Category:Crimson Arbor

Welcome to wine country—a land of luxurious vineyards, shadowed forests, and whispered secrets. To visiting Kindred, the area is renowned as a stronghold of refined Camarilla power, ruled with calculated elegance and ruthless discretion. The pulse of the region beats strongest in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Cotati, with the illustrious Graton Resort & Casino serving as the Territory’s prestigious Elysium.

Historically, the Authority of the area was once contested, and Sabbat, Anarchs, and Camarilla Kindred clashed violently in shadows. The turning point came on September 17th, 2008—the infamous Night of Ash and Fire. Their numbers dwindling by the chaos of the Sect War, the Sabbat and Anarchs were losing badly, while the Camarilla held a strong upper hand under the leadership of numerous local Elders.

And then, in 2008, came the Night of Ash and Fire. On the evening of September 17th, the Camarilla of Sonoma County took a heavy blow as a conflagration burned across the world one Kindred at a time, starting for unknown reasons and stopping just as mysteriously. It’s estimated half of all vampires in existence died that evening, severely affecting the local Camarilla, as the event was heavily skewed to take out the oldest and most powerful among them, and Sonoma had a higher than average concentration of such Kindred at the time. Camarilla Neonates reeled in horror as most of their leadership — including the Elder Prince of Sonoma — died in agony, with Kindred everywhere just spontaneously catching flame... some deep in the ground, others in their havens, some even in public with no explanation for the few cases caught on film.

While the event hit the Sabbat and Anarchs as well, the local Camarilla took significantly more losses due to their much higher concentration of the heavily affected demographic. Word spread fast, and in that moment of chaos and uncertainty, a reclusive Sabbat pack — the Boneflower Pact — suddenly announced their defection and seized Camarilla Praxis, citing the dramatically increased hunter threat of the Second Inquisition as their primary motivation for change, and declaring that the reckless, firebrand Anarchs were too much of a Masquerade risk to be allowed power.

In a swift, calculated, successful move, the Boneflower Pact firmly established the Camarilla as the supreme dominant force under the Camarilla banner and their control, enforcing their reasoning for claiming it. With nobody left strong enough to oppose them, the Boneflowers’ Abbott—a Tzimisce named Octavia Grigore—declared herself Keeper of Elysium under the Praxis of her Toreador packmate — Cassandra Blake — along with a Lasombra named Jimena Hernandez as the new Sheriff in what has come to be known as “The Court of Whispers”.

In the years that followed, the Court of Whispers has shaped the area into a surprising bastion of refined diplomacy and economic power, centered on viticulture, finance, and careful manipulation of mortal affairs, even as the ranks of the eldest and most powerful among them continued to thin via a phenomenon that its survivors have come to call the Beckoning. Further dashing the hopes for the Camarilla, the Beckoning is an unexplained phenomenon by which individual Kindred seem to simply vanish into the night, never to be seen again.

Now, about twenty years have passed, and visitors are expected to formally present themselves to Prince Cassandra upon arrival — an act of respect enforced diligently by the ever-watchful eyes of Sheriff Jimena Hernandez, and which can be arranged in Elysium by way of Prince Cassandra's Ghoul, Chiara Moreno.

Within the boundaries of the Casino Elysium lie a number of exclusive, private, interconnected spaces, collectively referred to as The Gilded Sanctum, with access restricted to only Kindred and Ghouls. Rumors persist among Kindred of powerful secrets and ancient relics housed within its inner Vault, though only the Prince, Sheriff, and Keeper truly know what lies behind its doors. Some Kindred believe the Vault houses more than relics—it thrums faintly with thaumaturgic residue, its thresholds marked by sigils only the Keeper can read. Exclusive, luxurious and well-equipped, the Sanctum is watched over by its Tzimisce Keeper, Octavia Grigore, and its rules are precise; violence on Elysium grounds is strictly forbidden, feeding is permitted only within the Succubus Club, and the Keeper's word is absolute law. Not even the Prince would dare to question the Keeper while in the gilded halls of Elysium.

The neighboring towns and rural areas extending into Lake and Mendocino counties are formally claimed under the authority of Prince Cassandra, though any isolated pockets of Anarch resistance remain staunchly independent. Kindred venturing into these contested fringes are advised to do so with caution, and prepare to navigate a complex interplay of political subtleties and occasional peril. While the new Camarilla leadership doesn’t seek active warfare with these remaining Anarchs, they are quick to point out that they will deal with it if it becomes an actual problem. Under the leadership of Prince Cassandra Blake and her Court, thus far the Boneflower Pact Coterie has seemed primarily interested in running a safe and comfortable territory that will allow its residents to live out their unlives free from the persecution of mortal Hunters, and so far, they've done quite well.

