The Regency of Tombland
Long held by the Lancea et Sanctum, this tradition is continued by the current Regent - Septimus Clement, a Ventrue of the Lancea et Sanctum
Geography
This Regency covers much of the historic heart of Norwich, including the Cathedral, the majority of the Norwich University campus, the surrounding Tombland area, and stretching down to the River Wensum. Medieval, 18th and 19th Century buildings stand alongside cutting edge modern architecture.
History
An area as old as Norwich itself, it became a focus for the city with the construction of the Cathedral in the 12th Century. The Cathedral drew both scholars and merchants, with the Tombland area remaining a thriving marketplace for much of the Middle Ages and the foundation of the Norwich School on the Cathedral grounds in 1551. Its educational traditions have continued since then, and Norwich University claims to be the third oldest university in Britain.
In Kindred terms, the area has been under the guidance and governance of the Lancea et Sanctum for as far back as records go, although it’s worth noting that all of those records are kept by the Lance… As such, it’s often seen as one of the most stable and safe areas of the city. This has also meant that there’s been little tolerance for misbehaviour and illegal activity, although the current Regent rules with a lighter touch than his predecessors.
Living In This Regency
Septimus is a fussy, earnest and helpful man who wears lots of knit jumpers. His governing style is conscientious to the point of nosy - he will often visit Kindred in his Regency ‘just to see how they’re getting on’, like a local vicar. He is good at putting people in contact with each other and will usually knows someone who knows someone who can help with things that are above board and within his purview.
Septimus enforces the following laws within his Regency:
He tends to prefer having a sit down talk with people who break his laws over punishing them immediately, but it is hinted that he has a rather scarier side under his woolly-jumper exterior. People have pushed him, and regretted it. He is aware of the rather archaic and bizarre nature of his laws, and is mildly apologetic but still firm. Even he, he says, goes outside the Regency to shred documents.
Clement is almost always available for a chat and, if he isn't, one of his ghouls will take messages. He prides himself on being on top of what happens in his Regency (under a veneer of concern for his tenants).
Districts
Bank Plain
Bank Plain is ruled by Baroness Sofia Delano, a Nosferatu of the Invictus. Sofia is the Don(na). She runs the organised crime that goes on in Bank Plain, the designer drugs and the high-class escorts. She is known as a fair Baron but she comes down hard on anyone who meddles in her affairs. She will usually warn off neonates who are getting too close to her business, but if her warnings are ignored, all bets are off.
Bank Plain is packed with expensive franchise nightclubs, exotic restaurants, bars and a couple of cassinos. Everywhere has a VIP entrance behind a velvet rope, and the area as a whole is trying to appear as classy and upmarket as it can. People come here to engage in some conspicuous consumption, and there’s not shortage of ways to spend your money.
Of course, this attracts organised crime, and for those in the know this is the place to go to get in touch with the powerful criminal families of the city - or just to score some designer drugs.
Until the mid-70s, this used to be the financial heart of the city, with branches of every bank and a sizeable number of stockbrokers and financial advisors. However, with the rise of Temple Fortune the banks moved with the money, leaving a lot of empty buildings behind. The area didn’t lie fallow for long however, with investors in the early 80s turning several of the vacant bank buildings into high-end nightclubs and trendy bars. These proved highly popular with both the wealthier students from Norwich University and the younger corporate types wanting to flash some cash.
Physical: Access +3, Safety 0. While the centre of the area is mainly pedestrianised, it’s a short walk from any of the clubs to a taxi rank, underground station or car park. With so many people jostling for space on a Friday or Saturday night, tempers can become heated, although the clubs employ their own private security to make sure things don’t get bad for business.
Mental: Information +2, Awareness +2. Posters and flyers for various events are up everywhere in this area, and there’s a range of information points and services for tourists that stay open until the small hours of the morning. A combination of the clubs own security and extensive CCTV coverage mean that it’s hard for things to go unnoticed, although the average patron cares very little for other people beyond how they impact on their fun.
Social: Prestige +3, Stability +2. If you want to be seen out and about, Bank Plain is the place to go. Suits rub shoulders with celebrities, although for the older Norwich families it’s all seen as very nouveau riche. Still, Bank Plain is the place to plan your night out if you want to impress. The crime families keep a tight lid on any trouble in the area. Trouble is bad for business, and the last thing any of them want is more of a police presence getting in the way of that highly lucrative business.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Average (3 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 3
Long held by the Lancea et Sanctum, this tradition is continued by the current Regent - Septimus Clement, a Ventrue of the Lancea et Sanctum
Geography
This Regency covers much of the historic heart of Norwich, including the Cathedral, the majority of the Norwich University campus, the surrounding Tombland area, and stretching down to the River Wensum. Medieval, 18th and 19th Century buildings stand alongside cutting edge modern architecture.
