Post by Triple 7 on Feb 28, 2019 21:53:14 GMT -8
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
The Pacific Northwest, Cascadia, the Evergreen State; we have chosen the surrounding geography as the setting for our story. As popular as the setting is, there have been very few mentions of the PNW in Vampire: the Masquerade. It could be that the authors wanted to avoid any comparisons to other Vampire stories. Whatever the case may be, this is the setting we choose to tell you a story in. That is not to say that you're not allowed to travel all over the world. I believe in an open world concept where you're free to go anywhere you would like and do whatever you want. The problem becomes when you want your character to spend prolonged periods of time in another setting. For that reason, we have chosen the Pacific Northwest as our primary setting for this story. You may find yourself sent on the Prince's behalf to Vancouver, B.C. as an emissary. You might have a Mentor in Portland, OR. who wants you to come to them for any lessons they might have for you. You might even have to travel into Tacoma, WA to retrieve something special for a Ritual you're planning. Either way; it all encompasses the setting we want to tell the story in.
Seattle, WA (Emerald City): Known as the Emerald Domain, it has been mostly contested since the 1930's. Every time someone thinks they have dug their hooks in, there's always a bigger fish that forces them out of contention. There are significant challenges to living in Seattle, WA. Together with Vancouver, B.C.; they are the last two great powers in the Pacific Northwest for the Camarilla to claim dominance. It hasn't been easy. Even with a Justicar in the city, the Camarilla couldn't hold a strong enough grasp on the blood and money they controlled. It wasn't for a lack of trying.
Seattle is a good mixture of wilderness and metropolis. Surrounded as it is by vast stretches of green land; the Kindred might as well look at it as a prison. Travel is difficult and taxing; taking a heavy toll on unprepared Kindred. Moving anywhere by foot, rail, or wheel is a risk many don't take unless they're desperate. To the South and West, Lupine. The East is just as bad but for other reasons; there is something that defends the cascades with ferocity and restricts movement once you set foot on their territory. Beyond that is Sabbat held Spokane that offer up their own set of challenges for the Camarilla. The only real place to travel is North into Vancouver, B.C. Travelling here is still difficult on the open road, but easier than it might be going into elsewhere at night.
For now, it seems the Jyhad has stalled. The Camarilla control much of the downtown with pockets of Sabbat surfacing in an attempt to recruit and build a force big enough to push their adversary out of the city for good. Both sides are exhausted, and suffering heavy losses. For now, the political arena is empty. Kindred of the Camarilla are biding their time, counting their advantages, and preparing for the next volley the Sabbat will give them. It is only a matter of time and there is suspicion and fear growing in Courts. The Sabbat have been too quiet for the last year and could be planning something more subtle..
Spokane, WA (Lilac City): Located East of Seattle along the borders of Washington and Idaho; the second largest compilation of Sabbat control is held here. The high desert offers a lot of territory for the Lasombra Archbishop to filter in drugs, prostitution, and human trafficking. Known for the many fields of grapes in the surrounding wine industry; it is no wonder that immigrants from Mexico have settled here and offer plenty of blood and money for greedy Lasombra to ply their trade. Their ill opinion of the Seattle Archbishop's defection from her focus on Interstate 5 has forced small rivalries in the past between the two cities. Where they should be operating together, the two look at each other as a disgruntled family..
Vancouver, B.C - Canada (Rain City): As written in Vancouver by Night; Prince Seigfried achieved legendary fame when he signed the Covenant, a peace treaty between the local Kindred and the Lupines. In exchange for aiding in reforestation attempts and fighting against resource exploitation, the Lupines would guard his domain from any unwanted intruders and would refrain from unprovoked violence against vampires under Siegfried's protection. Siegfried's rule was so secure that he managed to abolish most traditional positions of power within a domain, holding all power by himself. The small Packs of Sabbat come and go when available and continue pressing their interests when Seigfried feigns to lend them an ear. Mostly, he is amused by their requests and entertains regular Courts for any willing to participate in the debates. His alliance with the Lupine is unsteady, at best. It foreshadows rising tensions to come.. (Note: The Covenant did not break in 1990.)
Portland, OR (Rose City): An oddity in the Pacific Northwest, even among its Kine. Portland is known for keeping it weird and is reflected by this in her Kindred population of Anarchs. While too small to draw the attention of the Camarilla or the Sabbat, it does hold a significant amount of Anarchs within her borders. Rival gangs claim territory nightly, all the while trying to keep a low profile from the larger Sects who may or may not want anything to do with them. It is a staging ground for recruitment and sometimes get Packs of Sabbat visiting for draftees into their campaign's North. Most often it is simply a playground for the small Anarch groups to scratch out an existence.
The Olympic Peninsula (The Washington cities of Forks, La Push, Port Angeles, and the Olympic National Forest): It should come as no surprise that this is Lupine territory. An entire nation of Lupine devote their existence to the native American tribes who call this region home and keep up a small fishing industry. Travelling in this region for Kindred is dangerous and often results in Final Death without precautions or sufficient knowledge of back-country routes. It's the reason the Washington Capitol, Olympia, isn't held by Kindred of any type.
The Cascade Range (Mountains; Baker, Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, Hood): As dangerous as the Olympic Peninsula, without the organization and discipline of their leadership. There isn't much restraint for Lupine in these regions to stop them from murdering Kindred on sight. Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens, specifically; is almost a fanatical territory that is defended on a religious level. While the Olympic Peninsula maybe threaten or verbally warn Kindred from approaching any further; the Lupine along the Cascade Range will just ambush and devour.
MOTIVATION FOR ARRIVING IN SEATTLE, WA
Seattle is a large city on the Western coast of Washington State, and it is currently a contested city. The Sabbat has been present in the city for quite some time and the Camarilla want it all to themselves. Incoming Kindred can use this to their advantage. The majority of characters will want power for themselves; the Camarilla is only holding a foothold in the city and there is plenty of room for advancement. With the Seneschal offering Prestation as payment, there is a potential that Domain is on the table, Titles, and permission to Sire a Childe is offered.
The surrounding political climate is well established and known among the Camarilla. The Sabbat are openly using Interstate 5 for smuggling operations and supply lines between Mexico and Canada; splintering off Interstate 5 to support their efforts on the West Coast. Between their efforts in California being stalled by the Anarchs and the Sabbat holding a controlling interest in Seattle; the Camarilla are desperate for any help they can grab. Thanks to Seigfried's stubborn independence up in Vancouver, the effort is placed on the Emerald Domain to keep the Sabbat off Interstate 5.