Recently, however, tensions have resurfaced. Heightened activities of Project FIRSTLIGHT and the clear and present danger of the Second Inquisition have reminded every Kindred of humanity's growing threat, necessitating much greater discretion and vigilance. Step carefully into Sonoma County, for here, beneath a façade of civility and elegance, every choice holds weight, every whisper matters, and power is always delicately balanced at the edge of a blade.

Trust is Dangerous

Be very careful when building relationships, alliances, and connections. The negotiation of trust within Kindred politics is delicate and often ends in betrayal. Be careful who you trust, and always have a contingency for when that trust breaks.

Discretion is the Better Part of Valor

Caution, subtlety, and measured decisions are of vital importance—prioritize political maneuvering and careful tactics over overt conflict.

Optional Rules

Nothing beyond what is established in the Rules Addendum.

Boundaries

Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties, California.

High & Low Clans

Brujah: Low
Tremere: Low

Downtimes

Downtimes reset on the 1st of the month.

Other Rules

Any other rules to add?

Theme: Intrigue

This venue is a character-driven narrative deeply steeped in mystery, intrigue, and personal drama, set within the morally complex landscape of Sonoma County's Kindred society and the surrounding areas. Players will find themselves navigating a richly-layered world where their choices directly influence the evolution of their characters and the intricate web of vampiric politics. The narrative balances moments of action and adventure with nuanced ceremonies and tense, secretive power struggles, all under the looming shadow of their own fading humanity. Though danger exists, the focus remains firmly on character exploration and the unraveling of enigmatic plots, with personal stakes that are profound but rarely fatal.

Mood: Mood

The mood of this venue is one of atmospheric tension and elegant suspense, blending a sense of refined mystery with underlying darkness and moral ambiguity. Shadows linger in the corners of opulent Elysiums, and quiet whispers carry secrets capable of reshaping entire domains. Players will experience the thrill of carefully maneuvered social interactions, punctuated by subtle yet impactful moments of drama and revelation. This mood invites introspection and thoughtful character exploration, creating an immersive, emotionally compelling experience that occasionally dips into danger—but always maintains an emphasis on intrigue, personal evolution, and the haunting question of what it truly means to retain one's humanity amid eternal night.

Action & Adventure: 3

Occasional physical confrontations, chases, and moments of danger that punctuate the narrative, offering thrilling set pieces and opportunities for dynamic, exciting gameplay, balanced to avoid overshadowing character-driven storylines.

Character Development: 5

Deep, personal story arcs that allow extensive exploration of characters' emotions, motivations, backgrounds, and evolving identities as Kindred navigating complex relationships and personal dilemmas.

Darkness: 3

Moderate but meaningful exploration of horror, loss, and personal tragedy, crafting a sense of atmospheric unease and introspection without overwhelming the narrative’s focus on character intrigue.

Drama & Ceremony: 4

Emphasis on social interactions, courtly events, and ritualized gatherings where reputation, alliances, and subtle manipulations carry significant weight, with dramatic reveals and impactful storytelling moments.

Humanity/Morality: 4

Ethical challenges and moral ambiguity frequently arise, prompting characters to question their actions, confront their fading humanity, and navigate the thin line between survival, monstrosity, and personal integrity.

Mystery & Intrigue: 5

A plot rich with hidden truths, secrets, and conspiracies, where uncovering information and piecing together puzzles shapes the narrative, keeps suspense high, and rewards thoughtful investigation and clever play.

PC Death: 2

Genuine danger exists, but lethal outcomes for player characters are infrequent. Risk remains present enough to maintain tension and realistic stakes, yet character mortality will be handled with careful narrative consideration, not arbitrary frequency.

Live Game Schedule

Once a month on the 3rd Sunday

Game Site

4018 Arthur Ashe Cir, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 Limited street parking

Proxy Instructions

Proxying players should email the storyteller account with their sheet no later than 24 hours before game or any Discord-based roleplay scenes. The Storyteller may opt to waive this timing if they happen to be around and available to handle the proxy.

Outsider Character Policy

For every four approved Camarilla characters attached to this VSS, one Outsider Character slot will become available. Please contact the Storyteller to discern whether there are currently any Outsider slots available.

Additional Notes

Discord Roleplay

Between live game sessions (and not during those sessions), roleplay is available 24/7 in a persistent-world setting on the CA058 Discord server. Channels will include (but are not necessarily limited to) specific IC locations as noted below, in addition to at least one general channel of flexible location. As other channels of fixed location become available they will be announced by the Domain Staff and information about them will be provided.

