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.
- Clans in Avalon
Though, as one might expect, Ventrue often dominate the domain of a Ventrue Methuselah, Mithras has promoted a surprising number of members of other clans to prominence. Members of other "High Clans," particularly the Toreador and Tremere, have found, however, that their lineage puts them at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with the powers in Avalon.
- Assamite
When they make it so far, Assamites have found a warmer-than-expected welcome in Avalon, though many of his descendents do not share Mithras's respect for their founder nor his lack of fear.
- Brujah
Mithras may seem to be the epitome of all the Brujah hate and hold in contempt: He is an ancient Ventrue who was involved in Carthage's hated enemy, Rome. However, Mithras was a late-comer to Rome from the Persian empire, and merely observed the third Punic War. A few Brujah, such as James Mannerly have chosen to overlook Mithras's lineage and admire him for his (relatively) egalitarian outlook and the stability he brings to his domain. Others, particularly the Anarch Robin Leland see him as the ultimate tyrant, to be brought down at any price.
- Followers of Set
Mithras has demonstrated a special intolerance for these serpents. Where he has usually offered his enemies the chance to submit to his will, he shows no mercy for those who worship Set.
- Gangrel
Almost as much as he does the Assamites, Mithras seems to respect the Gangrel. Those who can abide in cities and hold civilized values have found privileged places of responsibility (particularly the Warlord Aethelwulf.) Those who remain in the wilderness he leaves alone so long as they can be taught to leave alone that which belongs to Mithras.
- Giovanni
Mithras cannot forgive the Giovanni for the death of his Seneschal, Lord Camden. They are not allowed in London (though the city is so large and chaotic that a few have survived there), and would be wise to remain hidden when Mithras is active.
- Lasombra
Over the millennia, Mithras has learned to be wary of the schemes of the Clan of Shadows. Individual members of the Antitribu are tolerated and even welcomed if they show themselves to be honorable. The Lasombra of the Sabbat are not, for the dual crimes of following a diablerist, and setting themselves against Mithras and his Camarilla allies.
- Malkavians
More than most, Mithras has been willing to treat individual Malkavians on their merits rather than judging the clan as a whole. A large handful of Malkavians have been Barons and Satraps over the centuries.
- Nosferatu
Mithras has shown more than average respect for the abilities and temperament of these monstrous kindred. Richard de Worde is probably the most prominent Nosferatu in Avalon's history.
- Ravnos
The courts of Avalon have shown little tolerance for the pranks of the Ravnos. Avalon is built on honor, and the average Ravnos laughs at the concept. Few have been brave enough to force their way to Mithras's personal attention. Ravnos are most common in Ireland, where they blend with the isle's Gypsy population. This has lead some to speculate that some Ravnos Methuselah may be behind Dublin's curse (qv).
- Toreador
Though individual Toreador are welcome to visit and even live in London, they are specifically prohibited from holding any kind of power in the mortal world. Outsiders may blame this on London's traditional rivalry with Toreador Paris, but the prohibition is more directly a result of the periodic warfare between Avalon and the Toreador Prince Robert of Edinburgh.
- Tremere
Mithras first encountered the Tremere as they ingratiated themselves with his enemies, the Triumvirate, and later with Toreador who would prove to be his most persistent rivals. Then he found that they were an upstart "clan" of proud diablerists. His impression of them has never changed, and though his descendents have come to their own accommodations with the Warlocks, Mithras accepts their membership in the Camarilla with a held nose at best. That they have often been welcomed by his rivals and would-be rebels has only worsened his impression. There are Tremere in their traditional stronghold of Winchester, in Glasgow (but not in Edinburgh since the 17th century), and before its fall, a few in London itself. None has ever held any official title or position in Avalon.
- Tzimisce
Until the recent takeover of London by the Sabbat, the Tzimisce were almost entirely unknown in Britain. None know how Mithras would respond to one of these Fiends who wasn't allied to the Sabbat. Even among those who were in London at the time, few are aware that Bram Stoker's classic vampire tale is a fictionalization of actual events that took place in London with the Tzimisce Vlad Tepes.
- Ventrue
Ventrue consider themselves to have been born to rule; Mithras is understandably wary of his own kin. The fall of Alexander and the Grand Court is often whispered to have been his handiwork. Still, Venture, particularly Mithras's own descendents are understandably the most common clan in Avalon.
Mapping Resources for the British Isles -- Absolutely Fantastic!
http://magic.defra.gov.uk/home.htm
