Dark Ages Campaign

In 1242 CE in the Irish village of Ennis, a group of characters arrives, their motives varying from seeking audience with the king to operating as Norman spies or Ravnos nomads. However, fate intervenes as the drawbridge to the castle is raised, compelling them to spend the night within the confines of the village.

As morning descends, an unusual occurrence transpires in their dreams—a Fae entity gathers the characters, tasking each with a cryptic mission. This alien being, bound by an ancient pact prohibiting her and her kin from setting foot on the island the castle was built upon, seeks their assistance in retrieving her lost mirror hidden within the castle's walls. She suspects a vampire possesses the mirror but lacks certainty. In exchange for their aid, she promises a coveted boon to the one who locates it.

However, the path to uncovering this artifact is laden with complexity. The three influential vampire NPCs, each entrenched in their own clandestine agendas, seem reluctant to share their secrets with newcomers. As the characters navigate the delicate web of intrigue woven by these vampires, the challenge lies not only in uncovering the truth but also in discerning who can be trusted among the inhabitants of Ennis. With the promise of a fae boon hanging in the balance, the characters must tread cautiously, weighing their interactions and choices to uncover the mirror's whereabouts while navigating the intricate politics and power plays within the kingdom.

## Setting

### Historical Context

* Time Period: Mid 13th Century
* Geographical Setting: Village of Ennis, Kingdom of Limerick, Ireland

### Vampire Society

* **Hierarchy**: Three clans, the Salubri (Healer), Follower of Set, and Lhiannan, weave their own plots in the intricate web of Ennis. Unlike other cities, the absence of a formal Prince left these Cainites free to pursue their own clandestine agendas, each a puppeteer pulling strings independently.
* **Politics**: Politics unfolds in the moonlit corridors of Clonroad Fort. Limited direct interactions among the Cainites hinted at a delicate balance, yet their paths rarely intertwined. Sorcha, with her insidious corruption at court, stood as a testament to the dissonance among the puppet masters.
* **Masquerade**
	+ **Éogan, the Royal Physician**
		- Beneath the guise of a healer, Éogan spins a web of deception. His infirmary, a mask for his vampiric nature, served as a haven where mortals sought solace. In the guise of medical aid, he subtly manipulated minds, counseling patients toward decisions that served the hidden interests of the vampire hierarchy. Éogan represents the *need* for order and control. *Motif: Seals and Wax*
	+ **Sorcha, the Court Jester**
		- Sorcha, the master of illusion, masks her true nature behind a veil of laughter. Her performances as a court jester cast a spell of entertainment and distraction, leaving mortals and vampires alike enchanted. Crafted jests carried hidden messages, manipulating thoughts and actions in the wake of laughter, ensuring her motives danced in the shadows of amusement. Sorcha represents the *longing* for freedom and desire. *Motif: Strings and Thread*
	+ **Aoife, the High Druid**
		- Cloaked in mysticism, Aoife melds seamlessly with the ancient sorcery that is whispered through the region. To mortals, her actions were strange rituals, perceived as pagan rites or folklore. As nature's silent guardian, she wields powers to influence the environment and invoke spirits, all veiled by the delicate balance of nature, concealing her vampiric essence. Aoife represents the *thirst* for knowledge and power. *Motif: Fog and Mist*