History
An area as old as Norwich itself, it became a focus for the city with the construction of the Cathedral in the 12th Century. The Cathedral drew both scholars and merchants, with the Tombland area remaining a thriving marketplace for much of the Middle Ages and the foundation of the Norwich School on the Cathedral grounds in 1551. Its educational traditions have continued since then, and Norwich University claims to be the third oldest university in Britain.
In Kindred terms, the area has been under the guidance and governance of the Lancea et Sanctum for as far back as records go, although it’s worth noting that all of those records are kept by the Lance… As such, it’s often seen as one of the most stable and safe areas of the city. This has also meant that there’s been little tolerance for misbehaviour and illegal activity, although the current Regent rules with a lighter touch than his predecessors.
Living In This Regency
Septimus is a fussy, earnest and helpful man who wears lots of knit jumpers. His governing style is conscientious to the point of nosy - he will often visit Kindred in his Regency ‘just to see how they’re getting on’, like a local vicar. He is good at putting people in contact with each other and will usually knows someone who knows someone who can help with things that are above board and within his purview.
Septimus enforces the following laws within his Regency:
- All registered charities are protected by the Regent. If you wish to interact with them, talk to the office of the Regent first.
- If a Kine asks you for aid, you must render aid unto them to the best of your ability; by the touch of the blood, ghouls are no longer considered Kine.
- The destruction of art or knowledge is strictly prohibited.
He tends to prefer having a sit down talk with people who break his laws over punishing them immediately, but it is hinted that he has a rather scarier side under his woolly-jumper exterior. People have pushed him, and regretted it. He is aware of the rather archaic and bizarre nature of his laws, and is mildly apologetic but still firm. Even he, he says, goes outside the Regency to shred documents.
Clement is almost always available for a chat and, if he isn't, one of his ghouls will take messages. He prides himself on being on top of what happens in his Regency (under a veneer of concern for his tenants).
Districts
Bank Plain
Bank Plain is ruled by Baroness Sofia Delano, a Nosferatu of the Invictus. Sofia is the Don(na). She runs the organised crime that goes on in Bank Plain, the designer drugs and the high-class escorts. She is known as a fair Baron but she comes down hard on anyone who meddles in her affairs. She will usually warn off neonates who are getting too close to her business, but if her warnings are ignored, all bets are off.
Bank Plain is packed with expensive franchise nightclubs, exotic restaurants, bars and a couple of cassinos. Everywhere has a VIP entrance behind a velvet rope, and the area as a whole is trying to appear as classy and upmarket as it can. People come here to engage in some conspicuous consumption, and there’s not shortage of ways to spend your money.
Of course, this attracts organised crime, and for those in the know this is the place to go to get in touch with the powerful criminal families of the city - or just to score some designer drugs.
Until the mid-70s, this used to be the financial heart of the city, with branches of every bank and a sizeable number of stockbrokers and financial advisors. However, with the rise of Temple Fortune the banks moved with the money, leaving a lot of empty buildings behind. The area didn’t lie fallow for long however, with investors in the early 80s turning several of the vacant bank buildings into high-end nightclubs and trendy bars. These proved highly popular with both the wealthier students from Norwich University and the younger corporate types wanting to flash some cash.
Physical: Access +3, Safety 0. While the centre of the area is mainly pedestrianised, it’s a short walk from any of the clubs to a taxi rank, underground station or car park. With so many people jostling for space on a Friday or Saturday night, tempers can become heated, although the clubs employ their own private security to make sure things don’t get bad for business.
Mental: Information +2, Awareness +2. Posters and flyers for various events are up everywhere in this area, and there’s a range of information points and services for tourists that stay open until the small hours of the morning. A combination of the clubs own security and extensive CCTV coverage mean that it’s hard for things to go unnoticed, although the average patron cares very little for other people beyond how they impact on their fun.
Social: Prestige +3, Stability +2. If you want to be seen out and about, Bank Plain is the place to go. Suits rub shoulders with celebrities, although for the older Norwich families it’s all seen as very nouveau riche. Still, Bank Plain is the place to plan your night out if you want to impress. The crime families keep a tight lid on any trouble in the area. Trouble is bad for business, and the last thing any of them want is more of a police presence getting in the way of that highly lucrative business.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Average (3 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 3
Norwich Cathedral
The Norwich Cathedral District is ruled by Magdalena Reyes, a Mekhet of the Lancea et Sanctum. A Lance with influence in the faith, academic and occult areas who runs the Lance archives in the city. She is a neat and competent person who took over from the old archivist fairly recently when he went into voluntary torpor. She is known to be one of the people within the city who can be trusted with sensitive and dangerous information, as she will not shoot the messenger and will deal with the information appropriately.
