortable for a Cainite, particularly when ships are
England Will Burn
42
inspected by port officials. Those who plan their
journeys with care will often either disembark outside
the city itself, or else arrange for their ships to be met by
ghouls. The main docks in the capital, the Pool of
London and the Queenhithe are, of course, subject to
the scrutiny of the servants of Mithras; however, unlike
the roads surrounding the city, the docks remain busy in
the hours of darkness, and a Cainite visitor who wishes
to arrive in London unnoticed would be advised to enter
by ship. More than a few night-time visitors have passed
through the docks of the city without ever coming to
the attention of the elders of London.
Town and Country
Despite the size of London, one does not have to travel
far from the capital before one reaches the wild
landscapes of Essex or Berkshire. Since the arrival of the
Normans, the Kings of England have cultivated a pair
of royal forests in the vicinity of the capital, Windsor
Forest in the west, and Essex Forest in the east. These
forests are royal hunting grounds, mixed landscapes
consisting of wooded areas, scrub, and open grasslands.
Due to the location of Windsor Castle, and its situation
on the road to Winchester, recent kings have tended to
favour Windsor Forest. Though Cainites generally
avoid these forests, they contain few wolves, fewer
lupines, and are generally safe for travellers during the
hours of night.
Whilst the forests of Windsor and Essex are the most
notable wild spaces close to London, there are a few
other wild areas in the vicinity of the city. To the north-
west lies the Chiltern Hills, a rugged escarpment which
remains sparsely settled. A similarly deserted landscape
is the marshland found on the Thames estuary. The
waterlogged, salty fens are unsuitable for agriculture,
and virtually impassable in places. Such areas a boon for
Cainites who wish to maintain a low profile and hide
away from prying eyes.
A City Reborn
Travellers in the wild parts surrounding London will
often come across ancient ruins, collapsed remains of a
long-departed empire. The centuries after the collapse
of Roman rule were hard on London, and the
monuments of Rome were left to decay. Now, many
centuries later, the Kings of England are restoring glory
to the land, and the capital of the kingdom is graced by
the finest buildings in the land. London is a city reborn,
once again the greatest urban centre in England.
 The City of London
The Tower of London: When the Normans first
came to England, they realised that the city of London
would need extensive fortification. The Tower of
London had a dual purpose, designed to both protect the
city from attackers, and to prevent Londoners from
revolting against their new masters. The Tower was the
first stone castle in England, and is now one of the most
extensive, made up of a large keep surrounded by high
stone walls. A royal residence, it also serves as the
primary haven for Mithras. Under the cover of royal
building works, the Prince of London has constructed
an extensive set of catacombs beneath the castle.
The Tower Menagerie: In recent years the Tower of
London has been home to the king’s private menagerie.
Most of the animals kept within the menagerie are
predators from northern Europe, such as lynx and bears,
though in 1235 the German emperor, Frederick of
Sicily, sent the English king a gift of three lions. Given
that Mithras claims the Tower as his haven, other
Cainites are forbidden from visiting the menagerie, or
feeding from its animals.
The Walls: The walls of London were first built in
the second century when the Romans, increasingly
concerned as to the security of their key port in Britain,
decided to fortify the city. In the centuries since, the
walls have been repaired and rebuilt numerous times,
and the current fortifications were improved
extensively in the time of the Normans. In the early
years of Norman rule, the walls were reinforced by three
castles. Whilst the Tower of London guarded the
eastern approaches to the city, Montfichet’s Castle and
Baynard’s Castle protected the west. The latter two
fortifications were demolished in the time of King John,
and thirty years on little trace of the castles remain. In
their place, the city gates have risen in importance with
the most importance being important fortifications in
their own right. The largest, Newgate, also functions as
a prison, detaining Londoners whilst their cases are
debated by the royal justices.
London Bridge: The single largest structure in
London, this bridge across the Thames is an important
landmark in the city, and one of the focal points of
urban life. The current bridge dates from 1209, though
is only the most recent in a series of bridges which go
back to Saxon times. The bridge forms an effective
obstacle to shipping, as the narrow spaces beneath the
bridge’s arches are impassable to all watercraft except
small river boats. This reflects the original purpose of
the bridge, as it was not conceived of as a river crossing,
but as a defensive barrier to protect the city from
waterborne invasion. The bridge forms such as effective
barrier that, when the tide recedes, the water beneath
the arches becomes a set of roaring torrents, feared by
even the bravest watermen. The surface of the bridge,
meanwhile, has been converted to commercial and
residential use, and is lined with houses and shops.
These were licensed in the early years of the bridge’s
existence, in an attempt to defray the considerable cost
of constructing the bridge. The location of these houses
enhances their status, and many of London’s finest
residences are situated on the bridge.
The Pool of London: The stretch of the Thames
between London Bridge and the Tower is known as the
Pool of London. This is the location of the primary
docks of the city and, by extension, the commercial
heart of the city. Ships from across Europe, and
occasionally beyond, may be seen on the Pool’s wharfs.
Goods landed in London are sold at the nearby markets
in Billingsgate. Though the produce sold in the market
largely consisting of fish and grain, all kinds of goods
may be found here, and the market has an air of
exoticism. It is not uncommon to see merchants from
Spain, Russia, or even Egypt, looking for bargains, or
seeking to trade their wares.
Queenhithe: The Queenhithe is a small harbour
located to the west of London Bridge. Whilst the oldest
dock in the city, its location means that it is inaccessible
to large ships, and it enjoys far less traffic than the docks
which line the Pool of London. As the Queenhithe is
relatively quiet in the hours of darkness, it is popular
with Cainite travellers, who can discreetly enter and
leave London through this dock.
St Paul’s Cathedral: The largest and grandest
building in London is its cathedral. Whilst London
contained a cathedral in Roman times, and later in the
period when the city was ruled by the Kingdom of Essex,
the current building is of fairly recent construction. The
cathedral was a prestige project for the Norman kings, a
beautiful and majestic public building designed to
enhance their status. Construction started in 1187, with
the building only consecrated in 1240. The cathedral
has been a burial place of kings and saints, and many
pilgrims each year come to visit the tomb of St
Erkenwald. It is also one of the most important public
buildings in London, and functions as a meeting place
and site of political intrigue.
London By Night
43
England Will Burn

44
 The Fleet: The western boundary of London is
marked by the fast-flowing River Fleet. Though far
smaller than the Thames, this is an important waterway
in its own right. The Fleet is the main source of drinking
water for the city, with most Londoners preferring the
clear waters of the Fleet to the murky liquid drawn from
the Thames.
The Walbrook: The third of London’s rivers is the
Walbrook. This watercourse enters the city through a
culvert under the walls, and crosses London, before
emptying into the Thames a short distance upriver of
London Bridge. The Walbrook is far smaller than the
other London rivers, rarely more than a couple of yards
across, and is overshadowed by buildings for much of its
length.
The Mithraeum: Close to the Walbrook is the
Mithraeum, a subterranean temple to Mithras.
Constructed in the Roman era, the shrine served as the
haven of Mithras whilst he was resident in the city.
After the Romans left Britain, the temple was
abandoned, soon submerged under the rubble of ruined
buildings. The Mithraeum remained intact, however,
and was located and restored in the twelfth century,
after the return of Mithras to London. Although Mithas
has decided that the building is insufficiently secure to
serve as his haven, it is still the site of regular rituals of
the Cult of Mithras, and its location is known by most
of London’s Cainites.
The London Stone: Bound in iron and situated on
Candlewick Street, close to the centre of London, lies
the London Stone. The stone marks the official centre
of the city, and has served as a meeting place for more
than five hundred years. In Saxon times the city’s
aldermen would pronounce judgement on criminals at
the site of the stone; though the stone no longer serves
any official purpose, it is regarded as a site of sanctuary
by London Cainites. In recognition of this, Mithras has
declared the stretch of Candlewick street between the
Walbrook and Gracechurch Street to be Elysium.
The Convent of the Black Friars: When the
Dominicans first came to England in 1221, they settled
in London, and built a priory in Holborn. Over the last
twenty years the order has grown in influence, with
Henry of Winchester becoming one of the priory’s
patrons. At present over 400 friars dwell within the
priory, which functions as an informal headquarters for
the Dominicans in England. The priory provides a
haven to a Nosferatu elder, Beorhtric. Though
disdainful of the beliefs held by the Black Friars,
Beorhtric believes that he can exploit the order, using
their influence in English society to further his personal
schemes.
The Convent of the Grey Friars: The Franciscans
have resided in London since 1224. One of their early
patrons in the city gave them the use of some houses
close to Newgate; over the last twenty years these
houses have developed into the core of the convent,
which now covers a considerable area in the north-west
corner of London. This area also houses London’s
shambles, and visitors to the Grey Friars can find
themselves picking their way across roads splattered
with animal blood, and other detritus of the butchery
trade.
The Temple: Located by the Thames on the western
bank of the River Fleet, the Temple is the English
headquarters of the Knights Templar. In earlier years
the order was quartered within the city; though they
have occupied the present site for more than fifty years
it is still known to the residents of London as ‘the New
Temple’. The present Temple is an opulent complex of
buildings, the centrepiece being a large round church.
The Temple functions as a bank, with its most notable
patron being the king. Lord Camden, an ally of Mithras,
makes his haven in the Temple; along with his retainers
he ensures that Cainite influence in the order is kept to
a minimum.
Clerkenwell Priory: Before it reaches London, the
River Fleet runs through fields and fine pasture, dotted
by a number of wells, whose water reputed has healing
properties. Sited by one of these wells is Clerkenwell
Priory, a fortified compound which is the English
headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers of St John of
Jerusalem. The role of the Knights Hospitallers in the
Crusades means that the priory has been the centre of
many intrigues. The priory is haven to a Toreador elder,
Leovigota, and some Cainites suspect that English
involvement in the Crusades has been at her
instigation.
St Katharine by the Tower: Located just outside the
city walls, St Katharine by the Tower is a church and
hospital, dedicated to serving the poor and infirm. The
site is haven to the Brujah elder Selina the Black; she is
patron and protector of its residents, who are kept safe
from the predatory interests of Cainites.
Holywell Priory, Shoreditch: Holywell Priory is a
monastic house for Augustinian nuns. It is located in
Shoreditch, to the east of London’s walls. In recent
years the priory has received considerable royal support.
England Will Burn
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 Westminster
Located a mile to the west of London, amongst the
marshy banks of the Thames, lies Thorney Island.
This was a secluded location in Saxon times, and in the
960s, an abbey was founded on the island, at the behest
of King Edgar. The importance of this abbey has grown
with the status of London, and the foundation, now
known as Westminster Abbey, is one of the most
important in England.
Westminster Abbey enjoys considerable royal
patronage; it is where the Kings of England are crowned
and, in many cases, are buried. The services provided to
the Crown by the abbey are not confined to the
beginning and end of royal reigns, and many functions
of government are dependent on the skills of literate
monks. This close relationship with the Crown has
helped Westminster Abbey to build up considerable
wealth and influence.
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46
Westminster also contains a royal residence, the
Palace of Westminster. First built by Edward the
Confessor, the palace has been expanded over the
following centuries, and now covers a considerable area.
The halls and chambers of the palace function not just
as a residence, but also as a centre of government,
serving as the meeting place for the royal council. The
presence of both abbey and palace means that, by the
middle of the thirteenth century, Westminster has
become a sizeable town in its own right.
The largest chamber in the Palace of Westminster,
known as Westminster Hall, is occasionally used as a
meeting place for the Cainites of London. The Duchess
d’Ambois has bound a number of key members of palace
staff with the Blood Oath; through these ghouls she is
able to keep Cainite activities in the palace away from
mortal eyes.
 Windsor
TheroadGreat West Road is arguably the most important
leaving London, linking England’s capital with
the prized royal possession of Winchester. This road is
guarded at many points, one of which is Windsor, site
of a royal castle. Located at a crossing point on the
Thames, the fortifications at Windsor are of great
strategic importance, protecting the approaches to
London.
Windsor castle was first built in wood by the
Norman kings of England. It was rebuilt in stone before
the end of the twelfth century, with the addition of two
extensive walled areas to the west and east, known as
the upper and lower wards. The castle walls are
relatively formidable, and the castle was able to
withstand a siege during the Barons’ War. Yet, the
castle’s peacetime role is equally important and, a mere
twenty miles from London, Windsor has become a
favoured royal residence. Favoured by the Kings of
England, Windsor has become one of the kingdom’s
finest castles.
Compared to the castle, the town of Windsor is
relatively modest, existing solely to serve the
fortification, and travellers on the Great West Road.
Originally located some miles to the south, Windsor was
relocated by the Norman kings, to be closer to the
Thames.
Windsor has a single permanent Cainite resident, a
member of Mithras’s brood named Ordric. Appointed
Seneschal of Windsor, Ordric protects the interests of
the Prince of London in the region, as well as frequently
playing host to visiting members of the Hounds of
Mithras. Regular visitors include the Guild of St
Eustace, who often conduct hunts in the nearby
Windsor Forest.
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47
 The Cainites of London
London is the largest settlement in Britain and, as
such, is populated by a large and diverse group of
Cainites. Over the centuries, the city has attracted
many members of the undead; it is a place which has
attracted the most ambitious and powerful, as well as
younger and weaker Cainites in search of a place to
hide. It is unsurprising, then, that London dominates
the Cainite politics of England.
The power and influence of Mithras means that
many of the city’s power structures have coalesced
around the Methuselah. Those Cainites most loyal to
the Prince of London are known as the Companions,
whilst other coteries, such as the Aldermen and the
Guild of St Eustace, have allied themselves to Mithras,
in order to further their own ends. These alliances have
helped Mithras secure his grip on London.
Despite the power of the allies of Mithras there are
others in in London who are resolutely opposed to the
city’s prince. For several hundred years the principal
adversary of the Cainite elders of the city was a group
known as the Poor Men of London. In the early years of
Norman rule in England the Poor Men were the
dominant party in Cainite politics; for a brief period in
the middle of the twelfth century Godwine, the then
leader of the Poor Men, even served as Prince of
London. This situation was intolerable to Mithras and
his allies; Godwine was executed, the Poor Men
dispersed, and the Ventrue Methuselah claimed the
position of Prince of London unopposed.
The remnants of the Poor Men would go on to form
the basis of two new coteries, the Anarchs, and the
Disciples of Job. These groups are discounted by the
prince and his supporters as a leaderless rabble, of little
importance. Few would imagine that these groups
contain within them a potential threat to the power of
Mithras.
The Companions
The chaotic centuries following the collapse of the
Roman Empire in the west were a dangerous time, a
period when power and influence were often obtained
through force of arms. Rulers could rarely rely on regular
armies to keep them safe, choosing, instead, to rely on
personal retainers. These bodyguards were referred to by
many names, as the truste in France, or the hirdh in
England and Scandinavia. As their role was codified in
the laws of the time, they were referred to in Latin as
the cum panis, the men who share bread with their
England Will Burn
48
master. From this phrase came the word ‘companion’,
which in the medieval world signified the most loyal
and trusted servants of a great man.
As Mithras entered the conflict which would lead
him to be crowned Prince of London, the Cainites of
England took to referring to his close supporters as the
Companions, a logical comparison to the mortal
bodyguards who surrounded a ruler. By the middle of the
twelfth century, the term is generally taken to indicate
a group of eight Cainites who surround Mithras, six of
whom are resident in London. Some of these individuals
hold official positions, whilst others are considered part
of the group due to their power and the influence they
hold with their master.
The most prominent member of the Companions is
the Duke d’Ambois, the prince’s notional deputy. It is
the Duke who makes decisions for the Companions on
the rare occasions when the prince is absent from the
city, and many Cainites residing in London believe that,
should Mithras be unable to maintain his leadership,
the Duke would take the reins of power.
Whilst the Duke’s role in the court of London is ill-
defined, the practical nightly administration of the
city’s Cainite affairs are managed by Nicholas and Lord
Camden, who function as London’s Chamberlain and
Seneschal. Whilst neither are drawn from the brood of
Mithras, both are loyal and capable, and have proven to
be valuable allies in conflicts with the enemies of the
Prince of London.
To support in the maintenance of order, Mithras
employs a warmaster, Æthelwulf, and a sheriff, Valerius.
Æthelwulf is a veteran of the violent conflict between
the supporters of Mithras and the Triumvirate. This
experience taught London’s warmaster the value of
caution and the nature of risk. Whilst the authority of
Mithras seems secure at present, Æthelwulf is wary of
the apparent calm, aware that England may contain
hidden conspirators plotting against the Prince of
London. In this belief, Æthelwulf can count on the
support of Marcus Verus, former Hound of Mithras and
current Prince of Chester; the other members of the
Companions believe that Æthelwulf is somewhat
paranoid in his beliefs.
Valerius, a key proponent of this viewpoint, sees the
real risks facing Mithras are not found in the conscious
enemies of the prince, but in the slow and gradual
breakdown in order which is allowed to occur through
complacency and hubris.
London By Night

49

The First
Companions
Whilst Mithras has always enjoyed the
support of a coterie of loyal Cainites, the identity
of the Companions has changed over the
centuries. During the Roman era the core of this
group was made up of Cretheus, Julian Cerialis,
Marcus Verus, Constantius Thrax, childer of the
Methuselah who played key roles in maintaining
his authority. They were supported by the
Nosferatu spymaster Taximagulus, an influential
Cappadocian named Timandra, and Dioscorus,
Tribune of London. Cretheus was envoy of
Mithras in Rome, and disappeared during the
late fifth century; the other companions all
survived into the medieval era, with Dioscorus,
Taximagulus, and Julian Cerialis all meeting
their Final Deaths during the early years of
Norman rule. Timandra stepped back from
direct involvement in Cainite affairs during the
conflict with the Triumvirate, and Constantius
Thrax was destroyed during the twelfth century,
thought to have fallen to the hands of the agents
of Geoffrey of Calais.
As the various Companions have fallen, their
places have been taken by younger Cainites,
eager to take places at the side of Mithras.
Valerius, Æthelwulf, and Lord Camden are all
Cainites who proved themselves useful in the
war against the Triumvirate, whilst the Duke
and Duchess d’Ambois are childer of Mithras,
relied upon to defend the interests of their sire.
The most recent recruit to the ranks of the
Companions is Richard de Worde, a capable,
though relatively young, Nosferatu. Richard was
chosen by Mithras as a replacement for Osred, a
spymaster who fell to the fangs of the Furores in
the early years of the thirteenth century. The
role of spymaster is particularly unpopular
amongst the enemies of Mithras; there are a
number of Cainite observers who believe that
Richard de Worde may too meet his Final Death
in the near future.
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50
Although most of the Companions reside in
London, Marcus Verus, deputy of Mithras in the north,
has made his haven in the town of Chester, whilst
Richard de Worde, spymaster to Mithras, recently
moved to Oxford to better manage his network of
agents. The absence of these two Cainites from London
is useful for extending the influence of Mithras
throughout England, though it lessens their influence
on the councils of the Prince of London. The visits of
Marcus Verus to London have grown increasingly rare
in recent years, allowing the Duke d’Ambois to
consolidate his influence over their sire.
Whilst the Companions are united in their support
for Mithras, they often disagree about the methods
which should be used to reinforce his power. One of the
most bitter conflicts among the Companions in recent
years has been over the control of the Guild of St
Eustace, as the supporters of Mithras have clashed over
the most effective way of employing this coterie.
Though the Guild of St Eustace was, for many years,
controlled by Æthelwulf, he was replaced in this role a
decade ago by the Duke d’Ambois. This transfer of
power has been a continued source of tension amongst
the Companions, and both Valerius and Marcus Verus
have petitioned for the restoration of Æthelwulf’s
position.
The Aldermen
In the time of the Heptarchy an ealdorman was a figure
of great power, an aristocrat capable of exerting great
military and political power. In an era when the central
bureaucracy of the Saxon kingdoms was weak, having
trusted delegates who could administer justice and
maintain order was invaluable.
Given the nature of the ealdormen, it was natural
that the term should be applied to powerful Cainite
elders during the Saxon era. One group, in particular,
who attracted the title were the supporters of Dioscorus.
The rise of the Triumvirate reduced the power of this
group, and forced many into exile. Although they
collectively sided with Mithras in the following conflict,
they have never been considered as entirely loyal by the
Prince of London, and have grown into a coterie of
elders with rival interests to the Companions.
The age and experience of the Aldermen is such that
their interests cannot be entirely ignored by Mithras.
The members of the coterie nevertheless have different
and competing interests, and it is rare for the group to
speak with a single voice. On the occasions that they
are united their collective power is such that they can
overrule the Prince of London, and impose their will
upon the Cainite community of the city.
Leovigota, a Toreador elder originally from Spain,
has the most antagonistic relationship with Mithras. A
cultured and graceful Cainite, with a love of comfort
and beauty, Leovigota has a poor relationship with the
Ventrue of London, seeing them as crude and
militaristic. Though some of the Cainites of London see
this as aristocratic snobbery, Marcus Verus did once
attempt to have Leovigota killed, and Leovigota has not
wholly forgiven the Ventrue, or his kin. The Toreador
arrived in London shortly after that debacle and,
understanding influence was a way to secure her
position, has slowly built up connections within the
London By Night
51
mortal aristocracy of England. Though the Companions
were attuned to the interests of the warlord kings of the
Saxon and Norman eras, they have struggled to exert
control over the more cultured and learned rulers of the
Angevin era, and Leovigota’s intuitive understanding of
aristocratic institutions has given her a powerful lever
in the conflicts of the Cainite world.
Leovigota feels strong kinship with Gundovald and
Selina, both of whom had similar mortal backgrounds
in the Germanic nations of Europe during the dying
days of the Roman Empire. The three Cainites make up
a notional radical faction amongst the Aldermen,
comfortable with social and cultural change in mortal
society, a group which tends to dismiss the Companions
as a reactionary force. Their reasons for doing so are
varied; Leovigota wishes merely to amass power for
herself, Gundovald is a questioner of institutions and
autocracy, whilst Selina hold truly radical beliefs as to
the nature of power and authority amongst Cainites.
Selina had sympathies with the Poor Men of London
and now exerts considerable influence over London’s
Furore and Promethean factions. It is generally assumed
amongst the Aldermen and Companions that she has
built these connections purely as a means of exerting
power in London, and has little interest in the causes
that these groups espouse. In fact, Selina holds radical
convictions about the nature of Cainite society, and the
need to undermine the influence of the elders. She is in
no hurry to pursue a revolution, having seen the fate of
the Triumvirate, and the bloody decimation of the Poor
Men of London after the overthrow of Roald Snake-
eyes. At present, Selina is content to watch Cainite
affairs, and build the influence of her favoured factions.
Opposed to the Aldermen’s radical faction is the
conservative faction, which consists of Vendicina and
Aroasios. The pair are two of the oldest Cainites in
London, and are staunch defenders of tradition, and the
rights of elders in the city. Whilst prepared to ally with
the other Aldermen against Mithras when necessary,
Vendicina and Aroasios are generally only concerned
with protecting their own interests. Although neither is
especially popular within the city, both are capable
survivors, and have managed to whether the many crises
that have affected London.
Clerkenwell Priory
A few hundred yards to the north-west of London, on a
rise overlooking the River Fleet, sits Clerkenwell Priory.
Founded in the reign of Henry Curtmantle, the priory is
the English headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers of
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52
St John of Jerusalem. In the hours of night, it has also
become a meeting place for the Toreador population of
London.
The priory was built on land donated by Jordan de
Bricet, Lord of Clerkenwell Manor. The manor house
had been the haven of the Toreador elder Leovigota for
more than a century; seeing the benefit of residing in a
fortified priory, the elder moved her haven to a
basement underneath the Hospitaller’s headquarters in
the early part of the 1150s. She has resided underneath
the priory ever since and, within the Cainite world,
Clerkenwell Priory has become associated with the
Toreador of London.
At present two Cainites are permanent residents of
Clerkenwell Priory, Leovigota, and a young Malkavian
named Margaret Cheverall. The three other regular
visitors to the priory are younger Toreador, kin to
Leovigota. These are Asdis Asmundrsdottir, a loyal
supporter of Leovigota since the older Toreador’s time
in Chester, and two somewhat rebellious ancilla, John
Burden and Reinhedis Estridge.
John and Reinhedis belong to a local faction of the
clan often dubbed the “Church Toreador”. Elders such
as Leovigota find these younger Cainites somewhat
puzzling. Although they have the refined set of
aesthetics for which their clan is known, they are cold
and austere, regarding art and beauty with a detached
and somewhat philosophical regard. The Church
Toreador are attracted to the rebellious factions in
Cainite society, though they are beset by internecine
feuds. For a number of years, the most prominent
member of the Church Toreador in London was a
Furore names Thurstan Baldree. In 1222 Thurstan was
subject to a Blood Hunt after being betrayed by his own
childe, John Burden, a recruit to a Promethean group
known as the Disciples of Job. Thurstan Baldree is
believed by the Cainites of London to have met his
Final Death and Reinhedis, a committed Furore, now
considers Brother John to be an enemy to the Furore
cause.
Leovigota regards the conflicts between various
members of the Church Toreador with some
bemusement, not fully understanding the subtle
political positions which can set the Furores and
Prometheans against one another. Despite the views of
Reinhedis and Brother John, she has done her best to
shield them from harm, knowing that they could easily
fall foul of the Hounds of Mithras. The younger
Toreador have little awareness of the extent to which
they have been protected.
 The Church Toreador are regarded with less
tolerance by Asdis, whose own childe Olafr met his
Final Death at the hands of a group of Furores which
included Thurstan Baldree. She tolerates Brother John
and Reinhedis at the behest of her sire, despite her
reservations in regards to the younger Cainites. Asdis
has more sympathy with Margaret Cheverall, a
Malkavian neonate which Leovigota has chosen to
shelter. Overwhelmed by the embrace, Margaret is a
vulnerable young woman, little able to manage an
independent existence as a Cainite. The usually harsh
Leovigota is highly protective of Margaret, and ensures
that she comes to no harm. Such kindness has earned
her the eternal loyalty of the young Malkavian.
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53
The Anarchs
For more than two hundred years a coterie called the
Poor Men of London played an important role in the
Cainite politics of England’s capital. The coterie
emerged in the wake of the Danish raids of the ninth
century, and originally consisted of marginalised and
outcast Cainites, excluded from power by the then
prince. By banding together the Poor Men found that
they could collectively exert significant influence over
Cainite affairs. By the middle of the eleventh century
the Poor Men was one of the key groups in London’s
Cainite society.
The downfall of the Poor Men was due to their
reckless ambition. When the Triumvirate arrived in
London, the leadership of the Poor Men decided to side
with the newcomers, believing that this would allow
them to displace the Aldermen, and ingratiate
themselves with the new Prince of London. Godwine of
Lindsey, then leader of the Poor Men, was appointed to
the post of sheriff, whilst other members of the coterie,
notably Nathaniel, Ælweard and Osric, made their
Anarchs, Past, Present, and Future
It is important to note that the meaning of the
term “Anarch” has changed considerably between
the thirteenth and twenty-first centuries. In
medieval England the word was originally used as a
dismissive term for those Cainites embraced in the
kingdom during a period of civil war known as the
Anarchy. The implication was that the claimed
lineage of such Cainites could not be trusted, and
that they were shiftless and rootless vagabonds, ill-
educated in the ways of Cainite society, and a danger
to the natural order. In time, the word anarch came
to be applied as a pejorative term to describe any
younger Cainite.
Although the anarchs of the medieval period
were generally supposed to apolitical, many sided
with the Furores, seeing them as allies in their
struggles against the tyranny of princes and elders.
By the middle of the fourteenth century the anarchs
will be the foot soldiers of the Furores, determined
to bring about permanent change in Cainite society.
England Will Burn
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names as enthusiastic and prominent supporters of the
Triumvirate.
The ambitions of Poor Men did not end well. Many
members of the coterie met their Final Deaths as the
power of the Triumvirate ebbed away. Others fled the
capital, either to far-flung quarters of England, or to the
safety of cites such as Rouen or Ghent. Godwine
attempted to cling to power after Roald Snake-eyes
deserted the capital, by declaring himself to be the
Prince of London; he was killed by Mithras for his
temerity. In 1155 the sole surviving member of the Poor
Men resident in London was a Malkavian elder named
Gwladus.
Over the last ninety years Gwladus has made a
concerted effort to rebuild the Poor Men, drawing on
the young and disaffected Cainites of London.
Although she has been remarkably effective in finding
followers, her efforts to build this group into a coherent
political force has been lacking. Her enemies, somewhat
dismissively, labelled her followers as anarchs, and the
term has become the accepted name for the group.
.
Two prominent anarchs of this period will be
Tyler the Red and Stephen of Kent; when they
participate in the attack on Hardestadt in 1395 the
term they use to describe themselves will be brought
to prominence, and the subsequent Cainite
rebellion will become known as the Anarch Revolt,
despite the ignorance of many members of the
society of the night as to the ultimate origin of the
term.
These events, however, have yet to happen,
sitting in the relatively distant future. In the mid-
thirteenth century the anarchs are seen as a
relatively insignificant and powerless group, an
irritation rather than a threat. This is, of course, the
general attitude of London’s elders towards the
Cainite group of this name. The Anarchs of London
are seen by the Companions and the Aldermen as
unimportant; only Selina has the foresight to
imagine that this disparate rabble might play an
important role in the future of the Cainite world.
London By Night

55
 Gwladus sees herself as a traditionalist, a supporter
of the rights of disenfranchised Cainites. Her followers
are often more radical, often identifying as Furores. In
some instances this is due to conviction, such as with
Reinhedis Estridge, a refugee from the bloody conflicts
which have afflicted the town of Norwich. Others, such
as Aweline, Teresa Diaz, and Auberlin Foltz are
unprincipled rebels against the elders, who are more
driven by self-interest than political principles. The
elders of London are aware of this, and see the Anarchs
as a disparate rabble, a group lacking in coherent
motivation.
There has been considerable turnover in the coterie
over the last century, with many of the more radical
voices amongst the Anarchs having either met Final
Death, or else have been forced to leave London. Two
of the more violent Anarchs, Kinczel and Leticia Brun,
were hunted down by the Guild of St Eustace; Wulfgyth
and Kolbeinn Brækir, fanatical opponents of the elders,
left London for Norwich, and were killed in the struggle
against Michael the Pious. Gwladus works hard to
protect her flock from harm; despite her efforts, it is not
uncommon for members of the coterie to meet sudden
and violent deaths.
One of the more vicious conflicts the Anarchs have
been involved in over recent years is with the Disciples
of Job, a Promethean group which has found itself
competing with the Anarchs for influence within the
city. In recent years the Disciples have recruited
Sigesgundia, a former member of the Anarchs, and have
forced another member of the group, Thurstan Baldree,
former Prince of St Albans, to flee from the area. In
turn, the Anarchs successfully recruited Genevieve, a
former member of the Disciples, after she discovered
that the Prometheans had fallen under the influence of
Selina the Black.
Genevieve is, of course, unaware that Selina has also
been building a level of control over the Anarchs. Her
efforts have been impeded by a Nosferatu elder named
Beorhtric and his ally, Stephen of Kent. At present,
Stephen of Kent is resident in the city of York, and
Beorhtric is keen not to play his hand to early, so the
influence of the pair is somewhat limited. Beorhtric is
motivated mostly by his ego and self-interest, and does
not realise that his ally is an apocalyptic visionary, who
would happily bring great death and destruction to the
society of Cainites.
At present, the affairs of the Anarchs are dominated
by the subtle, three-way contest for control of the group,
carried out by Gwladus, Selina, and Beorhtric. The
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Companions and Aldermen have also taken an interest
in the Anarchs, and have a sufficient interest in the
activities of the Furores to have planted a spy in the
movement. In 1240, Thomas Raet, a member of the
Anarchs, was forced to flee London, pursued by the
Hounds of Mithras. Few were aware that Thomas was
really an agent of Richard de Worde, an infiltrator set
to spy upon the Furores of England.
The Disciples of Job
The Promethean movement first appeared in Ireland,
amongst the Cainites of Dublin, and soon spread to
England. One of the most prominent of all Promethean
groups in the kingdom are the Disciples of Job, who took
their name from the contemporary association between
the Biblical character of Job and the mythological
Prometheus, the Titan who gave fire to humanity.
The Disciples are a disparate group of rebels and
misfits, who claim to have radical visions for Cainite
society, but are more generally interested in their own
self-promotion. The three more prominent members of
the coterie are Sigesgundia, John Burden, and Aife
Bhallach, a group who are united by their utopian ideas
of what Cainite society might be. They are joined,
occasionally, by Hereman, a reclusive Cainite scholar,
who claims to be a Brujah elder. Since they are
relatively open in their beliefs, the Disciples are
regarded with caution by the elders of London, though,
thus far, they have done little to actually disrupt Cainite
society in the city.
Since the formation of the Disciples, with the
arrival of Aife in London in the 1160s, the group has
been manipulated by one of the Aldermen, Selina the
Black. Selina is aware of a fact unknown to any of the
Disciples, which is that the sire of Aife’s sire, Thomas
the Hermit is resident in London. Given that Thomas
arrived shortly before Aife, Selina suspects that the
group formed as the result of some subtle manipulation
of an ancient Cainite, though at the present time has
not been able to identify who might be responsible, and
what the interests of this mysterious Cainite might be.
Whilst the mystery remains, Selina is keen to keen the
coterie under careful scrutiny.
The philosophy of the Disciples is influence by a
broad range of beliefs collected by the group’s members,
from the Pelagianism of Sigesgundia, to the austere
orthodox Christianity of John Burden. The group
keenly seeks out new ideas, and are easily influenced by
the more novel, radical, and unusual concepts which
they encounter.
 At present, the Disciples of Job have no clear leader.
Aife, Sigesgundia, and John Burden all believe that they
would be the most appropriate individual to provide
leadership to Prometheans throughout England. As
neither Hereman or Selina are prepared to back any
given individual, the coterie remains in deadlock. At
present, the leadership contenders are searching for
potential supporters, who might give them the influence
they require to take charge of the group. Any of the
three might be willing to make extravagant promises to
outsiders who would assist them in triumphing over
their rivals. Whether they would be willing, or even
able, to honour these promises would depend greatly on
the long-term success of the Disciples.
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The Guild of St Eustace
The decades after the Battle of Hastings saw a brutal war
amongst the Cainites of England, as Mithras sought to
defeat the Triumvirate and their allies. To help him
achieve this end, the Methuselah revived an
organisation which had served him well in Roman
times, the Hounds of Mithras. The hunters were capable
warriors, able to hunt down and destroy the enemies of
Mithras. The efforts of the Hounds played a significant
role in the defeat of the Triumvirate, helping Mithras
secure a firm grip on power.
Whilst most of the Hounds of Mithras are lone
agents, stationed in particular towns throughout
Britain, some towns are hosts to entire coteries of
Hounds. London is one such place, with the Guild of St
Eustace forming a dedicated group stationed in the city.
The Guild was formed in the early nights of the conflict
with the Triumvirate, and its members fought in many
conflicts throughout England. The Guild helped force
representatives of the Triumvirate from Canterbury in
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1136, and were responsible for the Final Death of Liseult
de Taine in 1141. Many Cainites believed the Guild to
contain the bravest and most capable of the agents of
Mithras.
Once Mithras secured his grip on London, the duties
of the Hounds slowly diminished. The hunts for the
enemies of Mithras were, over time, replaced by hunts
for mortal prey. Originally, these hunts targeted
criminals and outlaws, used to maintain the skills to the
members of the Guild. Over time, many of the original
Guild members have drifted away, and the Duke
d’Ambois is now the only original member left. The
hunts, which were once orderly affairs, have now
become excuses for debauchery and indulgence, events
marked by cruel and bloody violence.
The Duke is the unquestioned leader of the Guild,
and is happy to use the coterie to promote his own
political ambitions. It is not uncommon for mortal
associates of the Duke’s rivals to be targets of the Guild’s
hunts.
 The staunchest supporters of the Duke within the
Guild are Gerard Lovet and the Duke’s own childe,
Ordric; the two can be relied upon to follow the Duke’s
orders without question. Auberlin Foltz, an ostensible
supporter of the Duke, has a somewhat more
complicated relationship with his master. Auberlin has
always seen himself as a rebel, a staunch opponent of
what he sees as the predatory aristocracy which rules the
world of Cainites. He initially made the acquaintance
of the Duke in the early years of the thirteenth century,
seeking to find a way to spy upon the Hounds of
Mithras. Yet he found that he enjoyed the Duke’s
company, and would later go on to accept an offer to
join the Hounds. Over the last thirty years he has
managed to maintain membership of both the Anarchs
and the Guild of St Eustace, relying on his charm and
wits to deflect any unwelcome enquiries.
The most recent recruit to the Guild is a young
Gangrel named Eddida. Appointed at the behest of her
sire, the warlord Æthelwulf, Eddida has adapted well to
service amongst the Hounds of Mithras. She is,
nevertheless, deeply suspicious of the Duke, and is
revolted by some of the cruel conduct that she has
witnessed as a member of the coterie. She is aware that
her sire once led the Guild of St Eustace, but has not yet
realised that she is being used by Æthelwulf to spy on
his successor. If she were to learn what her true role is
in the coterie, she would undoubtedly relish it all the
more.
Over the last decade Ordric and Auberlin Foltz have
been involved in supplying kine to Thomas, Lord
Camden. They are aware that the mutilated corpses of
many of these individuals are later fished out of the
Thames, though their general contempt for mortals
means that they are not unduly concerned by the
apparent cruelty to which these individuals are
subjected. Though not directly involved in this
endeavour, the Duke is aware of it, and tacitly approves;
he is aware that Lord Camden is conducting some kind
of experiment, and believes that his knowledge of this
may give him some leverage over the seneschal should
it be required in future.
The Duke is aware that the scale of deaths is
beginning to provoke disquiet amongst the kine of
London, but believes that these deaths will have few
consequences. He feels that the mortals of the city pose
little threat to the Cainites of London, and that the role
of the Guild of St Eustace in maintaining order in the
city means that he, or his minions, will easily be able to
conceal his coterie from unwonted attention.
In recent years the trade in kine has attracted the
interest of Asdis Asmundrsdottir. At present she is
unaware of who is responsible, though she is convinced
that it is a product of Cainite predations, and is seeking
others who may be able to help her in her
investigations.
The Night Temple
The church of the New Temple is one of the most
unusual in Britain. Whilst most churches are formed on
a cruciform pattern, the Temple church is a round
building, inspired by the Dome of the Rock in
Jerusalem. Those who feel that the Knights Templar
may have been corrupted by their time in the Levant
treat this building with suspicion. Certainly, there are
stories of candle-light seen through the windows of the
church, late at night when the building should not be
in use.
The use of the Temple at night is not imagined by
observers, though few could possibly envisage how the
building is used in the hours of darkness. Since its
consecration in 1185 the Temple Church has been a
meeting place for a group of Cainite scholars, generally
known as the Night Temple. The origins of the coterie
lie in the debates had between two Cainites, Thomas
the Hermit and Valencia de Béziers, in the latter days of
Saxon London. The pair had many long arguments over
the nature of Cainite existence, and the degree to which
such immortal beings retained their connection to
humanity. Over the past two centuries a further two
Cainites were drawn into these discussions, and slowly
formalised, with regular debates held each month
within the Temple Church.
As of the mid-thirteenth century there are four
scholars within the coterie. In addition to Thomas the
Hermit and Valencia de Béziers, the Night Temple now
includes the influential Thomas, Lord Camden, and a
younger Cappadocian, named Isemeine. In addition,
the work of the members of the coterie is supported by
a young Nosferatu, Sabine de Pellam, who serves as the
group’s messenger, porter, and general dogsbody.
One of the keenest debates held within the Night
Temple is on the nature of death. Thomas, Lord
Camden, has maintained the argument that the true
nature of death is misunderstood, and any debate on its
nature will be thus fraught with difficulties. To better
explore this problem, he has taken to conducting a
series of experiments to determine precisely the
moment at which death occurs. Lord Camden believes
that an understanding of this simple point will
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59
transform the work of the Cappadocians and will thus
be of considerable value. He has been assisted in these
experiments by Valencia, though he has hidden his
activities from Thomas the Hermit and Isemeine
surmising, correctly, that they would object. For now,
Lord Camden’s experiments will be conducted in secret.
As Lord Camden’s experiments have gone on, he has
slowly retreated from his humanity. Conversely,
Isemeine and Thomas the Hermit have worked hard to
retain their connections to the mortal world, though for
different reasons. Isemeine sees her existence as a
Cainite as a second life, and wishes to retain her
connections to mortality. Thomas the Hermit,
meanwhile, is an apocalyptic visionary, whose
perspectives on the world are informed by the religious
devotions of mortal congregations. Despite the vastly
differing perspectives of the two Cainites, they have an
enormous respect for each other.
Whilst the core of the Night Temple is well-
established, other Cainites are frequently invited to the
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60
meetings of the coterie. This can include occasional
visits from Cainites and the surrounding area, as well as
appearances from travellers who are passing through
London. An invitation to attend a meeting of the Night
Temple is a mark of respect, and performing well in any
debate can do much to enhance a Cainite’s status.
Though the Night Temple is a forum for the free and
unconstrained discussion of most subjects, the group
treat theological matters with considerable caution.
Both Lord Camden and Thomas the Hermit are mindful
of the divisive and dangerous nature of the Cainite
Heresy, and are aware of the effects such beliefs have
had in towns such as Norwich. The established
members of the Night Temple know well to avoid
discussing such subjects, and visitors who raise the
subject of the Cainite Heresy will be politely instructed
to leave.
The Night Temple is well respected by both the
Companions and Aldermen, and the group often
advises London’s elders on difficult problems.
The Cult of Mithras
In the era of the Roman Empire the Ventrue
Methuselah Mithras exploited the religious cult of his
namesake to exert influence in the mortal world. When
he awakened in the eleventh century, he found that the
worshippers of the god Mithras were long-since
departed from England. Understanding the value of the
cult he worked to rebuild it and, in the middle of the
thirteenth century, a small group of dedicated cultists
reside within London.
The majority of the members of the Cult of Mithras
are mortal, drawn principally from the aristocracy and
military classes of England. A small number of London’s
Cainites are active participants in the cult. The most
prominent member of this group is Æthelwulf, a
follower of Mithraism in life, and an enthusiastic
believer in the religion. In recent years Æthelwulf has
inducted a younger Cainite, Gerard Lovet, into the cult,
hoping that membership of the group will inspire him
and give him a stronger sense of purpose.
Whilst Æthelwulf is a committed member of the
cult, the Duke d’Ambois sees it as a historic relic,
though one which can be exploited to further his own
ends. The Duke knows the importance of the cult to his
sire, a fact that encouraged his membership. Although
the Duke participates in many of the cult’s rites, he has
little interest in the religion.
An occasional visitor to London is the master of the
Cult of Mithras in the town of Dover, Gerard Mannerly.
Although Gerard initially joined the cult for carefully
calculated political reasons, he enjoys the sense of
camaraderie the group provides, and has become a very
effective recruiter for Mithraism. Though Gerard is not
aware of the fact, he has attracted the favour of the
Prince of London, who believes the young Ventrue
shows considerable promise.
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61
The Trading Circle
The Trading Circle is a loose alliance of Cainites,
nominally united by their connection to the promotion
of commerce in London. In reality, most members of the
coterie see it either as a means of defending themselves
from hostile forces, or as a vehicle for their personal
ambitions. Those outsiders who approach the coterie in
the belief that it is primarily concerned with commerce
may well be surprised by the political intrigues which
surround the group.
The nominal leader of the Trading Circle is
Lourenco, carefully oversees the political intrigues
which surround the coterie. A survivor of the conflict
between Mithras and the Triumvirate, Lourenco is well
aware of the dangers presented by the elders of London.
He is careful to position himself as a supporter of
Mithras, and has benefited from the prince’s patronage.
Mithras is, of course, sufficiently experienced to
ensure that nothing is left to chance, and has his own
agent in the coterie in the form of Asdis
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Asmundrsdottir. Though Asdis believes that she is
merely working to protect commerce in the city, her
reports to the Companions allow the Cainite rulers of
London to monitor the activities of the Trading Circle
and, most particularly, the schemes of Odila.
As the London representative of the Prince of
Rouen, Odila causes the Companions more concern
than any other member of this coterie. Whilst she
professes to have no political ambitions, the elders of
London remember the Triumvirate, and are cautious as
to what she may represent.
The remaining members of the coterie, Ancel
Baynard and Petronia, are mostly interested in their
own security, being otherwise without allies in the city.
Petronia has been accepted into the coterie largely out
of pity, whilst Ancel Baynard is in possession of an
embarrassing secret relating to Lourenco’s lineage.
Lourenco sees the pair as entirely dispensable,
considering them to be pawns which may be sacrificed
for political advantage.
 Hereman
Inof thea reclusive
Cainite community of London there are tales
elder who dwells in a hospital on the
route of the Great Road. A few Cainites know that
these rumours refer to Hereman, a rebellious
intellectual, sympathetic to the cause of the
Prometheans. Unknown to London’s Cainites is the
fact that Hereman is one of the Baali, dedicated to
spreading harm to mortals and vampires alike.
In his mortal life Hereman was a priest, serving in
the small Mercian town of Lichfield. Though he had
little interest in the church, Hereman had grown up in
the time of the pious King Æthelred, and saw that
belonging to the priesthood would give him many
opportunities to advance his own interests. For twenty
years Hereman played the role of a devout priest, whilst
furthering his own interests. Though he thought that he
had cleverly concealed his true nature, Hereman would
prove to be mistaken.
One night in the autumn of 711 Hereman was
woken by a beautiful woman, who had somehow gained
access to his chambers. She told him that she knew all
about his petty schemes, and that she required someone
of his talents. That night Hereman became a Cainite.
For sixty years the pair remained in Lichfield,
Hereman faithfully serving his new mistress. Then, in
the 870s, the Great Heathen Army came to Mercia.
Hereman and his sire were parted, the younger Cainite
fleeing south, seeking safety in the wild, untamed lands
to the north of the River Thames.
In the centuries since Hereman has worn many
guises. He has played the role of pious Cainite priest,
aristocratic pleasure-seeker, and unworldly philosopher.
After spending a period as a supporter of Roald Snake-
eyes, Hereman decided that it may be dangerous to
remain in London and retreated to a leper hospital
located on a ford across the River Roding. In recent
years Hereman has reinvented himself as a Promethean,
a revolutionary who would seek to change the
relationship between Cainites and mortals. Though he
cares little for their cause, Hereman believes that they
may be powerful tools in his attempts to corrupt
London’s Cainite society.
Image: Hereman is greasy and haggard, a shabby figure
in worn Benedictine robes. Occasionally boils or
patches of warts erupt on his skin, a sign of his inner
corruption.
Roleplaying Hints: You do your best to ingratiate
yourself with those you meet, presenting yourself with
apparent humility. Do your best to conceal how shrewd
you really are.
Influence: Whilst Hereman had an extensive network
of influence in the early years of his existence as a
Cainite, much of this was lost when he was chased out
of Leicester. Much of his current influence is derived
from his links with the Prometheans.
Haven: The Hospital of St Mary the Virgin, Ilford
Clan: Baali
Sire: Vilocia the Goth
Nature: Conniver
Demeanour: Pedagogue
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 711
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 4, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 5, Awareness 4, Brawl 1,
Intimidation 3, Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Crafts 1, Etiquette 1, Melee 3,
Stealth 3, Survival 5
Knowledges: Academics 4, Enigmas 4, Hearth Wisdom
4, Investigation 2, Medicine 3, Occult 6, Politics 2,
Theology 3
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Auspex 4, Daimonion 5,
Obfuscate 4, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Alternate Identity 3, Contacts 3, Domain
3, Influence 2, Resources 3, Retainers 3
Virtues: Conviction 4, Instinct 4, Courage 4
Morality: Path of Cruelty 8
Willpower: 6
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63
 Gundovald
Gundovald is the spirited opposition to the iron rule
of Mithras and the Companions. He is one of the
few Cainites who is prepared to challenge the decisions
of the Prince of London, and his outspoken nature
seems either fearless or foolish to the other Cainites of
the city. Gundovald is amused by both the reactions and
reserve of these Cainites. Opposition is, he believes,
part of the natural state of the world, part of the
experience of both warriors and rulers.
Gundovald’s nature was formed on the battlefields of
Eastern Europe in the days of the Gothic War. He was
a Gothic noble, and one of the bodyguards of the
Greuthungi war leader Saphrax. Accustomed to a life of
war, it was fitting that Gundovald’s final day of life was
on the battlefield outside Adrianople, as he rode
forward with Saphrax to break the Roman line.
Charging towards the Roman lines, he was struck from
his horse by the bolt from a ballista. Gundovald was lost
in the confusion of battle. He clung on to life,
abandoned on the battlefield, until the following night.
As he gasped his last breaths, he found he was not alone,
and a handsome cloaked man was standing above him.
The man dripped a single drop of blood on his lips; with
this, Gundovald became a Cainite.
For the next century Gundovald travelled with his
sire across the dying remnants of the Roman Empire.
The two met many Cainites on their journeys, some
friendly, some hostile. Gundovald learnt the joys of
debate and was embroiled in various intrigues and perils
on their journeys. Eventually, their wanderings were
brought to an end by a vicious conflict in the realm of
the Bavarians with the Ventrue Methuselah Valerianus.
Losario left for the west, whilst Gundovald, and his new
childe Serena, travelled north, eventually ending up in
Britain.
The pair settled in London, since Gundovald was
tired of wandering, and the pair became an established
part of the city’s Cainite community. Gundovald
reinvented himself as politician, a part his still plays
with pleasure. Though he positions himself as a
questioner of authority, he has no ultimate political goal
beyond playing the part of the statesman to the utmost
of his ability. He views politics much in the same way as
he viewed warfare; he is there to play the game, win or
lose, in the manner of a good warrior.
Image: Gundovald is broad and muscular, and chooses
aristocratic, though somewhat dated, dress. He has
shoulder-length, a relic of his life as a Gothic noble.
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Roleplaying Hints: Convivial and passionate, you are
the spirited centre of any social gathering.
Haven: Gundovald possesses a large house at the centre
of London Bridge.
Influence: Gundovald enjoys the company of learned
men and is acquainted with many of the administrators
working for the English Crown. He has a surprisingly
thorough knowledge of the workings of government and
is capable of manipulating them to suit his own ends.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Losario
Nature: Celebrant
Demeanour: Philosopher
Generation: 5th
Embrace: 378
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 6, Dexterity 6, Stamina 8
Social: Charisma 6, Manipulation 2, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 5, Awareness 3, Brawl 6,
Empathy 2, Expression 3, Intimidation 5, Leadership 4
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Etiquette 2, Melee 7, Performance
4, Ride 4, Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3, Law 3,
Politics 4
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 3, Dominate 3,
Fortitude 4, Presence 5, Protean 5, Potence 8
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 2, Herd 4, Influence
3, Resources 4, Retainers 4, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 5
Willpower: 8
 Selina the Black
Most of the Cainites of London think of Serena as
nothing more than a loyal retainer of her sire,
Gundovald. Serena wouldn’t have it any other way; the
manner in which she is seen by the Cainites of London
as Gundovald’s close associate allows her to carry on her
own schemes in peace.
Selina was first introduced to the world of Cainites
in Bavaria, in the early years of the sixth century. She
was born to noble German stock, given her name by her
mother, a woman from the east of the Roman Empire.
Growing up she combined the forthright military
character of her father’s family with the culture and
refinement of the Roman world. These characteristics
attracted Gundovald, a Brujah elder, and Selina was
embraced without any choice in the matter.
Selina’s first battle in the Cainite world was a naive
attempt to hold back Christian belief from the
Bavarians, working alongside a Malkavian Methuselah
named Pollius Felix Maximus. The plot was weakened
by a falling out with her co-conspirator, and collapsed
entirely when she and Gundovald were driven from the
region by a powerful Ventrue elder. They retreated to
Britain, where they ensconced themselves within the
Cainite community of London.
Selina sees her sire as impotent, and her grand-sire,
Losario as cowardly and contemptible. The Brujah
Methuselah taught his brood that Cainites should be
cautious around humanity, and that exposing
themselves can only lead to disaster. Selina, in response,
has come to the conclusion that Cainites should claim
their place as the rightful rulers of humanity. She
believes that many of the elders of London are
hypocrites and fools, little deserving of their places at
the head of Cainite society.
In recent years Selina has acted as patron and
protector for both the Anarchs and the Disciples of Job.
Her influence extends beyond London, and she has
provided support to a number of Cainites who have
rebelled against Mithras. In particular, she has protected
Nathaniel and his childe Robin Leeland, seeing them as
having continued valued in her ongoing political plots.
Image: Selina dresses in black, her clothes carefully
cultivated to accentuate her stature. She wears her
blond hair loose, and often displays some carefully
chosen jewellery.
Roleplaying Hints: Carry yourself with an aristocratic
bearing; talk down to your inferiors, and make your
views known forcefully to those Cainites who you
concede may be your equals.
Haven: The Hospital of St Katherine’s by the Tower
Influence: Selina’s contempt of humanity hampers her
ability to wield influence in the mortal world. She
nevertheless has cultivated contacts amongst the clerks
in Westminster, and can manipulate state records and
legal judgements.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Gundovald
Nature: Rebel
Demeanour: Conformist
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 540
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 6, Appearance 5
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 5, Athletics 3, Brawl 2, Empathy 1,
Expression 4, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 6
Skills: Archery 5, Etiquette 3, Melee 4, Performance 4,
Ride 2
Knowledges: Academics 4, Investigation 4, Occult 1,
Politics 6, Seneschal 4
Disciplines: Auspex 5, Celerity 3, Fortitude 1,
Obfuscate 3, Potence 2, Presence 6
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 1, Influence 3,
Resources 3, Status 3
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 9
Willpower: 9
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65
 Thomas the Hermit
Thomas the Hermit is an unseen influence in the
Cainite community of London. Though few of the
Cainites of the city have met him, he is respected by
Mithras, and the Prince of London will often solicit
advice from Thomas. The support of the prince means
that Thomas has the security to lead a scholarly and
contemplative existence, isolated from the petty politics
of the Cainite world.
Thomas was embraced in 604, one of a group of
progeny spawned in Constantinople in the dark reign of
the Emperor Phocas. He was a scion of the Antonian
Ventrue, a proven scholar and theologian, who it was
thought might help to assist the Methuselah Antonius
in his schemes. Working faithfully for over two
centuries, he became a skilled administrator and a
renowned expert in Cainite literature. Then, in 796,
Thomas was struck by a great personal tragedy when
Antonius met his Final Death in the wake of a vicious
conflict over the role of icons in the Orthodox church.
Thomas was devastated by his master’s death. He
abandoned Constantinople and its treacherous rulers,
and travelled to Western Europe on a voyage of
discovery. He saw the ruins of the Roman world, and
the privation and desperation of many people living
throughout the continent. Finally, when in his slumber
one day, he dreamt of the world being riven by a great
apocalypse, one in which both the children of Seth and
the children of Caine were consumed by fire.
This dream gave Thomas new focus, as a scholar of
Gehenna, the prophesied doom of Cainites. He
travelled various lands, learning about ancient times
from equally ancient vampires. Finally, Thomas came to
London, where he has resided for almost two centuries.
He feels the pull of the Atlantic, though understands
little why he should be drawn to the great ocean.
Although he knows that one day he will be compelled
to voyage west, for now he is content to dwell in the
vicinity of London, learning about Cainite existence
from those vampires who reside in England’s capital.
Despite Thomas’s age and reclusiveness, he is keen
to meet new vampires, and has the uncanny ability to
track down members of the race of Caine. Many
fledglings, newly arrived in London, have spoken to the
Brujah elder without truly realising who he is, or
understanding his age and power.
Image: Thomas is a thin man with a long dark beard. He
is stooped and unimposing, and frequently dresses in
ragged ecclesiastical robes in black or grey.
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Roleplaying Hints: Playing the reclusive hermit has
suited you well over the years. You will do your best to
project this image of yourself.
Haven: Thomas resides in an underground cell built on
the grounds of Waltham Abbey.
Influence: Though Thomas disdains influence in the
mortal world, he is well-respected amongst the elders of
London, and his advice has shaped many political
decisions.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Critias
Nature: Judge
Demeanour: Seer
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 604
Apparent Age: Early 50s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 3, Stamina 7
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 6, Intelligence 7, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Awareness 7, Empathy 3,
Expression 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Crafts 4, Etiquette 3, Melee 1,
Stealth 3, Survival 6
Knowledges: Academics 6, Enigmas 5, Investigation 3,
Occult 6, Politics 4, Theology 4
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Fortitude 4, Obfuscate 6,
Potence 3, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Influence 2, Resources 1,
Retainers 2, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Path of Community 9
Willpower: 8
 Aife Bhallach
AifeCainites
Bhallach holds a reputation amongst the
of London as a rabble-rouser, an angry
presence who is prepared to defy the elders of the city.
That she has not met her Final Death is seen, by many
of London’s Cainites, as a sign of the tolerance and
forbearance of Mithras.
Aife grew up on a farm not far from Dublin. A noted
beauty, she attracted the attention of many who dwelt
within the area. She imagined that this might lead to a
favourable marriage; what Aife didn’t realise is that her
appearance had captivated a local Cainite, an
infatuation which would have fateful consequences.
In the autumn of 1144 Aife was embraced by
Calibrid, a Cainite elder residing in Dublin. Whilst
Calibrid saw her childe as a captive dependent, she
underestimated Aife’s character and willpower. Aife
fled her sire, falling in with a coterie of idealists who
called themselves the Prometheans. Her new allies
helped to dispose of Calibrid, and for twenty years Aife
took great pleasure in the Cainite politics of Dublin.
In the early 1160s Aife travelled to London, intent
on promoting the ideas of the Prometheans. Despite of
the opposition of the many of London’s Cainites, Aife
has flourished, partly due to the support of a group of
elders, who believe that they can exploit the idealism of
the Prometheans. In particular, Aife has enjoyed the
mentorship of Selina the Black, a cautious and cunning
Brujah elder. With Selina’s aid, Aife has been able to
spread the ideas of the Prometheans through England
and beyond.
Aife enjoys her existence as a Cainite, delighted as
being able to escape the social restrictions imposed on
women in the mortal world. She is confident, often
overconfident, having convinced herself that she is
wholly responsible for her achievements. In her
inexperience she doesn’t realise quite how vulnerable
her existence might be if she should make the mistake
of offending a truly powerful Cainite.
Image: Aife is a youthful beauty, ready and willing to
exploit her appearance when it supports her interests.
She dresses in the simple garb of a peasant, and her Irish
heritage is evident through her freckles and shock of red
hair.
Roleplaying Hints: You are forceful and passionate;
believing it to be dishonest to hide your opinions, you
are forthright and open in your speech, often to the
point of rudeness.
Influence: Aife’s influence derives from a network of
Cainite allies she has built up after spending close to a
century amongst the Prometheans. Though her
influence in London is limited, she has allies and
supporters across Western Europe, and can often find
aid when in need.
Haven: Aife resides in the manor house in the village of
Epsom.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Calibrid
Nature: Fanatic
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1144
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 4, Brawl 3, Empathy 2,
Expression 3, Intimidation 2, Leadership 4,
Legerdemain 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Archery 4, Commerce 2, Crafts 2, Etiquette 1,
Melee 2, Stealth 3, Survival 1
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 3, Politics
2
Disciplines: Celerity 2, Potence 2, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Allies, Contacts 2, Domain 1, Influence
2, Mentor 3, Resources 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Path of Illumination 7
Willpower: 7
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 Auberlin Foltz
Ohave
ne of London’s Furores, Auberlin Foltz seems to
a charmed existence, avoiding the ire of the
city’s elders, despite his lack of respect for authority.
There are many who believe that he has powerful
friends, though most would be surprised if they knew the
true extent of his influence.
Auberlin was once a rebellious apprentice, living in
the County of Luxembourg. He paid little heed to
learning his trade, more interested in devoting his
nights to the arts of pleasure. It was on an adventure one
night when he met Reyprecht the Swabian. Reyprecht
claimed to be a wanted man, in need of help; for the
promise of a bag of silver he secured the aid of Auberlin,
and the two set off north, travelling only by night, and
avoiding towns.
It was in Utrecht that Auberlin made the mistake of
attempting to rob his patron. Having a knife driven
through his eye seemed to do remarkably little harm to
Reyprecht. He merely smiled before attacking Auberlin
with such savagery that the young man thought that
death would be a blessed relief.
Auberlin’s existence did not end that night, and he
found himself transformed into a creature of the night.
Over three nights he was forced to drink Reyprecht’s
blood. Finally, on the fourth, Auberlin was told by his
new master that his services were still required on the
road and that, if Reyprecht could reach London,
Auberlin would be freed from his bonds of service.
Auberlin parted ways with his sire in London and,
for the last fifty years, has resided in the city. Not long
after he entered the city he had the good fortune of
meeting the Duke d’Ambois; the two got on well
together, and Auberlin soon found himself master of the
Guild of St Eustace. Though the connection between
Auberlin and the Duke is not well-known, it has done
much to keep the young Cainite protected from both
hostile elders and his rivals amongst the Furores.
Image: Auberlin is young and handsome, carrying
himself with confidence and a cocky bearing. He dresses
for the occasion, his clothes varying from practical
outdoor gear, to extravagant tunics.
Roleplaying Hints: You are joyful, sociable, and
talkative. You are capable of arguing a cause without
truly believing in it, and will often argue for the pleasure
of the matter.
Haven: Auberlin has no permanent haven, residing in
a series of low dwelling houses in Southwark.
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Influence: Auberlin is well-connected within the
Cainite society of London. On the one hand his
acquaintances in the Guild of St Eustace give him
leverage with some of the most powerful Cainites in the
city; on the other his links with the Furores give him
links to London’s underworld. Were Auberlin less busy
enjoying his existence he could use this influence to be
a force in London politics.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Reyprecht the Swabian
Nature: Rebel
Demeanour: Celebrant
Generation: 11th
Embrace: 1189
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Intimidation
2, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Archery 4, Crafts 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 3, Stealth
4
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 2, Occult
1, Politics 1
Disciplines: Celerity 2, Obfuscate 1, Potence 2,
Serpentis 1
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 1, Resources 3,
Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 4, Instinct 1, Courage 4
Morality: Path of the Hunter 8
Willpower: 4
 Thomas, Lord Camden
Asenjoys
seneschal to Mithras, Thomas, Lord Camden,
a position of considerable power in London.
Though he has a calm and pleasant manner, many find
that Thomas projects and unsettling presence, and few
Cainites willing spend much time in the company of the
Cappadocian elder.
Once, long ago, Lord Camden was Æthelwald, one
of the canons resident at York Minster. Though he had
little interest in the church, he had attracted the
attention of Timandra, a Cappadocian elder residing in
the city, who recognised the mortal as quick-witted and
capable. For a decade Thomas served Timandra as a
ghoul; when his lack of aging was beginning to become
apparent, he was embraced, continuing to serve his
mistress in death.
In the closing years of the eleventh century Mithras,
then at war with the Triumvirate, requested that
Timandra provide him with assistance. Timandra
offered the services of Æthelwald, who soon found
himself travelling to London, to spy for Mithras.
Æthelwald’s mission ended up in disaster, and he
was captured by the servants of the Triumvirate.
Imprisoned and tortured, he thought he would soon
meet his Final Death. Shortly before his planned
execution he was rescued by Mithras himself; the
younger Cappadocian has been devoted to the Prince of
London ever since that night.
Æthelwald was profoundly affected by the torture
which he suffered. He took the name Thomas, Lord
Camden, and began an obsessive quest to discover the
true meaning of death. As seneschal to Mithras he has
been allowed considerable freedom to pursue his
researches, despite the harm which they inflict upon
mortal subjects. In recent years he has been supplied
with kine by the Guild of St Eustace. Though Thomas
manages the affairs of Mithras well, he has little interest
in the mortal world; as a result, he has failed to pay
attention to the rumours of mysterious disappearances
in the city, or connect these rumours to the
experimental subjects which he regularly acquires.
Image: Thomas presents a tall, broad figure, more
typical of a soldier than a priest. He wears dark clothing,
tending to favour the habits of Benedictine monks, or
else the sumptuous, embroidered robes of a London
merchant.
Roleplaying Hints: You are polite and well-spoken,
well-versed in the courtesies of polite society. You rarely
express emotion, and struggle to empathise with others,
something which you try to conceal behind polite
conversation.
Influence: Thomas sees the expertise of the church as
highly beneficial to his research, and has cultivated
considerable influence within London’s ecclesiastical
hierarchy.
Haven: The Temple
Clan: Cappadocian
Sire: Timandra
Nature: Idealist
Demeanour: Architect
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 890
Apparent Age: Late 30s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 6, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 4, Awareness 3, Expression 2,
Intimidation 4, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Commerce 2, Crafts 2, Etiquette 5, Melee 2,
Stealth 4
Knowledges: Academics 5, Enigmas 3, Hearth Wisdom
2, Investigation 2, Law 4, Medicine 4, Occult 4, Politics
4, Seneschal 3, Theology 3
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Dementation 1, Dominate 1,
Fortitude 5, Necromancy 5 (Path of Bone 5, Path of the
Cenotaph 5, The Grave’s Decay 2), Obfuscate 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 2, Influence 2,
Mentor 5, Resources 3, Retainers 2, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 6
Willpower: 9
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 Valencia de Beziers
Those Cainites who are acquainted with Valencia de
Béziers are frequently struck by her grace and
courtly manners. She has little interest in scholarly
matters, and seems more at ease in the social circle of
Leovigota than amongst the Cappadocians of London.
Few who meet her would imagine that she is a brutal
murderer, one of the most dangerous Cainites in the
city.
Valencia was embraced in the County of Toulouse
in the early years of the tenth century. She revelled in
her new status as a Cainite, seeing herself as superior to
mere mortals, and paying little heed to the harm she
caused to those on whom she fed. Her behaviour was
unpopular with the Cainites of Montpellier, where she
had chosen to reside, and Valencia was forced to flee,
faced by the threat of a blood hunt. Valencia travelled
north, towards the city of York, on the recommendation
of an acquaintance, Maria Ascunción. In the autumn of
955 Valencia arrived in the city, where she petitioned
Maria’s sire for residence.
In the centuries since arriving in England Valencia
has survived and prospered. Her feeding habits are
exceptionally bloody, and she enjoys hunting, killing,
and occasionally torturing her prey. Since her
experiences in Montpellier, she has learnt to be a little
cautious, and conceal her kills. She came to London in
the aftermath of the Triumvirate’s fall, with the
understanding that the size of the city would help her
activities go undetected.
Since her arrival in London Valencia has become
assistant to Maria’s sire, Lord Camden. She has little
interest in the scholarly pursuits of the Night Temple,
though appreciates the protection afforded to her by the
coterie. In recent years, Valencia has participated in
Lord Camden’s experiments on death; unlike her
master, she is well aware of how the subjects of this
research are sourced. Valencia is ready to betray her
master if it proves to be convenient; she knows that the
sadistic murder of her prey may start to attract attention,
and that blaming these deaths on Lord Camden may
draw attention away from herself.
During her existence, Valencia has never felt the
need to develop any moral philosophy, and has retained
her humanity in her unlife. In the centuries since her
embrace Valencia’s humanity has been considerably
eroded. Should her bloody ways continue, it is likely
that she will degenerate into a wight.
Derangement: Choleric
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Image: Valencia is tall and pale, dressing in sumptuous
gowns in the latest fashions.
Roleplaying Hints: You are entirely normal, and should
behave accordingly.
Influence: Whilst Valencia has little interest in building
influence in the mortal world, she has managed to
charm her way into aristocratic circles in London, and
could pull a few strings if necessary.
Haven: Holywell Priory, Shoreditch
Clan: Cappadocian
Sire: Eudocia of Megisti
Nature: Sadist
Demeanour: Bon Vivant
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 912
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 5, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Awareness 2, Brawl 4, Expression
2, Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Etiquette 2, Melee 4, Performance 3, Ride 2,
Stealth 2
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 4, Medicine 1, Occult 2
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Fortitude 4, Necromancy 3 (Path
of Bone 3, Grave’s Decay 3), Presence 2
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Influence 1, Resources 3,
Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 2
Willpower: 8
 Isemeine
Isemeine is both the youngest Cappadocian in
London, and the member of her clan most keen to
retain her humanity. Though the Cappadocian elders
doubt the value of her convictions, Isemeine has made
herself popular amongst the younger Cainites of London
due to her moral principles and generous nature.
Isemeine was the daughter of Michel Belet, judge
and one-time sheriff of Warwickshire. Though the
status of her father promised good marriage prospects for
Isemeine, she had been consumptive from an early age,
bed-ridden from her mid-teens, growing morbid from
what she saw as her impending death. Neglected by her
family and ignored by her peers, she slowly wasted away
as her health declined.
As her death approached Isemeine was embraced by
a Cappadocian elder, who was charmed by the bleak and
morbid young lady. Somewhat surprisingly, this new
existence invigorated Isemeine; the embrace gave her a
new perspective on existence, and she was determined
not to waste the opportunities it presented. Though her
sire was somewhat nonplussed by this turn of events, he
found his childe’s nature somewhat agreeable, and the
two led a peaceful co-existence for many years in the
small English town of Warwick.
In 1212 the town of Warwick was claimed by the
Furores of Coventry. Isemeine’s sire met his Final
Death, and she was forced to flee. She travelled south to
London, where she found sanctuary with Thomas, Lord
Camden. The Cappadocian elder feels protective of
Isemeine, despite her lack of interest in academic
matters. Though Isemeine resides with her mentor, she
spends her nights engaging with other Cainites,
particularly the younger members of the community.
Isemeine is determined to hold on to her humanity, and
enjoys the company of those who still feel attached to
their mortal lives.
Image: Though once beautiful, Isemeine’s death has left
her gaunt and discoloured, her skin drawn taught over
her bones. Isemeine does little to hide her appearance,
regarding it as a reminder to herself of the fragility of
existence.
Roleplaying Hints: Focus on those you speak to, and
show genuine interest in their needs and concerns. You
believe that everyone will respond to reason, so you
should engage with others with respect, even when you
disagree with their opinions.
Influence: Though Isemeine does not flaunt her
influence, her status amongst the Night Temple and
with the Anarchs means that she can subtly direct
Cainite politics, and diffuse tense situations if necessary.
Haven: Isemeine currently share’s Lord Camden’s
haven in the Temple, though her continued residence
there is beginning to leave her feeling uncomfortable.
Clan: Cappadocian
Sire: William the Warden
Nature: Survivor
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1188
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 1, Awareness 3, Brawl 1, Empathy 2,
Expression 3, Legerdemain 1
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Crafts 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 1,
Ride 2, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 2, Medicine 1, Occult 1, Seneschal 1
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Fortitude 1, Necromancy 1 (Path
of the Corpse in the Monster 1, The Grave’s Decay 1)
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Influence 1, Mentor 3,
Resources 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Humanity 9
Willpower: 7
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 Petronia
Petronia is Setite ambassador in London. Sent to
England by the Fire Court, she is ostensibly carrying
out a diplomatic mission, though she knows little, and
understands less, of her true purpose in the city. A slave
to the Setites in her mortal life, Petronia is resigned to
her fate, an obedient servant of far-off masters.
Petronia doesn’t remember life before she was part of
the cult of Set. As a child she grew up in the Fire Court
in Egypt, one of the slave population maintained as a
herd by the Followers of Set. She grew into a woman
knowing no life but that of service to Set and his Cainite
disciples. Petronia was a dutiful slave, and worked hard
to please her masters and mistresses. She won a certain
measure of favour and, when she reached the age of 21,
her masters decided that she would be a useful servant,
and had Petronia embraced.
After a number of decades in service Petronia was
summoned by Nefertiti, one of the clan’s hierophants.
Nefertiti stated that she intended to relocated to the far-
off city of London, and that Petronia was to travel there
in advance, to negotiate her passage. Within months
Petronia was leading a new existence, as Nefertiti’s
emissary in the court of Mithras.
Whilst Petronia began his existence in London with
good intentions, she has now been beset by doubts. She
wonders whether Nefertiti really intends to move to
London, or whether she is a pawn in the Methuselah’s
political games. Moreover, she is now out of the direct
control of the hierarchy of the Followers of Set for the
first time, and is now both afraid, and excited by her
nightly existence. For the first time Petronia is in a
position to make her own decisions as to her conduct
and lifestyle. She wonders whether she should continue
to follow the dictates of her clan’s elders, or whether a
time is approaching when she should rebel, and chose
to follow her own path.
Image: Petronia is a beautiful young woman, embraced
by the Followers of Set in the bloom of her youth. Her
dusky skin and dark hair are a reminder that her family
were once Coptic Christians. Despite her humble birth,
she was well trained by the Followers of Set in her early
years, and carries herself with the bearing of a princess.
Roleplaying Hints: You present a calm, even cool, front
to outsiders. Behave graciously and ensure that others
see your grace. As the representative of the Fire Court
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in London, you know that you are being watched, and
you are keen to present a good impression.
Haven: Petronia dwells in a house overlooking
Billingsgate Wharf.
Influence: Whilst Petronia has little direct influence,
she is able to call on the resources of the hierophants of
the Followers of Set in order to carry out her mission.
Clan: Followers of Set
Sire: Jezebel
Nature: Idealist
Demeanour: Loner
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1102
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Awareness 2,
Empathy 1, Expression 2, Intimidation 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Commerce 2, Crafts 2, Etiquette 5, Melee 1,
Performance 4, Stealth 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Medicine 3, Occult 4,
Politics 2, Seneschal 1
Disciplines: Presence 2, Serpentis 2
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Contacts 3, Domain 1, Influence
3, Resources 3, Retainers 4, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 2, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 5
Willpower: 4
 Aethelwulf
Asenjoys
the warlord of the Prince of London, Æthelwulf
a position of power in London. Known for
his loyalty to Mithras, and his martial abilities, few
Cainites would dare to openly oppose him.
Æthelwulf was once a Saxon warrior, embraced
when dying on the battlefield by a Gangrel elder, who
admired his determination and martial strength. The
elder, Caius Tadius Lupus, was a devotee of the Cult of
Mithras, and inducted his new childe in the ways of the
cult. Æthelwulf was an eager student; Mithraism gave
him a purpose and drive which he had lacked in life, and
a focus for his existence as a Cainite. Parting with his
sire fifty years after his embrace, Æthelwulf travelled
extensively, learning about the world and the nature of
Cainite society.
Between the eighth and the tenth centuries
Æthelwulf served a number of Cainite lords in England,
often defending their domains against Danish
interlopers. His disdain for Christianity caused tensions
in many instances, and Æthelwulf found himself driven
from more than one domain due to his attachment to
Mithraism.
In the eleventh century Æthelwulf was the sworn
vassal of Marcus Verus, Prince of Chester. The two
Cainites had a strong affinity as both warriors and
devotees of the Cult of Mithras. When the Triumvirate
came to England, Æthelwulf fought to defend Chester
for Marcus Verus; and as the influence of the
Triumvirate started to retreat, Æthelwulf led the
advance into their holdings, and proved to be one of
their most cunning enemies. Æthelwulf orchestrated
the Final Death of Liseult de Taine, and planned the
capture of many domains loyal to the Norman
interlopers.
In the aftermath of the defeat of the Triumvirate
Æthelwulf came to London, to act as warlord to
Mithras. Choosing the Methuselah as his new master
led to some tension with Marcus Verus, who wished to
retain the services of the Gangrel; the two Cainites have
nevertheless retained a strong bond, and Æthelwulf
often acts as an advocate for Marcus Verus in London.
Æthelwulf lost contact with his sire in the days of
the Heptarchy; he believes that Caius has been lost to
the Beast, and is now determined to locate his sire.
Image: Æthelwulf is a tall and strongly-built warrior. He
has long red-brown hair, and tends to favour practical
outdoor clothing.
Roleplaying Hints: Observe, and speak sparingly, and
only when necessary. Occasionally, when your self-
control weakens, you revert to animalistic habits.
Influence: Æthelwulf is well-respected in the world of
Cainites, and has many allies throughout England. As a
member of the Cult of Mithras, he also has an extensive
network of mortal cult members he can rely upon.
Haven: The gatehouse at Newgate.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Caius Tadius Lupus
Nature: Competitor
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 516
Apparent Age: Mid-40s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 5, Stamina 6
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 6, Brawl 3, Empathy 2,
Intimidation 4, Leadership 4
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Archery 3, Crafts 2, Etiquette 1,
Melee 5, Ride 4, Stealth 4, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 2, Enigmas 3, Hearth Wisdom
3, Investigation 5, Politics 2, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Animalism 4, Dominate 3, Fortitude 4,
Potence 2, Protean 5
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Influence 3, Resources 3,
Status 4
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 5
Morality: Road Kings 7
Willpower: 6
London By Night
73
 Eddida
Ecommitted to enforcing the will of the Prince of
ddida is one of Hounds of Mithras, a group
London. Though she is not well-known in London’s
Cainite community, she is well-respected by those with
whom she has had dealings. Uninterested in the petty
politics of Cainite society, she is happy to spend her
nights in solitude.
Eddida grew up amongst the charcoal burners of
Essex Forest. This was a hard life, and she grew up to be
a strong and hardy adult. Working all hours of the day
and night, Eddida grew familiar with woodland life,
learning of both its pleasures and dangers.
One night as Eddida and a number of companions
were tending their fires, they found themselves menaced
by a large and aggressive black wolf. As her fellow
charcoal burners cowered or fled, Eddida took up her
axe to fight off the monstrous animal. The battle would
be long and brutal; despite the numerous heavy blows
that Eddida inflicted upon the creature, it fought on,
undeterred. As dawn approached, she was overcome by
the wolf; facing what seemed like imminent death,
Eddida was only saved when the beast fled the first rays
of the rising sun.
Over the following year Eddida slowly healed from
her injuries. Then, one night, on the anniversary of her
battle with the wolf, she was visited by a dark figure,
who spirited her away from the world of mortals,
choosing to make her his servant.
Towards the end of the 1230s Eddida was inducted
into the Hounds of Mithras. She does not know why her
sire chose her for this role, though has accepted her new
responsibilities without question. The Companions of
Mithras see her as loyal and dependable, and she does
little to disappoint. Eddida is, nevertheless, a keen
observer of Cainite society, and has grown distrustful of
the elders of London. As a member of the Guild of St
Eustace she has seen the cruel and selfish behaviour of
her fellow Cainites at close quarters. Though she tries
hard to suppress it, Eddida has started to feel the
stirrings of rebellion in her heart.
Image: Eddida dresses practically, frequently wearing
the garb of a woodcutter or charcoal burner.
Permanently scarred. Her face remains marked by the
injuries she received in life, jagged scars running from
her forehead to chin.
Roleplaying Hints: You have an intense, brooding,
presence, and are reluctant to socialise with others.
When you do have to speak, you communicate in short,
England Will Burn
74
simple sentences, and can be blunt to the point of
rudeness.
Influence: Eddida has built up links within many rural
communities which lie within close proximity to
London. She hears the rumours which circulate within
these villages, and has many allies within these
settlements.
Haven: Eddida resides in the cellar of an abandoned
farmhouse in the village of Mortlake.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Æthelwulf
Nature: Defender
Demeanour: Loner
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1091
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Empathy 4,
Intimidation 2, Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Crafts 3, Melee 4, Stealth 3,
Survival 5
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 4, Politics
1
Disciplines: Animalism 3, Fortitude 3, Obfuscate 2,
Potence 2, Protean 4
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 3, Influence 2,
Mentor 4, Resources 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 4, Instinct 3, Courage 5
Morality: Path of the Hunter 7
Willpower: 6
 Gerard Lovet
Gerard Lovet is a member of the Guild of St Eustace,
one of the Hounds of Mithras who supports the rule
of the Prince of London. Though young and relatively
inexperienced, he has shown himself to be a loyal and
capable servant of the prince, and is well-known in the
Cainite community of London.
Gerard spent his life as a knight in the service of
Ranulf de Blondeville, the Earl of Chester. He served
his master well in the Barons’ War, fighting with
distinction at the Battle of Lincoln, and later followed
his master to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade.
In 1221 Gerard was back in England, recovering
from an injury he suffered fighting at the Siege of
Damietta. It was in England, in peacetime, that he met
his death, attacked one night by a monster whilst
staying in the town of Beverley. Gerard was saved by the
person who would become his new master, a Cainite
named Oddr One-hand. Embraced by Oddr, Gerard
entered the world of the undead that evening.
As a neonate, Gerard was inducted into the Hounds
of Mithras. Oddr, an experienced Hound, recognised
Gerard’s martial skills, and planned to develop Gerard
into a useful asset for Mithras. This training was
unexpectedly cut off in 1225, when Oddr met his Final
Death during a raid upon a Baali temple in the town of
Lincoln. Gerard, now masterless, retreated to London,
where he was eagerly recruited by the Duke d’Ambois,
to serve in the Guild of St Eustace.
Gerard is good-natured and considerate, and is well-
like by both his peers and the Cainite elders of London.
Whilst conscientious and reliable, the education that
Gerard received from his sire was incomplete, and the
young Hound struggles with keeping his Beast in check.
Gerard was a keen hunter in life, and he has found great
pleasure in hunting prey as a Cainite. Though he largely
hunts for the purpose of subsistence, in recent years has
started to hunt kine for mere pleasure. As a trusted
member of London’s Cainite community, few pay
attention to the nightly activities of this young Hound
of Mithras.
Image: Gerard is a robust gentleman in his late 20s. He
has the air of a man who spent most of his life in the
open air, and dresses in practical, outdoor clothing. An
experienced warrior, Gerard never leaves his haven
without at least one weapon.
Roleplaying Hints: You are outgoing and approachable.
You dislike unnecessary conflict, and will do your best
to smooth over differences between people. Despite
this, you are willing to stand up for what you see is right,
and will not back down from in such circumstances.
Influence: As a result of serving as one of the Hounds of
Mithras, Gerard has built up links with the watchmen
and soldiers employed to protect London, who often
provide him with information as to events occurring in
London in the hours of darkness.
Haven: Though Gerard spends much of his nights in
London, he dwells outside the city, with a principal
haven at Malden Manor in Kingston.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Oddr One-hand
Nature: Conformist
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1221
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 3, Awareness 1, Brawl 3,
Leadership 3
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Archery 3, Etiquette 1, Melee 4,
Ride 2, Stealth 2, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 2, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Fortitude 2, Protean 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 1, Influence 2,
Mentor 2, Resources 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 5
Willpower: 5
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75
 Odila of Rouen
Odila is the representative in London of Prince
Eustace of Rouen. An ambassador, she is ostensibly
in the city to serve the wishes of her master, though
there are many who suspect that she is more interested
in furthering her own ambitions.
Odila had a short and humble life. By her mid-teens
she was a petty thief, involved in Rouen’s underworld.
Determined and hot-headed, she was prepared to do
anything if the rewards were great enough. This led, at
the age of 23, to a careless and unnecessary murder, one
that led to her being detained and sentenced to death.
On the eve of her planned execution she was visited
in her cell by a gaunt, pale man. He told her that he was
impressed by her ambition, and was willing to spare her,
if she should submit to him, and become his apprentice.
That night she was spirited away from her cell, and
entered the world of Cainites.
Odila’s first fifty years as a Cainite were painful and
difficult. Sigebert, her sire, was a harsh and relentless
master, who pushed his childe towards success, and
painfully punished her whenever she fell short. Slowly
her personality was remoulded, from a hot-headed youth
to a cautious and clever schemer.
Odila was released from her apprenticeship in the
middle of the twelfth century. During her years in
service she had learnt much from the Cainites of Rouen
about the world beyond Normandy; fascinated by their
tales, she harboured and ambition to travel, to find a
city where she could carve out a position of influence.
Her opportunity came in 1215 when Eustace, Prince of
Rouen, asked Odila to become his ambassador in the
court of Mithras. Eager for the opportunities this
presented, Odila accepted the offer.
Odila has been resident in London now for close to
thirty years. Though ambitions, Odila learnt patience
during her long apprenticeship, and would rather wait
for the right opportunities, than hurry and put herself at
risk. Odila believes the time will come when she can
propel herself to a position of power.
Image: Odila has a clear, youthful face, framed by
blonde hair, which she frequently wears loose. She
wears long, dark robes, favouring green and burgundy.
Odila rarely wears practical clothing, feeling that
physical activity is beneath her dignity.
Roleplaying Hints: You are polite, even flirtatious,
when in company. You like to present the impression
that you take little seriously, and use this to conceal your
competitive and focused nature.
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76
Influence: Since arriving in London, Odila has set about
establishing some measure of control over the shipping
between London and the main ports of France. She is
aware of many of the Cainites who arrive in London via
this route, and occasionally diverts ships to other ports
if it supports her purposes.
Haven: Odila resides in a palatial townhouse in
Southwark.
Clan: Lasombra
Sire: Sigibert
Nature: Competitor
Demeanour: Gallant
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1090
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Expression 4,
Intimidation 2, Leadership 2, Legerdemain 2,
Subterfuge 3
Skills: Commerce 2, Etiquette 3, Melee 3, Performance
2, Ride 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Investigation 2, Law 2,
Politics 3, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Dominate 3, Obtenebration 2, Potence 2,
Presence 1
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 2, Influence 2,
Mentor 2, Resources 4, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 8
Willpower: 8
 Gwladus
Gwladus is the public face of the Anarchs, a Cainite
with sufficient age and power that she can speak in
the group’s favour without undue risk to herself. Over
the centuries, Gwladus has become a forceful voice for
change within the Cainite community of London.
Though many elders believe that she is manipulating
younger Cainites for her own political ends, Gwladus is
a true believer in the cause she espouses.
Gwladus was a neonate at the time of the collapse of
Roman power in Britain. Believing that her home town
of Glevum would be threatened by the violence and
chaos that followed, Gwladus fled to the east, looking
for a safe haven in troubled times. Travelling from town
to town, Gwladus was turned away by many princes,
who saw no need to provide shelter to the younger
Cainite. Gwladus grew to hate the capricious elders,
who held much of the power in the Cainite world.
Eventually, in the early years of the seventh century,
Gwladus settled in the Anglo-Saxon community of
Lundenwic, amongst a group of like-minded Cainites.
As the town of Lundenburg started to revive, these
Cainites took on the identity of the Poor Men, seeing
themselves as rivals of Dioscorus, and his powerful allies.
Over four hundred years the Poor Men, under the
leadership of Gwladus’s childe Godwine, found
themselves in conflict with the Aldermen. Eventually,
in frustration, Gwladus invited a group of Norman
Cainites, the Triumvirate to come to London, to take
power from the Aldermen. Dioscorus and many of his
allies met their Final Deaths, and the Poor Men were
able to gain greater influence in the city.
The Poor Men of London were crushed by the rise of
Mithras; by 1170, Gwladus was the only surviving
member of the alliance. Rather than admit defeat, she
rebuilt her group, recruiting local Furores. Her coterie,
the Anarchs, remain weak, but Gwladus is determined
to continue her war on the elders of London.
Derangement: Sanguine
Image: Gwladus presents a thin, gaunt, figure. She has
an aristocratic poise, and a natural grace.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a passionate advocate for
the Anarchs, and opponent of what you see as the
injustices foisted upon Cainite society by cruel and
capricious elders. Although you try to remain calm and
measured in speech and action, you are easily provoked,
sometimes even to violence.
Influence: Having dwelt within London for close to 800
years, Gwladus has built influence into the institutions
of London, often from their very foundation. She can
subtly affect the decisions of these institutions, and
bend their plans to serve her interests. The power of
Gwladus is often underestimated.
Haven: Gwladus owns a number of havens, scattered
throughout London, Middlesex, and Essex. Her main
haven when she resides in London is a small, fortified
house, located to the south of Ludgate.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Lucius
Nature: Visionary
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 405
Apparent Age: Mid-50s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 6, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 6, Awareness 3, Brawl 1, Expression
4, Intimidation 3, Leadership 4, Legerdemain 2,
Subterfuge 5
Skills: Commerce 3, Etiquette 4, Melee 2, Performance
3, Stealth 6, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 2, Enigmas 4, Investigation 3,
Politics 5
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Auspex 5, Dominate 5,
Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 6, Domain 2, Influence 5,
Resources 3, Retainers 2, Status 4
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 2, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Kings 8
Willpower: 8
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77
 Aweline
Aweline is the wildest and cruellest of London’s
Furores, regarded by the elders of London as an
affront to Cainite society. She has narrowly escaped
being the subject of the Blood Hunt on more than one
occasion, and there are those who believe it is only a
matter of time before she indulges in a provocation that
will bring destruction upon her. Whilst Aweline
understands this, she feels the threat of destruction is
one worth facing if it exposes the self-serving hypocrisy
of the Cainite elders of London.
Aweline was born in Southwark in the middle years
of the twelfth century. Apprenticed at a young age to a
weaver, her days were filled with hard and unrewarding
labour. She found an escape in the nightlife of
Southwark, and in the hours of darkness Aweline would
often sneak out of her mistress’s house, to spend time
amongst the ale houses and low dwellings of the London
suburb. By the age of 20 she was an able navigator of
Southwark’s criminal underworld.
Aweline’s night-time life was observed by the
Anarchs of London, and she was embraced in 1180, to
serve as a footsoldier in the war against the elders.
Aweline was a willing recruit, seeing the rulers of the
world, both mortal and immortal, as cruel tyrants, who
would happily rob the common people of their freedom.
Her time as a Cainite has been tumultuous, and both
her sire and eldest childe have met their Final Deaths at
the hands of London’s elders. Aweline is under no
illusions as to the danger she is in as a committed Furore.
She knows that few of her allies amongst the Anarchs
would risk themselves to protect her, and she has few
other friends amongst the Cainites of London. Yet she
sincerely believes that violence is a necessary tool in the
transformation of the world; she is prepared to accept
martyrdom should this help to further the goals of the
Furores, and liberate others from oppression.
Derangement: Choleric
Image: Aweline and dark and angular, her face and body
still bearing the marks of a difficult mortal life. When
she is gripped by a choleric mood, Aweline becomes
animated, prone to dramatic, and often threatening,
gestures.
Roleplaying Hints: You delight in unnerving others;
speak forcefully, ignore the rules of polite society, and
present the impression that you are impulsive and
dangerous individual.
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Influence: Aweline is a loner, with little interest in
cultivating influence. She knows many members of the
criminal community of Southwark, and may be able to
pull a few favours if absolutely necessary.
Haven: Aweline dwells within a low lodging house in
Southwark, and feeds upon the apprentices and
travellers who reside there.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Kinczel
Nature: Fanatic
Demeanour: Rebel
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1180
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 4, Brawl 5, Expression 3,
Intimidation 2, Legerdemain 3, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Crafts 2, Melee 3, Performance 2,
Stealth 4, Survival 5
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 2, Investigation 2, Politics
2
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 1, Dementation 2,
Fortitude 1, Obfuscate 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 1, Influence 1,
Resources 1, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 2, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 3
Willpower: 5
 Margaret Cheverall
Anyetinexperienced neonate, Margaret Cheverall has
to make much of an impression on Cainite
society. Embraced against her will, she has struggled
with her new state of existence, and is nervous and
fearful when confronted by other Cainites. Margaret is
relatively safe at present, protected by one of London’s
most powerful elders. There will come a time, however,
when she will need to assert her independence; how she
will cope when this time comes will determine whether
she will be able to survive as a Cainite.
When she was alive, Margaret Cheverall was a
seamstress and dresser of kid leather. Highly skilled, she
attracted patronage from the wealthy ladies of London,
who drew upon her services. One of her patrons, a
beautiful, dark-haired lady, would only visit Margaret
during the hours of darkness, a peculiar foible, but one
to which Margaret paid little attention. face bears the last hints of her youth, though by the time
One night, Margaret was woken from her sleep by of her embrace the first hints of grey had appeared in
the sound of the shutters being pulled from her window. her blonde hair.
She was shocked to see a savage and inhuman creature Roleplaying Hints: Speak quietly and with care; choose
climbing through the gap, and into her chamber. your words with precision and make sure that you are
Paralysed by fear, Margaret was savagely beaten by the always polite. You fear other Cainites, and are easily
monster, before her throat was ripped open and her intimidated in their presence.
blood drained. As she lay dying, Margaret’s mouth was Influence: None
forced open by the creature, and blood dripped into her Haven: Margaret Cheverall has an underground cell in
mouth. “This is the punishment for consorting with Clerkenwell Priory.
tyrants,” hissed the monster, before leaving Margaret Clan: Malkavian
alone in the wreckage of her chamber. Sire: Aweline
Margaret was discovered later than night by her Nature: Idealist
dark-haired patron, who happened to be the Cainite Demeanour: Perfectionist
elder Leovigota. Margaret was spirited away from her Generation: 11th
home, and taken to the relative safety of Clerkenwell Embrace: 1236
Priory. Over the following nights Leovigota taught the Apparent Age: Mid-30s
neonate about the ways of Cainites, and settled her into Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
her new existence. Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4
A Cainite for some years now, Margaret still finds Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
her vampiric nature unbearably painful. She is still Talents: Alertness 2, Awareness 1, Empathy 4,
sheltered and protected by Leovigota, and tries to limit Expression 3
contact with other Cainites, particularly the more Skills: Commerce 3, Crafts 4, Etiquette 5, Performance
terrifying specimens of her kind. For a number of years 2
after her embrace she was unaware of the identity of her Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 1,
sire. In 1240 Aweline and Margaret met at the Elysium Medicine 1
at the London Stone. Margaret found this a traumatic Disciplines: Auspex 2, Obfuscate 2
experience, one which has led her to retreat even Backgrounds: Allies 3, Domain 1, Mentor 4, Resources
further from Cainite society. 2, Status 1
Derangement: Sanguinary Animism Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Image: Margaret has a petite and curvaceous figure, Morality: Path of the Community 6
accented by well-cut dresses, and decorative shawls. Her Willpower: 8
London By Night

