Vampires in the mountains were rare indeed before the spread of the industrial revolution. The highlands of Western North Carolina remained in the hands of both the wolfs and those old gods that sleep deep under the mountains. Since the railroad and then the airplane, the urban valleys have sustained a relative few, yet hardy Kindred.
Truly the wilds, home to the Garou and the Fae, the Blue Ridge was avoided by all but the most brave Kindred. The railroads further north or south provided safer travel and protection to those who dwell in the night seeking passage West.
George Vanderbilt decides to begin purchasing his 12,500 acre estate, assisting both Pentex and vampires who each seek to gain a foothold in the Land of the Sky. The Ventrue Elder Evander uses this opportunity to settle in the region and benefit from the wealth being generated and make his mark on the nascent expansion of the region.
Despite all odds, the war with the Lupines and nature spirits of this land seems to have tipped heavily in Evander's favor. The domain of Asheville is properly established with the turn of the millennium when Evander declares the domain safe and officially establishes Praxis in the Land of the Sky. Despite this declaration, intermittent conflict continues between Evander's forces and the Lupines and nature spirits.
The Sword of Caine, otherwise known as the Sabbat, seeks to establish a stronghold on the East coast of America. They dispatch young dissidents en masse to assert their influence in the ongoing conflict between Evander's domain and the Lupines and nature spirits, with the goal of gaining a strategic domain which the Sword may utilize for cross-Appalachian travel. Young Sabbat firebrand Tallula Donegan leads the fledgling operation.
Evander's youngest childe, E. W. Grove, famously betrays his sire to the Sabbat and the domain falls. Evander is destroyed, and Tallula Donegan declares Asheville won for the Sword of Caine. She receives the bloodbath and ascends to Archbishop of Southern Appalachia.
Archbishop Tallula Donegan strikes a truce with the Lupines, establishing mutually recognized borders. Lest any Canite wishes to challenge the Archbishop to Monomacy, they are not to engage themselves in the affairs of the Biltmore Estate or the Vanderbilt family.
E. W. Grove finally disposes of his mortal identity, continuing to exert influence over the city's landscape through proxies.
Despite his recent public demise, Grove finishes his original plans for the fourteen floor skyscraper, a towering monolith that stands above even modern Asheville.
Scandal struck when the Archbishop sullied herself with a ghoul, and a group of dissidents decided to remedy this fact. After the fire that consumed Highland Hospital, the deceased Zelda Fitzgerald was embraced in front of the assembled Diocese before challenging the arsonist—a Brujah dissident—to Monomacy.
For reasons that remain mysterious, Archbishop Tallula renounces the Sabbat and becomes the domain's Prince as part of the Camarilla. Many Sabbat rise against her, meeting their final death that fateful October night. Outlying towns such as Black Mountain and Waynesville remain home to Sabbat packs to this day. This treaty is overseen by the domain's new Tremere liaison Elder Volshebnik who, despite threats of diablerie, proves to be here to stay. The Basilica of St. Lawrence is established as an Elysium.
Clans Brujah, Gangrel, Lasombra, Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, and Ventrue are granted seats on the first Primogen Council.
A first well planned assassination attempt against Prince Tallula Donegan is made by the Black Hand. It is defeated, and the attackers summarily executed. Further attempts occur at semi-regular intervals over the next seven years, though none are successful.
With threats of the end time nigh, Tallula takes a hard line against prevalent Gehenna cults, while stating that the Land of the Sky shall weather whatever catastrophe is to come.
Countless domains trade hands, and the fall of Atlanta to the Sabbat weighs heavily on the Land of the Sky even while it remains above most of the bloodshed that engulfs almost every major city on the East coast.
Locally, clan Gangrel renounces its seat on the Primogen Council, regardless of Tallula's wishes to let them keep it despite not having pillar status.
The recent defection of the Schismatics from clan Banu Haqim finds a warm welcome in the Land of the Sky, and vizier newcomer Magda Doluda is named to the Primogen Council, taking the seat formerly held by clan Gangrel.
A decade after Praxis is established, the North Carolina Arboretum is established as an Elysium, much to the chagrin of Keeper of Elysium, E. W. Grove. The amphitheater is protected as a destination for ritual combat making many fear a return to Sabbat tradition. The first Kindred to be disposed of in the arena is the Brujah Primogen at the time, who meets the final death at the hands of Seneschal Big Ben.
Prince Tallula Donegan, much to the domain's relief, successfully adopts the Path of Humanity after a struggle of over a decade.
Prince Tallula Donegan immediately allows the Gangrel a seat once again on her Primogen council, naming long-term Autark Johannan Wilder Primogen.
| Clan | Justicar | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Banu Haquim | Tegyrius | Elder |
| Brujah | Theo Bell | Ancilla |
| Gangrel | Basillia | Elder |
| Malkavian | Juliet Parr | Ancilla |
| Nosferatu | Cock Robin | Ancilla |
| Toreador | Madame Guil | Elder |
| Tremere | Ulugh Begh | Elder |
| Ventrue | Lucinde | Elder |
After Grand Conclave, the Ominous announce the following decisions (and events occur):
* A list of Anarch domains in violation of the Edict of Succession is ratified.
* A Measure to return to full war with the Sabbat is defeated.
* Negotiations for the Setites to break from the Independent Alliance and enter the Tower are begun.
* Clan Gangrel is reinstated as a pillar clan of the Tower.
* Imperator Karsh vanishes.
* New Justicars are chosen. (See sidebar table).
* More relevant locally, it is decided the Land of the Sky must be inspected by an Archon to ensure it is in compliance with the Land of the Sky treaty.
The evening began with Quaesitor Ferrum Civis, Elder of clan Tremere and Archon serving under Madame Guil, arriving the Land of the Sky domain via airplane to judge how successfully the domain has converted to the Camarilla and stood by the Treaty of the Land of the Sky. Assorted court officers have gathered to meet the Archon, while the Prince awaits with court at the Elysium at the Basilica.
What lies ahead after the fateful demise of Quaesitor Ferrum Civis due to a horrible attack upon his arrival in the domain that left both himself and at least two of the Primogen Council dead, and the rest missing, with many also assuming that they, along with Sheriff Oliver and Seneschal Big Ben, also met their demise?
At closing court Elder Damien Natosa attempted to lay hands upon Keeper Grove. Before this action could be completed they suddenly stopped and apologized. Some in attendance whisper that Elder Beau Brummel used powers of the blood on Elder Natosa to protect Keeper Grove.
At the beginning of Gather, Seneschal Shimmer attempted to assassinate Prince Tallula Donegan while the Primogen Council debated expanding feeding territories. Seneschal Shimmer was reduced to ash.
Persons unknown firebombed the inaugural Fight Club event. The Primogen Council voted to affirm Sister Tiffany as Harpy.
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