### Mortal World

* **Social hierarchy**: Within the kingdom's tribal system, known as the túath, a labyrinth of interconnected communities, kingdoms, and clans takes center stage. Rulers, bearing titles such as rí and tánaiste, hold sway over their territories, dictating laws, resolving disputes, and orchestrating the distribution of land and resources. Loyalty to kin and adherence to ancient customs play their roles in this intricate performance, where the concept of honor is a prevailing theme, and the preservation of reputation becomes a delicate dance between masks and authenticity.
* **Religion**: Religious beliefs resonate through the daily lives of the mortals, blending the ancient echoes of Celtic traditions with the rising of Christian influences. Druidic practices linger like a haunting melody in the corners, while the introduction of Christianity by missionaries and monastic communities shapes the symphony of societal norms. The Brehon Laws, an ancient legal script, become the scripts guiding the actors' movements in the drama of life, defining social hierarchies, land distribution, and the handling of disputes.
* **Economics**: In the pastoral economy, livestock and crops are of great importance. Cattle, adorned as symbols of wealth, graze alongside the crops—oats, wheat, barley, and flax. As external threats from English and Norman invaders loom like a dark backdrop, alliances become a strategic ballet between clans and kings, a dance to maintain balance in a shifting landscape.
* **Culture**: Amidst the whispers of superstitions and the echoes of societal taboos, remnants of ancient Celtic mythology and Druidic practices perform a spectral dance. The arrival of Christianity brings with it a monastic ballet, with illuminated manuscripts as its delicate pirouettes, and the people partake in rituals to ward off spirits, each step a choreography of syncretic beliefs. Traditional values of hospitality, respect, and communal ties create a rhythm that permeates the gatherings, where storytelling, music, and dance become the threads weaving the cultural narrative.
* **Language**: The Irish language, Gaelic, preserves cultural identity. Traditional music, the heartbeat of the community, interlaces with storytelling and dance, reflecting Ireland's heritage.
* **Historical Battles and Regional Politics**: In the 13th century, the kingdom's stage witnesses ongoing struggles between Gaelic lords and the encroaching Anglo-Norman presence. Territorial dominance becomes a chaotic choreography of shifting alliances, while the preservation of Gaelic autonomy becomes a dance against external pressures.

### Supernatural Elements

* **Lupines:**
	+ To the north of Ennis lays the Sept of the Whispering Woods, a mystical enclave claimed by the Fianna and Get of Fenris, embodying the primal essence of the land. Within this Garou territory, echoes reverberating howls resonating through misty forests. The sept symbolizes the Fianna's dominance at the heart of this sacred site.
* **Mages:**
	+ In a mystical enclave near Ennis, a Verbena cabal stands as guardians of natural magic, finding solace among ancient stones and whispered ley lines. Embracing the wisdom woven into the land, these mages gather at hidden megalithic sites, where earth's raw power resonates with their potent craft.
* **Changeling:**
	+ In the periphery of mortal perception, Queen Nuala of House Eiluned reigns over Munster, spanning six counties in the Southwest. Her fae court, bathed in the ethereal glow of the Otherworld, spins enchanting tales blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Recent intrigue surges through the fae kingdoms as a treasured artifact from the fae realms slips into the mortal world, taken in by the vampires of Ennis. This lost treasure—a mirror pulsating with fae magic and wonder—now resides in the hands of creatures straddling the boundary between shadow and substance.
	+ This unforeseen twist in the fae narrative hints at a mysterious alliance or a brewing conflict between the realms of changelings and vampires, unveiling an additional layer of complexity in the ever-unfolding drama where smiles veil villainous intentions and the world's stage hosts a symphony of intrigue and hidden alliances.

