All Kindred in the Bay Area have heard the whispers. Some choose to believe the whispers, some choose to doubt and still others choose to disregard them entirely. Know that the whispers you hear are never the whole of the story; no matter whose whispers you choose to heed you will still have no better an understanding than any other Kindred. For any and all of those whispers may be true, or none of them. It is for you and your character to decide what, who and how much to believe.
It is whispered that an Ancient Methuselah has resided within Marin and Sonoma
Counties...
They say it kills all who trespass...
They say it devours them body and soul...
They say it drains them translucent and hangs them from the twisted oaks of its home, to blow in the wind and burn in the sun...
They say it is a myth perpetuated by the Elders to cement their control...
They say a powerful Elder once lived there long ago, killed many and was in turn killed...
They say the Ancient sleeps and will not wake until the end of time...
They say it never was...
They say...
They say...
They say...
They say...
What is known for certain... No, what everyone agrees is true. No, what everyone who matters agrees is true is that between the end of 1600.s and the end of 2006, no Kindred entered the domain of the Ancient and survived. The Elders speak gratefully of an accord they reached with the Ancient; as if long ago there was no peace with their quasi- mythical neighbor. Always they are quick to remind errant Neonates not to trespass and always with dire warnings and promises of personal retribution. The Venerate rarely discuss the Ancient, even amongst themselves. There are those who say they are afraid, but whose wrath do they fear; that of the Ancient or that of the Elders? Now the Ancillae are of differing opinions where tales of the Ancient are concerned. Many of them even claim to believe they know which tale is true. Unlike their venerated older cousins, the Ancillae seem less personally troubled by the tales. Of course it seems each neonate holds a different opinion on the tales and each and every neonate is sure they know the truth. Having little better to do; the Neonates often use the topic as something else to argue about.
A Nosferatu named Ivan was first Kindred to cross into Marin County and return to his home domain unharmed in over 300 years. News of his successful trespass began to leak out of his home Domain of Oakland. By September 2006 it was all anyone in the Bay Area could talk about, and talk they did, at great length, as only Kindred can talk. With public gossip awhirl the prince of Oakland felt compelled to act. Stating a violation of the Accord, Prince Sylas of Oakland banished Ivan of Nosferatu. Elders throughout the Bay Area were heard applauding the decision. Indeed there was such a furor to be seen declaiming the trespasser that the Princess Margret of San Jose threw a party for that express purpose. Everyone wore a mask as a symbol of anonymity. Each guest was admonished to wear their mask until they felt it was time for them to throw off their mask and condemn Ivan for his crime. Ivan was not invited.
Two months later a Brujah by the Name of Orion stood up in the middle of a Clan meeting and announced his intention to prove that "The Ancient was a hoax perpetrated by the Elders to keep everyone else out of their prime feeding grounds and that he wasn't afraid and he'd show them and they wouldn't keep him down" and so on. He continued to expound as he marched out of the meeting and into San Rafael and promptly fed himself stupid. Orion returned that night to San Francisco to tell the tale, at length, as only Kindred can talk. Sadly and in what irks Lord Thomas to admit as a repeat of his "Rivals" actions, He immediately banished Orion. Citing an egregious violation of the Accord Lord Thomas issued edict concerning Orion.s life and a warning for other Kindred to heed.
After which a Tremere quietly made his way into San Rafael and spent the day there. He returned to report to the Elders of his Clan. Lord Thomas granted those Elders a private audience. Drakenstein was shown mercy, he was not banished. The Elders of the remaining Clans seemed more puzzled by the lack of deific vengeance on the part of the Ancient than anyone else; though if you believe that the Ancient exists this was really no surprise. Thereafter Drakenstein returned to San Rafael and set up haven. Ivan, Orion and Drakenstein let it become known that they claim Marin for their home domain and allowed other Kindred to join them. Ivan claimed Praxis and survived. He has declared himself prince of San Rafael and there has been no vengeance, no death, and so far no Ancient.
His first act as prince was to declare Marin County closed to further immigration. His second act was to beg a closed door meeting with Lord Thomas. It is surmised that understandings were reached in that meeting, as Lord Thomas has recognized the praxis of Ivan of Nosferatu. Prince Ivan and his coterie of reconciled exiles have since cemented their control of Marin County. Also there is significant ill will between the court of Marin and the court of San Jose.