A solid and well-maintained example of Norman architecture, Norwich Cathedral’s spire competes with many of the skyscrapers of the city for dominance of the skyline. Standing in the historic centre of the city, the cathedral close contains some of the most expensive homes in the city that house many of the great and good.
The Cathedral interior is well appointed, funded by generous donations from assorted members of the local high society or politicians and businesses after some good PR. The ceiling is carved with depictions of many strange creatures and devils, and stained glass windows commemorate saints and major events in the city’s history.
Dating back to 1096, the cathedral has always been at the heart of Norwich. Its influence extends firmly into the neighbouring Norwich University due to their historical ties
Physical: Access +2, Safety +4. The cathedral is well served by public transport, although the medieval streets in its immediate vicinity can be a little challenging for cars. It’s well protected by both the police and private security, with alarm systems prominent on most of the houses.
Mental: Information +2, Awareness 0. The cathedral has extensive records and its own library which can be accessed by appointment. There’s signposts aplenty, as it’s a major draw for tourists. However, once night falls the area around the cathedral is eerily empty, barring the occasional security guard doing the rounds.
Social: Prestige +4, Stability +2. For the right kind of social elite (the lawyers, doctors, politicians and notable members of the clergy) the cathedral close is the place to live. There’s only a small number of houses in the area, which puts them at even more of a premium. This is a fairly close-knit community, although there is a certain degree of discretion shown towards other resident’s affairs.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Sparse (2 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 2
The Norwich Cathedral District is ruled by Magdalena Reyes, a Mekhet of the Lancea et Sanctum. A Lance with influence in the faith, academic and occult areas who runs the Lance archives in the city. She is a neat and competent person who took over from the old archivist fairly recently when he went into voluntary torpor. She is known to be one of the people within the city who can be trusted with sensitive and dangerous information, as she will not shoot the messenger and will deal with the information appropriately.
A solid and well-maintained example of Norman architecture, Norwich Cathedral’s spire competes with many of the skyscrapers of the city for dominance of the skyline. Standing in the historic centre of the city, the cathedral close contains some of the most expensive homes in the city that house many of the great and good.
The Cathedral interior is well appointed, funded by generous donations from assorted members of the local high society or politicians and businesses after some good PR. The ceiling is carved with depictions of many strange creatures and devils, and stained glass windows commemorate saints and major events in the city’s history.
Dating back to 1096, the cathedral has always been at the heart of Norwich. Its influence extends firmly into the neighbouring Norwich University due to their historical ties
Physical: Access +2, Safety +4. The cathedral is well served by public transport, although the medieval streets in its immediate vicinity can be a little challenging for cars. It’s well protected by both the police and private security, with alarm systems prominent on most of the houses.
Mental: Information +2, Awareness 0. The cathedral has extensive records and its own library which can be accessed by appointment. There’s signposts aplenty, as it’s a major draw for tourists. However, once night falls the area around the cathedral is eerily empty, barring the occasional security guard doing the rounds.
Social: Prestige +4, Stability +2. For the right kind of social elite (the lawyers, doctors, politicians and notable members of the clergy) the cathedral close is the place to live. There’s only a small number of houses in the area, which puts them at even more of a premium. This is a fairly close-knit community, although there is a certain degree of discretion shown towards other resident’s affairs.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Sparse (2 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 2
Norwich University
This District is ruled by Baron Archibald Norris, a Mekhet of the Ordo Dracul. Archibald is a fixture of the city, an Ordo who epitomises both the best and the worst of the covenant. He takes his role as Kogaion seriously and makes himself available for tutoring, but he can also be abrasive and insular. Many are surprised that he is not at all a slave to tradition, and he is permissive about new and exciting endeavours and methods, but he also keeps some traditional trappings, preferring the elegance of letter writing over the brutal utilitarianism of e-mail and written note-taking over audio recording. He has a surprisingly artistic bent for someone so bluff.
A sprawling mixture of early 19th Century buildings erected at the University’s founding, several medieval buildings purchased from the Cathedral, and a purpose built, super-modern Engineering campus, Norwich University has a wide range of architectural styles.
Norwich University’s campus is scattered between semi-collegiate halls of residence for the students, an assortment of bookshops and cafes catering to the students, and around the outskirts, the homes of some of the richer academics.
The campus is a busy place at all times of the day and night, crowded with a wide diversity of students from across the world keen to improve their education at this prestigious institution.
Founded in 1834, Norwich University claims to be England’s third oldest university (a claim hotly contested by Durham). Its origins predate that, as it grew from a college attached to Norwich Cathedral, and the two institutions have shared a strong link since that time.
Over the years, the college has gained a strong reputation for the arts and literature, as well as for its architecture and engineering courses. The ties made in its clubs and societies can serve a political career well, or be the source of scandals and blackmail, depending on who you get on the good or bad side of…
Physical: Access +2, Safety +2. Norwich University is well served by public transport, although the medieval streets around it make it a little trickier to access via car. It’s generally a wealthy and safe area.