The Storyteller and/or designated assistants will be available to moderate these scenes and/or review later as needed. These scenes will be considered “in person” and thus necessitate proxies from characters not attached to this VSS. A bot will be provided for mechanical purposes. These scenes are largely for character interaction and development, though the storyteller may opt to use them to engage characters with plot if they so choose. To keep things simple, the exact time of day of these scenes is handwaved and they are considered to only take place at night. The Storyteller has the option to run specific daytime scenes if necessary and appropriate.

CA058 makes use of the PluralKit bot for roleplay purposes; please ask the Domain staff if you need assistance in setting this up. All use of PluralKit should include a servertag with the player's preferred member name and MES number.

This is accomplished with the following line of code:

pk; s servertag || Preferred Name | US1234567890

Replace “Preferred Name” with whatever you as a player wish to be called, and “US1234567890” with your MES number.

Additional rules specific to online roleplay:

• Use present tense
  • No past tense posts please.
    • ✅ ::Octavia looks to the Prince and nods politely:: Good evening.
    • ❌ ::Octavia looked to the Prince and nodded politely:: Good evening.
• Keep posts short
  • No long paragraphs or extended actions. Give people a chance to respond.
•  :: this is an action. Note the double colons and use of italics. ::
• " ::spot jumps over the Hedge:: Whoa! Look at spot go! ::Dick watches in awe as Spot runs off into Arcadia::
  • Using quotes around dialog to indicate narrative action is fine too.
• All public scenes occur at "night".
  • Exact time is handwaved and not based on real time.
• Use the ticket system for private scenes
• (( use single or double parentheses to indicate out-of-character text ))

Nothing more to add?

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The Court of Whispers

Type: Single Authority

Description: Though the Camarilla claims Praxis over the entirety of Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties, its main functional territory involves the urban centers of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Cotati, with political influence radiating from their primary Elysium at the Graton Resort & Casino. The principality is marked by tight political control, economic strength built around wine industries and local business, and rigorous enforcement of Camarilla Traditions. The region was secured after a powerful Sabbat pack defected on the Night of Ash and Fire, and while the Camarilla holds firm control, minor Anarch activities persist on the rural fringes of neighboring Lake and Mendocino counties. Visitors are expected to formally present themselves and adhere strictly to local customs, particularly regarding discretion and respect for established domains.

Additional Information: Anything else to add?

Key Officers of The Court of Whispers

Prince Cassandra Blake, Clan Toreador

Played by: Crystal Chase, US2008092894
Cassandra Blake serves as the Prince of the Court of Whispers, her reign marked by a disarming blend of charm and quiet ruthlessness. A former Sabbat turned Camarilla loyalist, she was Embraced during the counterculture movement of the 1960s—a past that still lingers in her easygoing, approachable Demeanor—and is a Descendant of Helena, owning a franchise of the famous Succubus Club within the Graton Casino Elysium. Mortals know Cassandra's Mask — Leona Lockhart — as a world-renowned author (on par with Stephen King), lending her influence in media and literary circles on top of owning the nightclub. Among the Kindred, however, her affable surface conceals a calculating mind and an unforgiving streak; those who mistake her friendliness for weakness rarely get a second chance. Her authority is absolute, but she rules with a preference for social maneuvering over open displays of power—until provoked.

Sheriff Jimena Hernandez, Clan Lasombra

Played by: Rosa F, US2025030016

Jimena Hernandez serves as the Sheriff of the Court of Whispers, a position she enforces with cold precision and the weight of old money and older grudges. A Lasombra of age and influence, Jimena hails from wealth and power—though it’s her reputation as a ruthless underworld mobster that keeps the city in line.

Former Sabbat, Jimena adapted to Camarilla praxis without losing an ounce of her predatory edge. She is known for her calculating patience and an unshakable authority that silences a room with a glance. Few test her twice, and even fewer survive the mistake.

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Keeper of Elysium Octavia Grigore, Clan Tzimisce

Played by: River Stone, US2002021967

A known Blood Sorceress and self-proclaimed Voivode, Octavia Grigore has been a resident of Sonoma since the early 1800s. She governs Elysium the way winter claims a field—quietly, irrevocably, and without the need for spectacle. A former Sabbat Abbott turned Camarilla Keeper, she did not seize power; she sculpted it in glaring stares and pointed silences. Her political power extends beyond tradition and titles. Whispers say even the rituals etched into the Elysium’s foundations bear her hand, their protections written not just in law, but in blood.

Within the Gilded Sanctum, Octavia’s word is law spoken softly, her presence the gravity around which courtly decorum orbits. She offers civility like a blade sheathed in velvet, and even the boldest tread lightly beneath her gaze. In a city of whispered threats and velvet masks, Octavia is the stillness before the fall, and Elysium is hers in every breathless moment it holds.

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