Ashford by Night (WoD) - Revision history

Fenton: /* The Golden Age */

2022-05-09T15:32:22Z

The Golden Age

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:32, 9 May 2022
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	== The Golden Age ==		== The Golden Age ==
	So Fenton decided to try his hand at creating his own "By Night" setting - deciding to locate it in the US-city of Flagstaff, Arizona (still a small enough city to be "manageable" to his growing setting-planning skills, but double the population and far greater physical size and variety than his own hometown). This was a popular move, with the style of games and the players roles in domain politics growing. Although eventually they would move on proverbially, and Fenton would even eventually retcon (or silently allow to fade into obscurity if they couldn't be easily retconned) characters, plots and events (that over time and maturity he realised were corny, cringeworthy or simply ''I must have been drunk to think that was a good idea''), certain events, themes, home-brewed setting changes (such as the creation of a full vampire clan, [[Clan Senya (WoD)\|Clan Senya]]), NPCs and PCs made during this era would survive to become major players (or legends) in the games that would come, especially the PC Toreador kindred [[Max Dermont (WoD)\|Max Dermont]], the mage [[Kwang (WoD)\|Kwang]] as well as several Werewolf PCs. Fenton ~~eventially~~ went bigger-scale and created a wholly-fictional setting, naming the city "Ashford" and locating it in a undetermined location in the San Francisco bay area. A far bigger city, metropolitan area, with more complex politics - especially with the published information about the conflicts between the Sabbat (who's main seat of power were in nearby Mexico) and the Camarilla (who controlled most US states) as well as being the seat of Anarch control, it allowed him to really use more politics and increase the activity and realism levels of all the factions. [[User:Elodan\|Elodan]] also began running his own Werewolf game around this time, in which Fenton played the legendary [[Laughs-at-Rage (WoD)\|Laughs-at-Rage) which he would eventually import into his own game, as well as other characters he played in his and his friends' games, or even importing some of their NPCs when their own campaigns ended. Ashford began to grow and mature... but then Fenton went off to university. This was in 1994.		So Fenton decided to try his hand at creating his own "By Night" setting - deciding to locate it in the US-city of Flagstaff, Arizona (still a small enough city to be "manageable" to his growing setting-planning skills, but double the population and far greater physical size and variety than his own hometown). This was a popular move, with the style of games and the players roles in domain politics growing. Although eventually they would move on proverbially, and Fenton would even eventually retcon (or silently allow to fade into obscurity if they couldn't be easily retconned) characters, plots and events (that over time and maturity he realised were corny, cringeworthy or simply ''I must have been drunk to think that was a good idea''), certain events, themes, home-brewed setting changes (such as the creation of a full vampire clan, [[Clan Senya (WoD)\|Clan Senya]]), NPCs and PCs made during this era would survive to become major players (or legends) in the games that would come, especially the PC Toreador kindred [[Max Dermont (WoD)\|Max Dermont]], the mage [[Kwang (WoD)\|Kwang]] as well as several Werewolf PCs. Fenton eventually went bigger-scale and created a wholly-fictional setting, naming the city "Ashford" and locating it in an undetermined location in the San Francisco bay area. A far bigger city, metropolitan area, with more complex politics - especially with the published information about the conflicts between the Sabbat (who's main seat of power were in nearby Mexico) and the Camarilla (who controlled most US states) as well as being the seat of Anarch control, it allowed him to really use more politics and increase the activity and realism levels of all the factions. [[User:Elodan\|Elodan]] also began running his own Werewolf game around this time, in which Fenton played the legendary [[Laughs-at-Rage (WoD)\|Laughs-at-Rage]] which he would eventually import into his own game, as well as other characters he played in his and his friends' games, or even importing some of their NPCs when their own campaigns ended. Ashford began to grow and mature... but then Fenton went off to university. This was in 1994.

