British Isles
The Isles have forever been a land unto themselves. Until very recently, no one would ever have considered them part of Europe. Modern residents pay only grudging lip service to the idea of European identity, whether geographically or politically. The land's more ancient residents simply scoff at the idea. Kindred concepts that dominate Vampiric awareness elsewhere, concepts such as "Sabbat" and "Camarilla," are secondary here. No matter how long he remains hidden from sight, there is only one being that matters in the Isles: Mithras.
Mithras organized the land into the Courts of Avalon, each controlled by a Baron. Barons control not only cities, but entire swaths of land. There is no inch of soil in the entire cluster of islands that isn't nominally under the control of one Baron or another. In theory, the Barons rule with unquestioned authority, for to rebel against the Baron is to defy Mithras himself, and Mithras is a presence far more real and tangible than Caine, and to most, just as omnipotent.
Yet rebellion does exist. Well-executed plots have even been rewarded, if being blood-bound by a god and placed in a position of authority can be considered reward. But the most insidious plots go beyond the scope of what Mithras might forgive, if he even survives. As Gehenna approaches, Camarilla and Sabbat are pawns in the games of ancients, as forces align along more ancient faults.
- Mithras's Heirs
These Kindred are charged not with taking Mithras's place should he fall or disappear, but with finding and enthroning his replacement. They are those who's loyalty and ability have most impressed Mithras, and in his absence, they are his word. Of the five so honored during the Long Night, three survive in the modern nights. A new Heir has not been named in over 800 years.
- Baron Marcus Verus of Chester - Mithras's eldest known childe. As eldest of the Heirs, it has fallen to Baron Marcus to disagreements among them.
- Lord Roger de Camden - Seneschal of London (deceased)
- Baron Rhodry ap Geraint of Wales - A granchilde of Mithras
- Aethelwulf - the Dux Belorum of London (deceased).
- James Mannerly - then Sheriff of Dover and Satrap, now Baron of Canterbury.
- The Barons of Avalon
These Peers of the Realm function much as Princes do elsewhere, save that their writ extends not to the edge of their home city, but to the (often contested) border with the next Barony over. Their word is law, and none may challenge their authority save Mithras and his Satraps. No Anarch or Sabbat may huddle in some isolated burg without violating the territory of one or another of the Barons, and should such a miscreant cause trouble, that trouble shall be laid at the door of the Barron who allowed it. Ignorance is tantamount to incompetence, and incompetence is fatal.
- The Satraps
These are Mithras's personal bodyguards. The idea that a being such as Mithras might need bodyguards who have lived a mere century or two may seem ludicrous, and indeed, they rarely stay by his side. Instead, they have often functioned much as do the Archons of the Camarilla: They are the eyes and ears of Mithras, his secret police, and when necessary, his enforcers. Acting in his name, a Satrap may enforce his justice beyond the will of local authorities: They may punish treason, and even in extreme circumstances, unseat Barons. The position is held for the duration of the Satrap's unlife, and many have gone on to hold authority in their own right, most notably James Mannerly, who is Baron, Satrap, and Heir. In 1879, Mithras named his two most recent Satraps: General Sir Arthur Halesworth, and Juliet Parr. By the Treaty of Durham, signed by Mithras and Baron Robert of Edinburgh, Mithras is limited to no more than 9 Satraps, including Robert himself.
- Sheriffs in the Isles
Within the Baronies, Every town large enough to host a Kindred population should have its own Shire-Reeve (in modern nights, the title has been shortened in major cities to Sheriff). Reeves are responsible for enforcing the masquerade and ensuring their Baron's borders. A Baron is well-advised to keep these positions filled with competent claimants, as Mithras has been known to fill empty posts with his own supporters.
- The Blood Laws of Mithras
These laws represent Mithras's personal interpretation of the Laws of Caine, adapted to the unique circumstances of the Isles. When Mithras accepted the Camarilla's offer of alliance, he made cosmetic changes to the laws to better comply with Camarilla norms. The largest of these changes was re-ordering the laws to place the Masquerade first, but he has repeatedly made it clear that no one law is to be placed above the others. In addition, the Blood Laws contain a long list of precedents, much like those of British Common Law.
Minor infractions, particularly those involving the Traditions of Hospitality and Domain, result in Blood Tithes (the payment of Vessels to the offended party), or perhaps Blood Oaths. Violations of the Traditions of Accounting and Progeny are more serious, often involve Banishment or even the Blood Hunt. Most serious are Violations of the Tradition of Silence (Masquerade) and Destruction. In these cases, punishment is usually a Blood Hunt or even outright destruction, though minor violations of the Masquerade may be punished less severely.
Mapping Resources for the British Isles -- Absolutely Fantastic!
http://magic.defra.gov.uk/home.htm