79
 Aroasios
Atcruellest
the centre of every web is a spider. In London, the
and most dangerous spider is Aroasios. He
is a manipulator who lurks within the shadows, a hidden
power, whose network of spies reaches throughout
England and beyond. Aroasios enjoys this situation;
exposing himself before nearly led to his downfall, and
he does not plan on making the same mistake twice.
Aroasios was born on the Scythian steppe. He was a
warrior and messenger, used to travelling alone across
the vast grasslands of the kingdom. Whilst camping one
night, he was ambushed by bandits, and left for dead. As
he lay dying, the bandits were driven off by a hideous
figure, a tall and deformed witch. Seeing the dying man,
she took pity on him and fed him her blood,
transforming him into a monster, too.
Aroasios remained in Scythia for a century, living
amongst his people, before curiosity as to the nature of
Greek traders pulled him to the south. He travelled first
to the Hellenic cities of Syria, and then to Rome.
Settling in the heart of the empire, he took on the name
Traianus, and started building a powerbase amongst the
disenfranchised Roman Cainites. His efforts, however,
attracted the attention of Camilla, Prince of Rome, who
decided that Aroasios was a threat to his power.
Aroasios nearly met his Final Death at the hands of the
agents of the prince, led by the Malkavian Felix Pollius
Maximus. Saved by his loyal followers, the torpid body
of Aroasios was smuggled out of Rome by his childe
Taximagulus, and transported to the relative safety of
Britain.
Aroasios awoke from torpor in 1066, when the
violence and bloodshed of the Norman invasion
disturbed his sleeping soul. In his thirst, he drained the
blood of Taximagulus, killing his childe. Finding
himself in a strange and alien land, he sought for ways
in which he could re-establish his power, soon falling
into an uneasy alliance with the Ventrue Methuselah
Mithras. Knowing he has little chance of defeating the
Prince of London, Aroasios has chosen to allow his
brood to spy for Mithras, in return for the peace in
which to conduct his own schemes. Thus protected,
Aroasios hides away and watches the Cainite world,
plotting his own return to power.
Image: Aroasios is a pale and gaunt figure, heavily
disfigured by boils and sores which cover large patches
of his skin.
Roleplaying Hints: You are relaxed, confident, and
easily amused. Confident in your skills, you can afford
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to be gracious to Cainites who are younger, and who
lack your abilities.
Haven: Aroasios resides in a set of Roman cellars,
concealed below a house at a point where Watling
Street crosses the Walbrook.
Influence: An arch-manipulator, Aroasios can pull
strings throughout mortal and Cainite society in
England. There are many mortals and Cainites who
work, unknowingly, towards his goals.
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Baba Yaga
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Rogue
Generation: 5th
Embrace: 565 BCE
Apparent Age: Unclear
Physical: Strength 8, Dexterity 5, Stamina 7
Social: Charisma 6, Manipulation 8, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 5, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 7, Awareness 4, Brawl 8, Empathy 3,
Intimidation 6, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Animal Ken 6, Archery 6, Melee 4, Stealth 6,
Survival 5
Knowledges: Academics 1, Enigmas 5, Hearth Wisdom
4, Investigation 8, Occult 4, Politics 6
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Animalism 6, Dominate 4,
Fortitude 4, Obfuscate 8, Potence 7
Backgrounds: Contacts 6, Domain 2, Herd 4, Influence
4, Resources 4, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 4
Willpower: 10
 Beorhtric
Many of the Cainites who know Beorhtric believe
him to be a quiet and studious Cainite elder, who
has chosen to reside with the Black Friars in their priory
on the edge of London. From what little he volunteers
in company, the Cainites of London have come to
believe that he was embraced at some point during the
reign of Edgar the Peaceful, and was a monk during life.
This image is carefully cultivated by Beorhtric himself,
as it helps to distract others from discovering that he is
a powerful elder, and one of the leaders of the Furores in
England.
Beorhtric was once Segovax, a warrior of the
Cornovii. He was born in the closing years of the first
century, not far from the Roman fortress town of Deva.
He was embraced by Mada, then Prince of Deva, who
saw promise in the young warrior. Though his sire was
not intentionally cruel, Segovax found the embrace a
cruel humiliation, an act which had rendered him into
a deformed servant of an ancient monster.
Segovax was freed from service when his sire was
destroyed by Marcus Verus. He fled Deva, travelling
south to the Mediterranean, to the heart of the Roman
Empire. It was on his travels that Segovax met a
Malkavian elder named Melchis of Crete. The two
became sworn allies, united in the belief that Cainite
society was corrupt, and destined to be wiped out in the
destructive cataclysm of Gehenna.
As Rome fell, Segovax fled to Britain and went into
hiding. In the time of the Heptarchy he re-invented
himself as Beorhtric, a cultured, though reticent
churchman, a position he used to distance himself from
Cainite politics. This was to change in the early years of
the twelfth century, when Melchis arrived in Britain,
after a long exile in southern Europe. Now calling
himself Stephen of Kent, the Malkavian had reinvented
himself as a leader of the Furores. Out of loyalty,
Beorhtric joined forces with his former ally and, over
the following decades, has established himself in a
position of influence amongst London’s Furores.
Image: Beorhtric’s parched and yellow skin is stretched
tightly over his flesh, giving him the appearance of a
shrivelled corpse. In his haven he tends to wear the
robes of a Dominican friar, though he dresses in
practical clothes when active in the city.
Roleplaying Hints: You are an accustomed performer,
and currently play the role of the polite and reserved
man of God. Behind this façade, you are a bully, and
enjoy any opportunity when you can belittle others, or
make them suffer.
Influence: Though somewhat reclusive, Beorhtric has
built links with the Dominican order, and has at least
one agent working for him at every Dominican priory in
England.
Haven: Convent of the Black Friars, Holborn
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Mada
Nature: Bravo
Demeanour: Rebel
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 112
Apparent Age: Late 60s
Physical: Strength 7, Dexterity 3, Stamina 6
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 4, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 5, Athletics 2, Awareness 1, Brawl 4,
Expression 3, Intimidation 4, Leadership 3,
Legerdemain 4, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Animal Ken 5, Melee 4, Performance 4, Stealth
6, Survival 5
Knowledges: Enigmas 3, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 4, Occult 4, Politics 4
Disciplines: Animalism, 4, Auspex 2, Dominate 2,
Fortitude 3, Obfuscate 6, Potence 5, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Alternate Identity 4, Contacts 6, Domain
2, Influence 4, Resources 3, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 3, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 4
Willpower: 6
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 Genevieve
Genevieve is a perpetual rebel, a fighter who defies the
established powers, and attempts to defend those
whom she sees as in need. Once a member of the
Disciples of Job, she deserted her former allies after
learning how they were being manipulated by London’s
elders. Now a member of the Anarchs, she finds that she
is drawn to violent rebellion against the elders of the
Cainite world.
Before her embrace, Genevieve was a poor
Londoner, living at the fringes of the city’s underworld.
She was embraced by Osred, spymaster of Mithras, who
saw value in such a pawn. Genevieve was bound to her
sire by the Blood Oath, and was indoctrinated into an
existence as a servant of the powers of London.
Genevieve’s liberation came in 1221, when Osred
was assassinated by agents in the employ of Dunstan,
Prince of Coventry. Freed from the Blood Oath,
Genevieve saw the true nature of the world of Cainites
for the first time. Still attached to humanity, she joined
the Disciples of Job, an idealistic Promethean group
which aimed to uplift both Cainites and kine. Osred had
given Genevieve the task of building up criminal
networks within the city; she now took these networks,
and used them to challenge and undermine London’s
elders.
For fifteen years Genevieve supported the cause of
the Prometheans. Yet, as a perceptive observer of
society, she began to develop suspicions as to the true
goals of the group she supported. Genevieve used her
networks to spy, not just on London’s elders, but also
her allies; from this she discovered that the Disciples of
Job were mere pawns in the employ of Selina the Black,
Disgusted, she deserted the Promethean cause, and
turned to the perpetual rebellion of the Furores.
Genevieve shed her old networks, correctly
believing that they had been compromised by her
supposed allies. She became more secretive, fearing the
spies and powers of the elders. Today she is a cynical,
rebellions, and almost fanatical opponent of Mithras
and his allies, one who urges the Anarchs to violence.
Image: Genevieve is gaunt and pale, her skin marked
with pustules and scars. She tends to wear long, ragged
cloaks and hoods which conceal her disfigurements.
Roleplaying Hints: Speak in a whisper, and try not to
draw too much attention to yourself. Actions are more
important than words; you see no need to show off, but
know when a demonstration of power matters.
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Influence: Genevieve shed much of her influence when
she deserted the Disciples of Job, believing that her
networks had been compromised by the elders of
London. In recent years she has started to rebuild her
influence within London’s criminal underworld, but it
will be many years before it will match its former power.
Haven: Genevieve resides in a crypt in the grounds of
St Botolph’s Aldgate.
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Osred
Nature: Rebel
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1192
Apparent Age: Indeterminable
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Brawl 1, Empathy 2, Expression 2,
Intimidation 1, Leadership 2, Legerdemain 5,
Subterfuge 2
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Archery 2, Crafts 1, Etiquette 1,
Melee 2, Stealth 3, Survival 2
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 2,
Medicine 2, Politics 3
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Obfuscate 4, Potence 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Couriers 4, Domain 1,
Influence 2, Resources 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 4, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 2
Willpower: 3
 Sabine de Pellam
Sabine is a servant and a messenger, working for the
Cainite scholars of London. Though she is both
weak and naïve, the patronage she has attracted has
thus far protected her from harm. Sabine’s greatest wish
is to be left alone by others, and her powerful
connections have thus far ensured that she has been
able to maintain her solitude.
Before her embrace Sabine was a servant, employed
at the Temple. It was here where she drew the attention
of a Cainite, Wilfred the Apostate. Sabine knows not
why she was embraced; he took little interest in her,
spending a week in Sabine’s company before
abandoning his new childe. One of the few lessons she
learnt was that her sire was that he was an outlaw, hated
and hunted by many of their kind.
Knowing little about the nature of either Cainites or
Cainite society, Sabine found herself feeding from stray
animals on the streets of London, taking shelter during
the day in a culvert leading to the Walbrook. Not
knowing the conventions of Cainite society, she failed
to present herself to the prince, and hid herself away
from any person she came across roaming in the London
night.
Yet some of the figures roaming the night were
paying close attention, and Sabine was followed back to
her makeshift haven one night by another Cainite,
Isemeine. Though Isemeine initially took the Neonate
for an outlaw to be destroyed, she heard Sabine’s story
and felt pity for the younger Cainite. Rather than
destroying Sabine, Isemeine took her under her wing.
In the months that followed Sabine was trained as a
messenger by Isemeine and her allies, to give her some
purpose in her unlife. Meanwhile Thomas, Lord
Camden presented her to the Prince of London, saving
her from the threat of destruction. With the support of
Isemeine, Lord Camden, and others, Sabine has been
able to establish herself within London’s Cainite
society.
Image: Sabine’s skin is disfigured by scattered patches of
warts and boils, whilst her facial features have shrunk
and atrophied, leaving her with the appearance of a
diseased corpse. She tends to hide herself within ragged
and filthy robes, and there are not many Cainites, even
within London, who have seen her face.
Roleplaying Hints: Speak quietly, and shrink away from
contact. You find the attention of others painful, almost
physically so; you speak quietly, your voice often barely
more than a whisper.
Influence: Sabine’s influence is limited to the favour she
receives from London’s Cainite scholars.
Haven: Sabine dwells in a culvert which leads into the
Walbrook.
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Wilfred the Apostate
Nature: Child
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1220
Apparent Age: Indeterminable
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 4, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 2, Expression 1,
Intimidation 2, Legerdemain 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 3, Stealth 3,
Survival 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 2
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Obfuscate 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Mentor 4
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 7
Willpower: 5
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 Vendicina
Vendicina has resided in the city of London for longer
than any other Cainite. A survivor by nature, she
has overcome many threats and outlasted most of her
enemies. Now a respected elder, Vendicina has built for
herself a secure position at the heart of London’s
Cainite community.
Vendicina was embraced at a time when Roman
Londinium was a growing trading centre. Even from the
early years of her existence as a Cainite she had a
fractious relationship with her sire and occasional lover
Dioscorus. The elder Cainite appreciated Vendicina’s
social graces and ability to manipulate any situation to
her advantage, whilst his childe was fascinated by the
transgressive nature of her sire. When Londinium fell to
the Saxons, and Dioscorus was forced into torpor,
Vendicina remained by his side, fighting to preserve the
refined Cainite society which had once graced the city.
Vendicina spent the era of the Saxons fighting the
Poor Men of London, and supporting her sire’s attempts
to impose order on the Cainite population of London.
In time, she grew to regard Dioscorus as weak, and when
she learnt of the rising power of a Triumvirate of
Cainites in Rouen, she invited them to England,
thinking that they might be able to restore the glory of
Rome. She knows that her actions resulted in the Final
Death of Dioscorus, though in the centuries since she
has come to regard his destruction as a sad necessity.
Vendicina was clever and cautious enough to have
re-invented herself as a supporter of Mithras long before
the Ventrue Methuselah took control of London.
Though the prince has no illusions as to Vendicina’s
loyalties, or lack thereof, the Malkavian elder is
sufficiently politically adept as to be able to make any
move against her appear as an attack upon the rights of
the Cainites of London. Though the Companions have
attempted more than once to displace Vendicina, the
elder is secure in her position.
Fixation: Comfort and security; Vendicina finds it
difficult to resist taking action which might improve her
safety and material position.
Image: Vendicina is a plain woman, who was embraced
as she was approaching middle age. She has an
aristocratic air, carefully and deliberately enhanced by
well-cut robes and gowns.
Roleplaying Hints: You are confident, perhaps arrogant,
in your dealings with others. You are, however, always
on your guard, having survived as long as you have by
not underestimating others.
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Influence: After over a thousand years of residence in
London, Vendicina has a keen understanding of how to
control mortal institutions, and when it is worthwhile
to exert her will. Despite claiming no especial influence
in particular institutions, Vendicina seems more than
able to get what she wants out of the mortal world.
Haven: Vendicina has made her haven in a Roman
cellar, located under a house between Ludgate and St
Paul’s Cathedral.
Clan: Ravnos
Sire: Dioscorus
Nature: Mercenary
Demeanour: Architect
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 134
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 6, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 1, Awareness 1, Expression 4,
Intimidation 3, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 6
Skills: Commerce 3, Crafts 3, Etiquette 4, Melee 2,
Performance 2, Ride 3, Stealth 1, Survival 6
Knowledges: Academics 2, Enigmas 2, Law 2, Politics 6,
Seneschal 4, Theology 1
Disciplines: Animalism 3, Auspex 2, Chimerstry 5,
Dominate 1, Fortitude 4, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 2, Herd 3, Influence
4, Resources 3, Retainers 3, Status 4
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 7
Willpower: 8
 Sigesgundia
Sdissident
igesgundia is a rebel, one who has sided with many
causes in the time since her embrace. Since
her embrace, in the chaotic years after Rome abandoned
Britain, she has fought many opponents, and triumphed
each time. Confident in her abilities, Sigesgundia
believes that she is invulnerable.
Having lived much of her mortal life in the Saxon
kingdoms of continental Europe, Sigesgundia came to
Britain in the early years of the sixth century, seeking a
better life. Her mortal experiences of the land did not
last for long for, less than a year after her arrival, she was
embraced by Vendicina. The Ravnos elder wished to
find an interpreter, who could act as a go-between with
the new settlers; Sigesgundia merely had the misfortune
of being out alone in the hours of darkness when her sire
decided to seek out a candidate for a new childe.
Despite the brutality of her embrace, Sigesgundia
soon adapted to existence as a Cainite. Seeing the
collapse of the Roman Empire, she was a strong believer
in the moral value inherent in force, and the necessity
of brutality and violence. Though loyal to her sire, she
had an affinity with the Freemen, often acting as
messenger between the groups in Lundenwic and
Lundenburg.
In the war against the Triumvirate, Sigesgundia
fought on the side of Mithras; she was disappointed with
how Godwine and his allies were treated in the
aftermath, and experience that has pushed her towards
rebelling against the elders who control a
disproportionate among of influence in Cainite society.
For much of the twelfth century she found herself allied
with the Anarchs, and was involved in some of their
more radical activities. In 1164 she joined with
Kolbeinn Brækir to murder Olafr Asdisson, though her
role in this crime has never been revealed. In recent
years, however, she has transferred her allegiances to the
Disciples of Job, after an unsuccessful attempt to oust
Gwladus from her role in leading the Anarchs.
Sigesgundia was a follower of Pelagianism in life, a
fact that informs her politics as a Cainite.
Fixation: Vengeance; Sigesgundia will always replay a
slight, often with violence.
Image: Sigesgundia has cold, clammy skin, and a strong
stare.
Roleplaying Hints: Try not to sneer. You know that you
are superior, and are willing to help out with worthy
causes, but it is difficult not to reveal the fact that you
feel superior to most other Cainites you meet.
Influence: Sisgesgundia has a strong influence in what
would be considered Christian heresy, and has influence
in many parishes in and around London.
Haven: A townhouse outside Bishopsgate.
Clan: Ravnos
Sire: Vendicina
Nature: Architect
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 512
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 6, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Awareness 2, Brawl 2,
Expression 4, Intimidation 2, Leadership 2, Subterfuge
6
Skills: Etiquette 3, Melee 3, Ride 2, Stealth 3, Survival
2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 4, Politics 3
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Chimerstry 4, Fortitude 3,
Obfuscate 3, Potence 3, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 2, Influence 2,
Resources 2, Status 3
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 7
Willpower: 6
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 Teresa Diaz
Teresa Diaz shouldn’t be in London. If the blood hunt
called by Elieser de Polanco, Prince of Toledo had
been successful, her ashes would now be dusting the
plains of La Mancha. She is little more welcome in
London, and Teresa has yet to be formerly presented to
the prince, a situation which has consigned her to a
precarious existence. Nevertheless, as a confident and
lucky person, Teresa is convinced that she will not come
to harm in the city.
Teresa was a resident of the Spanish city of Toledo,
chosen for the embrace by a wily Furore leader, during a
plot to overthrow the prince of the city. The plot ended
up as a bloody farce and Teresa’s sire, and many of his
allies, met their final deaths. Teresa herself managed to
escape the prince’s men by good fortune alone. Without
allies in the world of Cainites, she took to travel, first
within the kingdoms of Spain, and then further afield.
She found that a lone Cainite, without mentors or
allies, was vulnerable in the kingdoms of the night,
particularly when their political inclinations lay with
the Furores.
In 1237 Teresa arrived in the docks of London,
travelling in a cog full of goods from Flanders. Ignoring
the traditional etiquette of the Cainite world, she paid
little attention to the court of Mithras, and instead
insinuated herself into London’s underworld. It was in
one low alehouse that she met Aweline, and was
introduced to the Anarchs. Enjoying the companion-
ship of these Cainites, Teresa decided to remain in
London, at least for a while.
Though Teresa identifies as a Furore, she has no
deeply-held principles. She believes that princes and
elders have no right to impose rules on other Cainites,
but this is more informed by her experiences at the
fringes of Cainite society, than any political philosophy.
Despite this, she is popular amongst the Anarchs, who
have thus far defended her from harm. She is currently
mentored by Gwladus, who sees Teresa as having great
potential. At present, Teresa is considered an outlaw by
the Guild of St Eustace, to be captured if an opportunity
presents itself. Gwladus is currently petitioning Mithras
to accept Teresa as one of one of his subjects, though
her pleas have thus far been refused.
Fixation: Bragging.
Image: Teresa is a youthful Spanish beauty, with smooth
pale skin, and long dark hair. She tends to eschew
fashion, dressing in plain and practical clothing, a
legacy of an existence spent travelling.
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Roleplaying Hints: Laugh, flirt, and refuse to take any
problem or threat seriously. You know that your
existence is precarious, and you must show others how
determined you are to live each moment in full.
Influence: Although Teresa has not been in Britain
long, she has ingratiated herself into the community of
beggars and vagabonds who travel the roads surrounding
the capital, and can call on their aid if necessary.
Haven: Teresa Diaz does not have a permanent haven
at present, spending her nights in various hovels and
ruins in the vicinity of London.
Clan: Ravnos
Sire: Recaredo Nunez
Nature: Bon Vivant
Demeanour: Bon Vivant
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1224
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Expression 2,
Legerdemain 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Etiquette 2, Melee 2, Performance
3, Stealth 3, Survival 2
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 2
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Chimerstry 1, Fortitude 2
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Alternate Identity 4, Contacts 3,
Domain 1, Mentor 4, Resources 1
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 7
Willpower: 3
 Leovigota
Anofauthoritative and capable elder, Leovigota is one
the most influential Cainites resident in London.
Clever and manipulative, she has worked her way into
a position of political power in the city. Many Cainites
have underestimated Leovigota, a fact that she has used
to her advantage.
Leovigota was the daughter of a Visigothic noble. In
her childhood she travelled to Spain, into territories
newly-conquered for the Visigothic Kingdom. She grew
up with a great sense of her own importance, confident
that an important future lay ahead of her. As a young
lady she attracted the patronage of a Roman lady,
Helena, who ensured that Leovigota’s family was
prosperous and successful. Unknown to Leovigota was
that her mentor was a Cainite, and that she was being
prepared for the time when she would meet with the
embrace.
Leovigota was in her prime years when she became
a Cainite. Revelling in her new existence, she spent the
following two centuries in Helena’s court, as a
confidante and retainer to her mistress. This pleasurable
existence was, however, to be interrupted in the early
years of the eighth century, when Spain was conquered
by the armies of the Caliphate. Leovigota deserted her
sire, fleeing north to the British Isles. Landing in
Chester, she claimed the town as her domain. Though
it lacked the glamour of Toledo it was, she thought, a
place where she could lead a pleasurable existence.
Chester had, however, previously been the domain
of Marcus Verus, a childe of Mithras. When Marcus
emerged from torpor, Leovigota was driven from the
town, travelling south, she settled in London, around
the time of the arrival of the Triumvirate. Leovigota,
seeing these interlopers as crude barbarians, resisted
their imposition of power, a position that allowed her to
assume a position amongst the Aldermen when Mithras
claimed the position of Prince of London.
After her experiences in Chester, Leovigota is
cautious about claiming power in her own name, and is
content with her influence within the Aldermen.
Leovigota is manoeuvring herself into the trusted circle
of Mithras, seeing the value of allying with the prince.
Image: Leovigota is a tall, feminine figure, who chooses
the to dress in the finest silks.
Roleplaying Hints: Charm those you meet with an easy
grace. You have a courteous and feminine self-
confidence, which you know how to use to good effect.
Influence: With an instinctive understanding of the
social dynamics of aristocratic institutions, Leovigota
can draw considerable influence from England’s ruling
classes. This influence has secured Leovigota a place
amongst the Aldermen, and protects her from her
enemies amongst London’s Ventrue.
Haven: Leovigota resides in a set of underground
chambers, built beneath Clerkenwell Priory.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Helena
Nature: Traditionalist
Demeanour: Bon Vivant
Generation: 5th
Embrace: 510
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 6, Manipulation 4, Appearance 7
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 3, Empathy 2, Expression 5,
Intimidation 5, Leadership 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Archery 1, Commerce 1, Crafts 3, Etiquette 6,
Melee 2, Performance 4, Ride 2, Stealth 2, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 3, Law 1,
Medicine 1, Politics 5, Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Celerity2, Dominate 4, Fortitude
2, Potence 2, Presence 5
Backgrounds: Allies 5, Contacts 4, Domain 4, Herd 4,
Influence 4, Resources 5, Retainer 3, Resources 5
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 8
Willpower: 8
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 Asdis Asmundrsdottir
Asdis Asmundrsdottir is the right hand of Leovigota,
working to protect, advise, and generally further the
interests of the Toreador elder. She is pragmatic and
practical, and her nature is a counterbalance to the
passionate character of her sire. Acting as Leovigota’s
enforcer, Asdis is as effective and ruthless as any one of
the Hounds of Mithras.
Asdis was embraced in the time of King Edgar, to
serve as a handmaiden to Leovigota. She would prove
herself as a neonate, when she rescued her mistress from
an attempted assassination, and brought her torpid body
to the safety of London. With the support of Asdis,
Leovigota was able to establish herself as an influential
figure in the city; Asdis was rewarded with the Blood
Oath, and a place by the side of her mistress.
In her centuries of residence in London, Asdis has
played many parts; at present, she represents the
interests of London’s elders in the Trading Circle, a
coterie devoted the supporting the interests of
commerce in the city. Asdis enjoys the role, though she
is beginning to wonder if she is acting as the cat’s-paw
of the Aldermen, in some scheme of which she has little
awareness.
For many decades, Asdis was assisted by her childe,
Olafr Asdisson. In 1164 Olafr met his Final Death, one
of the last casualties of the Raven’s War. Asdis hunted
down many of those responsible, and was one of the
leading parties in the destruction of the remnants of the
Poor Men of London. As time has passed on, the anger
she once felt over Olafr’s destruction has subsided. She
now views the Anarchs with curiosity, rather than
anger, well aware that they often have legitimate
grievances against the elders.
As a result of her role within the Trading Circle,
Asdis has recently become aware of the strange
disappearances of a number of citizens in London, and
the later discovery of their bodies in the Thames. Asdis
suspects that these deaths do not represent the normal
feeding activity of Cainites, and is now investigating
these murders.
Image: Asdis presents the image of a tall and hale
Viking maiden. She takes great care as to how she
presents herself, choosing to dress in well-tailored
gowns, offset by carefully chosen items of jewellery.
Roleplaying Hints: Most people discount you as a
beautiful ornament, and you are happy to let them do
so. You have found that those who judge you on the
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basis of your appearance invariably underestimate your
abilities.
Influence: Asdis has strong connections with the
mercantile community of London. She can raise funds,
find ways to extend credit to those in need, and support
the commercial interests of allied Cainites.
Haven: Asdis has her haven in the gatehouse at the
southern end of London Bridge.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Asmundr Silver-voice
Nature: Defender
Demeanour: Conformist
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 965
Apparent Age: Late 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Awareness 3, Brawl 1,
Empathy 4, Leadership 1, Legerdemain 2
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Archery 3, Commerce 3, Crafts
3, Etiquette 1, Melee 3, Ride 2, Stealth 4
Knowledges: Enigmas 3, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 4, Law 2, Politics 1, Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Celerity 3, Obfuscate 1, Presence
3
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Domain 1, Influence
3, Resources 3, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 7
 Reinhedis Estridge
Fewthe Cainites would guess that Reinhedis is one of
Furores. A polite, modest Cainite, she is far
from the popular stereotype of a Furore as an angry,
violent rebel. Yet many have underestimated the quiet
determination of Reinhedis, and her force of will has
allowed her to overcome many enemies.
Reinhedis first came to England as a young woman
in 1172, destined to serve the church as a nun in Carrow
Abbey in Norwich. Though a stranger to England, she
found great peace and beauty in Christian worship, and
quickly became an admired and popular member of the
community.
It was this popularity which brought her into contact
with the world of Cainites. Michael the Pious, Prince of
Norwich, made her one of his ghouls, hoping to shore
up his support amongst the religious communities of the
town. This act attracted the attention of Michael’s
enemies and, in 1197, she was embraced by Kolbeinn
Brækir, a Furore who was hoping to overthrow Michael.
Kolbeinn’s rebellion came to a bloody end soon after,
with the Final Death of Kolbeinn and a number of his
key allies. Reinhedis, and the few surviving members of
Norwich’s Furores, were forced to flee the town.
Reinhedis travelled south, and found shelter in
Barking Abbey, amongst the marshes of the Thames
estuary. She made contact with Kolbeinn’s old allies
amongst the Poor Men of London and, through this,
came to the attention of Selina the Black. Reinhedis
quickly fell under the influence of Selina, and is now
bound to the elder by the Blood Oath. Reinhedis sees
Selina as an inspiring mentor, not realising that Selina
sees her as a disposable tool.
Whilst Reinhedis supports the ideals of the Furores,
she believes that the time is not right for a rebellion
against the elders of London. Amongst the Anarchs she
is the voice of caution, opposed to wanton violence, and
unnecessary confrontation. Meanwhile, as she waits for
the right time to rebel, Reinhedis immerses herself in
religion. The atmosphere of Barking Abbey is a comfort
to Reinhedis, a consolation in the bloody world of
Cainite politics.
Image: Reinhedis presents a modest, drab appearance,
with colourless skin, and plain, grey hair. She tends to
dress in the dull grey-black habit of a Benedictine nun.
Roleplaying Hints: Present yourself with dignity; you
believe that it is beneath your pride to show anger, or
even raise your voice. You have full certainty in your
beliefs, and will share them with both conviction and
calm solemnity.
Influence: The royal favour enjoyed by Barking Abbey
means that Reinhedis has been able to exert subtle
influence upon the Crown; on occasion she has used
this influence to protect her allies, or thwart the
schemes of various Cainite elders.
Haven: Barking Abbey
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Kolbeinn Brækir
Nature: Martyr
Demeanour: Penitent
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1197
Apparent Age: Late 30s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Brawl 1, Empathy 4, Expression 2,
Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Commerce 1, Crafts 1, Etiquette
2, Melee 2, Stealth 2, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 2, Medicine 1, Occult 1, Politics 2,
Seneschal 4, Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Dominate 2, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 3, Herd 4, Influence
2, Mentor 4, Resources 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 5
Willpower: 8
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 John Burden
John Burden can claim the rare honour of being a
Promethean prince. His domain, the small town of
St Albans, is often overlooked by more powerful
vampires, not least because John is its sole Cainite
inhabitant. For his part, John is happy to be ignored; the
lack of attention paid to him by others allows him to
further the Promethean cause in relative peace.
For over thirty years, John Burden laboured away as
a scribe at St Albans Abbey. He found beauty in biblical
texts, expressing this with his fine penmanship, and
well-crafted illustrations. He might have lived and died
in the abbey, had his work not been discovered by
Thurstan Baldree, the then Cainite Prince of St Albans.
John was embraced to preserve his craft for all eternity.
Though Thurstan had himself been a monk in life,
sire and childe quickly found themselves at odds.
Thurstan was one of the Furores, a rebel against the
established order of the Cainite world. Though John
Burden despised godless monsters such as Mithras and
his ilk, he found Thurstan’s philosophy to be
unprincipled and hollow. A chance meeting, when
travelling through London, brought John into contact
with a group who called themselves the Prometheans.
The idealism of this group appealed to John and, in
1222, Thurstan was betrayed to the Hounds of Mithras,
and driven from St Albans. John Burden quietly took
his place, and has kept the town as a haven for the
Prometheans ever since.
The experience of betraying his sire has convinced
John that he should avoid drawing attention to himself.
Instead, he quietly assists the Promethean cause,
allowing St Albans to be used as a safe haven for
Cainites fleeing justice, and passing on information and
resources to his allies. He has, thus far, avoided drawing
too much attention to his activities. A frequent visitor
to London, he is known as Brother John to the city’s
Cainite community. Few amongst them would believe
that this calm and polite monk is really a principled
agent of the Prometheans.
Image: John Burden led a life of hard work and service;
he has an appearance of a somewhat gaunt and worn
clergyman. Though far from handsome, he has a
commanding presence, with a strong and piercing gaze.
Roleplaying Hints: Speak calmly, and quietly; you
consciously reduce the volume of your voice to force
others to focus upon you and listen. Focus intently on
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the faces of those with whom you communicate; your
use of gaze is powerful, and often unnerving.
Influence: John Burden has an extensive network of
contacts amongst the Benedictine clergy of England. He
uses this network to exert a subtle influence on the
church, and as a means of grooming young Cainites for
service within the Promethean movement.
Haven: St Albans Abbey
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Thurstan Baldree
Nature: Competitor
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1195
Apparent Age: Mid-50s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 5, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 1, Awareness 1, Brawl 1, Expression
3, Intimidation 1, Leadership 1, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Commerce 1, Crafts 5, Etiquette 2, Melee 1,
Performance 2, Ride 2
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 2, Law 2,
Occult 1, Politics 2, Seneschal 3, Theology 3
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 2, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 3, Herd 5, Influence
2, Resources 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Heaven 6
Willpower: 4
 Mithras
Mithras is undoubtedly England’s pre-eminent
Cainite. Dangerous and powerful, he plays a
dominant in the politics of the country. His authority is
well known, and few English Cainites would willingly
make an enemy of the Prince of London.
Mithras was once a soldier, a general in the service
of King Unpatar-Napirisha, ruler of Elam. He obeyed his
master faithfully for many years, both as commander
and personal bodyguard. As Unpatar-Napirisha grew
old, a rebellion began to take hold amongst the
kingdom’s northern provinces. Mithras personally led
an expedition to the northern mountains, to suppress
the dissidents. With great efficiency he drove them from
their mountain fastnesses, burnt their crops, and
executed their leaders. In one final push, he led his
armies into the rebel capital, personally slaying many of
their champions, despite their apparently supernatural
strength. At the end of the campaign, only the rebel
leader had survived, having managed to evade the forces
of Mithras.
The night after the final battle, Mithras was
surprised in his tent by the rebel leader. This visitor
explained that he was impressed by the general, whose
leadership and martial prowess had successfully defeated
a rebellion which should have been more than capable
of overthrowing the rulers of Elam. The rebel, who went
by the name of Veddartha, then revealed his true nature
to Mithras, that he was a Cainite, an ancient being,
blessed with great power. Veddartha told Mithras that
those who fought in their armies were insignificant
beings, whose lives were to be thrown away in the
pursuit of great causes, but that Mithras had a great
destiny, should he choose to accept it. That very night
Mithras was embraced by Veddartha, inducted into the
service of a new master.
Mithras travelled with his new sire for over a
century, serving Veddartha faithfully, and learning of
the history of the race of Caine. Mithras was taught
about the before the flood when their clan, the Ventrue,
ruled a great metropolis, which Veddartha called the
Second City. Those days had long past, and now
Veddartha and his brethren was entangled in the War
of Ages, an immortal conflict which would lead to the
deaths of many of their kind. Mithras spent a long
apprenticeship with Veddartha, aware that he was being
trained to serve as a soldier in this war.
In their time together Mithras met many of the race
of Caine. Some, such as Cappadocius and Haqim were
regarded by Veddartha as honourable peers; others, such
as the children of Arikel and Followers of Set were seen
by the Ventrue Antediluvian as enemies, adversaries
whose schemes should be fought where possible.
When Mithras and Veddartha parted, the younger
Cainite travelled to the west, having heard curious
stories of an emerging empire in the Mediterranean, one
which he heard was beginning to rival the conquests of
Alexander. He was not disappointed. Although the
lands controlled by the then Roman Republic did not
yet match Alexander’s empire, Mithras was impressed
by the character and martial skills of the men of Rome.
He travelled throughout the territories of Rome,
eventually reaching a small group of islands off the
north-west coast of Europe. Here he settled. Whilst the
climate of the northern land was far from that of his
native Elam, this part of the wild Roman frontier
reminded Mithras of territory he once held for his
mortal lord.
For many centuries Mithras resided in the north of
England locked in conflicts with rival Gangrel and
Lhiannan. He chose the city of Eboracum as his base of
operations, though he spent much of his existence on
the road. It was in Eboracum where he faced one of the
greatest challenges of his unlife, when he fought a
consortium of Cainites intent on undermining his
influence, led by a Brujah elder named Eutropius.
Though these rebels were defeated, and Eutropius
destroyed, Mithras was grievously injured. Forced into
torpor, Mithras was concealed by his followers in an
underground chamber in Eboracum, a place where he
could he could safely heal.
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 Mithras awoke in 1069, roused from his torpor by the
bloody suppression of a rebellion by the new Norman
lords of England. Travelling south to London, he
expected to find a city ruled by his allies; instead he
found that it had been captured by hostile Cainites, who
wished to claim all England as their domain.
The conflict against their Cainites, who called
themselves the Triumvirate, would last for close to a
century. Although the British Isles had changed
considerably in the centuries since the Romans had left
Britain, many of the allies of Mithras remained, and the
co-ordinated campaigns of these elders were more than
a match for the ruthless determination of the
Triumvirate and their followers. In 1153 the leader of
the Triumvirate, Roald Snake-eyes, met his Final
Death; the following year Mithras arrived in London,
undisputed Cainite lord of England.
Mithras has served as Prince of London for less than
a century, ably assisted by his close allies, the
Companions. Settling in a single city is a new
experience for Mithras, whose prior existence had been
as a mobile warlord, travelling between frontier
conflicts. This is a pragmatic choice, driven by the fact
that Mithras has struggled to adjust to the medieval
world. More familiar with the bloody savagery of the
ancient world, Mithras is now learning to function as a
medieval aristocrat. He has found this challenge to be
engaging and exhilarating, an experience which has
allowed him to shake off the ennui of age. Mithras will
undoubtedly be Prince of London for a long time yet.
Feeding Restriction: Members of the Cult of Mithras.
Image: Mithras has a compact and muscular build, a
legacy of his life as a soldier. He tends to wear his dark,
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hair loose, and often choses to wear items of clothing
which link back to his mortal life, such as Phrygian caps.
Roleplaying Hints: You speak with a calm authority, as
befits an experienced military man. Your suggestions
bear the tone of commands, and are prepared to hold
the gaze of others for longer than is comfortable.
Influence: The influence of Mithras is extensive and
considerable.
Haven: Mithras primarily resides in a network of
tunnels beneath the Tower of London.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Veddartha
Nature: Autocrat
Demeanour: Architect
Generation: 4th
Embrace: 1258 BCE
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 9, Dexterity 7, Stamina 8
Social: Charisma 8, Manipulation 9, Appearance 7
Mental: Perception 9, Intelligence 9, Wits 8
Talents: Alertness 7, Athletics 7, Awareness 5, Brawl 7,
Empathy 5, Intimidation 7, Leadership 9, Subterfuge 7
Skills: Archery 5, Commerce 4, Etiquette 6, Melee 9,
Ride 4, Stealth 6, Survival 5
Knowledges: Academics 2, Enigmas 2, Investigation 1,
Law 3, Occult 3, Politics 6, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Dominate 9, Fortitude 6, Potence 5,
Presence 8, Quietus 3
Backgrounds: Allies 7, Contacts 7, Herd 4, Influence 7,
Resources 5, Retainers 6, Status 6
Virtues: Conviction 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Kings 6
Willpower: 8
 Duke d’Ambois
W
hilst Nicholas might be London’s chamberlain,
and Lord Camden is London’s seneschal, many of
the Cainites of the city expect that, were Mithras
removed, it would be the Duke d’Ambois who would
take control of the city. Charismatic, ambitious, and
popular, the Duke is unquestionably one of the Cainite
rulers of the city.
In life, the Duke was Oswine a disinherited grandson
of King Oswiu of Northumbria. Living close to the city
of York, Oswine drew the attention of Julian Cerialis,
Cainite lord of the north, and custodian of the torpid
Mithras. Julian introduced Oswine to the world of
Cainites, and, when the young man proved to be
amenable, drew blood from Mithras, and used it to
embrace Oswine. The Ventrue elder knew that Mithras
would require a loyal brood when he finally emerged
from torpor, and chose Oswine to be a member of this
select group.
In his early years as a Cainite Oswine chose to reside
in Canterbury; when Mithras returned to the Cainite
world, after the coming of the Normans, Oswine came
to his side. He fought alongside his sire, displacing the
various usurpers who had claimed power in England,
and established his sire as Prince of London. It was at
this time that Oswine reinvented himself as a Norman
nobleman, the Duke d’Ambois.
Although the Duke has worked hard to support the
position of Mithras, many of his schemes are carried on
without the knowledge of his sire. In recent decades, for
instance, he has dabbled with exploiting the Tremere;
posing as his sire, he has used one of the Usurpers,
Leland of Durham, to hinder the rivals of Mithras in the
north of England. The success of this particular scheme
has led the Duke to wonder if he can carry off similar
plots using the Toreador in Scotland.
As a mortal, Oswine led a dissolute lifestyle. Whilst
the Duke has worked to suppress this aspect of his
character, the centuries have drained away both his
willingness and desire to resist the dark urges that dwell
on his mind. The Duke knows that there is a monster
concealed within him, and fears that there will come a
time when it will be unleashed.
Feeding Restriction: Young women.
Image: The Duke is a dark and handsome man, who
holds himself with the bearing of a noble. He dresses in
colourful, fashionable and often foppish, finery.
Roleplaying Hints: You are conscious that you are both
an aristocrat, and part of the most powerful coterie in
England. You have crushed many in the process of
bringing Mithras back to power, and you will make no
secret of the fact that you will crush any who will get in
your way.
Haven: The Palace of Westminster
Influence: The Duke d’Ambois manages the military
forces deployed by the kings of England in London and
can deploy considerable force should he desire.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Mithras
Nature: Celebrant
Demeanour: Judge
Generation: 5th
Embrace: 701
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 6, Dexterity 5, Stamina 6
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 5, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 2, Awareness 3, Brawl 2,
Empathy 4, Expression 2, Intimidation 3, Leadership 3,
Subterfuge 4
Skills: Archery 3, Etiquette 6, Melee 5, Ride 3, Stealth
3, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 3, Law 4,
Occult 1, Politics 3, Seneschal 5
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Celerity 4, Dominate 6,
Fortitude 4, Potence 3, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 3, Domain 2, Influence
5, Mentor 5, Resources 4, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 5
Willpower: 8
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 Duchess d’Ambois
Tamongst
he Duchess d’Ambois is the sole female presence
the Companions of Mithras. Often seen at
the side of her purported husband, the Duke d’Ambois,
the Duchess is a powerful and authoritative figure in her
own right. It is only the most foolish Cainite who would
dismiss the Duchess as a mere woman.
The present existence of the Duchess is a world away
from the life of Rieinmelth, an illegitimate daughter of
a Northumbrian King. Born in the early days of the
eighth century, Rieinmelth was excluded from
aristocratic life by the circumstances of her birth. Yet
the vivacious young woman had caught the eye of Julian
Cerialis, a Cainite elder who was looking to establish a
coterie of loyal followers for his master, the sleeping
Methuselah Mithras. Rieinmelth was embraced with
blood drawn from the torpid Ventrue, entering the
world of Cainites as an agent of the Prince of York.
For centuries Rieinmelth travelled throughout
England, observing and planning for the time when her
master would return. She developed a strong affinity
with Oswine, a young man who had become a Cainite
on the same night as Rieinmelth. When Mithras arose
from torpor in the era of the Normans, she was well-
versed in the ways of Cainites, and, more than any
other, understood the power structures of the Cainites
of England. Relying on her knowledge, the followers of
Mithras were able to dismantle the various Cainite
alliances which may have presented an effective
opposition to Mithras.
Despite the important role of Rieinmelth in
establishing the position of Mithras, she feels that she
has been snubbed by the Methuselah, who seems to
prefer his male advisors. Ignored by her sire, Rieinmelth
has reinvented herself as the Duchess d’Ambois, an
aristocrat and patron of society and the arts. She seeks
to rule the social world of London in the manner in
which Mithras rules the world of Cainite politics. Yet,
despite this, the snub of her sire rankles with her and
gnaws at her soul; time may tell as to whether she will
be able to resist its effects.
Feeding Restriction: Children
Image: Whilst the Duchess is a dark-haired beauty, she
projects a cold, even fierce, presence. Many Cainites
find her a little disturbing, though few would openly
admit this, particularly in the company of any ally of the
Prince of London.
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Roleplaying Hints: Demand respect; not only are you
the childe of the most powerful Cainite in England, but
you an important in your own right. Let others feel this
in the intensity of your presence.
Haven: The Palace of Westminster
Influence: The Duchess has considerable practical
influence in the administration of England.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Mithras
Nature: Celebrant
Demeanour: Caretaker
Generation: 5th
Embrace: 701
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 6, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 4, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 2, Awareness 4, Brawl 3,
Empathy 4, Intimidation 4, Leadership 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Archery 4, Etiquette 6, Melee 4, Performance 2,
Ride 3, Stealth 1
Knowledges: Investigation 3, Law 4, Occult 1, Politics
3, Seneschal 5
Disciplines: Auspex 5, Celerity 2, Dominate 4,
Fortitude 3, Obfuscate 1, Potence 1, Presence 6
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 2, Influence 6,
Mentor 5, Resources 4, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Humanity 6
Willpower: 7
 Ordric
Theworldfigurethe ofdarkOrdric presents within the Cainite
side of the aristocracy. Whilst his
noble bearing is unmistakable, and he bears all the
hallmarks of the educated and capable aristocrat, it is
clear to all that he has no sense of the responsibility of
the nobility. Indeed, most Cainites would be chilled if
they learnt the depths of Ordric’s depravity.
As a mortal, Ordric lived as a Saxon lord in the
Cathedral town of Canterbury. Whilst he complied
with his obligations to his overlords, he showed little
interest in upholding the Christian ideal of the good
warrior. Instead, he exploited his position for his
personal pleasure. It was in this guise that he met the
Cainite Oswine. When Ordric learnt of the hidden
world of vampires he was intrigued. For a number of
years he supplied kine to Oswine, later becoming a
ghoul of the Ventrue elder. Finally, at the end of the
tenth century, Oswine decided that Ordric would serve
him better as a Cainite.
As a Cainite, Ordric has struggled to restrain his
appetites. He cruelly mistreats his vessels, often forcibly
taken blood from the drunken or drugged in order to
enhance his feeding experience. Once Mithras took
power in London, Ordric moved to the capital. He
failed to keep his excesses in check, however, and was
forced to retreat to Windsor, once he realised his
activities were attracting attention.
In recent years Ordric has become the organiser of
the Guild of St Eustace, a coterie which originally
existed to hone the martial skills of those members of
the Hounds of Mithras who chose to reside in the
vicinity of London. Under Ordric’s stewardship, the
activities of the coterie have focused less on refining its
members’ abilities, and more upon the dark desires of its
members.
As kin to Mithras, Ordric is accorded a certain level
of respect; if other Cainites behaved with such
indiscretion, they might be cast out, or condemned to
the blood hunt. Some observers have wondered if there
will come a time when Mithras will finally lose patience
with Ordric’s behaviour, and condemn this errant
member of his brood.
Feeding Restriction: Ordric can only feed on the blood
of unwilling and frightened vessels.
Image: Ordric is short and broad-shouldered, looking
more like a provincial butcher than the scion of a noble
family. He dresses in well-cut, though simple, tunics,
favouring practical clothing over aristocratic finery.
Roleplaying Hints: Be blunt and to the point. You
portray yourself as being open and honest, and hide your
deceptions behind the image you cultivate of a fair and
honest dealer.
Haven: Ordric dwells in a royal hunting lodge close to
the town of Windsor.
Influence: Ordric has planted a number of key minions
amongst the foresters of Windsor. Through them he can
shape forest policy, control hunting, and monitor travel
through the forest.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Duke d’Ambois
Nature: Sadist
Demeanour: Bon Vivant
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 992
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 6, Manipulation 6, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 1, Awareness 1, Brawl 5,
Intimidation 3, Legerdemain 4, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Etiquette 3, Melee 3, Performance 1, Ride 2
Knowledges: Academics 2, Law 1, Medicine 3, Politics
3, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Dominate 5, Fortitude 4,
Obfuscate 3, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 2, Herd 4, Resources
4, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 1, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 2
Willpower: 5
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 Valerius
Valerius is the Sheriff of London, responsible for
maintaining order in London’s Cainite society. He
carries out his role with caution and tact, and exerts his
authority through garnering the respect of London’s
Cainite inhabitants. Yet Valerius is also a capable
warrior, and those who might think him a weak sheriff
may well find themselves mistaken.
In life Valerius was Walhhere, a thegn in the service
of Harold Godwinson. He attended on Harold when he
was crowned king, and fought alongside his master at
the battle of Stamford Bridge and Hastings. It was at the
latter that Walhhere was run through by a Norman
blade. Carried dying from the battlefield, he was
brought before a wizened, dark-skinned man. Walhhere
was embraced that night, being reborn as Valerius,
attendant to the Cainite scholar Bindusara.
Though Valerius travelled England in the early
decades of his time as a Cainite, he soon found himself
in the service of Mithras, fighting against the
Triumvirate. Though a capable warrior, the true value
of Valerius was a careful and clever planner. He put the
skills he gained as a mortal in managing court life to
good effect. It was through the efforts of Valerius that
Roald Snake-eyes was driven from London, and Mithras
was able to assume the role of prince unopposed.
Valerius was appointed Sheriff of London as reward
for his service. He enjoys both the challenge of the role,
and the manner in which it puts him close to the centre
of Cainite politics in England. Faithful to the prince, he
is suspicious of a number of Cainites who have pledged
loyalty to Mithras. In particular, he dislikes the Duke
d’Ambois; though the Duke claims loyalty to his sire,
Valerius sees the Duke as a dissolute schemer, whose
behaviour may prove a long-term threat to Mithras.
Though many might see Valerius as paranoid, the sheriff
believes that the allies of Mithras may ultimately prove
as threatening as his enemies.
Feeding Restriction: Valerius feeds only on soldiers.
Image: Valerius is tall and wiry, with an athletic build,
and cropped red hair. He dresses in the finest of
contemporary fashions and presents the image of a
capable English aristocrat.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a polished aristocratic
presence, polite and respectful, even to those who are
your clear inferiors. As a close and genuine supporter of
Mithras, you are keen to enlighten others on your
master’s virtues.
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Haven: Though Valerius often stays in the Tower of
London, his main haven is the gatehouse at Aldgate.
Influence: As right-hand man to Mithras, the word of
Valerius carries all the authority of the Prince of
London. He understands the various sources of his
master’s influence and manipulates them to great effect.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Bindusara
Nature: Traditionalist
Demeanour: Traditionalist
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 1066
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 3, Brawl 4, Empathy 3,
Intimidation 4, Leadership 4, Legerdemain 3,
Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Archery 3, Commerce 4,
Etiquette 4, Melee 4, Ride 3, Stealth 2, Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 3, Investigation 4, Law 4,
Occult 1, Politics 6, Seneschal 5
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Dominate 4, Fortitude 4,
Potence 2, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Contacts 5, Domain 3, Herd 5,
Influence 4, Mentor 5, Resources 3, Retainers 5, Status
4
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 8
 Nicholas
Nicholas is undoubtedly one of the most important of
the Prince of London’s Companions. Whilst the
Duke d’Ambois may be more regal, and Æthelwulf more
dangerous, Nicholas, as Chamberlain of London,
possesses considerable power and influence. He sees and
hears all which goes on within London, and, as a result,
is a masterful manipulator, capable of shaping the fate
of the city.
Nicholas was once Sebbi, a Saxon knight in the
service of a Ventrue elder named Malthias. He
accompanied his sire on his travels throughout Britain,
managing his domitor’s resources, and ensuring he was
protected in the hours of daylight. In 832 Sebbi and
Malthias travelled to a monastery in the Irish town of
Clondalkin, to meet with representatives of the Morgair
Brujah. During their visit, the monastery was attacked
in a Danish raid. Whilst Sebbi was able to defend his
master, he was mortally wounded in the process. Sebbi’s
loyalty was rewarded with the embrace.
In the early years of his unlife Sebbi wandered
throughout England. In 867 he was in Nottingham,
where he helped the prince fight off the Einherjar who
were attempting to claim the town. For the first half of
the tenth century he resided in York, where he acted as
seneschal to the then prince, Julian Cerialis. Finally, in
the middle of the eleventh century he came to London,
to watch the unfolding conflict between the Cainites
residing in the city.
A keen observer of Cainite politics, Sebbi rejected
the doomed ambitions of the Triumvirate, choosing
instead to support the followers of Mithras. When the
Ventrue Methuselah made his triumphal entry into
London Sebbi, now known as Nicholas, presented
himself, and offered his expertise as a skilled
administrator. Mithras, seeing the younger Cainite’s
potential, took Nicholas into his service.
For much of the last century Nicholas has served his
master as Chamberlain of London. He enjoys this role,
finding both the Cainite and mortal politics of the city
exhilarating. As chamberlain, Nicholas can enjoy a
position of power without, he believes, being exposed to
undue risk.
Feeding Restriction: Nicholas may only feed from titled
members of the aristocracy.
Image: Nicholas is a handsome man with long, dark
hair. He tends to dress in sumptuous robes in red and
black, colours carefully chosen to accentuate his
presence.
Roleplaying Hints: You are keenly aware of your
importance and behave accordingly. Insist on being
addressed in formal terms, partly to ensure that you are
adequately respected, and partly to let lesser Cainites
know their place.
Haven: Nicholas resides in a set of tunnels beneath the
Tower of London.
Influence: Nicholas is one of the most trusted servants
of Mithras; through the Prince of London his influence
extends far and wide.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Malthias
Nature: Survivor
Demeanour: Judge
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 832
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 5, Manipulation 5, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 5, Athletics 2, Brawl 4, Intimidation
4, Leadership 5, Subterfuge 6
Skills: Archery 3, Etiquette 6, Melee 6, Ride 3
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 4, Law 5,
Occult 2, Politics 5, Seneschal 4
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Dominate 6, Fortitude 3,
Potence 2, Presence 5
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Contacts 5, Influence 5,
Resources 4, Retainers 5, Status 5
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 6, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 6
Willpower: 9
London By Night
97
 Lourenco
Lourenco is one of the merchant princes of Cainite
London. He understands money and trade in a
manner in which few of the undead can manage and,
through this, has carved out an influential niche for
himself in the court of Mithras.
It was this mercantile skill which originally brought
Lourenco to the attention of Roald Snake-eyes and his
brood. Roald was then Prince of London, and looking
to expand his influence; Lourenco, was a recent arrival
from Lisbon, in London to expand his family’s trade
network. Less than a month after his arrival in London
Lourenco was abducted by one of Roald’s trusted
followers, a Cainite named Iseldis, and transformed into
one of Roald’s brood.
The embrace was hard for Lourenco, who had a wife
and children back in Lisbon. He was forced to swear the
Blood Oath to Roald, and set to work serving the Prince
of London. Although he worked to the best of his
ability, Lourenco kept a low profile within the Cainite
community of London, spending much of his time
outside of the capital. Thus, when the minions of
Mithras came to London, and drove out Roald and his
supporters, Lourenco was spared, for few connected the
activities of this seemingly minor Cainite with the
usurper Prince of London.
Since Roald’s demise, Lourenco has spent
progressively more time in London. Though his family
still remain in Lisbon, his wife and children are now
long dead, and he has slowly begun to regard the
Cainites of England as his own family. Still hiding his
past, he represents himself as an agent of Vicente de
Cardona, Cainite Prince of Lisbon. Since few of the
London Ventrue have any knowledge of trade, he has
established himself as a loose ally of the prince and his
supporters and has formed a coterie, the Trading Circle,
for the purpose of protecting the trading interests of
various Cainites. He is aware that he might be in danger
were any to learn of his lineage, but Lourenco is
disdainful of the few members of Roald’s brood which
survived the takeover by Mithras. He enjoys the new
existence which he has invented for himself, and would
sacrifice anything, or anyone, to protect it.
Feeding Restriction: Lourenco may only feed on
travellers from outside the immediate area in which he
resides.
Image: Lourenco is a handsome man, with olive skin
and dark curly hair. He is slight of stature, though more
than makes up for this with his energy.
England Will Burn
98
Roleplaying Hints: You vocal, expressive, and often
forceful. Yet behind this front, you are thoughtful and
cautious, a careful observer, and capable strategist.
Haven: Lourenco dwells in a merchant’s house,
overlooking Queenhithe.
Influence: Lourenco’s intellectual energies have been
invested in the commercial world of London. He
understands commerce better than any other Cainite in
the city, and is capable of subtly manipulating the
markets to his advantage.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Iseldis
Nature: Mercenary
Demeanour: Conformist
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 1070
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 6, Manipulation 4, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 5, Empathy 2, Expression 4,
Leadership 2, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Commerce 6, Etiquette 4, Melee 2, Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 2,
Investigation 1, Law 3, Politics 2, Seneschal 4
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 1, Dominate 3, Presence
5
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Contacts 4, Influence 3,
Resources 3, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 7
Willpower: 6
 Ancel Baynard
ATriumvirate, he survived the rise of Mithras, and
ncel Baynard is a survivor. Once a servant of the
now has an established, some might say cosy, existence
in London. An ambitious Cainite, Ancel sees great
successes ahead.
Ancel Baynard was the son of William Baynard, a
member of the Norman nobility who had been
dispossessed of his holdings after supporting the claim of
Robert Curthose to the throne of England. The Baynard
family were ambitious, combative, and retained close
connections to their ancestral home of Normandy.
Llygad, a supporter of the Triumvirate, thought that the
members of this family would be useful allies in the war
against Mithras. Unfortunately, he chose to embrace
Ancel Baynard, perhaps the most self-serving and least
competent member of the family.
Ancel was embraced in the closing years of the
conflict between Mithras and the Triumvirate. He
witnessed the Final Death of his sire, and the triumphal
arrival of Mithras in London. Spared by the new Prince
of London, Ancel believed that the new lords of the city
saw that he had great potential. In reality, Ancel was
seen as unimportant, not even worth the effort of
killing.
Over the last century Ancel Baynard has established
himself in London’s Cainite community. He has
ensconced himself within the Trading Circle, though
does not personally represent any trading interests. The
one piece of political leverage which Ancel possesses is
a knowledge of Lourenco’s lineage and former
employment by the Triumvirate. Ancel has used this
knowledge to obtain the support of Lourenco and,
through this, the rest of the Traders’ Circle. Thus far,
this has worked well for Ancel Baynard, though in his
complacency and arrogance, it has not occurred to him
that Lourenco may, one day, tire of the younger Cainite,
and look for some means by which their connection
may be terminated.
Feeding Restriction: Female virgins
Image: Ancel has short, dark hair, and a winning smile.
He dresses well, retaining the cultivated aristocratic
assurance which he developed in life.
Roleplaying Hints: Though you try not to be too
boastful, you can’t but help draw the attention of others
to how clever and capable you are. Whilst you tend to
see others only in terms of what they can provide to you,
try not to show it too much.
Haven: Since the destruction of Baynard’s Castle,
Ancel has resided in the basement of a house owned by
his mortal relatives, located in the south-west corner of
London.
Influence: Ancel has little interest in spreading his
influence in mortal society; his mortal family does,
nevertheless, provide him with some measure of
influence in London society.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Llygad
Nature: Conniver
Demeanour: Bravo
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1122
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 5, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Expression 2, Intimidation 2,
Leadership 1, Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Commerce 1, Etiquette 4, Melee 3, Performance
2, Ride 4, Stealth 4, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 1, Investigation 4, Law 1,
Politics 1, Seneschal 1
Disciplines: Dominate 4, Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 2,
Presence 2
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Domain 1, Influence 1,
Resources 3, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 4
Willpower: 6
London By Night
99
England Will Burn