	== The Silver Age ==		== The Silver Age ==

Fenton: /* The Triumverate Burns */

2020-07-15T18:23:57Z

The Triumverate Burns

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 15 July 2020
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	=== The Triumverate Burns ===		=== The Triumverate Burns ===
	Then the Sabbat came. They had spent years infiltrating and spying on the Camarilla's institutions; using Tzimisce-fleshcrafted doppelgangers and influencing (or coercing) those disaffected with Kratus' rules. Beginning with the now-infamous ''Opera House Massacre'' - a sudden attack at the opera house, considered Elysium, during a special performance by the Keeper of Elysium's protege for Kratus and other high-society, high-influence kindred and mortals, which was kept secret for security reasons and known only to those going and a select few others - the ''Sabbat Crusade's'' opening night resulted in the assassination of the Prince, the Ventrue Primogen, Keeper of Elysium, Senya Whip, and the Sheriff; although the Toreador Primogen, Senya Primogen and Malkavian Whip (the neonate [[AJ (WoD)\|AJ]]) managed to escape; the latter allegedly due to the assistance of the notorious Toreador ''autarkis'' [[Tatjana (WoD)\|Tatjana]], who actually is considered blood-hunted in Ashford.		Then, on Christmas eve 2016, the Sabbat came. They had spent years infiltrating and spying on the Camarilla's institutions; using Tzimisce-fleshcrafted doppelgangers and influencing (or coercing) those disaffected with Kratus' rules. Beginning with the now-infamous ''Opera House Massacre'' - a sudden attack at the opera house, considered Elysium, during a special performance by the Keeper of Elysium's protege for Kratus and other high-society, high-influence kindred and mortals, which was kept secret for security reasons and known only to those going and a select few others - the ''Sabbat Crusade's'' opening night resulted in the assassination of the Prince, the Ventrue Primogen, Keeper of Elysium, Senya Whip, and the Sheriff; although the Toreador Primogen, Senya Primogen and Malkavian Whip (the neonate [[AJ (WoD)\|AJ]]) managed to escape; the latter allegedly due to the assistance of the notorious Toreador ''autarkis'' [[Tatjana (WoD)\|Tatjana]], who actually is considered blood-hunted in Ashford.

	Almost immediately after, in a horrific attack on their chantry during a training session, over half of the Tremere clan were eliminated (including virtually all their neonates, ghouls and neophytes, as Clan rules required them to live and study in the chantry).		Almost immediately after, in a horrific attack on their chantry during a training session, over half of the Tremere clan were eliminated (including virtually all their neonates, ghouls and neophytes, as Clan rules required them to live and study in the chantry).
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	The Camarilla's structure crumbled almost immediately as the key power players and established institutions crumbled. Those left immediately retreated into their safe houses, and what little Camarilla structure was left strained to maintain the masquerade, which the Sabbat were flagrantly breaking as part of their attack plan. To make things worse, it appeared that large elements of the Gangrel clan had made agreements with the Sabbat - some actively joining the Sabbat, and others just profiteering - but this meant that the Gangrels in Ashford could not be trusted, as many former-Ashfordian Gangrels were now actively hunting their former sectmates.		The Camarilla's structure crumbled almost immediately as the key power players and established institutions crumbled. Those left immediately retreated into their safe houses, and what little Camarilla structure was left strained to maintain the masquerade, which the Sabbat were flagrantly breaking as part of their attack plan. To make things worse, it appeared that large elements of the Gangrel clan had made agreements with the Sabbat - some actively joining the Sabbat, and others just profiteering - but this meant that the Gangrels in Ashford could not be trusted, as many former-Ashfordian Gangrels were now actively hunting their former sectmates.

	The Senya Primogen appeared to withdraw into his home-fortress, lost in grief over the death of the Senya whip, who was also his wife, leaving the clan's youngest wondering what to do - especially since many of the clan's ancilla were unreachable.		The Senya Primogen appeared to withdraw into his home-fortress, lost in grief over the death of the Senya whip, who was also his wife, leaving the clan's youngest wondering what to do - especially since many of the clan's ancilla were unreachable.

	=== The Meek Shall Inherit ===		=== The Meek Shall Inherit ===

Fenton: /* The Modern Age */

2020-04-28T14:10:50Z

The Modern Age

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 28 April 2020
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	\| 1862 \|\| Floods sweep away the 1860 settlement.		\| 1862 \|\| Floods sweep away the 1860 settlement.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1863 \|\| Thomas Baker, lawyer and former colonel in Ohio militia moves to the area attracted by California gold rush; ~~makes~~ rebuilds the settlement a stopover for travellers, which became known as Baker's Field		\| 1863 \|\| Thomas Baker, lawyer and former colonel in Ohio militia moves to the area attracted by California gold rush; rebuilds the settlement a stopover for travellers, which became known as Baker's Field
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1870 \|\| Settlement now known as Bakersfield reaches a population of 600; becomes a principal town in Kern County. The Sabbat grow in number as the population grows.		\| 1870 \|\| Settlement now known as Bakersfield reaches a population of 600; becomes a principal town in Kern County. The Sabbat grow in number as the population grows.

