Mid-MO/Cross Genre CofD

The Protectorate VSS

Key Locations

 * '''The Guitar Mansion


 * '''The Boonville Ranch


 * '''Ellis-Fischel


 * '''Fresh


 * '''Neutral Grounds Coffeeshop


 * '''Dr. Agnessa Aeslinn's Practice

Domain Map

History
The city of Columbia was founded in 1821. Kindred didn’t move in to the area until the founding of the University of Missouri in 1839. The Invictus were first, followed by the other covenants. The kindred survived the chaos of the Civil War and reconstruction by a strict adherence to The Traditions, a practice that continues to this night.

Many have held the title of Prince through the years, mostly Invictus. In 1998 the sitting Prince met with final death under very mysterious circumstances. After that, a string of Kindred trying to claim Praxis also died, and by thoroughly unexpected means -- spontaneous combustion, pulled into a wheat thresher, pulverised by a falling jet engine, crushed and then electrocuted beneath a vending machine, etc. Some even tried to skirt the strange curse by claiming praxis over other cities in the region -- Jefferson City, Fulton, etc -- but all met the same mysterious end. Some have started calling this phenomenon the "Praxis Scourge" or just "The Scourge".

As a result the Kindred moved to a council system led by the heads of the Covenants. Elders left the city in 2013, after the last attempt to claim praxis failed, leaving the ancillae in charge. While the views toward the Scourge varied from covenant to covenant one thing was clear, whoever solved its mystery would be Prince of the City.

Recent History:

In the winter of 2016, "The Scourge" took a turn for the worse. No longer was it limited to declarations of Praxis; now any Kindred in the area who tried to commit an act of violence -- of any sort -- would burst into flame.

Faced with this dire new threat, the handful of Kindred who did not flee picked up on leads left by those who had, and traced the problem to its source: a mortal with mental talents who had been bound somehow to a spirit of fire. Despite the risk, this band of Gangrel took on the threat... and finally, despite grave burns, brought an end to "The Scourge".

Afterward, they started putting together the rudiments of a society again. Other Kindred, hearing of the end of the problem, have begun cautiously returning to the city, making their way to the longstanding Elysium of the Guitar Mansion to introduce themselves. But with an Unaligned Prince, stability has been hard to secure.

But all of this activity, all the turmoil with the final death-throes of The Scourge, alerted the hunters. They arrived well-armed, well-trained, and with what appeared to be government backing. The small court of Columbia was insufficient to deal with the threat. As a last resort, the vampires reached out to other creatures of the night...

...and to their surprise, they responded. Initial discussions were tense, to say the least. But eventually, they agreed that mutual defense was the best option. And a protectorate was formed.

What's Happening in Mid-MO this Month
11/02/2017 Officers Accused of Murder and Obstruction Charges leveled by DA office based on video evidence by James Kinnick

Sgt. Trent Ferrell has been accused based on an incident on the night of Homecoming. The shooting occurred downtown, near 10th Street and Walnut. The victim was Howard Adam Starling Jr., a local businessman and member of the Antlers. He was allegedly shot by Sgt. Ferrell at approximately 10 p.m. Starling died on the scene.

Initially, the police reported that Starling had a gun on him, and that Ferrell felt in fear of his life. A gun found in Starling’s hand corroborated this statement but further evidence has arisen to put that account into doubt. Charges were filed against Ferrell this morning, and his lawyer said he will turn himself over to the police peacefully this afternoon.

Protesters against police violence celebrated the prosecution. Denise Walkins of Stand Against Police Violence released a statement: “We applaud the District Attorney’s office for bringing justice for Howie Starling. This is exactly the type of accountability that we need from our police force.”

10/27/2017 MU Journalism Professor Arrested

Motives behind his break-in at Eclipse Labs remains unclear by Ryan Mackle

Henry Williams, a respected instructor at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, was arrested Friday morning around 1:30 a.m. after he broke into Eclipse Labs. Police responded to the small genetics lab off Keene Street after their alarm was tripped just before one. Williams was found to be trespassing on the property, and had gained access by forcing open a door. Police apprehended him and placed him in custody.

Eclipse Lab released a statement through their Director of Outreach, Helen McLyre. “The break in on Friday morning at our laboratory was unfortunate. We still evaluating the damage to the facility, but we believe that this will not impact our ongoing projects. There were only minor injuries to security personnel, and James Fallon, the owner, has already pledged to cover any medical expenses they might incur from this attack. We thank the Columbia Police Department for their rapid response to our alarms. They truly made the difference for our small community.”

Mr. Williams’ bail hearing is set for Monday. Anyone with any further information about this crime should contact the CPD crime tips line.

6/15/2017

Sturgeon Fire Ruled Arson Sturgeon Police are asking for any information by Ryan Mackle A house fire in the early morning June 15 on the edge of Sturgeon, Missouri has been ruled an arson. While normally the determination of criminal activity would wait until after an investigation, several empty gas cans scattered around the house made the conclusion inevitable.

An unknown number of bodies were found in the house and it looks like the fire was an attempt to cover up multiple homicides. The Boone County department has also been asked to assist. Police are not commenting further at this time, but anonymous sources within the department indicate that an unnamed federal agency has taken notice as part of a larger investigation. At this time, the Sturgeon and Boone County officers are asking for any witness or anyone with any information to come forward. Individuals with information should contact the Sturgeon Police Department or call the Boone County Tips line.