100
 CHAPTER 3:

Theimagination.
River Severn marks the western edge of civilisation in the English
Beyond the river are the wild mountains of Wales, and
then, beyond them, the great and endless ocean which lies at the edge of the
world. Gloucester, the town at the mouth of the Severn, is an outpost and
fortress, a bastion of English power in an insecure region of the kingdom.
Founded in the time of the Romans, its existence has allowed rulers to exert
their authority over the Severn crossings, and the seabourne trade which
flows into England from the west. Gloucester is, as a result, a wealthy town,
with fine stone buildings, and one of the largest abbeys in England; the
refinement presented by the streets of the town may easily distract one from
the wild and untamed lands which lie outside its walls.

101
 Gloucester, Bastion of the West
ThefromSevern is the longest river in England. Emerging
the mountains of Elenydd, it weaves through
the rough and wild lands which mark the boundary
between England and Wales, before arriving at the
stormy Severn Sea. There are many crossing points on
the river, but none are as important as those which lead
to the gates of Gloucester. The town marks the final
point on which the Severn is bridged, and the furthest
point upriver to which ocean-going vessels can travel.
It is a market town, one of the most important centres
of trade in the west of England. Yet it is also a military
stronghold, the base from which the Normans launched
their conquest of the Welsh. These dual roles define
Gloucester; it is both a centre of mercantile power, and
a symbol of the power of the Kings of England.
Gloucester is a royal borough, its citizens holding
their land directly from the crown. A royal palace
stands close to the city walls, at Kingsholm, and the
English kings are regular visitors to the town.
Gloucester’s importance is emphasised by the fact that
it is one of the few English towns which is host to a
mint, with many of the coins circulating in the west of
England having been produced in the town. The
existence of the mint has helped to cement
Gloucester’s position as a centre of trade, and, since the
coming of the Normans, the town has become host to
a number of fine stone churches. Gloucester Abbey,
which sits within the town boundaries, has attracted a
number of gifts from Norman notables, and is one of the
largest and wealthiest Benedictine houses in England.
Equally large is the Augstinian priory of Llanthony
Secunda, which sits to the south-west of the town, on
the banks of the Severn. Whilst Gloucester lies within
the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Worcester, the
religious houses of the former town have, in recent
years, become far more wealthy and influential than
those of the latter.
The king’s power in Gloucester is exercised by a
sheriff, who administers justice, and oversees the
running of Gloucester castle. In 1242 the Sheriff of
Gloucester is John de Neville. John’s father, Geoffrey
de Neville, was chamberlain to both King John and
King Henry of Winchester. Although his father died in
1225, John is still regarded by the king as a loyal and
trusted servant, and has been entrusted with the
oversight of Gloucester. It is rumoured in the town that
the king must have plans for Gloucester; why else
would he appoint such a loyal servant as sheriff?
England Will Burn
102
Theme
When the full moon is in the sky, an observer standing
atop Painswick Beacon can see the landscape of the
Severn Valley stretched out before them. The lights of
the town of Gloucester are clearly visible below, as is
the winding shape of the river, as it passes down to the
south, swelling out into the distinct shape of the Noose.
To the west, the dark mass of the Forest of Dean is
visible; beyond this, a dark mass against the night sky,
are the peaks of the Black Mountains. From such a
vantage point one cannot ignore the fact that
Gloucester is situated in a wild landscape.
The theme of Gloucester by Night is the frontier.
For its inhabitants, both mortal and Cainite, the town
in seen as a beacon of civilsation, surrounded by a
threatening wilderness. This notion influences how the
inhabitants of Gloucester see the place in which they
dwell, and the surrounding world. Imagining that they
are threatened by this wild environment, some chose
independence, willing to depend on none but
themselves; others seek the support of others, believing
that mutual defence is the way to protecting themselves
from threats.
Yet the frontier is a location which presents
opportunities as readily as it provides threats. It is a
place for the ambitious, for those who feel that they do
not fit in within established society, and for those who
find safety in isolation. There are many who are both
ready and willing to seek out the frontier.
Mood
The mood within Gloucester is one of anxiety. The
feeling is, one might argue, an irrational one; the
conflicts with the Welsh now occur far to the west of
the Severn, and Gloucester is a prosperous and stable
town. Yet in this windswept town, close to the open
water of the Severn Sea, there is an underlying feeling
that Gloucester is unsafe, and those who dwell within
it threatened by unidentified horrors.
Some of the Cainites in the town have what they
believe as a rational explanation for this mood, which
is the presence of Seren as Gloucester’s prince. They
whisper that her madness has infected the town,
affecting those who dwell within its walls. Certainly,
Seren’s capricious behaviour inspires concern amongst
some of the elders who reside in Gloucester, who
believe that their prince puts them all at risk. Yet, there
are those who are willing to exaggerate Seren’s
idiosyncrasies to imply that she is unfit for office. The
anxieties of Gloucester may not just be the product of
the prince’s madness, but also the concerns and fears of
her rivals.
Finally, Gloucester is a town where the Cainite
population has seen much conflict, from the violent
attempts by the Gangrel elder Cnebba to take power,
to the drawn-out skirmishes of the Raven’s War. These
conflicts have influenced the residents of the town,
leaving them cautious and fearful. The anxiety of
Gloucester’s residents may not be entirely irrational,
but, instead, a response to their experiences.
Using Gloucester by Night
Gloucester is one of the most important towns in the
west of England. The town’s status as a port, its position
on a number of major roads, and its importance as a
centre of trade, means that Gloucester is relatively easty
to incorporate within a chronicle. There are many ways
in which the town can be used, and Gloucester presents
Storytellers with a number of opportunities for drama.
The relative size of Gloucester, along with the
stability of its Cainite politics, means that it can be a
good place to base a chronicle. The player characters
are presented with a range of Cainites with which they
can interact, and Seren’s watchful rule means that the
inhabitants of Gloucester are protected from the
violent conflicts which can afflict other English towns.
Gloucester is a relatively safe location in which the
player characters may reside.
Of course, the relative peace and stability of
Gloucester can be the basis of a different type of
chronicle, one in which outsiders wish to overthrow
Seren, and take control of the town for themselves.
Though undoubtedly an autocrat prince, Seren is less
powersful than elders such as John Hawtin or Stephen
le Gros, and Gloucester may well become the target of
Furores of Prometheans who are interested in
expanding their influence. Ambitious player characters
may wish to be part of the rebel vanguard, attempting
to wrest control of Gloucester from Seren and her allies.
Those who wish to take this path may well find that the
elders who control the town are far more capable and
dangerous than their appear, and an attempt to conquer
Gloucester may make an exicting basis of a chronicle,
albeit one which would present great risk to the
characters involved.
Gloucester may also be a town visited for various
reasons by characters in a chronicle set elsewhere. As
Seren is a close ally of Mithras, agents of the Prince of
London may be called upon to deliver messages to the
Cainites of Gloucester, investigate events occurring
within the town, or confer with the Hounds of Mithras
based on the Severn. Moreover, Seren is not the only
Cainite who might draw others to visit the town.
Gloucester is a centre of Cainite scholarship, and player
characters with intellectual interests might be drawn to
visit such groups as the Candle-bearers. Finally, the
presence of an ancient Brujah, Tirines, has raised the
curiosity of many Cainites over the years, and some
have travelled to Gloucester to seek out the wisdom of
the elder.
Finally, the position of Gloucester means that the
town is one that is often visited by travellers. Its
position on the road between London and Cardiff, and
its status as a port, means that Cainites regularly pass
through the town. Whilst many move on after a night
or two within Gloucester, some chose to stay longer,
intrigued by the inhabitants of the town on the Severn.
The Fee of Gloucester
The Fee of Gloucester is one of the oldest feodum in
England, established by Mithras in 1081. The original
Baron, Constantius Thrax, was one of the childer of the
Methuselah; his successor, Seren, is a close ally of the
Prince of London, and the loyalty of the region to
Mithras is generally assumed, by Cainite observers, to
be strong. Even at the height of his power, Roald
Snake-eyes had very little influence in the area
surrounding Gloucester.
The core of the feodum is made up of the towns of
Gloucester, Bristol, Hereford, and Worcester.
Conversely, although much of Wales falls within the
Fee of Gloucester, Seren has little influence to the west
of the River Severn, and she is forced to rely on the
Prince of Cardiff, Hugo de Bernay. Hugo and Seren
distrust each other, though thus far there has yet to be
any open conflict between the Cainites of Gloucester
and south Wales.
In the east of the feodum are two significant towns,
Coventry and Oxford. Both are relatively wealthy
centres of trade, and are largely populated by younger
Cainites, Furores, and adventurers. The towns are far
from Gloucester, and Seren knows that any heavy-
handed attempt to exert her authority would be met
with considerable resistance. At present, she is content
to allow the towns considerable freedom, providing
that due respect is given to her position as Baron of the
Fee of Gloucester.
Gloucester by Night
103
 History
W
hen the Romans first came to the mouth of the
Severn, they found a wide, marshy valley,
surrounded by rugged, wooded hills. Understanding the
strategic value of the area, they built a bridge and a
fortress, a staging post for future campaigns against the
Celtic kingdoms of Wales. Secretly accompanying the
legions were a pair of Cainites, Constantius Thrax and
Lucius Aelius Castus. The travelling companions had
been banished from the heartlands of the Roman
Empire by Camilla, Prince of Rome, and were seeking
for a place of safety. As the Roman fort was constructed
around them, they were surprised to find that the area
already had a Cainite inhabitant, a quiet and dark-
skinned individual, who resided amongst the scattered
farmsteads along the Severn. This Cainite, Tirines,
made the newcomers welcome, though deigned not to
live amongst the Romans. The three would form the
nucleus of a Cainite community at the western edge of
the Roman Empire.
Roman Glevum
The Romans built both a fortress and a series of bridges
across the marshy valley bottom. As Roman rule in
Britain gradually consolidated, there was less need for a
fortress and, in 97, the Emperor Nerva designated the
area around the fortress as a colonia, a place in which
retired legionnaires might retire. The fortress was rebuilt
as a town, Colonia Nervia Glevensium. The settlement,
popularly known as Glevum, quickly became an
important and wealthy trading centre. Its Cainite
population grew considerably, becoming a haven for
those who found themselves unwelcome elsewhere in
the Empire. Lucius Aelius Castus, the unquestioned
prince of Glevum, turned a blind eye to past
transgressions. Providing they showed loyalty to both
the prince and the town, these new arrivals were
welcome in Glevum.
For over three centuries Glevum prospered, far from
the struggles which went on in the heart of the Roman
Empire. Yet, by the beginning of the fifth century
Roman power was in retreat. In 407 the legions which
had previously defended Britain were withdrawn to
fight in wars on the continent. Whilst Glevum was a
walled city, it was ill-prepared for warfare. The reactions
of the various Cainites to this threat varied. Some, like
Lucius and Contantius Thrax, who were committed to
the town, were determined to remain to defend their
England Will Burn
104
territory. Others were unwilling to remain within the
confines of Glevum. Caius Tadius Lupus, a Gangrel
elder and close advisor to the prince was scornful of
those who he saw as clinging onto the veneer of
civilisation, cowering behind walls; he subsequently left
one night, walking towards the east, never to be seen
again. Yet Glevum would prove to be relatively
sheltered in this turbulent time. As the towns on the
east coast fell rapidly to Saxon raiders, the furthest
frontiers of Roman Britain remained relatively sheltered
from the warfare which swept the land.
The Hwicce
In 577 the Saxons of the Kingdom of Wessex advanced
towards the Severn Valley, intent on expanding their
power. A Romano-British army was assembled to
oppose this invasion; the two forces met close to the
village of Dyrham, an encounter which would lead to an
firm victory for the Saxons. Left unprotected, the
Severn Valley was conquered by the Saxons, who would
rule the region as the Kingdom of Hwicce.
Glevum suffered greatly in the aftermath of the
Battle of Dyrham, razed by the victorious Saxons army.
The destruction of the town led to the Final Deaths of
many of the Roman Cainites who had remained within
Glevum, including Lucius, who was killed whilst
defending his haven from Saxon looters. As the ashes of
Glevum cooled, only three members of the Cainite
community remained. These were Tirines, who had
remained outside of the town, and thus escaped the
destruction; Contantius Thrax, whose underground
haven went undetected; and Seren, childe of Lucius,
whose caution was such that she prepared for just such
an eventuality, and had escaped the town as it burnt.
Their domain was ruined; most of the surving mortal
inhabitants would flee west, into the safety of the Black
Mountains.
The town, known as Gloucester by the Saxons,
became a fortified outpost of the newly-created
Kingdom of Hwicce. The town remained under
Hwiccean control for barely more than fifty years when
it was captured, in 628, by the Kingdom of Mercia.
Whilst the Mercians regarded the town as an important
possession, this was for strategic reasons, for control of
the town helped to guard the kingdom against attacks
from the west and south. Whilst the Mercians rebuilt
the Roman walls, few inhabitants returned to the town.
Grass grew in the forum, and farmers tilled the soil
within the walls of Gloucester.
The fortunes of Gloucester would improve in 658,
when Wulfhere ascended to the throne of Mercia. A
Christian convert, Wulfhere was determined to do good
works, and support the church throughout his kingdom.
Gloucester was one of the towns which profited from his
rule, and was considerably rebuilt. The favour with
which the Mercian kings held Gloucester was
continued by Wulfhere’s brother and successor,
Æthelred, who founded the Abbey of St Peter in the
town in 681.
As Gloucester was rebuilt, and the town resettled,
the Cainite community began to increase in size.
Constantius Thrax was joined in the town by his childe
Melisus, who had once been prince of the Roman town
of Corinium Dobunnorum. The arrival of Melisus
helped to cement the status of Constantius Thrax as
was recognised as the Prince of Gloucester amongst the
Cainites who had begun to arrive in the town in this
period. At this time Constantius Thrax embraced a
Saxon warrior, Alfred Ealdorman, as an intermediary
able to deal with the mortal institutions of the Kingdom
of Mercia. Through his brood, Constantius Thrax was
able to exert considerable influence, and maintain his
power within the town.
As a prince, Constantius Thrax was far more
cautious and forceful than his predecessor. Gloucester,
under his rule, was less welcoming to Cainite travellers
than it had been in previous times, and more than one
Cainite would meet Final Death after trespassing on his
domain. This was a cautious position to take in a
troubled era; Gloucester was often at the forefront of the
wars which swept the land. The ninth century, in
particular, would prove to be a violent time; in 829 the
town was attacked by an army under the banner of
Egbert, King of Wessex, whilst a mere seven years later
Gloucester was captured by Danish raiders. The Danes
would return forty years later, when the Great Heathen
Army captured the town, in an attempt to subjugate the
Kingdom of Wessex. Whilst these attacks on Gloucester
were destructive, the Cainites of the town were
unharmed, protected by the cautious rule of Constantius
Thrax.
Cnebba’s War
A far greater test of the prince’s leadership would occur
at the beginning of the tenth century, during Cnebba’s
war. Cnebba, a Gangrel elder, arrived in the Severn
Valley in 899, accompanied by his brood; attending the
court of Constantius Thrax, he denounced the Ventrue
of Gloucester as cowards, who trembled behind the
town walls, and could do little to protect the Cainites
within. Cnebba claimed that Gloucester was his
birthright, and that those who dwelt within the town
should submit to his rule. His fierce rhetoric made little
impression on the Cainites within the town, who had
learned to trust the instincts of the prince. Disgusted,
Cnebba left Gloucester, declaring war on all those who
resided within.
The conflict between Constantius Thrax and
Cnebba threatened to be an protracted affair. The
Prince of Gloucester was an experienced strategist, able
to protect his town; yet Cnebba was supported by his
brood, a group of half-a-dozen capable warriors. Whilst
Cnebba and his warriors struggled to cause any direct
harm to those residing in the town, the vassals of
Constantius Thrax were at great risk when outside of
Gloucester’s walls. The danger presented by Cnebba was
made evident in 900 when Melisus, then serving as
Reeve of Gloucester, was murdered when travelling
north, sent out of the town as an emissary to request
assistance from Julian Cerialis, the Prince of York. The
event made it clear that the Cainites of Gloucester
would be alone in their battle against Cnebba and his
followers.
Cnebba’s War, as it became known, would drag out
for over a century, a stalemate where neither side could
find a position of advantage. The conflict would only
end in the early years of the eleventh century, through
the strategic manoeuvrings of Leofstan, childe to Alfred
Ealdorman, and Reeve of Gloucester. Realising that
direct conflict between the parties was not likely to
achieve victory for his masters, Leofstan sought to find
followers of Cnebba who woud be prepared to betray the
Gangrel warlord. Leofstan, persuaded Lleucu, a savage
hunter, that she should take up arms against Cnebba,
whilst Seren was used to snare Wulfric, a childe of the
elder, and formerly one of his most loyal followers. In
1021 a decisive blow was struck; Cnebba met his Final
Death, and his followers were either killed or dispersed.
The events of Cnebba’s War showed that Constantius
Thrax, and his followers, were able to triumph in
adverse circumstances.
The Triumvirate
In 1066 a powerful Ventrue elder, Roald Snake-eyes,
arrived in London, claiming the city as his domain.
Constantius Thrax, a childe of Mithras, viewed these
developments with alarm. Believing that he would
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undoubtedly be forced into conflict with Roald and his
allies, Contantius Thrax sent missives to his kin
elsewhere in England, suggesting that they prepare for
the inevitable confrontation.
In 1070 an emissary of Roald Snake-eyes, named
Belsant the White, arrived in Gloucester, requesting
that Constantius Thrax pay fealty to the new Prince of
London. The lord of Gloucester politely demurred; he
had just received notice that his own sire had risen from
torpor. The refusal of Constantius Thrax to submit to
Roald Snake-eyes was the first public sign that there
were Cainites in England who remembered, and were
prepared to support Mithras.
The rulers of the Norman Cainites, popularly known
as the Triumvirate, were determined that resistance in
Gloucester should be crushed, and sent agents across the
country to claim the town. The defence of Gloucester,
meanwhile, was led by Leofstan and Wulfric, both
veterans of Cnebba’s War. Using the landscape around
Gloucester to good effect, they fought a careful
defensive war. Despite the superior resources of the
Triumvirate, little progress was made against the town.
The Norman Cainites were able to land their followers
in both Bristol and South Wales, but Gloucester
remained in the hands of Constantius Thrax.
In 1081 Constantius Thrax travelled to York, to
confer with Mithras and his allies. Impressed by the
efforts of his childe, the Methuselah organised the land
around Gloucester, York, and Chester into territories
known as feodum, each dedicated to fighting the forces
of the Triumvirate in a localised area. This was a
sensible decision, as the lords of these towns, powerful
elders in their own right, had the advantage of knowing
the territories in which they were based. The
Triumvirate, keen on controlling their minions, insisted
on directing the war on Mithras from London. This poor
strategic decision meant that the followers of Roald
Snake-eyes were frequently outmanoeuvred by their
opponents. Despite the apparent wealth and power of
the Norman Cainites, they made little progress against
the forces loyal to Mithras.
The Vale of Ewyas
Whilst the war between Mithras and the Triumvirate
dominated Cainite politics in the eleventh and twelfth
centuries, the nightly existences of many Cainites were
untouched by the conflict. This was particularly true of
a town like Gloucester which, protected within the wild
landscape of the west of England, saw little violence. For
those far from the frontlines, the deadly rivalry between
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Mithras and Roald Snake-eyes might appear nothing
more than the petty politics of Cainite elders.
In the early years of the twelfth century the town of
Gloucester was home to a coterie of Cappadocians, led
by an elder from York, Tova the Northumbrian. Though
Tova was more interested in Cainite society than
scholarly pursuits, many members of her brood were
ambitious researchers, interested in increasing their
standing amongst their clanmates. One such vampire
was Radulf the Mendicant, a young monk with a great
interest in the local landscape, and how it might be
infused with the energies of death. In 1118 Radulf
travelled north to the remote Vale of Ewyas, making his
haven in the newly-constructed Llanthony Priory.
Arrogantly, Radulf assumed that the area would be
unoccupied; the region had, in fact, been claimed by a
Toreador elder named Bran as his domain, and Radulf’s
arrival would immediately become the source of
tensions. Whilst Radulf would remain in the Vale of
Ewyas for more than a decade, relations would slowly
deteriorate until 1135, when Llywarch, an agent of
Bran, came to the priory, and stated that, if the
interloper did not leave the area, he would be ejected by
force. Angered, Radulf slew Llywarch; fearing for his
existence, he then fled south, to Gloucester.
Months later a message was sent to Constantius
Thrax, requesting that he surrender the fugitive. The
Prince of Gloucester, occupied by an incursion into his
territory from the forces of the Triumvirate, ignored the
request.
The Raven’s War
In 1138 Constantius Thrax was attacked in his haven,
and slain by hands unknown; the same night Mereduth,
an agent of Bran who had been in Gloucester to
negotiate the apprehension of Radulf, fled the town. It
was clear to the Cainites of Gloucester that the Raven
King, angered by the intransigence of Constantius
Thrax, had taken his revenge.
The position of Prince of Gloucester was
immediately claimed by Alfred Ealdorman, childe of
Constantius Thrax. Alfred’s rule would not last long; a
month after he assumed power he was put on trial by the
elders of Gloucester. Alfred faced the accusation that
his own childe Leofstan was complicit in the death of
Constantius Thrax, and that the assassination had been
allowed to take place in order that Alfred could claim
the princedom. Leofstan would be executed on the
orders of Gloucester’s elders; Alfred Ealdorman,
meanwhile, would be deposed and exiled from the town.
His place as Prince of Gloucester was taken by Seren,
now one of the oldest and most powerful Cainites
remaining in the town.
Although most of the Cainites within Gloucester
firmly believed that the agents of Bran were responsible
for the Final Death of Constantius Thrax, the party
responsible had, in fact, been Seren. Overcome by
paranoia, she suspected that he was plotting against her,
and struck him down before he could act. In her efforts
to conceal the truth, she declared a Blood Hunt on Bran
and his kin. Yet, her initial attempts to cause harm to
the Raven King and his minions made little progress.
The wild landscape of Wales concealed Seren’s
enemies, and, lacking the counsel of Alfred Ealdorman
and Leofstan, she was unable to use her resources to the
best advantage. Seren’s attempts to wage war on Bran
looked likely to be a failure.
Seren was justifiably concerned that the Cainites of
Gloucester would be unable to face a conflict with both
the Triumvirate and the forces of Bran. Believing that
the Prince of London would be more reasonable, Seren
summoned Belsant the White back to Gloucester.
Secret negotiations were conducted within Kingsholm
Palace as to the basis on which Seren would transfer her
allegiance from Mithras to the Triumvirate.
Matters were to be decided, however, not within
Gloucester, but in the towns of Mercia. What had
started as a conflict between Bran and Seren was
transformed into a broader conflict, the Raven’s War,
which swept across the towns of the English midlands.
The princes of the towns of Nottingham, and Leicester
were drawn from the brood of Bran; both were
overthrown in 1139 by Cainites who claimed that they
were rebelling out of loyalty to Mithras and his kin. The
conflicts in the midlands provided an advantage to the
followers of Mithras. In 1142 those loyalty to the
Triumvirate were driven from Lincoln, with the town
subsequently becoming the centre of a new feodum.
Seren, seeing the power of Mithras on the rise, dismissed
Belsant, chosing to remain loyal to the great
Methuselah.
Victory and Defeat
In 1153 Roald Snake-eyes fled London, as the followers
of Mithras closed on the capital. He went west,
believing that he might find refuge in Wales or Ireland.
Promised safe passage through the Fee of Gloucester, he
was ambushed on Ermin Way by the agents of Seren.
Roald met his Final Death at the claws of Lleucu, a
Hound of Mithras based in Gloucester.
Seren had been concerned that the new Prince of
London might learn of her planned treachery; she
believed that Roald’s death would help to conceal this,
and that she would be rewarded for causing the death of
one of the most powerful enemies of Mithras. Instead,
she was summoned to London, where she was bound to
the Methuselah by a Blood Oath. Whilst Mithras was
unwilling to depose the Prince of Gloucester, he also
had doubts about her loyalties, and was keen to prvent
any future betrayals.
The Raven’s War dragged on for another decade of
desultory raids and assassinations. Eventually, in 1166,
the Duke d’Ambois met Edward Gwyn, a childe of Bran,
in the city of York and negotiated an end to hostilities.
The war had been a costly affair for the Toreador elder,
who lost much of influence he once held in England.
Following the conclusion of peace, Bran withdrew to
Cambrian Mountains, retreating from Cainite society.
Seren’s Peace
For much of the last century Seren has ruled Gloucester
as an autocrat, supported by those elders who appreciate
the stability that she has imposed. Her authority is
supported by the Wardens of the Severn, a pack of the
Hounds of Mithras dedicated to maintaining the
influence of the Prince of London in the west of
England. Despite its location, far from the great cities of
the kingdom, Gloucester is a beacon of stability.
In recent decades Seren has been concerned as to
the threat apparently posed by the rising numbers of
Furores in the Kingdom of England. She is particularly
uneasy as to the power and influence of Dunstan, Prince
of Coventry in the eastern part of the Fee of Gloucester.
Whilst Seren has been unable to curtail Dunstan’s
power, she has strongly resisted in any attempt by the
Furores to gain a foothold in Gloucester. As with many
parts of England, Gloucestershire saw increased Furore
activity during the reign of King John, and a small
coterie of rebellious Cainites formed within Gloucester,
under the leadership of Rivkah, childe of Osbern. The
entire coterie was destroyed in 1214 after one of its
members, William Melton, was implicated in the death
of a long-standing member of Gloucester’s Cainite
community named Baruch. The destruction of this
coterie is a sign of Seren’s determination. Having faced
many threats in the past, the Prince of Gloucester is
prepared to respond with considerable, even
overwhelming force, to threats to her power, both real
and perceived. Only time will tell if she is capable of
holding on to the Fee of Gloucester.
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107
 Geography
Located in western England, the county of
Gloucestershire presents a dramatic landscape of
hills and valleys, thick woodland and the wilderness of
the Welsh borderlands. Whilst the valley bottoms
present adequate farmland, the hills provide fine
pasture, and Gloucestershire is a wealthy and productive
county, well-known for the quality of its livestock. Such
a landscape is a also a haven for wildlife, populated by
deer, hares, and even boars. As a county,
Gloucestershire is a verdant and wild place.
The east of the county is dominated by the Cotswold
Hills, a rolling, rocky landscape, thickly populated by
villages and farms. Travelling west, one reaches the
steep escarpements that slope down towards Gloucester;
before reaching the town, the traveller will pass
Painswick Beacon, an ancient fortress built on one of
the highest hills in the region. Whilst little of the fort
remains, bar steep earthy banks, it remains a fine
vantage point from which Gloucester, and the
surrounding landscape, may be viewed.
Travelling further west, beyond Gloucester, lie the
wild lands on the borders of Wales, most notably the
Forest of Dean. This is a royal forest, used by the Kings
of England as a private hunting ground; unlike many of
the forests of England, this is a heavily wooded region,
and many of its rocky slopes have never been cleared for
agriculture. The forest is also an important source of
iron, smelted with fuel dug from local coalpits. The
villages of this area are organised into the Hundred of
St Briavels, and the region is largely administerd by
verderers, forest officials appointed to protect the
interests of the king.
Travel
In the Roman era a number of roads were built in the
Severn Valley and surrounding area; although the
condition of these highways has deteriorated over the
centuries, their presence means that Gloucester is far
easier to reach than one might expect from the
surrounding geography. To the west, a road crosses
Alney Island, linking to Cardiff, and onwards to the
towns of Pembrokeshire. To the east a road, known
locally as Ermin Way, links to the town of Cirencester;
linked to Circencester are the Fosse Way, which runs
from Lincoln to Exeter, and Akeman Street, which
links Cirencester and St Albans, and ultimately leads to
London. The prominence of Cirencester within the
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road network means that many Cainite travellers to
Gloucester generally come from the south-east, and
Seren has ensured that this road is subject to close
scrutiny.
Gloucester is also a port town, and is serviced by
both ocean-going vessels arriving from the south, and
river boats from the north. For much of the year the
docks are easily accessible, though the Severn often
floods in winter and spring, which will generally
interrupt shipping to the town. By the time it reaches
Gloucester, the route of the Severn is winding, and
occasionally treacherous, and few travellers would be
choose to navigate the river by night. Cainites who plan
to be out on the Severn in the hours of darkness would
be well advised to chose a good local guide to pilot their
boat.
The Severn Valley
The landscape surrounding Gloucester is dominated by
the Severn Valley, and the presence of the river has had
an important influence on the town, both in the past
and in the present day. The Severn is the longest river
in England, though many other watercourses are wider
and more dramatic. Whilst narrow and marshy in the
vicinity of the town, it widens considerably to the south,
passing out into the sea in a shallow, broad loop, known
as the Noose. The geography of the Severn estuary
causes a dramatic, inward rush of water at regular times,
most notably during the equinoxes; known locally as the
hygre, it is often exploited by sailtors to propel their
ships towards Gloucester. The hygre, and the strong
tides which the Severn sees throughout the year, have
helped to establish Gloucester’s status as an inland port.
In the early Saxon period the river Severn marked
the western border between the Saxon kingdoms and
the lands of Wales. Its importance as a boundary led
Contantius Thrax to accept the river as marking the
limit of his authority. This tradition has been
maintained by Seren, in regards to her status as Prince
of Gloucester. The lands further to the west are, of
course, part of the Fee of Gloucester, and Seren can
exert her influence in thie region if necessary through
her role as Baron of Gloucester. She is, nevertheless,
generally content to allow the Cainites here to govern
themselves. Seren sees those who dwell here as posing
little risk to her position, and that they may prove to be
a useful resource for her at a future time.
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109
 The Town of Gloucester
The Cross: Gloucester has retained much of its
Roman street plan into the medieval era; one result of
this is that the four main streets meet in the centre of
the town, a location popularly known as the Cross.
During the day this is the focal point for public life in
Gloucester, site of markets, and a place for the
execution of royal justice. During the Saxon period this
was a popular meeting spot for Cainites; Seren, feeling
that it is too public, has forbidden gatherings here
during the hours of darkness. Despite this, the Cross is a
well-known location amongst the residents of
Gloucester, and it is not uncommon for Cainites to
arrange to meet here.
The Walls: The walls surrounding Gloucester were
first constructed in the Roman era, and have been
modified and expanded ever since. The south-west and
south-east walls follow the line of the old Roman
fortifications, whilst to the north-east the route of the
walls have been modified to encompass the grounds of
the Abbey of St Peter. Gloucester’s northern suburbs,
settled in the relatively recent past, sit outside the main
walls. A gatehouse, the Alvin Gate, has been built on
the main road across the Twyver, though these suburbs
are otherwise unprotected.
The Blind Gate: Set in the walls to the north of the
St Peter’s Abbey is the Blind Gate. This is a small
gateway, suitable only for pedestrians, and those passing
through it are required to walk through a short enclosed
passage, bound at either end by a reinforced oak
gateway. Cainites who wish to enter Gloucester by foot
are expected to pass through the Blind Gate, which is
guarded, at night, by ghouls in the service of Wulfric.
The Castle: Gloucester’s castle is a small, but well-
appointed structure, often used as a royal residence by
the King’s of England when they as passing through the
town. The castle was first built after the arrival of the
Normans in England, though the current fortifications
are stone structures, built in the early years of the
twelfth century. The castle is maintained by the Sheriff
of Gloucester, and functions a the town’s gaol. The
grounds of the castle are pleasant, containing gardens
and a vineyard. Although her haven is elsewhere, Seren
regards the castle grounds as part of her domain;
Cainites outside of her inner circle are discouraged from
entering the gardens, and to intrude on this space is a
sure way to earn the prince’s displeasure.
The Abbey of St Peter: Dominating the north of
Gloucester is the Abbey of St Peter, a complex of
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buildings set within spacious grounds. The abbey was
founded as a minster church in the late seventh century,
to aid in embedding Christianity within the Kingdom
of the Hwicce. Although the abbey is not a diocesan
seat, it is as large as many of England’s cathedrals. The
abbey is the burial place of Robert Curthose, Duke of
Normandy and son of William the Conqueror; as a
result it was granted a certain amount of patronage by
the Norman kings. Burials in the abbey precinct are not
confined to royal, and it is normal for the dead of
Gloucester to be interred in the abbey’s churchyard.
Westgate Street: Leading from the Cross to the
Severn is Westgate Street, the old Roman highway
leading towards south Wales.
The Church of St Nicholas: Locasted on the north
side of Westgate Street, St Nicholas of the Bridge of
Gloucester is the parish church for the western districts
of the town. The church sits at bottom of the hill on
which Gloucester is built; beyond the church lie the
shabby residential districts which surround the town’s
docks.
The Foreign Bridge: At the northern end of
Gloucester’s docks lies the Foreign Bridge, which crosses
the branch of the Severn closest to the town, known as
the Old Severn. The bridge is a relatively substantial
structure, built from stone, and is maintained out of
Gloucester’s treasury. A stone gatehouse marks the
eastern end of the bridge.
Westgate Bridge: The western limit of Gloucester is
officially marked by the Westgate Bridge, which crosses
the middle channel of the Severn a short distance past
St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Carts wishing to cross the
bridge are charged a toll; the large number of travellers
means that the Westgate Bridge is a profitable concern,
and the right to charge tolls is currently claimed by both
the brothers of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and the
incumbent of of the church of St Nicholas.
Eastgate Street: Gloucester’s mercantile district, and
the town’s Jewish population, is located on Eastgate
Street.
The Jewish Quarter: Gloucester synagogue is found
on the north side of Eastgate Street, and many of the
surrounding houses are owned by wealthy Jewish
merchants. Community tensions have been high since
1168, when the Jewish residents of the town were
blamed for the murder of a child. Since 1218 the Jews
of Gloucester have been subject to a royal grant of
protection, granting the community a degree of security.
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Alney Island
Lying to the west of Gloucester, between the
middle and western channels of the Severn, is
Alney Island. The island consists of low-lying
meadows and pasture, and often floods during
the winter and spring. Whilst the regular
innundations means that few people live on the
island, main road to Wales crosses Alney Island
on a causeway, which forms one of the busiest
routes into Gloucester.
Much of Alney Island is controlled by the
Hospital of St Bartholomew, which lies between
the Foreign Bridge and the Westgate Bridge. The
hospital is dedicated to the care of the poor and
sick, and its origins lie in a camp established to
support the construction of Westgate Bridge.
Since 1229 the hospital has been supported by
the Church of St Nicholas, though the situation
has led to a series of disputes as to parochial
authority, and the receipt of the tolls from the
Westgate Bridge. Given the levels of revenue
raised by the bridge, the dispute is unlikely to be
resolved soon.
Beyond the Westgate Bridge, the causeway
continues for around half a mile until it reaches
the western branch of the Severn. At varying
points culverts have been dug underneath the
causeway, to allow the flow of water during times
of flood. Even with these culverts the causeway
tends to be eroded by floodwater, and it is, as a
result, in a constant state of repair.
At the far end of the causeway is a wooden
bridge across the western Severn, beyond which
lies the village of Over. The surrounding area has
sheltered, fertile farmland, and the manor of
Over, known as the Vineyard, has a reputation
for the production of grapes and wine. The
village sits outside of Seren’s direct authority, as
Prince of Gloucester island, and has, since 1170,
been home to a small Tremere chantry. The sole
member of the chantry, Katerin Norris,
maintains a low profile, and few Cainites who
pass through Over, on the road between Cardiff
and Gloucester, realise that the village contains
a Cainite presence.
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Northgate Street: The area surrounding Northgate
Street is the most densely populated part of Gloucester,
linking the Cross and the town suburbs founds between
the town walls and the River Twyver.
Kingsholm Palace: A royal palace located on the
fringes of Gloucester, Kingsholm has been a favourite of
both Saxon and Norman kings. The centre of the palace
is a large stone hall, with vaulted wooden ceilings.
Whilst extending the palace in the late eleventh
century, the masons of Gloucester exhumed scores of
skeletons, ancient funeral urns, and mosaic pavements.
The oldest Cainites in the town, Seren and Tirines, are
aware that the palace has been built on a cemetary used
in the Roman era; this fact is unknown to the mortals
of Gloucester, and it is commonly believed in the town
that the grounds of the palace are haunted.
The Mint: As a centre of trade, Gloucester has the
right to produce coinage. Money is manufactured in a
mint found close to the centre of town. The operation
of the mint falls under the supervision of Alyna Rayner,
one of Seren’s inner circle. Alyna is aware that there are
Cainites who might wish to obtain the coin dies for
their own profit, and has ensured that the mint is
guarded by a number of her ghouls.
Southgate Street: The area surrounding Southgate
Street is the least densely settled in Gloucester, lying
between orchards and gardens to the east, and the castle
precinct to the west.
The Convent of the Grey Friars: Settling in
Gloucester in 1231, the Grey Friars are construting a
convent to the east of Southgate Street. A recent grant
of land, made by a pious citizen of Gloucester, has left
the convent with extensive gardens, stretching between
the street and the town wall.
The Convent of the Black Friars: The Black Friars
came to Gloucester in 1239, setting on a site to the west
of Southgate Street. Their convent is still under
construction, and the friars are seeking donations to
help them complete their church.
Llanthony Secunda: The priory of Llanthony
Secunda was built in 1136, designed to provide refuges
from the monks who had been driven out of their
original priory in Wales. Although the buildings of the
priory were intended to be temporary in nature, they
are, nevertheless, substantial stone structures. The
priory is haven to a Cappadocian scholar, Radulf the
Mendicant; dissatisfied with the rule imposed by
Gloucester’s elders, he has chosen to reside outside of
the town’s walls.
 Tewkesbury
Lying at the confluence of the Rivers Severn and
Avon, the town of Tewkesbury is a stopping point
on the route between Gloucester and Worcester, and
the site of a noted abbey. The town is named after
Theoc, a Saxon missionary, and founder of the religious
community which would, in time, become the Abbey
Church of St Mary the Virgin. One of the largest
churches in England, Tewkesbury Abbey towers over
the meadow and pasture which lies alongside the Severn
and Avon.
The Avon is crossed by a wooden bridge just above
Tewkesbury, popularly known as the Long Bridge,
whilst the abbey controls two ferries across the Severn.
These crossing points attract travellers, and ultimately
wealth, to the town. The abbey has also attracted noble
patronage over the centuries, most notably from Robert
FitzRoy, Earl of Gloucester and illegitimate son of
Henry Beauclerc. Although construction of the abbey is
not yet complete, it is already one of largest churches in
England.
Although Tewkesubury itself is built on high
ground, the surrounding meadows are low-lying, and
frequently flood in the winter and spring. There are
times when the abbey precinct towers over hundreds of
acres of murky floodwater.
The sole Cainite inhabitant of Tewkesbury at
present is Alfred Ealdorman, former Prince of
Gloucester, now exile from the town. Alfred first came
to Tewkesbury in 1138, originally intending his stay to
be temporary. A century later he remains there still,
having made his haven within the abbey complex.
Alfred is a gracious host to Cainite travellers; from him
they can learn much about the hidden history of
Gloucestershire, and its immortal inhabitants.
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113
 The Cainites of Gloucester
Thedominated
Cainite population of Gloucester has been
by Seren for over a century. Many
outside the town have underestimated the prince. On
more than one occasion, bands of Furores have arrived
in Gloucester, believing that they might be able to
further their cause within the town; yet the caution and,
indeed, the paranoia of Seren have ensured that radical
causes have made little headway in Gloucester. Whilst
many within the town assume that this is due to Seren’s
innate conservatism, she is, in fact, acting largely at the
behest of Mithras. Concerned that opposition to his
power might arise in regions far from London, Mithras
has commanded his allies to be wary of any sign of
rebellion. Loyal to the Prince of London, Seren has
ensured that the Methusaleh’s interests are well-served
in the west of England.
The most powerful Cainites in Gloucester form a
group around Seren known, informally, as the Circle of
Power. These are not necessarily the most loyal
residents of the town, but, rather, those whose influence
can not be ignored. Thus, in order to exert her
authority, Seren prefers to rely upon the Wardens of the
Severn, a pack of the Hounds of Mithras based within
Gloucester. Two other coteries, the Candle-bearers and
the House of Judith, are also seen as loyal to Seren; the
support of these coteries gives the prince considerable
authority in the town.
Yet the power of Seren is neither as secure, or as
uncontested, as it might first appear. The most obvious
challenge to the prince’s position are the Wolves
Outside the Walls, a coterie of dissidents and outcasts
who are unwelcome in Gloucester. However, the
importance of this group is overstated by the Cainites of
the town; as an unquantified and external threat, their
power is inflated in the occasionally fearful
imaginations of those who dwell within Gloucester. The
real challenge to Seren’s position within the town is
more likely to arise from supposedly loyal Cainites;
there are Ventrue within Gloucester who believe that
the role of prince is their rightful inheritance, and will
be prepared to challenge Seren, should the opportunity
arise.
The Circle of power
The Circle of Power is made up of those Cainites which
Seren used to bolster her own power in the wake of the
Final Death of Constantius Thrax. She understands that
these Cainites have little loyalty to her on a personal
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level, and that the coterie exists as a coalition of
interests. At present, a mutual need for stability within
Gloucester means that this group is willing to back
Seren; should the political situation change, the prince
may not be able to count on their support.
The most powerful member of the Circle of Power is
Tirines, an ancient Cainite who came to Gloucester a
thousand years ago. A loner by nature, Tirines has little
interest in his own personal power, despite his
considerable influence. He regards Seren with some
suspicion, believing that the prince’s paranoia may have
provoked a number of difficulties within the Cainite
community in past centuries. Nevertheless, he sees
Seren as the best candidate for prince at present, and
believes that any attempt to replace her would likely
cause painful conflicts amongst the Cainites of
Gloucester. Inherently cautious, Tirines values the
stability that Seren has provided.
Tova the Northumbrian is another influential
member of the Circle of Power. Tova was instrumental
in ensuring that Seren displaced Alfred Ealdorman, and
has been a determined supporter of the prince ever
since. Whilst she has no illusions as to the shortcomings
of Seren, Tova thinks that the age and experience of the
Malkavian will serve Gloucester well.
Two younger Cainites serve Seren in formal
positions; these are John FitzStephen, Seneschal of
Gloucester, and Alyna Rayner, the town’s chamberlain.
Both are members of the brood of Constantius Thrax,
and were employed by Seren specifically to maintain a
sense of continuity with the reign of her predecessors.
The pair are highly competent, and her served the
interests of Seren well over the last century. As the two
are relatively young, the prince believes that she has
little to fear from these members of her court.
John and Alyna are, in fact, far more capable
political operators than Seren believes. John
FitzStephen was formerly Hunstan, an advisor to Egbert,
King of Wessex. Having spent a lifetime experiencing
the intrigues of the royal court, John is an able political
operator. He likes to downplay his abilities, preferring
that his opponents underestimate him. Thus far, he has
been able to convince Seren that he lacks that abilities
to serve as prince, and has no personal ambitions. Under
the guise of a loyal servant, John FitzStephen has been
learning the secrets of Seren, and is preparing for the
time when he displaces her, and takes his rightful place
as Prince of Gloucester.
 Alyna is similarly patient; she sees herself as the
rightful heir to Constantius Thrax, and is working to
increase her power and influence for the time when she
claims the position of Prince of Gloucester. Alyna and
John are unware of each other’s ambitions, though there
is considerable distrust between the pair. Alyna’s desires
are driven, in part, by the knowledge of her kinship with
Mithras, Prince of London. Though she has never
visited London, nor met the Methuselah, Alyna feels
that her lineage justifies her assent to a position of
power. In recent years she has worked to cultivate
influence with Tova and Tirines, seeing the support of
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115

Rebels and
Dissidents
Since her accession to the position of Prince,
Seren has been determined to defend her
domain from Furores and other rebellious
Cainites. Whilst Coventry is a haven for
dissidents, and Cirencester contains a small
coterie of Furores, such Cainites are unwelcome
in Gloucester itself, a situation policed with
occasionally bloody force by the Wardens of the
Severn. For as long as Seren remains prince, this
situation is unlikely to change.
On a number of occasions, Cainites have
attempted to encourage dissent amongst the
population of Gloucester. One of the more
notable attempts was during the 1190s, when a
Gangrel named Ælfred led a plot to overthrow
Seren. Ælfred managed to subject one of the
Wardens of the Severn, a childe of Tirines, to
the Blood Oath before his activities were
exposed by the church. Ælfred would meet his
Final Death in 1197 at the hands of a Lasombra
elder who went by the name of Francisco Diego
del Belmonte.
Ælfred’s allies would remain in the vicinity
of Gloucester for another twenty years, carefully
avoiding the attentions of Seren. Eventually, the
coterie were linked to the murder of a Brujah
named Baruch. After this even, the group was
ruthlessly pursued by the Wardens of the Severn
with three, Rivkah, William Melton, and Henry
Balsam, meeting their Final Deaths in 1214.
Rumours persist, however, that some members of
this coterie were never identified, or else escaped
to the safety of towns such as Coventry and
Oxford. Stories are told amongst the Cainites of
Gloucester of angry, vengeful Furores within
these towns, who remain hidden, plotting
against the prince who led to the destruction of
their masters.
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116
these elders as necessary should she wish to realise her
ambitions.
At the peripheries of the Circle of Power is Gwion,
a Toreador knight who is present in Gloucester as a
hostage. His movements constrained, Gwion spends
many of his nights within the walls of Gloucester Castle;
as a result, his closest links to other Cainites within the
town are with those elders who surround Seren. Gwion
has charmed the members of the Circle of Power with
his manners and gentle temperament, and is now seen
more as a guest than a prisoner. Considered to be
harmless he has, over the last decade, been allowed to
attend many of the meetings of the Circle of Power. He
takes a great interest in the affairs of the town, and has
a growing affection for Gloucester.
The Cainite least comfortable within the Circle of
Power is Seren herself. The prince’s paranoia means she
distrusts everyone she meets, and she assumes that
others are plotting against her. She scrutinises the elders
surrounding her with a hawkish intensity, searching for
the moment when their schemes become too dangerous,
and she will be forced to act. The main factor restraining
her at present is her fear that openly acting against
threats might encourage her enemies to band together
against her, presenting a collective threat which she
would be unable to stand against. Seren knows that she
must act with caution should she wish to prevail.
A key conflict brewing within the Circle of Power at
present is control of the Wardens of the Severn. The
leader of this coterie has long been a respected Brujah
elder, Osbern. However, in recent years, Osbern has
been in retreat for the role, devoting more time to
theological studies than protecting the town of
Gloucester. As a result, there has been discussion within
the Circle of Power as to whether he should be replaced.
Alyna Rayner has been keen to position herself as a
potential successor to Osbern, believing that this would
enhance her power in Gloucester. At present, she has
received some support from the Wardens themselves,
though the members of the Circle of Power are reluctant
to place her in the role. Seren would prefer to promote
Wulfric, one of her own allies, though few others
believe that he would be capable of leading the group.
John FitzStephen has put forth the most radical
suggestion, which is that the Wardens should be
disbanded. John argues that the Hounds of Mithras are
no longer required in Gloucester. Whilst he currently
has little support in this proposal, it presents a potential
solution to the current deadlock.
The Candle-bearers
The Abbey Church of St Peter is an impressive complex
of buildings, larger and more imposing than some
English cathedrals. The main body of the church has
high, vaulted ceilings, and a number of shrines and
chapels, embellished with frescos and decorative
masonry. In the hours of daylight, the church is a
colourful space, filled with the light which floods in
through the churches great windows. Yet, once the sun
has set, this space is transformed. The church’s ceiling
disappears into darkness, whilst its shrines and tombs
cast dark shadows throughout the space. Though the
church is occasionally lit by candles during the greatest
Christian festivals, for much of the year it is a dark and
foreboding place.
It is within this space that a number of Gloucester’s
Cainites meet on a regular basis, coming together on the
night of each full moon, to discuss religious matters, and
seek solace in a shared religion. When this coterie first
met, in the now-distant past of the Saxon era, they were
dismissively labelled by Constantius Thrax as “candle-
bearers”. This was a reference to how each member of
the group would bring a lit taper to their meetings, a
symbol of Christian hope, intended to contrast within
the darkness in which they were forced to exist. The
members of the coterie are still known as the Candle
Bearers, though the origin of the name has been
forgotten by most of the Cainites in Gloucester.
The leader of the coterie is Tova the Northumbrian,
an experienced and powerful Cappadocian elder. Tova’s
personal interest in religion is more closely linked to an
appreciation of the rituals of the church, than to the
succor and salvation that Christianity might provide.
The presence of Tova within the coterie has given the
group some influence amongst the elders of Gloucester;
whilst many of the Cainites of Gloucester regard the
Candle-bearers with some bemusement, few are
prepared to show the group active hostility.
Gloucester by Night
117
 Two members of Tova’s brood are also counted
amongst the Candle-bearers; these are her childe,
Abbot Serlo, and Radulf, a restless and arrogant younger
Cainite. The pair have markedly different attitudes
towards Tova; Serlo believes that his mistress has a
streak of naivity, and needs protection from the
intrigues of other Cainites. Radulf, meanwhile, dislikes
Tova; he resents the fact that he has to depend on her
protection, and feels that she is his intellectual inferior.
Both of the Cappadocians, nevertheless, assist Tova in
her experiments, which focus on the manner in which
death stains objects and the natural environment.
Although she has discovered little through this work,
Tova is confident that she will provide valuable insights
for her clan.
The final two members of the coterie, Osbern,
Yemrehana, are Brujah scholars, less interested in the
study of death, than in Christian theology. They see
Abbot Serlo as their spiritual guide, and have great
admiration for the Cappadocian elder. Over the years
Osbern has grown wary of the preoccupations of Tova,
and has begun to consider that he and Yemrehana
should consider distancing themselves from the other
Candle-bearers. Thus far, he has chosen not to, not
wishing to alienate Abbot Serlo. At present, the Osbern
and Yemrehana have sufficient admiration for their
mentor to remain amongst the Candle-bearers.
Wardens of the Severn
The Hounds of Mithras are one of the means by which
the Prince of London maintains his power throughout
the Kingdom of England. In the Fee of Gloucester, the
Hounds are known as the Wardens of the Severn, and,
as a group, have a long history, going back to the time
of Constantius Thrax. The Wardens play an important
role in maintaining the influence of Mithras in the west
of England.
The long-term leader of the Wardens is Osbern, a
Brujah warrior, who was appointed to the role in the
time of Constantius Thrax. His key supporters in
Gloucester, Wulfric and Lleucu, were followers of
Cnebba, who defected to the service of the Prince of
Gloucester at the end of Cnebba’s War, and have
proved to be loyal and useful members of the coterie
ever since. A third Gangrel, named Gwrgenau, is active
in the Welsh domains of the Fee of Gloucester, and is a
cause for deep concern to Osbern. Whilst Gwrgenau
resided within the Forest of Dean and the Welsh borders
in the early part of the Norman era, he was drawn into
conflict with Hugo de Bernay, the Prince of Cardiff. In
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118
the middle of the thirteenth century, Gwrgenau has
moved to the town of Swansea, which he claims as his
domain, and has not visited Gloucester for more than
twenty years. Gwrgenau would undoubtedly have been
cut loose by now, were it not for the fact that he is
occasionally useful to the Wardens, and he provides a
useful foil to the ambitions of Hugo de Bernay.
A relatively recent addition to the Wardens of the
Severn is Alyna Rayner, Chamberlain of Gloucester.
Alyna has offered her services as a planner and
administrator, notionally supporting Osbern in his
duties. Whilst none of the other members of the coterie
have yet realised, Alyna’s interests in the group exist
solely to amplify her political ambitions. From her
vantage point, in a position of power, Alyna has
observed that Osbern has become disenchanted with his
role. She believes that he is likely to step back from the
Wardens of the Severn in the near future, and would
like to be ready to succeed him when this happens. She
knows that there is some opposition to this within the
Circle of Power; yet Alyna believes that the opinions of
the other Wardens is more important, and should they
support her, Seren would feel obliged to appoint her,
should Osbern retire. For now, she is content to work
with the other Wardens, and win their favour.
Osbern is aware of Alyna’s ambitions, though sees
her as presenting no direct risk. Lleucu and Wulfric,
meanwhile, are less aware of the politics surrounding
the leadership of their coterie. The pair have observed
that, in recent years, a number of disputes have arised as
to the direction of the Wardens, and that Alyna has
been playing a more prominent role in the leadership of
the group. Their assumption is that this is nothing more
than the petty politics of Cainite elders, and that this is
of little concern to them. In part, their perspectives are
influenced by the fact that both see their ultimate
loyalites to Seren. As the Prince of Gloucester seems
secure in her position, they believe that there are few
threats to the continued activities of the Wardens.
Gwrgenau, of course, has little awareness of these
events. As only an occasional visitor to Gloucester, he
has no knowledge of the political struggles which are
now affecting the Wardens of the Severn. Alyna is keen
to encourage him to remain in Swansea. As the less
predictable, and arguably most dangerous member of the
Wardens, Gwrgenau might pose the greatest risk to
Alyna’s ambitions. Best to allow him to pursue his own
interests in Swansea, a location from where he would
find it difficult to interfere in the political affairs of
Gloucester.
 One final, and important, point about the Wardens
of the Severn is that they are the only pack of the
Hounds of Mithras which is not under the direct control
of the Companions, and reports, instead, to the Prince
of Gloucester. This is a legacy of the group’s origin as
servants of Constantius Thrax, and Mithras has seen no
need to change the arrangement. Given that Seren is a
supporter of the Prince of London, the loyalty of the
Wardens is not in doubt. Should she be replaced, any
new Prince of Gloucester will control a powerful tool by
which influence may be exerted over the west of
England.
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119
Wolves Outside the Walls
Whilst Seren demands absolute loyalty from the
Cainites within the town walls, many who dwell within
the Severn Valley and the surrounding area who possess
considerable independence. The Wolves Outside the
Walls is one such group of Cainites.
The nominal leader of the Wolves is Katerin Norris,
a Tremere magus who wishes to extend her clan’s
influence in the region. Barred from residing in
Gloucester, she has drawn together a group of outsiders
who she believes may further her own interests. The
focus of her ambitions is Alfred Ealdorman, former
Prince of Gloucester. Katerin believes, mistakenly, that
Alfred wishes to regain her status and that if she aids
him, he would be forced to reward her and support her
interests in the town. Alfred, oblivious to Katerin’s true
ambitions, treats the Tremere as a friend, and is flattered
by her attentions. It is unlikely that their alliance will
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120
survive, should Alfred learn of Katerin’s motives in
making his acquaintance.
Radulf the Mendicant, conversely, sought out
Katerin Norris, believing that she could support him in
regaining his rightful place. Katerin is amused by his
arrogance, and his vanity; she has promised to teach
Thaumaturgy to the Cappadocian, though considers
him to be little more than an expendable pawn.
The final member of the Wolves, a Gangrel named
Iwerydd, is a wanderer, and occasional visitor to
Katerin’s chantry. Katerin is aware of Iwerydd’s tragic
history, and treats the Gangrel with a tender kindness.
Iwerydd often acts as the messenger of the Wolves,
maintaining contact between the members of the
coterie. She has little interest in the ambitions of the
group, real or imagined, and is bemused by the petty
politics of her peers. For now, Iwerydd is content to
remain amongst the Wolves.
The House of Judith
The House of Judith is the name given by the Cainites
of Gloucester to Judith Estridge, and the neonates for
whom she is patron and mentor. The members of this
coterie are all female, and meet several times each week
within Judith’s haven, a house within the Gloucester
suburb of Ladycroft.
The coterie gives Judith a sense of purpose. Young
herself, and a refugee from some unknown traumatic
event abroad, she has adopted the members as a
surrogate family. Judith pities both of the Cainties under
her tutorlege. Rois Woolmer, a timid and religious
Nosferatu, can behave erratically, and Judith fears that
she may, in time, be seduced by self-destructive urges.
Tziporah, meanwhile, has greater confidence, though
Judith is suspicious that the young Brujah has a cruel
and ruthless streak. Tziporah’s sire, Baruch, recently met
his Final Death, and Judith wonders if his childe was
responsible.
Judith’s suspicions are, in fact, correct, though
Tziporah has managed to conceal her crime well.
Whilst she despises many of the Cainites of Gloucester,
Tziporah feels genuine affection for her patron, who she
sees as a kindred spirit. As a relative outsider, both in
mortal and Cainite terms, Tziporah sees the House of
Judith to be a place of safety, a refuge from a violent and
threatening world.
Whilst she respects Judith, Tziporah dislikes Rois
Woolmer, the final member of the coterie. Tziporah
believes Rois to be a hypocrite, posing behind a
pretence of Christianity. Tziporah has not even
considered the possibility that the religious beliefs of
Rois might be genuine. Rois, in turn, is appalled by the
casual self-interest of Tziporah, and her cruel treatment
of her vessels. Having found herself alone after her
embrace, Rois has found solace in both Christianity,
and in the House of Judith. She has considerable
admiration for Judith Estridge, one of the few Cainites
who has treated her with respect.
Thus far, any conflict which might arise between the
Tziporah and Rois has been restrained by the respect
that both have for mistress of the House of Judith.
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121
 Tirines
Tirines is the oldest member of Gloucester’s Cainite
community, a calm and cautious survivor. Capable
and powerful, he could easily take the princedom of the
town, should he choose. Yet he has little interest in
power, content to watch society from the margins.
Once, in the far distant past, Tirines was a soldier,
keen to serve his masters, the lords of Carthage. When
he died in battle he was recruited for their secret
masters, the followers of Troile, ancient and powerful
monsters who drank the blood of men. His sire, Critias,
was an envoy of the rulers of the city; admiring the
young man’s intellect and physical prowess, the elder
chose to save Tirines from death. He would nuture the
protégé for a number of years, before the two parted, as
Critias left for a mission in far-off parts.
The experience of fighting for Troile’s cause scarred
Tirines, both physically and emotionally. He left
Carthage long before the city’s final fall, travelling
across Europe. He stayed one step ahead of the Roman
advances until he finally reached the Atlantic Ocean,
and found there was nowhere further to run. It was here
that what was now the Roman Empire caught up with
Tirines. He made his haven in the Roman colony of
Glevum, where, over time, he found himself surrounded
by other Cainites exiled from the core provinces of the
empire.
Tirines survived the turmoil which afflicted
Gloucester over the past thousand years. He knows that
he could, if he wished, overthrow Seren and become the
town’s prince; indeed, he is aware that he is more
powerful than many of England’s Cainites. Yet Tirines
is reluctant to exert his power; he remains haunted by
his experiences of the Punic Wars, from both his time
as a mortal and Cainite. Having seen, too often, the
violence wrought by the Beast, Tirines works hard to
retain his humanity; he dabbles in religion, tries to do
good, and treat all with courtesy and regret. Yet some
nights he finds that he cannot hold back both his
hunger and dark urges. On these evenings he takes to
prowling in the dark hours of the night, seeking to slake
his thirst in whichever way he can.
Image: Tirines is marked out from the population of
England by his deeply-tanned skin, and curly black hair.
His body is muscled and scarred with the marks of a
hundred battles. He mixes the long dark robes of his
Berber past with modern armour, and embroidered
Norman tunics, cutting a sober and striking figure in the
society of the night.
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Roleplaying Hints: You are calm and aloof, a survivor
who has seen empires rise and fall, and know when to
act, and when to hold your counsel.
Haven: Tirines has chosen the village of Painswick to
be his haven.
Influence: Having resided in the vicinity of Gloucester
for over a thousand years, Tirines has a detailed
knowledge of the town and can exert subtle control over
almost all of its mortal institutions.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Critias
Nature: Loner
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 255 BCE
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 6, Dexterity 6, Stamina 7
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 4, Empathy 2,
Intimidation 5, Leadership 2
Skills: Crafts 2, Etiquette 3, Melee 6, Performance 2,
Survival 6
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 4, Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 2, Dominate 4,
Obfuscate 4, Potence 4, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Influence 4, Resources 3, Retainers 2,
Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 2, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 4
Willpower: 7
 Osbern
Asenjoys
the leader of the Wardens of the Severn, Osbern
considerable status in the town of
Gloucester. A capable and experienced warrior, he has
worked hard to protect both the interests of the town
and its Cainite inhabitants. Yet his true interests are not
in military matters, but the church, and, as he has aged,
Osbern has gained an increasing interest in spiritual
matters.
Osbern was a soldier in life, and became a soldier in
death. A skilled Saxon warrior, he fought for the King
of Wessex against the Welsh, the Mercians and, finally,
the Danes. Mortally wounded in a battle in 878, he was
left to die in a church in Cheltenham, when the king’s
soldiers retreated to the west. But death was not to come
to Osbern. His conduct had been observed by a creature
of the night and, as Osbern was approaching death, he
was given the blood of Harald Leifsson, a Cainite who
had need of the services of a loyal follower.
For a century Osbern worked hard to please his new
master. Whilst Harald regarded his childe as nothing
more than an attack dog, he taught him well, and not
just in the ways of the undead. Osbern learned to read
and write; he was instructed in history and geography,
and was schooled in debate and philosophy. To Osbern,
who had known nothing other than war, this education
was a revelation. Once happiest on the hunting field,
or out on campaign, he found the joy of battle waning,
supplanted by intellectual pursuits. Over the following
centuries Osbern embraced Christianity, and has built
up strong connections with those Cainites who are
associated with the great churches of Gloucester and
other nearby towns.
Osbern became the leader of the Wardens of the
Severn when Constantius Thrax was prince. He has
little love for Constantius’s successor, Seren, who he
sees as dangerous and capricious. Duty, however, is
important to Osbern, and he has little interest in
rebelling against his mistress. His dislike for Seren has
led him to retreat from courtly life, as he spends more
time focusing on religious matters.
Image: Osbern is a broad, stocky man, with shaggy blond
hair and a beard. He tends to dress in clerical garb,
though will carry arms and armour when necessary.
Roleplaying Hints: You are strident, and confident,
often abrubt. You have retained the bearing of a military
man, and this colours your relations with others.
Haven: Osbern has made his haven within the grounds
of St Oswald’s Priory.
Influence: Osbern still retains an interest in military
matters, and can exert control over the personnel
staffing Gloucester’s defences. His drift into religious
matters has led to him to acquire an increasing amount
of influence over the monastic houses of Gloucester.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Harald Leifsson
Nature: Judge
Demeanour: Soldier
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 878
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 2, Awareness 1, Brawl 3,
Empathy 1, Expression 2, Intimidation 1, Leadership 2
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Etiquette 2, Melee 4, Ride 3
Knowledges: Academics 2, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 2, Law 3, Politics 2, Seneschal 3,
Theology 1
Disciplines: Celerity 1, Fortitude 2, Potence 4, Presence
2, Protean 2
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 2, Domain 2, Influence
2, Resources 3, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Path of Illumination 6
Willpower: 6
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123
 Judith Estridge
Thefiguremistress of the House of Judith is a well-regarded
within the town of Gloucester. A pale,
flighty, and mysterious character, Judith Estridge
imagines herself to be a temporary resident of the town,
despite having resided their for centuries. As a woman
lacking a past, the town of Gloucester has become an
escapable part of her character.
Judith remembers little of her mortal life. She recalls
fleeing from her homeland, a far-off place in the east,
running from some great mortal danger. Glimpses of
memory reveal the countries she passed along the way
until, finally, she reached Gloucester, and the hills
overlooking the sea, and could flee no further west.
It was here, starving, and destitute, that she was
found by Harald Leifsson. Curious about the strange
woman, he petitioned the prince, Constantius Thrax, to
be allowed to embrace her. Constantius, wishing to
maintain the support of Harald’s sire, Tirines, agreed to
this request.
The embrace changed Judith little, except to further
fracture and blur the remains of her mortal memory. She
dimly remembers that dreadful threat which forced her
to flee west, though only the most vague and dismal
images cling to her mind. She hates the bleak and wild
landscape surrounding Gloucester, though is reluctant
to leave, for fear of what she might encounter.
Judith has, over time, attempted to establish a stable
existence in the town, though even now she fears it is
being eroded. Her patron, Constantius, met his Final
Death long ago, as have her sire Harald, and her childe,
Baruch. Judith is frightened by the new prince of the
town, Seren, who she sees as a malevolent force. To
shield herself from the painful reality of the Cainite
community, Judith has attracted a group of younger
Cainites, using their struggles as a distraction from the
pain of her existence. She sees the darkness in Cainite
society, and wonders if the threat which sent her fleeing
from her distant home is in some way connected to
these creatures of the night.
Image: Judith is pale, even for a Cainite, with watery
blue eyes, and silvery hair. Though naturally attractive,
she softens her appearance with plain gowns and veils.
Roleplaying Hints: You are thoughtful, ponderous, and
contemplative. There is a hint of fear behind your eyes
at all times, and you carefully restrain your thoughts and
deeds to conceal this from others.
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Haven: Whilst Judith was resident in central Gloucester
for much of her time in the town, she recently relocated
to a house in the district of Ladycroft, just beyond
Gloucester’s North Gate.
Influence: Judith is something of a patron to the
younger Cainites of Gloucester, with her circle known
within the town as the House of Judith. Through her
followers she is able to exert her interest, though she
rarely choses to exercises her power.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Harald Leifsson
Nature: Survivor
Demeanour: Seer
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1016
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 3, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 4, Awareness 5, Empathy 3,
Expression 3
Skills: Etiquette 2, Performance 1, Survival 4
Knowledges: Enigmas 5, Hearth Wisdom 3, Medicine 2,
Occult 2, Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Obfuscate 2, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 1, Resources 1,
Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 6
 Yemrehana
Inlands.
his daily slumbers, Yemrehana dreams of far-off
Once he was a monk in the Kingdom of
Dotawo, a faithful servant of God in the scorched
deserts of the far south. His peaceful service was
interrupted by the coming of the Arab slavers. They
torched his monastery, slew the abbot, and took many
of the postulants, Yemrehana included, prisoner. He was
taken north, to al-Qahira, where he was sold to a
wealthy landowner in the far-off Atlas Mountains.
Yemrehana toiled on the land for many years,
accepting that his life was part of God’s plan, and he
should submit himself to the sufferings to which he was
exposed. When the opportunity arose to escape he took
it, fleeing to the coast, and ensconcing himself within
the safety of the Genoan trading ship which,
miraculously, stopped by on the coast to take on water
whilst he was in flight.
At the end of the voyage Yemrehana found himself
in the English town of Bristol. It was here that he met
Osbern, a Christian scholar who seemed to be active
only at night. After years of being able to communicate
in basic Arabic, Yemrehana was amazed to find that the
pale Saxon spoke Coptic, the liturgical language of his
home country. Osbern, in turn, was intrigued by this
cultured and intelligent African, who had come to
England as a fugitive slave.
After some months, Osbern made Yemrehana an
offer. The Saxon explained that there was little chance
of Yermrehana returning home in present times, with
the current levels of hostility between Arab and
Christian. Instead, Osbern offered to provide hospitality
and, as he said, immortality, until the time was ready for
Yemrehana to return to Dotawo. Yearning for his
homeland, and understanding the arguments of Osbern,
Yemrehana accepted the offer.
Yemrehana has been a Cainite now for over a
century. He still dreams of returning to Dotawo one
night, though knows that, permanently exiled from the
sun, he will never experience his home as he once did.
He sees his condition as one more test from God, a test
which he will some day find a way to overcome.
Image: Yemrehana typically dresses in the plain costume
of a peasant. He knows that his dark skin makes him
conspicuous in England, and often wears a hooded cloak
to conceal his face.
Roleplaying Hints: You are calm, polite, even
submissive. Despite your condition, you still attempt to
remain faithful to God, an attitude reflected in both
word and deed.
Haven: Yemrehana currently resides in the Convent of
the Grey Friars.
Influence: Yemrehana’s theological and linguistic
knowledge is extensive, and he is respected by many
scholarly Cainites in the west of England. Although he
believes that he has little influence, a surprising number
of Cainites would come to his aid should he need their
support.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Osbern
Nature: Penitent
Demeanour: Caretaker
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1125
Apparent Age: Late 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Awareness 1, Brawl 2,
Empathy 1, Expression 2
Skills: Crafts 4, Etiquette 2, Melee 3, Stealth 3, Survival
4
Knowledges: Academics 2, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Seneschal 1, Theology 3
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 1, Potence 1, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Resources 2, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 8
Willpower: 8