Fenton: /* The Modern Age */

2020-04-21T10:03:02Z

The Modern Age

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:03, 21 April 2020
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	\| 1873 \|\| Bakersfield officially incorporated as a town (population 801)		\| 1873 \|\| Bakersfield officially incorporated as a town (population 801)
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1874 \|\| Bakersfield replaces the dying town of Havilah as the county seat~~. Nosferatu scouts for Kratus begin scoping for weaknesses and opportunities~~.		\| 1874 \|\| Bakersfield replaces the dying town of Havilah as the county seat.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1876 \|\| As part of the plot to rid Bakersfield of unpopular city Marshal Alexander Mills, Bakersfield is disincorporated; a city council manages the community; Secretly, this was caused by Genevieve and Kratus taking advantage to start seeding and replacing control elements.		\| 1876 \|\| As part of the plot to rid Bakersfield of unpopular city Marshal Alexander Mills, Bakersfield is disincorporated; a city council manages the community; Secretly, this was caused by Genevieve and Kratus taking advantage to start seeding and replacing control elements. Nosferatu scouts for Kratus also scope for weaknesses and opportunities.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1889 \|\| Genevieve and Kratus's minions sabotage Bakersfield's water lines and cause what becomes ''the Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889.'' The fire is unexpected and spreads fast in the mostly-wooden town, destroying most of the town buildings, burning many Sabbat in their havens, or uprooting them in the daytime. At nightfall kindred and ghouls, predominantly Brujah and Gangrel, move in to finish off the remaining Sabbat, led by the Brujah Thomas Wingfield.		\| 1889 \|\| Genevieve and Kratus's minions sabotage Bakersfield's water lines and cause what becomes ''the Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889.'' The fire is unexpected and spreads fast in the mostly-wooden town, destroying most of the town buildings, burning many Sabbat in their havens, or uprooting them in the daytime. At nightfall kindred and ghouls, predominantly Brujah and Gangrel, move in to finish off the remaining Sabbat, led by the Brujah Thomas Wingfield.

Fenton: /* The Modern Age */

2020-04-21T10:00:52Z

The Modern Age

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:00, 21 April 2020
Line 121:		Line 121:
	\| 1873 \|\| Bakersfield officially incorporated as a town (population 801)		\| 1873 \|\| Bakersfield officially incorporated as a town (population 801)
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1874 \|\| Bakersfield replaces the dying town of Havilah as the county seat.		\| 1874 \|\| Bakersfield replaces the dying town of Havilah as the county seat. Nosferatu scouts for Kratus begin scoping for weaknesses and opportunities.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1876 \|\| As part of the plot to rid Bakersfield of unpopular city Marshal Alexander Mills, Bakersfield is disincorporated; a city council manages the community; Secretly, this was caused by Genevieve and Kratus taking advantage to start seeding and replacing control elements.		\| 1876 \|\| As part of the plot to rid Bakersfield of unpopular city Marshal Alexander Mills, Bakersfield is disincorporated; a city council manages the community; Secretly, this was caused by Genevieve and Kratus taking advantage to start seeding and replacing control elements.

