1. The History of Anchorage

About 4,000 BC

First settlers of Cook Inlet arrive, descendants of original Natives who migrated across the Bering Land Bridge from what is now Siberia some 29,000 years ago.

Mid-1700’s

Promyshlenniki, Russian trappers and hunters, step ashore in search of furs and trade. Their mark can be found today in surnames like Stepovich, communities such as Ninilchik and institutions such as the Russian Orthodox Church. Of these settlers, a few were Kindred of the Gangrel Clan. They came for the sparseness, desolation and new animals of the territory.

May 30, 1778

While searching for the elusive Northwest Passage, Capt. James Cook explores the waterway that now borders downtown Anchorage, Cook Inlet.

1835

Russian mission is established near Knik, across the inlet from present-day Anchorage. As the Russian influence continues to spread in Alaska, a few Ravnos wander in as well.

March 30, 1867

Financial struggles perpetuated by Ventrue interference, force Russia to sell Russian-America to the United States. Negotiated by the U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, the treaty buys what is now Alaska for $7.2 million, or about 2 cents an acre.

1882

Cries of "Gold!" echo through the region when prospectors hit paydirt at Crow Creek near Girdwood, just 40 miles/64 km south of what today is downtown Anchorage. This first attracts the attention of the Giovanni Clan to Alaska.

April 8, 1900

The census lists Alaska’s population at 29,500 Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts; 4,300 "Caucasian Alaskans" and 26,000 Cheechakos (newcomers). What the census didn’t show was that more and more Kindred were making their way there as well.

1913

Gaining ground in the gold scene, the Giovanni look to increase their hold in the area. Taking heed of the success of the robber barons in the lower 48, the Giovanni begin to make plans to establish a railroad to connect Alaska to the rest of the country. The Ventrue, however, get wind of these plans, and influence members of Congress to speed along their own plans to build the railroad

March 12, 1914

Congress authorizes the construction of the Alaska Railroad, clearing the way for the only railroad in history, which would be owned and operated by the U.S. government. Taking advantage of the scrambling Giovanni during the railroad deal, the Ventrue secure their position in Anchorage by brokering a deal to make Anchorage the headquarters of the railroad route. On their heels, the Giovanni stumble into a deal that gives them controlling interest in the whale trade. They regain some of their lost vigor and begin to threaten the security of the Ventrue again. Shaken, but not weakened, the Ventrue consolidate their positions in the markets that they control. Over the course of several weeks, the activity of the Ventrue becomes steadily more subdued.

April 10, 1915

President Woodrow Wilson selects the railroad’s route that will run between the Port of Seward through the coalfields of the Interior to the gold claims near Fairbanks. What is now Anchorage is picked as its headquarters. Thousands of job seekers and adventurers pour into the area, living in a tent city on the banks of Ship Creek.

July 10, 1915

The "Great Anchorage Lot Sale," a land auction that will shape the future of the city, is held. A month later, the town formalizes its name when voters go to the polls. Voters pick Alaska City but the federal government decides to retain the existing title: Anchorage.

October 1, 1918

The first train from Seward steams into Anchorage, marking the completion of the southern half of the railroad line.

November 23, 1920

After lengthy negotiations Anchorage citizens vote to incorporate. Six days later, Leopold Davis is elected first mayor of the city. Meanwhile, despite his protests, Gangrel Vernon Hoag is designated first Prince of Anchorage. His rule is quiet and uneventful, as he spends very little time in the city.

July 15, 1923

President Warren G. Harding drives in the golden spike at Nenana, signaling the completion of the Alaska Railroad.

1935

Matanuska Valley Project brings more than 200 families from the drought-ravaged Midwest to the rich valley land north of Anchorage where they receive federal support to build a farming community.

June 27, 1940

Anchorage is still a small, sleepy town but its strategic position attracts military interest. The first soldiers arrive to build an army base and air field, which become Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base, bringing rapid growth to Anchorage.

1942

Japanese invade Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. As part of the defense of the West Coast, the Alaska Highway is built in the amazingly short time of eight months and 12 days, linking Anchorage with the rest of the nation. Anchorage enters the war years with a population of 7,724 and emerges with 43,314 residents.

December 10, 1951

The city establishes itself as the "Air Crossroads of the World" when Anchorage International Airport opens with transpolar airline traffic flying between Europe and Asia.

July 23, 1957

Oil is discovered at Swanson River on the Kenai Peninsula. This potential source of revenue makes Alaska a likely candidate for statehood.

January 3, 1959

President Eisenhower signs the Statehood Act making Alaska the 49^th state.

