@tinstargames WoD Storyteller checking in. You're not wrong but I also feel in later editions there's way more focus on "telling your own story", whatever it is. There's more support for doing what you want. An example in VtM 5 is the "you're a touring rock band" story concept.
I think the focus on NPCs comes from the fact that VtM and WtA are most typically about political struggles. But, indeed, my favorite Chronicles are ones that aren't so political. 1/2