Echo Lane

Echo Lane
During the Inquisition supernaturals went on the run from mobs with torches and pitchforks, secret hunting Orders and other more ambitious supernaturals aiming to grow in power. Some fought, many hid and others came together to prepare for the future. This was how Echo Lane came to be: through the united efforts of cultures, clans and species.

History
The first Inquisition was temporarily established in Languedoc (south of France) in 1184, at this point it focused on Western Europe and several Inquisitors gained their first solid insights into the supernatural in their pursuit of heresy and their new permissions to apply torture in their duties. Several creatures revealed their nature under such duress and as a result a handful of monster hunting sects united. It was the murder of Pope Innocent's papal legate Pierre de Castelnau in 1208 sparked the Albigensian Crusade from 1209 and on through the next 20 years seeking to route out the Cathar faith, moving East towards Byzantium where many believed it had originated from and thus exposing more supernatural elements under the bloodthirsty campaign.

The Inquisition was permanently established in 1229 at the Council of Toulouse and was run largely by the Dominicans in Rome and later at Carcassonne in Languedoc. At this point the supernaturals had gown very concerned and searched for ways to escape, many fled east to hide from the persecution going on in France, alas they were pursued by the hunters.

In order to defend themselves for incoming zealots the supernatural community united to exchange knowledge. Any practice that could be deemed as "magic" was at risk, regardless of its true origins. The only safe place to meet was within a plane off to the side of this reality, visited by the dreams of the participants. Attending the meetings were the heads of five Covens of Witches, several prominent Rabbi, a master vampire, a Faerie Knight, four old world shapeshifter leaders, three skilled Alchemists and a half-demon delegate representing the "liminals" who felt cast adrift in this scenario.

Together they devised a plan, each would craft an anchor stone in this world to craft a hiding place in the other and anchor it using the power of symbols - the Sefirot provided the largest and most stable "blueprint" for this and with the help of the liminals they were able to draw upon the other powers to enact the rite. In 1238 they each conducted the ritual and the "demi-plane" of Echo Lane was born, a patchwork of streets and buildings from across the globe, veiled and hidden in out of the way locations where people could seek sanctuary, integrating with streets thanks to the seals of the Alchemists and glamoured to blend in by the Faerie Courts.

The Ten Crossroads anchor Echo Lane to Earth and allow it to be accessed from most anywhere in the world, even including a ritual to open a gateway into the street should one require. Numerous businesses have flourished and with each new city it touches it develops new features and architecture to reflect the cultures it embraces. Echo Lane is believed to have become sentient through the mix of magic and hope that went into its creation and thus it appears to have some ability to defend itself.

Echo Lane's Rules
The Faeries and the Half-Demon enacted a binding on "The Lanes" to protect it and the Alchemists worked with the Pagan practitioners to give sanctuary to lost Leshy and Rushalka to create The Reeves, protective denizens who enforce the rules and obey The Magistrate elected to the Lane as an overseer. The following Three Rules were sanctified by the founders and are at every entrance to the realm, ignorance is no excuse and those who break them face the wrath of the Reeves and the Denizens of the Lane.

Thou Shalt Not Betray The Lane To Those Who Would Do It Or Its Denizens Harm
The First Rule blocks Hunters, Inquisitors, etc from entering the Alley with a magical block, the doors spit them back out unless they are expressly permitted in by the Magistrate using their Medallion of Office. The Reeves will Hunt a Hunter to the ends of the Earth even if they should get into the Lane, though seeing as they would be unable to leave they will have some trouble. Anyone that lets such a person in is considered responsible for their actions and will share the punishment. The Magistrate can revoke their protection from a Hunter at any point and trigger a variety of "clauses" with the magic of their office. If any other form of betrayal is uncovered punishments can be meted out as needed to make a point to the "criminal" about the folly of threatening the Denizens and allows an awareness of the intention of those who enter, to some extent, reading their intentions towards the Lane and allowing the Lane to make decisions.

The Word of The Magistrate Is Law, It Must Be Just And Fair
The Magistrate's decisions need to be respected but they must also be fair and true, corruption will not be tolerated and this rule is enforced by the people upon the Magistrate as much as the counter is believed. If a Magistrate is proven to be corrupt or makes an unjust decision and does not make equal reparation...the Lane will react accordingly. Those who flagrantly flaunt a decision or degree by the Magistrate will in turn be eligible for punishment but evidence and testimony are also required as with any other Rule, as such theft and the like can still take place.

All Deeds Shall Be Squared, All Denizens And Visitors Shall Aid In This
If a crime takes place or a vote is called then the Denizens of the Lane are obligated to participate. If a crime is committed Visitors and Denizens are required to follow instructions they are given and requests made in connection to solving the issue. Those who do not may well end up punished, in particular if they actively work against it. The magic of the Edicts is potent and the Magistrate is obligated to ensure the punishment fits the crime rather than going overboard or softly treating actions. They can however determine the factors upon which such balancing is done, though the Denizens may disagree.

Businesses & Denizens
The Magistrate maintains a ledger of all occupants, past and present, be they business owners or people that live on the street itself as well as their comings and goings, all updated by the Lane through its connection to the Denizen who tends to its welfare as well as that of the Denizens. The Ledger of the Lane is a powerful book and it ensures all tithes are paid to the Lane to keep it and its people safe be it services, cash or other items held in the Lane Bursary for the welfare of the community.

The Lane allows any business to operate here, retaining its neutrality, unless the business would hurt or damage the Lane and its Denizens. It prohibits slavery or contract murder and any other action that may bring trouble to their door but it will allow the sale of things such as Necromantic Supplies and Cursed Items simply because such things will surface.