Fenton: /* From the Ashes */

2020-03-22T20:00:10Z

From the Ashes

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:00, 22 March 2020
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	=== From the Ashes ===		=== From the Ashes ===
	In the aftermath of the Crusade the Camarilla has been busy rebuilding. Many of the power structures in place for centuries had been demolished as both Camarilla kindred that controlled mortal institutions, as well as the mortals being controlled, had taken heavy losses. This left various domains now open for kindred with the ability to claim them. The rabble clans so long underdogs were now the most populous and influential clans, no longer being restricted by a ~~triumverate~~ of clans determined (and able) to keep them subservient. The Assamites have an equal seat on the council, and the Gangrels have a voice. New Primogens were made during the war, but some of them barely hold their positions of powers, and contenders now covet those seats and make plans. Although still the most individually influential Kindred left in ~~town~~, the death of the Toreador Primogen's long-time ally and partner, and her removal as Seneschal of Ashford by the new Prince, have left her weaker than she has been in centuries, and ~~many~~ younger Toreadors are looking towards other Toreador Elders to take her place. Known and suspected anarchs who had supported the Camarilla against the Sabbat were granted amnesties, and an official ruling made to allow Anarchs to live openly without fear of persecution, as long as they followed the domain's laws. This came as no surprise considering the new Prince's long-standing history as the secret leader of the Anarchs but, whilst many expected the Prince to declare himself Baron and Ashford an Anarch Free State domain, he has stated that he believes in the Camarilla as an institution and believes in the Anarchs as a ''distinguished opposition'' - certainly, the anarchs are in a greater position of power than they ever have been in Ashford and it would be more accurate to describe Ashford as now being a shared Camarilla/Anarch domain, with the Camarilla nominally in charge.		In the aftermath of the Crusade the Camarilla has been busy rebuilding. Many of the power structures in place for centuries had been demolished as both Camarilla kindred that controlled mortal institutions, as well as the mortals being controlled, had taken heavy losses. This left various domains now open for kindred with the ability to claim them. The rabble clans so long underdogs were now the most populous and influential clans, no longer being restricted by a triumvirate of clans determined (and able) to keep them subservient. The Assamites have an equal seat on the council, and the Gangrels have a voice. New Primogens were made during the war, but some of them barely hold their positions of powers, and contenders now covet those seats and make plans. Although still one of the most individually-influential Kindred left in the city, the death of the Toreador Primogen's long-time ally and partner, Prince Kratus, and her removal as Seneschal of Ashford by the new Prince, have left her politically weaker than she has been in centuries, and various disenfranchised younger Toreadors are looking towards other Toreador Elders to take her place. Known and suspected anarchs who had supported the Camarilla against the Sabbat were granted amnesties, and an official ruling made to allow Anarchs to live openly without fear of persecution, as long as they followed the domain's laws. This came as no surprise considering the new Prince's long-standing history as the secret leader of the Anarchs but, whilst many expected the Prince to declare himself Baron and Ashford an Anarch Free State domain, he has stated that he believes in the Camarilla as an institution and believes in the Anarchs as a ''distinguished opposition'' - certainly, the anarchs are in a greater position of power than they ever have been in Ashford and it would be more accurate to describe Ashford as now being a shared Camarilla/Anarch domain, with the Camarilla nominally in charge.

	Alongside the anarchs, disenchanted neonates who felt used, abused and/or abandoned by their clan elders prior to or during the Crusade have formed power coteries, such as the [[The 1337 5kw4d (WoD)\|The 1337 5kw4d (the Leet Squad)]] and exerting a combined influence that threatens some of the remaining, now-weakened elders. Clan Senya has earned its membership and respect as a Camarilla clan, no longer suspect and free of the stains of its long history of secrecy and deceptive membership. Relations with the Lupines are at an all-time high, with both Kindred and Garou learning and being forced to cooperate with each other, presenting new opportunities but also new difficulties and threats.		Alongside the anarchs, disenchanted neonates who felt used, abused and/or abandoned by their clan elders prior to or during the Crusade have formed power coteries, such as the [[The 1337 5kw4d (WoD)\|The 1337 5kw4d (the Leet Squad)]] and exerting a combined influence that threatens some of the remaining, now-weakened elders. Clan Senya has earned its membership and respect as a Camarilla clan, no longer suspect and free of the stains of its long history of secrecy and deceptive membership. Relations with the Lupines are at an all-time high, with both Kindred and Garou learning and being forced to cooperate with each other, presenting new opportunities but also new difficulties and threats.

