6. A Brief look at the Supernatural History of Toronto =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I got nothing to say I ain't said before I bled all I can, I won't bleed no more I don't need no one to understand Why the blood run holds The hired hand --Sisters of mercy This Corrosion 6.1 The Very Beginnings Toronto was settled originally by the French in the early seventeenth century. However, other than the Wendigo and Uktena tribes of the Garou, no mojpr force of supernatural creatures existed in this region. The Wendigo and the Uktena were adept then, at changing their homid form to mix in with the Indians of many tribes. The Mississaugas and the Hurons, the Iroquois and the Shawanoes, even the Ottawas and the Sacs lived in "relative" harmony. Around the early eighteenth century, the practice of French Kindred Princes sending exiles to the new world had become a common practice , especially since warfare between the French and the British over these lands were becoming commonplace. Frustrated with the defeat of General Montcalm by General Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham, The Kindred Prince of Paris sent word to other Principalities on France, with a plan that might help the war against the English. Within the first ten years of British rule of Canada, All Caitiff and Sabbat exiles were sent to what was once New France. The idea was that, while out of France, they would be allowed to live, and their very presence would cause the British problems. In 1791, Frustrated with his lack of success in training neonates in Pictou, Scotland, an idealistic Ventrue kindred named James McDiarmuid exerted influence on James Simcoe, the Lieutenant Governor of the new Canadian Province of Upper Canada (now Ontario), to prepare for his arrival in the following years. Simcoe went about settling Toronto. On August 26, 1793, The little fort was named, "York" in honor of the staving off of French invasionary forces of Holland, by the British. In 1804, The Gangrel Justicar, Karsh, convened a council of Princes of France, and demanded an explanation of the overwhelming vampire population in the former colony. The presence of the Sabbat has threatened the Masquerade, and the exilation has been the cause. Karsh felt, however, that there was little that he could do, except send a number of kindred to deal with the Sabbat problem in Quebec. Karsh sent a small four-kindred force to Canada, to destroy as many Sabbat as possible. They were told to be discreet, and to report to him when the population ratio was back to a manageable size. Only one of these Kindred's name is known. He calls himself Francis Moiet. A gentle, tender man at heart, he was uncomfortable among the Ventrue in Paris, and felt that there were other opportunities that might present themselves among the burgeoning fur-trade in Canada. His skill in Languages, and investigation were well known. He is last known to have resided in Toronto. By 1817, McDiarmuid was able to make a rough tally of the Kindred he knew to be in Upper Canada. He figured there were almost 8 Camarilla-supporters and 15 Non-camarilla supporters. He wished to see the Camarilla established, and spent the next 14 years searching them out, and asking them to form a coalition of survival, so that they would not step on each others footsteps. Only 7 made it to the first meeting of the Kindred in Upper Canada. This meeting was held in York, in 1831. 6.2 The Start of Ontario's Garou/Kindred War & Peace When the Garou tribes (the European tribes had emigrated to the new world by now) discovered this meeting, they attacked the Kindred. Three kindred were destroyed. This started a wholesale war betwen Kindred and Garou in Upper Canada that lasted for three years. By 1834, McDiarmuid knew of only 12 existing Kindred in Upper Canada. He had met with a woman, Tabitha Fodor, who claimed to be a magi of the Order of Hermes. She claimed she could help him, by setting up a peace talk. She had recognized what he was but still had not run. McDiarmuid became interested in her and her kind. The meetings didn't happen til late 1834. But The Silver Fang, Domine, the Order of Hermes Mage, Tabitha Fodor, and James McDiarmuid met under the light of the half-moon, on the shores of Lake Ontario, to hammer out a peaceable treaty that could bind all three of their parties to work together. They were advised by one of Domine's kinfolk, William Lyon Mackenzie, Mayor of the new city of Toronto, on the effects of a peace treaty on the mortals. For more information on this, see the next section. The next three years were spent attaining the agreements of peace betwen each of the factions. The Kindred were spoken for by McDiarmuid--he needed only to imform them of the rules. The Garou were spoken for by Domine. Again, they needed only to be informed. The Magi, however, required a bit more finesse. The Order of Hermes, while powerful, was but one of 5 existing traditions in Toronto at that time. The Dreamspeakers, and the Verbena needed to be convinced. Unfortunately, this was left to Master Christopher Cordick, as the representative of the Order of Hermes. Tabitha Fodor had died, shortly after giving birth to a set of twins (Clarissa and Angus) during the spring of 1835. 