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125
 Tziporah
Tziporah is one of the youngest Cainites in
Gloucester; seen by many members of the
community as weak and inconsequential, few imagine
that she might be able to exert any meaningful
influence. Tziporah is happy to allow others to see her
in this manner, hiding her schemes behind a veneer of
youthful innocence.
For much of her short life Tziporah lived with her
family in the town of Gloucester. Her father was a
chandler, whilst her mother had been born into a family
of wealthy merchants. Their house was used as a
meeting place by the Jewish community of Gloucester,
with visitors travelling from far afield.
Tziporah’s life came to an end one night as she
fetched water from the well in the house’s yard. As she
went about her task a monstrous figure pounced upon
her. Terrified, she submitted, as her attacker tore out her
throat and drank her blood.
Tziporah woke the next evening in a cellar. With
her was uncle Baruch. He apologised for what had
happened to her, telling her that she was now, as he was,
a Cainite, a being that drank the blood of mortals. He
admitted that he was her attacker on the previous
evening, and that he had lost control and preserved her
existence in the only way he knew how.
Baruch was owed favours by Seren, Prince of
Gloucester, and Tziporah was welcomed into the
Cainite society of the town. She was regarded as a
cultured and attractive woman, if perhaps a little
immature. She moves between different circles of
Cainites with ease, and is welcome at any gathering.
Yet the facade presented by Tziporah disguises her
monstrous soul. Her death made her angry and vengeful
and stripped away her restraint and empathy. Thus,
behind her mask, Tziporah is cruel and vicious, with a
psychopathic need to inflict cruelty upon others. She is,
nevertheless, scheming and calculating, hiding her true
personality with great care. She has, already, been
responsible for the death of her own sire, staked to meet
the sun one morning, a crime which she successfully
blamed upon a young Cainite rabble-rouser named
William Melton. Where her schemes will lead her next
is not clear, even to Tziporah, though she is sure that
they will result in bloodshed and pain for the Cainites
of Gloucester.
Image: Dark-eyed and beautiful, Tziporah matches the
very image of the haunted and vulnerable young
woman.
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Roleplaying Hints: Giggle, smile, and flick your hair in
a girlish manner. Play up your youth and innocence.
This is, after all, the best way of hiding your malevolent
soul.
Haven: Having resided in Gloucester since her mortal
birth, Tziporah remains within the home of her mortal
family, located on Eastgate Street.
Influence: Tziporah has the favour of many of the older
Brujah in Gloucester; she has become very adept as
exercising influence through others.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Baruch
Nature: Monster
Demeanour: Child
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1197
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 5, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Awareness 2, Brawl 2, Expression
3, Ledgerdemain 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Commerce 2, Etiquette 4, Melee 2, Performance
3, Stealth 4, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 1
Disciplines: Celerity 3, Potence 1, Presence 1
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 1, Influence 1, Herd
3, Mentor 2, Resources 3, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 5, Instinct 3, Courage 3
Morality: Path of Pleasure 6
Willpower: 5
 Tova the Northumbrian
Tova is one of the oldest Cainites within Gloucester,
and one of the key advisers and supporters of Seren.
Unlike the stern Prince of Gloucester, Tova is charming
and approachable, an elder who enjoys the time she
spends amongst the Cainites of the town. Whilst Seren
is the most popular vampire in Gloucester, Tova is
undoubtedly the most popular.
Tova was pledged to the church whilst still a child.
She grew up in the shadow of York Minster, surrounded
by the relics of past kings and saints. Fascinated by
death, she was a peculiar child, one who attracted the
attention of Timandra, Cappadocian lord of York.
Tova was allowed to grow into maturity before her
embrace; she would subsequently become a handmaiden
to her sire, serving faithfully for over a century. Whilst
she enjoyed her new existence, Tova found she was less
interested in the scholarship of death than the conflicts
and rivalries of Cainite society. She spent far more time
within York’s Elysium than amongst her sire’s books.
When Timandra lapsed into torpor in the eighth
century, Tova left York, deciding to travel the land,
searching for a suitable place where she might make her
mark. She chose to settle in Gloucester, under the
patronage of Constantius Thrax, and has now resided in
the town for more than five hundred years.
Tova enjoys her status in Gloucester, and is a keen
supporter of Seren, knowing that her alliance with the
prince provides her with considerable freedom. She has
a morbid, but somewhat superficial interest in death;
whilst many English Cappadocians are scholars and
philosophers, Tova is far more interested in playing the
role of an aristocratic lady, enmeshing herself within the
intrigues of the Cainite court of Gloucester.
Nevertheless, Tova does dabble with various
experiments, more interested in the status they provide
her within her clan, than the results that they generate.
She is heavily reliant on the scholarship of her childe,
Abbot Serlo, in such matters, exploiting his
considerable learning and theological knowledge.
Image: Tova is a tall, willowy figure, whose dark hair and
pale skin presents a striking impression.
Roleplaying Hints: You are charming and, occasionally,
beguiling, an attractive, feminine, aristocrat. You are
aware that you do not match the stereotype of a
Cappadocian, and use this fact to your advantage,
captivating audiences, and projecting your presence.
Haven: Tova resides in a house on Westgate Street,
close to the grounds of the Abbey of St Peter.
Influence: Whilst she projects an air of great power and
influence, Tova has little ability to focus on building
power over a protracted period of time. She nevertheless
has some sway with the mortal administration of
Gloucester, as well as with the church hierarchies
within the town.
Clan: Cappadocian
Sire: Timandra
Nature: Dabbler
Demeanour: Caretaker
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 642
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 5
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 6, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 6, Awareness 6, Empathy 3,
Expression 5, Intimidation 5, Leadership 2, Subterfuge
3
Skills: Etiquette 3, Melee 1, Performance 3, Stealth 3,
Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 4, Enigmas 4, Hearth Wisdom
5, Investigation 2, Medicine 4, Occult 6, Politics 4,
Seneschal 5, Theology 3
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Fortitude 6, Necromancy 5 (Path
of Bone 5, Path of the Corpse in the Monster 5, The
Grave’s Decay 5), Obfuscate 4, Presence 6
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Domain 3, Herd 4, Influence 3,
Resources 4, Retainers 3, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Heaven 7
Willpower: 8
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127
 Abbot Serlo
Thechurch
elderly Abbot Serlo is the custodian of the
in Gloucester. He both protects Cainites
from the servants of God, and shields religious
institutions from the depredations of supernatural
predators. Serlo is content with this role, seeing it as his
personal duty.
Serlo served the Benedictine community of St
Peter’s minster for his entire life, from his time as a
young novice in the times of King Edward, to his old age
in the era of the Normans. In his later years, as his joints
grew stiff, and his sight began to fail, he was approached
by a young woman in the cloisters of his church, who
said that she needed his skills, and was prepared to
reward him with great power and influence. Serlo,
sensing her unnatural character, refused her offer.
The woman came to him on the same night each
year for a decade with the same offer. Serlo refused each
time. He witnessed the woman remain the same age
through the years, as he himself grew older and more
infirm. Finally, on a winter’s night in 1070 he gave into
her request, afraid of his mortality, and became one of
the creatures of the night.
For the following century Serlo has assisted his sire,
his theological and academic knowledge being of great
value within her necromantic rituals. Most nights,
however, he remains alone, devoting his hours to the
church. His transformation into a Cainite has given him
a new sense of purpose, and sees his immortality as
presenting him with the opportunity to shepherd the
church through the centuries to come.
Serlo often comes across as wary; whilst must believe
his caution is unwarranted, Serlo has a practical reason
to be fearful. He is one of the few Cainites to know that
Seren was responsible for the death of the former Prince
of Gloucester, Constantius Thrax. Serlo tries to limit his
contact with Cainite society, to avoid giving away this
knowledge accidentally. He knows that if the
Malkavian was aware that he knew her secret, he would
be unlikely to survive for many nights.
Image: Serlo is a thin, stooped man, of advanced age.
He dresses in clerical garb, preferring the simple robes of
a monk to more ostentatious clothing.
Roleplaying Hints: You are ponderous, portentous even,
taking care over your words, and conscious of how
others may regard you. Emphasise the importance of the
church, and your role in protecting it from unwonted
influence.
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Haven: A chamber set under the cloisters of the Abbey
of St Peter.
Influence: Seren delegated the practical management of
clerical affairs in Gloucester to Serlo. Consquently,
Serlo has built up considerable authority within the
church, and maintains a watchful eye on religious
affairs.
Clan: Cappadocian
Sire: Tova the Northumbrian
Nature: Loner
Demeanour: Pedagogue
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 1070
Apparent Age: 60s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 1, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 6, Wits 3
Talents: Awareness 1, Expression 1, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Crafts 4, Etiquette 3, Melee 1, Performance 4,
Stealth 6, Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 5, Hearth Wisdom 2,
Investigation 1, Law 4, Medicine 2, Occult 3, Theology
4
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Fortitude 2, Necromancy 5 (Path
of Bone 2, Path of the Corpse in the Monster 5, The
Grave’s Decay 4), Obfuscate 4
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Contacts 4, Domain 2, Mentor
3, Resources 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 8
Willpower: 6
 Radulf the Mendicant
Throughout his life Radulf believed that he would
achieve great deeds. The embrace, was a seeming
confirmation of this, a recruitment to a powerful,
immortal brotherhood. Yet he has experienced little
success, and now dwells on the fringes of Gloucester,
bitter and angry.
Shortly after his embrace Radulf came across a tale
that the remote Vale of Ewyas, sited in the Black
Mountains of Wales, was haunted. Radulf guessed that,
for whatever reason, the energies of death must be
strong in the area, and petitioned his mistress, Tova the
Northumbrian, to be allowed to travel north to study
the valley. Thus, in 1118, he journeyed to Wales, with
a party of monks, and established a haven in a priory
which they established.
Unbeknownst to Radulf, the area had already been
claimed by a Toreador elder named Bran, who was
offended that another Cainite had chose to make
domain here without prior permission. For more than a
decade tensions ran high, until 1135, when Bran’s
childe Llywarch came to the priory one night with a
missive from his master, demanding that Radulf vacate
the valley. Radulf, driven into a violent rage; Llywarch,
taken by surprise, was battered into torpor. He was
subsequently left to meet the rising sun the following
morning.
The revenge of Bran was swift. Radulf and the monks
were drived from their priory, fleeing to Gloucester.
They were followed by an emissary of Bran, who
demanded restitution from Constantius Thrax, Prince
of Gloucester. Whilst Constantius refused Bran’s
entreaties, his assassination in 1138 would lead to the
start of the Raven’s War.
Once the conflict had reached its conclusion, Radulf
thought that he might be allowed to return to
Llanthony. He was forbidden from doing so by both
Tova and Gloucester’s new prince, Seren. He was,
indeed, told that should he leave the vicinity of
Gloucester, he could expect no protection from the
elders of the town.
Over the years Radulf has stewed in his anger and
bitterness; he feels that his destiny is in Llanthony,
though he knows that there is no chance that he might
return to Wales without danger to himself. Over the
years his anger has turned to the elders of Gloucester,
who he see as fools, who would ignore the great
discoveries that might be made, in order that they might
continue their own petty intrigues.
Image: Radulf is a tall, pale man, with gaunt features.
He dresses as an Augustinian, to better hide amongst his
herd.
Roleplaying Hints: You are bitter at your treatment by
Seren and Tova, and are angry with the Cainite
community of Gloucester. Do not hold back, and let
your opinions be heard.
Haven: Radulf resides within Llanthony Secunda.
Influence: With a devotion to the church spanning his
time as both mortal and Cainite, Radulf is a capable
navigator of ecclesiastical, structures, having particular
influence amongst the Augustinians.
Clan: Cappadocians
Sire: Turstin
Nature: Tyrant
Demeanour: Penitent
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1105
Apparent Age: Late 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 3, Expression 4, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Archery 2, Melee 1, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 4, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 4, Occult 4, Seneschal 2, Theology 3
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Fortitude 2, Necromancy 3 (Path
of Bone 3, Path of the Corpse in the Monster 2).
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Herd 3, Resources 2, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 4, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Heaven 4
Willpower: 3
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 Wulfric
AWulfric
leading member of the Wardens of the Severn,
has a fearsome reputation in Gloucester. A
loyal Hound of Mithras, and veteran of the war against
the Triumvirate, he is a capable and dangerous warrior.
Few would wish to make an enemy of Wulfric.
Wulfric was a humble woodsman and hunter, living
outside of Aylesbury when he met his death at the hands
of a creature of vast power and evil. The monster, which
called itself the Wolf, told Wulfric that his services were
required in a war against the Wolf’s enemies. Whether
Wulfric wanted to be conscripted into fighting for this
cause was immaterial.
Thus, Wulfric began his long existence as a servant
of darkness. The Wolf, a Gangrel elder named Cnebba,
had made claim to the town of Gloucester, a claim
opposed by the town’s prince. Whilst Cnebba could not
strike directly at these individuals, his mastery of
Cainite powers was great, and he chose as his servants
men and women like Wulfric, people able to strike out
at the vulnerable underbelly of Cainite rule.
For many decades Wulfric fought alongside the
Cnebba, furthering his sire’s cause. But the pull of the
town remained at the back of his mind. For, as much as
Wulfric loved the country, he had been a devout
Christian, and had always marvelled at the wonders of
Gloucester’s churches. On many nights he stood atop
the hills surrounding the town, gazing down at its
marvellous spires. Finally, one night he crept into
Gloucester, clambering over its walls, and walking its
darkened streets. There, in front of the great abbey, he
was met by a beautiful older woman, who beguiled him.
She spoke of the Cainite community of Gloucester and
the wonders of the town. Wulfric listened intently, until
the time of the cock-crow, when he had to flee to the
safety of his lair. He returned to Gloucester many times
after this, learning of Cainite life from the melodic voice
of this woman, Seren, until he felt torn at by the conflict
in his heart. Whilst he felt great loyalty towards his
master, he was intensely attracted to both the town and
this woman, and began to be terrified by the prospect of
an eternity exiled to the darkness of the woods. Finally,
he pledged loyalty to Seren, agreeing to betray his sire.
In the centuries since, Wulfric has remained at the
side of Seren, as a protector of the town, a fearsome
warrior willing to defend his patron.
Image: Wulfric is a broad, bearded man, with a powerful
physique, and an intimidating stare. He dresses in rustic
clothing, generally eschewing arms and armour.
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Roleplaying Hints: You project a quiet and brooding air.
Often, you will avoid conversation, due to your
embarrassment at your lack of learning. Feign a lack of
interest in anything that you do not understand.
Haven: Wulfric dwells beneath the gatehouse of the
Blind Gate.
Influence: Wulfric joined the Hounds of Mithras, not
long after the Prince of London woke from torpor, and
enjoys considerable status within the group.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Cnebba
Nature: Child
Demeanour: Barbarian
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 863
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 1, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 5, Awareness 3, Brawl 5,
Intimidation 2
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Crafts 2, Melee 4, Stealth 3,
Survival 4
Knowledges: Enigmas 2, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 3
Disciplines: Animalism 4, Dementation 1, Fortitude 4,
Obfuscate 2, Protean 5
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 2, Herd 5, Influence
3, Status 3
Virtues: Conviction 5, Instinct 2, Courage 4
Morality: Road of the Beast 3
Willpower: 4
 Lleucu
LSevern
leucu is a savage hunter of men, who prowls the
valley in search of her prey. Those Cainites
who meet her are left with the impression that she is
cold and hard, without passion or, indeed humanity.
Once, in the distant past, Lleucu was daughter of the
ferryman of Lydney. She was beautiful and popular,
though blighted by sickness, and was barely eighteen
when she took to her death bed. In the dreadful nights
that followed she felt her life ebb away, and imagined
that, at the foot of her bed, she was observed by a pale
and wolf-like man. Though her family thought that this
was nothing more than a dream or hallucination, in her
final night of life she was spirited away from her house,
and dragged into the woods. Before the next dawn she
had been transformed into a Cainite.
In her new existence Lleucu was a savage hunter
who pursued both beasts and men, and took a wilful
pleasure in the carnage she inflicted. She was angry, for
being deprived of her life at an early age, and parted
from her family and the joys of sunlight. And, though
she sullenly worked with her master, Alfgar, she wished
that she had died on that night in Lydney. The
opportunity for revenge finally arose in 1021, when the
servants of the Prince of Gloucester took up arms
against the Gangrel of the Forest of Dean. Although she
was unwilling to attack her sire herself, she led Leofstan,
Reeve of Gloucester, to the lairs of Alfgar, Cnebba, and
a number of other Gangrel elders. With her assistance,
the servants of the Prince of Gloucester were able to
overcome their enemies, and, over a period of weeks,
Alfgar and many of his associates would meet their Final
Deaths.
In the aftermath of her sire’s demise, Lleucu pledged
loyalty to Seren, one of Gloucester’s elders; since Seren
became prince, Lleucu has periodically provided
services to her, though only those which take the
Gangrel’s fancy. She is a beast, barely chained by the
constraints of Cainite society, and all those who deal
with her ought to be wary. It was by her hand that the
great Ventrue elder Roald Snake-eyes was brought
down. Still, many who know Lleucu fear that there will
come a time when she is too dangerous to remain in the
vicinity of Gloucester, and will either have to be killed
herself, or driven far away from the town.
Image: Lleucu was once beautiful, though she appears
wasted and marred by sickness. Dirty and ragged, she has
taken on the appearance of a wild beggar.
Roleplaying Hints: Words are rarely necessary; you
believe that, for much of the time, your actions are a
clear expression of your thoughts and feelings.
Haven: Lleucu has not fixed haven, but roams the
woods and farms to the south-west of Gloucester.
Influence: Whilst Lleucu cares little for status, her
combat prowess is respected by the elders of Gloucester,
and there are few within the town who would be willing
to offend her.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Alfgar
Nature: Monster
Demeanour: Soldier
Generation: 11th
Embrace: 950
Apparent Age: Late teens
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 5, Athletics 4, Awareness 1, Brawl 5,
Intimidation 3
Skills: Animal Ken 5, Melee 4, Ride 1, Stealth 3,
Survival 4
Knowledges: Enigmas 2, Hearth Wisdom 4,
Investigation 2, Medicine 1, Occult 1
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Fortitude 3, Obfuscate 1,
Potence 4, Protean 4
Backgrounds: Domain 4, Mentor 5, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 2, Courage 4
Morality: Path of the Hunter 8
Willpower: 7
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 Iwerydd
Asurrounding
loner who travels the woods and wild lands
Gloucester, Iwerydd is a wanderer, who
rarely visits the town. The Cainite community regard
her as an enigma, and neither understand, nor wish to
understand, the Gangrel. Valuing her privacy, Iwerydd,
leads a solitary life, away from the prying eyese of those
who might wish to discover her secrets.
Iwerydd was once a shepherdess, tending her flock in
the hills above the village of Lydney. She spent her days
and nights alone, studying the plants and animals of the
hills, and amusing herself by playing tunes on her pipe.
Looking across the valleys she saw many of the travellers
who passed by both day and night. On occasion, the
travellers noticed her in return.
One of those who observed Iwerydd was a rugged,
bearded traveller, who she only ever saw in the hours of
darkness. Stopping one night, he told her that his name
was Alfgar, and that he thought she was beautiful. After
that, he stopped a while each time he passed, and the
two lay beneath the stars, and talked of places both near
and far.
Such meetings occurred every few weeks for over a
year. Eventually Iwerydd begged Alfgar to take her away
with him. He told her that he could not, and explained
that he was cursed; he could never walk in the hours of
daylight, or sustain himself with the food of the earth.
Iwerydd told Alfgar that she would share his curse, and
would happily risk her own soul to spend her time with
him. That night Iwerydd was embraced.
Over the following year the pair were inseparable,
dwelling within the Forest of Dean, and feeding on
sheep, boars, and on the occasional lost traveller. Yet
Alfgar remained bound to the service of his sire, and,
one night, he received a message summoning him away
for service. Though Iwerydd begged to go with him,
Alfgar told her to remain in the safety of the forest. On
the night he left she wept bloody tears.
Iwerydd waited a year for Alfgar to return; when he
did not, she went in search for him. She tracked him to
Gloucester, where the trail ran cold and where, she
believes, he must have met his Final Death. Now she
resides close to the town, in the hills, peacefully
spending her nights mournfully wandering the wild, and
wondering, without Alfgar, whether she has truly cursed
her soul for all eternity.
Image: Iwerydd is tall and angular; whilst not
unattractive, a life spent outdoors has given her a
somewhat wild and weatherbeaten appearance.
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Roleplaying Hints: You project a melancholic air, and
struggle to hide the fact that a great misfortune has
befallen you. Whilst kind and gracious, you see no great
need for the companionship of others, and often come
across as distant, and even unfriendly.
Haven: Iwerydd travels between a number of temporary
havens in the Forest of Dean.
Influence: Instilling fear and respect within the mortal
inhabitants of the Forest of Dean, Iwerydd is able to
harness the mortal population of the region to support
her ambitions.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Alfgar
Nature: Caretaker
Demeanour: Loner
Generation: 11th
Embrace: 1011
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Awareness 2, Brawl 3,
Empathy 4, Expression 3, Ledgerdemain 2, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Animal Ken 5, Crafts 1, Melee 2, Performance 3,
Stealth 4, Survival 5
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Medicine 1, Occult 1
Disciplines: Animalism 4, Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 2,
Protean 4
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Herd 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 6
Willpower: 4
 Seren
Seren is well-known throughout England as the mad
Prince of Gloucester, capricious, autocratic and,
above all, dangerous. A staunch ally of Mithras, many
of her opponents whisper that, were it not for this
alliance, her claim on Gloucester would not last long.
Few realise that, behind the facade of madness lies a
keen intellect, and an iron will.
In life, long ago, Seren was the wife of a British
nobleman, in the mountains of what is now Wales. She
was a loyal wife, who bore her husband many children.
She was also headstrong and conceited. After one
quarrel with her husband, she fled south to the city of
Glevum. Whilst she expected her husband to follow,
and demand her return, this was not to be. Instead, she
caught the attention of the Malkavian elder Lucius, and
became a Cainite.
For two centuries, Seren made Glevum her home.
Her time was split between revelling in her new powers,
and believing that others were conspiring against her.
She would be one of the few Cainites to survive the sack
of Glevum, as Seren’s paranoia led her to construct an
impregnable haven. Over the following centuries, she
worked together with the prince, Constantius Thrax, to
rebuild the town and its Cainite community. There was
a pleasure in seeing the Saxon town rise in the place of
the old Roman colony.
Yet Seren could never be quite comfortable in the
company of the prince. She was afraid that he wished
her ill, as she was privy to many of his secrets. Over the
centuries, she considered her options, fearing that she
might have to overthrow Constantius. Her opportunity
came during the time of the Raven’s War. Distracted by
the conflict, Constantius failed to notice the conspiracy
which had formed against him. In 1138 Seren
assassinated her master, and took control of the town of
Gloucester.
Although Seren has proved to be a highly-capable
prince, her new role has exacerbated her paranoia. She
fears that enemies surround her, hating her for her
decisions as prince, or wanting to take the position for
themselves. For now she bides her time, waiting for her
enemies to expose themselves, watching for the
opportunity to destroy them.
Derangement: Paranoia
Image: Seren is a handsome, middle-aged woman, with
fine features, and an aristocratic grace.
Roleplaying Hints: You are proud and haughty, insisting
that others defer to you, and grant you the respect you
deserve as Gloucester’s prince. Assert yourself, and your
importance, within courtly settings.
Haven: Seren inhabits a townhouse overlooking the
Cross.
Influence: Seren wears her influence lightly; her
meticulous attention to detail means that she knows
much of what goes on within Gloucester’s mortal
community, and she is a careful, and capable,
manipulator of mortal affairs.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Lucius
Nature: Autocrat
Demeanour: Tyrant
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 360
Apparent Age: Late 40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 6
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 6, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 6
Talents: Alertness 4, Awareness 3, Brawl 1, Expression
4, Leadership 3, Subterfuge 6
Skills: Etiquette 3, Melee 3, Performance 2, Ride 2,
Stealth 3
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 2, Occult 2, Politics 5, Seneschal 6
Disciplines: Auspex 5, Dementation 3, Dominate 3,
Obfuscate 6, Presence 5, Potence 2
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 4, Domain 3, Herd 4,
Influence 4, Resources 4, Status 5
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Kings 7
Willpower: 9
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 Rois Woolmer
Roismember
Woolmer is unusual amongst Cainites, a
of the undead with a keen and genuine
Christian faith. Spending many nights in quiet prayer,
in the churches of Gloucester, Rois hopes that her
condition as a Cainite has not damned her eternal soul.
Rois Woolmer was once a servant girl employed by
Godstow Abbey in Oxford. She served as best she could,
deferred to the abbey’s hierarchy, and lived a meek and
submissive life. This existence was cut short one winter
night in 1231 when she was out fetching water. A beast
fell upon her, and savagely attacked the young women.
Although she fought back, Rois was quickly
overpowered, and her blood drained. As her
consciousness finally faded away, her attacker dripped a
single drop of blood on her lips, and dragged her away
to safety, away from the light of the dawn.
The next night, and for a number of nights
afterwards she gained something of an education from
her sire. He never told her why he had preserved her
existence, nor treated her with any more than a rough
contempt. Finally, after some weeks of residing together,
Rois fled, taking the road to the west.
The journey was both dangerous and terrible for the
Cainite fledgling. When she arrived in Gloucester she
threw herself on the prince’s mercy, requesting that she
be allowed to remain within the town. Her submissive
attitude pleased Seren, and Rois was welcomed into the
Cainite community. For the last decade she has
remained sheltered in Gloucester, not daring to leave
the town.
Rois found that becoming a Cainite was a traumatic
experience. Although being embraced as a Nosferatu
has disfigured her appearance, Rois is more concerned
by the threat to her soul. Always a committed Christian,
her embrace has both strengthened her faith, and led
her to fear that she will be shut out from God’s grace
forever. When she chose to flee her sire, not long after
her embrace, she was seeking salvation. She now looks
to the west; Rois knows that there is nothing beyond
Gloucester, but wild lands and, finally, the great and
endless ocean to the west. Rois thinks of the monks
who, in the early days of Christian Europe, travelled
into the wilderness and wonders whether, one day, she
will have the courage to follow their example.
Image: Rois is small and withered; whilst she still
appears youthful, an onlooker might be mistaken for
thinking that she has been disfigured by some terrible
disease.
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134
Roleplaying Hints: You will readily show your deference
to other Cainites, a sign of your assumptions about the
capabilities and intelligence of others. Display humility
in all things you do; this is not an act, but a genuine sign
of your Christian devotion.
Haven: Rois has made her residence in St
Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Influence: Whilst Rois has done little to actively
cultivate influence, she dispenses Christian charity
amongst the poor residents of Gloucester, and has the
ability to call on the aid of many members of the town’s
underclass.
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Wulfmær
Nature: Penitent
Demeanour: Caretaker
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1231
Apparent Age: Late teens
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Awareness 1, Brawl 1,
Empathy 4, Expression 1, Ledgerdemain 2, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Commerce 1, Crafts 4, Etiquette 2, Melee 1,
Stealth 3, Survival 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 2, Theology 1
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Obfuscate 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 1, Mentor 2, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Heaven 7
Willpower: 5
 Gwion ap Mereduth
Gwion ap Mereduth resides in Gloucester as a
prisoner. Dispatched to the town at the end of the
Raven’s War, he exists as a hostage, remaining in
Gloucester as a guarantor of peace between Bran’s
followers and those Cainites who are loyal to Mithras.
Gwion’s adventure began long ago, as a farmer’s son
in rural Wales. He was brought up on tales of belligerent
Norman knights, and cunning Welsh warriors, taught of
the glory of battle and the nobility of service. Gwion
dreamt unrealistic dreams of being a knight, whilst
learning how to guide a plough and protect the harvest.
It was in his sixteenth year that Gwion’s life
changed. Whilst guarding his family’s flocks one night
he came across and battered and bloody man. Gwion
dragged the man to shelter within a shepherd’s hut.
Whilst the man refused food and drink, he asked for
shelter during the day, choosing to sleep in a store at the
back of the hut. The following night Gwion helped to
guide the man on his journey north. Before he left, the
strange man asked what Gwion would be if he had the
choice. When Gwion replied that he would be a knight
the man took note, before disappearing into the night.
It was five years later that the man returned. He
commanded that Gwion follow him, now he was old
enough for service. Gwion left his family and, the
following night, had entered the world of Cainites. He
was enlisted in the service of Bran, the Raven King, and
taught the ways of the warrior. Gwion took up his new
existence with a passion, learning how to ride and fight,
as well as in the traditions of the Cainites.
Gwion fought in the Raven’s War, and was
responsible for the deaths of many minions who served,
knowingly or unknowingly, Mithras and his allies. Yet
the followers of Bran lacked the strength to win the war,
and, after the losses of many friends and allies, Bran sued
for peace. Seren, the Prince of Gloucester, demanded a
hostage as guarantor of the end of hostilities. Gwion
volunteered and, ever since, has resided within the town
on the Severn.
Gwion has been surprised at how much pleasure he
derives from his residence in Gloucester. Whilst
schooled in the ways of warfare, Gwion had little in the
way of experience of town life and the courtly world. He
has, moreover, found that the Cainites he has met in his
captivity are not the barbarians he expected, but
intelligent, civilised, and moral individuals. Thus,
despite his position as a prisoner of the prince, the
shackles weigh lightly indeed upon Gwion.
Image: Gwion is handsome and atheletic; he likes to
dress in the finest fashions of the age.
Roleplaying Hints: You are attracted to the chivalric
ideals of the age, and treat people with a flamboyant
courtesy. Beneath this façade, you are kind and selfless,
with a genuine interest in the problems of others.
Haven: A cell located beneath Gloucester Castle.
Influence: Whilst his captivity has denied him influence
in the mortal world, Gwion is popular amongst the
Cainites of Gloucester, who tend to regard him as their
guest, rather than their prisoner.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Mereduth
Nature: Defender
Demeanour: Gallant
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1102
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Awareness 2, Brawl 3,
Empathy 1, Expression 3, Leadership 2
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Crafts 2, Etiquette 4, Melee 5,
Performance 1, Ride 3, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 2,
Investigation 2, Seneschal 1
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 3, Potence 2, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Retainers 1, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Path of Chivalry 7
Willpower: 5
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 Katerin Norris
Aincreasing
n agent of the Tremere, Katerin is engaged in
the influence of her clan in the west of
England. Although she is not yet accepted as member of
Gloucester’s Cainite community, and currently resides
outside of the town, she nevertheless works hard on
ingratiating herself within the halls of power. It is likely
to only be a matter of time before a full Tremere chantry
sits within the walls of Gloucester.
Katerin’s story began a century ago, in the northern
town of Durham. She was a childless farmer’s widow,
dwelling on land by the River Wear. Despite the
disapproval of her family, she maintained her
independence, and employed local peasants to labour
on her land. And, when she was snubbed at the markets
by local merchants, suspicious of a lone woman
responsible for land, she sold, instead, to a mysterious
man who came by her cottage by night.
What Katerin did not realise was that her buyer was
Geraint de Montford, procuring food supplies for the
servants of the Tremere chantry in Durham. Impressed
by Katerin’s willpower and spirit, Geraint petitioned his
master, Meerlinda, for the chance to embrace the
woman. And thus, in 1142, and without any say in the
matter, Katerin was inducted into the Tremere.
Initially surprised and unimpressed, Katerin threw
herself into her magical studies, and proved to be a
skilled thaumaturge. She was also identified by
Meerlinda as having the skills to spread the influence of
the Tremere throughout England. Thus, little more
than a decade after becoming a Cainite, Katerin was
sent to south-west England to establish a chantry. She
travelled first to Salisbury and, for sixty years worked on
establishing a Tremere presence in the city. Coming
into conflict with the Hounds of Mithras she was
eventually pushed out of Salisbury; Katerin’s childe
Benoit Frosh travelled east, to take refuge in
Winchester, whilst Katerin went west, to Gloucester,
where she petitioned the prince to allow her residence
in the city. Seren denied the request, fearing retribution
from Mithras, though Katerin was allowed to settle
across the Severn, in the hamlet of Over. She is building
a new chantry in a manor house known locally as the
Vineyard. Looking for influence, she often spends her
nights in the town of Gloucester; though not naturally
sociable, she is insistently working on building up a set
of contacts and allies amongst the Cainites of the town,
knowing that, if she is to be safe in her new home, she
will require the support of others.
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136
Image: Katerin is a plump, mature woman, with a
determined, confident, appearance.
Roleplaying Hints: You are keen to portray yourself as a
selfless and kind; taking this stance helps to conceal
your ruthless ambition.
Haven: The Vineyard, Over
Influence: Katerin has immersed herself in the rural
community in the villages to the west of the Severn.
Regarded as a wise woman, she is a respected and feared
figure amongst the peasants of the region.
Clan: Tremere
Sire: Geraint de Montford
Nature: Architect
Demeanour: Caregiver
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 1092
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 1, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 4, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 5, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 1, Awareness 5, Expression 4,
Leadership 2, Ledgerdemain 1, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Archery 4, Etiquette 3, Melee 1, Performance 3
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 4,
Investigation 2, Medicine 3, Occult 3
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Dominate 4, Presence 1,
Thaumaturgy 3 (Creatio Ignis 3, Potestas Vitae 3)
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Mentor 4, Resources 3,
Retainers 4
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Kings 6
Willpower: 8
 Alfred Ealdorman
Alfred Ealdorman is a leader in exile, a former Prince
of Gloucester, and respected military tactician. In
the early years of Norman rule, he played a prominent
role in the war against the Triumvirate, and helped to
maintain Gloucester’s loyalty to Mithras. For much of
the last century, however, he has resided in
Tewskesbury, forced from the town which for centuries
was his home. Despite his current situation, Alfred has
chosen not to regard Seren as an enemy; in his exile,
Alfred has turned to the church, regarding his present
state as merely a new chapter in his existence.
In life Alfred was leader of the Saxon army which
conquered Gloucester for the Kingdom of Wessex. His
clever military strategies and management of
subordinates caught the eye of the Cainite Prince of
Gloucester, Constantius Thrax. A year after the
conquest, when Alfred was struck down by a mortal
sickness, he was spirited away, and embraced.
Over the following centuries Alfred served as a loyal
supporter of Constantius, working to defend Gloucester
from threats, both mortal and Cainite. Over time Alfred
earned the title of ealdorman, taken from the Saxon
term for the king’s officials. Despite his loyalty to his
sire, he could not help but feel pangs of jealousy. In life
he had been a leader, and was now a servant.
Alfred thought his chance had came in 1138, when
his sire was killed at hands unknown. Resident in
Gloucester at that time, Alfred called an assembly of all
Cainites the following week; declaring himself prince,
he told all assembled that he would hunt down his sire’s
murderers. His reign, however, would not last long. A
month after he assumed office, Alfred found himself
ambushed early one night when leaving his haven. He
was dragged before the elders of Gloucester, and accused
of a conspiracy against his sire. Rescued by his loyal
ghouls, he was taken to the safety of Tewkesbury Abbey.
Whilst Alfred has recovered from his injuries,
though he remains in exile. Though he initially plotted
to regain his position, Alfred has since been reconciled
to his current situation. Despite this, he is still curiou as
to who was responsible for his sire’s death. Alfred sees
this as a mystery which he is determined to solve.
Image: Alfred is tall and broad shouldered, with long
grey-black hair and a full beard. He carries himself erect,
and with a noble bearing, the legacy of his mortal life as
a commander of men. He normally wears armour when
outside of his haven, concealed beneath tunics and
heavy cloaks.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a dignified Saxon lord; treat
all others with respect, as befitting of your own station,
and give others reason to respect your noble lineage.
Haven: Tewkesbury Abbey
Influence: Though Alfred claims no influence in the
society of the night, he attracted a great deal of respect
during his service to Constantius Thrax. There are
many Cainites who would willingly provide Alfred with
support.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Constantius Thrax
Nature: Judge
Demeanour: Autocrat
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 675
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 7
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Empathy 1,
Expression 2, Intimidation 2, Leadership 6
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Etiquette 4, Melee 6, Ride 4,
Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 2, Law 4,
Politics 2, Seneschal 6
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Auspex 2, Dominate 3,
Fortitude 6, Potence 3, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 2, Herd 3, Resources
2, Retainers 2
Virtues: Conviction 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Kings 8
Willpower: 6
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137
 John FitzStephen
ThewellSeneschal of Gloucester, John FitzStephen is
known within the Cainite community, both
within the town, and far beyond. Frequently seen by the
side of Seren, he is dismissed by many as a clever and
honourable, yet unambitious lackey. Few realise the
extent of his ambitions, nor his willingness to act
against the interests of his mistress.
It was always thus. In life John FitzStephen was
Hunstan, an advisor to Egbert, King of Wessex. In the
guise of providing wise counsel, he encouraged the king
to make war on his neighbours. Wessex grew wealthy
and powerful at the expenses of the other kingdoms of
Britain, and Hunstan was rewarded accordingly.
The clever manipulations of Hunstan did not go
unnoticed. Kyneburgh, a Cainite elder residing in the
town of Gloucester admired his political skill. When, in
the winter of 834, Hunstan was dying from pneumonia,
he was embraced, and introduced to the world of the
Cainites.
For centuries Hunstan and Kyneburgh worked side-
by-side within the political arena of Gloucester, serving
the interests of Constantius Thrax. Yet the pair would
eventually fall out. Kyneburgh thought her childe was
unprincipled and dangerous, whilst Hunstan believed
that his sire would prove to be an obstacle to his
ambitions. When Kyneburgh was destroyed by witch-
hunters in 1140, few suspected that Hunstan was
ultimately responsible.
In the following years Hunstan reinvented himself as
John FitzStephen, trusted supporter of Seren, Prince of
Gloucester. Whilst he sees himself as the rightful heir to
Constantius Thrax, he is in no hurry to assume control
of the town. At present, he is willing to play the role of
the loyal seneschal, even whilst he conspires against his
mistress, and awaits the time when she may be safely be
deposed.
Image: John FitzStephen is a wasted and worn old man,
whose noble bearing cannot wholly conceal the frail
state he was in at the end of his life. He prefers to dress
in dark and conservative clothes, purposefully chosen to
stress his role as an advisor.
Roleplaying Hints: You try to be genial and courteous
at all times, presenting an unthreatening facade
designed to lull others into a false sense of security.
There are times, nevertheless, when an open display of
cruelty can be effective and, at these times you cannot
help show off your true nature.
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Haven: A secure basement situated beneath Gloucester
Castle.
Influence: As a close advisor to Seren, John FitzStephen
commands significant influence. He is a master of
prestation, and many Cainites in Gloucester, Bristol,
and other surrounding towns, are in his debt. He has
also cultivated influence within Gloucester’s soldiery,
and can command significant military might when
required.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Kyneburgh
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Caretaker
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 834
Apparent Age: Mid-60s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 5, Appearance 1
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 5, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 3, Awareness 4, Expression 4,
Intimidation 2, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Etiquette 5, Melee 1, Ride 1
Knowledges: Academics 4, Investigation 3, Law 3,
Occult 1, Politics 5, Seneschal 4
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Dementation 1, Dominate 4,
Fortitude 4, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 2, Herd 4, Influence
1, Resources 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Kings 9
Willpower: 6
 Alyna Rayner
Alyna Rayner is a Cainite who is charming and
threatening in equal measure. Her influence in the
community of mortals, and her position as Seren’s
chamberlain means that she is a powerful figure in
Gloucester’s Cainite community. Alyna would make a
powerful friend or a dangerous enemy.
Alyna was born in Normandy, shortly before
William the Bastard invaded England and claimed its
crown. Her father was a supporter of the new English
king and Alyna came to England as a child, when her
family settled in the west of England as part of the new
Norman nobility. Growing up, Alyna was jealous of the
men of Normandy, her brothers, uncles, cousins. They
could provide noble service to their lords, far greater
than that a woman could ever supply. These feelings
remained as Alyna grew older. As aunt to a Norman
baron, she was valued for the advice and guidance she
provided. Yet, due to her sex, she would always be shut
out from holding power in her own right.
Alyna’s intelligence, and the good counsel she
provided to her male relatives, attracted the attention
of an unwanted admirer. This individual, Reinier
Langley, came to her one night, and offered to bring her
into the world of the undead. When she heard of what
it might offer her, Alyna immediately submitted.
Alyna has met her transformation into a Cainite
with some ambivalence; whilst few Cainites will dismiss
her purely due to her sex, the vicious conflicts created
by the War of Ages poses risks to her safety, and she has
seen many Cainites, including her own sire, fall to the
swords or fangs of others. To protect herself, Alyna has
aligned herself with Seren, serving her as the
Chamberlain of Gloucester. The thrill of the hunt, and
the satisfaction of service bring to Alyna a greater set of
pleasures than she ever felt during her mortal life. Yet
she knows that this is only a temporary phase in her
existence. She regards her mistress with contempt, and
knows that there will come a time when she will no
longer serve, but rule. She has heard, from her kin, of
the great honour in which Mithras, the founder of her
lineage is held. She dreams of the night when she will
be able to match his greatness.
Image: Alyna is tall and slim, and is normally clothed in
the slightly-antiquated dress of a Norman maiden. Her
appearance is slightly shabby, though otherwise
unremarkable.
Roleplaying Hints: Smile, charm those around you, all
the while working to create the image that you are the
calm, authoritative power behind Seren’s rule.
Haven: Kingsholm Palace
Influence: Alyna has built up influence within many of
the civil institutions in Gloucester. She oversees the
operation of the town’s mint, and controls many of
Gloucester’s civic officials.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Reinier Langley
Nature: Autocrat
Demeanour: Perfectionist
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1099
Apparent Age: Late 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 3, Awareness 2, Brawl 1,
Expression 2, Leadership 3, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Etiquette 4, Melee 4, Ride 3, Stealth 2
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 4, Law 2,
Politics 3, Seneschal 5
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Dominate 3, Fortitude 4,
Potence 3, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Allies 5, Contacts 4, Domain 2, Influence
3, Resources 5, Retainers 2, Status 4
Virtues: Conviction 2, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Kings 6
Willpower: 6
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139
England Will Burn

140
 CHAPTER 4:

There are few towns in England with a history as illustrious as

Winchester. For three hundred years Winchester was the leading
town of the Kingdom of Wessex, where it was an important centre of
trade, and home to kings and saints. Centuries later the town remains a
notable administrative centre for the English Crown, home to a treasury
and, until recently, one of the most sumptuous royal palaces in England.
Yet, despite its obvious prominence, Winchester is a town in decline. For
two centuries, the Kings of England favoured Winchester due to its close
proximity to their possessions in Normandy. With the recent loss of these
lands to the King of France, and the growing wealth and standing of the
city of London, Winchester has lost much of the status that it once had.
Whilst it remains one of the England’s most beautiful towns, few can now
deny that Winchester’s star is on the wane.

141
 Winchester, Pride of Wessex
Onelongofand
the great towns of England, Winchester has a
proud history. First settled by the Romans,
the town was one of the most important towns in
southern England during the time of the Heptarchy, the
de facto capital of the Kingdom of Wessex. Its position
in the centre of southern England, and its good
connections to the other towns of the region, means
that it is both a wealthy centre of trade, and a town of
military importance. York and London may be the great
cities of England, but no English monarch could rule
without Winchester.
Winchester is the seat of one of the oldest dioceses
in England. Originally known as the Diocese of Wessex,
in the mid-thirteenth century the Diocese of
Winchester covers the counties of Hampshire and
Surrey, as well as the Lordship of Wight. Winchester’s
cathedral has seen the coronations of a number of
English kings, most recently the second coronation of
Richard the Lionheart in 1193. The town’s importance
means that the position of bishop is highly contested.
After the death in 1238 of a previous bishop, Peter des
Roches, the monks of Winchester elected William de
Raley as their new bishop. This has, however, been
contested by the king, who wished to have one of his
kinsmen appointed to the post. Though the dispute is
ongoing, William de Raley is well-respected amongst
the clergy, a former judge and trusted councillor to
English kings. The matter has been taken to the pope
for adjudication, and it is thought likely that he will
support the monk’s choice.
The position of Winchester means that it is often
contested in times of war. This led to the town’s
devastation in 1141, during the so-called Rout of
Winchester, a siege and counter-siege which had
occurred during the war between Stephen and Matilda.
In the aftermath of the rout, control of the town was
seized by a Cainite usurper, Melusine d’Anjou. Whilst
she has been a strong and focused leader, she has
managed to antagonise a number of other Cainite
princes, most notably Mithras. Though a truce was
agreed between London and Winchester in the mid-
twelfth century, the peace has always been fragile. In
the winter of 1241 Edwyll Whitebeard, envoy of
Mithras, met his Final Death by unknown hands. The
elders of Winchester fear that this may be used by
Mithras as an excuse for renewed hostilities. An uneasy
atmosphere endures in Winchester as its Cainites wait
for the Prince of London’s response.
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Theme
Betrayal is an intrinsic part of Cainite politics. In the
desire to secure position and status, childer betray sires,
and allies are sacrificed by those whom they once
trusted. A strong prince will often try to keep the
natural instincts of Cainites in check, as duplicity and
disloyalty are qualities not conducive to a stable society.
When a prince’s authority is weak, the politics of the
world of Cainites can be cruel, vicious and bloody.
The theme of Winchester by Night is treachery. The
town of Winchester has had a turbulent history, the
focus of violent conflicts in the worlds of both mortals
and Cainites. In the middle of the twelfth century it was
one of the focal points of a bloody civil war known as
the Anarchy. The conflict was the product of a
succession crisis, when Stephen of Blois seized the
English throne, despite the pledges of support which
many English nobles had made in support of Matilda,
daughter of the previous king. The Anarchy provided
an opportunity for Melusine d’Anjou, an ambitious
Cainites, to overthrow the town’s prince, and take his
place. Yet this usurpation has not been without
consequences, and the apparent rivalry between
Mithras and Melusine has created a tense political
atmosphere, marked by treachery, subterfuge, and
occasional acts of bloody violence. The barely
constrained hostilities which lie behind this conflict
will invariably lead to further betrayals. Many great and
powerful Cainites have met their Final Deaths in
Winchester, and it is likely that many others will share
the same fate before the current conflicts reach their
natural conclusion.
Mood
Winchester is a town of unusual importance in English
politics. It was the leading town of Wessex when the
rulers of that kingdom were crowned as the first Kings
of England, and has been a thriving mercantile,
administrative, and ecclesiastical centre. The mood of
Winchester is one of pride. The inhabitants of the town,
both mortal and Cainite, understand and appreciate
Winchester’s importance. They are proud of this town,
with its illustrious history and importance to the English
Crown.
Yet the Christians of medieval Europe see pride as
one of the cardinal sins, and with good reason. Pride
leads to arrogance and hubris; it leads to poor decisions,
as people mistakenly believe that they are better or
more capable than others. This is certainly an issue
which besets Melusine d’Anjou. Having survived her
initial challenges as prince, more through good fortune
than through any efforts of her own, she now sees herself
as a potential challenger to the vastly more powerful
Mithras. Pride can be a dangerous, or even deadly, vice;
many Cainites have gone to their Final Deaths after
allowing themselves to have been guided by foolish
pride.
Using Winchester by Night
The location of Winchester has meant that the town
has played many roles. It has been an ecclesiastical
centre, a crossroads of trade, and a strategic stronghold
in times of war. The many aspects of Winchester mean
that there are a variety of reasons why one might wish
to travel to the town.
The importance of Winchester to the English
Crown means that the town has become a centre of
conflict within the world of Cainites. The most obvious
reason why Cainites might reside, or wish to travel to
Winchester, are the political intrigues which surround
its prince and, indeed, all the Cainites residing within
the town. On the one hand, a number of the allies of
Mithras consider themselves to be mortal enemies of
Melusine d’Anjou, and actively plot her overthrow; on
the other, many of the prince’s rivals are happy to see
him occupied by the Prince of Winchester, and support
Melusine to this end. Of course, the intricate nature of
Cainite politics means that the apparent allies of
Mithras may, in fact, be his enemies, and vice versa.
At present, the most pressing issue in the relations
between London and Winchester is the recent death of
Edwyll Whitebeard, envoy of Mithras to the court of
Winchester. Whilst Edwyll met his Final Death at the
hands of Thomas Lang, one of Melusine’s brood, the
identity of the envoy’s killer remains unknown within
Winchester’s Cainite community, and amongst many of
the allies of Mithras. There are those who side with
Mithras who would be interested in sending friendly
parties to Winchester to identify Edwyll’s murderer,
either because they are genuinely interested in
discovering the truth or, more likely, because they see it
as an ideal opportunity for stirring up difficulties for
Melusine d’Anjou. Understandably, the Prince of
Winchester is keen on resolving the mystery as soon as
possible, any would be willing to employ anyone she
thinks may be able to assist.
Whilst the political intrigues are one reason to visit
Winchester, there are other reasons why Cainites might
visit the town. One of the more obvious is that
Winchester lies on some of the main travel routes which
run through southern England. Many travellers from
France enter England through Southampton and
Winchester; similarly, many of the major roads in
southern England go through the town. A Cainite
destined for many of England’s towns could well find
themselves visiting Winchester whilst on the road.
Whilst Winchester might seem a relatively safe place to
stay for a few nights, incautious travellers could easily
find themselves ensnared in the town’s political
conflicts. Melusine is keen on finding pawns to deploy
in her schemes; careless visitors to the town would be
more than suitable for this purpose.
The Fee of Winchester
When Melusine d’Anjou became Prince of Winchester
in 1141, she saw herself as a potential challenger to
Mithras as the pre-eminent Cainite in England. In this
she underestimated the power of her rival, whilst
overestimating her own abilities. For much of the
following decade she found herself locked in a
dangerous conflict with the followers of Mithras, and
came close to being defeated several times. Melusine
was saved by the fact that Mithras wanted to
concentrate his resources on crushing the Triumvirate
and, in 1150, a peace was negotiated between Melusine
and Mithras. In return for recognising the Prince of
London as her overlord, Melusine was allowed to retain
the influence she had built up in the area sounding the
town, which was designated as the Fee of Winchester.
The feodum consists of the towns of Winchester,
Southampton, and Salisbury, most of the counties of
Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset, and parts of southern
Somerset and Berkshire. Although the feodum covers is
a relatively large area, Melusine carefully monitors what
goes in within her domain believing that the best means
of protecting herself is by the early identification of
potential threats.
At present, the lords of the surrounding feodum
claim to have no interest in expanding their influence
at the expense of the Fee of Winchester. Melusine
distrusts such claims; whilst Mithras has publicly
proclaimed support for Melusine as his vassal, she knows
that the Prince of London would not be unduly
dismayed should her power be curtailed, or even should
a usurper take her place.
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143
 History
Thein Roman
first settlement of what is now Winchester came
times, with the construction of a small
town, Venta Belgarum, a stopping point on the route
between the important towns of Calleva and
Clausentum. Though the town was considered
unimportant by the rulers of Roman Britain, it soon
attracted wealthy magnates and landowners from the
surrounding country. Venta Belgarum prospered, its
streets graced by fine houses and elegant public
buildings.
The town soon attracted a Cainite population, with
Numitorius Felix, childe of Lucius, the Prince of
Glevum, amongst the first arrivals. Although young by
the standards of the town’s Cainite community,
Numitor was a firm and charismatic leader, and was
soon considered the town’s prince. By the early years of
the second century, Venta Belgarum was home to a half-
dozen Cainites; alongside Numitor stood Arviragus, the
Alexandrite knight, Baaliahon of Tyre, Cingetorix
childe of Cretheus, Verica the Witch, and Gwawl Wolf-
Eye.
The good times of the town were not to last; in the
fourth century Britain was beset by civil insurrection.
The people of the land rebelled against the authorities
in Rome, and many of the remaining magnates retreated
behind the walls of the largest cities of the land. Venta
declined, with much of its population fleeing abroad, to
the safety of the Roman heartlands; its remaing
residents, loyal to the town, armed themselves and
reinforced its defences. In 407 the emperor presumptive,
Constantine III, withdrew the legions of Rome from
Britain, to press his claim on the imperial throne. Those
Romans who remains looked to the future with fear and
apprehension.
Most of Venta’s Cainites left the town at this time,
disappearing into the chaos which surrounded Rome’s
receeding power. It is said that Cingetorix travelled
north to York to find his sire, but disappeared on the
road, his final fate unknown. Gwawl took to the local
countryside, where she fell into Wassail, meeting her
Final Death centuries later, at the hands of Anglo-
Saxon villagers. Of Baaliahon and Verica nothing is
known. Only Numitor and Arviragus remains in the
ruins of the city, preying on animals and the few
travellers who passed along the road to the coast.
Numitor, once a confident and elegant Cainite, became
a dirty and pitiful creature, who often wandered the
remains of the town, lamenting the ruin of his domain.
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144
The Rise of Winchester
Despite Venta’s ruin, its walls remained intact, and, in
time the people living in the region refortified the ruins
of the Roman town, using it as a place of safety in times
of war. Conflict was common, as the land was subject to
military rule, controlled by kings who were little more
than warlords, and ruled through strength of arms.
During this time, southern England was contested
between the British inhabitants, and Saxon settlers,
who had come from across the North Sea, to claim
territory in the British Isles.
In 519 Cerdic, a Saxon magnate, was able to secure
his claim on a stretch of England’s southern coast. His
territory was centred upon a stretch of land surrounding
the Solent, and the rolling downs which lay inland.
Cerdic claimed Venta as the capital of this new
kingdom, which would become known as Wessex, the
land of the western Saxons. Cerdic, and his
descendants, were effective rulers, expanding the
boundaries of their kingdom. As the rulers of Wessex
consolidated their power, the towns of the region were
slowly resettled, as trade and religion gradually rose in
importance.
Venta was now known as Winchester, and
functioned as the kingdom’s capital The growing
importance of the town attracted first traders, and then
Christian missionaries. In 645 Cenwalh, King of
Wessex in exile was baptised as a Christian; three years
later he returned to his kingdom and, as a mark of
thanks to God, founded the Church of St Peter and St
Paul. Fifteen years later the church became a cathedral,
seat of the Diocese of Wessex. This growing importance
of Winchester as a religious centre was symbolic of the
rising power of the Kingdom of Wessex.
The Lords of Winchester
As Winchester’s prosperity grew, Numitor recovered his
wits, and reasserted himself as the town’s prince. He
embraced a childe, Ceolwulf, to assist him with keeping
control over his domain. Whilst the Kingdom of
Wessex regularly came into conflict with its more
powerful neighbour, the Kingdom of Mercia, the town
of Winchester slowly grew in wealth and splendour.
Although it did not regain the elegance of Roman years,
it was one of the most important urban centres in Saxon
Britain. Numitor, however, feared that the town’s
prosperity might be transitory, and that Winchester
could easily be subjected to the fate that befell Venta.
The best way to avoid this, he thought, would be to
expand the influence of the Kingdom of Wessex,
transforming it into the most powerful kingdom in
England.
Numitor saw his opportunity in 802, with the
crowning of Egbert, an ambitious and aggressive king.
The Malkavian elder groomed both the young king and
his principal advisor, Hunstan, encouraged their
determination to expand the boundaries of Wessex, and
helped them prepare for war. King Egbert first turned his
armies west, defeating the Dumnonians in a series of
wars between 815 and 823. With his enemies to the
west subdued, Egbert then turned his attentions north,
to the Kingdom of Mercia. With Numitor’s advice and
support, he was able to win a string of battles, driving
the Mercian forces back, and defeating the Mercian
vassal kingdoms in Kent, Essex, and Sussex. Finally, in
829 Egbert conquered Mercia, and secured the
submission of the Kings of Northumbria; with this,
Egbert became the most powerful king in Britain.
The ambitions of Numitor and Egbert came at a
price. The aggressive expansion of Wessex brought
about ruin and destruction in many of the towns of
Mercia; it also caused the Final Deaths of numerous
Cainites, as havens were burnt and shelters wrecked.
Whilst Egbert expanded the power and influence of
Wessex, the other English kingdoms were left weakened
by these wars. In the east of England, meanwhile, the
Danes took advantage of this chaos to launch a series of
coastal raids. Many Cainites dwelling in Wessex blamed
Numitor for this state of affairs, including Arviragus and
Ceolwulf. Having decided that his sire was dangerously
deluded, Ceolwulf launched a conspiracy to overthrow
the Prince of Winchester. At sunset on the last day of
839, Ceolwulf lead a band of ghouls to Numitor’s haven.
Surprised, Numitor’s retainers were quickly
overwhelmed, and the Prince of Winchester murdered.
Ceolwulf took his place as the new Cainite lord of the
town.
The Rule of Ceolwulf
As prince, Ceolwulf attempted to cultivate a good
relationship with the Cainites in nearby towns. He
avoided conflict, appeased the most dangerous of his
enemies and encouraged the growth of trade and culture
within Winchester. Ceolwulf placated his sire’s
enemies, and cultivated potential allies. He sent
emissaries to London, to build links with both the
Aldermen and the Poor Men of London, whilst working
to attract influential elders to Winchester. Having seen
the growing threat posed by the Danes, he also
encouraged the mortal rulers of Wessex to prepare for
the threat of war.
In January 871 the Great Heathen Army arrived on
the borders of Wessex. The kingdom was ready, its kings
and Cainites having prepared for this occasion. The
Danes were first defeated, though not decisively, at the
Battle of Ashdown, then bought off by the Kings of
Wessex. In 878 the Danes returned; this time the
conflict led to a convincing defeat for the invaders at
the Battle of Edington. Wessex would be safe for the
foreseeable future.
The foresight of the people of Wessex, both Cainite
and mortal, had helped protect the kingdom from the
worst ravages of war. Wessex was transformed into the
dominant kingdom in England. Over the following
decades the Kings of Wessex expanded their authority
until, in 954, they were able to declare themselves the
unopposed Kings of the English. Ceolwulf, meanwhile,
remained the unopposed prince of one of the most
powerful towns in England. In part, he achieved this by
carefully choosing his allies, and refusing to oppose what
he saw and the inevitable tides of history.
The Conquest
When, in 1066, the Norman conquerors of England
marched on Winchester, Ceolwulf ensured that the
gates to the town were opened, and the new rulers of
England welcomed. With the Normans came Geoffrey
of Calais, a powerful elder, one of the so-called
Triumvirate. Whilst many of England’s Cainites were
wary of these new arrivals, Ceolwulf welcomed them as
useful, and powerful, allies. Ceolwulf pledged his
support and, in return, has his position of Prince of
Winchester confirmed.
The decision was a pragmatic one; Ceolwulf saw the
strengthening of links between the Kingdom of England
and the Duchy of Normandy as to the advantage of
Winchester; the city of London had been growing in
importance over the last century, and Ceolwulf saw the
alliance with the Triumvirate as having the potential to
improve the status of his domain. The majority of
Ceolwulf’s vassals supported their master in this
venture, with the one word of caution being sounded by
Arviragus. As the oldest Cainite within Winchester,
Arviragus remembered the era when Mithras was the
predominant vampire in the British Isles; whilst the
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145
Methuselah had not been seen for centuries, Arviragus
feared that he remained hidden somewhere in the land,
and might respond to the rise of the Triumvirate with
hostility. His warnings to Ceolwulf went unheeded;
angered by the objections of his vassal, the prince
stripped Arviragus of his position as seneschal. The
Triumvirate was offering opportunities to Wincester in
the present, and Ceolwulf thought that there was no
reason to worry about the threat posed by a legendary
figure who had disappeared in a distant past.
Initially, it appeared that Ceolwulf’s choice to side
with the Triumviragte was the correct one. The
peaceful transition of power in Winchester, and its
proximity to the channel ports, meant that the town
attracted the favour of the Norman kings. Winchester
became the kingdom’s primary treasury, mint, and
repository of public records. It became traditional for
the kings of England to celebrate Christian festivals
within the town, and Winchester became the site of one
of England’s most sumptuous royal palaces.
The Anarchy
When the English King Henry Beauclerc died in 1135,
the throne was seized by his nephew, Stephen of Blois.
The new king did not command the support of all the
lords of England and, in 1138, a rebellion broke out
against the new king. This war, which would become
known as the Anarchy, would shatter the peace and
prosperity of Winchester during the middle of the
twelfth century.
The town of Winchester declared its support for
Matilda, daughter of Henry Beauclerc, and Stephen’s
rival for the throne. As an important town, and one
with strong links to Normandy, Winchester became the
effective capital of the portion of England controlled by
Matilda. The war initially went well for both Matilda
and her immortal backers. Geoffrey of Calais saw the
war as providing opportunities to strike against the
influence of Mithras in the south of England, whilst
Ceolwulf attracted many powerful elders to the town,
enhancing his influence through such notable vassals.
By 1141 the war looked like it was coming to a close;
Matilda had captured Stephen, and was preparing to
have herself crowned in London.
Yet matters of war are rarely simple. The people of
London rebelled against Matilda, effectively blocking
her coronation, whilst Henry, Bishop of Winchester
and brother of King Stephen, switched sides to support
the imprisoned monarch. This treachery came as a
surprise to Geoffrey and Ceolwulf, who believed that
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146
the Bishops of Winchester were firmly under their
control. Matilda, knowing that she could not lose
Winchester, besieged Henry’s forces and, with Cainite
aid, quickly captured the town. The forces of the bishop
retreated into Wolvsey Castle, hoping that its walls
would allow them to withstand Matilda’s assault.
The siege turned out to be a bloody fiasco. Much of
the city was burnt in August by forces loyal to the
bishop, trying to displace Matilda’s supporters.
Meanwhile, a number of Stephen’s key allies raised an
army to move against her army; by September they
found that the town was surrounded, and the besiegers
were, themselves, besieged. At risk of defeat, the rebel
forces of Matilda attempted to retreat to Gloucester;
they were intercepted, and largely destroyed in the
process.
The siege of Winchester was a disaster for the
Cainites of Winchester. Ceolwulf and Geoffrey of
Calais were met their Final Deaths at this time, during
the burning of the town. Aviragus was also destroyed.
Though he was still out of favour with the prince, he
had sworn an oath to always protect him; the former
seneschal was consumed by fire whilst trying to rescue
his lord. At the end of the siege the Cainite population
of Winchester had been devastated. In the absence of
rivals, the position of Prince of Winchester was seized
by Melusine d’Anjou, an opportunist who claimed
power during the chaotic aftermath of the battle.
The Reign of Melusine
Melusine, somewhat naively, saw herself as a potential
challenger to Mithras, and thought control of a
powerful city in southern England would be of
considerable assistance to this end. She displaced the
few Cainite vassals of Ceolwulf who had survived the
Rout of Winchester, and replaced them with loyal
supporters of her own. As the faction of Mithras
celebrated the destruction of Geoffrey of Calais,
Melusine plotted to overthrow the Methuselah.
Yet the wealth and status of Winchester had been
considerably diminished by the war, whilst Mithras was
considerably more powerful than Melusine had guessed.
The agents of the Prince of London dealt a number of
stinging defeats to the new Prince of Winchester. It
appeared that Melusine’s domain would be soon
destroyed.
Mithras was, however, more concerned with
defeating the Triumvirate, and was willing to make
peace with Melusine in order to concentrate his
attentions on Roald Snake-eyes and his surviving
 The Murder of Edwyll Whitebeard
In 1241 the envoy of Mithras, Edwyll Whitebeard, was murdered in a dovecote in the grounds of
Wolvsey Castle. Though unpopular, Edwyll held a privileged position as representative of the Prince of
London. The expection within Winchester was that Melusine would be held responsible, despite the fact
the identity of the assassin remains unknown, and that Edwyll’s death may lead to conflict between the
Cainites of London and Winchester. Melusine and her vassals view the future with a wary caution.
Edwyll was, in fact, killed by Thomas Lang, on the orders of the Duke d’Ambois. The Duke had
discovered that Edwyll had been corresponding with Eustace the Macedonian, and believed that the
Cainites of Rouen were using Edwyll’s knowledge to conspire against Mithras and his kin. As the Duke was
keen to stir up conflict between Winchester and London, he believed that the assassination of Edwyll would
serve a dual purpose, by removing a threat to the Cainites of the capital, whilst setting up a situation which
might be used for the overthrow of Melusine. The Duke now waits, wishing to see how Winchester responds
to Edwyll’s death.
Mithras, however, is in no hurry to act. He is aware that Cainites can meet their Final Deaths for many
reasons, and that Edwyll’s destruction need not represent an attack upon his own power. The envoy in
Winchester was not, after all, one of the more useful minions of the Prince of London, and that allowing
his assassination to precipitate a new conflict may not be in his own interests. Mithras has sent a letter to
Melusine, reminding the Prince of Winchester that she has a responsibility to protect his representatives,
and demanding that she bring the killer to justice. At present, Mithras is looking for suitable envoys to
send to Winchester, who might be capable of putting pressure upon Melusine.

supporters. Hostilities between Mithras and Melusine
notionally ceased in 1150, with the Prince of
Winchester accepting Mithras as her overlord.
For the last ninety years the Cainites of the two cities
have enjoyed apparent peace. Behind the scenes,
however, hostilities have continued. In 1241 Mithras’s
envoy in Winchester, Edwyll Whitebeard, met his Final
Death by hands unknown, and Melusine fears that this
may lead to conflict between London and Winchester.
Whilst Melusine retains her grip on the town for now,
the future of Winchester is looking increasingly
precarious.