Fenton: /* From the Ashes */

2020-03-21T11:56:50Z

From the Ashes

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:56, 21 March 2020
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	=== From the Ashes ===		=== From the Ashes ===
	In the aftermath of the Crusade the Camarilla has been busy rebuilding. Many of the power structures in place for centuries had been demolished as both Camarilla kindred that controlled mortal institutions, as well as the mortals being controlled, had taken heavy losses. This left various domains now open for kindred with the ability to claim them. The rabble clans so long underdogs were now the most populous and influential clans, no longer being restricted by a triumverate of clans determined (and able) to keep them subservient. The Assamites have an equal seat on the council, and the Gangrels have a voice. New Primogens were made during the war, but some of them barely hold their positions of powers, and contenders now covet those seats and make plans. Although still the most individually influential Kindred left in town, the death of the Toreador Primogen's long-time ally and partner, and her removal as Seneschal of Ashford by the new Prince, have left her weaker than she has been in centuries, and many younger Toreadors are looking towards other Toreador Elders to take her place. Known and suspected anarchs who had supported the Camarilla against the Sabbat were granted amnesties, and an official ruling made to allow Anarchs to live openly without fear of persecution, as long as they followed the domain's laws. This came as no surprise considering the new Prince's long-standing history as the secret leader of the Anarchs but, whilst many expected the Prince to declare himself Baron and Ashford an Anarch Free State domain, he has stated that he believes in the Camarilla as an institution, and believes in the Anarchs as a ''distinguished opposition'' - certainly, the anarchs are in a greater position of power than they ever have been in Ashford.		In the aftermath of the Crusade the Camarilla has been busy rebuilding. Many of the power structures in place for centuries had been demolished as both Camarilla kindred that controlled mortal institutions, as well as the mortals being controlled, had taken heavy losses. This left various domains now open for kindred with the ability to claim them. The rabble clans so long underdogs were now the most populous and influential clans, no longer being restricted by a triumverate of clans determined (and able) to keep them subservient. The Assamites have an equal seat on the council, and the Gangrels have a voice. New Primogens were made during the war, but some of them barely hold their positions of powers, and contenders now covet those seats and make plans. Although still the most individually influential Kindred left in town, the death of the Toreador Primogen's long-time ally and partner, and her removal as Seneschal of Ashford by the new Prince, have left her weaker than she has been in centuries, and many younger Toreadors are looking towards other Toreador Elders to take her place. Known and suspected anarchs who had supported the Camarilla against the Sabbat were granted amnesties, and an official ruling made to allow Anarchs to live openly without fear of persecution, as long as they followed the domain's laws. This came as no surprise considering the new Prince's long-standing history as the secret leader of the Anarchs but, whilst many expected the Prince to declare himself Baron and Ashford an Anarch Free State domain, he has stated that he believes in the Camarilla as an institution and believes in the Anarchs as a ''distinguished opposition'' - certainly, the anarchs are in a greater position of power than they ever have been in Ashford and it would be more accurate to describe Ashford as now being a shared Camarilla/Anarch domain, with the Camarilla nominally in charge.

	Alongside the anarchs, disenchanted neonates who felt used, abused and/or abandoned by their clan elders prior to or during the Crusade have formed power coteries, such as the [[The 1337 5kw4d (WoD)\|The 1337 5kw4d (the Leet Squad)]] and exerting combined influence that ~~threaten~~ some of the remaining, now-weakened elders. Clan Senya has earned its membership and respect as a Camarilla clan, no longer suspect and free of the stains of its long history of secrecy and deceptive membership. Relations with the Lupines are at an all-time high, with both Kindred and Garou learning and being forced to cooperate with each other, presenting new opportunities but also new difficulties and threats.		Alongside the anarchs, disenchanted neonates who felt used, abused and/or abandoned by their clan elders prior to or during the Crusade have formed power coteries, such as the [[The 1337 5kw4d (WoD)\|The 1337 5kw4d (the Leet Squad)]] and exerting a combined influence that threatens some of the remaining, now-weakened elders. Clan Senya has earned its membership and respect as a Camarilla clan, no longer suspect and free of the stains of its long history of secrecy and deceptive membership. Relations with the Lupines are at an all-time high, with both Kindred and Garou learning and being forced to cooperate with each other, presenting new opportunities but also new difficulties and threats.

	It is a time of upheaval. It is a time of opportunity for those with the willingness to reach for it.		It is a time of upheaval, yet stability. It is a time of opportunity for those with the willingness to reach for it.