March 27, 1964

On Good Friday 1964, the largest quake ever recorded in North America, measuring 9.2 on the Richter Scale rips through South-central Alaska. Investigations during the aftermath reveal a network of subterranean caves. Though the mortals have no real explanation for this, the Kindred now know that the Nosferatu have been in Alaska for quite some time, though no one knows for sure how long.

1966

Suspicious, Giovanni intelligence is sent out to find out what is going on. Though they learn little about the Nosferatu, they do discover that, over the course of several years, Ventrue-influenced oil companies have been quietly staking claims in different parts of Alaska. Seeing the direction these events are taking, the Giovanni desperately try to gain a foothold in the oilfield industry in Alaska. This expansion of civilization pushes the Gangrel influence back into the tundra, where they remain quiet for several years. Prince Vernon Hoag vanishes and is never heard from again.

February 16, 1968

Oil companies officially announce the discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope of Alaska. This find will change the future of Alaska, providing the state with the money it needs to mature and develop. Controlling interest, however, rests in the hands of the Ventrue.

March 3, 1973

The first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race starts from downtown Anchorage with 34 mushers; 22 mushers finish the race with the last one arriving in Nome one month after he left the starting line.

1974

Construction begins on the Trans-Alaska pipeline. The oil discovery and pipeline construction fuels a modern-day boom in Anchorage when oil and construction companies set up headquarters there.

June 20, 1977

Prudhoe Bay oil starts flowing to Valdez through the 800-mile pipeline, reaching the Valdez terminal July 28. Cost for completion of pipeline and terminal: $8 billion.

June 15, 1985

In a daring maneuver, the Ventrue show their control over their environment by using their influence to ensure that Anchorage is selected by the United States Olympic Committee as its choice to host the 1992 Winter Olympic Games. The Camarilla applaud this bold strategy, and its originator Ventrue Primogen Preston Fontaine, both for the potential to bolster financial gains, and for his ability to make it happen and still maintain the security of the Masquerade. The Giovanni consider it a slap in the face.

July 4, 1985

The Venture Clan formally issues a motion to the Inconnu that the Gangrel Prince Vernon Hoag be removed from office as Prince of Anchorage, since he hadn’t been heard from in years. In less than 24 hours, an Archon is sent to deliver the news that the motion has been carried. For the time being, Anchorage has no Prince. The Primogen are told to make their cases to the Archon, and that a decision would be made on Halloween night.

October 31, 1985

Backed by the Inconnu, Ventrue Preston Fontaine is named the new Prince of Anchorage.

1989

The Giovanni, jealous of the power and security held by the Ventrue, initiate a plan to weaken the position of the Ventrue. They maneuver a Giovanni ghoul into the captain’s chair of an oil tanker for a Ventrue oil company. Once in position, they withhold further feedings from the captain. As a result of his weakened condition, the captain runs aground off the Alaskan coast, dumping millions of gallons of crude oil into the sea. It becomes known as one of the greatest environmental catastrophes ever committed by humans in history. The Ventrue quickly spread rumors throughout the media that he was drunk, in an effort to take focus away from the company, but the Inconnu still feel the accident dangerously jeopardized the Masquerade. While the Giovanni watch, the Ventrue scramble to solidify and consolidate their position in the face of the tragedy. The Assamites, cautious in such unrest, retreat from the scene and refuse to accept contracts from either the Ventrue or the Giovanni. The Gangrel, angered by the developments surrounding the tanker accident, call in favors from their Lupine allies and advance on the city. Using precise and clandestine tactics, the allied force systematically cuts down the numbers of both the Ventrue and the Giovanni. Weakened by this offensive and having lost several key industrial positions, each group retreats and consolidates the positions they still control. Corporate buyouts and takeovers further weaken the control held by both groups in all of their industries of influence.
 
 

1990

Taking a cue from the Godfather film series, the Ravnos finally make their move. Though they don’t desire political power or position, they do set up a kind of underworld mob presence in Anchorage. They desire only to keep the Ventrue and Giovanni in check, to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. In their weakened states, neither group can stop them. In response, the Giovanni appeal to the Assamites hoping to renew negotiations for contracts, and are unequivocally denied. In desperation, they begin talks with the Followers of Set.

1992

Alaska celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. The night before the celebration is to begin, police find a decapitated body lying on the steps of the Governor’s mansion. It is the body of Preston Fontaine. A desperate effort is made to conceal everything about the case, in order to protect the Masquerade. The identity of the assassin is unknown. One day later the Justicar of the Ventrue is sent to investigate. The only thing to come of the Justicar’s visit is the designation of the new Prince: Ventrue Primogen Everett Blake.