Business Loop Sewer Problems

The thoroughfare will be closed until August by Houston J. Warner Sewer issues have plagued Business Loop West all this month, resulting in the city shutting down a block on the major road so that they can focus on repairs. The blockage from early in the month was from a pipe collapsing, affecting the former Ellis Fischel Building, Rush Rehabilitation, and several other business situated around Jewell Avenue. The construction from that repair shut down one lane on each side of the road, resulting in traffic snarls and an increase in minor accidents. The second blockage occurred last week, and appears to be vandalism. Concrete was set in a major pipe, backing sewage into homes and buildings for blocks around the affected pipe. Pepsi Beverages, Long John Silver’s, Fresh, and Big Daddy’s BBQ are closed until they can be cleared by the Health Department. Police are investing, and the city had to replace a large portion of the pipe, requiring them to shut down the Business Loop between Garth and Jefferson Street. The detour around construction goes down Garth to Forest, then back up Jefferson to the Loop. Commuters are advised to find alternate routes until the road reopens.

Mayor Calls for Crackdown on Homeless Advocate groups up in arms against “fascist, inhumane tactics” by Erin Reece Mayor Howard Finley is under fire for directing Columbia police to step up the discouragement and apprehension of the indigent population. “We always have an increase in the homeless in the summer,” the Mayor said in a released statement. “Every year, they cost the residents and businesses of the city untold amounts of money, time, and other resources. It’s past time for us to more stringently enforce laws we already have on the books.” Chief Edward Forester has already indicated that he’ll follow the Mayor’s directive. “The law is the law,” he stated firmly in a telephone interview. “The major and the city council have asked me to focus on this area of community outreach, and I intend to do so.” “I find it appalling,” Ted Coats said at a protest against the Mayor’s directive. “Columbia’s indigent population needs shelter, food, and help, not the strong boot of the police on their necks. We want to have a welcoming city, not a sterile facsimile of life. These fascist, inhumane tactics are better suited for North Korea, not our home. “Also,” he added with a snort, “the increase in Columbia’s overall population means that the police have better things to do than jail the downtrodden simply for being out of luck.” “We’ll be fine.” Zach prefers not to give his last name, as he is currently “between residences”. “We have a lot of friends out there looking out for us. Columbia’s homeless have angels on their side.” Only time will tell if Zach’s angels can protect others like him.

3/17/2017 (OOC: these two articles were published in the Tribune in the Friday edition)

Columbia residents missing ''Police are following leads but have no suspects so far by Erin Reece''

As many as ten people are missing under unknown circumstances, according to undisclosed sources within the Columbia Police Department. The missing range in age and circumstances, and no common ties have been found between them. At this time, there are no suspects and few leads.

In a statement released by the Columbia PD, Detective Charles May stated that “while this is unusual uptick in the number of missing, there’s nothing to indicate that we have a situation. We urge people to take sensible precautions and avoid dangerous situations.”

The most prominent among those reported missing was MU Professor Arlin Scaggett, whose TA alerted authorities after Dr. Scaggett missed two days of work and remained unreachable. The elderly professor has no family in the area, according to his work associates, but many friends. Several faculty in the Anthropology Department have pooled their resources to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to his rescue or recovery. Individuals with information should call the CPD crime tips line.

Eclipse Labs: their long journey

''One year after a strange tragedy, one man is restoring what was destroyed by Ryan Mackle''

Last year, CSI tech James Fallon was on duty when he received a call about a break in at a nearby house. It was in a less-than reputable part of Columbia, and there was nothing unusual about being called out to houses in this area. The buildings would fall into disrepair and become homes for squatters. When spotted by a neighbor, the police would be called and clear them out. This time, Fallon knew something was different. There was equipment scattered and broken, throughout the building.

“There was all this lab equipment,” he said, “and at first, I thought we were dealing with a meth lab.” Instead, the equipment was not for drug production, but genetic research. “I couldn’t imagine what they were trying to do here. It just seemed so bizarre.”

He processed the scene as normal, looking for any signs of whom had broken in and why. He took the evidence back to the lab and studied it, then wrote his report and submitted it. That should have been the end of it.

Fallon couldn’t get it out of his head, though, and something drove him to persist. “Science has always been something that I’ve been interested in,” he said. He kept an eye on the case, and when it closed with no resolution, he tried to forget it too. Instead, his mind returned to the strange lab built in someone’s empty home. Then he saw that the remains of the equipment was on sale through a police auction site. He bought the lot of it, then rented office space. “It was almost a compulsion to take what had been tossed aside and make it work again.”

He fixed the equipment himself, replacing broken parts in his free time. Thanks to an angel loan, he was able to hire staff and start taking jobs. “We did paternity tests at first,” Fallon said, recounting his long journey from the Columbia forensics lab to his own genetics lab, “but I always wanted to do more.”

This week, Fallon received a government grant to do research into a potential genetic link to autism. “This is what my lab was meant to do,” he said, folding his hands and looking very much a proud businessman. “In ten years, we’ll be on the cutting edge of genetics research. Just wait and see.”