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147
 Geography
Hampshire is one of the wealthiest and most populous
of the counties of southern England. Once the core
territory of the Kingdom of Wessex, it is now a valued
possession of the Kings of England. As the rival
claimants to the throne found during the Anarchy, it is
difficult to stake a claim on the kingdom without
control of both London and Winchester.
Hampshire has enjoyed much royal favour over the
last two hundred years. In large part, this is due to the
county’s location on the south coast of England. For the
150 years after William the Conqueror ascended to the
English throne, the fates of the Kingdom of England and
the Duchy of Normandy were closely intertwined. One
consequence of this was the development of a regular
seaborne route across the English Channel between the
Hampshire town of Southampton and the capital of the
Duchy of Normandy, Rouen. Kings of England,
travelling to their continental possessions, would cross
Hampshire, spending time in Winchester and
Southampton.
The relatively recent loss of the possessions of the
English Crown in France has transformed the situation
of Hampshire. The south coast of England would be
would be threatened should the Kings of France attempt
to extend their influence across the English Channel. In
recent decades, defences in Southampton, Portsmouth,
and on the Lordship of Wight have been extended
considerably. Whilst the Kings of England still hope to
recover their possessions in France, they are ready
should the Kings of France choose to invade.
Travel
Winchester is well-connected to the towns of southern
England by an extensive series of roads, many of which
date back to Roman times. Direct roads lead to
Salisbury, Bristol, London, and Southampton, whilst
most other towns of southern England may be reached
with relative ease. Given the importance of Winchester
to the English crown, these roads are relatively well
maintained, though are a shadow of the condition they
enjoyed in Roman times. The fact that Winchester lies
at the centre of a number of important travel routes
means that it is almost impossible for the agents of
Melusine d’Anjou to monitor all the roads. Cainites
regularly travel through the region, and there is little
that the Prince of Winchester can do to prevent this.
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148
Although Winchester is set on the Itchen, the river
is too shallow and marshy to admit sea-going vessels. A
Cainite traveller who arrives in Southampton might
wish to travel north to Winchester by barge or
riverboat, though the river is monitored by the agents
of Melusine, and few Cainites can traverse this route
unnoticed. Given the ease with which travellers may
reach Winchester by road, most Cainite travellers
choose to avoid the river altogether.
Over Hill and Dale
The majority of the population of Hampshire resides
within the boundaries of the valley of the River Itchen.
The valley contains Hampshire’s two most populous
towns, Winchester and Southampton, as well as
numerous villages and manors. Further from the valley
are wilder areas. Much of south-east Hampshire is the
New Forest, a wild area of waste and woodland, whilst
the north and east of the county, by contrast, are
dominated by the downs, rolling grassy chalk hills.
The woods and heathland in the south-west of the
county were organised into a royal forest in 1079. This
so-called New Forest had previously been sparsely
populated, marked by poor soil; protected under forest
law, it is now a flourishing woodland, populated by deer
and other game animals. A popular place for royal
hunting expeditions, the New Forest was the site of
hunting accidents that took the lives of two of the sons
of William the Conqueror, Richard of Normandy and
William Rufus. The death of the latter has been claimed
by churchmen of England to have been an act of God,
a punishment for the king’s sinful pride. Though some
are sceptical of such claims, the deaths do show the
dangers of hunting in the dense, wild landscape of the
forest.
In contrast to the New Forest, the downs are a
landscape of open, grassy, hills. The inhabitants of the
downs have grazed their sheep upon these hillsides since
ancient times, and the people and kingdoms of past eras
have left indelible marks upon the landscape. The most
noticeable of these are the hill forts which grace the tops
of many of the tallest downland hills. Long abandoned,
these sites now have dark reputations, seen by many of
the people of Hampshire as dangerous, devilish places.
There are few people living in the county who would
willingly visit these ancient fortifications after nightfall.
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149
 The Town
The Cathedral: Winchester's cathedral is a majestic
structure, one of the largest in England. Though first
founded in 642, the current cathedral dates from 1093.
The cathedral is dedicated to St Swithun, and is the
burial site of the kings Harthacnut and William Rufus,
as well as Prince Richard, who was slain in a hunting
accident in the New Forest.
Wolvsey Castle: One of the more unusual structures
within Winchester, Wolvsey Castle is both an
ecclesiastical palace, and a military structure. The castle
is of relatively recent construction, and was mostly built
by a former bishop, Henry of Blois, between the 1130s
and 1170s. Whilst the nature of the castle is
idiosyncratic, Henry was a brother of the then king,
Stephen of Blois, and the construction of the castle was
written off as a foolish but harmless project. In reality,
the castle was planned, in part, to provide Melusine
d’Anjou with a decorative and secure haven.
The King's Palace: Winchester, as one of the
principal cities of Kingdom of Wessex, has had a royal
palace since the Saxon times. The building was
extended and renovated by the Norman monarchs, and
once served as a grand residence for Ceolwulf. The
structure was destroyed in 1141, during the Anarchy.
The current Anjou rulers of England have had little
interest in rebuilding the palace, and its ruins are a
dominant presence in the centre of Winchester.
The Castle: Winchester's castle is a visible symbol of
royal power which dominates the landscape of the town.
Originally built after the Norman conquest of England
on high ground in the west of the town, the castle has
been extensively rebuilt over the years. It was badly
damaged during the Anarchy, and again in 1216, during
the French invasion. When the current king took to
rebuilding the town, he chose not to reconstruct the
King's Palace, but had a set of halls and apartments built
into the castle's structure. The castle is an important
administrative centre for royal power, and holds the
king's treasury. Given its national importance, Nicholas
has stationed a number of ghouls here, to ensure that
the Cainites of Winchester do not attempt to exert
political influence through control of the treasury.
The Walls: Winchester's walls were originally
constructed in Roman times, and have been periodically
rebuilt over the following centuries. The present walls
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are high stone structures, built in the early years of
Henry of Winchester's reign. Keen to ensure that the
town is well-protected, the king has gifted money for
their upkeep, and allowed the town to claim a custom
of one penny for every cart entering Winchester.
Melusine d’Anjou has given Thomas Lang the of
ensuring the town is protected from Cainite threats and,
to this end, each gatehouse employs at least one of
Lang's ghouls, to ensure that it is difficult for Cainites
to enter Winchester unobserved.
The King’s Mews: Originally built by Henry
Curtmantle, the mews once housed the king's falcons.
In 1232 the buildings were acquired from the king by
the then Chief Justiciar of England, Hubert de Burgh.
Months later, Hubert was removed from his post, and
imprisoned for freedom, and the mews were left
abandoned. In the years since they have slowly decayed,
with the buildings making up the mews slowly
transformed into a complex of roofless and decrepit
stone ruins.
The Minthouse: Situated close to the market place
is a large, solid building housing Winchester's mint.
This is the official residence of the town's moneyer, who
has a monopoly on money-changing and minting of
currency within Winchester.
The Soke: The eastern suburbs of Winchester,
separated from the main part of the town by the River
Itchen, form the Liberty of the Bishop of Winchester,
popularly known as the Soke. Lying on the river, this is
also the town's mercantile district, and much of the
church's wealth in Winchester is based upon the
customs and rents raised within the Soke.
St Mary's Abbey: Located at the eastern end of the
town, St Mary's Abbey is an impoverished Benedictine
nunnery, originally established in the time of King
Alfred.
The Convent of the Black Friars: Built in the early
1230s, with considerable support of the king, the
Convent of the Black Friars is a small, but wealthy,
religious house. In recent years, the friars have been
particularly active, preaching in favour of a crusade.
The Convent of the Grey Friars: Present in the town
from 1237, the Grey Friars are more numerous, though
less wealthy or influential than their rivals, the Black
Friars.
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 The Cainites of Winchester
Forherself
a century, Melusine d’Anjou has represented
as a rival to Mithras. Regardless of what one
might think of her claims, and there are certainly those
who see the rivalry as mere posture, this is a situation
which necessarily shapes attitudes of Cainites, both in
Winchester and beyond. Those who dwell in and
around the town are forced into the position of deciding
whether they support Melusine d’Anjou and, if so, to
what extent they may wish to demonstrate their
support. To refuse to take a political stance in
Winchester is very dangerous indeed.
The most open and obvious supporters of Melusine
are Juliana the Maiden, Thomas Lang, and Gwallaten.
Few Cainites visiting the town of Winchester would
doubt the loyalty of these three and, together with the
Prince of Winchester, they appear to be a powerful
coterie united under Melusine’s leadership. Outside of
this inner circle sit Beornwald of York and the Tremere
Stephen de Bedeford. Whilst both Cainites have
pledged loyalty to Melusine, she treats both with some
caution. Stephen is an ally of convenience; though his
thaumaturgical prowess has proved valuable, and he has
been a resourceful advisor, Melusine knows that his
ultimate loyalties are with his clan. Beornwald is more
of a puzzle. He pledged his support to Melusine when he
first arrived in Winchester, and his actions have never
suggested any disloyalty. Yet the Prince of Winchester
distrusts the Ventrue, suspecting that his presence in
Hampshire is the product of some scheme which she
does not understand.
The final three Cainites who are part of
Winchester’s Cainite community are relative outsiders.
Sicart de Sent Just, Raboc, and Milisent de Mortone are
recent arrivals. Melusine tolerates Sicart and Raboc on
the basis of the specialist skills which they can on
occasion provide. She sees them as opportunistic
survivors, and not likely to present much of a threat to
her grip on power. Milisent de Mortone is more
worrying; whilst she appears to be an obvious spy,
Melusine suspects that not all is quite as it seems. This
situation is to Milisent’s benefit; if she was not a
suspected spy, it is unlikely that she would have been
allowed to settle in Winchester; but as long as she is
seen as the other Cainites of the town as an agent of
Mithras, she is likely to be allowed to carry on her own
affairs unmolested. Thus, the perception that Milisent
is more important than she actually is has been greatly
to her benefit.
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Winchester and London
The relationship between Mithras and Melusine
d’Anjou is complex. At any time, should he wish,
Mithras could travel to Winchester and forcibly
dismember his supposed rival in person. His agents, the
Hounds of Mithras would likely be just as effective, and
some of the more skilled operatives of the Prince of
London could easily strike without warning. The reality
of the situation, however, is that Mithras does not see
the Prince of Winchester as presenting any real threat,
and he suspects that her opposition to him is largely a
pose, one which Melusine d’Anjou has adopted to
inflate her status. That Mithras considers her not to be
a threat is the only reason why Melusine has not met
her Final Death.
Though Mithras considers Melusine relatively
insignificant, the Companions have taken it upon
themselves to conspire against the Prince of
Winchester. Nicholas, Richard de Worde, and the Duke
d’Ambois all have agents in the town, though none are
wholly aware of each other’s meddlings. The Duke has
also used his influence with the English monarchy to
undermine the status of Winchester, discouraging kings
from residing in the town, and removing royal
institutions. One of his greatest successes was in the
closing years of the twelfth century, when England’s
treasury was moved from Winchester to London at the
Duke’s instigation. This move was largely symbolic, as
large amounts of bullion remain in Winchester Castle.
The Duke sees the treasury’s move as a means of
attacking the status of Winchester and, through this, its
Cainite prince. Melusine, entirely practical, cares little
as to the official location of the treasury, providing she
retains access to its funds. At present, Melusine can
freely spend the wealth of England in the pursuit of her
schemes. As long as this situation persists, Melusine will
be able to buy a measure of influence, and maintain her
hold on Winchester.
Winchester and Rouen
When the Triumvirate travelled to England in 1066,
Roald Snake-eyes left his former domain of Rouen in
the hands of his childe, Eustace the Macedonian. Roald
planned to use the resources of Normandy to aid him in
the conquest of the Cainites of England; he saw Rouen
as one of his continental strongholds, which might
supply his war with resources, information, and
…..…….. …………….. …………. ………….
……….. …….

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Cainites. This support was not forthcoming, however,
as Eustace, jealous of his sire, conspired to obstruct the
work of the Triumvirate in England. Resources were not
forthcoming, agents disappeared in transit, and Rouen
became a dangerous city for the Triumvirate’s
supporters. Opposed in both England and Normandy,
the Triumvirate were undermined and eventually
defeated, with Roald Snake-eyes meeting his Final
Death in 1153. Eustace was subsequently able to claim
the position of Prince of Rouen unopposed.
Eustace’s triumph was somewhat overshadowed by
the rising power of Mithras. Whilst the Ventrue
Methuselah’s territorial claims were limited to the
British Isles, Eustace feared that Mithras would attempt
to take control of all territories possessed by the Kings
of England. Not wishing to exchange one master for
another, Eustace has spent much of the last century
surreptitiously supporting the rivals and enemies of
Mithras. Eustace is aware that many Cainites who
oppose the Prince of London are arrogant, foolish, or
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both, and are unlikely to provide much in the way of
effective opposition to Mithras; the distractions they
create, however, have kept him busy, and thus far
disinclined to expand his domain. However, Eustace
believes that Melusine d’Anjou is a capable rival of the
Prince of London, and has conspired to support her. The
placement of William Bullen, one of Melusine’s allies,
in the port town of Southampton has aided both
princes, and Cainites can travel between Winchester
and Rouen in relative safety. From Rouen, Melusine’s
agents can travel on to other towns in France, or return
to England via other ports, unseen by the spies of
Mithras.
The alliance between Eustace and Melusine
currently works well for both parties. Eustace however,
sees his counterpart in England as a disposable asset, one
which he would sacrifice without compunction should
it ever be in his interest to do so. In time, Eustace may
prove to be as much of a threat to Melusine as the
Cainites of London are at present.
 Sicart de Sent Just
Sicart de Sent Just has the graces of an aristocrat, and
the nature of a rogue. He is popular in Winchester’s
Cainite community, though not entirely trusted. He is
secretive about his past and with good reason; were it
known that he is a Setite, it is unlikely that he would be
welcome in the town.
Sicart de Sant Just was once a common vagabond in
the Languedoc. He travelled from town to town, posing
as an official of local lords, and defrauding the
peasantry. He was constantly on the move, staying one
step ahead of the authorities, enjoying the fruits of his
crimes. He finally made a mistake one autumn when he
tricked the agents of the Comtesse d’Amise in a small
Pyrenean town. The Comtesse was, unbeknownst to
Sicart, a Cainite. Annoyed at the failure of her agents,
the Comtesse had Sicart captured and embraced,
thinking that she might be able to exploit his abilities.
After a decade in Lady Amisa’s service, Sicart took
to the road, travelling from town to town as a thief and
fraudster. Matters went well for a few years until Sicart
made the mistake of travelling to London. The evening
after his arrival he awoke to find himself in an
underground chamber, bound hand and foot, before an
opulently dressed Cainite elder. This vampire, who
introduced himself as the Chamberlain of London, told
Sicart that he must serve the interests of the Prince of
London, or be staked out for the dawn. The
chamberlain, Nicholas, wished to insert a spy into the
town of Winchester, and thought a French Cainite
might be able to win the trust of the town’s prince,
Melusine d’Anjou.
In recent years Sicart has established himself as part
of Melusine’s court. He regularly supplies information to
Nicholas on nightly activities within the town. In
recent years he has begun to question his lifestyle; whilst
he willingly accepted the role of spy, thinking that it
might be amusing, he is now beginning to wonder about
the consequences of his actions. Sicart believes that his
role as a spy puts him at risk; after the recent destruction
of Edwyll Whitebeard he has started looking for a way
to escape.
Image: Sicart is a handsome man of striking appearance,
with short, dark hair, and a deep olive skin. He prefers
to dress simply, using plain, well-cut clothes to
emphasise his natural good looks.
Roleplaying Hints: You are fond of grand gestures and
theatricality, particularly if you are ever put in the
position of being a host. Lavish attention on those you
meet, particularly women; you know how charming you
can be, and prefer to use your charisma to get what you
want.
Haven: Twyford manor house
Influence: Though Sicart has little interest in exerting
influence on the mortal world, he closely monitors river
traffic on the Itchen and he would, if he should wish, be
able to exert considerable control over Winchester’s
trade and markets.
Clan: Follower of Set
Sire: Lady Amisa
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Celebrant
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 1158
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 1
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 1, Brawl 2, Empathy 1,
Expression 2, Legerdemain 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Commerce 3, Etiquette 3, Melee 3, Performance
2, Stealth 2, Survival 1
Knowledges: Investigation 3, Politics 2
Disciplines: Presence 2, Serpentis 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 1, Mentor 3,
Resources 2, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 2, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 5
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 Gwallaten
Gwallaten is one of Melusine’s most reliable
supporters. Strong, cunning, and powerful, her
efforts have helped to maintain the power of the Prince
of Winchester.
Gwallaten was once an impoverished beggar, living
on the fringes of Porthsgiwed, capital of the Kingdom of
Gwent. Living on the streets, she saw and understood
much, and it was this reason she attracted the interest
of a Cainite, Gruffith ap Grono, who had made the
town his haven. Gruffith feared that the agents of
Constantius Thrax, Prince of Gloucester, were
travelling through the town for some unknown purpose.
He made Gwallaten his ghoul, and gave her the task of
detecting such intruders in his domain.
After Gwallaten’s observations led to the
destruction of one such agent in 956, Gruffith embraced
his servant as a reward. For close to two centuries the
two Cainites worked together. Their partnership would,
however, come to an end in 1067, with the first of the
Norman incursions into Wales. During the war,
Gwallaten was captured by Leofstan, a Cainite in the
service of the Prince of Gloucester. Whilst he initially
intended to kill Gwallaten, she begged to be spared,
offering to lead him to her sire. This she did, and
watched as Gruffith ap Grono was staked and
decapitated by Leofstan’s ghouls.
Gwallaten was allowed to leave that night, told that,
if she remained in Gwent, she would be subject to a
Blood Hunt. Over the following years she wandered
through southern England, before settling in the town
of Winchester. Here she pledged service to Ceolwulf,
though she despised him, seeing him as a doddering fool.
When Melusine d’Anjou arrived in the town in the
1141, Gwallaten was smitten with the newcomer, and
amenable when the Toreador suggested that Ceolwulf
be deposed. The pair slew the prince, with Melusine
d’Anjou subsequently taking control of the town.
In the following years Gwallaten has accepted
Melusine as prince, and has served the Toreador to the
best of her abilities. Yet, despite a certain fondness for
the prince, Gwallaten’s loyalties are fickle. Should
circumstances change she may be as willing to turn on
the prince, just as she once turned on her sire.
Image: Gwallaten is a rough and rustic young woman.
She wears practical dress, and is often garbed in men’s
clothing.
Roleplaying Hints: You are open and direct, and make
little effort to hide your feelings; you reject any form of
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subterfuge, seeing it as a cruel pretence, carried on by
those who think themselves civilised.
Haven: Gwallaten has no fixed haven, wandering
through Hampshire, staying no more than a few days in
any location. She regularly returns to Winchester,
staying in Wolvsey Castle during her visits.
Influence: Whilst Gwallaten generally eschews
influence in mortal society, she has cultivated a measure
of favour amongst the soldiers guarding Winchester’s
walls, so that she can enter and leave the town
unmolested.
Clan: Gangrel
Sire: Gruffith ap Grono
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Survivor
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 956
Apparent Age: Mid-30s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 4, Dodge 3,
Intimidation 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Archery 4, Crafts 2, Melee 3,
Stealth 3, Survival 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 4, Investigation 2
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 2,
Protean 4
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Resources 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 2, Instinct 5, Courage 4
Morality: Path of the Hunter 5
Willpower: 4
 Raboc
Raboc is a monstrous figure who lurks on the fringes
of Cainite society in Winchester. Tolerated by the
town’s prince, she is regarded by many Cainites as little
more than an animal. Few realise that she is an agent of
Ricard de Worde, sent to Winchester to spy upon
Melusine d’Anjou.
A prostitute in life, Raboc had the misfortune of
being on the streets one night when Richard de Worde
was out hunting. Falling to frenzy, Richard conducted a
vicious attack upon Raboc, leaving her with wounds
from which she could not possibly recover. The
Nosferatu regretted his loss of control, and, in order to
save the dying woman, Embraced Raboc.
Bound to her sire by the Blood Oath, Raboc has been
persuaded that, despite her terrible deformities, her new
existence is a boon. For her first century as a Cainite she
remained by her sire’s side, serving as his apprentice.
When, in the early years of the thirteenth century,
Richard de Worde required an agent in Winchester,
Raboc volunteered. She travelled to the town,
presenting herself as a refugee from a domain destroyed
in the Barons’ War. Melusine, keen to acquire subjects,
allowed Raboc to settle in the Soke.
Raboc’s deformities make it difficult for her to
communicate. The Cainites of Winchester, equate her
silence with stupidity, and tend to ignore her; they
regard her in much the same way as they would a dumb
animal, and often ignore her presence. This has been to
Raboc’s advantage, and she has been able to acquire
valuable information as to the activities of the elders of
Winchester. Yet she is struggle in her role as a spy,
having both overestimated her own abilities, and
underestimated her dependence upon Richard de
Worde. Over recent years Raboc has started to regress,
both mentally and morally. Having passed herself off as
a dumb predator for many years, Raboc is now
increasingly at risk of falling to the Beast.
Image: Raboc is a short, slight woman, with a face and
body marked by peeling skin and flesh. Whilst some of
this can be concealed by her long dark hair, nothing can
hide the fact that her lower jaw is largely missing,
ulcerated away. She normally dresses in rough cloth,
and long tunic, hiding her body from view.
Roleplaying Hints: You prowl round in the manner of a
hunter, radiating hostility and your predatory nature.
Since you cannot speak, you struggle to communicate
with others. At times you use gestures and expressions
to convey meaning; at other times you merely take what
you require.
Haven: A basement under a house in the Soke.
Influence: The Soke is Raboc’s domain, and few things
can take place in this area without at least her tacit
approval. She also has many contacts amongst the
thieves and beggars of Winchester, though her
influence is curtailed somewhat by the difficulties that
Raboc has in conveying her needs.
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Richard de Worde
Nature: Loner
Demeanour: Survivor
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1112
Apparent Age: Indeterminate
Physical: Strength 1, Dexterity 1, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 4, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 1, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Brawl 2, Empathy 2, Legerdemain
3, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Melee 2, Ride 1, Stealth 5,
Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 5
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Auspex 1, Obfuscate 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 4, Domain 2, Influence 2, Status
1
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 3
Willpower: 3
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 Melusine d’Anjou
MCainites
elusine d’Anjou is one of the most infamous
in England. Her tastes in clothes and
furnishings are refined, her manners impeccable, and
her political manoeuvring shrewd and decisive. There
are many who see her as a potential challenger to
Mithras.
The image she puts forward to others conceals the
fact that she was once no more than a servant in an
aristocratic household, in West Francia. She observed
courtly life, wishing she had been born into an
aristocratic family. She would get her chance for
greatness in 866, when the King of Brittany invaded
Anjou. As her household was scattered, she
commandeered her mistress’s clothing, and a horse,
thinking an aristocratic hostage might be accorded
more courtesy than a servant girl. What she was not
expecting was to meet a Cainite, Charles of Poitiers,
who was looking to expand his brood.
Melusine initially revelled in her new powers,
believing that she had finally achieved success. Her sire,
believing Melusine to be a gentle maiden, was an
attentive mentor, and taught her about the world of
Cainites. Melusine was disappointed; as powerful as she
may now be in mortal terms, she was of lowly status in
the society of the night, in relative terms little more
important than the servant she had once been. This
shock made Melusine more determined to succeed. She
bided her time, learnt the ways of Cainites, and waited
for an opportunity to gain power and influence.
Her chance came in the middle of the twelfth
century, when she was travelling to London as an
emissary for her sire. Trapped in Winchester at the time
of the siege, she saw an opportunity to seize power in the
town. In the chaos of war, she disposed of the prince,
and claimed Winchester as her domain.
The last century has been both challenging and
exhilarating for Melusine. She has consolidated her
control over Winchester, and has thus far managed to
avoid being destroyed by Mithras. Though she fears the
Prince of London, she has started to wonder whether
she will be able to find a way to displace him. Melusine
sees no reason why she cannot be the ruler of a great
city, and the capital of England seems as reasonable a
target of her ambitions as any.
Image: Melusine has a sardonic smile, and a wardrobe of
sumptuous gowns.
Roleplaying Hints: You are always charming and
gracious, even in the presence of your enemies. Insist on
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being treated with respect; one of the few things which
can arouse your anger is impertinence.
Haven: Wolvsey Castle
Influence: Melusine is a canny political operator.
Knowing the threats she faces from various quarters, she
has ensured that she key servants in all sectors of society
in Winchester. Though her influence is weak in many
areas, she always has some ability to manipulate
opinions and sway decisions.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Charles of Poitiers
Nature: Survivor
Demeanour: Caretaker
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 866
Apparent Age: mid-20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Empathy 2, Expression 3,
Intimidation 3, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Archery 3, Etiquette 5, Melee 2,
Performance 2, Ride 2, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3, Politics
5, Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Celerity 3, Obfuscate 2, Presence
5
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Domain 5, Influence
4, Resources 5, Retainers 2, Status 5
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Kings 8
Willpower: 8
 Juliana the Maiden
Juliana is ostensibly one of the most faithful allies of
Melusine d’Anjou. She is the one Cainite whose
loyalty is unquestioned, and who most observers would
assume is a staunch supporter of her sire. Few would
realise that she has grown to detest Melusine and, were
it not for the ties of service that behind her to the Prince
of Winchester, she would undoubtedly be an open
opponent of her sire.
Juliana was the illegitimate daughter of Robert, Earl
of Gloucester who was, himself, the illegitimate son of
Henry Beauclerc, King of England. Despite her noble
blood she could never enjoy her close connection with
the crown, or make a good marriage. She nevertheless
lived a comfortable lifestyle, and was able to live a life
of leisure in an estate not far from the town of Lincoln.
One night, in the spring of 1140, a lady of noble
bearing called as the manor house in which Juliana
resided, requesting refuge. This lady, named Melusine,
claimed to be fleeing the fighting that was afflicting the
surrounding area. Melusine hid away in the manor’s
cellars during the day, and sat up at night with Juliana,
discussing her travels and experiences. By the time
Melusine left two weeks later she had bestowed upon
Juliana the gift of the embrace.
A year later Juliana was summoned to Winchester,
where Melusine had established herself as prince. The
two set about consolidating Melusine’s hold on the
town. To this end, Juliana embraced three childer, Rauf
de Bery, Richard Capellanus, and Walter Poyntel. For
Juliana, who had remained unmarried in life, these men
became a surrogate family, loyally serving both her and
Melusine.
Then came the conflict with Mithras. The agents of
the Prince of London infiltrated Winchester, and
worked to overthrow Melusine. Whilst they were
ultimately unsuccessful, the fighting in the town
brought about the Final Deaths of Juliana’s childer.
Their destruction was a terrible blow, and Juliana
begged Melusine make peace with Mithras, lest the final
member of her brood, Rauf’s childe Thomas Lang,
should also be destroyed.
The near annihilation of her brood is a source of
bitterness for Juliana. She holds her sire responsible, and
has started to plot against her, believing that she will
only be satisfied with Melusine’s destruction.
Image: Juliana is a dark haired, aristocratic lady, with a
regal bearing. Those who have met the king may spot a
slight family resemblance.
Roleplaying Hints: You are sociable, keen to show off
your hospitality and sparkling wit. Engage with others
graciously, regardless of how much they deserve your
goodwill.
Haven: Wolvsey Castle
Influence: Melusine gave Juliana the task of protecting
trade in Winchester. Over the last century she has
gained a measure of control over the markets, and her
decisions can have a considerable impact upon the
town’s prosperity.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Melusine d’Anjou
Nature: Caregiver
Demeanour: Caregiver
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1141
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 1
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Empathy 4,
Expression 1
Skills: Archery 4, Commerce 3, Etiquette 2, Melee 4,
Performance 2, Ride 3, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 1, Medicine 3,
Politics 1, Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 3, Potence 2
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Domain 3, Influence 3, Mentor
4, Resources 3, Retainers 4, Status 4
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 5, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 4
Willpower: 6
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 Thomas Lang
W
hilst Melusine d’Anjou relies on her political
acumen to retain her hold on Winchester, there
are always be times when force, or its threat, is valuable.
In these circumstances, Melusine relies on Thomas
Lang. A knight during his lifetime, Thomas is more
than capable of protecting his mistress from most
threats, mortal or Cainite.
During his life Thomas Lang was a soldier in the
service of a Hampshire nobleman, Rauf de Bery. He
fought in the Anarchy, and defended his master bravely
throughout various campaigns. When peace came, Rauf
retired to his estates near Worthy in Hampshire, with
Lang going into service in the wars in Wales.
In the spring of 1149 Thomas visited his former
master. He was surprised at what he found. Rauf,
formerly an active man, was now a pale recluse, not
leaving his home in the hours of daylight. Lang stayed
with his master for a week. At the end of that week his
life came to an end, and he had entered the world of
Cainites.
Lang served his master loyally in the conflict
between Mithras and Melusine d’Anjou. Then, one
night as Thomas and Rauf were travelling to Salisbury,
the two were ambushed on the road by a group of
soldiers. Rauf was killed immediately; Thomas,
meanwhile, was subdued, and brought before the
soldiers’ leader, the Duke d’Ambois. The Duke stared
into Thomas’s eyes, and told the younger Cainite that
he now had a new master. Ever since that night Thomas
Lang has served the lords of London.
Though Thomas is an apparently loyal member of
Melusine’s court, he has been passing information on to
the Duke d’Ambois for close to a century. Occasionally
he is required to perform other services. In 1241 he was
ordered to kill Edwyll Whitebeard; he did not
understand the reasons for this order, but nevertheless
complied with the wishes of his master.
Image: Thomas is tall and powerfully built, with limp,
dark hair. He is never seen without an appropriate
weapon and is often dressed in armour.
Roleplaying Hints: Remain silent and observe; you are
reluctant to draw attention to yourself in most
circumstances. When you require something done, you
are more prone to rely upon intimidation than charm;
you understand your strengths and weaknesses, and are
prepared to use your physical presence when necessary.
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Haven: Thomas dwells in a fortified house close to
Winchester’s north gate.
Influence: Thomas has imposed the Blood Oath on a
number of key individuals in Winchester’s garrison. He
can draw on its forces almost at will, and has some
control over who may enter and leave the town in the
hours of darkness.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Rauf de Bery
Nature: Loner
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1149
Apparent Age: Mid-30s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 1, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 1, Athletics 3, Brawl 1, Expression 1,
Intimidation 4, Leadership 2, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Etiquette 2, Melee 4, Ride 4,
Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Investigation 4, Occult 1,
Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Celerity 4, Obfuscate 1, Potence
2, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Influence 2, Mentor 2,
Influence 3, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Path of Chivalry 2
Willpower: 7
 Stephen de Bedeford
Over the past century the Tremere have worked hard
to build up their influence throughout Britain. Yet
their efforts have been forcefully opposed by Mithras,
and many of the clan’s strongest mages have met their
Final Deaths. Stephen de Bedeford is an example of one
of the survivors, canny, careful, and, above all, lucky.
The mistake made by Stephen’s parents was to
apprentice him to the charismatic gold worker Benoit
Frosh. In the early months Stephen saw almost nothing
which resembled gold work, but strange experiments
with metals, and peculiar liquids in earthenware pots.
Benoit had a large library of a dozen books, and taught
his apprentice to read, though for five years Stephen did
little other than fetch and carry, and mind the premises
in daylight hours where Benoit slept off his nightly
exertions.
Stephen finally learnt of the true nature of his master
one night when, coming into Benoit’s work-room
unexpectedly, found him drinking blood from the neck
of a young man. Benoit explained that he was a vampire,
having been afflicted with a great and terrible curse.
Over the following months, he feed his apprentice his
blood, and taught him about the society of the night.
Finally, on a night of a full moon, a year after the start
of this second apprenticeship, Stephen de Bedeford was
embraced.
Thirty years after his embrace, Benoit and Stephen
left Salisbury and travelled to Winchester, after their
chantry was destroyed by the Hounds of Mithras. They
made their residence in the town, pledging loyalty to
the prince, Melusine. Benoit became one of her closest
advisors, using his extensive thaumaturgical powers to
aid her. Yet, after a few short decades in the town,
Benoit was slain, by hands unknown. Stephen is now
the representative of the Tremere in Winchester. He
feels out of his depth, having little experience of acting
on his own. Stephen fears every night, worrying that it
might be his last.
Image: Stephen is a slight and callow youth, who
unfortunately looks more like an artisan’s apprentice
than a powerful and learned mage.
Roleplaying Hints: You are deeply aware that you are
responsible for representing the Tremere in one of
England’s most important towns. Puff out your chest, try
to control your nerves, and talk long and loudly to
emphasise both your own competence, and the
importance and power of your clan.
Haven: The Winchester Minthouse
Influence: Stephen notionally has the support of
Meerlinda, and the Tremere clan hierarchy in England,
though his isolation means that this is difficult to draw
upon. Since coming to Winchester, Stephen’s skills
have allowed him to infiltrate the metalworking
community, and Stephen is known, and respected, by
the town’s goldsmiths and coiners.
Clan: Tremere
Sire: Benoit Frosh
Nature: Conformist
Demeanour: Dabbler
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1140
Apparent Age: Mid-teens
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 3, Legerdemain 4,
Subterfuge 1
Skills: Commerce 2, Crafts 4, Melee 2, Ride 1, Stealth
4, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Medicine 3, Occult 3,
Politics 2
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Dominate 1, Thaumaturgy 3
(Potestas Vitae 3, Iter Pernix 2, Creatio Ignis 1)
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 1, Resources 3,
Retainers 3, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 5
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 Beornwald
Inveteran
his mortal life Beornwald was an experienced
of a hundred battles. His martial existence
has continued on into his time as a Cainite, used first in
the service of his sire, and then in the service of the
Prince of Winchester. Though he now rarely raises his
sword, Beornwald’s identity as a warrior is deeply
ingrained, central to his very existence.
Beornwald was a warrior, born into the chaotic era
of warfare which afflicted the Kingdom of Northumbria
in the early tenth century. As a young man he was a
thegn in the service of Eadred, King of Wessex. He
helped expel the Norse king Eric Haraldsson from York,
afterwards becoming a resident of the city, to help
protect the king's interests. His loyal service was noted,
not just by his mortal masters, and in 975 he was
approached by a dark, shadowy lady. She promised him
eternal life in return for his service. Beornwald agreed
without hesitation.
His mistress, Katla, went into the deep sleep of
torpor five years after Beornwald had been turned. For
over two centuries, until 1190, he guarded her in her
sleeping place, interacting little with the other Cainites
of the city, whilst refining his martial skills. When his
mistress rose from her sleep, Beornwald petitioned to be
released from her immediate service. He argued that he
would continue to be loyal to her, but need not remain
at the post he had stayed loyally at for two hundred
years. Katla considered his arguments for some weeks,
before agreeing. He subsequently decided to travel to
the town of Winchester, a place with a new prince and
growing Cainite community, where he might make his
mark.
Over the last fifty years Beornwald has resided in the
vicinity of Winchester, in the fortified manor house at
Alresford. In his early years in the south of England he
enjoyed his existence, though as time has gone on he
has begun to wonder whether his presence is not
accidental. Did he really decide that he wanted to travel
to Winchester, or was it suggested to him, so he might
support Melusine in her opposition to Mithras? Did he
even really agree to the embrace, many centuries ago?
Beornwald is no longer sure that he can trust either his
memory, or his own personal feelings.
Image: Though Beornwald is no longer the tough
warrior of his youth, he is still an imposing figure, tall
and broad shouldered. He dresses in plain, practical
clothing, and will often openly display arms.
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Roleplaying Hints: You are a cool, cautious presence,
confident in yourself, and willing to use your physical
presence if necessary.
Haven: Old Alresford Manor
Influence: Beornwald has little interest in the mortal
world; nevertheless, to ensure that he enjoys an easy
existence, he has established agents in the courts of the
Fawley Hundred.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Katla
Nature: Soldier
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 975
Apparent Age: Mid-40s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Intimidation
2, Leadership 1
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Commerce 2, Etiquette 2, Melee
5, Ride 4, Survival 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 2, Law 1,
Politics 2, Seneschal 5, Theology 1
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Auspex 1, Dominate 2,
Fortitude 3, Potence 1, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Influence 1, Mentor 3, Resources 2,
Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Instinct 4, Courage 4
Morality: Path of Vigour 4
Willpower: 3
 Milisent de Mortone
Mofilisent is an isolated figure in Cainite community
Winchester. Though tolerated by the prince,
she is generally distrusted, and is without allies in the
town. An inexperienced Neonate, Milisent accepts her
position, having little idea as to how she might improve
her situation.
In life, Milisent was a native of Winchester, growing
up in the years after the turbulent time of its siege.
When she came of age, she was sent into service with
the Baynard family in London. She enjoyed her new life
in the capital and the kind treatment she received from
her employers. Milisent was less keen on some of their
stranger relatives, particularly Ancel Baynard, a regular
visitor to the household. At nights he would hear him
prowling around in the house, creeping along the
passage underneath her bedchamber. He would try to
find her alone, and she did her best to avoid her pursuer.
Finally, one night, she found herself cornered in the
yard by Baynard. Craving her blood, Ancel dragged
Milisent into an outbuilding, and drained her dry.
It was only after killing the servant that Ancel
Baynard realised the gravity of his actions. He quickly
embraced the young woman, rather than have her death
on his conscience, and spirited her away to his haven.
Yet embracing without the prince’s permission was a
crime, and Baynard feared that his actions might have
serious consequences. A week later he threw himself on
the mercy of the prince’s lieutenants Thomas Camden
and Nicholas, and begged that they did not destroy him
out of hand. The following night Mithras passed
judgment on the pair. Whilst Ancel Baynard might be
allowed to remain in London, his progeny, sired without
permission, was to be exiled. Nicholas personally
handed her a letter of introduction, telling her that she
should return home to Winchester, where she would be
welcome.
Milisent returned to her hometown, now a Cainite.
She was cautiously welcomed by the prince, and has
been part of her court ever since. The other Cainites of
the city treat her with a cold courtesy, but otherwise
ignore her. Milisent is now dreadfully lonely. Her
powers may exceed those of any mortal, but she longs
for people to confide to her, and treat her with more
than barely concealed contempt.
Image: Milisent is a pale, beautiful maiden, whose
vulnerability and fragility are all too apparent in her
appearance. She enjoys fine clothing and ornament,
though in her current straitened circumstances she can
afford little of either.
Roleplaying Hints: Try to appear independent and
majestic, and try to convince yourself that this is not
just a pretence.
Haven: Milisent has made her haven in the basement
of her old family home close to the centre of
Winchester.
Influence: Milisent has no real influence in either the
mortal realm or the world of Cainites.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Ancel Baynard
Nature: Penitent
Demeanour: Conformist
Generation: 11th
Embrace: 1229
Apparent Age: Late teens
Physical: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Wits 1
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Empathy 4,
Expression 3
Skills: Commerce 1, Crafts 2, Etiquette 2, Performance
1, Stealth 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Medicine 2
Disciplines: Dominate 1, Fortitude 3
Backgrounds: Domain 1, Resources 3, Retainers 1,
Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 4

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163
England Will Burn

164
 CHAPTER 5:

Ttrying
he fens of East Anglia are a bleak and desolate place. A traveller,
to cross this area, will find that they are confronted with a maze
of marshland and water meadow, interspersed with black meres and
stagnant rivers, which seem to shift their course from year to year. At the
centre of this barren place lies the Isle of Ely, which rises above the
surrounding marshland. The isle has a reputation as a holy place, the site
of a wealthy monastery, and burial place of kings and saints. Once the sun
has set, however, the town is ruled by the Cult of Martyrs, a Cainite
conspiracy which revels in cruel practices and brutal rites. For all its
reputation as holy, Ely is, at its heart, a dark barren place, where the light
of God is not to be found.

165
 Ely, the Hidden City
Thefenlands.
character of Ely is defined by the surrounding
Located on the so-called Isle of Ely, a
cluster of hills which tower in relative terms above the
Great Ouse, the town is a place of refuge and safety,
both from the threatening environment, as well as the
violent conflicts which have wracked Britain since the
armies of Rome retreated to continental Europe.
Indeed, whilst the town has no walls, it remains one of
the most well-defended in England, as the surrounding
fens form an almost impenetrable barrier to any
marauding army.
The relative isolation of Ely appealed to the pious
Christians of Anglo-Saxon England, and the Isle of Ely
has been host to Christian communities since the
closing years of the seventh century. The abbey church
of Ely was founded in 672, when Æthelthryth, daughter
of King Anna of Anglia and wife of King Ecgfrith of
Northumbria, retired to the isle to live a quiet life of
contemplation. The town of Ely grew up clustered
around the abbey and, since 1109, the town has been
the centre of the Diocese of Ely. The isolation of Ely
means that it enjoys a considerable amount of
independence from the English crown. Governed as the
Liberty of Ely, the isle itself is exempt not only from
royal taxes, but also from the courts of the land. The
highest authority in Ely, the bishop, is thus a powerful
man. The current incumbent, Hugh de Northwold, is
one of the most trusted servants of the king, acting as a
diplomat in his service.
Despite the wealth and power of the town of Ely, the
inhabitants of surrounding fens are often afflicted by
poverty and sickness. In particular, many people living
close to the town are afflicted by marsh fever, a disease
common within the fens. This debilitating, and often
deadly condition is blamed by some on the influence of
the night air, and by others as an unnatural affliction
caused by witchcraft, or spread by the servants of the
devil. For most, the fever is nothing more than a
manifestation of the bleak and threatening landscape, a
capricious and changing fenland which is dangerous to
even those who know it well. It is not uncommon for
those working in the wilds surrounding Ely to disappear,
consumed by the dark waters of the rivers and meres
found around the town. For those long-term inhabitants
of the fens, this is nothing more than an accepted
feature of life, a reminder that the wealth and security
of Ely comes, perhaps, with a cost.
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Theme
The Isle of Ely is a kingdom within a kingdom, an island
in which the highest authority is not the King of
England, but the Bishop of Ely. The surrounding fens
are both a blessing and a curse, privileging and
protecting the isle, whilst being a source of danger. The
influence of geography is the basis of the theme of Ely
by Night, which is isolation. In one sense, many of the
defining features of Ely are the product of its physical
isolation. This affects not just the mortals who live on
the isle, but the Cainites who dwell amongst them. Just
as the isolation of the isle protects Ely from external
aggression, the position of the town helps to conceal the
heretical Cult of Martyrs from Cainites elsewhere in
England. Few Cainites come to the town, and fewer
leave, and the secrets of the town remain well-kept. Yet,
the isolation of Ely is more than physical, but is also
social and cultural. Travellers from elsewhere in
England see the dwellers in the fens as sickly and
ignorant, and the people of the isle as insular and naïve.
The Cainites of Ely, too, are isolated from the wider
society of Cainites in England. Some, like Osuald and
Aurelia the Golden have chosen deliberately to hide
away from Cainite society, to conceal past
transgressions. Others have chosen to leave Cainite
society for the pursuit of some particular purpose; Edwyn
Decanus was once a loyal follower of Dunstan, Prince of
Coventry, but has abandoned the cause of the Furores
in order to investigate Ely. It is even possible for the
isolation to be unknowing. Rosamund Cuyltor has
known no other existence than her time in the Cult of
Martyrs. The isolation of the Cainites of Ely shapes both
their existence, and informs how they might react to
outsiders.
Mood
The fens which surround Ely are a wild and untamed
landscape, inhospitable to those men and women who
wish to reside within the area. A visitor to the fens will
find themselves confronted by dark, stagnant pools,
stunted trees of willow and alder, and waterlogged
thickets of sedge and mace. This is a landscape which
often inspires those who view it with feelings of bleak
despair.
This mood of bleak despair pervades the atmosphere
of Ely. It is felt by many of the mortals who have found
themselves exiled to the island. It was an emotion felt
by Alfred Ætheling, rightful king of England, blinded
and exiled to this isolated land. It was felt too by
Hereward, rebel and resister of Norman rule, betrayed
by the monks of the island. This despair extends to the
Cainite community of the isle; imprisoned by fears and
insanity, isolated from their bloodlines, or from the
communities of which they were once part, they look to
the future, and see only darkness.
Using Ely by Night
Whilst Ely is physically isolated by the surrounding
fenland, it is not far from some of the more important
towns of southern England, including Lincoln,
Cambridge, and Norwich. A Cainite travelling between
these towns could well find themselves on the road to
Ely. Moreover, there are ample reasons why a Cainite
may wish to travel to the town itself. A follower of the
Road of Heaven might wish to see the buildings of the
church and abbey, reputed to be some of the finest in
England. Other Cainites might be seeking out the
location of Beatrice, attempting to track down Edwyn
Decanus, or have an interest in the knowledge of the
ancient Cainite Nestor. Scholarly Cainites might find
themselves travelling to Ely in an attempt to track down
the lost library of Nerius Alexander, whilst those on the
track of the Baali might come to the town whilst
investigating the Cult of Martyrs. Ely may be isolated,
but there are many reasons why Cainites might wish to
visit the town.
Storytellers may note that Ely may be a dangerous
town for Cainites to visit, particularly those who are
unaware of the nature of those who dwell there, or the
hidden purposes of the Cult of Martyrs. Whilst Nestor
will be a kind and generous host, Osuald will be wary in
regards to visitors, knowing that there is a danger that
they might unmask him as one of the Baali, and Aurelia
the Golden would like her own past to remain hidden.
In fact, many of the Cainites of Ely would be willing to
lead outsiders to their Final Deaths, either in their own
right, or else at the behest of Osuald or Aurelia the
Golden. Those Cainites who stay in Ely for more than a
few nights may well find that their behaviour will lead
towards a confrontation with the elders of the town, one
which will invariably lead to the demise of one or other
parties.
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167
 History
W
hen Nestor first came to the Isle of Ely it was little
more than a barren, marshy island, located in the
depths of the Anglian Fens. He had become lost,
separated from his companions, whilst travelling
towards the town of Venta Icenorum. Nestor came to
the area in the opening years of the fifth century, a time
when the legions of Rome had left Britain, and when
the land was increasingly subject to raids from
marauders from across the North Sea. Fearful of
travelling alone, and seeing safety within the fens,
Nestor chose to stay on the isle, making his haven in
the hamlet of Cratendune. It was a wise choice; as the
Roman towns of eastern Britain were sacked and burnt
by raiders, the island, protected by the surrounding fens,
was left untouched.
For two hundred years Nestor remained safe in the
fens, watching the slow transformation of the world
around him. He eagerly pounced on any news which was
brought by the rare travellers on the old Roman road
which ran across the isle, leading from the Roman
highway of Ermine Street, to the long-abandoned
coastal fort of Branodunum. The isolation of the isle
filled Nestor with a lonely misery; yet he feared the
dangers presented by the fens, and could not bring
himself to leave the isle.
A Church in the Fens
One night, in the spring of 596, Cratendune played host
to Æthelberht, the King of Kent. The king had been
visiting one of his vassals, Tytila, King of the East
Angles, and had been travelling along the old Roman
road. The spring floods were strong that year and
Æthelberht's party were trapped on the Isle of Ely for
close to a week, whilst waiting for the waters to subside.
Nestor, curious as to the character of the king, visited
him in the hours of darkness. Æthelberht was surprised
to find a cultured and educated man living in the remote
part of the fens. When the floods subsided, the king left
the isle, never to return; the influence of his time there
was, however, profound. Within months he had
converted to Christianity and, in 604, in remembrance
of his time upon the isle, he paid for the construction of
a church in Cratendune.
The churchmen who came to Cratendune to build
Æthelberht's church brought with them Swithhun, a
Cainite from Norwich. A religious man, Swithun had
decided to search for a place where he could dwell
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168
within quiet contemplation. He was surprised to find
that Cratendune already had a Cainite resident, in the
form of Nestor. Though the two initially regarded each
other with wary caution, they found common cause in
maintaining the peaceful serenity of their haven within
the fens. The two developed a mutual respect, based
upon an appreciation of intellectual pursuits, and a
desire to retreat from the material world.
In the following years, the isle became a flourishing
religious community, hidden in the depth of the fens.
Swithhun and Nestor were joined by Aurelia the
Golden, a Cainite elder who had been in torpor since
Roman times. Nestor, meanwhile, sired a childe,
Æthelhere, to assist him in overseeing the growing
town. Acting as Nestor’s seneschal, Swithhun carefully
managed relations with Cainite communities in nearby
towns, whilst protecting the prosperity of the isle. Partly
due to the efforts of Swithun, the isle would attract the
patronage of the royal overlords of Anglia. This would
lead, in 672, to the building of an abbey on a hill
overlooking the Great Ouse, the placid river that
marked the isle’s eastern boundary. The abbey was to
become the centre of a thriving settlement which, in
time, would come to be known as the town of Ely.
The Coming of the Danes
For two hundred years Ely grew and prospered. Within
its isolation, however, the Cainites of the town paid
little heed to the external forces which were, by the end
of the eighth century, beginning to menace England.
From across the North Sea, the people of Denmark
viewed the wealth of Britain with covetous eyes. The
people of Ely, residing deep within the fens, believed
that they were safe from the depredations of the Danes.
In 865, however, the Great Heathen Army would land
in East Anglia, its leaders intent on conquering all
England. Despite its location, Ely was now directly
threatened by the invaders.
In the year 870, a Danish raiding party crossed the
fens, intent on plunder. Amongst their leaders was a
Cainite, the Einherjar warlord Hrist, ready to search for
the undead who might dwell amongst the Saxons. The
Danes fell upon Ely like a pack of wolves; without walls
to protect them, the monks of the abbey were vulnveble
to the depredations of the raiders. Cratendune was
destroyed, Ely Abbey was left in ruins, and Swithhun
and Æthelhere met their Final Deaths at the hands of
Hrist. Nestor, seeing his beloved haven burnt by the
Danes, fell into a deep depression. As he retreated from
the world, the remaining Cainites in Ely, Aurelia and
Æscwyn, childe of Æthelhere, turned to the guidance
of a new arrival, Osuald the Priest, a refugee from the
plundered town of Huntingdon.
Although a churchman like Swithhun, Osuald’s
teachings were far darker and austere. He argued that
Cainites had been created by God to test the weaknesses
of mortals, and that even the darkest deeds of his kind
might, if carried out with the appropriate motives, serve
the most holy of purposes. Key to this was his teaching
that suffering was a means by which the Children of
Seth might be purified of all sins; Cainites, he argued,
would thus serve God through inflicting pain upon
mortals. This dark philosophy was attractive in a time
when the northmen were plundering the land; what
better explanation was there for this than that God was
subjecting the men of England to the sufferings of Job,
and preparing them for their entrance into heaven.
Though Nestor rejected these beliefs, Aurelia and
Æscwyn joined Osuald in founding a group which
became known as the Cult of Martyrs. In the following
centuries the cult came dominate the Cainite
community of Ely.
Dark Times in Ely
The Isle of Ely remained in near ruins for more than half
a century after the passing of the Great Heathen Army,
as conflict continued between the English and Danish
kings. Peace was only brought to East Anglia in 918,
when the English king Edward the Elder marched upon
the Danes, and defeated their king. With an end
brought to the conflicts which had long wracked East
Anglia, the Isle of Ely slowly began to recover. It was
aided in this by the patronage of the kings of England,
who provided funds and materials to the monks who
wished to resettle the isle. In 970 the abbey was
rededicated, and, in the following decades, the town
around it became a wealthy monastic settlement. Due
to its location, it also gained a reputation as a place of
sanctuary, where outlaws might claim protection. The
most famous individual to claim this status was Alfred
Ætheling, a claimant to England’s throne. A son of
Æthelred Unræd, Alfred chose to press his claim in
1035, upon the death of the previous king, Cnut. Whilst
marching upon London, Alfred was captured by
Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and supporter of the House of
Gorm. Though a usurper, Alfred was of noble blood, son
of a king, and half-brother to the then King of Denmark,
Harthacnut. Thus, instead of being executed, Alfred
was taken to Ely, before being blinded and left in the
care of the monks. For the people of England this was a
reminder of the holy and politically-neutral status of the
isle, a place to which a royal prince might be exiled as
an alternative to death. In Osuald’s theology, it was an
example of purification through endurance of pain and
misery. Prior to his exile Alfred might have been a rebel
against Harold Harefoot, rightful King of England; in his
suffering in exile, and particularly in death, he was a
martyr, a figure made holy in his torment.
Alfred Ætheling became a key figure in the
teachings of the Cult of Martyrs. Osuald held up the
would-be king as an example of how mortals might be
purified and made holy be their suffering. His exaltation
of the torments of mortals was part of a darkening tone
in the teachings and practices of the cult. In its early
years, the followers of the cult were encouraged to
meditate upon the experiences of misfortune, and seek
out the lessons of suffering. By the opening years of the
eleventh century the members of the cult, both Cainite
and ghoul, were encouraged to actively inflict pain,
both emotional and physical, upon the mortals of Ely.
By doing so, argued Osuald, they were helping to purify
the souls of mortal sinners, and, by doing so, would help
them ascend to heaven. The excesses of the cult were
kept far from the eyes of Nestor as Osuald rightly
believed that the prince would oppose the most extreme
exhibitions of piety. Æscwyn and Aurelia were,
however, willing participants in the bloody rites of the
cult, with Aurelia acting as the cult's figurehead, playing
the role of a beautiful maiden, dispensing, blessings and
curses to both cult followers and innocent victims.
Sheltered in the isolation of Ely, the excesses of the cult
went unnoticed by Cainites elsewhere in England.
The Normans
Ely was largely untouched by the Norman conquest of
England in 1066; far from the English centres of power,
it was of little interest to the various factions contesting
the throne. Yet, the aftermath of the conquest would
have serious consequences for the town. Although
Harold Godwinson was decisively defeated at the Battle
of Hastings, a number of Saxon lords resented their new
Norman rulers, and plotted their overthrow. One of the
first lords to openly resist the new king was Hereward, a
Saxon huscarl whose family had suffered at the hands of
the Normans. Though he was forced to flee the kingdom
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after some initial skirmishes in 1067, Hereward returned
to England in 1070, supported by an army provided by
Sweyn Estridsson, King of Denmark. The rebels
occupied the Isle of Ely, believing that it was
impregnable, a stronghold from which they could
launch raids against the eastern counties of England.
The rebels raided the estates of Norman lords in the
region surrounding the fens, and plundered the nearby
Peterborough Abbey, carrying off its treatures.
The Cainites of Ely were fearful of the consequence
of Hereward’s actions. They that a continued
occupation of Ely by a rebel army would inevitably lead
to the destruction of the town. In an attempt to avoid
this fate, Nestor and Osuald decided to assist the
Normans in the securing a quick victory over the rebels.
Osuald sent out one of his servants, a monk residing at
Ely Abbey, to lead the Norman knights across the fens
using hidden paths unknown to the town's defenders.
Hereward, and the forces of King Sweyn were scattered,
and the Norman lords of England regained control of
the Isle of Ely. Grateful to the monks for their assistance
in defeating the rebels, King William granted a series of
privileges to what became known as the Liberty of Ely.
Most notable of these was freedom from the king's
courts, with the Ely enforcing its own justice. These
privileges were quickly exploited by the Cainites of Ely,
and used to hide their activities from the prying eyes of
mortals.
Life in the Liberty
The size and wealth of Ely has grown considerably since
the creation of the liberty. This has had many
consequences, one of which being that the long-term
isolation of Ely is starting to fall away. The town is no
longer an isolated religious community within the
depths of the fens, but is now a centre of trade, and a
place of pilgrimage. The Cainite populations of other
nearby towns, such as Cambridge, Bury, and Bishop’s
Lynn, have increased considerably, and those who dwell
within Ely can no longer be assured of the privacy which
they once enjoyed.
It is not an uncommon occurrence for Cainites from
the surrounding region to pass through, or even visit
Ely. Two such visitors, Agote and Theodorid, have

Saints and Martyrs

The Cult of Martyrs has its antecedents in the attitudes towards saints and martyrs found in Anglo
Saxon society. The early history of Christianity in England was a bloody affair, and many early adopters of
the religion faced serious adversity. As the people of England were converted, a number of Christians from
earlier times were proclaimed as saints, particularly those who had been martyred for their faith. Far from
Rome, the cults of local saints became an important feature of popular religion. Few villages in the kingdom
would be without a shrine where local martyrs might be venerated.
Some of the English saints were figures who played an influential role in establishing Christianity in
England; Erkenwald, first Bishop of London, and Aidan, apostle to the Northumbrians are both highly
respected in the English church. Yet, the character of the Anglo Saxons is such that many of the most
respected saints are those Christians who met violent deaths at least notionally in the name of their faith.
Saint Alban, a martyr from the Roman era, is one of the most noted English saints; others, such as Ælfheah
and Osgyth were religious figures who gained a revered status after being killed by heathen invaders. Yet
merely dying in a dramatic way might be enough to earn sainthood, regardless of whether or not an
individual led a life of devotion. Edward the Martyr, King of England from 975 until his murder in 978 is
regarded as an important English saint, despite the fact that he did little to promote the Christianity. For
the faithful Christian, suffering and death might be enough to earn sainthood.
This exaltation of suffering has been exploited by Osuald. The members of the Cult of Martyrs, both
Cainite and ghoul, have had their religious beliefs shaped by a form of Christianity in which holiness has
been conflated with pain and torment. It is small wonder, then, that the devotees of the cult have accepted
his teachings, seeing them as a natural development of the ideas which form the foundation of local
Christian belief.