	= Setting History =		= Setting History =

Fenton: Fenton moved page Ashford by Night to Ashford by Night (WoD)

2020-01-18T03:47:35Z

Fenton moved page Ashford by Night to Ashford by Night (WoD)

← Older revision	Revision as of 03:47, 18 January 2020
(No difference)

Fenton: /* What is Ashford by Night? */

2019-12-21T12:06:47Z

What is Ashford by Night?

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 21 December 2019
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	== What is Ashford by Night? ==		= What is Ashford by Night? =
	''Ashford by Night'' is the semi-official name to the long-running [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness World of Darkness] campaign setting run by [[user:Fenton\|Fenton]], sometimes nicknamed ''Ashfordverse'', as it contains elements of all the major World of Darkness games (Vampires predominantly, Werewolves heavily featured, Mages notably considered, Demons a minor but respectable influence and, occasionally, other types such as Wraiths, Mummies, Hunters and other sorts). Because the affairs of the Kindred is the predominant theme of the game, Fenton has always considered it a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Masquerade Vampire: the Masquerade] ''"By Night"'' game first and foremost, although it is more appropriately akin to ''Vancouver: Dark Alliance'' thematically, and when he runs a ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf:_The_Apocalypse Werewolf: the Apocalypse] troupe, it is very similar to ''"Rage Across New York"'' in style. He has only ever run one dedicated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mage:_The_Ascension Mage: the Ascension] game in Ashford, but prefers to use Mages (mostly Tradition mages, but occasionally the Technocracy, or Nephandi) as wild cards, antagonists or other concerns for the kindred players to have to interact and deal with.		''Ashford by Night'' is the semi-official name to the long-running [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Darkness World of Darkness] campaign setting run by [[user:Fenton\|Fenton]], sometimes nicknamed ''Ashfordverse'', as it contains elements of all the major World of Darkness games (Vampires predominantly, Werewolves heavily featured, Mages notably considered, Demons a minor but respectable influence and, occasionally, other types such as Wraiths, Mummies, Hunters and other sorts). Because the affairs of the Kindred is the predominant theme of the game, Fenton has always considered it a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire:_The_Masquerade Vampire: the Masquerade] ''"By Night"'' game first and foremost, although it is more appropriately akin to ''Vancouver: Dark Alliance'' thematically, and when he runs a ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf:_The_Apocalypse Werewolf: the Apocalypse] troupe, it is very similar to ''"Rage Across New York"'' in style. He has only ever run one dedicated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mage:_The_Ascension Mage: the Ascension] game in Ashford, but prefers to use Mages (mostly Tradition mages, but occasionally the Technocracy, or Nephandi) as wild cards, antagonists or other concerns for the kindred players to have to interact and deal with.

Fenton: /* Setting History */

2019-12-21T12:06:08Z

Setting History

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 21 December 2019
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	It is a time of upheaval. It is a time of opportunity for those with the willingness to reach for it.		It is a time of upheaval. It is a time of opportunity for those with the willingness to reach for it.

	== Setting History ==		= Setting History =
	=== Roleplay Origins ===		== Roleplay Origins ==
	Although Fenton began roleplaying when he was 14 years old, his early days involved mostly playing in other's games, and then when he became a Games Master ran mostly the ''Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game (WHFRPG)'', ''Battletech'' (as a strategy boardgame, then as an RPG when the ''Mechwarrior RPG'' rules came out), the ''Aliens'' RPG (official RPG adaptation of the movie) and ''Star Wars: the Roleplaying Game'' by West End Games. He stuck mostly to published materials, but with Mechwarrior began exerting his creative ideas by creating his own worlds/settings - typically by using ones he had seen or read about in books or computer games such as ''Battletech: The Crescent Hawks Inception'' and later ''Battletech: Mechcommander''.		Although Fenton began roleplaying when he was 14 years old, his early days involved mostly playing in other's games, and then when he became a Games Master ran mostly the ''Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game (WHFRPG)'', ''Battletech'' (as a strategy boardgame, then as an RPG when the ''Mechwarrior RPG'' rules came out), the ''Aliens'' RPG (official RPG adaptation of the movie) and ''Star Wars: the Roleplaying Game'' by West End Games. He stuck mostly to published materials, but with Mechwarrior began exerting his creative ideas by creating his own worlds/settings - typically by using ones he had seen or read about in books or computer games such as ''Battletech: The Crescent Hawks Inception'' and later ''Battletech: Mechcommander''.

