An interesting month - one gets the impression that much is happening behind the scenes, seen by only a few...
Joshua Rosenburgh Clan Head of Clan Malkavian claimed he Praxis of the Domain of Birmingham on 3rd September, appointing Lady Beth of Clan Tremere as Seneschal, Lincoln Abrahams of Clan Malkavian as Keeper and Travis of Clan Brujah as Sheriff. Malcolm Beaufort of Clan Brujah was banned 'for his part in this travesty' of the domination of the Ventrue Prince Marcus Brandt (childe of Marshall Michael). The claim of Joshua to praxis was almost immediately refuted by an irate Witsun StAlbans, Prince of London and Imperitor of the domain to which Marcus had sworn Birmingham. She claimed that Joshua Rosemberg had breached her domain, exiled Joshua Rosemberg from all domains within the Imperial Alliance and publicly stated that if he were to persist in this madness that she would declare a clan war between clans Ventrue and Malkavian, calling on the princes of Albion to support her claims and giving Joshua three hours to get out of the city. Morpheus noted that the harpies of Birmingham had said that Brandt didn't have the backing of his primogen. Witsun then accused Joshua of publicly ignoring her status, an act of treason, and reminded all that not even Clan Heads are above the Tradition of Domain, and are subject to the laws of the domains within which they reside. Joshua retaliated with the results of his investigations revealed a sinister plot- Prince Brandt has been subjected to domination, stating that since the Prince's will was not his own, the ceding of the domain to the Alliance of London could not be held to be binding. Joshua then rejected the Alliance, and banished the Prince of London and all members of her Court from the Domain of Birmingham, cautioning Primogen of Birmingham to 'have no contact with the pretender lest you be judged alongside her' and gave a cautionary vision. All looked to be going in Witsun's favour, until Alanah awarded a positive trait t o Joshua. Joshua then stated that he had seen nothing to say that the Treaty of Warwick, the imperial domain originally held by Micheal, had been put aside. Joshua stated that as far as he was concerned the Domain of Cambridge remained part of Imperial Birmingham, insisting that Witsun return to her position as Prince of Cambridge and vassal to Imperial Birmingham and take up those duties which she had 'so shamefully ignored to date.' Tesserina Castellaine, the accepted Prince of Cambridge joined the fray with expressions of her own! The situation between Witsun and Joshua would appear to be tied in status terms, Witsun asked Alanah for clarification of status, and pointed out that John Gladstone had declared the Warwick treaty dissolved, and that the Lord Protectors Office had given assent of the seizure of London. Alanah gave her adjudication on status "How can I possibly take the word of one who is fallen, over the word of one who is not?" with this in mind, I rule that although The Lady St. Albans, and the Lord Rosenburgh 'numerically' have both the same rank and status, In any tie I would have to rule in favour of the Lady St. Albans as she is no longer considered to be fallen." John Gladstone asked Joshua to give his opinion on the treaty of Warwick. More worryingly, Morpheus also asked for clarification, "bearing in mind the terms of the Treaty of York, I feel I too have to ask if the Warwick Treaty is considered binding. There are ramifications from us if it does. Nasty ones too. I would say ask Thaddius about them. Or Bran. Or Starr." It was to everyone's surprise therefore when Joshua publicly apologised, a move required by the Royal Harpy it would seem, and stated he was called away to urgent business... in Spain
Then, all of a sudden, things started to go very quiet on the clan head front. Perhaps more than Joshua had business with His Grace Mocsica... In the meantime, Dmitri Andrevitch, Archon to His Grace Justicar Mocsica announced that the Kindred of Albion had just one month to solved the problems of Albion.
Tragic news from Sheffield, where petrol tanker ran out of control and careened off the road ploughing into an upper class residence. This was later found to be the cause of the death of James Cavendish of Clan Ventrue, Prince of Sheffield and John Devrazies, Imperial Scourge and Prince Cavendish's assigned bodyguard.
Magenta stated that a full investigation was underway -noting that the methods used were identical to that which was used to kill Justicar Starr. Dr Magellen of Clan Tremere then seized Praxis of Sheffield and seceded from the Empire of York. This was supported by William of Taunton - later to become seneschal of Sheffield. Norton the Anarch denied the crime of killing Cavendish. Alanah was reported to be distraught by the news.
Mind you, not everyone is thrilled it would seem with the Royal Harpy's move to London. It would seem, according to that most reliable source, that the Ex-Primogen of London was heard many times to be subtly complaining about her, and the London court harpy, Michael Thorn seemed non too pleased either. Many Toreador were also upset that Alanah's Malkavian 'advisor' Carrie Winters was invited to a Toreador gathering. Although we shouldn't put too much onto gossip. Alanah's first salon was attended by many clan dignitaries, Lady Standish escorted by the Captain of the rose Knights, Lord D'val. Many of Albion's Toreador princes, including Prince Vetriano of Bath, were also in attendance, together with a smattering of Primogen, and of course, Alanah's escort of the evening His Honour Archon Bartholomew D'Aragon. The evening was only really marred by the appearance of a message to the Royal Harpy, attached to withered rose, around which was wrapped a lock of her hair - apparently from Antonius. A few days later Sir James Woseley, Prince of Glasgow sent Knights of the Rose William Carlsson and Benjamin Drake to the Court of Prince Lucien of Gloucester to stand against Antonius.