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chosen to remain within the town. Most other visitors
have found the atmosphere of the town unfriendly, and
have soon moved on. Over recent decades, however, an
increasing number of Cainites have ended their
journeys when they have met their Final Deaths on the
isle. In large part, their destruction has been ordered by
Osuald, in an attempt to protect the Cult of Martyrs
and, ultimately, his own existence. The arrival of
Beatrice in 1230 has, in particular, fuelled the elder’s
paranoia, and he now fears that powerful Cainites,
perhaps even the minions of Mithras, are now showing
an interest in the Cainite community of Ely. His fears
are unfounded, but have encouraged the insularity of
the Cainites within the town, and their violent response
to outsiders.
The growing willingness of the Cainites of Ely to use
violence to defend their cult has had practical
consequences. In a number of recent instances, Cainite
travellers have been abducted to serve as victims for the
rites of the cult. Thus far, no-one has linked the
disappearances with the Cainite community of Ely. Yet.
with the increasing number of Cainites going missing it
is likely that the Cult of Martyrs will soon draw
unwanted attention.
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 Geography
Theblessing
fens which surround the Isle of Ely are both a
and a curse. Whilst many unwary people
disappear each year beneath the cold black water of the
fens, the landscape can also be a nurturing one; the local
people make their living from fishing in the pools and
waterways, digging peat, or harvesting the willow and
sedge which grow alongside the fenland rivers. The
most valuable of the isle's resources are its eels. Fished
from the Great Ouse, these are so plentiful and valuable
that many of the taxes paid to the Abbot of Ely come in
the form of eels. The natural resources of the isle, and
its freedom from royal taxes, means that the Isle of Ely
is an extremely wealthy place.
Travel
The position of the Isle of Ely, deep within the fens,
means that it can be a difficult town to reach. Three
causeways lead across the fens to Ely. These are Earith
Causeway, which runs north-west towards Huntingdon;
Stuntney Causeway, which runs south-east towards
Bury; and Aldreth Causeway, which runs south towards
Cambridge. Whilst other trackways across the fens
exist, these are often waterlogged, or else entirely
submerged by water, and the causeways form the only
reliable way of reaching the isle. The causeways often
appear to the travellers as desolate and barren
thoroughfares, running straight between thickets of
willow and sedge; on occasion, they are raised high on
banks above waterlogged meadows and fenland. The
most well-travelled of these routes, the Aldreth
Causeway, is guarded by a castle at Aldreth, at the
southern end of the Isle of Ely; but the travellers on the
other two causeways are similarly subjected to great
scrutiny, as there is no easy way of hiding a journey on
such an exposed route. Both Nestor and Osuald have
agents watching all three causeways, and it is rare for a
Cainite to arrive in Ely, without their appearance being
expected.
A more discreet means by which a traveller can
reach Ely is by boat. The south-eastern boundary of the
Isle of Ely is a river, the Great Ouse, an important trade
route navigable from the inland town of Huntingdon to
the coastal port of Bishop’s Lynn. Before 1220 the river
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172
ran to the north-west of Ely, reaching the Wash close to
Wisbech, but a great storm scoured out many of the
watercourses, and changed the direction of the river.
This event is typical of the changeable and occasionally
treacherous nature of the Ouse. It is still a tidal river in
Ely, with water levels varying not just throughout the
day, but also through the year. Many of the summer
pastures which run along the river are inundated with
flood water throughout the winter months, and a
careless traveller can easily get lost in the flat, fenland
landscape. Those wishing to find their way to Ely by
boat are best advised to have their craft piloted by a
sailor who understands the river.
The Isle
Whilst the town and abbey of Ely together form the
largest centre of population in the fens, the Isle of Ely
contains a number of other settlements. These are
principally farming villages, possession of the Abbot of
Ely, and supply the abbey with both food and trading
goods. The principal village on the isle is Witchford,
which sits on the ridge between Common Fen and
Grunty Fen, and is the seat of the Witchford Hundred.
The Fens
Surrounding the Isle of Ely are the fens, expanses of
marsh, wetland, and water meadow. The landscape of
the fens is criss-crossed by various rivers and, in the
north, tidal creeks, which wind through dense willow
thickets and peat bogland. Whilst the fens remain
waterlogged for most of the year, parts dry out in
summer, and are used by local villagers as pasture on
which they may graze their livestock. Whilst relatively
few live within the fens themselves, they are surrounded
by villages, and dotted with various isles, patches of high
ground which rise above the surrounding marshland and
bog. The people of the fens tend to be self-reliant and
independent. Unlike the people who live elsewhere in
England, the fen-dwellers are able to live their lives with
little scrutiny from their feudal overlord, the Abbot of
Ely. A Cainite who wishes to disappear from view could
do worse than find a residence in the fens.
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 The Town
The Church of St Etheldreda: Ely is dominated by
the Church of St Etheldreda, which towers above the
town, and acts as a beacon in the flat expanses of the
fens. The church is a conventual cathedral, serving both
as the centre of monastic life in Ely, and as the seat of
the Diocese of Ely. The considerable resources of the
Bishops of Ely have allowed the church to grow into a
large and sumptuous structure, said by many to be one
of the finest churches in England. The church is the
final resting place of the Saxon saints Etheldreda,
Sexburg, and Withburg, as well as Byrhtnoth, hero of
the Battle of Maldon, and Alfred Ætheling, failed
claimant to the throne of England.
The Abbey: South of the Church of St Etheldreda
lie the buildings of Ely Abbey. The abbey houses around
fifty monks, who follow the Benedictine rule. The
complex of buildings houses a number of chapels and
living spaces, as well as the well-furnished library of the
abbey's precentor. The books stolen from Nerius
Alexander by Aurelia the Golden have been hidden
within this library. Though Aurelia has little interest in
the content of volumes, she has made a habit of
enthralling each of the abbey's precentors with the
Blood Oath, in order to ensure that they are kept away
from prying eyes.
The Infirmary: Ely Abbey contains an infirmary,
comprising of a set of halls attached to the abbey's living
quarters. Though principally reserved for the monks of
the abbey, the infirmary are the only medical facilities
to be found in Ely, and, as a result, provides its services
to the wealthy and important citizens of the town. On
occasion a resident at the infirmary will claim to have
seen a young woman in white walking through its halls
in the hours of darkness. Stories told within the town
claim that this is a cursed spirit, and any who see this
apparition will meet their deaths within a year.
The Black Hostry: As an important monastic centre,
Ely Abbey draws visitors from throughout Britain.
Members of the clergy who come to Ely are
accommodated in a wing of the monastery, the so called
Black Hostry. This is named for the robes of the
Benedictine monks who are the abbey's most frequent
visitors.
The Porta: Access to the grounds of the abbey is via
the Porta, a large gate structure which leads to the abbey
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buildings and parkland south of the church of St
Etheldreda. The Porta contains a gaol, used for
miscreants who displease the bishop; unknown to most
of the people of the town, the prison contains a number
of underground chambers where the enemies and vessels
of the Cult of Martyrs are imprisoned. The Porta
currently has two Cainite residents. These are Beatrice,
a prisoner of the cult, and Rosamund Cuyltor, who acts
as her gaoler.
The Bishop’s Gaol: Ely has a second gaol, located
three hundred yards to the north of the Porta; this is the
Bishop’s Gaol, used to imprison the lawbreakers of the
Liberty of Ely, as they await the bishop’s justice.
The Bone House: Sited adjacent to the abbey’s lay
cemetery is the Bone House, a repository of all human
remains unearthed in the process of digging graves.
Whilst such structures are generally avoided by the
living, the Bone House has a particularly dark
reputation. It is widely believed by the people of Ely that
the Bone House is haunted, and that, after nightfall, evil
spirits may be found lurking around the building.
Unsurprisingly, the people of Ely stay well away from
the building in the hours of darkness.
The Castle: Ely's castle is a rather humble affair,
situated on a small mound half-way between the
Church of St Etheldreada, and the town's waterfront.
Originally built by William the Conqueror after the
town was recaptured from Hereward and his allies, the
castle has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times
over the past two hundred years. The current structure
is a relatively small stone keep built in the early 1220s,
after the previous castle was destroyed by Falkes de
Breaute in 1216, at the height of the Barons’ War.
The Market: Ely has become an important
mercantile centre within East Anglia, a trading place for
produce harvested throughout the fens. The produce
sold in the market is shipped down the Great Ouse to
London, York, as well as further afield, to the coastal
towns of Germany and the Baltic. In 1189 Henry
Beauclerc granted the abbots of Ely the right to run an
annual fair. This is held in the grounds of the abbey each
October, around a month after harvest time. Though
the early fairs were relatively modest in scale, they have
grown considerably in recent decades, and now attracter
traders from across the east of England.
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 The Cainites of Ely
AitCainite visiting Ely might easily be persuaded that
is a peaceable, well-regulated community. Nestor,
the prince presents the appearance of an experienced
and capable elder, ably supported by a capable
chamberlain in the form of Osuald, and Æscwyn, his
loyal seneschal. The Cult of Martyrs, if mentioned, is
portrayed as nothing more than a Christian fraternity.
The visitor might well come to a conclusion that this is
a safe, if not a welcoming, community.
The visitor will not, of course, necessarily be aware
of the darker secrets concealed within the town. Nor,
for that matter, are all of its Cainite inhabitants. Very
soon after he arrived in Ely, Osuald concluded that, not
only would Nestor provide strong resistance to the
corrupting influence of the Baali, but might well prove
to be a dangerous opponent should he learn of the
priest's true nature. Thus, rather than corrupting the
prince, Osuald and Æscwyn have sought to marginalise
him. Nestor is now prince in name only, with little
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power or authority. The evidence of his eyes and ears
tell him that cruel practices occur in the town under the
cover of darkness; yet when he confronts the other
Cainites of this fact, it is denied, and Nestor has reached
the point where he doubts his own sanity.
The real authority within the Cainite community
rests in the hands of Osuald and Æscwyn. Rosamund,
Theodorid, and Aurelia are their willing followers in the
Cult of Martyrs. These five Cainites form a relatively
close-knit coterie, indulging in various cruelties, in a
weak mimicry of the Christian practice of the
mortification of the flesh.
At present, the main concern of the Cult of Martyrs
is Beatrice. Æscwyn's initial response to her capture was
to argue that the Ventrue neonate should be
immediately put to death, for the threat she presented
to the Cainites of Ely. Osuald, however, did not believe
that this was the best course of action. Not convinced
by Beatrice's claims that she was an independent agent,
Ely by Night

177
he believed that she was directly employed by Mithras,
and that the Cult of Martyrs was under investigation by
the Prince of London. The inclination of Æscwyn and
Aurelia was that Beatrice should be put to death;
Osuald, however, persuaded the other cult members
that Beatrice should remain their hostage. Aware that
she is the childe of Nicholas, Osuald believes that there
is a possibility that should he be threatened, he might
trade Beatrice for his safety. The presence of Beatrice in
Ely has thus far been hidden from Nestor; Osuald
believes, probably correctly, that should the prince
discover her presence in the town, too many awkward
questions might be asked.
Two Cainites dwelling in the vicinity of Ely have
consciously distanced themselves from Osuald and his
cult. The first, Agote, dwells on the Isle of Ely, and is an
occasional visitor to the town. She is a refugee from
Lincoln, who fled to the fens after her former kin were
destroyed by the agents of Mithras. Though a Baali, she
sees the Cult of Martyrs as trivialising the holy rites
which she was taught by her sire. Her presence is
tolerated by both Nestor and Osuald, though the former
is not aware of Agote’s true nature. As she refused to
join the Cult of Martyrs, she remains unaware that they
hold Beatrice captive. Beatrice and Agote met briefly
when the former took part in the attack on the Temple
of Baal in Lincoln. Agote would be amazed to find that
one of her former persecutors is currently a prisoner on
the Isle.
Whilst Agote remains on the fringes of Cainite
society she is, at least, known to the other residents of
the town. Edwyn Decanus, in contrast, remains almost
entirely hidden, having spent much of the previous five
years covertly investigating the Cainite affairs of Ely.
Edwyn has been careful not to reveal his presence
within Ely itself. Only Nestor has come to the belief
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that the affairs of the town are being observed; but the
Cainites of the Cult of Martyrs dismiss his claims as the
ravings of a demented and paranoid madman, and pay
no heed to his claims that the Cainites of Ely have an
enemy hiding in the depths of the fens.
Ely and Cambridge
At the time of England’s conquest by the Normans,
Cambridge was a fairly insignificant market town on the
River Cam. The town’s fortunes were to change,
however, after Henry Beauclerc granted Cambridge a
charter providing it with a monopoly on waterborne
trade on the Cam. Further growth was propelled in the
years after 1209, when students fleeing Oxford founded
Cambridge University. Now, in the middle of the
thirteenth century, Cambridge is a thriving and
prosperous town.
The growth of Cambridge, and the foundation of its
university, has drawn Cainites from throughout
southern England. At present, Cambridge is host to a
permanent population of half-a-dozen Cainites, with
others visiting from nearby towns on a regular basis. The
insular Cainite community of Ely has no real awareness
of how quickly Cambridge has grown; the Cainites of
Cambridge, meanwhile, have no contact with their
counterparts to the north in Ely. Whilst it is well-known
in Cambridge that those travelling through the fens
frequently disappear, the Cainites of the town believe
that this is due to a pack of lupines who prey upon
hapless travellers. Thus far, circumstances have
conspired to keep apart the Cainite communities of Ely
and Cambridge. It is, however, unlikely that this
situation can endure for much longer, particularly given
the speed at which the town of Cambridge is growing.
Though none yet realise it yet, conflict between the
Cainites of Ely and Cambridge is increasingly likely.
 Osuald the Priest
Forthetherolelastof wise
three hundred years Osuald has played
counsellor to Nestor, Prince of Ely.
Most who meet Osuald see him as a clever and
calculating elder; few would imagine that he is one of
the Baali, intent on causing harm and spreading
corruption.
In life Osuald was a priest in the Mercian town of
Tamworth. Whilst he positioned himself as the pious
shepherd of his people, Osuald was mercenary and
selfish, always seeking to improve his own position.
Osuald’s undoing came when he tried to seduce Vilocia,
a beautiful lady who had taken to visiting his church
during the hours of darkness. Whilst he saw Vilocia has
his prey, Osuald was the one being hunted. The night
that Osuald managed to get Vilocia into his chamber
would turn out to be his last night alive. Taking pity on
the dying priest, Vilocia embraced him. He became her
willing apprentice, and for two decades they travelled
together, as Vilocia taught him the ways of the Baali.
Once Osuald won his independence from his sire, he
settled in the Mercian town of Huntingdon. He would
dwell there for two centuries, eventually driven out
when the town was destroyed by the Great Heathen
Army. Fleeing to the fens for his safety, Osuald came
across the Cainite community of Ely. Encouraged by
Nestor to remain in the town, Osuald set about
establishing the Cult of Martyrs, a vehicle by which the
inhabitants of Ely, both mortal and immortal, might be
corrupted.
The Cult of Martyrs is now well-established, holding
many of Ely’s Cainites in its thrall. Over the centuries,
however, its purpose has been lost; though he sought to
corrupt others, Osuald has gradually been corrupted by
his own cult. Rather than serving the cause of
corruption, the cult has become nothing more to him
than a bloody indulgence, an excuse not to pursue the
goals to which he ostensibly subscribes.
Image: Osuald is a grave, pale man, with close-cropped
hair and beard. His long, sensual fingers are the most
expressive part of his body; whilst Osuald carefully
controls his facial expressions, the movement of his
hands will often betray his mood.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a quiet man; you listen to
those you are with, and use a carefully-placed word or
two to exert your influence and display your intellect.
You are careful to never reveal your true feelings about
a situation, even to your allies.
Haven: The Bone House of Ely Abbey
Influence: Osuald has loyal followers carefully placed
throughout the religious hierarchy of the Diocese of Ely.
Since the Liberty of Ely is controlled by the church, he
can ensure that administrative decisions relating to the
town and the surrounding fens will not infringe on his
personal interests.
Clan: Baali
Sire: Vilocia the Goth
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Judge
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 651
Apparent Age: Late 30s.
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3.
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 3, Empathy 1, Intimidation 2,
Leadership 4, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Commerce 1, Etiquette 2, Melee
2, Stealth 2, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 4, Hearth Wisdom 2, Law 1,
Medicine 3, Occult 3, Politics 4, Seneschal 1, Theology
3
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Daimonion 4, Fortitude 2,
Potence 2, Presence 4, Obfuscate 6
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 1, Herd 2, Influence
4, Resources 3, Retainers 3, Status 4
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Night 8
Willpower: 6
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 Agote
Agote is a relatively recent arrival on the Isle of Ely.
Most of the Cainite inhabitants of the area believe
that she is a refugee from the Welsh Marches, driven
away from her haven by the ongoing conflict between
England and Wales. Only Osuald knows the true reason
for her presence in the fens; Agote is one of the Baali,
driven from Lincoln, her former residence, by the agents
of Mithras.
Agote was in her late teens when she ran away from
home with the handsome William Walbroke. He had
told her that he was the son of a baron, and that by his
side she would live the life of a lady. Instead he led her
to the Temple of Baal in Lincoln, where she was
destined to be sacrificed to the dark gods. Whilst the
other victims went to the deaths cowed and
whimpering, Agote fought back, biting and clawing at
the Cainites who restrained her. The temple’s priestess,
Cynewynne, was amused by her spirit; rather than
sacrificing Agote, she chose to embrace her, taking the
young woman as an apprentice.
Agote was a keen pupil of the Baali. She took joy in
their rituals, and revelled in her dark life amongst the
Cainites of Lincoln. Yet her pupillage would be cut
short. A mere fifty years into her existence as one of the
Baali, Lincoln’s temple was destroyed by the Hounds of
Mithras. Many of the Cainites serving the temple were
destroyed, including Agote’s sire. Agote narrowly
avoided meeting her Final Death herself. Escaping the
town, she fled into the safety of the fens.
Agote has now resided in Ely for a little more than
ten years. Initially she chose to stay in the town because
she thought that the presence of Osuald might provide
her with an ally. However, she very quickly came to
resent the elder, who she feels has abandoned what she
sees as the true cause of the Baali. In recent years she
has started to plot against Osuald. She intends to
destroy him and take his place, which may not be an
easy task, given the great power and influence that the
Baali elder possesses.
Image: Agote’s face is framed by her dark, tightly-curled
hair, whilst her eyes project a powerful, and often
unnerving gaze. She tends to wrap herself in dark cloaks,
which emphasise her diminutive figure and pale skin.
Roleplaying Hints: You are full of energy; whilst you try
to control yourself in the presence of others, you pace
constantly, and express yourself forcefully in
conversation. Nevertheless, you are careful not to
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lose your temper, particularly when in the company of
your rivals and enemies; you have no great wish to let
others know when you wish to do them harm.
Haven: Aldreth Castle
Influence: Whilst Agote’s influence is relatively
limited, she has recently gained control of Aldreth
Castle, and is currently learning how to exploit its
position at the head of Aldreth Causeway.
Clan: Baali
Sire: Cynewynne
Nature: Tyrant
Demeanour: Crusader
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1175
Apparent Age: Late teens
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Legerdemain
4, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Crafts 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 1, Performance 2,
Stealth 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 2, Investigation 1,
Medicine 2, Occult 3
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Daimonion 2, Presence 3,
Obfuscate 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 2, Herd 2, Resources
3, Status 2
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 2, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Night 7
Willpower: 7
 Edwyn Decanus
Ethe Cainite society of Ely. Hidden in the village of
dwyn Decanus is an elusive figure on the fringes of

Chatteris, he watches the travellers who cross to the

isle, and seeks to understand what occurs in the town.
Knowing some evil is afoot, he waits and plans, knowing
the time will come when he will be required to go to war
with the Cult of Martyrs.
Edwyn was embraced in 1160, in the turmoil which
was then afflicting the town of Coventry. He had been
a ghoul and loyal bodyguard of Radulphus Espie, and
had been mortally wounded by the retainers of the
deposed prince, Goslinne. As a fledgling he was taught
about the tyranny and suffering imposed by Cainite
elders, and how they must be opposed wherever
possible. Edwyn was a keen student; wishing to uphold
the ideals of his sire, he took to the road in 1212, in
order to promote the cause of the Furores throughout Roleplaying Hints: You are taciturn and wary; your
England. experiences, first amongst the Furores, and then
Edwyn’s travels disabused him of his ideals. Whilst travelling throughout England, have taught you to be
he saw that many princes were manipulative and cautious. Yet you are always on the lookout for allies,
autocratic, younger Cainites often relied on them for and should any show sympathy to your ideals, you will
protection, and the supposedly cruel rulers generally be keen to recruit them to your cause.
ruled with the consent of their subjects. Disheartened Haven: Chatteris Abbey
by his experiences, he wandered through southern Influence: None
England, seeking a purpose. Clan: Brujah
It was on the road from Huntingdon to Norwich that Sire: Radulphus Espie
Edwyn stopped at Ely. Whilst the Cainites seemed Nature: Defender
welcoming, Edwyn was suspicious. Prowling the town at Demeanour: Rebel
night, he came across the Porta and saw, through the Generation: 9th
narrow crack of a window, a beautiful lady, chained and Embrace: 1160
in distress. Edwyn learnt of the Cult of Martyrs that Apparent Age: Mid-30s
night and, alarmed, fled from the isle. Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
In the following years, Edwyn travelled throughout Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 2
East Anglia. He learnt that many Cainites who had Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
travelled on the route from Cambridge to Lynn had Talents: Alertness 4, Brawl 1, Empathy 3, Expression 1,
disappeared, and that rumours abounded of strange and Subterfuge 3
devilish rituals which occurred in Ely. Edwyn has now Skills: Animal Ken 1, Etiquette 3, Melee 3, Ride 1,
returned to the fens, and has made his haven in Stealth 3, Survival 2
Chatteris Abbey. He has long forgotten about this Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 2, Law 1,
mission to bring revolution to the towns of England, and Theology 3
is now determined to root out the evil afflicting Ely, Disciplines: Celerity 1, Dominate 1, Potence 3,
whatever the cost. Presence 3
Image: Edwyn is a stout-and muscular man, with short Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 2, Herd 3, Resources
hair and a haunted look. After years on the road his 1
clothes and equipment appear worn and ragged, though Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
close examination will reveal that they have been well- Morality: Road of Humanity 7
maintained, and were once of the finest quality. Willpower: 8

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 Aurelia the Golden
Aurelia the Golden is the dark priestess of the Cult of
Martyrs. She is a beautiful and charismatic figure, a
central figure in the cult’s rituals. The devotion she
attracts in this role both flatters and invigorates her, and
provides Aurelia with validation for her cruel
behaviour.
Aurelia Sabatena was once one of the greatest of
Lamia warriors, honoured within the Cappadocian clan,
and respected by all who knew her. In the days of Rome
she was sent, at the command of Lamia herself, to the
dismal lands of Britannia, instructed to protect a
Cappadocian scholar named Nerius Alexander. Aurelia
resented being banished to what she saw as the cold,
dank island. Nor was she impressed by Alexander, who
she saw as weak-willed and foolish.
As the power of Rome waned, Alexander set on a
journey back to his clan’s Mediterranean homeland.
Before he even left Britain, he was slain by the resentful
Aurelia. She took his books, and gold, and spent the
following decades wandering the land, feeding where
she wished, and thriving in the chaos of the collapsing
civil order. Finally, after two centuries in torpor, she
arrived at the wilds of the fens, in the closing years of
the seventh century, where she came across Ely.
Aurelia was welcome by Nestor, Ely’s prince. Her
graces made a positive impression, as did her books and
gold. Nestor asked her to remain, and Aurelia, tired of
wandering, accepted the invitation.
Once Osuald arrived in the town, Aurelia became a
willing inductee into the Cult of Martyrs. Though the
religious trappings of the cult were of little interest to
Aurelia, the devotion of its followers was enticing, and
she was slowly drawn in, first as an observer, and then
as a participant. The rites appealed to Aurelia’s basest
nature and slowly, almost imperceptibly, corrupted her.
In the following centuries Aurelia has become jaded
and debased, and now finds pleasure in the pain and
cruelty of the cult. Aurelia still possesses her gold and
codices, though her once noble existence is little more
now than the faintest of memories.
Image: Aurelia is an imposing and beautiful woman, tall
and graceful, with fine, aristocratic features. She
accentuates her presence by wearing the finest clothing.
Roleplaying Hints: You expect to be the centre of
attention at all times. You will, consequently be
charming when amongst those who are appropriately
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182
attentive. Perceived disrespect will, however, draw your
anger, and may even provoke you to violence.
Haven: The Infirmary at Ely Abbey
Influence: Aurelia disdains influence in the mortal
world. Despite this, many of the mortal followers of the
Cult of Martyrs are devoted to her and, should she
choose to, Aurelia could call on a great many favours.
Clan: Lamia
Sire: Tamura
Nature: Gallant
Demeanour: Visionary
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 110
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 6
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 3, Brawl 4, Expression 2,
Intimidation 3, Leadership 3, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Etiquette 4, Melee 6, Performance 4, Stealth 2,
Survival 4
Knowledges: Investigation 3, Occult 4, Politics 3
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Dominate 1, Fortitude 6,
Necromancy 3 (Path of Bone 3, Path of the Twilight
Garden 2), Potence 5
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Herd 5, Influence 2, Resources
2, Retainers 3, Status 4
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 5
Morality: Path of Divinity 2
Willpower: 4
 Nestor
Nestor is a proud man. He is an accomplished scholar
and philosopher, and prince of a wealthy and
independent town. Yet he finds himself fearful of his
sanity, and increasingly prone to bouts of dark misery.
Although he tries to maintain his public image, he finds
himself increasingly tempted to withdraw from the
world of Cainites.
Nestorius Corvinus was embraced in the Roman
colony of Glevensium, in the middle years of the fourth
century. The town was already in decline; fearing the
retreat of Roman power, his sire, Ivomagus, decided to
relocate to what he saw as the more secure towns of
Gaul. Ivomagus, Nestor, and a group of other Cainites
travelled east, towards Venta Icenorum. Nestor was
separated from the party one night, after an attack by
bagaudae. Alone, Nestor retreated into the fens, and
took refuge on what would become the Isle of Ely. He
remained there for the next century, as the collapse in
Roman authority caused chaos throughout the land.
In the centuries which followed the population of
the area increased, based around an abbey founded in
the seventh century. Nestor was recognised as prince by
the small group of Cainites resident on the Isle of Ely.
For many years Ely was relatively prosperous; this
prosperity, however, would eventually attract the
interest of the Danes. In 870 the abbey was sacked and
the town burnt by Danish invaders, whilst Nestor’s
beloved childe Æthelhere met his Final Death. Falling
into bout of deep despair, Nestor left the leadership of
the city to Æthelhere’s childe Æscwyn, and Osuald, a
Cainite priest who arrived in town in the wake of the
Danish raids.
The following centuries have seen Nestor retreat
from his role as prince. He imagines that his kin are
plotting against him, and that dark rituals are taking
place in Ely. Knowing that these things cannot possibly
be true, Nestor has grown to doubt his sanity. Now, in
the middle of the thirteenth century, he leads a solitary
existence, spending most of his nights alone, isolated
from his Cainite subjects.
Derangement: Melancholic
Image: Nestor is tall and gaunt. He dresses in the
unadorned robes of an Augustinian monk.
Roleplaying Hints: Though you are gracious and
hospitable by nature, your experiences and fragile
mental state mean that you struggle to interact with
others. You will be polite, but will often find any excuse
to keep yourself away from company.
Haven: A fortified basement beneath Ely Castle.
Nestor's haven is well concealed, and survived intact
the destruction of the castle in 1216.
Influence: Though Osuald has done much to undermine
the Prince of Ely, Nestor still has considerable influence
over the secular authorities in the town. Nestor’s agents
control the town’s treasury, and the courts of both
liberty and hundred, and he consequently has the power
to make life difficult for the mortal agents of any
Cainites in Ely.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Ivomagus
Nature: Penitent
Demeanour: Autocrat
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 354
Apparent Age: Mid-40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3.
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Talents: Empathy 3, Intimidation 1, Leadership 3
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Crafts 2, Etiquette 2, Melee 3,
Ride 3, Stealth 2, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 3, Law 4, Medicine 2, Politics
3, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Auspex 5, Dominate 5,
Presence 1, Protean 1, Obfuscate 3
Backgrounds: Domain 4, Resources 3, Retainers 5,
Status 5
Virtues: Conviction 1, Self-Control 2, Courage 2
Morality: Road of Divinity 3
Willpower: 3
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 AEscwyn the Child
AsofSeneschal of Ely, and one of the founder members
the Cult of Martyrs, Æscwyn holds a position of
influence in the town of Ely. Yet she is a Cainite who
overestimates both her importance and her abilities.
Whilst Æscwyn believes that she is secure in her
position, her arrogant behaviour exposes her to risk of
destruction.
Æscwyn was the daughter of a wealthy Anglian
nobleman, likely destined in adult life for a suitable
marriage and the leisured life of a lady. Yet, just as she
was on the verge of adulthood she was struck down with
marsh fever. One night, as death was approaching, her
family was visited by a dark figure, who spirited away
their daughter. That night Æscwyn was embraced, and
became one of the undead.
Whilst Æscwyn enjoyed her new existence, she was
heavily dependent on her sire, who provided her with
moral and emotional support. Æthelhere’s Final Death,
at the hands of Danish raiders in 870, left her bereft.
Æscwyn found herself looking for a figure who could
provide guidance and spiritual relief. She found it in the
form of Osuald, a Cainite priest who came to Ely in the
wake of the wars with the Danes. Enamoured with this
newcomer, Æscwyn helped him found the Cult of
Martyrs, a religious group which she saw as a potential
source of spiritual support.
Æscwyn is now both Ely’s seneschal, and priestess of
the Cult of Martyrs. She sees herself as clever and
powerful, not realising that she largely exists as Osuald’s
pawn. With her ego flattered by the priest she has grown
both arrogant and reckless. With little experience of the
society of the night outside of Ely, she imagines that she
is a great and terrible monster, capable of defeating all
those who oppose her. Contact with the outside world
would quickly disabuse her of this notion, and may well
lead to her destruction.
Derangement: Choleric
Image: Æscwyn was embraced in her mid-teens.
Though she does her best to pass herself off as an adult,
her youth is readily apparent in her appearance. Her
Saxon heritage shows itself in her watery blue eyes and
blonde-brown hair, and she shows off her wealth and
status by dressing in sumptuous, embroidered robes.
Roleplaying Hints: You are an intense presence, keen to
impress others with your maturity and competence.
Talk with utmost confidence; if you believe what you
say, others will do so too.
Haven: The Black Hostry
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184
Influence: A Cainite in Æscwyn’s position should, in
principle, command considerable influence. Æscwyn is,
however, lazy and complacent, and in the centuries
since her embrace has delegated extensively to those
who serve her, first to her ghouls and, more recently, to
Rosamund Cuyltor. Now, in the middle of the
thirteenth century, Æscwyn has little idea of the real
workings of the town, or of the Cult of Martyrs, and
would struggle to exert any real influence.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Æthelhere
Nature: Child
Demeanour: Celebrant
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 858
Apparent Age: 14
Physical: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 5, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Athletics 3, Expression 3, Legerdemain 3,
Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Crafts 2, Etiquette 4, Performance
3, Stealth 5, Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 2, Occult 3,
Seneschal 1
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Auspex 3, Dominate 4,
Obfuscate 3, Potence 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 3, Herd 4, Influence
2, Resources 3, Status 3
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Path of Divinity 1
Willpower: 3
 Rosamund Cuyltor
Rosamund has decided that she is cursed. Pressed
into serving the Devil by a creature of the night,
she has spent the last forty years wishing that she could
atone for the evil deeds she is required to carry out.
Rosamund fears that she has already forfeited her
immortal soul.
Rosamund grew up in the shadow of Ely’s cathedral,
amongst a family of weavers. She took the lessons of the
church to heart, and worked at being charitable and
penitent. It was as a result of this she attempted to
befriend a strange girl who she regularly saw flitting to
and fro in the street outside her house in the hours of
darkness. Her kindness was rewarded with the embrace;
the girl, a Cainite elder named Æscwyn, had long been
searching for a servant, and thought that Rosamund
would adequately serve her purposes.
Upon her entry into the world of Cainites,
Rosamund was inducted into the Cult of Martyrs, and
set to work procuring prospective victims for its rituals.
Though she finds this to be cruel work, she was
indoctrinated well as a Neonate, and sees the predatory
activity of the Cult of Martyrs as normal and necessary.
Rosamund has never travelled outside of the Isle of Ely,
and has never met any Cainites other than those who
dwell there, and the few unfortunate travellers who
have become the cult’s victims. She would be surprised
to discover is considered normal by Cainites elsewhere
in England.
For the last ten years Rosamund has been employed
as the jailer of Beatrice, one of the prisoners of the Cult
of Martyrs. Whilst she has, over the years, developed
some sympathy for the captive, Rosamund has been well
indoctrinated into the Cult of Martyrs, and the idea of
freeing or aiding Beatrice has never even occurred to
her. She knows that, one night, Beatrice will meet her
Final Death at the hands of the Cult of Martyrs. This is
an inevitable fate, decreed by Osuald, one which
Rosamund accepts.
Derangement: Voices
Image: Rosamund is tall and broad-shouldered, with a
heavy build that was a product of the years of hard work
she spent in the textile industry before her embrace.
Most who meet her are struck by her staring, and often
unblinking eyes.
Roleplaying Hints: You treat all those you meet with a
weary pity, knowing that the pain and suffering they
experience is both necessary and inevitable. Whilst you
listen to others, you often find it difficult to separate
what they say, from the messages delivered by the voices
in your head.
Haven: The Porta at Ely Abbey
Influence: Rosamund has been given the task of
managing the minions of the Cult of Martyrs in Ely.
These servants of the cult readily obey her instructions,
giving her considerable practical influence over
everyday affairs in the town.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Æscwyn
Nature: Judge
Demeanour: Penitent
Generation: 11th
Embrace: 1203
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 2, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Empathy 4, Expression 2, Leadership 3,
Subterfuge 2
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Archery 3, Commerce 2, Crafts
4, Etiquette 1, Performance 1, Stealth 1
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 2, Investigation 3, Occult
1, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Obfuscate 4
Backgrounds: Herd 3, Influence 3, Mentor 3, Resources
1, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 2, Courage 3
Morality: Path of Penitence 4
Willpower: 4

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185
 Theodorid the Goth
Theodorid has been, for many years, a guest within
the Cainite community of Ely. Hunted across half
Europe by the agents of the Tremere, he has now found
peace in the isolation of the fens. Though Ely has
provided Theodorid with physical safety, it has been at
the expense of his soul. Exposed to the excesses of the
Cult of Martyrs he has slowly been losing himself to the
Beast, and it is unlikely to be long before Theodorid falls
into Wassail.
For the first six centuries of his existence as a
Cainite, Theodorid was one of the elders of Toledo.
Respected by the other Cainites within the city, he
embroiled himself in mortal politics, paying little
attention to what occurred outside of Spain. He was
unaware of Saulot’s diablerie in 1133; when he first
faced Tremere assassins in 1165 he was genuinely
surprised.
Theodorid fled from the Spain in the closing years
of the twelfth century, closely pursued by agents of the
Tremere. He travelled first to Brabant, then to
Canterbury and London; on each step of his journey his
enemies, and his Final Death, came seemingly closer. In
desperation he travelled north, crossing East Anglia,
and entering the fens. Finally, he found himself stranded
on the Isle of Ely, aware that his pursuers were not far
behind.
Yet when the Tremere finally chose to attack,
Theodorid found himself joined by a group of Cainites.
They defeated his pursuers and welcomed him into their
fold. This is how Theodorid the Goth became part of
the Cainite community of Ely.
Though Theodorid was initially reluctant to join the
Cult of Martyrs, Osuald has been able to persuade him
to take part in the cult’s bloody rites. Theodorid once
saw his companions as cruel, and yet took part in their
rituals through fear for his own safety. As the years have
passed, he has done his best to justify his actions, though
he finds it increasingly difficult to retain his sanity and
hold his Beast in check. It may not be long before the
Cult of Martyrs can claim Theodorid as one of its
victims.
Image: Theodorid is tall and well-built, relics of his life
as a Visigothic count. His beard and hair, both worn
long, have faded from blond to grey, whilst his once fine
clothes are now dirty and decayed.
Roleplaying Hints: You speak and act with a confidence
instilled within you during your long life amongst the
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186
Gothic nobility in Spain. Let no-one see that your self-
assurance is often little more than bluster, and your
harrying by the Tremere has left you fearful and
nervous.
Haven: The manor house in Witchford
Influence: Abandoned by his allies in Spain, and finding
himself in hiding in England, Theodorid has found that
his once formidable influence has all but faded away.
Clan: Salubri (Healer)
Sire: Simeon
Nature: Conformist
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 612
Apparent Age: Late 50s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Awareness 4, Athletics 3, Brawl 3,
Empathy 4, Leadership 3
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Etiquette 4, Melee 5, Ride 4,
Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 4, Enigmas 1, Law 2, Medicine
1, Occult 1, Politics 2, Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Auspex 5, Dominate 3, Fortitude 4,
Potence 1, Presence 1, Valeran (Healer) 7
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Herd 3, Resources 1, Retainers
2, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 1
Willpower: 4
 Beatrice
Beatrice was once one of the Hounds of Mithras, the
loyal and feared servants of the Prince of London.
Having fallen from grace, she has now been reduced to
a pitiful state, and is now a prisoner in the town of Ely,
kept captive by the Cult of Martyrs.
Beatrice was the daughter of a Norman lord,
embraced by the Ventrue elder Nicholas, who wished to
exploit her abilities. She soon became one of the
Hounds of Mithras, fighting the enemies of the Prince
of London. For many years Beatrice was held in high
esteem by the Cainite lords of London. In 1225,
however, Beatrice was involved in a disastrous raid upon
the Plague Lords, a Baali coterie based in the town of
Lincoln. Though the Baali were defeated, the raid was a
bloody fiasco which led to the Final Deaths of many of
the Hounds involved, including their leader, Oddr One-
Hand. Beatrice took the blame for the failure; she was
subsequently cast out from the Hounds and exiled from
London.
In the following years, Beatrice took to the roads of
England, seeking means by which she might redeem
herself in the eyes of the elders of London. It was for this
reason that she came to Ely. In 1228 she received a leaf
from an ancient codex from a Nosferatu antiquarian in
the town of Lynn. Beatrice’s research suggested that it
may have been taken from one of the lost codices of
Nerius Alexander, and that they had originated in the
town of Ely. So, in 1230, Beatrice travelled to the fens,
to try to uncover information about the lost
Cappadocian.
Initially Beatrice was welcomed by Nestor and the
other Cainites of the town. Her investigations,
however, aroused the suspicions of the Cult of Martyrs.
Osuald became convinced that Beatrice was still
working for Mithras and ordered her capture. Surprised
one night, Beatrice was quickly overwhelmed by mortal
followers of the cult, and dragged off to an underground
cell. Beatrice has remained a captive since that night.
Feeding Restriction: Beatrice may only feed from
criminals. She is, at present, very well provided for in
the Porta.
Image: Beatrice is a tall, dark-haired beauty. She was the
daughter of a powerful Norman lord and, as a Cainite,
she has a proud and occasionally haughty bearing which
is a legacy of her mortal life.
Roleplaying Hints: You have been transformed by your
imprisonment. Though once proud and quick to anger,
your incarceration has left you cautious and
contemplative, as well as distrustful of all those you may
meet.
Haven: Beatrice is currently imprisoned in a basement
under the Porta at Ely Abbey
Influence: Very little. Beatrice does, however, retain
some favour with her sire Nicholas, who hopes that she
will be able to redeem herself. Nicholas might be
persuaded to intervene on her behalf; with a good
enough reason, he might even be swayed to draw upon
the influence of Mithras himself.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Nicholas
Nature: Survivor
Demeanour: Soldier
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1160
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Empathy 1,
Intimidation 1, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Archery 2, Etiquette 2, Melee 3, Performance 2,
Ride 3, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 3, Politics 2, Seneschal 1
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Celerity 2, Dominate 1,
Fortitude 3, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Influence 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Path of Chivalry 7
Willpower: 6
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England Will Burn

188
 CHAPTER 6:

Forpossessions
three hundred years the town of Chester has been one of the prized
of the Kings of England. Though small, the town is both
a wealthy trade hub and a bastion which guards the Cheshire coast. This
strength and stability is mirrored within the town’s Cainite community,
which is dominated by Marcus Verus, a respected and powerful childe of
Mithras. Since the rise of the Norman monarchs, Chester has become a
stronghold used by the kings of England to impose their authority on
Ireland and Wales. Yet it is a town with a turbulent and violent past, and
its Cainite inhabitants carry with them many secrets. The apparent
stability of Chester may soon be proven to be an illusion.

189
 Chester, Stronghold of the Marches
Forhasclose to two hundred years the town of Chester
been a stronghold of Norman power in the
north-west of England. It has guarded the English
midlands against depredations from the pirates of the
Irish Sea, and from the hostile forces of the lords of
Welsh. The strategic position of the town means that it
has often been contested by rival powers, fought over by
Mercians and Northumbrians, and later by the English
and the Welsh.
Shortly after the conquest of England, King William
the Conqueror awarded the Earldom of Chester to one
of his most loyal and honourable followers, Hugh Lupus.
For over 150 years Hugh’s family held the town for the
kings of England. In 1237, however, the seventh Earl of
Chester died childless, and control of the earldom has
been claimed by the Crown. At present the titular Lord
of Chester is Edward, son of King Henry of Winchester.
Edward is still a young child, and there are many in both
England and Wales who see this as an attempt by the
king to consolidate his military assets before the
conquest of Wales. Already, in 1241, a short war was
fought between England and Wales; though the Prince
of Wales was forced to surrender a number of territories
which had been conquered by his father, he was allowed
to retain his independence. Yet there are many people
in Chester who suspect that the king’s ultimate goal is
the complete subjugation of Wales, and that the
development of town as a military stronghold is a means
to this end.
As well as functioning as a military stronghold,
Chester is also the county town of Cheshire. The
administration of the town and, ultimately, the county
is overseen by the Sheriff of Chester. This post would
normally be filled by a member of the de Lacy family,
who also hold the hereditary post of the Constable of
Chester. The current constable, Edmund de Lacy, was
appointed whilst still a child, too young to exercise the
role of sheriff. In 1240 the king appointed one of his
close allies, John le Strange, to the post of Sheriff of
Chester. A Norman marcher lord, John le Strange has
fought in a number of campaigns against the Welsh.
Should England be invaded, John le Strange is a man
who may be trusted to hold Chester for the Crown.
Theme
For close to a thousand years the town of Chester has
been the domain of Marcus Verus. The Ventrue elder
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has held the town at the behest of his sire and master,
Mithras, Prince of London. Marcus Verus has never
questioned why he has remained in residence in the
town; he has pledged himself to the service of Mithras,
and it has been a matter of honour that he keeps this
pledge.
The situation of Marcus Verus is an example of the
theme of Chester by Night, which is the price of
honour. The actions of people within the medieval
world is dominated by notions of duty and obligation;
these are, indeed, fundamental concepts upon which
feudal authority rests. Yet duty and service necessarily
require surrendering the freedom of action in order to
support the needs of another. If honour is seen as a
virtue it is because it requires a certain amount of
personal sacrifice.
The conflict between doing what one wishes and
what one ought to do is one fundamental to the
existence of those Cainites who reside in Chester.
Moreover, honour is not an entirely simple matter and
duties and obligations may overlap and conflict. For
Cainites such as Jocelyn de Boudene and Murchadh Ó
Morgair, the question of duty is complicated by the
contradicting demands of different masters. Whether
they should support their prince or fulfil their oaths to
their masters is a question which may well yet shape the
future of the domain of Chester.
Mood
Chester is a successful and stable town, threatened
neither by domestic unrest nor the military aggressions
of hostile powers. This is reflected in the mood of
Chester by Night, which is one of calm. For many,
Chester is a safe haven, a prosperous and well-protected
outpost of English power in north-west England. It is a
place for meeting, for trade, and for reflection.
Yet, calm is not a wholly unambiguous property. It
carries with it connotations of melancholy, resignation,
and stasis. Certainly, for the Cainites of Chester, the
calm of the town contains within it an air of fatalism.
This is embodied in Marcus Verus, the Cainite Prince
of Chester. An ancient and powerful warrior, he
witnessed various periods of turmoil in the history of the
British Isles, from the fall of the Roman Empire, to the
last days of the Anglo-Saxon kings. Within the peace
and prosperity of the modern Kingdom of England he
feels the pull of torpor; the once ferocious warrior is now
an observer, awaiting the time when he will hand the
reins of power over to his anointed successor.
This uneasy calm applies to the other Cainites who
are part of Chester’s community. Honoria the Lydian is
bound by a sense of duty to the prince, submitting to his
needs; Syncletia Bardana has come to terms with the
prospect that she may soon face her Final Death;
Jocelyn de Boudene and Agnes are observers, forced
into passive roles by the circumstances of Cainite
politics. The only exception is the vivacious Murchadh
Ó Morgair, an outsider who has been prohibited by
decree from entering the town. A relatively recent
arrival within the community, Murchadh is a disruptive
force, whose presence threatens upset the delicate
balance of power within the town. The presence of
Murchadh is a reminder of a final type of calm, which is
the calm before the storm. The relative peace of Chester
will not last forever, and there will inevitably come a
time when conflict will spill over on to the streets of the
town.
Using Chester by Night
Though small, Chester is an important holding of the
English monarchy. It is a trading town which helps to
link the Norman possessions in Ireland with the
Kingdom of England, and is a stronghold which protects
the north in conflicts with the Welsh. One of the most
obvious uses for such a town is as a base for characters.
Marcus Verus can play a role within Chronicles as a
strong and respected patron for a variety of Cainites.
The town is close to parts of Britain currently beset by
mortal and Cainite conflict, as well as the towns of the
English Midlands. Chester would thus work well as an
anchor location in a Chronicle where characters
embark on a series of missions in service to a patron or
mentor.
There are many reasons why Cainites not resident in
the town might wish to visit Chester. Characters
embroiled in the Cainite politics of other towns may be
sent to Chester for a variety of purposes. The Cainite
princes of both Dublin and York are, in particular,
suspicious of Marcus Verus, and may wish to
compromise or overthrow the Ventrue elder.
Meanwhile, characters in the service of allies of the
Prince of Chester may be sent to request his aid; such
request might come from individuals such as Kay of
Shrewsbury, Bran, the Raven King, or even Nicholas,
Chamberlain of London. Moreover, Marcus Verus is not
the only Cainite which characters may wish to seek out.
Tremere might come to Chester on the trail of Syncletia
Bardana, whilst the Furores of England may have an
interest in building an alliance with Murchadh Ó
Morgair.
Although Chester is a relatively small town, it is also
an important intersection of many of the travel routes
which cross northern England. Individuals travelling
north towards Carlisle may well chose to stop here,
whilst almost all ships going to Dublin will either
commence their journeys in Chester or put in at the
town’s docks. Even Cainites who are travelling through
the town, and have no desire to stay more than a couple
of nights, might find themselves drawn into the political
intrigues of the Cainites of Chester.
The Fee of Chester
The Fee of Chester was one of the first feodum created,
founded in 1081, alongside the Fees of York and
Gloucester. At the time, Mithras and his allies were
engaged in a savage conflict with the Triumvirate over
Cainite influence, and the first feodum were intended
as a means of delineating the spheres of influence of
Mithras’s key lieutenants. The initial boundaries of the
Fee of Chester were defined by the River Kent in the
north and the Pennines in the east, whilst the southern
edge of the feodum was delineated by extent of the
influence of Marcus Verus in the counties to the south
of Chester, which then lay around the southern
boundaries of Shropshire and Staffordshire. The Fee of
Chester soon became one of the most contested regions
in the conflict with the Triumvirate, as Liseult de Taine
sought both to expand her sphere of influence and
disrupt communications between York and Gloucester.
The threat to Chester and the feodum was only relieved
with the Final Death of Liseult de Taine at Nottingham
in 1141.
Marcus Verus has always viewed the Fee of Chester
as being a pragmatic construct, created to further the
attempts of Mithras to defeat the Triumvirate. His
interest in exerting his authority throughout the region
has waned since their defeat, and he tolerates the
activities of Cainites in the feodum, providing they do
not directly come into conflict with his interests, or
those of his sire. Marcus Verus is amused by the regular
attempts of John Hawtin, Prince of York, and his
warmaster Eyolf Ivarsson, to claim the eastern part of his
feodum. Whilst Marcus Verus has little interest in the
region, he takes pleasure in thwarting the schemes of his
rivals. As an experience solder, the Prince of Chester is
more than capable of outmanoeuvring, and occasionally
embarrassing, his younger opponents.
Chester by Night
191
 History
Fortheapersonal
thousand years the town of Chester has been
domain of its Ventrue prince, Marcus
Verus. The association between the town and its prince
is such that few English Cainites can imagine Chester
without the Ventrue elder. Yet Chester has had a long
and tangled history, and the grip of Marcus Verus upon
power has not always been as secure as many Cainites
might imagine.
Marcus Verus first came to the town when it was
Deva Victrix, one of the largest fortresses in Roman
England. He was a neonate at the time, a solder in the
service of Mithras. Deva was, at that time, host to a large
Cainite population ruled over by Mada, an ancient
Nosferatu. Mada paid little heed to the Silence of the
Blood, and her bloody orgies were seen by Mithras as
presenting a danger of all English Cainites. Mada
laughed at the ultimatum delivered by Marcus Verus;
the following morning her body was reduced to ash by
the rising sun, and Marcus Verus claimed, in the name
of Mithras, the role of prince.
Marcus Verus would prove to be a popular prince,
demanding little of the Cainites of Deva. Under his
rule, the town became a bastion of Cainite culture in
England, attracting scholars and intellectuals from
across the Roman Empire, and occasionally beyond.
Philosophers debated ideas in Deva’s amphitheatre,
whilst soldiers came to the town, attracted by the
conflicts found on the peripheries of Britain.
The Fall of Deva
Deva would thrive for over two hundred years. In the
latter years of the fourth century, however, the Roman
Empire was afflicted by a series of weak emperors and
military uprisings. High taxation and reduced trade
caused the Roman economy to weaken, and the fringes
of the empire suffered most. The city of Deva began to
attract fewer visitors, both mortal and Cainite, as the
Roman decline became apparent.
In 383 Magnus Maximus, an officer served in the
Roman rebelled against the unpopular emperor Gratian.
Declared emperor by his supporters, Magnus travelled to
Gaul to press his claim, taking most of the the legions
garrisoning Britain with him. Legion XX, which had
been based in Chester, was withdrawn from the city.
The defence of Deva Victrix was left to the local
population, with the city sliding into a precipitous
decline. Many of the established families living there
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left for either continental Europe, or the relative safety
of southern Britain. The buildings of the town fell into
decay, and farmers moved into Deva Victrix, relying on
its walls to provide relative safety from the Irish
marauders who exploited the weakening Roman power
to ravage the nearby countryside. The Cainites of Deva
Victrix were also scattered at this time, few choosing to
remain in the increasingly imperilled province of
Britain. By the middle of the fifth century the sole
Cainite active in Deva Victrix was Honoria the Lydian,
with Marcus Verus having long ago fallen into torpor.
The Rise of Chester
Yet Deva Victrix would never quite fall to the
barbarians. As Roman authority receded, it was taken
under the control of Ternyllwg, a Kingdom founded in
the west of Britain by the refugee descendants of Sevira,
daughter of Magnus Maximus, and Vortigern, the pre-
eminent Romano-British warlord of the fifth century.
Deva Victrix marked one of the furthest frontier posts
of the kingdom. The town was the site of a number of
clashes between the Welsh and the Saxons kingdoms to
the east, as the Saxons fought to expand their territory.
For more than a century, the River Dee remained the
border between the lands of the Saxons, and those ruled
by the Britains. Finally, in 616, the army of King
Æthelfrith of Bernicia would inflict a crushing defeat
upon the forces of Powys on the banks of the River Dee,
not far from Deva. Though Æthelfrith died not long
after the victory, his successors rebuilt the town which
they named Legeceaster. This name was shortened and
corrupted by its inhabitants, with the town soon
becoming known as Chester.
Chester, as a frontier city, changed hands several
times over the following century, fought over by kings
of Mercia and Northumbria. Despite this, Honoria
worked to establish Chester as a stable and prosperous
community. She encouraged Christian monks to settle
in the town and developed Chester as a focal point for
Christianity in the Kingdom of Mercia. Honoria was
broadly successful in her aims and, in 689, Chester was
the site of the foundation of the Minster Church of
West Mercia. Yet the growing prosperity of Chester
would also attract the interest of other Cainites. In the
closing years of the eighth century, a Cainite elder
named Leovigota arrived in the city. Leovigota,
formerly been a resident of Toledo, had come to Britain
after the Muslim conquest of Spain. With Marcus Verus
remaining in torpor, she was able to claim Chester as
her domain, despite the opposition of Honoria.
Leovigota’s Realm
Once she controlled Chester, Leovigota was careful to
consolidate her control, building strong links with the
mortal institutions of the town, and working to increase
its military strength. Having seen conflict firsthand in
Spain, she was wanted to ensure that her domain would
be safe from warfare which threatened to sweep across
the land. Leovigota’s preparations would prove to be
prudent; over the next century, the kingdoms of the
British Isles would be progressively threatened by
Danish raiders, though Chester remained largely secure.
The first real threat to the safety of Chester would
come in 865, with the arrival of the Great Heathen
Army in Britain. In 866 the army turned north,
exploiting internal conflicts within the Kingdom of
Northumbria. The Danes captured the city of York,
where they spent the winter. In the spring of 867, the
rival contenders to the Northumbrian throne, Ælla and
Osberht, united their forces in an attempt to display the
invading army. Their resources would prove insufficient
for the task; both kings were slain in battle outside of
York, and their armies routed, leaving the Danes in
control of their kingdom. York would become a base of
operations from where the Great Heathen Army could
threaten the entirety of the north.
Over the following thirty years the Danes of York
would harass the neighbouring kingdoms; in particular,
their raiders would target the lands of Mercia, to the
south, seen as the most powerful and dangerous rivials
of the Northumbrians. In 893, the Danes came to
Chester, and occupied the town. Although they
intended to use this conquest as a stepping stone to
expansion into Mercia, they were driven out the
following year by the forces of King Alfred of Wessex,
keen to defend the frontiers of his Mercian vassals. The
conflict showed how the position of the town on the
frontier between Mercia and Northumbria left Chester
in a dangerous position.
To reinforce her position in these dangerous times,
Leovigota embraced two childer, a Dane named
Asmundr Silver-voice and then a Welsh noble who
went by the name of Bran. Although Leovigota
tolerated Honoria, the embrace of this brood meant that
Chester was was nowundoubtedly the domain of the
Toreador elder and her childer.
The Kingdom of Mercia had been left weakened by
the wars with the Danes and by the early years of the
tenth century it had become a vassal state of the
Kingdom of Wessex. Finally, in 918, King Edward of
Wessex decided to consolidate his power with by
annexing Mercia. The move was unpopular with the
nobility of the region, who saw the lords of Wessex as
distant rulers, who would not defend the interests of the
Mercians. An uprising, centred upon Chester would
disrupt the rule of the Kings of Wessex, almost as soon
as it was established. However, lacking in strong central
leadership, the rebellion soon faltered. In 924 King
Edward led a campaign into Mercia, ending in the
capture of Chester. Mere weeks after this victory the
king would die at his estate in the nearby village of
Farndon.
The Return of Marcus Verus
The bloodshed resulting from the revolt brought Marcus
Verus out of torpor. The old Prince of Chester was
immediately came into conflict with Leovigota; the
Ventrue elder despised the newcomer, who he saw as
mercenary and dishonourable, whilst Leovigota thought
of Marcus Verus as a relic, who had forfeited his right to
rule. For a number of decades the two resided within the
town, barely containing their mutual hostility.
In 971 King Edgar of England held his coronation at
Chester. This was an event of great symbolic
importance, bringing together the rulers of the various
British kingdoms to pledge allegiance in a show of
pagentry. The coronation was designed to establish the
pre-eminence of Edgar and to show, beyond all doubt,
that the Kings of Wessex were now Kings of England.
Leovigota believed that the coronation would
provide her with an opportunity to expand her
influence beyond Chester. She believed that her chance
had come when Bran told her of an unguarded
conference of the kings’ councillors that was to be held
in the cloister of the Abbey of St Werburgh. Such an
event would give Leovigota the ability to confer directly
with the king, or even exert her influence in other ways.
That night, Leovigota slipped away to the abbey, ready
to meet with the king.
The supposed conference was a trap. Leovigota had
been unware that Marcus Verus had invented the
meeting with the assistance of Leovigota’s disloyal
childe Bran. The younger Toreador had grown tired of
his sire’s schemes, thinking her ungracious and
treacherous. On entering the abbey Leovigota was
Chester by Night
193
ambushed by the minions of Marcus Verus. Though she
fought back with all her strength, it was only the
sacrifice of her childe Asmundr which saved her from
Final Death. Leovigota was sorely injured, and carried
away from the abbey by Asdis, Asmundr’s childe. She
would not be seen within the walls of Chester again,
leaving Marcus Verus the undisputed prince of the
town.
Bran swore loyalty to Marcus Verus. He would
remain in Chester for the next twenty years. In reward
for his service, he was given permission to embrace a
childe; he chose a young nun, Goslinne, who had
charmed Bran with her beauty and grace. Yet Bran was
dissatisfied with his existence in Chester, yearning for
his mortal home of Powys. In the early years of the
eleventh century he left, retreating to the south, and
taking up residence in the mountains of Wales. Shortly
afterwards Goslinne would also depart the town, leaving
Marcus Verus and Honoria as the only Cainite
occupants of Chester.
Chester and the Triumvirate
Marcus Verus would consolidtate his hold upon the
town of Chester. Supporting him was a new arrival in
the region, a Gangrel elder named Æthelwulf. A saxon
warrior, who had lived and died in the sixth century,
Æthelwulf was inducted into the Cult of Mithras whilst
a neonate, and was willing to pledge loyalty to the
childe of the cult’s founder. Whilst Marcus Verus had
been a soldier in his life, he was far less familiar with the
techniques of medieval warfare than Æthelwulf, and
the Gangrel soon took up the role of Chester’s warlord,
roaming throughout the region, identifying and
neutralising threats, and finding allies for Marcus Verus.
Though Chester was a relatively small town, it soon
commanded significant influence throughout the north
of England.
As Marcus Verus was establishing his authority,
other Cainites were also looking towards the kingdom,
seeing opportunities. This group, originally based in the
French city of Rouen, would become known as the
Triumvirate. They arrived in England in 1066,
accompanying the invading forces of the Duke of
Normandy. Claiming the island as the domain of
themselves and their broods, they occupied London,
Winchester, and the key cities of southern England,
driving out those Cainites who resisted their claims on
power. They were particularly hostile to the brood of
Mithras, and those loyal to the memory of the
Methuselah. Scores of Cainites met their Final Deaths
England Will Burn
194
in the years after the arrival of the Triumvirate in
England.
In 1067 Landina, childe of Roald Snake-eyes,
arrived in Chester, demanding the fealty of Marcus
Verus. Accompanied by a dozen ghouled knights, she
believed that the Prince of Chester would be cowed into
submission. Landina underestimated the strength and
determination of Marcus Verus and his allies; in the
event, she was forced to retreat. The heads of her
retinue were sent back to London, as a warning to the
Triumvirate to stay away from Chester.
In the following years, Chester found itself besieged
by the agents of Liseult de Taine. As one of the few
domains which refused to even pay lip-service to the
notion that Roald Snake-eyes was overlord of England,
Chester was a threat to the authority of the Triumvirate.
Chester became a centre of resistance against the
newcomers, with the Cainite population swelled by
refugees from conflicts in other parts of England.
Almost every night there was violence on the streets of
town, as Liseult’s servants clashed with those Cainites
who remained loyal to Mithras. Marcus Verus drew on
the support of Æthelwulf, a powerful Gangrel elder and
member of the Cult of Mithras. Assistance, too, was
provided by Bran, whose agents patrolled the roads of
Wales and Northern England, intercepting many of the
followers of the Triumvirate before they reached the
town.
In 1081 Marcus Verus met with his sire, and a
number of the Methuselah’s key allies in the city of
York. At the conference, it was agreed to establish
spheres of influence around Chester, York, and
Gloucester, which could be used to co-ordinate the war
against the Triumvirate. The meeting served an
important role in the campaign against the enemies of
Mithras. Whilst the aggression against Chester would
continue, the agents of Mithras, Marcus Verus, and
their allies were now reaching far into southern
England, and even into London.
Chester was threatened by the servants of the Liseult
de Taine for close to sixty years. Yet from the time of
the Triumvirate’s arrival in England, their power and
influence were ebbing away, even as they thought they
were consolidating their hold on the country. Though
Mithras had been in torpor for many centuries, he
adapted quickly to the nature of the medieval world. He
was patient, won allies from the undecided Cainites of
England, and slowly undermined the authority of the
Triumvirate. By the middle of the twelfth century, his
allies were ready to strike. In 1141 Liseult de Taine was
slain at Nottingham, her destruction blamed on hostile
lupines. By 1153 all three members of the Triumvirate
had met their final deaths, and Mithras was claiming
domain over all England.
Wars with the Welsh
The coming of the Normans and the ultimate victory of
Mithras in his struggle against the Triumvirate has
allowed Marcus Verus to consolidate his hold on
Chester. Though small, the town is an important
holding of the Crown, a stronghold which anchors the
position of the English kings in their conflicts with the
Principality of Wales. The River Dee marks the
notional frontier between England and Wales, and
Chester often functions as the starting point for the
aggressions of the Kings of England.
In recent years, the defences of the town have been
bolstered, as the power of the Welsh princes has seen a
resurgence, and the border between England and Wales
has been pushed to the east. With the recent death of
Llywelyn the Great the Principality of Wales is again
looking vulnerable, and Chester may well become the
base of future military campaigns, as the Norman lords
seek to expand their power.
Chester by Night
195
 Geography
Cheshire is a county of gentle slopes and winding
rivers. This is a fertile land, well-populated by
villages and market towns which benefit both from the
natural value of the land, as well as its position on the
trade routes to Ireland. Chester is ideally suited to profit
from this trade. Situated on an escarpment rising above
a bend on the River Dee, Chester is not just a Norman
stronghold, but a wealthy port town. It is the furthest
point inland on the Dee that ocean-going vessels can
reach, and, as a result, is a thriving centre of trade, a
place where ships can unload their cargo, or take on
provisions. Indeed, most of the trade between England
and Ireland passes through Chester, and the town often
sees ships from further afield. It is not uncommon to
come across Germans, Danes or Poles on the streets of
the town.
The town also has close links with Wales, with the
town being the main market for grain, livestock, and
slate originating in the northern part of Wales. The city
gates are traditionally regarded as the eastern limit of
Welsh territory, though the Earls of Chester have
pushed the border between England and Wales far
further west over the last two hundred years.
Travel
When the Roman fortress of Deva Victrix was
established, it was intended as an outpost to support the
extension of Roman power in Britain. To support this,
they connected it to one of the main highways across
England, the Via Devana. Whilst the Roman highways
have decayed over the centuries, Marcus Verus has
ensured that the stretches of these roads connecting
Chester to nearby towns have remained in a reasonable
state of repair; as a result, Chester remains easy to reach
by road. The Via Devana remains in good condition as
far as Leicester, whilst other routes will take the
traveller to Carlisle and Worcester. Marcus Verus
employs agents along these roads to watch for Cainite
travellers, though these are far from infallible, and a
clever Cainite may be able to approach the town of
Chester unobserved.
Chester is one of the more important ports in the
north-west of England, and Cainite travellers may wish
to travel to the town by ship. Most ships arriving in the
port are from Dublin, a mere day-and-a-half across the
Irish Sea, though ships from Scotland, France, and
further afield are not unusual. Sailing on the Irish Sea is
England Will Burn
196
relatively safe for much of the year, though storms are
common, particularly in winter. Each year there will be
ships which disappear without trace in the cold, dark
sea, struck down by one of the many hazards of the sea.
All people and goods arriving in Chester’s port have
to travel through the Water Gate; this is closed by
night, and guarded by the loyal servants of Marcus Verus
during the day. Although it may be relatively easy for
Cainites to reach Chester’s port, it will be difficult for
them to enter the town unobserved.
Meres and Mosses
The landscape of Cheshire is dominated by its wetlands,
products of an ancient history which far predates the
arrival of the first Cainites. This landscape comprises of
peat bogs, known locally as mosses, and small, scattered
ponds and pools, known as meres. This is a landscape
which resists cultivation, though productive working
country for hunters and peat-diggers. One can easily get
lost amongst the mosses and meres during the day; at
night they can become a confusing maze, even for those
who live in the Cheshire countryside. Travellers in this
land, particularly those journeying in the hours of
darkness, would be well advised to stick to clearly-
marked roads.
The Marches
The nominal boundary between England and Wales lies
along the River Dee. When one crosses the Dee from
Chester, one enters a region known as the Welsh
Marches. This is a frontier region, contested between
the Kingdom of England and the Principality of Wales,
and ruled by semi-independent marcher barons. For
much of the past two hundred years Cheshire has
claimed the land between the Rivers Dee and Clwyd.
These claims have been disputed by the rulers of
Gwynedd and during the 1220s the Welsh prince
Llywelyn the Great was able to extend Welsh rule as far
east as the River Dee. Llywelyn died in 1240, however,
and the new Prince of Gwynedd, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, is
struggling to maintain the conquests of his father.
These long-running conflicts between England and
Wales has left both Cheshire and the marches as a
militarised landscape. Castles are common on both sides
of the border, the largest and most recent being Beeston
Castle, twelve miles south-east of Chester.
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197
 The Town
The Castle: Chester’s castle serves as the judicial and
administrative centre for Cheshire, as well as a military
base which can defend both town and county in times
of war. The castle was originally constructed in wood in
1070, though in the middle of the twelfth century a
major program of works was undertaken to replace the
keep and walls with sturdy stone structures. The castle
is one of the strongest in England, and is kept in a good
state of repair; mortal inhabitants see this as a sign of
royal favour, though, in truth, this is the result of the
desire of Marcus Verus for a comfortable and secure
haven.
The Walls: Chester is surrounded by high stone
walls; these were some of the earliest built in England,
completed in the time of Edward the Elder. On the
northern and western sides of the town the walls still
show traces of Roman masonry, a reminder of Chester’s
history. The main roads to Chester lead to the North
Gate, the East Gate, and, to the south, the Bridge Gate.
A fourth, minor, gate, the Wolf Gate, leads to the
amphitheatre and the Church of St John the Baptist.
The Rows: The Rows are raised covered pavements,
which run within the buildings alongside Chester’s
main streets. They provide shelter to those travelling or
shopping within the town, and many buildings may be
entered from the Rows. Beneath the Rows are a series of
undercrofts, built from solid stone. Though these are
generally used for storage, they can provide safe and
relatively secure havens for any Cainite visiting the
town.
The Forum: Chester’s main marketplace is at the
junction of Eastgate Street and Bridge Street. This spot
is covered with a patch of well-worn Roman tiles and is
known locally as the Forum.
The Abbey of St Werburgh: The principal religious
house in Chester is the Abbey of St Werburgh, a
Benedictine monastery located in the north-eastern
corner of the town. The abbey was founded in the early
years of the tenth century, whilst the town was being
rebuilt by the rulers of Mercia. It was dedicated, during
its construction, to St Werburgh, whose relics were
transferred here at the time of building to ensure that
they were kept safe from Danish raiders. Werburgh was
a daughter of King Wulfhere of Mercia, and a former
abbess at Ely Abbey. The relics of St Werburgh attract
pilgrims from throughout England, and the connection
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to Mercian royalty has meant that the abbey has been
able to attract the patronage of the kings of England
and, more recently, the Earls of Chester. The abbey has,
as a result, grown extremely wealthy and influential.
The Convent of the Black Friars: The house of the
Black Friars was founded by Ranulph de Meschin, the
third Earl of Chester, in the time of Henry Beauclerc.
The wealth of the Dominicans in Chester is
considerable, largely thanks to a former patron,
Alexander Stavenby, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.
The Dominicans have built up a small library in recent
years, and their convent is one of the most well-
furnished in the north of England.
The Convent of the Grey Friars: The Grey Friars are
a recent addition to Chester. The building of their
convent commenced in 1240 and, as of 1242, it is still
underway. The arrival of the Franciscans has not been
universally popular, and many of the notable people of
the town have suggested that it will be difficult for
Chester to generate sufficient alms to support both the
Grey Friars and the Black Friars.
The Church of St John the Baptist: The oldest
church in Chester, St John the Baptist sits a short
distance to the south-west of the town walls, on a cliff
overlooking the River Dee. The church was originally
founded by the Mercian King Æthelred in 689; it has
been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times in the
centuries since, and the current church is a large and
relatively modern structure. Between 1075 and 1095 it
was the seat of the Diocese of Lichfield, before the
diocese was relocated to the more populous town of
Coventry.
The Amphitheatre: Located a short distance to the
east of the Wolf Gate is a circular depression in the
ground. A thousand years ago this was the site of a
Roman amphitheatre. Whilst the building’s stones have
long since been plundered for building works, it remains
an important meeting place for the people of Chester.
Since Saxon times, the amphitheatre been used as a
place of execution. As a result, the people of Chester
tend to avoid the area in the hours of darkness. The
Cainites of the town exploit this popular fear, and use
the amphitheatre as a meeting place. On the night of
the first full moon of each month Marcus Verus holds
court in the amphitheatre, with all resident and visiting
Cainites expected to attend.
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 The Cainites of Chester
Aathousand years ago, the Roman colony of Deva was
thriving town, populated by a dozen Cainites. In
recent nights, the Cainite community of Chester is
much diminished, with only four Cainites residing
within the town’s walls. In truth, Marcus Verus enjoys
the relative peace which this presents. Having been
active for over a thousand years he is weary of the petty
politics of the Cainite world, and occasionally finds
himself longing for a simpler existence.
The weariness of Marcus Verus is fuelled by his
knowledge that he has opponents both in his domain,
as well as in nearby towns in England and Ireland. He
knows that Agnes would happily send him to his Final
Death if the opportunity arose, and that both Murchadh
Ó Morgair and Jocelyn de Boudene are both pawns in
plots to unseat and destroy him. Whilst a weaker or less
principled prince might choose to exile or destroy such
enemies, Marcus Verus feels honour-bound to protect
those to whom he has extended protection or
hospitality. It is a sign of his strength and confidence
that he does not see these younger Cainites are
providing any real threat to his existence.
With the disenchantment of Marcus Verus in
regards to Cainite politics, oversight of the town is
generally left to Honoria the Lydian. Along with Agnes
and Jocelyn de Boudene she makes up what might be
considered to be the Cainite community of the town,
and is likely the first Cainite that visitors to Chester are
likely to encounter.
Kept from the view of visitors is Syncletia Bardana,
Chester’s resident Salubri. Marcus Verus understands
that she would be under threat should knowledge of her
presence in the town become common knowledge, and
Syncletia spends most of her time secluded in St
Werburgh’s Abbey. Whilst both Agnes and Jocelyn
have met Syncletia, neither is aware that she is a
Salubri, believing, instead, that she is merely a reclusive
Cainite of a religious bent. This is a belief encouraged
by Marcus Verus, who regards the ignorance of the
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younger Cainites as a means of protecting Syncletia
Bardana.
The final member of Chester’s Cainite community is
Murchadh Ó Morgair, who arrived as a fugitive from
Ireland. Though prohibited from entering the walled
town, he regularly meets with the Cainites of Chester at
the courts Marcus Verus holds at the amphitheatre.
Murchadh is not trusted by the Cainites of the town,
who tend to see him as a Brujah rabble-rouser; despite
this, he is treated with respect and courtesy. The
Cainite community of Chester is small and its members
are well aware of how it might be destabilised by even a
relatively small degree of discord.
Chester and Dublin
Chester is the most important English port facing the
Irish Sea, a focal point for much of the trade running
between England and the Norman colonies in Ireland.
The main Cainite beneficiary of this is Marcus Verus, as
control of Chester has given him enormous influence
over the Cainite community of Ireland in general and
of Dublin in particular. Any disruption to the normal
functioning of Chester’s port can deprive the Ventrue
lords of resources, disrupt their communication with
allies, and diminish their ability to influence the mortal
pawns upon which they rely. The fact that the port of
Chester faces the wild and unpredictable Irish Sea
means that shipping is disrupted with what the Cainites
of Dublin see as alarming regularity.
Edward de Warene, Prince of Dublin, is resentful of
this situation, believing that the disruptions to trade are
less the results of the vagaries of the weather, than the
scheming of Marcus Verus. In recent years, Edward de
Warene has been able to consolidate his power in
Dublin, partly through an alliance he has forged with
his former enemies, the Morgair Brujah of Leinster.
Believing his position secure, Edward de Warene is now
turning his attention to Chester, searching for ways he
can challenge Marcus Verus.
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 ˊ Morgair
Murchadh O
Murchadh is an outsider in the community of
Chester. Though he recognises Marcus Verus as
his prince, Murchadh is a fugitive from a far-off conflict,
banned from ever passing through the town’s gates.
As a young man Murchadh was a rogue and a cattle-
thief, eking out a living on the eastern fringes of the
Kingdom of Leinster. Catching the eye of a member of
the Morgair family, Murchadh was embraced for no
other reason than he might prove useful in an upcoming
conflict with the Conlae family. Murchadh survived
and, for a while, prospered in the Cainite community of
Leinster. His downfall came in 1169, when the Morgairs
came into conflict with the newly-arrived Norman
Ventrue, who were intent on taking control of the
towns of eastern Ireland. The Morgair arrogantly
believed that they could easily defeat these newcomers.
The conflict, however, quickly became a series of
painful lessons for the Morgairs; Murchadh’s sire met his
Final Death, and the remaining Morgairs were scattered
throughout England and Ireland, with Murchadh
arriving in Chester in 1175.
Though Marcus Verus had vowed not to give
sanctuary to the enemies of Edward de Warene within
the city of Chester, he allowed Murchadh to settle in
eastern Wales, then depopulated of Cainites. Murchadh
took up the suggestion and has been, for the past fifty
years, ‘prince’ and sole inhabitant of the border town of
Wrexham, residing in a castle in the town.
In the last decade the Morgairs have come to an
accommodation with Edward de Warene, with the
result that they now consider themselves allies of the
Norman Ventrue. Murchadh is now finding himself
called upon to act as an agent of the Prince of Dublin,
furthering the interests of Edward de Warene in the fief
of Chester.
Image: Murchadh is tall and wiry, with a short beard and
wild, straggly, hair. He is normally seen dressed in what
might pass as the practical travelling garb of a wealthy
peasant, in warm woollen tunics and cloaks. Invariably,
he will have a weapon to hand, either a stout stave or
axe.
Roleplaying Hints: You are proud and boastful, doing
your best to impress those you meet with your apparent
importance in Irish politics. You will be happy to talk of
overthrowing elders and tyrants, whilst putting little
effort into effecting real change.
Haven: Erddig Castle
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Influence: When he came to England, Murchadh was a
fugitive with little in the way of power or authority.
With the deterioration of political relations between
Chester and Dublin, Murchadh is being courted by a
number of Irish elders, who see him as being able to
extend their influence in England. In the unlikely event
that Murchadh be able to exploit this interest, he could
command great power.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Brotchú Ó Morgair
Nature: Bravo
Demeanour: Bon Vivant
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1135
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 2, Expression 3,
Intimidation 3, Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Crafts 2, Melee 4, Ride 3, Stealth
2, Survival 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Investigation 3, Politics
1
Disciplines: Celerity 2, Fortitude 1, Potence 2, Presence
3
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 5, Herd 3, Resources
2, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 3, Courage 5
Morality: Path of Vigour 7
Willpower: 4
 Honoria the Lydian
Honoria is the Seneschal of Chester, a powerful
presence in the Cainite society. Marcus Verus may
be the town’s respected warrior prince, but it is
Honoria’s hands which rest on the reins of power.
Honoria was seduced and embraced by a Cainite in
the latter days of Roman Deva. Her sire, a powerful
Alexandrite Ravnos named Cyrenios, had been
impressed by her wit and intelligence. For a number of
decades she resided happily with her lover, enjoying her
new existence. However, Cyrenios had an old enmity
with Vellocatus, beloved childe of the prince. In the
closing years of the fourth century, Cyrenios raided a
villa belonging to Vellocatus, killing a number of his
ghouls, and stealing a stash of gold. A confrontation
followed between the two Cainites, one which ended to
the Final Death of Vellocatus.
Cyrenios was hauled before Marcus Verus, who
sentenced the Ravnos to be staked out to meet the
dawn. Yet when the sentence was pronounced, Honoria
threw at the feet of the prince, and made him an offer;
should he spare her sire, she would loyally serve the
prince as if she were his own childe. Marcus Verus,
surprised by her offer, was persuaded to show mercy.
Cyrenios was sent into exile and Honoria became a
retainer of the prince.
In the centuries since she pledged herself to Marcus
Verus, Honoria has been his loyal supporter. In the early
years of her embrace she was bound by Blood Oath to
her sire, and she still yearns to be by his side. However,
she has not deserted Marcus Verus, even though she has
had many opportunities. From long service by his side
Honoria has found herself forming a deep emotional
attachment to the prince. She knows that she is no
more than his servant, but would voluntarily go to her
Final Death to protect his existence. In recent nights
Honoria has served as seneschal and investigator for
Marcus Verus, observing the nightly events within
Chester, and monitoring Cainite affairs.
Fixation: Protecting others.
Image: Even in undeath, Honoria has the dark hair and
tanned skin of her mortal homeland. Whilst naturally
beautiful, she does little to accent this, dressing simply
and plaiting her long, dark hair.
Roleplaying Hints: You are the right hand of Marcus
Verus; within this role you project a quiet, calm
authority. This is how most will see you, for your duty is
your existence. When not serving in your role, you are
charming and playful, a side of your character which
most Cainites will never see.
Haven: Honoria resides in a set of chambers within the
Inner Bailey in Chester Castle.
Influence: Honoria has influence over the sheriff of
Chester, and the bailiffs of the surrounding hundreds;
any odd occurrences in Cheshire will quickly be brought
to her attention.
Clan: Ravnos
Sire: Cyrenios
Nature: Penitent
Demeanour: Soldier
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 293
Apparent Age: Mid-30s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 2, Brawl 2, Empathy 3, Expression 3,
Leadership 2, Legerdemain 4
Skills: Commerce 2, Etiquette 4, Melee 2, Performance
2, Ride 1, Stealth 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Investigation 4, Politics 4,
Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Animalism 3, Chimerstry 5, Dominate 3,
Fortitude 5, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 2, Domain 2, Influence
1, Mentor 4, Resources 2, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 6

