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0 – 05/31/20
Canada at Midnight
Vampire: The Dark Ages
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Vampire: the Dark Ages

Introduction
omposed of the British Isles and conquered territory in Belgium and the Netherlands,
the Baronies are a series of cities, fiefs, and land-holdings overseen by a Triumvirate
of Ventrue Elders. The Isles host a significant amount of coastline and many port
cities, making the territory a power at sea and in trade.

The Ventrue Methuselah, Mithras, rests in Torpor; his Childer hold onto what power they can,
and his cults survive underground, both awaiting his return. Meanwhile, the Triumvirate of
Elders (Geoffrey of Calais, Roald Snake Eyes, and Countess Liseult de Taine) seek to
consolidate their control of the Isles, using guile and warfare among the mortal populace as
tools.

The Traditions, while enforced heavily in the Domain of Londinium, are only held loosely in the
more remote villages. In this atmosphere, power changes hands quickly, and the cleverest and
strongest survive.

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ST Warnings
Vampire: The Masquerade was first published in 1991. Since then it has gone through five
editions and three editions for Dark Ages. That makes for a generous depth of lore and
conflicting information. You are not expected to read or sort through all of that. The information
in this document and others like it make up the totality of official lore for this chronicle, unless
otherwise shared through an official source, like a plot kit.

There are many ways to tell a story about history. We are telling fiction. Stories about culture are
to be explored in a way that avoids stereotyping and respects the wishes of modern
descendants of past groups in their depiction. Although some events are inspired by real ones,
the​ Content and Consent Policy​ applies and is expected to be followed at all times. Topics of
racism, sexism and discrimination are not Standard Content and are not to be in play except
with the clear consent of all players, staff and observers involved in the scene. Failure to abide
by this policy will lead to strict disciplinary measures.

History
The oldest vampires to stalk the British Isles were those who ran in the wilds: The Lhiannan and
the Gangrel. One of the few exceptions to this is the Morrigan, a Brujah Methuselah that settled
in Éire. These early Cainites cast themselves as gods or priests, ghouling tribal leaders and
forging blood cults. Their only rivals were Lupines and Fae. This misty era came to an end with
the arrival of the Roman Legions.

The earliest “civilized” Cainites were Brujah, Malkavians, and Ventrue, who came with Roman
traders. The next wave was the Roman army, a force ten thousand strong. As the Romans
conquered Britannia, so did the Cainites. Within the Roman army was a cult worshipping the
Persian god Mithras - only Mithras was real. Less than 30 years after the arrival of the Roman
armies, Mithras revealed himself to his worshippers and inspired them to even greater feats.
The Cainites who stood in his path either bent the knee or became dust.

Mithras’s Roman armies never quite pacified all of the isle. The north and west remained wild, to
say nothing of Éire off the western shore. More Cainites came from Rome to challenge the old
guard. For a time, so long as they paid him tribute, Mithras left them to fight over what he
himself did not use. As the Roman empire began to fray, so did Mithras’s patience. He began to
slay all new arrivals, as well as any who were not loyal to him. He appointed advisors he called
Satraps to Cainite courts, and dictated the boundaries of each fief. These Satraps were to slay
the disloyal and unwanted, but some took control more directly to enforce Mithras’s will.

Early in the 5th century, the last of the Roman legions was recalled to defend the empire. Those
who’d settled into a peaceful existence under Roman protection became the targets for the

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Celts, Picts, Irish, and Germanic Saxons. Mithras’s vassals turned to him for aid and protection
in this time of terror, but Torpor had dragged him to slumber. Without Rome - without Mithras -
anarchy descended upon the Isles.

As Mithras slept and Cainites squabbled, dark things rose from the earth. Fae answered blood
sacrifices, dragons stirred, and giants stepped forth. The Saxons now populated the eastern
shores, calling upon Wotan, the All-High, their own undead god-king and his army of Einherjar
to protect them. Between these forces were the scattered and fractious Britons. The Saxons
may have won the mortal wars, but it was the now-native Cainites that won the night. They fell
upon the weakened bygones, while the debilitated Einherjar fled back to sea with what goods
they could carry.