6.3 Mackenzie's Rebellion and the Sabbat take-over The arrival of the new Leiutenant Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, in 1834 caused the eventual loss of mayoral status for Mackenzie. Mackenzie had already had it in his mind to revolt against hte tyranny of the motherland. But, Bowing to the pressure put upon him from his tribe, The increased activities of the Brujah and the Sabbat, he started a rebellion sooner than he should have. On December 7, 1837, Mackenzie attempted revolt lasted but a few days, and resulted in a complete failure. The influence of the Brujah and the Sabbat were discovered by McDiarmuid, who sought to punish Santiago, the Brujah Elder. However, difficulties with the Militiamen ensured that they were rarely in the same area of the province at the same time. McDiarmuid was in near Lake Eerie when the Sabbat moved into Toronto. He attempted to return to one of the inns, before moving on to his house, and his two adopted children, (Clarissa and Angus), but was stopped by two kindred he did not recognize. he was sorely beaten, and taken to Lower Canada. 6.4 Beginnings of the Foundation What transpired for McDiarmuid from 1838 to 1840. It is known that a Ventrue from England, Johnathan Renfield sued for acceptance into the Toronto Camarilla, apparently unaware that Toronto was once again Sabbat owned. McDiarmuid accepted him, and told him that together they would regain Toronto, and help it reach the greatness thats lies within it. Much of what passed in the supernatural between the years 1838 and 1877 is unknown. WHat little information can be gathered, indicate that the Order of Hermes and the Verbena, working independantly, were able to contact a number of supernatural individuals of all three species, and convince them to relocate from the United States, to Canada. In light of the civil war, they were quite successful. 6.5 The Foundation of Liberation Although outwardly little tension occured, McDiarmuid fought for his princedom with a tenacity that surprised many. McDiarmuid had, if anything, a vast reserve of patience. He knew that to trheaten the masquerade would harm not only the Sabbat, but the Camarilla and himself. He attempted to enlist the aid of the Order of Hermes, but Christopher Cordick was unforthcoming with aid. The Garou would gladly kill the Sabbat. TO them, Kindred was Kindred, and if no-one would cause problems if they kill them, all the better. Unfortunately, McDiarmuid found they would not follow his directions. The Traditions were starting to appear in greater numbers in Ontario. So much so, that the first "Council of Nine" of Ontario was formed. Christopher Cordick was struggling to maintain the council, even though rumours about his murdering the former head of the order abounded. These rumours were never confirmed. Most of the current traditions were willing to meet and form the Council of Nine. The Euthanatos and teh AHl-i-batin were the only orders that did not show up. What followed was years of intneral strife between the orders. The Native Garou were just starting to come to a peace arrangement with the European invaders, and there was some evidence of inter-breeding. Unfortunately, the metis percentages increased, much to the elders consertnation. 6.6 Start of the Toronto Camarilla Rebellions However, in 1855, a Verbena mage, Alistair Stewart passed word to Johnathan Renfield, that he could get a hold of a supernatural combat unit, who could take the city from the SDabbat in a cold, efficient, and clean manner that would not fracture the masquerade. Stewart acted as a go-between for the two parties, ensuring each other's anonymity for three years, before "The Stormwatch Unit" first arrived in Toronto. Among the kindred, rumours of an Assamite and a Samedi in Ontario spread fear liberally. Exactly how the Stormwatch unit flushed teh Sabbat from Toronto is documented elsewhere (See internet supplement: "Stormwatch Inc." for details). In 1856, Angus McDiarmuid (Tabitha's son, Clarissa's brother) went missing. Sometime during the next twenty years, Prince McDiarmuid went missing. He was presumed dead at the hands of the Sabbat. His Adopted Daughter, Clarissa, stepped forward and declared that McDiarmuid's greatest wish was that each successive prince would reside in his house (See Internet Supplement - Tabitha House), for so long as he shall remain prince. This was backed by the Ventrue Elder, (Now Johanathan Renfield), and the Nosferatu Elder (Amber). It passed through the existing primogen, and was made law among the Toronto Kindred. In 1897, the Garou formalized the existence of a Grand Moot Toronto. Each Tribe of a certain number of individuals would have a representative on the moot. This grouping would allow for inter-tribal conflicts to be resolved quicker, and with less bloodshed, as well as allowing alliances to be made between tribes. 6.7 The Great Fire In the early hours of the evening of April 19th, 1904, Five Brujah cornered a small conclave of five Sabbat plotting in hte back rooms of E & S Currie Neckwear Co. There was a fight, and only three Brujah escaped. None know how the fire was started, but the location is definately known. By dawn of the next day, there was a 14-acre desert of smoking ruins. A total of 122 Buildings, inclding 86 commercial structures had been destroyed. 