In January of 2020, the Toreador Primogen led a mass departure from Tampa after a vote of no confidence and a challenge against the current Prince was rebuked. Dozens of kindred fled across the Tampa Bay, some taking the bridges, others taking to the sea, in a bloody and murderous event known as the Exodus. In his madness, Marius had completely unleashed his Sheriff, "Bloody" Mary, to destroy any and all traitors to his rule. It was a violent conflict that lasted for almost two months and led to the destruction of many within the kindred society. While the losses were primarily amongst ghouls, some of the kindred that were unable to flee also met their end.

When the Coronavirus Pandemic hit in full effect in late March of 2020, the entire area went in to lockdown, including the kindred. The illness made it almost impossible to ensure the protection of the Masquerade. Limited ability to access vitae from the kine caused the kindred to take cover and quarantine in their own right. It was discovered that there was a mutated version of the virus that was affecting the kindred, even driving some in to torpor unwillingly.

This may have been the deciding factor that gave St. Petersburg its independence, for they did not have the forces or ability to continue the conflict with Tampa.

Because of the Pandemic and the Lockdown that ensued, hostilities faltered, which granted time for Isabel and the forces of St. Petersburg to better fortify Pinellas County. They created a border that, while tested, withstood the attempts by Tampa to retake the domain. In January of 2022, Isabel de Navarre claimed Praxis of St. Petersburg, declaring it a new city for the Camarilla and hope for the future of the sect. Unfortunately, it's not that simple - Praxis needs to be ratified by the Inner Circle for one to truly be part of the sect.

On February 19th, 2022, Ventrue Justicar Lucinde was dispatched to determine the validity of Isabel's claim. A conclave was held at the visiting Succubus Club aboard a cruise ship in the gulf of Mexico, hosted by Victoria Ash. Members of the Courts of St. Petersburg and Tampa were in attendance. Marius argued his case, stating that the actions Isabel had taken were that of "anarchy and rebellion" and were a direct violation of the traditions. Isabel argued that Marius was becoming a weak leader and was a “disgrace to the sect and what it stands for.”

Eventually, the Justicar declared that St. Petersburg would be granted six months to make some necessary changes and prove itself before it would be made official. If Isabel was going to be a “champion for the younger kindred”, she needed to ensure that they were taught the proper ways of the Camarilla. The clanless would have to be accounted for and the reckless Masquerade risks had to stop. She ordered that Tampa would not be allowed to interfere during this time, but if St. Petersburg failed, it would be returned to its original domain.

The next six months carried a great deal of struggle at the hands of Sabbat and Second Inquisition, but St. Petersburg continued to grow and fought for its right to remain. Striving to gather support, they sent emissaries to many cities within the Camarilla, including Chicago, New Orleans, Edinburgh, and Boston. They even sent emissaries to Miami, who bore witness to Former Prince Gilbert Duane's betrayal of his longtime sect. He turned the city to the hands of the Anarch Movement by murdering many of his own loyal Camarilla Primogen.

On September 25th, 2022, the Camarilla returned to St. Pete, represented by Tremere Justicar Ian Carfax. Though he wasn't impressed initially by St. Petersburg's evolution, he was eventually swayed to grant Praxis to Prince Isabel de Navarre, stating that “the eyes of the Camarilla will be watching you".

That was how St. Petersburg came to be, but that was only the beginning of the story.

Now, Isabel de Navarre is gone.

After fighting off the Beckoning for the better part of a year, the Black Rose of St. Petersburg finally surrendered to it's call, leaving her beloved city behind in the hands of her grandchilder, Prince Carmine Russo of the Toreador. Hoping to succeed in his grandsire's image, Carmine has adopted the concept of the Trinity of Constantinople; with Warlord Shug McAllister of the Gangrel at his right hand and Principal of Faith Marguerite Fierson of the Lasombra at his left.

To further Isabel's Dream, the new Prince did away with the typical clan politics of the Camarilla, instead choosing to make all kindred equal, allowing them to create coteries and establish themselves through merit and deed in service of the city, while fulfilling their own ambitions within the territories they have earned. The Prince still has taken his appointed Primogen as advisors, so as to appease the greater Camarilla, but St. Petersburg stands as an example of what the Camarilla could be, as opposed to what it is.

As 2024 nears its end, it has been a year of great change in the state of Florida.

The Gulf Coast has been ravaged by hurricanes as Helene and Milton sent shockwaves and caused historic damage that will take months, possibly even years, for the residents and infrastructure to truly recover from.

Beneath the veil and behind the Masquerade’s curtain, however, the true infrastructure has been growing more and more unsteady even before that.

In the Anarch Baronies to the north, what started as murmurs of unrest and instability led to a revolt and uprising. The Baronies of Dunedin and Palm Harbor were shattered by this, with the assassination of Baron Ian Farrow and Co-Barons Dorothy Bennet and Zeke London being forced into hiding and on the run. Since then, the territories have been breaking up and dividing in to smaller free states with new Barons claiming land for themselves and more Anarchs coming in to the area from all over the country, seeing an opportunity. While Baron Sebastian de Leon seems content with the Barony of Tarpon Springs to the north, he keeps a watchful eye on the ambitious and greedy young new Barons coming in to power all around him.

This unrest and instability among the Anarchs has caused the Camarilla to the south to withdraw from the Neutral Zone, pulling their emissaries back from the Anarch territories and closing many of their businesses and facilities. The Neutral Zone truly has become a No Man’s Land, though the Asylum nightclub still seems to provide refuge to anyone willing to brave the streets of the neutral territory.

The Camarilla aren’t without their own problems, however. After the discovery of a group of Salubri hiding out in defiance of the Traditions, an Elysium was called and a trial was held to determine the fate of these interlopers. Fervent arguments were made for and against punishment. After deliberating with the Primogen, Prince Carmine Russo was convinced to grant leniency to the Salubri and to offer them admission in to the city, much to the disgust of Clan Tremere and the Clearwater Chantry. Since then, the Chantry has become very reclusive, even more so than usual, withdrawing their support and generosity from the city and making their services quite costly in exchange. They have not had a representative present themselves in an official capacity to court in quite some time. Needless to say, tensions are high in Clearwater.

To the south, in the city of Sarasota, an organization known as Sable Enterprises has continued to grow in name and prestige, entwining itself in the fabric of the community above and below the surface. Could this finally bring stability to the region after the fall of the kindred at the hands of hunters?

Across the Bay, the Tampa Camarilla find themselves in even more dire straits as cracks are forming in their pillar of power. A pack of Garou have established a sept and have struck a devastating blow, cutting off a primary source of food from the previously well-organized faction. Now, disorder is causing many to flee and others to question their leaders. The once iron grip of Prince Marius is loosening and the power hungry eyes of those beneath him may see opportunity to be seized. There is still the threat of Bloody Mary to be considered, however.

The storms have washed clean the blood from the streets, burying the sins of the past. Destruction clears the land for new growth and new arrivals come to the city each day. What new stories could be told?