The Broken Pact

VSS Information

Region: Great Lakes

Domain: The Woodward Pact - Detroit

Domain Storyteller (DST): Richard K.

Domain Coordinator: J. Dark

Contested Authority VSS

Domain Code: MI-014-D

“It will be the most certain criterion of a good and accurate system that subjects allied by nature are not separated by artificial arrangement; and that objects distinct and unassociated in nature are not assembled into the same branch or department, by the operation of some fanciful principle.”

-Augustus Woodward

Detroit has been home to kindred from its earliest days. After the first Sect War in 1805, the Unbound kindred forged a coterie whose sole purpose was to protect kindred existence through the ideal of Autonomy. Kindred may exist in the city self-governed, but that governance may not extend to those who do not accept it. Each sect could apply its authority only over its members, not the territory. As such, the city has survived for centuries with No Authority. However, in recent nights, and for reasons known only to the Anarchs, they have been pressing to gain authority over the city. Many of the Unbound in the city have slowly migrated to one sect or another, leaving only the Camarilla to maintain the ideals of Autonomy and uphold the ideals of the city.

National Chronicle Tenets:
Temperance - The quality of moderation or self-restraint. (National)
Humanity - Do not take life except to protect life. (Focus Group)

Local VSS Tenets:
Autonomy - All kindred have the right to self-govern, feed, and make alliances without coercion.

Optional Rules: Rapid Mass Combat Resolution for Player vs. Player (PvP) Combat and Static Challenge Automatic Successes are both allowed on this VSS.
VSS Boundaries: Wayne, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw Counties, (Detroit Metro Area)
Storytellers: Richard Kates - dstthewoodwardpact@gmail.com
Detroit, MI
Territory Type: Contested (PC) - Camarilla/Anarch
Territory Description
In modern nights, the remainder of the Unbound have slowly chosen sides in a growing cold war between the Camarilla and the Anarch Movement.
Territories are known and mostly respected, but more so by the Tower than the Anarchs. Without a prevailing authority in the city, only Coteries hold enough sway to invoke Autonomy and hold territory.
For the Tower, Bruna Hidalga, a Lasombra, Scion of Lucretia, works tirelessly to keep some manner of peace in the city; while Lady Canan “The Harmonist”, a Ventrue of The Trinity, espouses a philosophy of utopian kindred society. As such, they have developed a “Neutral Territory” for all kindred to meet in safety and peace. The “Red Zone” as it’s referred to, claims the entirety of Woodward Avenue from Detroit to Flint. This territory is open for feeding for all kindred. It also contains a neutral meeting place: The Donaldson-Whitney Mansion, protected only through a proclamation of Armistice.

Territory Timeline
1805- Shortly following the First Sabbat Civil War, several packs descended upon Detroit to exploit booming immigration and trade. At the time, the Camarilla had a small but established court, but they were being watched. With so many kindred in the city, The Society of St. Leopold had no choice but to raze it.
The few Unbound kindred who survived the “cleansing”, swore a pact to one another to never allow any sect, whether Camarilla or Sabbat, to put the city at risk again.
1850 - Detroit becomes a way station along the Underground Railroad. Kindred migrate to Detroit under the cover of secrecy and enjoy a free and unfettered existence.
1860-1864 - Camarilla envoys enter the city but are met with staunch opposition from the Unbound. Unable to secure a place in the city, they incite riots hoping hunters will arrive to purge the Unbound. Unfortunately, the hunters were busy dealing with the Civil War, and never made it to Detroit.
1894-1926 - Remnants of the Society of St. Leopold chose Detroit as a base of operations in North America. The Masonic Temple spent 3 decades building what would end up being the largest hunter stronghold in the country. This occurred in conjunction with the advent of motorized vehicles and Detroit becoming the leader in transportation. It’s a dangerous time for kindred in Detroit.
1930’s - With the opening of the Ambassador Bridge and Windsor Tunnel, kindred find it easier and safer to travel through Detroit. Several members of the Camarilla moved to the city to invest in infrastructure.
1948 - Seeing the success of Detroit labor unions, the first true Anarchs arrive in Detroit. The Anarchs integrate with mortal connections and suffer few setbacks from the Unbound. The lack of Camarilla oversight gives them hope.
1967 - A Camarilla Herald stops in Detroit to conduct a “census” on his way to the conclave of Heralds. Tensions boil over between the Herald and the Anarch Movement. The conflict bleeds into the urban centers of the city and culminates in riots. The Herald narrowly escapes the city.
2005 - The Sabbat Seige of Detroit. Although the Sect Wars were thought to have been over, a large Sabbat Pack had dug in at Old Ft. Wayne. Having spent years entrenched, they finally struck out against the kindred of Detroit, targeting the few remaining Camarilla leaders. At first, the Anarchs watched from the bleachers, until the Sabbat started attacking the holdings of all kindred in the city. The conflict was so heavy, that many Unbound were forced to join the Tower or the Movement to survive. Eventually, the city outlasted the siege with many Sabbat retreating while others swore allegiance to The Tower and the Movement respectively.
2018 - After a decade of planning, the Gordie Howe International Bridge started construction with support from Camarilla kindred. Fearing the Tower would use this opportunity to seize the Authority of the city, the Anarch Movement launched countermeasures to slow down the project. This has begun a cold war between the two sects.


OOC Information
Overseeing Storyteller: Richard Kates (dstthewoodwardpact@gmail.com)
Theme: Self Sufficiency. Only a self-sufficient sect can gain Authority in the city while maintaining the ideals of Autonomy. To what lengths are the Anarchs prepared to go to build a supportive, functioning Authority over the city?
Mood: Tension. There has always been an overarching tension in the city from the watchful eye of the hunters. Now, for reasons unknown, the Anarch Movement pushes to gain Authority over the city. Kindred are worried this may endanger the ideal of Autonomy, and bring unwanted attention from the hunters.
Style Elements:
Domestic Focus & Manners - Respecting Autonomy and following VSS/Coterie Tenets (4)
Drama & Scale- How Epic are plots & NPC’s? (5)
Enigma & Mystery - Investigation & Occult Exploration (4)
Darkness & Macabre - Intensity of Blood, Violence & Evil (2)
Corruption & Death - How bleak and morally complex. (2)
Action & Adventure - Level of combat & physical adversity. (4) Note: FAFO
Politics & Intrigue - How much diplomacy and scheming? (4)
Inter-Play Conflict - How much CVC is expected in this VSS? (2)
Humanity & Morality - Best behavior expected across the board. (5) Note: FAFO

Storyteller Notes:
The players of this VSS have decided to split their PCs between Camarilla and Anarch Movement characters. The catalyst of contention revolves around the building and opening of the new Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit (slated for the Fall of 2025). Criteria for gaining Self Sufficient Authority will be outlined per the “Building Bridges” plot kit. If both sects achieve the goals of the plot kit, or neither sect achieves the goal of the plot kit, the VSS will revert to No Authority and keep the Autonomy tenet. If only one sect achieves the goals of the plot-kit, that sect will gain Single Authority over the city and a new Tenet will be chosen.

Boon Economy:
The players of this VSS have voted in favor of pursuing a local boon economy that is recorded and enforced by a third-party coterie known as The Bazaar. This Coterie oversees all local boon exchanges and operates a truly neutral resolution strategy of FAFO.