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203
 Syncletia Bardana
Itbeis surprised
likely that most recent visitors to Chester would
to learn that the town is haven to a
Salubri. That Syncletia Bardana has resided safely in
Chester for over twenty years is a testament to the
protection extended to her by the town’s prince, Marcus
Verus. Through Tremere agents travel the highways of
Britain, searching for the last of the Salubri, Syncletia
Bardana remains relatively secure within the walls of
Chester.
Syncletia Bardana was once a nun in an orthodox
monastery, located close to the city of Thessaloniki. Her
piety and devotion to the poor and needy impressed a
Salubri elder in the city; to preserve her virtues in
perpetuity, he embraced her. Though becoming a
Cainite was a shock, Syncletia adapted as best she
could. For the first two hundred years after her embrace
she remained in her monastery, becoming its patron and
protector.
Her unlife was, however, was to be disrupted, first by
the diablerie of Saulot, and then by the destruction of
Michael, Methuselah of Constantinople, and the fall of
the Empire. Syncletia found herself fleeing a region in
which she had long resided, pursued by Tremere
hunters, sent out on the orders of Ceoris.
In Barcelona Syncletia met a Ravnos elder named
Cyrenios; sympathetic to her plight, he told her of the
town of Deva, and its honourable Ventrue prince, who
had once spared his life. Syncletia travelled north,
arriving in Chester in the winter of 1220. She requested
sanctuary from the prince. Ever since then she has
resided safely within the town.
In recent years Syncletia has been consumed by a
growing sense of guilt. Whilst she has saved herself thus
far from the attentions of the Tremere, she has begun to
have doubts as to whether she was right to flee to the
safety of Chester. Dwelling on the martyrdom of Saulot,
Syncletia wonders whether the time is approaching
when she should submit to her fate, and surrender
herself to the Tremere.
Image: Syncletia is a tall and stern woman, often garbed
in the simple dress of a peasant woman. She normally
keeps her hair covered; on the rare occasions it is
revealed, observers will see that it is cropped short, a
legacy from her days as a nun.
Roleplaying Hints: You exhibit a calm curiosity;
decades of first fleeing and hiding from the Tremere
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have left you feeling estranged from the world. After
your experiences you will show gratitude in regards to
any kindness shown to you, no matter how small.
Haven: Syncletia has made her haven in a crypt
beneath St Werburgh’s Abbey.
Influence: Syncletia has the trust and support of Marcus
Verus and Honoria; beyond this she has little influence.
Clan: Salubri (Healer)
Sire: Avtalyon
Nature: Penitent
Demeanour: Caregiver
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 988
Apparent Age: Early 50s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 1, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 4, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 5, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 1, Awareness 3,
Expression 3, Intimidation 1, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Crafts 2, Etiquette 2, Performance 2, Stealth 3,
Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 3, Medicine 4, Seneschal 1,
Theology 4
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Dominate 2, Fortitude 4,
Potence 2, Valeran (Healer) 4
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 1, Herd 3, Resources
1
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 9
Willpower: 4
 Marcus Verus
Marcus Verus is known amongst the Cainites of
England as the most faithfully and powerful of the
childer of Mithras. Few doubt that, should he desire, he
could make himself prince of almost any town in
England. Yet the political ambitions of Marcus Verus
are limited, for now he is content with the martial
challenges presented by the town of Chester.
Prior to his embrace, Marcus Verus was a Roman
Legionnaire, and loyal follower of the Cult of Mithras.
His devotion brought him to the attention of Mithras
himself; the potential shown by this soldier was clear to
the Methuselah. In the final years of the second century,
he was embraced, and inducted into the Hounds of
Mithras, pursuing the enemies of his sire across the land.
One such hunt saw him dispatch the Cainite prince of
his former home town of Deva; with the support of
Mithras, he took her place.
In the following centuries, Marcus Verus has not
strayed far from Chester. He has endeavoured to keep
the Cult of Mithras alive, and represent the interests of
his sire in North Wales, and the North-west of England.
To this end, he sired a brood of Cainites. His childer
have, however, been disappointments. Vellocatus, the
eldest, was slain by a Ravnos; Godefroy, the second
childe, was a political schemer, who deserted his sire not
long after his embrace; finally, Agnes, the youngest of
Marcus’s brood, is devoutly religious, and shows her sire
a barely concealed contempt.
In recent years Marcus has progressively felt the pull
or torpor. As he withdraws from Cainite affairs, he has
become increasingly reliant on his adopted childe,
Honoria. The Ravnos was pledged to his service after
her sire slew Vellocatus. In the early years of their
association, Marcus Verus was a harsh and demanding
taskmaster, seeing the presence of the younger Cainite
as a reminder of a terrible crime. Over the centuries,
however, he has developed a degree of respect, and even
affection, in regards to her. Whilst Marcus Verus will
always insist that Chester should be overseen by one
from the line of Mithras he has, without thinking,
begun to groom Honoria as his successor.
Feeding Restriction: Soldiers.
Image: Marcus Verus is a powerfully-built man with a
commanding physical presence. He is rarely seen
dressed in anything other than armour, favouring
modern knightly garb.
Roleplaying Hints: You are firm and forthright, with the
manner of a general, rather than that of a courtier.
Though you may appear gruff, you are keenly
intelligent, perceptive, and considerate.
Haven: Agricola Tower, Chester Castle
Influence: Marcus Verus commands the respect of many
Cainites throughout England, and is one of the most
senior members of the Cult of Mithras. He can draw on
the support and assistance of the agents of the Prince of
London, as well as his own numerous allies.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Mithras
Nature: Judge
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 5th
Embrace: 192
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 5, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 5, Athletics 4, Brawl 5, Empathy 4,
Intimidation 5, Leadership 5
Skills: Animal Ken 4, Archery 4, Etiquette 4, Melee 7,
Ride 4, Stealth 3, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 3, Occult 2, Politics 5,
Seneschal 4, Theology 3
Disciplines: Animalism 3, Celerity 3, Dominate 4,
Fortitude 6, Obfuscate 3, Potence 5
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Domain 5, Herd 2,
Influence 3, Mentor 5, Resources 4, Retainers 4, Status
5
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 5
Willpower: 6
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 Agnes
Agnes is a reasonable person, a fact that she is willing
to explain to those she meets. She bears no desire
to be a martyr and does not wear her religion in the
manner of a fanatic. Yet around her she sees monsters
and servants of the Devil, and the fear and hatred she
bears would surprise any familiar with her apparently
calm and reasonable demeanour.
Agnes was born into a wealthy Anglo-Norman
family, in the service of the crown. Her father was the
bailiff of the Riseton Hundred, and Agnes assisted him
in his duties, learning to read and write, and becoming
well-versed in the law. She chose not to marry, knowing
her duties as wife would likely be less interesting and
demanding that assisting her father.
Her capabilities attracted the attention of one of the
ghouls of Marcus Verus, Prince of Chester. On a pretext,
the now-elderly bailiff and his daughter were summoned
to the town of Chester, and the prince engineered a
meeting with Agnes. Impressed by her intelligence, he
embraced her on the spot, making her his childe and
intended successor.
Yet Marcus Verus had paid little attention to the
nature of the woman who would become his childe.
Agnes was, and always had been devoutly religious.
Whilst she has come to accept that Cainites might not
necessarily be servants of evil, she finds herself despising
ancient monsters such as her sire, who are detached
from humanity, and have refused to accept the message
of Christ. Whilst Agnes is currently biding her time, she
feels that the night is fast approaching when she will
have to openly declare herself as an enemy of her sire.
Feeding Restriction: Agnes may only feed on the blood
of women who have taken religious orders; she has
cultivated the monks of Stanlow Abbey as her herd.
Image: Agnes has the deportment of a lady, albeit one
past her first youth. She dresses with a deliberate
modesty, shrouding her form in a rough grey surcoat,
and deliberately eschewing the luxuries of her former
life.
Roleplaying Hints: Extend a cautious courtesy to all
that you meet. This will apply even to those who you
despise, for is it not the greatest commandment to love
thy neighbour? You would gladly extend this courtesy to
the point at which you stake your enemies to the
ground, to wait for the cleansing rays of the morning
sun.
Haven: Stanlow Abbey
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Influence: In the century since her embrace Agnes has
cultivated influence in the English church, in the north
of England. She has subjected a number of prominent
churchmen to the Blood Oath, and has loyal followers
in monasteries Though she rarely choses to exercise her
influence, she is able to use her networks to exert a
subtle influence upon the nobility in many of the
northern counties.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Marcus Verus
Nature: Fanatic
Demeanour: Penitent
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 1135
Apparent Age: Late 40s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Empathy 4, Expression 3,
Leadership 1
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Commerce 3, Etiquette 3,
Performance 2, Stealth 1
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 1, Law 5, Politics 3, Seneschal 3,
Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Fortitude 3, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 3, Herd 4, Influence
4, Resources 1, Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 9
Willpower: 4
 Jocelyn de Boudene
Jocelyn is John Hawtin’s representative in the town
of Chester, and a sharp contrast to Marcus Verus.
Whilst the prince is the model of a noble Patrician,
Jocelyn De Boudene plays the role of the detached
knight, a man who exists for war and violence.
In life Jocelyn a knight in the service of Hugh Lupus,
the Earl of Chester. He found his identity in war, and
spent many years campaigning in the Welsh
borderlands, fighting to extend Norman influence into
the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Despite experiencing years
of warfare in Wales, Jocelyn was to meet his death in
York, whilst on a pilgrimage to Beverley Minster.
Jocelyn caught the eye of the Ventrue elder Hugh de
Lincolne. Admiring Jocelyn’s martial prowess, Hugh
embraced him, and brought him into the service of the
Prince of York.
For a century Jocelyn stayed at his sire’s side, as both
servant and lover, bound by the Blood Oath. However,
in the closing years of the twelfth century Jocelyn was
summoned before John Hawtin, the Cainite Prince of
York, and given the task of acting as the prince’s
ambassador in Chester. Jocelyn, mindful of his oaths,
left for Chester the following night.
Since that time Jocelyn has not seen either his sire,
or the Prince of York. On arrival in Chester he swore
fealty to Marcus Verus; since then Jocelyn has
discovered that his John Hawtin real intentions were
that he should assassinate Marcus Verus. Jocelyn now
feels that he is torn between two masters, unsure of how
best to discharge his honour.
In recent years Jocelyn has found his feelings for
Hugh de Lincolne fade. From Syncletia he has learnt
about the nature of Blood Oaths, and of the fact that
they may fade once the Domitor meets their Final
Death. Jocelyn is keen on discovering what might have
happened to his beloved sire; at the same time, he is
wondering how much of the feelings for his sire were
genuine, and what the nature of their relationship truly
was.
Feeding Restriction: Members of the aristocracy.
Image: Jocelyn is tall and bulky, embraced at the point
at which his warrior’s muscles were receding into
middle-aged fat. He emphasises his height and build
with the armour and surcoat of a Norman knight, and
will normally be armed.
Roleplaying Hints: You are courteous, though not
necessarily friendly; aware of your superiority to the
common people, you are not so foolish to confuse
honour and kindness, and conduct yourself accordingly.
Haven: Beeston Castle
Influence: Jocelyn has the ear of Marcus Verus, who
treats him as a proficient navigator of the Cainite courts
of the north of England. Jocelyn believes that he is held
in a position of respect by John Hawtin, and would be
shocked should he discover just how much he is
despised by the Prince of York.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Hugh de Lincolne
Nature: Soldier
Demeanour: Loner
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1090
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 5, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 1, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 5, Brawl 2, Intimidation
1, Leadership 2
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Etiquette 3, Melee 4, Ride 3,
Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 1, Politics 1, Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Dominate 2, Fortitude 2, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Domain 1, Resources 3, Retainers 3,
Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Path of Chivalry 7
Willpower: 5
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England Will Burn

208
 CHAPTER 7:

Located in the far north of England, Carlisle is a lonely fortress town,

far from what mortals see as the civilised parts of the country. It is a
remote place, set in a rugged landscape, far from London and the other
great cities of England. In its isolation, Carlisle has attracted the most
marginal members of society, both mortal and Cainite, those who have
found that they are unwelcome elsewhere, and have drifted through the
country until they have reached this desolate spot. Now, in the middle of
the thirteenth century, Carlisle is a dangerous town, threatened by
military aggression from across the Scottish border, and by intrigues from
within the Cainite world. Many within the town fear that there are dark
clouds on the horizon, and that it may soon be enveloped by chaos and
war. For those who dwell within Carlisle there are, undoubtedly, dark
times ahead.

209
 Carlisle, Bastion of the North
Carlisle is one of the most northerly towns in
England, located close to the border with the
Kingdom of Scotland. It is a fortress town, the legacy of
centuries of conflict. Whilst many towns in England are
protected by nothing better than ditches or wooden
stockades, Carlisle is surrounded by a high stone wall,
and graced by a large castle. The defences of Carlisle are
sufficiently strong that it can withstand an attack from
a professional army. This is perhaps fortunate given that
the Scottish kings still see Cumberland as one of their
natural possessions.
Carlisle is a town which has gone through multiple
rounds of destruction and rebirth. It was first founded by
the Romans as Luguvalium, the city of Lug, a fortress
anchoring the western edge of the frontier known to
history as Hadrian’s Wall. It was abandoned when the
Romans left Britain, only to be rebuilt by the Saxons
two centuries later as Caer Luel, the fortress of Caer.
This town was destroyed by the Vikings, abandoned so
thoroughly that oak trees grew through the ruins of
streets and buildings. Its third founding, in the late
eleventh century, was as the key fortress protecting the
newly-conquered county of Cumberland. Yet, despite
English power, the conquest of this new region is
tentative. The town has already been recaptured once
by the Scots, and has been besieged twice since its
return to the English throne. It will only be a matter of
time before the Scots will, once more, launch an assault
on the town of Carlisle.
Carlisle is not just a fortress, but is also the capital of
the county of Cumberland, and the seat of the Diocese
of Carlisle. The current Bishop of Carlisle, Walter
Mauclerk, makes his residence in the town. A once-
powerful figure, Mauclerk served both King John and
King Henry of Winchester, and was appointed as Lord
High Treasurer of England in 1228. Mauclerk was,
however, expelled from this post in 1233, after his
political allies in court fell from favour. After being
deposed, the elderly Mauclerk retreated to Carlisle,
from where he plots his return to power. The town is
also home to William de Dacre, Sheriff of Carlisle. A
Norman nobleman, de Dacre is the most important
representative of the Crown in Carlisle, and has been
given the unenviable task of keeping the peace in the
wild northern county. In 1242 he is busy preparing the
town for the Scottish attack which he fears is imminent.
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Theme
Carlisle exists for one reason alone, which is to protect
Cumberland from the Scots. Few choose to come to the
town, unless they have little choice in the matter. The
theme of Carlisle by Night is exile. Few residents of the
town, mortal or Cainite, were born in Carlisle. This is a
modern town, established by the Normans to exert their
authority over the north. Here, few questions are asked
about those who come from the south, with each new
arrival reinforcing the English identity of Carlisle. The
town, thus, accepts those who would not be welcome
elsewhere. Carlisle is a place where the law is barely
maintained, populated by those who have been exiled
from polite society.
In the medieval imagination, exile was a
punishment equivalent to death. To be sent away from
one’s home and kinsmen, with no prospect of return,
was a punishment of immense cruelty. Many would
rather choose death, than the prospect of exile to a town
like Carlisle.
Carlisle is a remote town, far from the cities of
London and York. Given that it might take weeks, or
even months, for a message to reach the capital, Carlisle
is remarkably removed from the intrigues which
dominate Cainite life elsewhere in England and those
who chose to visit or reside within the town must be
able to rely on their own wits and cunning. Only the
most bold and resourceful will proper in this northern
outpost of English power.
Mood
The mood in Carlisle is one of simmering resentment.
Those who dwell within the town chafe against the
conditions of their exile. The mortal soldiers who
garrison the castle resent the freedoms of the ungrateful
citizens, whilst the Northumbrians of Carlisle dislike
the manner in which their town has become a border
outpost in the ongoing conflicts between England and
Scotland. The streets of the town are beset by
drunkenness and petty violence, and there is a pervasive
atmosphere of anger and insecurity.
The mood of the mortal world is mirrored in the
world of the Cainites. Nathaniel, the Prince of Carlisle
pretends he resides in the town by choice, though in
reality it is little more than a convenient haven to
which he fled, after Mithras took power in London. The
other Cainites within the local community have little
respect for this rebel prince. Indeed, Nathaniel only
retains power due to the fact that there is no better
candidate for the position present in the city.
Nevertheless, despite their disunity, the Cainites of
Carlisle present, to outsiders, a facade of unity and
common purpose, for they share a resentment of those
Cainites who are not exiled to this remote corner of
England.
Using Carlisle by Night
Whilst Carlisle is distant from the centres of English
power, it is, nevertheless, an important town, and there
are a number of ways in which it can be used within a
chronicle. Nathaniel, in particular, is a notable figure in
Cainite society of England, and his presence in Carlisle
may provide characters with a reason to visit the town.
Allies of Mithras, or other Cainites with conservative
patrons, may be sent to the town, in order to overthrow
the rebel prince. Conversely, Nathaniel is well-
respected amongst the Furores and Prometheans as a
rebel who has defied the Prince of London. Cainite
characters allied with either of these groups may wish to
travel to Carlisle to seek Nathaniel’s assistance.
Storytellers with chronicles focused on the themes of
rebellion and defiance may wish to consider using
Carlisle as a base for the player characters.
Cainites may be brought to the town for other
reasons. Tremere characters may wish to consult with
Iustina Ravazs, whilst Nosferatu seeking revenge for the
death of Osred may track Randulf the Pilgrim to the
town. Veterans of the Raven’s War, meanwhile, from
either side of the conflict, may come to Carlisle because
of the presence of Morgant ap Madoc.
Finally, the presence of Carlisle on one of the main
routes between England and Scotland means that many
travellers, including Cainites, stop at the town whilst
travelling between the countries. Of course, given the
nature of the Cainites of Carlisle, there is every
possibility that travellers may quickly become embroiled
in the plots of the elders residing in the town.
The Fee of Carlisle
When the Fee of Chester was created, its northern
boundary was defined as lying on the River Kent, which
then roughly marked the most northern extent of
English political power. In the following decades the
Kings of England pushed the boundary with the
Kingdom of Scotland as far north as the River Esk,
leaving a large area of English territory unclaimed by the
feodum of York and Chester. Populated by no more than
a handful of Cainites, this region was largely ignored
during the conflict between Mithras and the
Triumvirate.
This situation was to change in 1157, when
Nathaniel claimed Cumberland as the Fee of Carlisle.
His claims were uncontested by the Princes of York and
Chester, neither of whom had any great interest in the
sparsely populated northern county. Nor did Mithras
have any great interest in pressing the issue, seeing
Nathaniel as a rather inconsequential follower of Roald
Snake-eyes. Left unchallenged, Nathaniel was able to
establish some measure of influence over the region, and
the Fee of Carlisle is now an accepted sphere of Cainite
influence.
Carlisle by Night
211
 History
W
hen the Roman legions first came to the
Cumberland coast, they found it to be a bleak and
inhospitable place. Afraid of the local peoples, they
constructed a fortress not far from the coast, on a rocky
bluff overlooking the confluence of two rivers. Over the
following decades this stronghold, which the Romans
called Luguvalium, developed into an important town
on the northern frontier, an anchoring point for the
Vallum Aelium, which defended the British provinces
of the Roman Empire from the depredations of Pictish
raiders.
The town thrived whilst Britain remained part of the
Roman Empire. However, the fortunes of Luguvalium
declined rapidly in the early years of the fifth century,
as the Roman legions were withdrawn from Britain,
moved southwards to protect the empire’s core
provinces in France and Italy. Without the protection
of the legions, the town was vulnerable to attack and,
before the end of the century, Luguvalium was
abandoned by its inhabitants. For two hundred years the
remnants of the town decayed, a majestic set of stone
ruins set against the rugged Cumbrian landscape.
The Birth of Caer Luel
In the early years of the seventh century the people of
Cumberland began to return to the site of the
Luguvalium. It was, at first, used as a marketplace,
before being settled by the farmers and craftsmen of
Cumberland. They called this town Caer Luel, and built
deep defensive ditches around the ruined walls. In 686
Caer Luel was visited by Cuthbert, the Bishop of
Lindisfarne, who bestowed a monastery on the town.
Yet the prosperity of Caer Luel was to be fleeting. In
the ninth century Britain was ravaged by the Great
Heathen Army, invaders from across the seas who
aimed to make the land their own. In 876 a warband
detached from the army and travelled across
Cumberland, crushing everything in their path. The
warband left Caer Luel in ruins, and its surviving
inhabitants fled to the safety of the mountains. By the
early years of the tenth century Caer Luel’s inhabitants
were a handful of Irish families, who dwelt in huts under
the oak trees which grew through the walls and
foundations of the abandoned town.
It was in the early years of the ninth century that a
Gangrel elder made Caer Luel his haven. Crathlynt was
a powerful Cainite from the wild border regions of
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Scotland. He had come into conflict with Lupines
dwelling within the region and had moved south, to find
safer territory. Crathlynt found that the ruined Caer
Luel made an ideal haven; superstition kept many of the
local people away from the ruins which they believed
cursed, whilst the local farms and villages provided
sufficient sustenance for Crathlynt’s needs.
Caer Luel remained a ruin until the middle of the
eleventh century. At that time it was part of a wild land,
notionally controlled by the Kingdom of the Scots, but
largely unpopulated and overgrown by the wild forest of
Inglewood. In 1092, however, William Rufus, King of
England, travelled through Cumberland on his return
from a successful military campaign in Scotland.
Malcolm, King of Scotland, had invaded the northern
counties of England, and had been driven back by an
aggressive response from the Norman rulers. Having
annexed Cumberland, King William saw Caer Luel as
an ideal defensive point where future Scottish
campaigns might be deflected. He set his followers to
work on constructing a new garrison town which might
dominate the north of the county.
Crathlynt was indifferent to the new town, Carlisle,
which took shape around his haven. He made a number
of leading figures of this city his ghouls, and saw a castle
built over the ruined cellars in which he resided. He was
indifferent, too, when the Scots recaptured Carlisle in
1135. More pressing was the arrival, with the Scots, of
Feradach, childe of Robert the Fair, Prince of
Edinburgh. Feradach had intended to claim Carlisle as
his domain, and was surprised to find that the town
already had a Cainite inhabitant. Although the initial
meetings between the two were hostile, Crathlynt
offered hospitality to the newcomer. Feradach remained
in Carlisle for three months and when he left, on
Midsummer’s Eve, the two Cainites swore an oath of
loyalty to one another. Over the following years
Feradach, and other Cainites of the Raven’s Brood,
would frequently use Carlisle as a refuge when travelling
between the lands of the Scots and Welsh.
War on the Borderlands
The Scottish possession of the town would last for less
than twenty years. In 1153 King David of Scotland died
whilst at Carlisle. He was succeeded by his eleven-year-
old grandson, Malcolm. The new king’s advisors realised
that Scotland was vulnerable whilst a child king was on
the throne, and, in 1157, chose to relinquish
Cumberland, rather than face the English in battle. The
Scottish soldiers withdrew from Carlisle, whilst English
troops were sent north to garrison the town.
Accompanying the English soldiers was Nathaniel, a
Brujah rebel who had recently fled from London. Whilst
Crathlynt offered the newcomer a courteous welcome,
Nathaniel was jealous of the Gangrel elder, and
treacherously slew him. With Crathlynt dead,
Nathaniel was able to claim the town of Carlisle as his
own domain.
The Scots have made a number of attempts to
reclaim Carlisle. The sieges of 1173 and 1174 with easily
broken by the English armies, though, in 1193, the
Scots burnt a large portion of Carlisle and came close to
capturing the town. Nathaniel believes that Mithras is
responsible for these attacks on the town, thinking that
they are attempts to crush him, in response to his refusal
to acknowledge the Prince of London as his overlord.
Since Nathaniel became Prince of Carlisle, a
number of other Cainites have taken up residence in the
town and surrounding area. The first to arrive was
Helisent, a Ventrue neonate, and one of the few
members of Roald Snake-eyes’ brood to survive the
ascent of Mithras to the princedom of London. Over the
following years Nathaniel and Helisent were joined by
Morgant ap Madoc, Iustina Ravazs, and Randulf the
Pilgrim. Despite ongoing frictions, this disparate group
now form a Cainite community of sorts, with an identity
built upon a shared experience of exile in Carlisle.
Although Nathaniel professes that he is no enemy of
Mithras, the Prince of London is suspicious of this
Cainite lord who refuses to even nominally accept his
authority. Whilst Mithras himself has chosen not to act
against Nathaniel, a number of his allies are less tolerant
of the Prince of Carlisle. In particular Nicholas,
Chamberlain of London, is concerned as to the
existence of what he sees as a haven for rebel Cainites
in the north of England. Nicholas believes that action
must be taken and, on three separate occasions, he has
sent agents to Carlisle in order to observe, and possibly
overthrow Nathaniel. Each time his agent has
disappeared on the road, north of Chester. Nicholas is
now considering his next move, fearing that Nathaniel
has an extensive set of agents, guarding the approaches
to his town.
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 Geography
Cumberland is one of the wild northern counties of
England. It is not populous, with most of county
dominated by the bleak Cumbrian Mountains. These
peaks are the highest in England, and the valleys which
nestle between them contain a scattering of villages.
The people of Cumberland keep sheep on the hills, and
scrape whatever crops they can from the valley bottoms.
The coast, meanwhile, is windswept and thickly
forested. The woods of Cumberland are dense temperate
rainforest, believed by many local people to be magical
and wolf-infested.
This wild landscape is, however, of great strategic
importance, with Carlisle being an easily defensible
bastion on the road between England and Scotland. In
Roman times Luguvalium marked the western end of
the empire’s northern frontier, a fortress and trading
post which helped to anchor the wall of Hadrian. A
thousand years later the town remains an important
border fortress, now marking the boundary between
England and Scotland. Whilst it was intended that the
Treaty of York, in 1237, would formalise the border, the
Kings of Scotland still look to the south, regarding
Cumbria as a natural part of their territory.
Should Carlisle fall to the Scots, the county of
Cumbria would be immediate forfeit, and the northern
counties of England would be vulnerable to invasion.
Thus, whatever the miserable state of the town, it
remains a valued possession of the English crown.
Travel
Those wishing to travel to Carlisle have two choices.
One is the old Roman road which runs north from
Lancaster, across the Cumbrian Mountains. This is a
dramatic route, as the Romans discovered that the most
direct route to the northern frontier lay not through the
valleys but across mountain peaks. The High Street, as
it is known, has not seen any significant repairs since
the time of the Romans, but remains in sufficiently good
shape that using it is still preferable to crossing open
country. On a clear, moonlight night, a traveller on the
High Street can see distant lakes and mountain peaks.
Although the area surrounding Carlisle contains a
scattering of villages, the area is relatively lightly
populated. The traveller can go days without seeing any
greater sign of civilisation than shepherds’ huts, and few
isolated cottages. A wary Cainite might note that the
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214
rugged landscape of thick woods and sharp defiles
provide the ideal landscape for ambushes.
The other choice for travellers is to reach Carlisle by
ship. The town is bounded to the north by the River
Eden, and to the west by the Caldew. Whilst these are
neither particularly wide or deep, at high-tide an ocean-
going vessel may reach the rough docks which sit on the
Caldew to the west of Carlisle. Throughout most of the
year it is relatively safe to sail to Carlisle, though the
Irish Sea is riven by storms through the winter, and few
sailors would voluntarily choose to make the journey
between October and March.
Fearing the actions of other Cainite princes in the
British Isles, Nathaniel has paid servants stationed both
on the roads and at the docks, given the task of looking
out for unusual travellers destined for the town. Though
cautious travellers may avoid their prying eyes, the
Prince of Carlisle often knows of the approach of
visiting Cainites.
The Borderlands
The area surrounding Carlisle is lightly settled,
consisting of a wild landscape which is unfriendly to
human settlement. To the north of the town is the
winding River Eden. This is tidal, and reaches the sea a
few miles to the west of Carlisle, in an estuary of sand-
flats and salt-marsh. Ten miles to the east are the
foothills of the Pennines, a string of hills and mountains
which run down the centre of northern England. To the
south of Carlisle, meanwhile, are the Cumbrian
mountains; these are dominated by steep, grassy slopes,
interspersed with the cold black water of the Cumbrian
lakes.
Closer to the town itself are the rich meadows which
lie along the rivers Eden and Caldew. The Eden valley,
wide and prone to flooding, provides the richest pasture,
but is often submerged during the winter months. To
resolve the problems which this might present to
travellers, the road to the north of Carlisle is raised on
a causeway, which leads to the river. Across the River
Eden is the village of Stanwix, a possession of the Prior
of Carlisle. The parish contains Linstock Castle, a tower
a mile upriver from the village, which is a residence of
the Bishops of Carlisle. A short distance further on, a
mere six miles from Carlisle, is the River Esk, notional
border between England and Scotland.
Carlisle by Night

215
 The Town
The Castle: As befits a fortified border town, Carlisle
is graced by a substantial stone castle; this is located at
the northern edge of the town, on a promontory
overlooking the River Eden. At present, the castle is in
a poor state of repair, still bearing damage inflicted
when Carlisle was besieged by the Scots fifty years
earlier. The current Sheriff of Carlisle has repeatedly
petitioned the king, requesting money be sent so that
repairs may be commissioned, though funds have not
yet been forthcoming. Nathaniel suspects that this is
due to the influence of Mithras, with the castle’s poor
condition being a deliberate ploy to ensure that the
Carlisle remains vulnerable to attack.
The Walls: Carlisle is surrounded by a set of tall
stone walls, designed to protect the town in times of
war. There are three gates in the walls, the Scots Gate
to the north, the English Gate to the south, and the
Irish Gate to the west. The gates themselves are made
of sturdy wood, studded with iron, and are set in solid
stone gatehouses. Each evening, at sunset, the gates are
locked, with it expected that no-one should enter or
leave Carlisle. However, the overseer of the Irish Gate
is one of Nathaniel’s ghouls, and will, by prior
arrangement, let Cainites enter the town during the
hours of darkness.
The Tile Tower: Located on the west wall of
Carlisle, a short distance from the castle, is the Tile
Tower. This otherwise unremarkable tower contains the
entrance to a hidden passage which leads to the castle’s
keep. Nathaniel had this passage built in secret, so that
he might have a means of escaping his haven if
threatened. Whilst the masons who constructed the
tunnel were all put to death, in order that it might
remain secret, there remain a small number of people
within the town who are aware of its existence.
The Citadel: The English Gate, the most important
entrance to Carlisle, is protected by a substantial
bastion known as the citadel. As well as forming an
integral part of the town’s defences, the citadel is also
intended as the final place of refuge in time of war, a
place to which the citizens might retreat should the
town’s walls be breached by the Scots.
The Cathedral: Sited in the centre of Carlisle, the
cathedral is a magnificent structure, standing high
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216
above the surrounding buildings. It is smaller than many
other English cathedrals, and is an elegant structure
built in the Romanesque style. The cathedral was
originally erected as the conventual church of the Priory
of St Mary, and was only elevated to cathedral status in
the early twelfth century, as an act of penance by Henry
Beauclerc.
The Priory of St Mary: The oldest monastic house
found in Carlisle, the Priory of St Mary was founded by
Walter, the Norman nobleman who was also
responsible for building Carlisle Castle. The priory is an
Augustinian house and the monks, in their white tunics
and black cloaks, are a regular sight on the streets of
Carlisle. The priory is wealthy, and occupies a number
of fine gothic buildings in a precinct to the south of the
cathedral.
The Convent of the Grey Friars: Located in the far
south-eastern corner of the town, the Convent of the
Grey Friars is a relatively recent foundation, having
only been established in 1233. The convent occupies
relatively modest buildings compared to the Priory of St
Mary. It is a Franciscan house, and the rough grey cloaks
of the monk’s act as a visual reminder of the vows of
absolute poverty adopted by members of the order.
The Convent of the Black Friars: Established in
1233, the Convent of the Black Friars is a Dominican
house. Despite their recent arrival, the Dominicans
have become a prominent and influential order in
Carlisle, largely due to the patronage of the town’s
bishop, Walter Mauclerk. Morgant ap Madoc, who has
built up influence amongst the Augustinians in
Cumberland, is suspicious of the Dominicans’ sudden
rise, and fears that it may be due to the hidden
manipulations of one of his Cainite rivals.
St Cuthbert’s Church: The oldest church in Carlisle,
St Cuthbert’s, was originally founded in the seventh
century. The current structure is a relatively modern
building, the church having been destroyed at several
times over the centuries. There is a story in Carlisle
that, on the first foundation of St Cuthbert’s, each
citizen of the town was forced to donate a silver coin to
be buried underneath the church. Many have looked for
this hoard over the years, though none have yet
uncovered this supposed treasure.
Carlisle by Night

217
 The Cainites of Carlisle
W
hilst the Cainites of Carlisle present a united front
to outsiders, they are a disparate group, with little
in common other than their acceptance of the nominal
rule of Nathaniel. To dwell within Carlisle means that
a Cainite has become unwelcome elsewhere, exiled to
the isolation of Carlisle.
Nathaniel demands little of his notional subjects.
They are asked not to lend support to his enemies, nor
to act in any way which might jeopardise the safety of
Carlisle. Beyond this, he merely requests that Cainites,
either those dwelling within the town, or those who
visit, respect the Traditions and not do each other direct
harm. Nathaniel portrays his relaxed style of rule as a
form of freedom, one which contrasts with the supposed
tyranny imposed upon their subjects by the Cainite
princes who control the great towns and cities in
England.
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The apparent freedom granted by Nathaniel is
nothing more than a pose. He knows that his influence
is relatively slight, and that he has little power to impose
his will upon the Cainites of the town. Nathaniel is
sufficiently self-aware to know that his status in
England’s Cainite community is derived largely from his
image as a rebel prince. He would attract little respect
from England’s Furores should the limited extent of his
power ever become widely known. Nathaniel avoids
conflict, to prevent his weaknesses from being exposed.
The freedom granted by Nathaniel to his subjects
has, thus far, helped to maintain the peace amongst the
Cainites of Carlisle. The prince knows, however, that
this situation cannot last forever and, should he wish to
maintain his position, he will have to find a way to exert
greater authority over the Cainites who dwell within
the town.
 Nathaniel
Nathaniel is Britain’s rebel prince. Once a follower of
Roald Snake-eyes, he survived the purges which
followed the conquests of Mithras, and has never
submitted to the Prince of London. His name is widely
known amongst the Cainites of Britain, and Nathaniel
is admired and reviled in equal measure.
A merchant in life, Nathaniel was embraced on a
whim by Gundovald, one of the elders of London. Even
in the early days of his unlife, he chafed at the manner
in which London was ruled by a coterie of ancient
Cainites. Thus, when Roald Snake-eyes came to
London, Nathaniel saw an opportunity to shake up
Cainite society. He became one of Roald’s loyal
henchmen, and over the following decades he used both
his strength and cunning to serve in the war against the
elders.
Yet Nathaniel chose the wrong faction to back. The
bloodshed which had accompanied the rise to power of
the Norman kings had woken Mithras, a monstrous
Ventrue Methuselah, from torpor. The allies of Roald
Snake-eyes were scattered by the return of this ancient
Cainite, with many meeting their Final Deaths.
Nathaniel narrowly avoided this fate himself. Fleeing
the wrath of Mithras, he escaped to the far north of
England, eventually coming to the border town of
Carlisle, which he claimed as his domain.
In the years in which Nathaniel has resided in
Carlisle, he has reinvented himself as a radical, a prince
who would readily defy the scheming elders who
dominate Cainite power structures elsewhere in Britain.
Whilst he is careful not to openly defy Mithras, he likes
to portray himself as the natural leader of those rebels
who might challenge the established order of Cainite
society.
Image: Nathaniel is tall and handsome, clean-shaven,
with olive skin. As Prince of Carlisle he dresses in the
clothes of a Norman nobleman, in order to emphasise
he self-declared importance.
Roleplaying Hints: Impress others with your nobility;
you are, after all, the rebel prince, the dissenter who
refuses to acknowledge Mithras as an overlord. Act with
politeness and generosity, and play the role of host to
your domain, being careful to hide your pride and
petulance. Remember that Carlisle is your domain;
those who defy your authority or strength must be
punished.
Haven: Nathaniel resides in a fortified cellar beneath
the citadel of Carlisle castle.
Influence: Nathaniel commands the respect of many of
Britain’s Furores. The isolation of Carlisle means that it
often difficult for him to exert this influence, though the
actions of many Brujah through Britain have been
inspired by his example. Nathaniel also has considerable
influence amongst the local ruling classes, and can
command the sheriff and many other public officials
within Carlisle.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Gundovald
Nature: Rogue
Demeanour: Rebel
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 1071
Apparent Age: Late 20s
Physical: Strength 6, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 1, Athletics 1, Brawl 3, Intimidation
2, Leadership 3, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Commerce 4, Crafts 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 5,
Stealth 3, Survival 3
Knowledges: Academics 2, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 2, Occult 1, Politics 2
Disciplines: Celerity 4, Dominate 2, Obfuscate 3,
Potence 4, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Allies 1, Contacts 3, Domain 5, Herd 3,
Influence 2, Mentor 3, Retainers 2, Resources 3, Status
3
Virtues: Conviction 3, Self-Control 5, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Kings 7
Willpower: 6
Carlisle by Night
219
 Randulf the Pilgrim
W
hen he met his death, and became a Cainite,
Randulf was a pilgrim, travelling south through
the midlands on his way to St Albans and Canterbury.
He knows little of why he was chosen for the embrace,
beyond the fact that the Prince of Coventry wished to
have soldiers to fight for his causes. Randulf, cowed by
the power and malevolence of his new masters, obeyed
his orders.
For thirty years Randulf fought against Dunstan’s
enemies, both mortal and immortal. Then, one night in
1221, he volunteered for a mission to track down and
destroy Osred, a Nosferatu spymaster in the service of
Mithras. Osred was lured to the town of Leicester,
before being ambushed by Randulf and his companions.
Before dawn the mutilated body of the Nosferatu was
consigned to a bonfire, where it was burnt until it was
no more than the finest of ash.
Although Randulf expected to be rewarded for his
service he was, instead, condemned. Dunstan protested
to Mithras that Randulf and his companions had acted
without his knowledge. Randulf found himself
denounced and cast out of Coventry. Fleeing north, he
eventually found refuge under the protection of
Nathaniel.
Over the years Randulf has settled into the role of
one of Nathaniel’s retainers. Seen as both reliable and
useful by the prince, he carries out those services which
cannot be entrusted to Nathaniel’s ghouls. He has
rejected the teachings he received as a Neonate in
Coventry, seeing Dunstan’s supporters as foolish rebels,
who will, one day, be crushed by the supporters of
Mithras. Now he sees the virtue in service, and the
value of the protections afforded by a powerful prince.
Knowing that his Final Death would be welcomed
by many Cainites, Randulf has created a secure haven
for himself at Croglin Low Hall, a fortified manor
situated ten miles from Carlisle. Randulf naively
believes that it is near impregnable, a safe place to
which he might retreat if danger threatens.
Image: Randulf is a thin and wiry man, with a dark and
unkempt beard. He often dresses in the rough, undyed
garments of a pilgrim.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a follower, not a leader. You
observe and do your duty, but are willing to be no more
than a background presence in the court of Nathaniel.
Slow to anger, you can be brought to a rage by any
mention of Dunstan, who you see as a betrayer.
Haven: Croglin Low Hall
Influence: Randulf has become a trusted soldier in the
service of Nathaniel and, as such, has the ear of the
Prince of Carlisle, as well as some knowledge of his
secrets.
Clan: Brujah
Sire: Alice Hawksey
Nature: Soldier
Demeanour: Crusader
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1175
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Empathy 3, Expression 2,
Legerdemain 1, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Archery 2, Crafts 3, Melee 2,
Survival 3
Knowledges: Hearth Wisdom 3, Medicine 1, Politics 1,
Seneschal 2, Theology 1
Disciplines: Celerity 2, Potence 3, Presence 1
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 2, Herd 3, Resources 2,
Status 2
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Path of Illumination 6
Willpower: 4

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 Morgant ap Madoc
OfMorgant
all the Cainites residing within Carlisle, only
ap Madoc stays in the town by choice. His
exile is self-imposed, the product of his disgust at his
sire’s capitulation to the tyrant Mithras at the end of the
Raven’s War. Carlisle has become a refuge for Morgant,
as he plots revenge on those he sees as his enemies
In life Morgant was a bard, servant to a powerful
Welsh lord. His talent caught the attention of Bran, a
Toreador elder then dwelling in the mountains of
Wales; when Morgant was struck down by a wasting
disease in his youth, Bran embraced him as a means of
preserving the young man’s talent. As a Cainite,
Morgant became the Raven King’s emissary, travelling
between the towns of Wales, promoting the interests of
his master. As Bran’s influence grew, and his brood
spread into England, Morgant ap Madoc travelled
progressively further afield, wandering the byways of
Britain, and learning of the petty politics of its Cainite
inhabitants.
When Bran’s beloved childe Goslinne was slain, and
the Raven King went to war, Morgant was sent out to
raise support for his sire. He visited towns as far apart as
Exeter and Durham, speaking to both mighty princes
and lowly spies, attempting to undermine Mithras and
his allies. His final mission was to Carlisle, to enlist the
support of the town’s prince, Crathlynt. This Gangrel
elder was both clever and cunning, and his influence
might be of considerable assistance to Bran’s cause.
What Morgant found when he arrived at the town was
that Crathlynt was gone, his place taken by a new
prince, Nathaniel. It was, moreover, whilst he was in
Carlisle that he found that Bran had sued for peace, and
that the Raven King’s war was over. Morgant felt
betrayed by Bran’s choice, and chose to remain in
Carlisle.
Estranged from his sire, he now serves Nathaniel.
Although he has little respect for the prince he has, over
time, become influenced by the Brujah’s passion, and is
now convinced that the elders of cities such as York and
London are cruel oppressors.
Image: Morgant is a handsome young knight. He dresses
in rich robes and tunics, coloured in subtle hues, and
designed to accent his natural good looks.
Roleplaying Hints: Initially you are gracious and
charming, behaving in a flamboyant, chivalrous, and
even foppish manner. With those you trust, or when
your ire is raised, a harder, determined side shows
through, revealing your anger towards those who you
deem to be unworthy.
Haven: Chapter house of the Priory of St Mary.
Influence: Morgant is owed favours by many princes
throughout England, and has earned the respect of
many Toreador in both England and Wales. He is in the
process of building influence amongst the Augustinian
friars in the north.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Bran
Nature: Judge
Demeanour: Gallant
Generation: 7th
Embrace: 980
Apparent Age: Mid-20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 5
Talents: Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Empathy 3, Expression 4,
Leadership 1, Legerdemain 3
Skills: Etiquette 4, Melee 4, Performance 4, Ride 2,
Stealth 1
Knowledges: Academics 2, Enigmas 4, Hearth Wisdom
3, Investigation 2, Politics 2
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 4, Dominate 2,
Fortitude 1, Presence 4
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Influence 3, Mentor
4, Resources 3, Retainers 2, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self-Control 4, Courage 4
Morality: Road of Humanity 8
Willpower: 6

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221
 Iustina Ravazs
Iustina Ravazs is the infamous Witch of Carlisle.
Many stories have been told about her; that she is a
Tremere renegade, or a powerful prophetess, who has
predicted many calamitous events. Iustina regards such
tales with wry amusement. Though they are far from the
truth, she does little to dispel these fictions, believing
that the fearsome reputation they create works to her
advantage.
Once a talented mortal mage, Iustina was brought
into Clan Tremere in the early years of the house’s
experiments into undeath. She had been a loyal
follower of Goratrix and, once embraced, worked hard
to promote both the interests of her clan, and those of
her mentor. Iustina became known amongst the
Tremere as an ambitious and ruthless sorcerer.
Iustina’s callous nature made her unpopular with the
Tremere in the factions of Meerlinda and Etrius and, in
1212, she was sent away from Ceoris, on an ostensibly
important mission. Vridel the German, a Tremere
agent, had disappeared in England, whilst on the trail of
the Salubri elder Theodorid. Iustina was given the task
of discovering what had occurred.
Iustina had barely been outside of Hungary in either
life or death. She hated the desolate northern lands she
found herself in. She saw the people as brutish, and the
towns as small and uncultured. For a decade Iustina
wandered England, searching for any clues as to the fate
of Vridel. She soon learned that the Tremere were not
welcome in the country, and, on a number of occasions,
found herself hounded out of towns by grim-faced
servants of provincial princes.
Eventually Iustina came to Carlisle, where she was
welcomed by the local prince, Nathaniel. For the past
decade Iustina has resided in the village of Burgh-upon-
Sands, not far from Carlisle. She has all but given up on
her mission, having found no trace of Vridel in her
travels. Iustina knows that she cannot return to Ceoris
until she can bring her masters at least some
information on the fate of the Tremere elder. For now,
then, she is content to remain in Carlisle, refine her
magical abilities, and plot her future.
Image: Iustina is a tall, stern woman with long, flowing
red hair. She dresses in long, voluminous robes, and
might almost be mistaken for a nun, where it not for her
proud and noble countenance.
Roleplaying Hints: You have little time for fools, and
will readily assume those you meet are foolish. Once
someone has proven their intellect you will be willing
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222
to give them your time, particularly if they show
intellectual promise.
Haven: Burgh-upon-Sands. Iustina resides in the manor
house, and has made the villagers her herd.
Influence: Iustina was once a protégé of Paul Cordwood,
and was respected by many of the elders within
Goratrix’s faction of the Tremere. Though in exile,
Iustina still possesses influence within her clan.
Clan: Tremere
Sire: Paul Cordwood
Nature: Loner
Demeanour: Seer
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1041
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 1, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 4, Awareness 4, Intimidation 3,
Legerdemain 3, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Archery 4, Etiquette 1, Melee 1, Stealth 2,
Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 3, Hearth Wisdom 3,
Investigation 3, Occult 3, Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Dominate 2, Thaumaturgy 5
(Creatio Ignis 5, Potestas Tempestatum 3, Potestas
Exsecrabilis 4, Potestas Vitae 3)
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Domain 2, Herd 4, Resources
3, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control 5, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Humanity 7
Willpower: 7
 Helisent
Oneembraced
of the brood of Roald Snake-eyes, Helisent was
for her beauty and grace. Whilst alive she
had been the daughter of a Norman lord. Many men had
desired her hand in marriage, but the prospect of a life
as a wife and mother repelled Helisent. The embrace
offered her freedom, even if she was intended, by her
sire, to be nothing more than her handmaiden.
Helisent enjoyed the petty intrigues and nightly
revels of the Cainite community of London.
Inexperienced, she paid little attention to the political
manoeuvring of the elders of England; she could
scarcely imagine a Cainite of more power than Roald
Snake-eyes, and thought that there was little possibility
that there was anything which might disrupt the social
order of the Cainites of London.
Helisent had been a Cainite for less than ten years
when Mithras took London in a sudden and violent
coup. Roald Snake-eyes fled the city; many of his
supporters were less fortunate and met their deaths at
the hands of the Hounds of Mithras. Helisent’s own sire,
Belsant the White, was staked out on Tower Green, to
meet the rays of the morning sun, and Helisent feared
that her own existence as a Cainite would shortly come
to an end.
Yet for some unknown reason Helisent was spared.
She was dragged before Nicholas, and told that she was
to be punished with exile, and that she was to be cast
out of London, never to return. In the following years
she drifted northwards, looking for a town where she
might be accepted, until she finally reached Carlisle.
Here she was offered shelter by Nathaniel, an
acquaintance from her time in London. She has resided
in the town ever since.
Helisent dislikes both Carlisle, and the Cainites who
reside in the vicinity of the town. She would like to
leave, though fears the reception which she might
receive from the Cainite communities of other towns.
She is liable to latch on to Cainite visitors to Carlisle,
and question them about the state of the country.
Helisent sees herself as a damsel in distress; she imagines
that a night will come soon when someone will come to
her rescue.
Feeding Restriction: Helisent may feed only on
Normans; this includes both members of the English
Norman aristocracy, and the residents of the Duchy of
Normandy.
Image: Helisent is a blonde-haired beauty, embraced in
the bloom of her youth. She dresses in elegant and
colourful gowns, often specifically chosen to emphasise
her looks and poise.
Roleplaying Hints: Smile, flirt, and charm; you are well
aware that your beauty and charm are your greatest
assets, and, if wielded with care, may help you to
achieve your goals.
Haven: The manor house at Stanwix
Influence: Helisent is known to the wives of many of
the notable citizens of Carlisle; through them, she has
access to many powerful households.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Belsant the White
Nature: Child
Demeanour: Gallant
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 1143
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 5
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Athletics 1, Brawl 1, Expression 2,
Legerdemain 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 3, Archery 2, Commerce 1,
Etiquette 1, Melee 1, Ride 3, Stealth 4, Survival 1
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 3, Medicine
2, Politics 1, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Dominate 1, Fortitude 2, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Herd 2, Influence 2, Resources 3,
Retainers 1, Status 1
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-control 2, Courage
Morality: Road of Humanity 6
Willpower: 3
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223
England Will Burn

224
 CHAPTER 8:

Wof the land, the Children of Caine can be found in settlements of

hilst the majority of English Cainites reside within the larger towns

any size. The reasons why a Cainite might choose to make their haven in
a smaller town are many and varied. In some instances, these Cainites are
purposefully distancing themselves from others of their kind, having either
been forced into hiding, or else because they have no interest in the petty
politics of Cainite society. In other instances, setting up in a small town
allows a younger Cainite a degree of political authority they would be
denied in a larger town. Though these domains are small, and are rarely
host to more than a single Cainite, they may still be important places,
with influence far greater than their size or population might suggest.

225
 Thetford and East Anglia’s Lost Towns
Elong and exposed coastline of the region has left it
ast Anglia is a region with a turbulent past. The
vulnerable to attack from marauders from across the
North Sea, and the landscape of East Anglia has been
shaped by war. In the fifth century East Anglia was one
of the first parts of Britain to be conquered after the
withdrawal of Rome’s legions; four hundred years later
the Kingdom of the East Angles suffered particularly
harshly under the Great Heathen Army.
One consequence of this vulnerability is that the
region is dotted with once-promising towns reduced in
status by the tides of war and politics. The once-great
Roman town of Venta Icenorum is now little more than
a set of ruins not far from Norwich. The prominent
towns of the Kingdom of the East Angles have fared
little better, with the formerly thriving towns of Soham,
Elmham, Dunwich reduced to little more than villages.
Thetford is the most notable of these towns of
diminished status. In the eleventh century it was a
notable centre of trade, on a crossing point of the Little
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Ouse, and populated by over 5,000 people. The Norman
kings of England saw the town as sufficiently important
to merit a castle and, in 1072, they chose to transfer the
seat of the Diocese of Elmham to Thetford. However,
the town’s importance was in part based on its inland
position at a time when threats to the region came from
the sea. Under Norman rule its status declined, and in
the mid-thirteenth century it is home to little more
than 1,000 people. The diocesan seat was transferred
from Thetford to Norwich in 1091, the former cathedral
becoming the Minster of St Mary; the castle was,
meanwhile, destroyed in 1773 and has not been rebuilt.
The sole Cainite inhabitant of Thetford is Osthryth,
a Malkavian elder who is the nominal prince of the
town. During the eleventh century, when Thetford was
at the height of its importance, Osthryth presided over
a community of half-a-dozen Cainites. As the fortunes
of Thetford waned, this community dwindled away,
leaving Osthryth alone to her existence of peaceful
contemplation.
 Osthryth
Osthryth was once a powerful prince, overseeing a
Cainite community in the wealthy and influential
East Anglian town of Thetford. Over the centuries,
however, Thetford’s wealth has diminished and
Osthryth is now the town’s sole Cainite inhabitant.
Osthryth accepts her own reduced status with good
grace. As a committed Christian she sees this as the will
of God, and believes that Thetford’s decline need not
disrupt her existence of religious devotion.
Prior to her embrace, Osthryth served God as a nun.
Born in Norwich, she entered orders in 975 at Barking
Abbey, not far from London. Osthryth had spent a
decade in the abbey, when a chance encounter changed
the course of her life. Gwladus, a Cainite elder, had
stopped at the abbey one night whilst on a journey
towards France, and found herself fascinated by the
young nun. Enthralled by the elder, Osthryth left the
abbey, and travelled on to France with Gwladus. By the
time the two had returned to England, a year later,
Osthryth had received the embrace and was herself a
Cainite.
Gwladus had, by this time, grown tired of her childe,
whilst Osthryth had come to resent her sire. On their
return to England, the two parted company, with
Osthryth travelling towards Norfolk, where she had
spent the early years of her life. After spending a short
amount of time in Norwich, she moved on to Thetford,
then without a Cainite population.
Over the following 250 years, Osthryth has seen the
town rise and fall. In the early years of Norman rule, she
was, at least notionally, a powerful prince. She prefers
her current existence as Thetford’s sole Cainite, as it
allows her ample time for her Christian devotions.
Though Osthryth has little involvement in Cainite
politics, she is acutely aware of the perilous situations
which prevail in both Norwich and Ely. Although she
despises the mockeries of Christianity promoted by the
Cult of Martyrs and the Black Communion, Osthryth
remains a passive observer for now. Should others come
to her, requesting her aid in acting against the cults, she
would certainly be willing to help.
Derangement: Phlegmatic
Image: Unassuming in appearance, Osthryth dresses as
a nun, in long blue-grey robes, her hair covered by a
wimple.
Roleplaying Hints: You are reserved when meeting
other Cainites, frequently lost in your own world of
devotion. One consequence of this is that you will rarely
answer questions directly; nod, acknowledge, and then
explain what your questioner needs to know, and not
necessarily what they want to know.
Haven: Thetford Priory
Influence: Osthryth has influence over almost all
aspects of mortal life in Thetford; unfortunately, with
Thetford’s decline, this influence is now largely
inconsequential.
Clan: Malkavian
Sire: Gwladus
Nature: Visionary
Demeanour: Philosopher
Generation: 8th
Embrace: 988
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Awareness 2, Empathy 4,
Expression 2, Leadership 2
Skills: Commerce 2, Etiquette 3, Ride 2, Stealth 2
Knowledges: Academics 3, Enigmas 2, Law 2, Medicine
2, Seneschal 3, Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Dominate 3, Fortitude 2,
Obfuscate 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 3, Domain 3, Herd 3, Influence
2, Resources 2, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 9
Willpower: 9

Elsewhere in England

227
 Lancaster and the Road to the North
W
hen the Dukes of Normandy conquered the
Kingdom of England, they found the north-west
coastlands of the country to be a sparsely-populated and
wild place. This was an area without a name, listed in
royal records as the lands between the Rivers Mersey
and Ribble. Though the region was poor, control of the
coastline was then important as a means of protecting
northern England from raiders from Scotland and
Ireland. In 1092 the King of England, William Rufus,
made claim to Carlisle and the surrounding area. To
help protect this claim he granted the land between the
Rivers Ribble and Lune to a loyal ally, Roger de Poitou.
This land would form the core of what would become
the Honour of Lancaster.
In the mid-thirteenth century, the Honour of
Lancaster is a large royal estate, stretching from the
River Mersey in the south, to Morecambe Bay in the
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228
north. The scale of the Honour is such that it is
administered as a county and the phrase ‘County of
Lancaster’ is being seen with increasing frequency in
official records.
The majority of the Honour’s population lives in the
south, in the West Derby, Salford, and Leyland
Hundreds. Crossing the River Ribble, one comes to the
wild northern stretches of the Honour, dominated by
the bleak Bowland Fells. The fells are a royal forest,
contained within the Liberty of Bowland, though
precious few trees are to be seen in its bogs and
moorland. The wild landscape is home to a number of
large herds of deer, and is a popular hunting ground for
the Kings of England.
Between the Bowland Fells and the sea sits
Lancaster, the only town of any size to be found within
the Honour.
Lancaster
Lancaster was first settled the time of the Romans, when
a fortress was built to guard a crossing of the River Lune.
The town has been continuously inhabited since this
time, serving first as a Roman fort, then as a
Northumbrian monastic settlement, and finally as the
county town of the Honour of Lancaster. Each of these
stages of Lancaster’s history have shaped the character
of the town, and have left traces upon the landscape.
Unlike many larger towns in England, Lancaster is
not surrounded by a wall. Instead, the town’s
fortifications are confined to a single castle, which
stands on a mound to the west of the main part of the
Lancaster. Though there have been castles in the town
since the time of William Rufus, the current structure is
a fine stone keep, less than fifty years old. Given the
needs of the town, it also serves as Lancaster’s
administrative centre and prison.
The principal religious house in Lancaster is the
Priory of St Mary, a Benedictine house established by
Roger de Poitou. The priory is a cell of the Abbey of St
Martin at Sées in Normandy, with the Abbot of St.
Martin holding the authority to appoint priors. One
consequence of this is that the priors, who often have
little connection with the area before their
appointment, frequently come into conflict with the
heads of other religious houses in Lancashire.
Close to the east of the town sits the Hospital of St
Leonard, established by King John when he was Lord of
the Honour of Lancaster, prior to his ascent to the
throne. The lepers hold six acres, and the right to graze
their cattle in the forest of Lonsdale. Though the
holdings of the hospital are relatively modest, the lepers
are unpopular in the town, and have repeatedly had to
petition the king for protection of their rights.
The Road North
Lancaster is the final town a traveller reaches on the
road north through Lancashire before getting to the
wilds of the Cumbrian Mountains. If the traveller is
destined for Carlisle or Scotland, they will find a choice
of two routes. The most straightforward route is the old
Roman road which runs along the mountain ridges, the
so-called High Street. Though the road has seen little
maintenance since the Romans left Britain, it remains
in a fair condition, and is still the preferred route of
mortal travellers.
Those who wish to avoid the mountains can travel
along the coastline. This is a more difficult journey than
following the High Street as, not far to the north of
Lancaster, the marshy estuary of the River Kent is close
to impassable. Many of the people living in the northern
reaches of the Honour of Lancaster avoid the estuary by
crossing the tidal sands of Morecambe Bay. Though this
can be done safely with an experienced guide, the bay is
a dangerous place for the unwary traveller, swept by
hazardous tides and pitted with pools of quicksand.
Despite the care taken by locals, people are lost each
year on these treacherous sands.
The Cainites of Lancashire
As a largely rural region, the Honour of Lancaster has a
relatively small population of Cainites. Whilst a few
Gangrel are known to prowl the countryside in the
Honour’s south, there are two notable Cainites in the
region, Thurstan Baldree and Aine. As the Prince and,
indeed, only Cainite inhabitant of Lancaster, Brother
Thurstan meets many of the night-time travellers on the
road between Chester and Carlisle. Thurstan can be a
useful ally, though he is highly suspicious, and it can be
hard to win his trust. Though he has never met Aine,
Thurstan Baldree knows that the road across the
Cumbrian Mountains present a hazard to Cainite
travellers. From the folklore circulating in the villages
of Lancashire he has, correctly, surmised that the so-
called ‘Black Annis’ which haunts the road is a wight,
and a sufficiently dangerous one to present a threat even
to a relatively powerful Cainite. Thurstan Baldree
advises those Cainites who win his confidence to travel
north along the coastal route, despite its apparent
hazards. Conversely, those individuals who antagonise
Thurstan Baldree are directed to take the High Street,
a suggestion which has led to the Final Death of more
than one Cainite.
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229
 Thurstan Baldree
For more than half a century Thurstan Baldree was an
influential figure amongst the Furores of southern
England. The former Prince of St Albans, he was
betrayed by his allies and fled to the north of England.
Now in exile, Thurstan plots his revenge against those
who he sees as having done him harm.
Thurstan Baldree was once a monk at Westminster
Abbey. Charismatic and politically-minded, he was
seen by many of the monks as having the potential to
become a future abbot. Yet there were others who
sought to exploit his talents. One night, in 1132,
Thurstan was abducted from the abbey by Olafr
Asdisson, a Cainite who wished to find ways of
controlling the church, and required a pawn who
understood the politics and hierarchies of the church.
Thurstan was forcibly embraced, and set to work serving
the interests of his sire.
Offended by the cruel treatment meted out by his
sire, Thurstan Baldree sought out the rebels and
discontents in Cainite society. He found the Furores
and, with the help of his new-found allies, killed his sire,
and set himself up as the Prince of St Albans. For more
than fifty years he played an influential role amongst the
Furores, using his domain as a place where rebellious
Cainites might hide and share information. Yet
Thurstan was insufficiently radical for some of his allies,
whose sympathies lay with the Prometheans. In 1222
Thurstan Baldree was betrayed to the Hounds of
Mithras by his own childe, John Burden. Pursued by the
agents of the Prince of London, and with a Blood Hunt
called against him, Thurstan Baldree was forced to flee
St Albans.
Thurstan Baldree’s initial plan was to seek sanctuary
with Nathaniel in Carlisle. His journey north stalled,
however, in Lancaster, and Thurstan Baldree has now
remained in the town for close to a decade.
Image: Thurstan presents an unkempt figure, with
bedraggled hair and beard. He is generally found dressed
in grimy Benedictine vestments. Those who met
Thurstan Baldree before his fall may be shocked at the
pitiful figure he now presents.
Roleplaying Hints: You are distrustful of all you meet.
Having been betrayed once by your allies, you know
that no-one can be entirely trusted. Let others know
this, as a means of showing them that they should not
attempt any treachery.
Haven: The Priory of St Mary, Lancaster.
England Will Burn
230
Influence: Despite his exile to Lancaster, Thurstan has
retained contacts in Benedictine houses throughout
southern England, and is able to use these contacts to
exert influence on secular authorities. Since arriving in
Lancaster, he has taken the Sheriffs of Lancashire into
his service; through this he is able to monitor and
influence events throughout the county.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Olafr Asdisson
Nature: Conniver
Demeanour: Idealist
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1132
Apparent Age: Mid-40s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 1, Awareness 2, Brawl 3, Expression
4, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 5
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Commerce 4, Etiquette 3, Melee
3, Performance 2, Stealth 2, Survival 4
Knowledges: Academics 3, Heath Wisdom 1,
Investigation 3, Occult 1, Politics 4, Seneschal 2,
Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 3, Dominate 1,
Fortitude 2, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Domain 3, Herd 2, Influence
2, Resources 3, Status 1
Virtues: Conviction 4, Self-Control 2, Courage 4
Morality: Path of Illumination 6
Willpower: 4
 Aine
Aine is a monster. For over a thousand years she has
dwelt in the Cumbrian Mountains, preying on
incautious night-time travellers. She has hunted
amongst the mountains for so long that the people of
the region know not to leave their homes in the hours
of darkness, so as to avoid falling victim to “Black
Annis”. An ancient horror, Aine is a Cainite who few
survive meeting.
Aine was once a priestess of the Horned God, living
amongst the Cornovii in northern Britain. She was a
respected figure in her community, performing the
sacred ceremonies and providing guidance to her
people. Aine’s misfortune was, however, to live at the
time when the men of Rome were looking north,
searching for new lands to conquer. In 47, the armies of
Rome came to the lands of the Cornovii. The warriors
of her people could do little when faced with the
armoured and trained Roman legionnaires; after a few
bloody battles the surviving warriors fled to the wild
woods, hiding from the overwhelming military force
which Rome had deployed. Aine retreated with her
people, hoping to inspire them to continue the fight
against their oppressors.
One night, deep in the forest, Aine was approached
by a hideous monster, who offered to provide her with
aid. He told her that he could provide her with the
strength to rend the armour of the men of Rome, and
drive them from the land. Aine refused his offer; the
monster, in turn, cut her throat, drank her blood, and
transformed her into a monster too. Aine would have
her revenge for this cruel infliction; a few days later she
found the monster weak and injured, impaled on a
Roman pilum. She drank his blood and his power, and
left his body crumbling to dust.
For a few years Aine supported her people and fought
against the Romans. In her rage, however, she paid little
heed to her Beast, and she soon degenerated into a
monster, feeding indiscriminately and leaving a trail of
destruction in her wake. In Roman times the Cainites
of Chester attempted to destroy her, though only
succeeded in driving her north to her current hunting
grounds in the Cumbrian Mountains. In the centuries
since, she has shed the blood of dozens of Cainites and
thousands of mortals. She preys on those who travel the
road between Lancaster and Carlisle, and few who come
to her attention will survive unscathed.
Image: Aine is tall and powerfully built, her deformities
giving her the appearance of a fairy-tale hag. She takes
little care of herself, and will typically be clothed in rags,
with clotted blood caking her face and hands.
Roleplaying Hints: Kill those who are weaker than you;
hide from those who might present a threat.
Haven: Aine does not have a single permanent haven,
and sleeps in various caves and pits in the hills and
mountains overlooking the roads which pass through
the Cumbrian Mountains.
Influence: None
Clan: Nosferatu
Sire: Bhallaire
Nature: Fanatic
Demeanour: Deviant
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 47
Apparent Age: Indeterminable
Physical: Strength 7, Dexterity 5, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Appearance 0
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 7, Brawl 7, Intimidation 4
Skills: Animal Ken 1, Melee 6, Stealth 6, Survival 3
Knowledges: None
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Obfuscate 6, Potence 4,
Protean 3
Backgrounds: None
Virtues: Conscience 1, Self-Control 1, Courage 5
Morality: Road of Humanity 0
Willpower: 6
Elsewhere in England
231
Lindisfarne and the Monastic Experience
Offthethe towns
wild and rocky Northumbrian coast, between
of Berwick and Newcastle, lies
Lindisfarne, the Holy Island. This location was the site
of the first cathedral in the north of England, and was
home to a host of saints, such as Aidan, apostle to
Northumbria, and Cuthbert, patron of Northumbria.
Whilst the Bishops of Northumbria moved from
Lindisfarne to Durham in 995, Holy Island still has a
special status for the Christians of the north of England.
The isle of Lindisfarne is located close to the coast;
at low tide visitors can walk across the mud flats from
the mainland, following a path known as the pilgrim’s
way. It is a bleak, rocky island, perfect for quiet
contemplation. The early Christians in Britain were
drawn to such places, wishing to eschew the comforts of
urban life, setting an example to whom they might wish
England Will Burn
232
to convert. In many cases, the centres of Christianity in
the Saxon era were located far from the towns of the
Heptarchy; the bishops of the time preferred to locate
their settlements on the fringes of England. Such
locations remained important until the eighth and
ninth centuries, when they were found to be vulnerable
to Danish raids.
In the world of Cainites, Lindisfarne falls on the
boundary between the Fees of York and Lothian, and is
claimed by neither. It has a reputation as a magical
place, thought by some Cainites to be the site of hidden
treasure. Every few years a relic-hunter will take the
difficult journey to Lindisfarne, to search for what might
be concealed upon the Holy Island. Few ever return.
The sole Cainite inhabitant of Lindisfarne is Clarice
le Blont the self-proclaimed protector of the isle.
 Clarice le Blont
Clarice le Blont is the reclusive protector of
Lindisfarne. Having come to Holy Island almost a
century ago, she has resided amongst the religious
communites in the years since. Few other Cainites know
of her presence in Lindisfarne, a situation which Clarice
would like to maintain.
Embraced in the latter part of the eleventh century,
Clarice was recruited to the cause of Mithras and his
followers, intended to serve as a soldier in the war
against the Triumvirate. A clever and observant
Norman lady, Clarice adapted quickly to existence as a
Cainite; she served her masters well, a trusted agent who
was capable of independent action. She helped plan the
raid on London in 1135 which caused the Final Deaths
of many supporters of the Triumvirate, and was one of
the first of the followers of Mithras to arrive in London
in 1153, when Roald Snake-eyes deserted London.
Yet, despite her successes, Clarice was unhappy. She
detested her new nature, and struggled with the need to
feed on the blood of the living. She was moreover,
revolted by the bloodshed brought on by the conflict
between Mithras and the Triumvirate. When Roald
Snake-eyes was defeated in 1153 she chose to travel
north, retreating from the new domain of Mithras.
Clarice found a new purpose a decade later, whilst
on a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne. On Holy Island she
encountered a pair of Tremere, intent on searching for
holy relics which they believed had been hidden,
centuries before, from Danish raiders. She destroyed
them, a punishment for their temerity; yet she feared
that other Cainites might also come to Lindisfarne,
visiting for similar purposes. Clarice decided then to
remain on Holy Island, seeing a new purpose as a
protector of Lindisfarne.
Clarice has led around a dozen Cainites to their
Final Deaths over the last century. Others, who have
treated the priory and its grounds with respect have
been allowed to leave unmolested. Clarice has learnt
from these vistors that tales of lost treasures are now
circulating amongst the Cainite community, and are
now particularly widespread amongst the Tremere.
When others are not on Holy Island, Clarice tends
to spend her nights at the lookout at the southern end
of Holy Island, looking out over the wild, dark sea.
Feeding Restriction: Pilgrims
Image: Clarice is a mature and slightly weather-beaten
lady. Though unmistakably aristocratic in her airs, her
clothes are worn and old, often marked by mud and dirt.
Roleplaying Hints: You project an intense, brooding
presence. After many long decades on Holy Island, you
are unused to the presence of other Cainites. You prefer
silence to talking, solitude to company.
Influence: Although Clarice has rejected the society of
Cainites, she is still respected by many within the brood
of Mithras, and could count on the support of many
English Ventrue should she need it.
Haven: Lindisfarne Priory
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Duchess d’Ambois
Nature: Defender
Demeanour: Loner
Generation: 6th
Embrace: 1081
Apparent Age: Early 30s
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 4, Intelligence 2, Wits 5
Talents: Alertness 2, Empathy 4, Expression 3,
Subterfuge 2
Skills: Commerce 2, Etiquette 3, Melee 1, Performance
1, Stealth 2, Survival 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 1, Law 1,
Occult 1, Politics 3, Seneschal 3, Theology 2
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Dominate 4, Fortitude 2,
Potence 1, Presence 2, Thaumaturgy 1 (Potestas
Tempestatum 3)
Backgrounds: Domain 2, Herd 4, Resources 3
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self-Control 4, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Heaven 6
Willpower: 6
Elsewhere in England
233
 Southampton and England’s New Ports
Inwerethelocated
days of the Heptarchy, most of England’s ports
inland. Towns on the coast were overly
vulnerable to seaborne raiders, whilst the small ships of
the era could easily travel upriver to inland towns. The
security provided by the Norman kings and their
successors, and the growing scale of marine trade have,
however, led to a transformation of the ports of
England. The inland ports of the Anglo-Saxon
kingdoms are now being eclipsed by rapidly-growing
coastal towns. Some of these ports, like Liverpool in the
Honour of Lancaster, are new foundations. Others, such
as Yarmouth in Norfolk or Boston in Lincolnshire, are
settlements of long-standing which have increased
rapidly in size over the last two centuries.
Southampton is an example of a town in the second
category. Although the town was a port at the time of
the Roman Empire, it was largely abandoned in the
centuries after the legions of Rome left Britain. The
kings of Wessex resettled the area hundreds of years
later, calling it Hamwic, a name which would later
England Will Burn
234
develop into Southampton. A small town before 1066,
the town has now grown rapidly in size and importance
since the time of William the Conqueror. By the middle
of the thirteenth century Southampton is a thriving
port, populated by close to a thousand people.
Southampton is currently protected by a relatively
modern stone keep, as well as a series of banks and
ditches to the north and east. The leading citizens of the
town have petitioned the king to allow them to raise
murage for the purpose of building walls; thus far they
have not been successful in their attempts.
At present, Southampton is home to a single
Cainite, William Bullen. Though kin to Mithras, he is
a close ally of Melusine d’Anjou, one of the main rivals
of the Prince of London. William’s assistance has
allowed Melusine to remain in contact with her
continental allies and, through this, retain power in
Winchester. William has thus far taken care so as not to
openly oppose Mithras, though it is only a matter of
time before they come into direct opposition.
 William Bullen
W
illiam Bullen is, by all accounts, a faithful servant
of Mithras, monitoring one of England’s key ports.
He has pledged loyalty to the Prince of London, and
appears to be a capable and loyal vassal. Yet more than
a few of the agents of Mithras have disappeared when
passing through Southampton, and despite whatever
claims that he may make, there are a few Cainites in
London who have suspicions as to where William
Bullen’s true loyalties may lie.
Coming from a noble family in Flanders, William
Bullen was pledged at an early age to the service of
Eustace, Count of Boulogne. As a child, William
followed his master to England in 1066, and saw the
Battle of Hastings first-hand. Entering adulthood in
England after the conquest, he served the Norman kings
with distinction, as part of the retinue of both William
the Conqueror and William Rufus. As he entered his
40s, William Bullen thought that he had many years of
service ahead of him.
The kings of England were not, however, the only
ones who had been paying attention to William’s
talents. In 1093 he was embraced by Hungife, a
supporter of Mithras who thought William’s martial
abilities might serve well in the conflict with the
Triumvirate. Whilst William was in awe of the
supernatural abilities of his Cainite masters, he was
contemptuous of the common origins of many of his
new peers. William believed that he had gone from
serving kings to being the lackey of peasants.
In the years since his embrace, William had
distanced himself from the Cainites of London, finding
a new and suitably aristocratic ally in the form of
Melusine d’Anjou. Although William Bullen still passes
himself off as an agent of Mithras, he now works to
promote the interests of the Prince of Winchester. He
allows her agents to pass through Southampton
unhindered, whilst intercepting key agents of the Prince
of London. William knows that he is playing a
dangerous game, but it is one that he believes that he
can win.
Image: William Bullen was not a young man at the time
of his embrace, as others may observe in his weathered
face and balding head. He remains, nevertheless, a
stocky, powerful warrior, and has a physical presence
which can often dominate a room.
Roleplaying Hints: Never let others forget that you were
born into the nobility. You may treat others with
courtesy, and even kindness if they are appropriately
deferent, but for those who you consider to be your
inferiors you have nothing but open contempt.
Haven: Southampton Castle
Influence: William controls all aspects of life in
Southampton. He has key servants placed throughout
the mortal administrative structure of the town, and
little can happen in Southampton without it coming to
his notice.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Hungife
Nature: Autocrat
Demeanour: Defender
Generation: 10th
Embrace: 1093
Apparent Age: Early 40s
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 5, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 4, Empathy 2,
Intimidation 3, Leadership 4, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Commerce 3, Etiquette 2, Melee
4, Ride 3, Stealth 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Hearth Wisdom 1,
Investigation 3, Law 1, Medicine 1, Politics 3,
Seneschal 3
Disciplines: Dominate 4, Fortitude 3, Potence 3,
Presence 4
Backgrounds: Allies 3, Contacts 4, Domain 5, Herd 3,
Influence 2, Resources 3, Retainers 5, Status 3
Virtues: Conviction 5, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Kings 8
Willpower: 7
Elsewhere in England
235
 Dover and England’s Coastal Defences
Onehowoftothedefend
great concerns of the kings of England is
the long and winding coastline of
their country. Students of English history are well aware
of the devastating invasions to which England has
periodically been subjected, from the depredations of
the Great Heathen Army, to the recent French invasion
in the time of King John. To this end, the English kings
have worked to build up coastal defences, constructing
castles at key locations. Many of the most impressive
fortifications in England, from Portchester Castle in
Hampshire to Orford Castle in Suffolk, are located on
the coast.
One of the most impressive of all English castles is
located in the small Kentish town of Dover. Though the
port of Dover is relatively insignificant in terms of its
volume of trade, the town is located at a strategic
position overlooking what are known as the Straits of
Dover, the closest point between England and France.
To lose Dover to an invading power would put much of
south-east England under threat.
England Will Burn
236
The current castle is a strong stone structure, built
on the cliffs overlooking the town. The position of the
castle provides a good vantage point from which
shipping may be monitored and, on a clear moonlit
night, an observer on the castle cliffs can see the lights
of the French town of Calais.
Dover is home to a single Cainite, Gerard Mannerly.
An initiate in the Cult of Mithras, Gerard has been
given the task of maintaining the interests of the Prince
of London in the town. In practice, this largely means
ensuring that the agents of Mithras may travel to and
from France in relative safety. Gerard’s counterpart in
Calais, Cornelis the Grey, has, meanwhile, been given
a similar task by the Prince of Paris, Geoffroi du Temple.
Gerard and Cornelis have grown to know each other
well over the years, and have cultivated a degree of wary
co-operation. They are both aware that a lost agent or
thwarted scheme could be the catalyst for conflict
between Mithras and Geoffroi, an eventuality both are
keen to avoid.
 Gerard Mannerly
Gdomain.
erard Mannerly feels privileged to hold Dover as his
Asked personally by Mithras to take
control of the town, for the past fifty years he has
faithfully served both the Prince of London and the
Cult of Mithras. An ambitious man, Gerard sees his
stewardship of the town as a base for his long-term
political ambitions.
Gerard’s father was a soldier in the service of
Stephen of Blois, and fought with distinction during the
Anarchy. Growing up hearing stories of the war on his
father’s knee, Gerard hoped to grow up to be a
celebrated knight. As a young man he trained in
readiness of the day when he, too, would go to war.
Gerard thought his opportunities would be in
Ireland and, in 1178, travelled to Dublin, to take part in
the Norman struggle for dominance in the country. He
had been in the town for less than a week, however,
when he had the misfortune of crossing paths with
Thomas Frois, one of the Norman Cainites then
dwelling in the town. Desiring the support of a capable
warrior, Thomas embraced the young man, hoping that
he would be a useful asset in ongoing conflicts with the
Morgair and Conlae Brujah families, then threatening
Edward de Warene’s attempts to control the English
Pale.
Whilst Gerard remained in Dublin for close to a
decade, he resented his sire, who he saw and cruel and
lacking in virtue. When the opportunity came, Gerard
fled Dublin, travelling first to Chester and then, on the
advice of Marcus Verus, to London. Seeking allies, he
petitioned for entry into the Cult of Mithras, believing
that it would present opportunities for political
advancement. Though he has little interest in the
religious side of the cult, he has found its hierarchy and
militaristic aspects comforting; membership, moreover,
brought him to the attention of Mithras, and has led to
his current position as the Methuselah’s representative
in Dover. Gerard has done his best to serve his master,
believing that this will provide him with opportunities
for political advancement.
Image: Gerard presents a stylish figure, dressing in
embroidered robes and, when, necessary, the finest
armour available. He was well-groomed in life, and, at
the time of his embrace, was clean-shaven, with close-
cropped hair.
Roleplaying Hints: Though you do your best to put
forward a public image of yourself as a dutiful knight,
you have a sociable nature, one which shapes your
behaviour. You can rarely resist a chivalrous, or even
theatrical, flourish in your words and deeds, and you
take a deep pleasure in the ritual activities of the Cult
of Mithras.
Haven: Dover Castle
Influence: Gerard is present in Dover for the express
purposes of controlling the castle and the channel
crossing. He has inducted key citizens from the town
into the Cult of Mithras and, through this, Gerard
guides the fate of Dover.
Clan: Ventrue
Sire: Thomas Frois
Nature: Gallant
Demeanour: Judge
Generation: 9th
Embrace: 1178
Apparent Age: Early 20s
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 2, Expression 4,
Intimidation 1, Leadership 3, Subterfuge 1
Skills: Archery 3, Commerce 1, Etiquette 2, Melee 4,
Performance 1, Ride 3, Stealth 2
Knowledges: Academics 1, Investigation 3, Law 1,
Politics 2, Seneschal 2
Disciplines: Dominate 3, Fortitude 2, Presence 1
Backgrounds: Allies 4, Contacts 3, Domain 5, Herd 3,
Influence 3, Resources 3, Status 3
Virtues: Conscience 4, Self-Control 3, Courage 3
Morality: Road of Chivalry 7
Willpower: 6
Elsewhere in England
237
England Will Burn