The coming of Christianity sharpened the divide between the Cainites of the isles. This religion
gave “civilized” Cainites a new weapon with which to control the mortals - and lead them against
the remaining Lupines, Fae, and bygones. Those Cainites who clung to their pagan ways found
themselves fighting all of these forces, and struggling to survive. Even the Morrigan was driven
to suicide by the True Faith of one Saint Patrick. This is not to say that unlife was easy for those
siding with Christianity. Without Mithras, the civilized monsters fell upon each other in bids for
personal power. The Silence of the Blood and Tradition of Domain were frequently ignored,
leading to the creation of the position of Sheriff to ensure that all within a Domain obeyed the
Traditions.

In 1020 CE, the power of the Baronies would shift: King Æthelred II of England had sent his son
to grow up among the Normans of France. Three Ventrue saw an opportunity for power and
arrayed themselves as advisors to young Edward, stoking his ambition. They came to England
well in advance of Edward, knowing that his armies would bring opportunistic Cainites in its
wake. Arriving first and acting in concert, this Triumvirate took full advantage of the chaos of the
night. They did not conquer with swords, but with words. They flattered the vampires of
England, traded with them, promised them aid from the continent, and set them against each
other. Then, they brought mercenaries from the continent for their “protection”. Some of the
Barons longed for order; a cessation of the internecine conflict. Others sought respectability.
These the Triumvirate offered. Those who resisted were burned out of their Havens. By 1025
CE, the Triumvirate conquest of civilized England was effectively complete, and Edward’s return
to claim the throne with Norman support in 1042 CE cemented it.

Many Barons chafe under Triumvirate rule, some few Princes resist outside of their borders, the
rare pagan Cainite lurks in the hinterlands - and Mithras sleeps.

In-Chronicle Events
Check back in a year or two.

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Kingdoms & Conspiracies
The Baronies:​ Although the entirety of the British Isles and some of continental Europe are
referred to as the Baronies of Avalon, the kingdom that gives the territory its name only
occupies a portion of the land. Forged by Mithras and now maintained by a Triumvirate, the
Baronies are well organized. Each Baron gives tribute of some measure, usually blood, to the
Monarch. It is delivered on festival nights either in person or through a representative. However,
there are cracks in the system. Many Barons chafe under the Triumvirate, but they aren’t in
much of a position to argue.

Furores: ​When the Cainites of the Isles warred against each other, it was the young that
suffered the most. A significant minority of those who survived rebelled, becoming brigands and
free spirits. They refused to bow down before the Traditions and the rule of the Elders. Many
carve out kingdoms of their own, not physical Domains so much as realms of influence within
the rising merchant class. These guilds provide cover and resources for their rebellious
activities. Cainites of both High and Low Clans find a place among the Furores.

Independent Princes: ​Not all Domains openly bowed to the Triumvirate. These Independent
Princes rest outside the Baronies. While they still war with each other now and then, there is an
unofficial entente, as they all share concern over the Triumvirate’s control of the Baronies and
that trio’s insatiable thirst for power.

Lhiannan: ​Although not the only pagan Cainites, the Lhiannan are the most notable - if only
because the Baronies of Avalon have the largest population of Lhiannan in the known world.
Unfortunately, they are at odds with almost everything; Fae, Lupine, Gangrel, Baron, and Prince
alike would all rather see them dead. Of course, with so many of their enemies eyeing one
another, the Lhiannan are in a position to play them against each other. One of their few allies
are the ancient Ventrue of Connachta, but these adherents to the Road of the Beast are more
like savages than Princes, and reject the politics of vampiric courts.