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	Originally Fenton began by running the Chicago by Night (2nd Edition) campaign setting by White Wolf. This was a good starting point, and the players enjoyed it and they experimented with combining all three. Eventually, the player troup combined vampires, werewolves and mages (and somehow made it work) and as he became more confident in his GM planning and improvisation, the players used the excuse of a (mage) player's marriage (to an NPC vampire) to leave Chicago and follow their friends on their honeymoon. This led to a brief experimental short campaign in their home-town of Gibraltar, in which the players freed an ancient Elder from a Sabbat prison, kept in torpor, and aided the Camarilla (and the Elder) in taking Gibraltar from the Sabbat and into Camarilla control. It was fun being able to use places familiar to them (and having NPC versions their real-life selves as supporting NPCs in the game), but their home-town is too small for a viable campaign of the large, mixed-race troupe of players.		Originally Fenton began by running the Chicago by Night (2nd Edition) campaign setting by White Wolf. This was a good starting point, and the players enjoyed it and they experimented with combining all three. Eventually, the player troup combined vampires, werewolves and mages (and somehow made it work) and as he became more confident in his GM planning and improvisation, the players used the excuse of a (mage) player's marriage (to an NPC vampire) to leave Chicago and follow their friends on their honeymoon. This led to a brief experimental short campaign in their home-town of Gibraltar, in which the players freed an ancient Elder from a Sabbat prison, kept in torpor, and aided the Camarilla (and the Elder) in taking Gibraltar from the Sabbat and into Camarilla control. It was fun being able to use places familiar to them (and having NPC versions their real-life selves as supporting NPCs in the game), but their home-town is too small for a viable campaign of the large, mixed-race troupe of players.

	=== The Golden Age ===		== The Golden Age ==
	So Fenton decided to try his hand at creating his own "By Night" setting - deciding to locate it in the US-city of Flagstaff, Arizona (still a small enough city to be "manageable" to his growing setting-planning skills, but double the population and far greater physical size and variety than his own hometown). This was a popular move, with the style of games and the players roles in domain politics growing. Although eventually they would move on proverbially, and Fenton would even eventually retcon (or silently allow to fade into obscurity if they couldn't be easily retconned) characters, plots and events (that over time and maturity he realised were corny, cringeworthy or simply ''I must have been drunk to think that was a good idea''), certain events, themes, home-brewed setting changes (such as the creation of a full vampire clan, [[Clan Senya (WoD)\|Clan Senya]]), NPCs and PCs made during this era would survive to become major players (or legends) in the games that would come, especially the PC Toreador kindred [[Max Dermont (WoD)\|Max Dermont]], the mage [[Kwang (WoD)\|Kwang]] as well as several Werewolf PCs. Fenton eventially went bigger-scale and created a wholly-fictional setting, naming the city "Ashford" and locating it in a undetermined location in the San Francisco bay area. A far bigger city, metropolitan area, with more complex politics - especially with the published information about the conflicts between the Sabbat (who's main seat of power were in nearby Mexico) and the Camarilla (who controlled most US states) as well as being the seat of Anarch control, it allowed him to really use more politics and increase the activity and realism levels of all the factions. [[User:Elodan\|Elodan]] also began running his own Werewolf game around this time, in which Fenton played the legendary [[Laughs-at-Rage (WoD)\|Laughs-at-Rage) which he would eventually import into his own game, as well as other characters he played in his and his friends' games, or even importing some of their NPCs when their own campaigns ended. Ashford began to grow and mature... but then Fenton went off to university. This was in 1994.		So Fenton decided to try his hand at creating his own "By Night" setting - deciding to locate it in the US-city of Flagstaff, Arizona (still a small enough city to be "manageable" to his growing setting-planning skills, but double the population and far greater physical size and variety than his own hometown). This was a popular move, with the style of games and the players roles in domain politics growing. Although eventually they would move on proverbially, and Fenton would even eventually retcon (or silently allow to fade into obscurity if they couldn't be easily retconned) characters, plots and events (that over time and maturity he realised were corny, cringeworthy or simply ''I must have been drunk to think that was a good idea''), certain events, themes, home-brewed setting changes (such as the creation of a full vampire clan, [[Clan Senya (WoD)\|Clan Senya]]), NPCs and PCs made during this era would survive to become major players (or legends) in the games that would come, especially the PC Toreador kindred [[Max Dermont (WoD)\|Max Dermont]], the mage [[Kwang (WoD)\|Kwang]] as well as several Werewolf PCs. Fenton eventially went bigger-scale and created a wholly-fictional setting, naming the city "Ashford" and locating it in a undetermined location in the San Francisco bay area. A far bigger city, metropolitan area, with more complex politics - especially with the published information about the conflicts between the Sabbat (who's main seat of power were in nearby Mexico) and the Camarilla (who controlled most US states) as well as being the seat of Anarch control, it allowed him to really use more politics and increase the activity and realism levels of all the factions. [[User:Elodan\|Elodan]] also began running his own Werewolf game around this time, in which Fenton played the legendary [[Laughs-at-Rage (WoD)\|Laughs-at-Rage) which he would eventually import into his own game, as well as other characters he played in his and his friends' games, or even importing some of their NPCs when their own campaigns ended. Ashford began to grow and mature... but then Fenton went off to university. This was in 1994.