The Lord Protector of Albion passed the Act of Unification on 3rd September, 2001, reuniting the Realm of Albion with the territories of Wales. This was disputed by Williams Imperial Prince of Cwymru. News trickled out of Wales that Williams had seceded from the Camarilla, then ordered all Kindred to take an oath to him, rather than the Camarilla. Anarchs sheltering in Wales have apparently been offered it on a voluntary basis, and a number signed. Those formerly Camarilla Kindred who refused were killed or banished. Casualties on both sides (especially Camarilla loyalists) were heavy. The borders of Wales have been ordered sealed. Williams renounced the title of Gangrel Clan Head Albion and proclaimed himself as Warleader of Wales. Varpesh countered that Williams' actions were against Albion, and the Camarilla as a whole, that Williams had rejected the rule of the Camarilla.. and that the Office of the Lord Protector had a duty to ensure the safety of the whole of Albion against this rogue domain, and would do so. It was reported that the Masquerade in Wales was still in tact, despite a 'riot' between 'Welsh Nationalists' and 'English youths' in an area on the border, not far from Chester. One of the youths bore a startling resemblance to Prince Aiden of Northumbria. There has been a fire in Newport, and it is believed that the 'Prince' of that town is dead. Local news indicates a multiple vehicle pile up on the A5 near Betwys-y-coed in North Wales, and there was a reports of a helicopter crash near the welsh town of Bluith Wells early this morning. Throughout the month, Williams continued in his vendetta, fighting it would appear both a guerrilla war and a war of loyalty within his own ranks. Slowly the tide began to turn for the kindred of Albion, Newport was reported safe and in Camarilla hands, thankfully due to the efforts of Marshall Ardelia, ably aided and abetted by Prince Elaine of Ely. Followed by the news that Wrexham and much of north-east Wales has fallen and is back in Camarilla hands. Wrexham was held under the protection of the Northern Imperium, reported by Johnathan the Gaunt of Clan Nosferatu. Lady Ardelia commend Prince Elaine of Ely for her involvement in the liberation of Newport. And finally it would seem that Wales was re-taken. The forces of Marshal Ardelia, the main force, lead by the Marshall and Elaine of Ely continue along the southern roads towards Cardiff. The other force, lead by Gangrel Prince Alexander Elwher, entered Merthyr Tydfil and find that the rebel Kindred there are slain. Reports run rampant of shadows in the darkness striking down the defenders. Amongst them is also found the bodies of Thomas Jackson and Sir Matthew, Anarchs, sought by Justicar Mocsica. Both found with a number of Anarchs from Albion, all dead, killed silently and with no trace. Reports come in from Carmarthen and Swansea of similar events.
There was sadness as well, Constantine Kinslayer, Elder of Clan Brujah, Keeper of Elysium in the Imperial Domain of the North and Reaver met his Final Death. He was restrained, staked and tethered on a hillside in Snowdonia. At dawn, Gangrel ghouls removed the stake and recorded his forlorn dash for cover. Gladstone and Aiden put their public differences aside for once as they fought back-to-back in a breakers yard against the were-creatures. Wales being re-taken, Lady Ardelia thanked hose Kindred that left their domains to join the field of battle; John Gladstone , Clan Head of the Brujah; Elaine of Clan Gangrel; Aiden of Clan Brujah; Connor of Clan Gangrel and of course Alexander Elwher of Clan Gangrel.
The anarchs of Albion appear to be having a rough time of it. It was announced that the Blood Hunt on Pheonix of Clan Brujah has been completed. Marshall Michael called Morpheus out. It was announced that Justicar Thaddius has been freed from his incarceration by the so called "Sons of Morpheus" - the extraction, headed jointly by Justicars Mocsica and Van Kardolus, resulting in the execution of a number of Anarchs within the Realm of Germany before Justicar Thaddius was finally released. Interrogation of several key members of the Sons of Morpheus have yielded impressive results, upon the true identity and background of the so called "Morpheus" himself.
Bit of a surprise though, Raven, Anarch of Clan Brujah, for services rendered to the Justicar was pardoned. She is no longer blood hunted throughout Albion. And it would appear that the Coterie of Fallen Heroes, Jade Anderson of Clan Ventrue, Jeffrey Eastwood-Smith of Clan Tremere and Alex Buskill of Clan Nosferatu are no longer sought by the Camarilla. The fourth previously sought member Ed Mortimer wandered into the court of Witsun St. Albans in London and surrendered to Archon Bartholomew.
Victories in the field but perhaps the clan of the rose should be more concerned with events in Albion. It would appear that Antonius has not only 'not been seen' in London around the royal harpy, but someone in the know said he 'not being seen' in Manchester as well. It seemed that there was trouble brewing again in Ely, with Elaine's absence in Wales. And there were hints of future problems in Newcastle. Witsun StAlbans also asked to see the Primogen of Birmingham. On a brighter note, it was announced that Lady Alexandra Van Kardolus, known to many as the Prince of Rome, has been chosen by the Inner Circle and named as a Justicar of the Camarilla, Guardian of the Clan Malkavian.