Measures of Blood
Common Clans:​ [0 Merit points] Cappadocian, Gangrel, Lasombra, Malkavian, Nosferatu,
Ravnos, Toreador, Ventrue, Ventrue: Crusader

Uncommon Clans:​ [2 Merit points] Assamite: Vizier, Assamite: Warrior, Brujah, Gangrel:
Noiad, Lhiannan, Salubri: Healer, Salubri: Warrior, Followers of Set, Toreador: Ishtarri, Tzimisce

Rare Clans:​ [4 Merit points] Assamite: Sorcerer, Baali, Brujah: True Brujah, Caitiff,
Cappadocian: Lamia, Gangrel: Hellenic, Malkavian: Ananke, Malkavian: Knight of the Moon,
Followers of Set: Viper, Tremere, Tzimisce: Carpathian

Very Rare Clans:​ [6 Merit points] Tremere: Telyav, Tzimisce: Koldun

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Touchstones
NPCs
Adrian (Toreador, 8th): ​The rich coastal land of southeast England falls under Adrian, the
Archbishop of Canterbury. Although Adrian is a member of the Cainite Heresy and holds little
loyalty to the Triumvirate (or Mithras before them), he is tolerated by the powers that be as he
does not move against them openly and maintains a quiet Domain. The eyes they’ve placed in
Adrian’s court also keep him in check.

Camden (Cappadocian, 6th): ​ Chamberlain to Mithras, the ancient and powerful Methuselah
Camden has made himself useful to his former (now slumbering) Prince. He has taken a novel
approach to the riddle of death: start from scratch. Who knows what wrong assumptions may
have already been made? This has endeared him to both Neonates, who like the idea, and
Elders, who are amused by it.

Duke and Duchess Amber (Ventrue, 5th):​ Intelligent, loyal, and active (plus members of one
of England’s oldest families in Britannia), the Duke and Duchess presented the perfection the
Ventrue are said to strive for. Mithras hoped they would be his greatest creation; instead, they
have let the Triumvirate all but conquer the Baronies that their Sire assembled.

Edward de Warene (Ventrue, 7th): ​Grandchilde of Baron Stephen of Lincoln, Edward rules as
Prince of Dublin. In some ways it is a hollow title, as few Cainites live in his Domain. Edward has
little love for the Triumvirate, preferring to concentrate on the development and fortification of his
city. For now, the sea has kept them from giving him too much attention.

Geoffrey of Calais (Ventrue, 6th): ​This French Ventrue claims to have fought alongside
Charlemange in life. Whether boast or fact, there is little doubt of Geoffrey’s skill at arms. The
unofficial maille fist of the Triumvirate, Geoffrey commands the bulk of the trio’s mercenaries. He
is known to be an adherent of the Road of Kings, and claims a veneer of honor that is easily
discarded for ambition.

Liseult de Taine (Ventrue, 6th): ​The Eldest of the Triumvirate, Countess Liseult has casually
hinted at a relationship to Vercingetorix of Gaul. Of course, she has casually hinted at a great
many things that have set Cainites against each other. She is the one with the schemes and the
will to see them through. So long as the Baronies listen to her and do what she demands - not
asks - all will be well.

Magda (Lhiannan, 5th):​ Also known as the "Witch of Connaught", Magda is a Lhiannan who
inhabits the territories of Éire. She is rumored to be a direct Childe of The Crone, and is
considered ancient and powerful within the ranks of her Clan. Magda is very protective of the
old ways in Éire, and dislikes this new Christian faith and all who follow it (be they mortal or
Cainite). She seeks to protect the natives of the island as best she can from the spread of this
new monotheism.

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Marcus Veras (Ventrue, 5th):​ A Roman legionnaire embraced by Mithras, Marcus leads the
Mithraic cults, keeping them alive for when his Sire awakens. Where Marcus is also the Baron of
Chester, he spends an inordinate amount of time in London ensuring the safety of his sleeping
lord. Marcus is wise enough not to act openly against the Triumvirate for now, only bending the
knee to buy time.

