Durham by Night - Part 2
Article by Matt Machell (June 2001)
Introduction
This article will cover the general aspects of Cainite Influence in Durham. It's an overview more than anything, covering who's who and who hates them, so don't expect too much detail. That will come in future articles.
The Nature of Cainite Durham
Durham is quite remote from civilised cainite society. Like their mortal counterparts, the Kindred of Durham consider themselves to be independant of the rule of the Ventrue of London and the Toreador of Edinburgh. Many times those august kindred have sent their mortal pawns against the city, but each time the city has maintained it's independence. This fierce pride has led to the city having a reputation as a haven for assorted Cainite reprobates and Autarkis. Of course in actuality this is far from the case, the prince, Lord Bishop Aenwyn of the Lasombra, keeps a tight reign on his domain. Refugees are welcome, as long as they keep themselves under control.
Major Players
Lord Bishop Aenywn, a powerful Lasombra, holds sway over the city. He has ceased to involve himself in the day to day running of things, prefering to distance himself from his subjects to contemplate the nature of the allmighty. Holding court in chambers beneath the Prince Bishops castle, he tires more and more of the world. His age and power have so far kept him in control, but it is only a mattter of time before ambitious local cainites attempt to replace him.
Robert De Buis, Aenwyn's childer, acts as his chamberlain, dealing with day to day affairs. He is the highest ranking cainite most visitors to the domain will encounter. He is a remarkably direct individual for a Lasombra, and can be scathingly blunt. His percieved honesty long ago made him his sires favourite, something of which he is very proud. Secretly he has begun to consider just who will replace his sire when the cold arms of torpor finally claim him.
Caius Aeolus of the Brujah is a tolerated guest in Durham. A
bitter survivor of Carthage, he plots revenge against the Ventrue, and
will use any means necessary to achieve his dream. The Lasombra let
him stay because it keeps the Ventrue distracted, after all, if they
are focused on an ancient Brujah rebel, they aren't plotting to take
the city. Caius uses the city as his base of operations for his grand
schemes and receives visits from his many spies and accomplices from
around the kingdom.
William Spence, the Nosferatu warden hunts the streets at night punishing the unworthy for their sins. A devout follower of the Road of Heaven he is well thought of by Aenwyn, and acts as the city's scourge. As a stark contrast to this he also watches over the cities hospital and ministers to the sick and needy. He worries about Aenwyns increasing distance, and the consequences should the Lasombra fall into torpor. He is astute enough to realise that the vultures have already begun to circle.
Meerlinda, the Tremere Councillor, has been allowed into the city as a snipe against the London Ventrue. Her retinue have begun building a chantry nearby. Secretly she has brought many other cainite servants into the area, including the monstous gargoyles.
Well thought of Cainites
Magda, childe of Robert De Buis was only recently embraced. She has yet to make an impact on Cainite affairs, and is guarded closely by her sires ghouls. She is tiring he sires over protective nature and hopes to find some way to break free.
Phillipe Anjou, an ambassador and exile from the court of Prince Mithras. This fopish Ventrue spies as best he can, hoping to make up for past indescretions. His hope is to discredit both Caius and Meerlinda, but his aspirations far outweigh his abilities.
Teresa of Framwel, a Toreador, plans grandiose stained glass windows for the Cathedral. Under cover of this grand design, she garners influence over the noble ladies of Durham, and more dangerously, the clergy. She passes regular reports to her sire in Edinburgh, who hopes to move on the city when Aenwyn falters.
Morius, a Capadocian, lives as a hermit outside the city. Contemplating death and esoteric philosophy, he has decided that his unlife is a punishment from god, and punishes himself by pushing the limits of his cainite form.
John Debdon, a Malkavian, and famed maker of armour is also resident in the city. His forge turns out the finest weapons in Northumbria, but tragedy seems to follow them wherever they go.
Rabble and Renegades
Anton De Buis, Brother of Robert in life, and former ghoul of Aenwyn, Anton was embraced by the Ventrue Ector while visiting London. Aenwyn refused him the right to return to the domain, seeing it as a Ventrue snipe and possible play for influence. Anton was exiled from the city, and has had a hundred years to grow bitter about the experience.
Tancred, a particularly vicious Gangrel, haunts the night in the countryside around Northumbria. Reviled by his kin for the diablerie of his sire, he faces a decree of Lextalionis from Aenwyn and repeated hunts from the Penines Gangrel.
Gwalchavan, a petty theif and highwayman of unknown lineage skulks around the edges of the city, waylaying the hapless. The cainite authorities have yet to take notice of his activities, but there will be trouble when they do.