	=== The Silver Age ===		== The Silver Age ==
	Although Fenton and his friends would continue playing WoD (in the new Ashford setting, as well as various others depending on the GM) when they were home for holiday, this was limited to mostly summer holidays. Whilst in University, however, Fenton made some good friends and got them into roleplaying games... of which World of Darkness was, by far, the one they enjoyed the most. For the first two years of uni, Fenton enjoyed using his Ashford setting with a new bunch of players, who had neonate-level characters (and inexperienced enough that he could recycle ideas and storylines that he could no longer use with his other players), whilst still being able to employ the characters that existed - some as NPCs, and others as guest appearances by PCs; Dermont and Fenton would visit each other in university often, and Dermont ran his own WoD Werewolf game, which he peripherally coordinated with Fenton to keep their respective settings linked. Dermont would regularly visit, and when he did his character Max Dermont would guest-appear in the WoD game, typically as a cryptic, often-antagonistic elder who would drive the players crazy (but in the end would prove to have actually helped the players and the "greater good"). Fenton likewise used several characters and plots to run a guest-GM game when he went up to visit Dermont. Both GMs supplied each other with NPC character sheets to be able to use in each others games.. with a general agreement not to allow each other's NPCs/PCs to be killed off without the other's consent, of course - though maiming horribly, or putting into torpor were acceptable (as they could be recovered). Between the very active roleplaying in the Ashford setting with both groups, both of which were considered canonical to the "Ashford-verse", the setting grew quickly as did the major events, characters and political landscape.		Although Fenton and his friends would continue playing WoD (in the new Ashford setting, as well as various others depending on the GM) when they were home for holiday, this was limited to mostly summer holidays. Whilst in University, however, Fenton made some good friends and got them into roleplaying games... of which World of Darkness was, by far, the one they enjoyed the most. For the first two years of uni, Fenton enjoyed using his Ashford setting with a new bunch of players, who had neonate-level characters (and inexperienced enough that he could recycle ideas and storylines that he could no longer use with his other players), whilst still being able to employ the characters that existed - some as NPCs, and others as guest appearances by PCs; Dermont and Fenton would visit each other in university often, and Dermont ran his own WoD Werewolf game, which he peripherally coordinated with Fenton to keep their respective settings linked. Dermont would regularly visit, and when he did his character Max Dermont would guest-appear in the WoD game, typically as a cryptic, often-antagonistic elder who would drive the players crazy (but in the end would prove to have actually helped the players and the "greater good"). Fenton likewise used several characters and plots to run a guest-GM game when he went up to visit Dermont. Both GMs supplied each other with NPC character sheets to be able to use in each others games.. with a general agreement not to allow each other's NPCs/PCs to be killed off without the other's consent, of course - though maiming horribly, or putting into torpor were acceptable (as they could be recovered). Between the very active roleplaying in the Ashford setting with both groups, both of which were considered canonical to the "Ashford-verse", the setting grew quickly as did the major events, characters and political landscape.