Meerlinda (Tremere, 5th): ​A new presence within the Baronies of Avalon is the so-called
“Tremere” witch, Meerlinda. Most consider her an oddity: an up-jumped Caitiff. Her arrival was
challenged by the Triumvirate, but even they could not deny the potency of her blood, her
sorcerous acumen, or her political ability.

Mithras (Ventrue, 4th):​ Ancient by most standards, Mithras is the personification of early
Ventrue. As a warrior, he tore apart Lupines with his bare hands, protecting his soldiers from the
other horrors of the night. As a general, he gathered and directed armies of men in his conquest
of Britannia. As a king, he organized the fractious Cainites into a unified whole. Currently, he
slumbers in Torpor somewhere under London.

Nathaniel (Brujah, 6th): ​Nathaniel schemes almost as much as the Triumvirate. As Baron of
Carlisle, he finds himself in struggles with the fiefs of Lothian and York. Some say that these
squabbles are half-hearted at best and that they occlude an alliance between Nathaniel and the
Scottish Toreador.

Roald Snake Eyes (Ventrue, 6th): ​Despite his rather unfortunate moniker, Roald has the most
sterling reputation of the Triumvirate. He is the consummate merchant. He knows that cheating
only provides short term gain, and works to build long lasting relationships, albeit ones where he
holds a position of strength. His moniker comes from his keen insight and knowledge, a
reference to the serpent of Eden.

Robert (Toreador, 7th): ​Safely ensconced away from the Triumvirate, the Prince of Edinburgh
was once a Satrap of Mithras. He has, to date, successfully resisted the Norman upstarts - with
the greatest trouble coming for Mithras’s former vassals. Robert’s moves for independence have
brought him loyalty from other Scottish Domains, and concern from other former Satraps as to
how Robert will act when (not if) Mithras wakes.

Robin Leeland (Brujah, 7th): ​Prince of Nottinghamshire, Robin Leeland chafes under the eyes
of the Baronies of Avalon. He pays lip service as needed. But more than one agent of the crown
has gone missing in nearby Sherwood Forest, raising questions as to his loyalty. Robin stokes
the fires of independence both in mortals and Cainites, and is seen as a leader among the
Furores.

Stephen (Ventrue, 5th): ​The Baron of Lincoln left his love for Mithras behind long ago. He
doesn’t care for the Triumvirate, but he dreads the possible return of his former Monarch. Lately
he has had to deal with Furores probing his Domain from neighboring York, something the
Baron of York is tediously slow to address.

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Wulfgar the Reaver (Noiad Gangrel, 5th): ​This son of Iceland wanted more from the eternal
night than an unchained beast and unslakable thirst. Tired of living like an animal, he ventured
into more civilized lands and learned of the various Roads. Inspired by the Norman Gangrel,
Wulfgar forsook the Road of the Beast and took up the mantle of Kings.

Locations
Éire:​ The Irish are quarrelsome, fractious, and struggling between a Christian or pagan soul.
Éire remains a stronghold for the Morrigan’s Brujah Childer, Autarkis Elder Ventrue, and the
Lhiannan. Dublin presents the greatest bastion of civilization within the region.

London: ​Once the heart of Mithras’s rule, London occupies a strange place in the country’s
landscape. The Triumvirate have managed to insert themselves into the city, but they remain
wary. Not only do they wish to avoid waking Mithras by some accident, but London remains
thick with Mithras loyalists. They cannily guard their sleeping master, and they would surely
move against the Triumvirate should Mithras be threatened.

Tower of Durham: ​Built in a fashion similar to Ceoris, the Tower of Durham serves as House
Tremere’s Chantry outside London. There, the House gathers their magic from the Britannian
Isles, working the mystic powers of the land into the fabric of the tower itself. Knowing they are
not seen as welcome by the Ventrue in power, the House keeps a low profile and safe distance
from their court.