238
 APPENDIX:

This appendix contains information on some of the key dates in the

medieval history of England. This section contains a timeline
providing an overview of the important events which occurred in the
British Isles during the middle ages, as well as lists of some of the notable
people of the period. The charts list the kings of England, the archbishops
of Canterbury and York, and the Lord Chancellors of England, all between
the years of 1000 and 1300. Also included are the kings of Scotland for
the same period. The charts are designed to be used as reference material
in play, so that Storytellers can quickly identify what is occurring around
any particular date.

239
 Kings of England
King Ruled Royal House
Æthelred Unræd 978 – 1013i Wessex
Sweyn Forkbeard 1013 – 1014 Gorm
Æthelred Unræd 1014 – 1016 Wessex
Edmund Ironside 1016 Wessex
Cnut 1016 – 1035 Gorm
Harold Harefoot 1035 – 1040 Gorm
Harthacnut 1040 – 1042 Gorm
Edward the Confessor 1042 – 1066 Wessex
Harold Godwinson 1066 Wessex
William the Conqueror 1066 – 1087 Normandy
William Rufus 1087 – 1100 Normandy
Henry Beauclerc 1100 – 1135 Normandy
Stephen of Blois 1135 – 1154 Blois
Henry Curtmantle 1154 – 1189 Anjou
Richard the Lionheart 1189 – 1199 Anjou
John Lackland 1199 – 1216 Anjou
Henry of Winchester 1216 – 1272 Anjou
Edward Longshanks 1272 – 1307 Anjou

Kings of Scotland
King Ruled Royal House
Kenneth 997 – 1005 Alpin
Malcolm 1005 – 1034 Alpin
Duncan the Sick 1034 – 1040 Dunkeld
Mac Bethad 1040 – 1057 Moray
Lulach 1057 – 1058 Moray
Malcolm Canmore 1058 – 1093 Dunkeld
Donald Bán 1093 – 1094 Dunkeld
Duncan 1094 Dunkeld
Donald Bán 1094 – 1097 Dunkeld
Edgar 1097 – 1107 Dunkeld
Alexander the Fierce 1107 – 1124 Dunkeld
David 1124 – 1153 Dunkeld
Malcolm the Maiden 1153 – 1165 Dunkeld
William the Lion 1165 – 1214 Dunkeld
Alexander (II) 1214 – 1249 Dunkeld
Alexander (III) 1249 – 1286 Dunkeld
Margaret, Maid of Norway 1286 – 1290 Sverre
Throne vacant 1290 – 1292 –
John Balliol 1292 – 1296 Balliol
Throne vacant 1296 – 1306 –

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240
 Lord Chancellors of England
Lord Chancellor In post Lord Chancellor In post
Herfast 1068 – 1070 Walter de Gray 1205 – 1214
Osmund 1070 – 1078 Richard Marsh 1214 – 1226
Maurice 1078 – 1085 Ralph Neville 1226 – 1240
Gerard 1085 – 1092 Richard le Gras 1240 – 1242
Robert Bloet 1092 – 1093 Silvester de Everdon 1244 – 1246
William Giffard 1093 – 1101 John Maunsell 1246 – 1247
Roger of Salisbury 1101 – 1102 Sir John Lexington 1247 – 1248
Waldric 1102 – 1107 John Maunsell 1248 – 1249
Ranulf 1107 – 1123 Sir John Lexington 1249 – 1250
Geoffrey Rufus 1123 – 1133 William of Kilkenny 1250 – 1255
Robert de Sigello 1133 – 1135 Henry Wingham 1255 – 1260
Roger le Poer 1135 – 1139 Nicholas of Ely 1260 – 1261
Philip de Harcourt 1139 – 1140 Walter de Merton 1261 – 1263
Robert of Ghent 1140 – 1141 Nicholas of Ely 1263
William FitzGilbert 1141 – 1142 John Chishull 1263 – 1264
William de Vere 1142 Thomas Cantilupe 1264 – 1265
Robert of Ghent 1142 – 1154 Ralph Sandwich 1265
Thomas Becket 1155 – 1162 Walter Giffard 1265 – 1266
Geoffrey Ridel 1162 – 1173 Godfrey Giffard 1266 – 1268
Ralph de Warneville 1173 – 1181 John Chishull 1268 – 1269
Geoffrey the Bastard 1181 – 1197 Richard Middleton 1269 – 1274
William Longchamp 1189 – 1197 Walter de Merton 1272 – 1274
Eustace 1197 – 1199 Robert Burnell 1274 – 1292
Hubert Walter 1199 – 1205 John Langton 1292 – 1302

Archbishops of Canterbury Archbishops of York

Archbishop In post Archbishop In post
Ælfric of Abingdon 995 – 1005 Ealdwulf 995 – 1002
Ælfheah 1006 – 1012 Wulfstan 1002 – 1023
Lyfing 1013 – 1020 Ælfric Puttoc 1023 – 1051
Æthelnoth 1020 – 1038 Cynesige 1051 – 1060
Eadsige 1038 – 1050 Ealdred 1061 – 1069
Robert of Jumièges 1051 – 1052 Thomas of Bayeux 1070 – 1100
Stigand 1052 – 1070 Gerard 1100 – 1108
Lanfranc 1070 – 1089 Thomas 1109 – 1114
Anselm 1093 – 1109 Thurstan 1119 – 1140
Ralph d’Escures 1114 – 1122 William FitzHerbert 1143 – 1147
William de Corbeil 1123 – 1136 Henry Murdac 1147 – 1153
Theobald of Bec 1139 – 1161 William FitzHerbert 1153 – 1154
Thomas Becket 1162 – 1170 Roger de Pont L’Évêque 1154 – 1181
Richard 1174 – 1184 Geoffrey Plantagenet 1191 – 1212
Baldwin of Forde 1184 – 1190 Walter de Gray 1216 – 1255
Hubert Walter 1193 – 1205 Sewal de Bovil 1256 – 1258
Stephen Langton 1207 – 1228 Godfrey Ludham 1258 – 1265
Richard le Grant 1229 – 1231 Walter Giffard 1266 – 1279
Edmund Rich 1234 – 1240 William de Wickwane 1279 – 1285
Boniface of Savoy 1241 – 1270 John le Romeyn 1286 – 1296
Robert Kilwardby 1273 – 1278 Henry of Newark 1298 – 1299
John Peckham 1279 – 1292 Thomas of Corbridge 1300 – 1304
Robert Winchelsey 1294 – 1313 William Greenfield 1306 – 1315

Appendix

241
 Key Dates in English History
Date Event Date Event
43 Roman invasion of the British Isles 519 Kingdom of Wessex established
47 Roman traders form the settlement of 527 Kingdom of Mercia established
Londinium 527 Kingdom of Essex established
48 Roman forces build a fortress on the banks of 547 Kingdom of Bernicia established
the Severn, on the site of the later town of 559 Kingdom of Deira established
Gloucester 577 A British army is defeated by Saxons at the
61 Londinium destroyed when the Iceni revolt Battle of Dyrham; the Saxons sack the towns of
against the Romans Glevum, Corinium Dobunnorum, and Aquae
70 The fortress town of Deva Victrix built by the Sulis; they go on to establish the Kingdom of
Romans on the banks of the River Dee Hwicce
71 Mithras arrives in Britain; he visits Londinium, 597 Augustine, a missionary sent by the Pope, lands
before travelling north in Kent; as a result of his efforts Æthelberht,
73 The fortress town of Luguvalium built by the King of Kent, converts to Christianity
Romans on a bluff above the River Eden. 616 An army led by King Æthelfrith of Bernicia
97 Colonia Nervia Glevensium founded on the defeats the forces of the Kingdom of Powys at
eastern banks of the River Severn the site of the ruins of Roman Deva; the
122 Construction begins on Hadrian’s Wall on the Bernicians plant a colony on the site,
northern frontier of Roman Britain subsequently known as Chester
125 Londinium largely destroyed by fire 628 Gloucester captured by the Kingdom of Mercia
141 The Romans campaign north of Hadrian’s 634 The Diocese of Wessex is founded in
Wall, extending imperial control to the Firths Dorchester by Birinus, a missionary from
of Forth and Clyde France
142 Construction begins on the Antonine Wall to 634 Monastery founded on Lindisfarne by Aidan,
defend the imperial conquests of the previous Apostle of Northumbria
year 654 The Kingdoms of Deira and Bernicia merge to
162 Romans withdraw to the frontier at Hadrian’s form of the Kingdom of Northumbria
Wall 660 The seat of the Diocese of Wessex is moved
165 The Antonine Plague comes to Britain, causing from Dorchester to Winchester
large numbers of deaths 672 Ely Abbey founded by Æthelthryth, daughter
205 Marcus Verus slays Mada, becoming Prince of of King Anna of East Anglia
Deva Victrix 689 Foundation of the Minster Church of West
368 Britain subject to a series of attacks from Pictish Mercia in Chester
and Saxon raiders; the Romans believe the 779 Kingdom of Hwicce absorbed by the Kingdom
attacks to be co-ordinated, and name this event of Mercia
the Great Conspiracy 793 Lindisfarne sacked in a Danish raid
383 Magnus Maximus, the general overseeing 812 Kingdom of Essex absorbed by the Kingdom of
Britain, rebels against the emperors in Rome; Mercia
the Roman Legio XX is withdrawn from Deva 827 Kingdom of Sussex annexed by the Kingdom of
Victrix Wessex
407 Remaining Roman legions withdrawn from 829 Gloucester attacked by the army of Egbert,
Britain King of Wessex
409 Roman magistrates expelled from Britain 836 Gloucester occupied by the Danes
457 The Britons are defeated by a Jutish army at the 839 Lundenwic is devasted by a Danish attack
Battle of Crecganford; the Jutes subsequently 851 Lundenwic attacked by the Danes for a second
establish the Kingdom of Kent time
477 Kingdom of Sussex established 865 The Great Heathen Army land in Britain,
510 Kingdom of the East Angles established intent on conquest
England Will Burn

242
Date Event
867 The Great Heathen Army defeats the army of
the King Osberht of Northumbria and capture
York
870 Ely sacked by the Great Heathen Army
871 Æthelred, King of Wessex, and titular King of
Kent, dies; Kent is subsequently governed as
part of the Kingdom of Wessex
875 The monks of Lindisfarne abandon Holy Island
876 Carlisle is sacked by the Great Heathen Army
877 Gloucester sacked by the Great Heathen Army
886 Lundenburg re-occupied by the English
893 Chester occupied by the Danes
918 Kingdom of Mercia annexed by the Kingdom of
Wessex
918 Kingdom of the East Angles annexed by the
Kingdom of Wessex
954 Kingdom Wessex conquers and annexes the
Kingdom of Northumbria; Æthelstan, King of
Wessex, is declared the King of the English
971 The coronation of the English King Edgar is
held at Chester
971 Leovigota driven out of Chester; Marcus Verus
re-established as prince
980 Southampton burnt by the Danes
994 London besieged by the Danes
1002 Danes killed throughout England in the St
Brice’s Day Massacre
1013 London captured by the Danes; in the
subsequent campaign the English are defeated
by Sweyn Forkbeard, King of Denmark; on
Christmas Day 1013 Sweyn is crowned as King
of England
1014 Sweyn dies; the English crown is reclaimed by
the Saxons, with Edmund Ironside becoming
the new King of England
1014 Wulfstan, Archbishop of York, composes the
Sermon of the Wolf to the English, in which he
warns the end of the world is fast approaching
1016 King Edmund Ironside dies; Cnut, King of
Denmark becomes King of England
1035 Alfred Ætheling attempts to claim the throne
of England; captured by Earl Godwin, he is
blinded and exiled to the Isle of Ely
1066 Kingdom of England conquered by the
Normans commanded Duke William of
Normandy; the duke subsequently becomes
King of England
1066 Arrival of the Triumvirate in England; Roald
Snake-eyes becomes Prince of London
Date Event
1069 The army of King William begins a campaign
of destruction in the north of England to crush
opposition to Norman rule; over 100,000
subsequently die in this campaign, which
becomes known as the Harrying of the North.
1070 The bloodshed in the north of England causes
Mithras to wake from torpor.
1070 Isle of Ely captured by the Saxon rebel
Hereward
1070 Earl Hugh Lupus builds Chester Castle
1075 Seat of the Diocese of Lichfield moved to
Chester
1081 The Princes of York, Chester, and Gloucester
meet with Mithras in the city of York; spheres
of influence in the conflict with the
Triumvirate are defined, creating the first
feodum
1086 Work commences on the Domesday Book
1087 Michael, Prince of Norwich, offers fealty to
Mithras; in return, his authority over the Fee of
Norwich is recognised
1092 Carlisle and surrounding territory incorporated
into the Kingdom of England
1092 Land between the Rivers Ribble and Lune
awarded to Roger de Poitou
1093 Building of Carlisle Castle begins
1095 Seat of the Diocese of Lichfield moved to
Coventry, forming the Diocese of Coventry
and Lichfield
1105 Meerlinda establishes the Lion’s Gate Chantry
in Durham
1109 Diocese of Ely formed
1112 Carlisle Castle completed
1133 Diocese of Carlisle formed; building of Carlisle
Cathedral begins
1135 Carlisle captured by the Scots
1135 A fire on the day of Pentecost destroys most of
London between St Paul’s Cathedral and the
church of St Clement Danes
1136 Adrian, childe of Cerdic, forces the agents of
the Triumvirate from Canterbury; he claims
the position of prince, whilst the south-east
coast of England is recognised as the Fee of
Canterbury
1138 Constantius Thrax, Prince of Gloucester, meets
his Final Death; he is replaced by Seren
1141 Liseult de Taine meets her Final Death in
Nottingham, at the hands of the Guild of St
Eustace
Appendix
243
Date Event
1141 The Rout of Winchester; Geoffrey of Calais,
Ceolwulf and Arviragus all meet their Final
Deaths as the town is badly damaged in
fighting; Melusine d’Anjou becomes the new
Prince of Winchester
1142 Cuthwulf becomes Prince of Lincoln, declaring
loyalty to Mithras; the surrounding area is
recognised by Mithras as the Fee of Lincoln
1150 Peace is made between Mithras and Melusine
d’Anjou; the Fee of Winchester is founded
1152 Hugh de Chambrey, Prince of Exeter, pledges
loyalty to Mithras; Cornwall, Devon, and
western Somerset are recognised as the Fee of
Exeter
1153 Roald Snake-eyes meets his Final Death at the
hands of the agents of Seren, Prince of
Gloucester
1154 Mithras arrives in London, and is acclaimed as
prince; the area around the capital is claimed as
the Fee of London
1157 Scotland cedes Carlisle to the Kingdom of
England; Nathaniel arrives in Carlisle and
becomes prince
1157 Fee of Carlisle claimed by Nathaniel
1170 Assassination of Thomas Becket
1173 Carlisle unsuccessfully besieged by the Scots
1174 Carlisle unsuccessfully besieged by the Scots
1180 Chester devastated by fire
1193 Carlisle unsuccessfully besieged by the Scots
1197 Robert the Fair claims authority over the
Cainites in Scotland, creating the Fee of
Lothian
1209 John Lackland excommunicated by the Pope
1212 Southwark and London Bridge are ravaged by
fire; hundreds die, and Southwark Priory is
destroyed
1214 Culfwulf, Prince of Lincoln, meets his Final
Death at the hands of a band of Furores; he is
succeeded by his seneschal, Alviva
1215 Magna Carta signed at Runnymede
1215 The Barons’ War starts, in response to the
perceived despotism of King John
1216 Dover is besieged by a French army
1216 Rose Treaty concluded between Mithras and
the pre-eminent Cainites of England, defining
the relationship between the Prince of London
and the feodum of England
England Will Burn
244
Date Event
1217 The Barons’ War is brought to an end by
William Marshal, Regent to King Henry of
Winchester
1221 Osred slain by Randulf the Pilgrim and others
1223 Hugh de Burgh, Justiciar of England, invades
Wales, capturing Cardigan, Carmarthen, and
Montgomery
1227 Stephen le Gros displaces Alviva as Prince of
Lincoln
1233 Convents built for both the Grey Friars and the
Black Friars in Carlisle
1236 A convent is built for the Black Friars in
Chester
1237 A convent is built for the Grey Friars in Chester
1237 Border between England and Scotland defined
in the Treaty of York
1239 Edward de Warene claims authority over the
Cainites of Ireland by creating the Fee of
Dublin
1241 War fought between the Kingdom of England
and the Principality of Wales
1277 Principality of Gwynedd annexed by the
Kingdom of England
1296 The Stone of Scone is brought to London
1348 The Black Death reaches England
1350 With Marcus Verus in torpor, the post of Prince
of Chester is claimed by Peter the Lombard
1352 Dunstan claims the position of Baron of
Coventry, with a feodum encompassing
Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham, and
Worcester
1381 The Peasants’ Revolt breaks out
1389 John Hawtin repudiates the authority of
Mithras; the Barons of Carlisle, Chester,
Coventry, and Winchester transfer their
loyalties to the Baron of York
1392 Seren is overthrown by Alyna Rayner; as the
new Baron of Gloucester she recognises John
Hawtin as her feudal lord
1392 Adelina de Vitre takes the position of prince in
Norwich; she is the first undisputed prince in
the town since the Final Death of Michael, and
immediately pledges loyalty to Mithras
1393 The Barons of the Fees of Lothian and Exeter
transfer their loyalties from London to York
1395 Hardestadt meets his Final Death; the Anarch
Revolt begins
Abbey of St Peter, the, 110 Alfred Ætheling, 167, 169, 174, 243
Abbot Serlo, 118, 127, 128 Alfred Ealdorman, 105, 106, 107, 113, 114, 137
Adana de Sforza, 15 Alice Hawksey, 220
Adelina de Vitre. See Landina Allectus, 31
Adrian, 243 al-Qahira, 125
Adrianople, 64 Alviva, 244
Ælfred, 116 Alyna Rayner, 112, 114, 115, 118, 139, 244
Ælweard, 54 Anarch Revolt, the, 13, 15, 54, 244
Æscwyn the Child, 169, 176, 178, 183, 184, 185 Anarchs, the, 48, 54, 56, 65, 77, 78, 85, 88
Æthelhere, 168, 183, 184 Anarchy, the, 9, 37, 54, 142, 148, 150
Æthelthryth, 166 Ancel Baynard, 62, 99, 163
Æthelwald. See Thomas, Lord Camden Anjou, 158
Æthelwulf, 14, 48, 50, 59, 61, 73, 74, 97, 194 Antonine Plague, the, 31, 242
Agnes, 191, 200, 205, 206 Antonine Wall, 31, 242
Agote, 170, 178, 180 Antonius, Methuselah of Constantinople, 66
Aife Bhallach, 56, 57, 67 Aquae Sulis. See Bath
Aine, 14, 229, 231 Archbishops of Canterbury, 241
Alan Basset, Baron of Wycombe, 28 Augustine, 242
Aldermen, the, 33, 37, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 60, 77, 87, Thomas Becket, 241, 244
88, 145 Archbishops of York, 241
Alexander Stavenby. See Bishops of Coventry and Wulfstan, 241, 243
Lichfield Aroasios, 14, 52, 80
Alexander the Great, 91 Arviragus, 144, 145, 244
Alexander, Prince of Paris, 14, 34, 38, 39 Asdis Asmundrsdottir, 52, 53, 59, 62, 88, 194
Alfgar, 131, 132 Asmundr Silver-voice, 88, 193, 194
Index

245
Atlantic Ocean, the, 122 Priory of St Mary, Lancaster, 229
Atlas Mountains, the, 125 St Mary's Abbey, Winchester, 150
Auberlin Foltz, 56, 59, 68 Benoit Frosh, 136, 161
Augustinians Beorhtric, 45, 56, 81
Holywell Priory, 45 Beornwald, 152, 162
Llanthony Priory, 106 Berkshire, 29, 42, 143
Llanthony Secunda, Gloucester, 102, 112 Reading, 42
Priory of St Mary, Carlisle, 216, 221 Runnymede, 38
Southwark Priory, 244 Windsor, 38, 40, 42, 47, 95
St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Gloucester, 110 Bernicia, Kingdom of, 242
Aurelia the Golden, 166, 167, 168, 169, 174, 176, 178, Berwick, 232
182 Beverley, 75
autocrat princes, the, 8 Beverley Minster, 207
Avtalyon, 204 Bhallaire, 231
Aweline, 56, 78, 79, 86 Bindusara, 14, 96
Baaliahon of Tyre, 144 Birinus, 242
Baba Yaga, 14, 80 Bishop’s Lynn, 170, 172, 181, 187
Barons’ War, the, 9, 47, 75, 157, 174, 244 Bishops of Carlisle
Baruch, 107, 116, 124, 126 Walter Mauclerk, 210, 216
Bath, 242 Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield
Battle Alexander Stavenby, 198
of Ashdown, 145 Bishops of Ely, 174
of Crecganford, 32, 242 Hugh de Northwold, 166
of Dyrham, 104, 242 Bishops of Lindisfarne
of Edington, 145 Cuthbert, 212
of Hastings, 58, 96, 235 Bishops of London
of Lincoln, 75 Fulk Basset, 28
of Maldon, 174 Mellitus, 33
of Medway, 30 Bishops of Northumbria, 232
of Stamford Bridge, 96 Bishops of Winchester
Bavaria, 65 Henry of Blois, 146, 150
Baynard family, 99, 163 Peter des Roches, 142
Beatrice, 167, 171, 174, 176, 185, 187 William de Raley, 142
Bedfordshire, 29 Black Annis. See Aine
Belsant the White, 106, 107, 223 Black Communion, the, 227
Benedictines Black Death, the, 244
Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tewkesbury, Black Mountains, the, 102, 104
113, 137 Boudica, 30
Abbey of St Martin, Sées, 229 Brabant, 186
Abbey of St Peter, Gloucester, 105, 110, 127, 128 Bran, 106, 107, 129, 135, 191, 193, 194, 221
Abbey of St Werburgh, Chester, 198 Branodunum, 168
Barking Abbey, 89 Bristol, 42, 103, 125, 138, 148
Carrow Abbey, 89 conquest by the Triumvirate, 106
Chatteris Abbey, 181 Brittany, 158
Ely Abbey, 168, 170, 174, 179, 182, 185, 187, 198, Brotchú Ó Morgair, 202
242 Brujah
Gloucester Abbey, 102 Conlae family, 202, 237
Godstow Abbey, 134 Morgair family, 97, 200, 202, 237
Lindisfarne Priory, 232 Brutus of Troy, 28
Peterborough Abbey, 170 Buckinghamshire, 29
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246
 Aylesbury, 130 Cheshire
Bury, 170, 172 Beeston Castle, 196, 207
Caer Luel. See Carlisle Farndon, 193
Cainite Heresy, the, 60 meres, 196
Caius Tadius Lupus, 73, 104 mosses, 196
Calais, 236 Riseton Hundred, 206
Calibrid, 67 Stanlow Abbey, 206
Calleva, 144 Chester, 8, 20, 50, 52, 81, 87, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193,
Camarilla, the, 13 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207,
Cambridge, 167, 170, 172, 178, 181 213, 229, 231, 237, 242, 243
Cambridgeshire Abbey of St Werburgh, 193, 198
Chatteris, 181 Agricola Tower, 205
Chatteris Abbey, 181 amphitheatre, 198
fens, 166, 172 Bridge Gate, 198
Soham, 226 Castle, 198, 203, 205, 243
Camilla, 30, 80, 104 Church of St John the Baptist, 198
Camulodunon. See Colchester Constable of, 190
Candle-bearers, the, 103, 118 Convent of the Black Friars, 198, 244
Canterbury, 20, 42, 58, 93, 95, 186, 220, 243 Convent of the Grey Friars, 198, 244
Cape Cornwall, 22 devastated by fire, 244
Cappadocius, 91 Earls of, 198
Carausius, 31 East Gate, 198
Cardiff, 103, 108, 112 Forum, 198
Carlisle, 9, 11, 29, 191, 196, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, Minster Church of West Mercia, 192, 242
214, 216, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 228, 229, 230, North Gate, 198
243, 244 occupation by Danes, 243
besieged, 213, 244 Sheriff of, 190
capture by the Scots, 243 St Werburgh’s Abbey, 200, 204
Castle, 216, 219, 243 The Rows, 198
Cathedral, 216, 243 Water Gate, 196
citadel, 216 Wolf Gate, 198
Convent of the Black Friars, 216, 244 Chester, Earls of
Convent of the Grey Friars, 216, 244 Hugh Lupus, 190, 207, 243
destruction of, 212 Ranulf de Blondeville, 75
English Gate, 216 Ranulph de Meschin, 198
Irish Gate, 216 Children of the Angevins, the, 9
Priory of St Mary, 216, 221 Christianity
Scots Gate, 216 early monasticism, 134
Sheriff of, 216 Cingetorix, 144
St Cuthbert's Church, 216 Circle of Power, the, 116, 118
Tile Tower, 216 Cirencester, 105, 108, 115, 242
Carthage, 122 claimants to the English throne
Ceolwulf, 144, 145, 146, 150, 156, 244 Alfred Ætheling, 174, 243
Ceoris, 204, 222 Edgar Ætheling, 36
Cerdic, 243 Harald Hardrada, 35
Chamberlain (Cainite) Matilda, 9, 37, 142, 146
of Ely. See Osuald Clarice le Blont, 232, 233
of Gloucester. See Alyna Rayner Clausentum, 144
of London. See Nicholas Clondalkin, 97
Charles of Poitiers, 158 Cnebba, 103, 105, 118, 130, 131
Index

247
Cnebba’s War, 105, 106, 118 of Worcester, 102
Colchester, 29, 30, 42 Dioscorus, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 50, 77, 84
Colonia Nervia Glevensium. See Gloucester Disciples of Job, the, 48, 52, 56, 57, 65, 82, 85
Companions, the, 29, 38, 39, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 60, Domesday Book, the, 243
62, 74, 84 Dominicans
Constantinople, 66 Convent of the Black Friars, Carlisle, 216, 244
Constantius Thrax, 13, 50, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, Convent of the Black Friars, Chester, 198, 244
108, 114, 115, 118, 119, 123, 124, 127, 128, 129, Convent of the Black Friars, Gloucester, 112
133, 137, 138, 156, 243 Convent of the Black Friars, London, 45, 81
assassination, 106 Convent of the Black Friars, Winchester, 150
Corinium Dobunnorum. See Cirencester Dorchester, 242
Cornelis the Grey, 236 Dorset, 143
Cornovii, the, 231 Dotawo, Kingdom of, 125
Cornwall, 244 Dover, 61, 236, 237
County of Lancaster. See Lancaster, Honour of besieged, 244
Coventry, 71, 103, 115, 220, 243, 244 Dover Castle, 20, 39, 237
Crathlynt, 212, 213, 221 Dublin, 11, 56, 67, 191, 196, 200, 202, 237
Cretheus, 14, 30, 50, 144 Duchess d’Ambois, 14, 46, 94, 233
Critias, 14, 66, 122 Duke d’Ambois, 14, 29, 48, 50, 58, 61, 68, 75, 93, 94,
Crotus, 33 95, 96, 97, 107, 147, 152, 160
Culfwulf, 244 Dunstan, 38, 82, 107, 166, 220, 244
Cult of Martyrs, the, 165, 166, 167, 169, 170, 171, 174, Durham (county), 36
176, 178, 179, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 187, 227 Durham (town), 29, 136, 221
Cult of Mithras, the, 14, 45, 61, 73, 92, 194, 205, 236, Lion's Gate Chantry, 243
237 Duro, 30, 32
Cumberland, 210, 211 Eanfred Heáfodman, 33
Burgh-upon-Sands, 222 East Angles, Kingdom of the, 226, 242, 243
Croglin Low Hall, 220 East Anglia, 165, 226
Cumbrian Mountains, 214, 229, 231 conquest by Rome, 226
Linstock Castle, 214 conquest by the Angles, 226
Stanwix, 214, 223 Eboracum. See York
Cuthwulf, 34, 36, 38, 244 Eddida, 59, 74
Cynewynne, 180 Edgar Ætheling, 36
Cyrenios, 203, 204 Edward de Warene, 11, 14, 20, 200, 202, 244
Damietta, Siege of, 75 Edward Gwyn, 107
Dark Selina. See Selina the Black Edwyll Whitebeard, 14, 142, 143, 147, 155, 160
Deira, Kingdom of, 242 Edwyn Decanus, 166, 167, 178, 181
Denmark, 168 Egypt, 43, 72, 75
Raids on England, 54 Elam, 91
Deva Victrix. See Chester Elenydd, 102
Devon, 244 Elieser de Polanco, 14, 86
Diocese Ely, 227, 243
of Carlisle, 210, 243 Abbey, 168, 170, 174, 179, 182, 185, 187, 198, 242
of Coventry and Lichfield, 243 Abbot of, 172
of Elmham, 226 Bishop’s Gaol, 174
of Ely, 166, 174, 179, 243 Bishops of, 166
of Lichfield, 198, 243 Black Hostry, 174, 184
of Norwich, 226 Bone House, 174
of Wessex, 142, 144, 242 Castle, 174, 183
of Winchester, 142, 242 Church of St Etheldreda, 174
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 Liberty of, 166, 170, 174, 179 Forest of Dean, 102, 108, 118, 131, 132
market, 174 Inglewood, 212
Emperors, Roman Lonsdale, 229
Constantine III, 31, 144 New Forest, 148
Gratian, 192 Windsor, 42, 47, 95
Hadrian, 30 France, Kingdom of, 34, 38, 143, 148, 154, 196, 227,
Magnus Maximus, 31, 192, 242 236, 242
Nerva, 104 Franciscans
Phocas, 66 Convent of the Grey Friars, Carlisle, 216, 244
English Channel, the, 148 Convent of the Grey Friars, Chester, 198, 244
Essex, 29, 40, 42, 77 Convent of the Grey Friars, Gloucester, 112, 125
Barking Abbey, 89, 227 Convent of the Grey Friars, London, 45
Hospital of St Mary the Virgin, Ilford, 63 Convent of the Grey Friars, Winchester, 150
Kingdom of, 32, 43, 145, 242 Francisco Diego del Belmonte, 116
Ongar, 40 Fraternity of St Peter, the, 103
Waltham Abbey, 66 Freemen of Lundenwic, the, 33
Etrius, 222 Fulk Basset. See Bishops of London
Eudocia of Megisti, 70 Furores, the, 39, 52, 56, 68, 71, 77, 78, 81, 82, 90, 103,
Eustace the Macedonian, 14, 76, 147, 152 166, 181, 191, 211, 218, 219, 230
Eustace, Count of Boulogne, 235 in Norwich, 89
Eutropius, 31, 91 William FitzOsbert's rebellion, 38
Exeter, 29, 108, 221 Gallic Empire, the, 31
Eyolf Ivarsson, 191 Gaul, 30, 31
Falkes de Breaute, 174 Gehenna, 81
Fee Genevieve, 14, 56, 82
of Canterbury, 243 Geoffrey de Neville, 102
of Carlisle, 211, 244 Geoffrey of Calais, 14, 35, 36, 37, 145, 146, 244
of Chester, 106, 191, 211, 244 Geoffroi du Temple, 14, 39, 236
of Coventry, 244 Geraint de Montford, 136
of Dublin, 244 Gerard Lovet, 59, 61, 75
of Exeter, 244 Gerard Mannerly, 14, 61, 236, 237
of Gloucester, 103, 106, 107, 108, 118, 191 Ghent, 54
of Lincoln, 244 Gildas, 32
of London, 29, 244 Glevum. See Gloucester, See Gloucester
of Lothian, 20, 232, 244 Gloucester, 18, 20, 37, 101, 102, 103, 113, 124, 126,
of Norwich, 243 131, 132, 138, 144, 146, 183, 191, 194, 242, 243
of Winchester, 143, 244 Abbey of St Peter, 105, 127, 128
of York, 106, 191, 232 Alvin Gate, the, 110
Felix Pollius Maximus, 80 as frontier bastion, 101
feodum, 10, 20, 243, 244 Blind Gate, the, 110
Feradach, 212 Castle, 102, 110, 135, 138
Fifth Crusade, the, 75 Church of St Nicholas, 112
Fire Court, the, 72 Convent of the Black Friars, 112
Firth Convent of the Grey Friars, 112, 125
of Clyde, 242 Cross, the, 110, 133
of Forth, 242 docks, 110
Flanders, County of, 235 Eastgate Street, 110, 126
forests Foreign Bridge, the, 110
Bowland Fells, 228 gaol, 110
Essex, 42, 74 Gloucester Abbey, 102
Index

249
 Gloucester Castle, 116 Hampshire, 142, 143, 148
Jewish population, 110 Alresford, 162
Kingsholm, 102, 112, 139 Fawley Hundred, 162
Kingsholm Palace, 107 Old Alresford Manor, 162
Ladycroft, 124 Portchester Castle, 236
Llanthony Secunda, 102, 112 Twyford manor house, 155
mint, 112, 139 Worthy, 160
Northgate Street, 112 Hamwic. See Southampton
Southgate Street, 112 Haqim, 91
St Bartholomew’s Hospital, 110 Harald Leifsson, 14, 123, 124
St Nicholas of the Bridge of Gloucester, 110 Hardestadt the Elder, 54, 244
synagogue, 110 Harold Godwinson, 96
the Cross, 112 Harrying of the North, 243
Westgate Bridge, 112 Helena, 15, 87
Westgate Street, 110, 127 Helisent, 213, 223
Gloucester, Earls of Henry Balsam, 116
Robert FitzRoy, 113 Henry FitzAilwin, Mayor of London, 38
Gloucestershire, 108 Heptarchy, the, 10, 40, 50, 81, 234
Alney Island, 108, 112 Hereford, 103
Cheltenham, 123 Hereman, 56, 57, 63
Hundred of St Briavels, 108 Hereward, 167, 170, 174, 243
Lydney, 131, 132 Hertfordshire, 29
Over, 112, 136 Berkhamstead, 36
Painswick, 122 Holy Emperor
Painswick Beacon, 102, 108 Frederick of Sicily, 43
Tewkesbury, 113 Holy Island, the. See Lindisfarne
Godefroy, 14, 205 Honoria the Lydian, 191, 192, 193, 194, 203, 205
Godgifu, 33 Hounds of Mithras, the, 10, 37, 38, 47, 48, 52, 56, 58,
Godwin, Earl of Wessex, 169, 243 59, 74, 75, 88, 90, 95, 103, 107, 114, 118, 119, 130,
Godwine of Lindsey, 33, 37, 48, 54, 77, 85 136, 152, 161, 180, 187, 205, 223, 230, See also
Goratrix, 222 Guild of St Eustace, Wardens of the Severn
Goslinne, 194, 221 Wardens of the Severn, the, 116
Great Charter, the. See Magna Carta House of Judith, the, 124
Great Heathen Army, the, 33, 63, 105, 145, 168, 169, Hrist, 168
179, 193, 212, 226, 236, 242, 243 Hubert de Burgh, Chief Justiciar of England, 150
Great Road, the, 63 Hugh de Chambrey, 15, 20, 244
Great West Road, 42, 47 Hugh de Lincolne, 207
Gruffith ap Grono, 156 Hugh de Northwold. See Bishops of Ely
Guild of St Eustace, the, 47, 48, 50, 56, 59, 68, 69, 74, Hugh Lupus. See Chester, Earls of
75, 86, 95, 243 Hugo de Bernay, 103, 118
Gundovald, 33, 36, 52, 64, 65, 219 Hungife, 235
Gwallaten, 152, 156 Hunstan. See John FitzStephen, See John FitzStephen
Gwawl Wolf-Eye, 144 Huntingdon, 169, 172, 179, 181
Gwent, Kingdom of, 156 Hwicce, Kingdom of, 104, 110, 242
Gwion ap Mereduth, 116, 135 Iceni
Gwladus, 33, 54, 56, 77, 85, 86, 227 revolt against the Romans, 242
Gwrgenau, 118 Ireland, 18, 107, 202, 228, 237, 244
Gwynedd, Kingdom of, 18, 207 English Pale, 237
Gwynedd, Principality of, 244 Lordship of, 18
Hadrian’s Wall, 24, 31, 210, 214, 242 trade linked to England, 196
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Irish Sea, the, 190, 196, 200, 214 Kings of Elam
Iseldis, 35, 98 Unpater-Napirisha, 91
Isemeine, 59, 60, 71, 83 Kings of England
Isle of Ely, 165, 166, 168, 172, 183, 243 Æthelred Unræd, 34, 169, 240
Aldreth, 172 Æthelstan, 243
Aldreth Castle, 180 Alfred the Great, 40, 150
Aldreth Causeway, 172, 180 Cnut, 240, 243
Common Fen, 172 Edgar the Peaceful, 81, 88, 193, 243
Cratendune, 168 Edmund Ironside, 240, 243
Earith Causeway, 172 Edward Longshanks, 240
Grunty Fen, 172 Edward the Confessor, 35, 128, 240
Stuntney Causeway, 172 Edward the Elder, 169, 198
Witchford, 172, 186 Edward the Martyr, 170
Witchford Hundred, 172 Harold Godwinson, 35, 36, 240
Italy, 31 Harold Harefoot, 169, 240
Iustina Ravazs, 211, 213, 222 Harthacnut, 150, 240
Ivomagus, 183 Henry Beauclerc, 37, 113, 146, 159, 174, 178, 198,
Iwerydd, 132 240
Jerusalem Henry Curtmantle, 37, 38, 52, 150, 240
Dome of the Rock, 59 Henry of Winchester, 39, 45, 102, 150, 190, 210,
Jezebel, 15, 72 240, 244
Job, 56 John Lackland, 28, 38, 43, 102, 210, 229, 236, 240,
Jocelyn de Boudene, 190, 191, 200, 207 244
John Burden, 15, 52, 56, 57, 90, 230 Richard the Lionheart, 38, 142, 240
John de Neville, 102 Stephen of Blois, 9, 37, 142, 146, 150, 237, 240
John FitzStephen, 114, 115, 138 Sweyn Forkbeard, 34, 240
John Hawtin, 8, 11, 15, 39, 103, 191, 207, 244 William Rufus, 148, 150, 212, 228, 229, 235, 240
John le Strange, 190 William the Conqueror, 11, 36, 110, 139, 148, 170,
Jordan de Bricet, 52 174, 190, 234, 235, 240, 243
Judith Estridge, 124 Kings of France
Julian Cerialis, 15, 31, 36, 50, 93, 94, 97, 105 Louis the Lion, 38, 39
Juliana the Maiden, 152, 159 Kings of Kent
Justiciars Æthelberht, 168, 242
Hugh de Burgh, 244 Kings of Mercia
Katerin Norris, 112, 136 Æthelred, 63, 105, 198
Katla, 15, 162 Wulfhere, 105, 198
Kay of Shrewsbury, 191 Kings of Northumbria
Kent, 29 Ælla, 193
Dover, 42 Ecgfrith, 166
Kingdom of, 145, 242 Eric Haraldsson, 162
Kinczel, 38, 56, 78 Osberht, 193, 243
King of England Oswiu, 93
John Lackland, 107 Kings of Norway
Kings of Bernicia Harald Hardrada, 35
Æthelfrith, 192, 242 Kings of Scotland
Kings of Denmark Alexander (II), 240
Cnut, 243 Alexander (III), 240
Harthacnut, 169 Alexander the Fierce, 240
Sweyn Estridsson, 36, 170 David, 212, 240
Sweyn Forkbeard, 34 Donald Bán, 240
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 Duncan, 240 Leticia Brun, 56
Duncan the Sick, 240 Lichfield, 63
Edgar, 240 Lincoln, 20, 29, 75, 108, 159, 167, 178, 180, 187, 244
John Balliol, 240 Lincolnshire
Kenneth, 240 Boston, 234
Lulach, 240 Lindisfarne, 232, 233, 242, 243
Mac Bethad, 240 Lisbon, 98
Malcolm, 240 Liseult de Taine, 15, 35, 36, 37, 58, 73, 191, 194, 243
Malcolm Canmore, 36, 212, 240 Lleucu, 105, 107, 118, 131
Malcolm the Maiden, 212, 240 Llygad, 99
William the Lion, 240 Llywarch, 106, 129
Kings of the East Angles Londinium. See London
Anna, 166, 242 London, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,
Tytila, 168 40, 42, 43, 45, 48, 50, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64,
Kings of Wessex 66, 67, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 83, 84, 85,
Æthelred, 243 87, 88, 89, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 106, 107,
Æthelstan, 243 108, 141, 142, 148, 155, 158, 174, 186, 187, 210,
Alfred, 33, 193 219, 221, 223, 242
Cenwalh, 144 Aldgate, 96
Cerdic, 144 attacked by Danes, 242
Eadred, 162 Baynard’s Castle, 43, 99
Edward, 193 Billingsgate, 43
Egbert, 105, 114, 138, 145, 242 Bishopsgate, 85
Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem, 40, 45 Candlewick Street, 45
Clerkenwell Priory, 52, 79 capital of England, 28
Knights Templar, 45, 59 Clerkenwell, 40
Kolbeinn Brækir, 56, 85, 89 Clerkenwell Manor, 52
Kyneburgh, 138 Clerkenwell Priory, 45, 52, 79, 87
La Mancha, Spain, 86 Convent of the Black Friars, 45, 81
Lady Amisa, 155 Convent of the Grey Friars, 45
Lamia, 182 Danish raids on, 33
Lancaster, 214, 228, 229, 230, 231 destroyed by fire, 242
Hospital of St Leonard, 229 Elysium, 45
Priory of St Mary, 229, 230 Gracechurch Street, 45
Lancaster, Honour of, 228, 229 Holborn, 45
Leyland Hundred, 228 Holywell Priory, 45, 70
Liverpool, 234 Hospital of St Katherine’s by the Tower, 65
Morecambe Bay, 228, 229 London Bridge, 43, 64, 88, 244
Salford Hundred, 228 London Stone, the, 45, 79
sheriffs, 230 Ludgate, 42, 77, 84
West Derby, 228 Lundenburg, 77, 85
West Derby Hundred, 228 Lundenwic, 77, 85
Landina, 35, 36, 194, 244 Mithraeum, 31, 45
Legeceaster. See Chester Montfichet’s Castle, 43
Leicester, 107, 220, 244 New Temple, the, 59
Leinster, Kingdom of, 202 Newgate, 43, 73
Leland of Durham, 93 Palace of Westminster, 93, 94
Leofstan, 105, 106, 107, 131, 156 Pentecost fire, 37, 243
Leovigota, 15, 33, 36, 45, 51, 52, 53, 70, 79, 87, 88, Pool of London, the, 42, 43
192, 193, 243 Queenhithe, the, 42, 43, 98
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 shambles, 45 Winchester, 150
sheriff of. See Gilbert Becket Mithras, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 20, 22, 29, 30, 31, 37, 38, 39,
Southwark, 76, 78 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 58, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67,
St Botolph’s Aldgate, 82 69, 72, 73, 76, 77, 80, 82, 84, 86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94,
St Clement Danes, 243 95, 96, 98, 99, 103, 105, 106, 107, 114, 115, 118,
St Katharine by the Tower, 45 119, 133, 135, 137, 139, 142, 143, 146, 147, 152,
St Paul’s Cathedral, 43, 84, 243 154, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 171, 178, 189,
Temple, the, 45, 69, 83 190, 191, 192, 194, 205, 211, 213, 216, 219, 220,
Tower Green, 223 223, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 242, 243, 244
Tower Menagerie, 43 Montpellier, 70
Tower of London, 43, 92, 96, 97 moods
Tyburn Spring, 40 anxiety, 102
Watling Street, 80 bleak despair, 166
William FitzOsbert's rebellion, 38 calm, 190
Losario, 15, 64, 65 pride, 142
Lourenco, 62, 98, 99 simmering resentment, 210
Lucius Aelius Castus, 77, 104, 133 triumphal, 29
Lud, King, 28 Morgant ap Madoc, 211, 213, 216, 221
Luguvalium. See Carlisle murage, 10, 234
Lundenburg. See London Murchadh Ó Morgair, 190, 191, 200, 202
Lundenwic. See London Natalya Svyatoslava, 14
lupines, 178 Nathaniel, 11, 15, 39, 54, 65, 210, 211, 213, 214, 216,
Luxembourg, County of, 68 218, 219, 220, 221, 223, 230, 244
Mada, 81, 192, 242 Nefertiti, 72
Magna Carta, the, 38, 244 Nerius Alexander, 167, 174, 182, 187
malaria, 166 Nestor, 167, 168, 169, 170, 172, 176, 179, 183
Malthias, 97 Newcastle, 29, 232
Marcus Postumus, 31 Nicholas, 15, 48, 93, 97, 152, 155, 163, 178, 187, 191,
Marcus Verus, 8, 14, 15, 48, 50, 51, 73, 87, 189, 190, 213, 223
191, 192, 193, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 203, 204, Night Temple, the, 59, 60, 71
205, 206, 207, 237, 242, 243, 244 Norfolk, 227
Margaret Cheverall, 52, 53, 79 Elmham, 226
Maria Ascunción, 70 Yarmouth, 234
Matilda, Empress, 9, 37, 142, 146 Normandy, Duchy of, 34, 76, 99, 139, 141, 145, 148,
Meerlinda, 136, 161, 222, 243 154, 223
Melchis of Crete. See Stephen of Kent Abbey of St Martin, Sées, 229
Melisus, 105 Normandy, Dukes of, 9, 228
Mellitus. See Bishops of London Gaange Rolf, 34
Melusine d’Anjou, 9, 11, 15, 39, 142, 143, 146, 148, Richard, 148
150, 152, 158, 159, 160, 161, 234, 235, 244 Robert Curthose, 99, 110
Mercia, Kingdom of, 104, 105, 144, 145, 192, 193, William the Bastard, 35
198, 242, 243 Normans, the, 102
Mereduth, 106, 135 North Sea, the, 32, 144, 168, 226
Michael the Pious, 56, 89, 243, 244 Northampton, 29
Michael, Methuselah of Constantinople, 204 Northamptonshire, 29
Michel Belet, 71 Northumberland, 36
Middlesex, 29, 77 Northumbria, Kingdom of, 162, 193, 242
Milisent de Mortone, 152, 163 Norwich, 20, 56, 60, 167, 168, 181, 226, 227
mints Carrow Abbey, 89
Gloucester, 102, 139 Nottingham, 37, 97, 107, 191, 195, 243, 244
Index

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Numitor, 144, 145 of Rome. See Camilla
Oddr One-Hand, 75, 187 of Rouen. See Roald Snake-eyes, Eustace the
Odila of Rouen, 39, 62, 76 Macedonian
Olafr Asdisson, 53, 85, 88, 230 of St Albans. See Thurstan Baldree, John Burden
Orderic Vitalis, 36 of Thessalonike. See Natalya Svyatoslava
Ordric, 42, 47, 59, 95 of Thetford. See Osthryth
Osbern, 107, 118, 123, 125 of Toledo. See Elieser de Polanco
Osred, 50, 82, 211, 220, 244 of Winchester. See Numitor, Ceolwulf, Melusine
Osric, 54 d’Anjou
Osthryth, 226, 227 of York. See Julian Cerialis, Eutropius, John Hawtin
Osuald the Priest, 166, 167, 169, 170, 171, 172, 176, Princes of Wales
179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187 Dafydd ap Llywelyn, 196
Oxford, 9, 50, 103, 178 Llywelyn the Great, 195, 196
Godstow Abbey, 134 Prometheans, the, 15, 39, 52, 56, 57, 63, 67, 82, 90,
Paul Cordwood, 15, 222 103, 211, 219
Peasants’ Revolt, the, 244 Prometheus, 56
Pelagianism, 56 Punic Wars, the, 122
Pembrokeshire, 108 Queens of Scotland
Pennines, the, 191 Margaret, Maid of Norway, 240
Peter the Lombard, 15 Raboc, 152, 157
Peterborough Radulf the Mendicant, 106, 112, 118, 129
Abbey, 170 Radulphus Espie, 181
Petronia, 62, 72 Ralph Ashley, 28
Picts, 242 Ralph Eswy, 28
Plague Lords, the, 187 Randulf the Pilgrim, 211, 213, 220, 244
Pollius Felix Maximus, 65 Ranulf de Blondeville. See Chester, Earls of
Poor Men of London, the, 33, 37, 48, 52, 54, 77, 84, Ranulph de Meschin. See Chester, Earls of
88, 145 Rauf de Bery, 160
Porthsgiwed, 156 Raven King. See Bran
Portsmouth, 148 Raven’s War, the, 10, 13, 88, 103, 106, 107, 129, 133,
Prince (Cainite) 135, 211, 221
of Canterbury. See Adrian Recaredo Nunez, 86
of Cardiff. See Hugo de Bernay Reeve (Cainite)
of Carlisle. See Nathaniel of Gloucester. See Melisus, Leofstan, See Leofstan
of Chester. See Mada, Marcus Verus, Leovigota Reinhedis Estridge, 52, 56, 89
of Coventry. See Dunstan Reinier Langley, 139
of Dublin. See Edward de Warene Reyprecht the Swabian, 68
of Edinburgh. See Robert the Fair Richard Capellanus, 159
of Exeter. See Hugh de Chambrey Richard de Worde, 15, 50, 56, 152, 157
of Gloucester. See Lucius Aelius Castus, Rieinmelth. See Duchess d’Ambois
Constantius Thrax, Seren Riomandus, 30, 32
of Lincoln. See Cuthwulf, Alviva, Stephen le Gros River
of Lisbon. See Vincente de Cardona Avon, 113
of London. See Dioscorus, Roald Snake-eyes, Caldew, 214
Godwine of Lindsey, Mithras Cam, 178
of Norwich. See Riomandus, Michael the Pious, Clwyd, 196
Adelina de Vitre Colne, 40
of Nottingham. See Robin Leeland Dee, 192, 196, 198, 242
of Oxford. See Wulfrun Eden, 214, 216, 242
of Paris. See Alexander, Geoffroi du Temple Esk, 211, 214
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 Fleet, 40, 45, 52 Sabbat, the, 13
Great Ouse, 166, 168, 172, 174 Sabine de Pellam, 59, 83
Holborn, 40 Saint
Itchen, 148, 150, 155 Ælfheah, 170
Kent, 191, 211, 229 Aidan, 170, 232, 242
Little Ouse, 226 Alban, 170
Lune, 228, 229, 243 Byrhtnoth, 174
Mersey, 228 Cuthbert, 232
Ribble, 228, 243 Edward the Martyr, 170
Roding, 40, 63 Erkenwald, 43, 170
Severn, 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 110, 112, 113, 242 Etheldreda, 174
Thames, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 40, 42, 43, 45, 47, 63, Osgyth, 170
88 Sexburg, 174
Twyver, 110, 112 Swithun, 150
Tyburn, 40 Werburgh, 198
Walbrook, 40, 45, 80, 83 Withburg, 174
Wear, 136 Salisbury, 143, 148, 160
Rivkah, 107, 116 Saphrax, 64
roads Saulot, 186, 204
conditions in the medieval period, 22 Scotland, 18, 93, 196, 210, 214, 228, 229, 244
Roald Snake-eyes, 15, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, 52, 54, 63, English border with, 209
92, 96, 98, 103, 105, 106, 107, 131, 146, 152, 194, Scythia, 80
211, 213, 219, 223, 233, 243, 244 Sebbi. See Nicholas
death at Gloucester, 37 Segovax. See Beorhtric
Robert fil John, 28 Selina the Black, 15, 33, 36, 45, 52, 54, 56, 57, 65, 67,
Robert the Fair, 212, 244 82, 89
Robert, Earl of Gloucester, 159 Seneschal (cainite)
Robin Leeland, 15, 38, 65 of Winchester. See Aviragus, Cuthwulf
Roger de Poitou, 228, 229, 243 Seneschal (Cainite)
Rois Woolmer, 134 of Chester. See Honoria the Lydian
Roman Empire of Ely. See Swithhun, Æscwyn the Child
campaigns in Scotland, 242 of Gloucester. See John FitzStephen
conquest of the Cornovii, 231 of Lincoln. See Alviva
fall of the, 8, 77 of London. See Thomas, Lord Camden
invasion of the British Isles, 242 of Windsor. See Ordric
withdrawal from Britain, 166, 192, 212, 242 of York. See Nicholas
Roman roads, 18, 22 Seren, 9, 15, 102, 104, 105, 107, 110, 112, 114, 118,
Akeman Street, 108 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 133, 134,
Ermin Way, 107, 108 135, 138, 139, 243, 244
Ermine Street, 42, 168 Sermon of the Wolf to the English, 243
Fosse Way, 108 Severn Sea, the, 102
Great Road, the, 42 Severn Valley, the, 104, 105
High Street, the, 214, 229 Sevira, 192
Via Devana, 196 Shahara al-Rashwa, 15
Watling Street, 42, 80 Sheriff (Cainite)
Rosamund Cuyltor, 166, 174, 176, 184, 185 of London. See Valerius
Rose Treaty, the, 20, 39, 244 Sheriff of Gloucester. See John de Neville
Rouen, 34, 54, 76, 84, 148, 152, 154, 194 Shropshire, 191
Rouen, County of. See Normandy, Duchy of Sicart de Sent Just, 152, 155
Russia, 43 Sigesgundia, 56, 57, 85, 244
Index

255
Sigibert, 76 Thetford, 226, 227
Simeon, 186 Minster of St Mary, 226
slavery Thomas Frois, 237
in Africa, 125 Thomas Lang, 147, 150, 152, 160
Somerset, 143, 244 Thomas Raet, 15, 56
Southampton, 143, 148, 154, 234, 235 Thomas the Hermit, 14, 56, 59, 60, 66
destruction by Danes, 243 Thomas, Lord Camden, 15, 45, 48, 59, 69, 70, 71, 83,
Southampton Castle, 235 93, 163
Southwark, 244 Thurstan Baldree, 52, 53, 56, 90, 229, 230
Southwark Priory, 244 Timandra, 50, 69, 127
Spain, 43, 87 Tirines, 14, 103, 104, 112, 114, 115, 122, 124
Muslim conquest of, 87, 193 Toledo, 186, 192
St Albans, 42, 90, 108, 220, 230 Toreador
Abbey, 90 Church Toreador, 52
St Brice’s Day Massacre, 243 Toulouse, County of, 70
Staffordshire, 191 Tova the Northumbrian, 106, 114, 115, 117, 118, 127,
Stephen de Bedeford, 152, 161 128, 129
Stephen le Gros, 9, 11, 15, 35, 103, 244 Trading Circle, the, 62, 88, 98, 99
Stephen of Kent, 54, 56, 81 Traditions, the, 20
Stone of Scone, the, 244 Traianus. See Aroasios
Straits of Dover, 236 travel, 22
Suffolk Treaty of York, 214, 244
Dunwich, 226 Tremere
Orford Castle, 236 hunt for the Salubri, 186, 204, 222
Surrey, 29, 142 Triumvirate, the, 10, 13, 14, 15, 20, 29, 36, 37, 38, 48,
Epsom, 67 50, 52, 54, 58, 62, 69, 70, 73, 77, 84, 85, 87, 92, 96,
Mortlake, 74 97, 99, 106, 107, 130, 137, 145, 146, 152, 191, 194,
Runnymede, 244 211, 233, 235, 243
Sussex Troile, 122
Kingdom of, 145 Trojan War, 28
Swansea, 118 Turstin, 129
Swithhun, 168, 169 Tyler the Red, 15, 54
Syncletia Bardana, 191, 200, 204, 207 Tziporah, 126
Tamura, 182 Utrecht, 68
Tamworth, 179 Valencia de Béziers, 59, 60, 70
Taximagulus, 32, 33, 50, 80 Valerianus, 64
Teresa Diaz, 14, 56, 86 Valerius, 14, 15, 48, 50, 96
Ternyllwg, Kingdom of, 192 Vallum Aelium. See Hadrian’s Wall
Tewkesbury Vallum Antonini. See Antonine Wall
Tewkesbury Abbey, 137 Veddartha, 91, 92
themes Vellocatus, 203, 205
cult of the individual, 28 Vendicina, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 52, 84, 85
exile, 210 Venta Belgarum. See Winchester
isolation, 166 Venta Icenorum, 168, 183, 226
price of honour, 190 Ventrue
the frontier, 102 Antonian, 66
treachery, 142 Verica the Witch, 144
Theoc (missionary), 113 Vicente de Cardona, 98
Theodorid the Goth, 170, 176, 186, 222 Vilocia the Goth, 63, 179
Thessalonike, 14 Visigothic Kingdom, 87
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Vortigern, 192 William FitzOsbert, 38
Vridel the German, 222 William Marshal, 244
Wales, 42, 102, 103, 107, 196, 221 William Melton, 107, 116, 126
Black Mountains, 129 William the Walker, 71
boundaries with England, 196 William Walbroke, 180
Cambrian Mountains, 107 Wiltshire, 143
Cardigan, 244 Winchester, 29, 40, 42, 136, 141, 142, 143, 144, 148,
Carmarthen, 244 150, 152, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162,
Erddig Castle, 202 163, 234, 242
incursions from the Triumvirate, 106 Castle, 150, 152
Llanthony Priory, 106 Cathedral, 150
Montgomery, 244 Church of St Peter and St Paul, 144
Norman incursions into, 156 Convent of the Black Friars, 150
Principality of, 195, 196, 244 Convent of the Grey Friars, 150
Vale of Ewyas, 106, 129 coronations at, 142
Welsh Marches, 108, 207 King’s Mews, 150
Walhhere. See Valerius King's Palace, 150
Walter de Vézelay, 15, 39 mint, 150, 161
Walter Mauclerk. See Bishops of Carlisle post-Roman decline, 144
Walter Poyntel, 159 Rout of, 37, 142, 244
War of Ages, the, 13 siege of, 146
Wardens of the Severn, the, 107, 123, 130 Soke, the, 150, 157
Warwick, 71 St Mary's Abbey, 150
Warwickshire, sheriff of Wolvsey Castle, 150, 156, 158
See Michel Belet, 71 Wisbech, 172
Wash, the, 172 Witch of Carlisle. See Iustina Ravazs
Wessex, Kingdom of, 33, 42, 104, 105, 137, 138, 141, Worcester, 103, 113, 196, 244
142, 148, 234, 242, 243 Wrexham, 202
West Francia, Kingdom of, 158 Wulfgyth, 56
Westminster, 28, 42 Wulfmær, 134
Palace of Westminster, 28, 46 Wulfric, 105, 106, 118, 130
Thorney Island, 40 Wulfrun, 38
Westminster Abbey, 46, 230 Yemrehana, 118, 125
Westminster Hall, 46 York, 18, 20, 31, 36, 37, 39, 56, 70, 91, 93, 97, 106,
Wight, Lordship of, 18, 142, 148 107, 142, 162, 174, 191, 193, 194, 207, 210, 221,
Wilfred the Apostate, 15, 83 243
William Baynard, 99 York Minster, 69, 127
William Bullen, 154, 234, 235 Yorkshire, 36
William de Dacre, Sheriff of Carlisle, 210

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Coming 2021 The Gates of Damascus