Dear friend.

It is no suprise that San Francisco seems like a haven for outcasts and Independents. With the demise of Angel's iron fisted rule, it became easy to slink into San Francisco in the dead of night and set up shop. Though it is said behind locked doors and in whispered gossip, that at  one time or another the city has housed just about every breed of Kindred, even one of the hated Salubri.  
At this time it seems only the more obscure bloodlines move within the shadows of the shadows. Stories filter from the Sabbat of a car throwing stone beast, one can only think that it is an old Gargoyle, who has made the city his home, at least part of me that has heard these rumours prays it is a Gargoyle and not something far worse, whatever it is it does not like to be disturbed.  
It seems this city runs on heresy, rumours, gossip and old stories told by your sire about the man in black. From a Nosferatu, a despicable coward known only as Roach, I garner my information, though high priced, it is all ways tomorrow's new two days before tomorrow.  
It is from him I hear rumours of deranged Samedi consorting deep in the sewers and I have also heard stories I do not want to believe about Baali. Assamites come and go, and all who know of this pray the Jackal's eyes never turn on them.  
As for the Giovanni and the reviled Setites, I heard from a terrified Giovanni business associate of mine that there is a strange and ancient force in the city... Whatever it is, it has a certain dislike for his clan and the Setites. I would have given these paranoid rantings, no further thought then that there were just coming from a man who had been undercover for too long, save the next night I went to meet him, I could not find him. I eventually found him a week later painted across the walls of his haven. As I can see this is the reason neither Clan has managed more then a small foothold in the city.  
Ravnos activity in the city is either non existent, or very well hidden, in which case I should be very worried. Though rumours of powerful Ravnos conveening in nearby cities still persist.   
This is all I have managed to gather in my two weeks here, All leads regarding the apparently clanless ancient residing in the city have proved fruitless and life threatening.  
I fear, though I cannot stay here any longer, since the disappearance of our traitorous brothers in the Sabbat... wherever I walk in this city I feel something watching me.  

God willing I will see you when I return to Vienna
yours Tom McCormack
childe of
Elaine de Calinot