Mental: Information +4, Awareness +2. There’s a wide range of information about the area available for visitors and students, including an extensive history of the university. The students themselves are happy to talk about what’s going on, although their knowledge often doesn’t extend much beyond the university and the nearby nightclubs. There are people on the streets day and night, so there’s a decent chance of anything out of the ordinary being spotted.
Social: Prestige +3, Stability +1. A world-renowned university, people travel from across the globe to visit it - and not just academics as the college buildings are tourist attractions in their own right. Some of the students can occasionally be a little rowdy and rebellious, but most of the protests happen around the UEA.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Abundant (4 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 3
Theatre Street
Theatre Street is ruled by Baron Nicholas Kaminski, a Daeva of the Invictus. Once an edgy theatre director and writer, Nicholas has somewhat gone to seed in the last twenty years. Immediately following the Daeva fall, he was one of the most outspoken and anti-establishment Daeva out there, but he has slowly become more of a pragmatist over time and is now considered to be ‘one of them’ by the other Daeva. He has cut his losses and channelled his energy into building a strong set of influences with the high society and arts scene.
A thriving area of galleries, artsy bars, cafes and theatres, Theatre Street (which is significantly more than just a single street) styles itself as the wealthy heart of Norwich’s arts scene. While there are many more indie areas of the art scene in the city, this district is where the rich art patrons go for exhibitions and Shakespeare-in-the-park. Frequented by both local art scene celebrities and some more forward-looking members of high society, this is a vibrant place that acts as a cultural centre for the city. The buildings here vary between exhibition spaces and shops selling expensive nick nacks.
Physical: Access +3, Safety +3. Easily accessible with lots of parking and crowds at sociable hours, this is a place you can while away a significant amount of time. It has a discreet but responsive police presence and some of the theatres and galleries also have security staff - the biggest danger is getting your wallet nicked.
Mental: Information +2, Awareness -2. The area has a good level of information on the whole, but there is a certain exclusivity to the culture which means that some areas are restricted and some of the events are only accessible through knowing people who will tell you. Exclusivity is seen as a mark of quality around here, as anything that has too mainstream an appeal will be flooded with ‘proles’. However, people often don’t keep much of an eye on what is going on.
Social: Prestige +4, Stability +3. Having your art displayed here means you’re breaking into the art scene of Norwich. Attending the opera at the Theatre Royal or a string quartet is likely to be the poshest arts evening around, and even the open air events will involve people who bring expensive champagne to drink. Workers at the businesses here are expected to maintain an extremely high level of formality and customer service and are also expected to take all kinds of rudeness without complaint. Due to the patronage of the wealthy, this area is very stable.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Average (3 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 4
Theatre Street is ruled by Baron Nicholas Kaminski, a Daeva of the Invictus. Once an edgy theatre director and writer, Nicholas has somewhat gone to seed in the last twenty years. Immediately following the Daeva fall, he was one of the most outspoken and anti-establishment Daeva out there, but he has slowly become more of a pragmatist over time and is now considered to be ‘one of them’ by the other Daeva. He has cut his losses and channelled his energy into building a strong set of influences with the high society and arts scene.
A thriving area of galleries, artsy bars, cafes and theatres, Theatre Street (which is significantly more than just a single street) styles itself as the wealthy heart of Norwich’s arts scene. While there are many more indie areas of the art scene in the city, this district is where the rich art patrons go for exhibitions and Shakespeare-in-the-park. Frequented by both local art scene celebrities and some more forward-looking members of high society, this is a vibrant place that acts as a cultural centre for the city. The buildings here vary between exhibition spaces and shops selling expensive nick nacks.
Physical: Access +3, Safety +3. Easily accessible with lots of parking and crowds at sociable hours, this is a place you can while away a significant amount of time. It has a discreet but responsive police presence and some of the theatres and galleries also have security staff - the biggest danger is getting your wallet nicked.
Mental: Information +2, Awareness -2. The area has a good level of information on the whole, but there is a certain exclusivity to the culture which means that some areas are restricted and some of the events are only accessible through knowing people who will tell you. Exclusivity is seen as a mark of quality around here, as anything that has too mainstream an appeal will be flooded with ‘proles’. However, people often don’t keep much of an eye on what is going on.
Social: Prestige +4, Stability +3. Having your art displayed here means you’re breaking into the art scene of Norwich. Attending the opera at the Theatre Royal or a string quartet is likely to be the poshest arts evening around, and even the open air events will involve people who bring expensive champagne to drink. Workers at the businesses here are expected to maintain an extremely high level of formality and customer service and are also expected to take all kinds of rudeness without complaint. Due to the patronage of the wealthy, this area is very stable.
Downtime Hunting Quality: Average (3 Vitae)
Available Feeding Ground dots: 4
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