Draft3

History

Timeline of Houston

Early 1800s

Founding Nights

Circa 1837

Houston is founded. Soon after, Kindred of the Camarilla establish a quiet foothold.

A Toreador Prince, name lost to time, declares Praxis over the frontier city.

Clan Ventrue and Tremere arrive to support the fledgling Camarilla presence.

Mid-1800s

The city remains a minor Camarilla holding, often overlooked due to the greater powers in New Orleans and Mexico City.

Late 1800s

Bayou Intrigues

1870s–1890s

Houston grows rapidly due to railroads and industry.

Gangrel and Nosferatu carve out control of bayous, rail hubs, and shanty zones.

Conflicts with Anarchs and Sabbat scouts rise and fall with brutal efficiency.

A mysterious Ventrue Elder claims Praxis in the shadows of this chaos. His identity is deliberately erased from public record by the clan.

1920s–1930s

Tremere chantry solidifies influence behind energy conglomerates.

The Prince at the time begins favoring reclusive industrialists over political manipulators.

1950s

A Ventrue Prince, fascinated by mortal influence and control, begins targeting mortal power brokers for Embrace.

1976

Howard Hughes, eccentric billionaire, aviation pioneer, and recluse, is Embraced by the reigning Prince of Houston. His fatal plane crash is a cover story.

In truth, Hughes vanishes from the mortal world and becomes a Kindred recluse, hidden under the Prince’s protection.

Whispers within Kindred society suggest Hughes was the intended heir of the Praxis, a Ventrue experiment in creating a “corporate regent.”

1980s–Early 1990s

The Prince rules from the shadows with Hughes and a secretive Primogen Council.

Houston thrives economically and remains unusually stable among Kindred domains.

The city becomes a refuge for political exiles from Sabbat-threatened territories.

October 31, 1993

On Halloween Night, the entire Kindred population vanishes in what would be named the Bayou City Massacre. Elysiums burn. Havens are found empty, bloodless, or worse—corrupted. There are no survivors.

The Camarilla declares Houston a no-go zone.

Rumors abound of infernalism, Sabbat rituals, or even a Gehenna-sign event.

July 1994

Archon Ha-Joon, under orders from Justicar Madame Guil, arrives to investigate the massacre.

Upon realizing the city is still viable, Ha-Joon declares Praxis.

He is supported by a cadre of trusted Kindred: Sonja Ashton – Elder of Clan Ventrue; Abraham Creed – Elder of Clan Brujah; Roisin – Ancilla of Clan Gangrel; Helena – Ancilla of Clan Tremere.

The Houston Camarilla is reborn.

September 1994

Roisin departs the city, her reasons kept private.

Abraham Creed is named Sheriff, charged with defense of the Praxis.

Sonja Ashton becomes Ventrue Primogen.

Primogen Ashton and Sheriff Creed aid Prince Ha-Joon in uncovering the culprits of the Bayou City Massacre: The Tal'Mahe'Ra.

A Clan Brujah challenge sees: Catherine win the seat of Primogen.

She is quickly deposed by Eddie Dubois, who solidifies his control.

October 1994

The Midnight Circus, a supernatural carnival, arrives in Houston.

It traps Helena, the Seneschal, within one of its attractions.

Sonja Ashton is promoted to Seneschal in Helena’s absence.

November 1994

Anya Duchen, a Ventrue neonate, is captured by the Special Affairs Division (SAD).

Under interrogation, she reveals the existence of the Camarilla Praxis in Houston.

December 1994

Prince Ha-Joon withdraws the Kindred to a fortified villa outside Houston.

There, he offers shelter and protection to newly arrived Giovanni, whose talents are deemed useful.

January 1995

The Camarilla strikes back.

A series of operations destroy SAD cells operating in and around Houston.

Victory is achieved, though at a cost.

The Kindred return to the city.

Life, unlife, and the Masquerade return to a fragile state of normalcy.

April 1995

The Sabbat, now with their Archbishop Silas Tivel, makes their presence known in the southern Parts of Houston.

The Sabbat seeks the eradication of the Anarchs.

The Camarilla intervenes and saves a few Anarchs who have pledged their alliance after being offered Protection and Sanctuary from the Sabbat. During this, the Archbishop uses the Camarilla intervention as an excuse to dispose of their previous treaty.

May 1995

The Prince disbands the Primogen Council until the Clans can unify themselves and awaits for leaders to emerge.