5000 employees were suddenly without work. Prince Gregori was furious. The Brujah Elder was slapped down, and told she must curb her tirade against the Sabbat. She was told that if there was a definate Sabbat incursion, she should report to him first, or suffer final death. 6.8 Toronto in World War I Peace had, seemingly, come to Toronto. On Friday, July 31st, 1914, Christopher Cordick died of pneumonia, in his Cabbagetown home. But before he died, he had performed a ritual that he hoped would allow him to reincarnate himself with all his memories. Three days later, the Order of Hermes in Toronto lost contact with others of the Order for hte first time since they established themselves in Ontario. A day later, Britain declared war on Germany. While most of Toronto rejoiced in confidence over the British strength, the Toronto Supernatural Non-Agression Pact Tribunal met to discuss what measures must be taken during this time. Prince Gregori met with Deacon Andrew Von Rothstein of the Order of Hermes, and Callan "Teeth-Gnasher" Holden, of the Silver Fang Tribe. Generally, the Mages wanted to become directly involved with the war effort. Most of the orders supported the Allies, but The Order of Hermes and the Verbena supported the Germans. The Tribes, as patriotic as some of them were (Get of Fenris, Shadow Lords) decided that neutrality was best, and protection of their new homes was more important. The Kindred were fairly evenly split. In the end, the TSNAP Tribunal agreed that home and hearth must come first, but any who individually wished to take part in the "one-month war" was free to do so, so long as they informed their respective orders, tribes or clans. This was the very first time the TSNAP Tribunal had come to an agreement on any issue. Tabitha House, the Prince's mansion was refurbished, and was used as a veterans convalescent home. Some say that to this day, the spirits of those who died there will defend the house during the beginning of the apocalypse. But, as the war dragged on, growing discontent among the TSNAP factions resurfaced. The Kindred were concerned about the casualty lists, the culling of able-bodied, healthy individuals could directly affect them. The mages were concerned that magick was being used heavily in this war. The Garou became more and more upset about the growth industry of arms production. In another meeting of the TSNAP Tribunal, an agreement was made to send a unit of supernatural species to the front lines. Unfortunately, they arrived after the Passchendalele, and saw almost no immediate battle-time. They returned home with the rest of the Canadian troops, enraged at the lack of aid they were able to provide. Curiously, the missing son, Angus McDiarmuid arrived hom with them, with no memory of the time in which he was missing. 6.9 The disappearance of Ambrose Small Although very wealthy, Ambrose Small was not a very happy man. He craved for something more than his frugal existence. In March 1919, Mr. Small witnessed a meeting of the TSNAP Tribunal, in preparation for their upcoming Pact negotiations. He heard enough to expose all three of the factions. Unfortunately for him, the new Gangrel Elder apprehended him. He was brought before the tribunal. The Garou and the Kindred wanted to kill him outright. But Von Rothenstein insisted that it would be more humane to erase his memory of the evening. Nine months later, Ambrose Small sold his theatre chain for over $1,000,000, and approached Gregori's mansion. He sued the prince for an embrace. If asked, gregori will say that he denied Mr. Small his request, stating that Mr. Small obviously had some derangements that might require a doctor. In truth, after Small was turned down by Gregori, he became involved with the New World Order. Some say that he was the mastermind behind the creation of the International Monetary Foundation. Most of Small's theatre chain was reconverted into office-space and private buildings for the first Chapters of Pentex Inc, and it's primary Canadian subsidiary, Septon Communications Inc. 6.10 The Depression Years During the following years, Pentex spread it's talons across Ontario, and developed footholds in both Winnipeg and Vancouver. During this time, Septon Communications merged with May-Day Cosmetics, to develop Septon Cosmetics. Both Septon and Pentex actually prospered over the next three decades. Poorworking conditions and ill-paid labour provided a great boost in productivity. And the Wyrm stalked Toronto unknown and unseen. 