London’s Elysium is far-ranging and incorporates a wide range of cultural and social institutions. Most are concentrated in the city’s West End, but some are further a field. At such venues, Kindred are instructed to put aside their grievances; they may still argue and debate but are not to use violence against their fellows. London also contains several sites that are out of bounds to the Kindred by order of former Prince Mithras, and still enforced by Lady Anne Bowesley. Although not part of the Elysium per se, any infraction of these is prohibitions is harshly punished.
Elysium - Shakespearean Globe Theatre
Though most younger vampires consider the tradition of Elysium a stuffy, outdated
custom, it is one of the more honoured of the Kindred's traditions. A prince
may declare portions of domain to be Elysium, places free from violence. It
is here that many vampires come to pass the nights, debating, politicking and
conducting intrigues among themselves for long hours. This is also where the
Kindred business of the city takes place, and just about every vampire will
have at least one occasion to visit Elysium, if only to speak with the prince
or an elder. However, it is certainly an elders' playground, and the young who
venture here are expected to remember that.
Elysium is said to be under the "Pax Vampirica," meaning that no violence
of any sort if permitted to take place and that Elysium is neutral ground. While
tempers may flare and heated words may be exchanged, rivals are expected to
keep a leash on their tempers. When apologies don't work, offenders are usually
shown the door and told to correct their behaviour. If things do get out of
control on the premises, the prince may punish the offenders through the invocation
of the First Tradition.
Most areas of Elysium tend to be spots conductive to artistic or intellectual
pursuits, such as opera houses, theatres, museums, galleries, university halls
and the like. Occasionally, nightclubs or even certain Kindred havens are declared
Elysium. Wherever one goes, one is expected to have some semblance of proper
dress and manners, if for no reason other than the Masquerade.
Elysium rules are simple:
1) No violence is permitted on the premises. (Many princes
take this a step further and demand that no weapons be brought into Elysium,
to prevent hot tempers from having ready means.)
2) No art is to be destroyed on pain of Final Death. ("Art"
has been expanded to include the artist on occasion, making the vampires of
Clan Toreador some of the greatest proponents of Elysium.)
3) Elysium is neutral ground. (With relation to Rule One; what
happens off Elysium grounds is another thing, however, and the upstart neonate
who insults and elder during Elysium had best have reliable transportation back
to her haven when she leaves.)
4) Remember the Masquerade at all times. (This includes such
matters as entering and leaving, taking a heated argument outside to cool, or
hunting.)
It is also considered bad manners to show up to Elysium hungry. While refreshments
are sometimes provided, often they are not, and hunting around Elysium grounds
can draw suspicion. If a Kindred brings a guest to Elysium, she is responsible
for that guest's behaviour.
The Places of History
These are areas considered part of London’s Elysium by dint of their historical significance or the importance of the items they house. The most significant are the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Manufactures in Kensington, and the British Museum in Bloomsbury, though numerous minor sites are also included. Although not commonly used as meeting places (the British Museum is an exception, the site of numerous soirees), they are considered inviolate.
The Places of Culture
These are parts of London held in high esteem because of their social and cultural merit. They are the principal meeting places of the Kindred, both for Kindred-only functions and for those involving mortals. The main places included in the Places of Culture are the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts. The Tate Gallery is held by some Kindred to be part of the London Elysium but neither prince nor primogen has confirmed this. Other culture-related elements of the Elysium includes Madame Tussaud’s waxworks at Baker Street and Albert Hall in Kensington. Much of the area around Shaftsbury Avenue and Dury Lane is regarded as a blanket of Elysium by dint of the many theatres in the region. The Crystal Palace in Sydenham, the pre-eminent venue for Kindred social gatherings, is also considered a “Place of Culture”.
The Places of Power
As the capital of the Empire (Commonwealth), London seethes with power and to preserve the Masquerade while allowing the Kindred to influence matters should they desire, all government and judicial buildings are considered part of the Elysium. The most notable of these are the Palace of Westminster (that is, Parliament), Somerset House and the various buildings on and around Whitehall. The Royal Courts of Justice are considered part of Elysium, as is the Guildhall and New Scotland Yard.
The Places of Faith
The most sensitive of the sites considered Elysium are those linked with Religion. Those with the strongest auras - Westminster Abby and St. Paul’s Cathedral - are difficult for the Kindred to enter but are nonetheless considered Elysium. London’s lesser churches are also considered sacrosanct, though a number of Kindred have questioned whether this is true Elysium or merely a respect for holy ground.
The Prohibited Places
Most of the places the prince has placed under interdiction tie in with other prohibitions she has issued. The most notable are all the Royal Palaces in the city (principally Buckingham, Kensington and St. James’ Palaces) as an extension of her prohibition vis-à-vis interfering with the monarchy. Her bar on Lambeth Palace, the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is more focused and rather than preventing meddling in a government, servers to protect the Masquerade from the supreme cleric of the Church of England. In stark contrast, the prince’s protection of the Royal Chelsea Hospital is a purely personal matter, securing her herd and safeguarding the soldiers who have served the United Kingdom well. Mithras nor Lady Anne Bowesley has never needed to prohibit Kindred access to the Tower of London, as its reputation is sufficient.