### City/Domain Details

* Description: Provide vivid descriptions of the cities, castles, villages, or domains where the game will take place.
	+ **Ennis Village:** In 1242, Ennis teemed with life, its narrow streets weave by homes, workshops, and markets. At its heart lay a vibrant square, bustling with locals and traders hawking goods every Saturday. Families of farmers, craftsmen, and traders formed a close-knit community, dwelling in modest homes amidst the buzz of commerce. The market square bustled with a colorful array of goods, reflecting the village's thriving economic activity. Dominating the scene was Clonroad Fort, a stronghold of the O'Brien dynasty, symbolizing their authority and safeguarding the village. Security was evident with patrols and a vigilant eye over Ennis. Beyond commerce and power, Ennis held a spiritual sanctuary. The arrival of Franciscan monks led to the construction of a church by King Connor O'Brien, fostering unity and reverence among the villagers through religious ceremonies.
		- **Ennis Catacombs:** Beneath the quaint village of Ennis lies a labyrinth of forgotten whispers and shadows entwined in ancient stone. The catacombs, veiled from the light of day, are an underworld of chilling quietude, where the air hangs heavy with the weight of forgotten memories. Muffled echoes of distant drips resonate amidst the damp, musty corridors, amplifying the solitude that pervades these subterranean passages. The flickering glow of dimly lit torches casts elongated shadows that dance like ghostly phantoms upon the walls, leaving one enveloped in a shroud of eerie disquiet, as if the very essence of time had halted in this subterranean underworld.
		- **Ennis Market Square:** Bustling with life and commerce, the market square pulsates with the rhythmic energy of trade. Here, the air is thick with the fragrances of exotic spices, fresh produce, and the pungent scent of leather from crafted goods displayed upon weathered stalls. The cacophony of voices, bargaining and jesting, mingles with the clinking of coins and the rhythmic footsteps of passersby. Amidst the vibrant colors and animated conversations, a whispering undertone of whispered secrets and veiled intentions imbues the atmosphere, painting the market square as a stage where the masks of society's facade are deftly worn and subtly revealed.
		- **The Church:** This sanctuary, commissioned by the King in homage to his beloved wife, holds an uncertain sway over the villagers. No place in Ennis is so dominated by the machinations of outsiders as the Church. Stained glass windows depict a seemly serene scene at a glance—a saint or an angel, perhaps—but something is off. The figure's face wears a hard to place expression, an unsettling cry of muted anguish or unbridled joy. Its eyes, glistening in the sunlight, hold a haunting depth that seems to follow observers, almost as if pleading for understanding., casting ethereal kaleidoscopes upon the fresh hued stone floors.
	+ **Clonroad Fort:** A looming sentinel overlooking Ennis, Clonroad Fort stands as a weathered testament to ancient authority. The imposing stone walls, weathered by time's unforgiving touch, bear the scars of history etched in every weathered crevice. Within its confines, a solemn aura hangs heavy, the hushed whispers of bygone battles and the echoes of forgotten oaths reverberate within the shadowy recesses. The air is laced with the musty scent of history and the faint whispers of spectral guardians who seem to linger, forever bound to defend the fortress from the encroachments of time.
		- **King Connor O'Brien's Court:** An enclave of opulence and calculated charm, the court of King Connor O'Brien exudes an air of regal authority tinged with concealed agendas. Ornate tapestries line the walls, depicting scenes of valor and conquest, while flickering candlelight casts elongated shadows upon the gilded furniture and intricately patterned rugs. The air hums with the symphony of whispered discussions and the delicate clinking of fine crystalware, betraying the orchestrated dance of courtly politics. Each smile is a mask veiling layered intentions, every courteous gesture a calculated move in the intricate game of power and prestige.
		- **Éogan's Infirmary:** Éogan's infirmary is a haven of healing blending medicinal herbs with the metallic tang of blood. The spectral glow through draped windows enhances the antique medical instruments. Faint whispers echo secrets exchanged in delirium, and worn floorboards carry the haunting serenade between healing and the abyss. Common sights include herbal jars, bandages, and a warm, eerie ambiance. Soft footsteps, conversations, and patient groans intertwine with shadows. Éogan's connected private quarters mirror this aesthetic with a desk, bed, and the scent of parchment and wax.
	+ **Standing Stone Grove:** Nestled amidst the verdant embrace of nature lies the Standing Stone Grove, a sanctuary that seems to bridge the ethereal and the corporeal. Here, towering stones, veiled in moss and age-old engravings, stand as sentinels amidst the tranquil grove. Wisps of mist cling to the air, lending an otherworldly allure to the dappled sunlight that filters through the dense canopy above. The rustle of leaves and the gentle whispers of unseen spirits seem to harmonize with the natural symphony, evoking an eerie yet enchanting ambiance that hints at the interconnectedness of the mortal and supernatural realms.

**Notable NPCs**: Éogan, Sorcha, and Aoife.

**Languages**: Old Irish, Middle English, Latin, Norman French, and Old Norse.

**Theme**: *Intricate Web of Deception:* Uncover the layers of lies and hidden agendas as characters navigate the complex tapestry of vampire politics, where trust is a precious commodity, and everyone wears a mask.

**Tone**:

## Characters

### Major Characters

#### Physician: Éogan MacSíthig

Initiated into the embrace in 1042 CE, Éogan, the Salubri healer, maneuvers in ways eschewing the ordinary healer's guise to entwine himself in the clandestine arts of influence and manipulation. His infirmary, an ostensibly benign space of mending, doubles as a covert nexus where the kingdom's veiled intentions intertwine, a mirror reflecting the shadowy bonds he holds in high regard.

His healing touch transcends flesh and bone, a calculated conduit for forging connections and manipulating the sinews of power. Concealed within remedies and prescriptions lie strategic counsel, discreetly woven into the fabric of medicinal advice.