6.11 Toronto's 100th Anniversary In 1934, with Toronto's population having grown from 9000 in 1834 to 629,285, Toronto celebrated it's 100th anniversary of its incorporation as a city. The TSNAP met, and decided a census should be taken of each supernatural faction of the pact. 6.12 Cult of Ecstasy Nearly Discovered During one of his visits to the last residence of WIlliam Lyon Mackenzie, Prime-Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King (WLM's grandson) took a few friends to see where his grandfather died. The three of them stepped out of their cars, and doffed their hats in respect for Mackenzie. They were staring at the house, listening to WLMK describe its background, when a painted lady opened the curtains and invited them in, out of the sight of nearby police. The Cult of Ecstasy and the Ventrue had acquired the house in the intervening years, and were using it as a house of prostitution. The TSNAP Tribunal acted quickly enough to pull out all supernatural influences, but likely enough, WLMK, being a Garou kinfolk, knew what was going on. 6.13 Census Polls arrive By 1940, the survey had been completed, and in total were found, including the Cam. Kindred 39 (Brujah: 6, Gangrel: 7, Malkavian: 4,Nosferatu: 6, Toreador: 6, Tremere: 4, Ventrue: 6) Trad. Magi 60 (Akashic Brotherhood: 4, Celestial Chorus: 13, Cult of Ecstasy: 8, Dreamspeakers: 10, Euthanatos: 3, Sons of Ether: 7, Verbena: 10, Virtual Adepts: 5) Moot Tribes 89 (Black Furies: 4, Bone Gnars: 7, Children of Gaia: 5, Get of Fenris: 9, Glass Walkers: 10, Fianna: 7, Red Talons: 1, Shadow Lords: 10, Silent Striders: 5, Silver Fangs: 10, Stargazers: 6, Uktena: 7, Wendigo: 8) 6.14 Stormwatch Returns, World War II starts "In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my people at home and overseas this message: For the second time in our lives, we are at war..." -- King George VI September, 1938 In the early days of September, 1942, Prince Gregori was visited at Tabitha House by two dark figures. They were obviously kindred, but he could not mark their clans. On their crisp blue uniforms, they bore an insignia: Sable, Three Crescents, Argent on a Pale Gules. Stormwatch. One of the men introduced himself as Sgt. Andrew McGarrigil, Stormwatch Unit assigned to Infiltrate Germany. He asked to speak with Anna Calanovich, and any of the TSNAP factions who might wish to join them. The TSNAP Tribunal met, and decided that after the battle of Dieppe, they would send their people with their blessings. Fully a third of the Kindred, a quarter of the Magi, and a fifth of the Garou left with the Stormwatch company, to fight in Germany, as a Supernatural Combat unit. Of these, Hrolfgar (Ventrue) and Anna Calanovich (Brujah Elder), and Angus McDiarmuid (Gangrel Elder) left. The war machine turned out to be very good for both Pentex and Septon Inc. Pentex thrived from arms production, and were able to spread their influences all across the continent. Septon Inc. unleashed a new cosmetics product line that actually increased the bloodlust of the individuals using it, and those around them. These cosmetics, originally marketed in Europe turned out to have a better selling rate in the U.S. and Canada. As rationing became the norm, Toronto settled in for a long and tiresom war effort. "Teeth-Gnasher" died trying to rally support for the Allies among the Get of Fenris (Stupid move). The Order of Hermes support for the Axis was discovered, and they withdrew from the war entirely. The Verbena, Russell Nash took over as the Tribunal representative from the Council of Nine. The Garou replaced their representative with some regularity. Once again, Tabitha house was opened as a recouperative hospital, for returning veterans. When peace was declared, only half of the supernatural combatants that went with Stormwatch returned. Those who went with Sgt. McGarrigil tend not to talk about their experiences. 6.15 The relocations, and Settling Down... For the next two decades or so, after World War II, Kindred, Magi and Garou alike moved around the country. Many old kindred left Toronto; Others moved in. By the time 1969 rolled around, the TSNAP was stable, with Gregori Tolvanov, Benjamin Cordick (Order of Hermes), and Cordden (Bone Gnars) acting as representatives. A supernatural census for Toronto has not been done since 1940, but the TSNAP is considering commissioning another. 6.16 The Fall of Septon Industries, Inc. Late 1991, Winnipeg, manitoba suffered a massive Paradox backlash that virtually eliminated all supernatural phenomena in and around winnipeg. No-one is quite sure what happened. Some beleive it was a massive Sons of Ether accident, others think the progenitors or Void Engineers have been testing some new weaponry. Ground zero was found to be the Winnipeg arm of Septon Industries Inc. The Order of Hermes, quick to press their advantage, used the TSNAP to effectively wipe the Stock value of Septon Industries. The Glass-walkers and Virtual Adepts were glad to help. Then, the Order of Hermes, along with the Virtual Adepts and the Euthanatos forcibly took over the office-space of Septon Industries. While the factories were found to be wyrm-tainted beyond hope of salvation, the office building harboured a reasonably-strong node of quintessence. The Order of Hermes cleansed the building, and moved their chantry into it's space. They have many many wards, and are always on guard for an attack. But, for all intensive purposes, Septon Industries had fallen beyond repair. The Vancouver office was sold off to a reformation-style group seeking to provide cheap efficient housing for those who cannot pay. These were Glasswalkers. It didn't take long for a bright young magi, named Krysia Chydyck to rise to the head of Septon International Inc. She developed the company as a communications and software development firm, and established ties with a new Order of hermes chantry in Zurich.