1994

Girdwood skier Tommy Moe wins gold and silver medals at Olympic Games in Norway, drawing national attention to the Anchorage area. Prince Blake gives the unprecedented declaration that the entire city of Anchorage is declared Elysium for one week, to prevent media attention being drawn for reasons other than the Olympian. Surprisingly, nothing happens during that time, though the Prince’s reputation suffers, as the Kindred of the area felt he had acted out of panic.

Present

At present, the struggle for control still continues between the Ventrue and the Giovanni. The Ventrue hold the position of political control, but the Giovanni are constantly nipping at their heels. If either side gets too rowdy, however, the Ravnos, in their own way, are quick to remind them to calm down. The Tremere have retreated and let the chaos go on around them. They have developed roots in Anchorage, rather than play silly political games (for the moment), and because of this, their position in Alaska is stronger than in most other states in North America. The Assamites are eerily quiet and appear to be content with biding their time. The Setites still maintain a presence in Anchorage, and seem to be tied in with the Giovanni, though no one is ever certain of their true motives or goals. The Nosferatu are as elusive now as always, seeming to support no one in the political landscape. Strangely enough, only recently have a small group of Toreador discovered the luminescent beauty of the aurora borealis and other natural Alaskan wonders…
 
 
 
 

Information about the city of Anchorage obtained from Anchorage.net (http://www.Anchorage.net)
 

2.  The "Powers That Be" (NPC’s)

Brujah Primogen Alexander Semyeneva: One of the Brujah who came over from Russia, Alexander is a strong, and imposing individual who is slow to anger, but is a very fast combatant. Many are those who have thought him slow because of his size, but learned too late how fast he really is. He is one of Prince Blake’s most dangerous adversaries, thinking him incompetent to rule Anchorage.

Gangrel Primogen Sonya Villani: The Primogen of the Gangrel Clan is not happy to be so. Sonya would much rather spend her time alone among the glaciers than in the city, but it dies give her a chance to speak out against further expansion into untamed lands. It is thought that she has ties with the Black Furies, a violent group of female Garou eco-terrorists, and she does nothing to dispute these rumors, though she will admit to nothing. She sees eye-to-eye with the Prince about most things, since he also doesn’t wish to see the untouched land of Alaska turned into another concrete jungle. She is a tall woman, slightly over six feet, with the body of an Olympic-level athlete. Her hair is long and black, and usually tied in a ponytail. Her eyes are such a piercing ice-blue that many Kindred will not look directly into them.

Malkavian Primogen Brigadier Sir Arthur Wilmington Smythe Smythe Smythe, Retired: A large man who wears a set of WWI jungle fatigues, complete with Pith helmet, Sir Arthur is a charmingly polite fellow. The only problem is that his British accent is so thick that no one can understand a word he is saying… except other Malkavians. He is barrel-chested and looks like a carbon copy of Teddy Roosevelt. Though no one can be 100% sure, he seems to be a staunch supporter of Prince Blake.

Nosferatu Primogen: None

Toreador Primogen Johnathon Shadduck: Johnathon (or "Jonno" as he prefers to be called) is a former member of a "grunge" band named "Twisted Smegma." All the members of the group were killed in a plane crash in early 1990, and most of the world thinks Jonno is dead as well. The fact is that after what would be the group’s final concert, their manager, a Toreador, fed on the blood of a groupie that he found backstage. Unbeknownst to him, the girl had taken a hit of some poorly made acid, which began to affect him, after the band boarded a private jet to get to their next gig. The bad acid kicked in, and in a drug-induced rage, he slaughtered the band, except Jonno, who he Embraced. Knowing that the Camarilla would hunt him down for violating the Masquerade this way, he killed the pilot and crashed the plane in an attempt to commit suicide. Jonno somehow managed to survive, and as he crawled from the wreckage, he saw the manager, who was badly injured. He told Jonno everything and instructed him to drink his blood to heal himself. Jonno did, not realizing that diablerie was also forbidden by the Camarilla. Prince Blake himself gave Jonno a "pardon" of sorts, and made him Primogen. They have been friends ever since. Jonno is a bit of a "party animal" willing to attend any party, anywhere. Many mortals are familiar with his music, and recognize him, but he eventually gets them so drunk or stoned that they don’t remember the entire evening, much less whether they had really seen Johnathon Shadduck.

Tremere Primogen Serena Christchurch: She is considered one of the most diabolically evil women on earth. Serena is devastatingly beautiful, and incredibly dangerous. She stands about 5’ 5" tall, and her waist-length hair is so black, it appears blue. Her body is that of a "supermodel" and her intellect is even more startling. She is highly respected in the Tremere Clan, and is a powerful individual. Her powers of seduction have brought more powerful men than the Prince to their knees in abject slavery to her. Her heart is rumored to be colder even than the glaciers that surround Anchorage. She supports the Prince for now, but it is obvious that her support is transitory at best. Prince Blake has had more than a few dreams of Serena making love to him. He has had just as many dreams of Serena murdering him. What troubles him, is that in both dreams she has worn the exact same smile.