At that time Sonoma County remained unclaimed, but Kindred massed in San Francisco from all over the world to prepare to travel into Sonoma County. These johnny- ome-latelies only convinced more and more of the younger Kindred that they had better get heir part of the frontier before someone else does. Within weeks the crush of Kindred in San Francisco became unbearable. Ever more and more strict feeding restrictions were nforced as it seemed the City was approaching critical mass. Just at the cusp of starvation, Lord Thomas summoned all Kindred considering emigration to Sonoma to him. Over the ourse of that night many rumors were birthed and stilled, yet the public record shows that Lord Thomas addressed his Kindred that night. Further, the record shows that Lord Thomas granted his Kindred leave to enter the Ancient.s Domain and made some suggestions to hose Kindred who would do so. The first of which being, upon pain of Final Death, no Kindred who has entered the Domain of the Ancient may return to San Francisco for 101 years. The second of which being, upon pain of Censure by the Elders, the Kindred who ravel to Sonoma will, in that place, create a Domain that is of substantive benefit to the vory Tower. The third of which being, upon pain of utter extermination, the Kindred who ravel to Sonoma will, in that place, create a Domain that is at a minimum a portion of the Camarilla.
Surrounding Environs -or- California and her close neighbors
Santa Rosa is the city in which the game is based. In the World of Darkness the population of California has quintupled due to increased poverty, inter-State immigration and illegal immigration amongst other things. The population of the WoD is highly concentrated in urban areas. For instance 75% of the population of Sonoma County lives in Santa Rosa and to make matters worse, the incorporated area of each city in the WoD is only about 75% of its actual size in real life. All in all this conspires to create a bleak cityscape where population density is synonymous with drastic overcrowding. In stark contrast to the cities, the countryside is barren and empty. Of the few people who do live ourside, most are farms who administer vast corporate farms.
San Francisco is comprised of a Camarilla Domain ruled by Vanavar Thomas & Co. There is almost no difference in SF between chronicles.
Oakland is nominally a Camarilla Domain. It has been ruled by a Brujah Prince who in times past styled himself a rival of Vanavar Thomas. Now look at his city. Like many Brujah, Sylas turns a blind eye to the presence of Anarchs in his Domain. The Prince has a tacit understanding with the Anarchs; so long as they respect his praxis they wil not be forced out of his Domain. Needless to say many other things have snuck in under the aegis of Anarchs, most notably small number of Followers of Set.
San Jose is likewise a Camarilla Domain. Under the lax rule of a self-indulgent Toreador Prince, the Domain has surprisingly flourished. Some credit the hands-off policies of Princess Margret while others point to the traditionally powerful Tremere presence in the city.
San Rafael is ruled by Prince Ivan of Nosferatu. Lord Thomas recognizes Ivan's claim of praxis. No new kindred residents are welcome in Marin.
Napa county is a haven for autarchs and independents. They scratch out an existence amongst themselves and as yet have never possessed the resources to push into more populated areas. Recent reports out of Napa suggest that the Gangrel who recently abandoned the Camarilla are gathering in Napa and are possibly preparing to cause trouble for everyone.
Sacramento is a Camarilla Domain. Unlike many of the others, Sacramento is ruled by an absolute oligarchy. The Primogen rule completely and unquestionably. They exercise their might through one puppet Prince after another. The Giovanni have been afforded a presence in the halls of government and it is gossiped that this allowance has been paid for in a way that may violate the treaty.
Vallejo is much like Oakland in microcosm. Ruled by an ancilla Brujah and populated by many undesirables and political victims, Vallejo will certainly remain only an insignificant layover on a journey through Camarila-controlled California.
North of Sacramento county is a 'no-kindred-land.' Here there be monsters.
Fresno and Bakersfield are held by the Sabbat.
LA and San Diego are "Anarch Free-states." Of course that is only if you can get past the inherent contradiction in terms.
Reno is loosely held by Followers of Set. Many Gangrel wander through the area as well.
Las Vegas is contested between the Giovanni and the Camarilla.