The lattice of his wisdom, an intricate web spun with cryptic insights, grants influence and a shield to those who seek his aid. Éogan pirouettes in the delicate ballet of loyalty to the ruler while wielding a profound understanding of the kingdom's veiled mechanisms.

Beyond his role as a mender of wounds, Éogan's sanctuary metamorphoses into a nexus where the kingdom's covert machinations are unveiled. His knowledge acts as both guardian and skeleton key, warding off potential threats—especially from the lurking shadows of the Tremere—and offering a semblance of security amidst the intricate intrigues of the court.

#### Court Jester: **Sorcha of Dunluce**

In the court of King Connor O'Brien, Sorcha emerges as a bewitching figure, her charm a mask veiling a darker allure. Her countenance, a blend of captivating whimsy and beguiling charm, disguises the depths of her devious intent. Cascading jet-black hair, intricately braided, frames eyes that gleam with a sharp, almost predatory mischief, hinting at an agenda far more sinister than her playful façade suggests.

Amidst the revelry, Sorcha, a devoted acolyte of Jörmungandr (as an aspect of Set), infusing her jests with a hidden depth that transcends mere entertainment. Her wit and levity are not just a celebration of indulgence but serve as an intricate web of manipulation.

Her performances, seemingly innocent, cloak a symphony of manipulation and power play, every word and gesture crafted to entangle hearts and minds. The Path of Pleasure, with its emphasis on inundating the senses, finds a darker interpretation in Sorcha's subtle artistry, a seduction that leads not to ecstasy but to subjugation.

Beneath the laughter lies a calculated undercurrent. Sorcha's true ambition, concealed behind her veneer of jests, reaches far beyond the surface. Her seemingly lighthearted performances serve as a smokescreen for her elaborate schemes, meticulously designed to sow discord and upheaval among the courtiers. Her aim is to shatter the established order, crafting a deceptive world where her influence and dominion grow.

#### High Druid: Aoife the Enshrouded

Enfolded into the embrace of the Lhiannan Witches in 752 CE, She resides on the outskirts of Ennis, an imposing presence within the mystical undercurrents of the region. Her secluded dwelling, nestled amid the wild and shadowy peripheries of the town, is a testament to her devotion to the natural order and the spirits that dwell within it.

Aoife's dominion extends beyond the ordinary boundaries of spellcasting, reflecting her deep connection to the Celtic pagan traditions. Her command over ancient sorcery mirrors her control over the mystical currents of the supernatural, interwoven with the whispers of benevolent spirits.

Her powers, entwined with a profound understanding of the balance of nature, evoke a sense of foreboding, veiled within the harmonious realities of her realm. The folklore surrounding her narrates Aoife’s proficiency in weaving incantations that honor the gods and spirits, not merely casting spells but harmonizing with the essence of existence itself.

In the dim recesses of her sanctum, Aoife presides over ancient scrolls and mystical artifacts, her craft delving into secrets whispered only in the most sacred circles. Her presence, always cloaked in an air of mystery and draped with an aura of undeniable power, kindles a blend of curiosity and awe among those courageous enough to utter her name.

Some locals assert that she safeguards forgotten wisdom and upholds the balance of nature, while others murmur that her intentions are steeped in something far more profound.

### Minor Characters

**King Connor O'Brien** navigates a delicate dance of diplomacy, concealing potential hidden motives behind his charismatic leadership. Rumors circulate about sinister intentions, sparking dissent within the noble houses.

**Margaret O'Brien**, a master of diplomacy, the King's sister is entangled in an ominous society, engaging in dark rituals and whispered pacts to secure her brother's rule.

**Cormac Fitzpatrick** holds damning evidence within an ancient document, using it to manipulate and control the nobility through blackmail and coercion. His web of treachery tightens, ensnaring the nobles in a labyrinth of fear and deceit.

**Aiden O'Malley**, though presenting a noble façade, employs ruthless interrogation methods and covert operations has captain of the guard, creating a network of fear and loyalty. Loyalties waver as rumors of brutality circulate.

**Father Brennan**, behind a devout guise, manipulates the congregation for selfish ends, weaving a web of influence and deception that extends beyond spiritual guidance.

**Tomás MacBride** conducts clandestine transactions, smuggling contraband and brokering information, positioning himself as a puppeteer influencing the town's economic and political landscapes.