Ventrue Primogen Angelique Dupin: A true Southern belle, Angelique is descended from the aristocracy of New Orleans. Her father owned a plantation there and was friends of the Thibideaux family. When trouble began with the landowners there, Angelique was sent to Paris to finish her schooling. She stayed there for several years, learning to speak fluent French, yet working hard to not lose her accent of which she was proud. She was embraced by a Ventrue admirer, who soon left her stranded in Paris alone. It was then that she met the Samedi, Baron Thibideaux. Baron and Angelique became fast friends, and have remained so for over a hundred years. Angelique met Everett Blake at a Toreador party in Atlanta in the 1950’s, and they have had an on-again, off-again love affair for many years. Angelique possesses an elegant and graceful beauty, with her shoulder-length blonde hair and violet eyes. She is gracious and polite, and wears her emotions on her sleeve, which can sometimes be a hindrance to her.
 
 

3. Non-Camarilla Notables (NPC’s)

Kassim (Assamite): This tall, Middle-Eastern man is as dangerous as he is elusive. At 6’2", and 245 lbs., he is no one to take lightly. His dark eyes are calm, and his skin is the color of deeply stained mahogany. He is the only known member of the Assamite Clan living in Alaska. Anyone wishing to make a contract with them must speak to Kassim. Usually the answer is "no" but he will listen to offers.

 Horishi Takeono (Setite): Horishi "Tiger" Takeono is a member of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. He is a trader in drugs, stolen goods, and even kidnapped children. He is a diabolical man who didn’t have a conscience even before he was Embraced. After unwittingly trying to sell a 10-yr-old boy to an undercover police officer in Shinjuku, he was sent to Alaska to oversee the negotiations with the Giovanni Clan. He is scheduled to be replaced soon, however, as the Clan needs him in Tachikawa. Takeono is easily identified by the fact that the second and third fingers are missing from his right hand, a punishment for his earlier blunder. He is 5’2" tall, with brown almond-shaped eyes and black hair.

Enrico Giovanni (Giovanni): Enrico is a very handsome man, in high favor with the Clan. He is in charge of all Clan negotiations and business in Alaska. This means he is out of Anchorage often. He has an assistant whom he is fond of, but is incompetent. Enrico has spent much time covering for his assistant, but does so with laughter. Enrico is a dashing man, who wears nothing but the finest Armani suits, and drives no car less than $50,000 in value. He is 6’2" tall, and weighs 230. He is a charismatic man, with "classical" Italian features. Most women find him irresistible.

Paulo Giovanni (Giovanni): Paulo is the assistant to Enrico, and is unfit to hold even this small responsibility. He is a pompous man, and a pitiful entrepreneur. Anyone, who is in a position that is inferior to his own, is sure to develop a quick hatred for Paulo. At 5’5" tall and nearly 300 lbs., Paulo is a poor physical specimen, but is also a Kindred, with the powers that all Giovanni possess. It is easy to underestimate him, and quite a few dead men learned that mistake too late.

Vinka Nickoleyvich (Ravnos): A stereotypical ancient Gypsy woman in appearance, Vinka is also as wise as the cinematic Gypsy elders are made to look. Her history is unknown, her real age is unknown, no one even knows what Generation she is, but rumors say she is 6^th-Gen or even less. What is known, is that Vinka is a very powerful woman, both politically, and personally. When she speaks, the Ventrue and the Giovanni listen, for she controls the criminal underground in Alaska. It is Vinka that keeps the peace in Anchorage.

Baron Thibideaux (Samedi): Baron Thibideaux is famous in the Camarilla. Only the Nosferatu know more than he does. He has connections everywhere, and is one of the nicest individuals you could ever meet. Even though his appearance is grotesque, he wears the finest tuxedos, and is driven around in stretch limousines. A Toreador who invites Baron to a party, is assured of being a success. At the same time, he is a very powerful individual, and angering him is a quick way to guarantee oneself a quick and horrible death. He is known and liked by prestigious Ventrue Elders as well as tough-talking Brujah punks. It has been said that he only has one childe that lives in Hollywood, and is a television star. Baron has supposedly manipulated the media into thinking that his childe is actually a complex marionette. The true nature of the Cryptkeeper is known only to the Kindred. Baron is 5’6", and has skin like ancient parchment. He resembles a zombie, but his personality is such that you soon forget what he looks like… almost.