Hunter The Vigil - The Hunt

vic neitte (free product) 2
Credits
Author: Editor:
Zack Walters Genevieve Podleski
Quickstart Developer: Art Direction and Design:

Eddy Webb Mike Chaney
Contributors: Layout:
Shamus Glass, Chuck Wendig Jessica Mullins
Hunter: The Vigil Developer: Art:

Chuck Wendig Juan Calle, Travis Ingram,
Costas Harritas, Mattias
Creative Director: Kolross, Sam Araya, Phillip
Richard Thomas Hilliker, Eric Danell, Kari
Christensen
Production Manager:
matt milberger
© 2008 CCP hf. All rights reserved. Reproduction

without the written permission of the publisher
is expressly forbidden, except for the purposes
of reviews, and one printed copy which may be
reproduced for personal use only. White Wolf,
Vampire and World of Darkness are registered
trademarks of CCP hf. All rights reserved.
Vampire: The Requiem, Werewolf: The Forsaken,
Mage: The Awakening, Promethean: The Created,
Hunter: The Vigil and Storytelling System are
trademarks of CCP hf. All rights reserved. All
characters, names, places and text herein are
copyrighted by CCP hf. CCP North America Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CCP hf. The
mention of or reference to any company or product in these pages is not a challenge to the
trademark or copyright concerned. This book uses the supernatural for settings, characters
and themes. All mystical and supernatural elements are fiction and intended for entertainment
purposes only. This book contains mature content. Reader discretion is advised.
Check out White Wolf online at http://www.white-wolf.com
Printed in the United STates

Your Vigil
Starts Here
Like most people, you’ve probably had the sense—at least
once—that things are not right with the world and not everything
is as it seems. You’ve felt that sinister truths hide behind a façade of
normality, veiled partially by the rational, orderly “natural laws” we
call science. And when night falls, when the shadows grow long and
the wind whistles through the trees, you shudder and remember the
truths of your ancestors, who were right to fear the dark. You’ve just
entered the World of Darkness, a world very much like our own, save
that the shadows hide very real monsters (though most people fool
themselves into believing it isn’t so).
In Hunter: The Vigil, the sixth Storytelling game set in the World
of Darkness, you and your friends tell the story of those people who
have come to recognize the truth, that monsters exist. These indi-
viduals cannot sit idly by. They study their foes. They destroy them
or steal their power. They use them as pawns against one another. It’s
not an easy thing, the endless hunt, the ceaseless Vigil. It is a thing of
brutality and obsession, a slope slippery with the blood of those who came
and fell before, a slope that descends into nightmare. And yet they can do
no differently, because the Vigil drives them. They sacrifice. They push
forward. They hunt.
At the barest level, hunters exist in ignorant, rag-tag cells—friends,
family or those driven together by maddening circumstances. They pro-
tect their stretch of forest, their city block, their network of women’s shel-
ters. They don’t know the depth of what’s out there; they have only the
meager light of their own candles to light the way.
Candles give way to torches, to cells who band together in localized
compacts. They pool resources. They provide moral support. They present
a more unified front against the denizens of darkness.
And torches give way to raging bonfires as those compacts grow out-
ward globally and backward through time. Ancient groups and modern
conspiracies supply their hunters with potent weapons, some of which
are so strange that those who use them can only wonder how long they
can truly maintain their own humanity.
But even coming together to form an inferno or firestorm, hunters can’t
help but notice how deep and long those shadows are, and how numerous.
Worse, fire is temporary: a candle burns down to its wick, a torch is snuffed in
a cold wind, a bonfire has soon consumed all it can and grows dark. Hunters
know they, too, are temporary where the shadows seem endless and eternal.
They can only hope others will carry the Vigil in their stead.
The Game
Hunter is a Storytelling (or roleplaying) game. In it, a group of players
cooperates to tell a story. Each player takes on the role of a single hunt-
er, except for the Storyteller. This player essentially takes on every other
role, describing the world to the other players, acting out the parts of other
characters and determining what challenges the players’ characters face.
Players roll dice to determine whether their characters can overcome the
challenges before them. In a typical exchange, the Storyteller describes the
scene in which the players’ characters find themselves. (“You rise from a
night’s rest in the small shack on the outskirts of town you use as a hideout.
A scratching at the door tells you someone is trying to get in. What do you
4
the game|the rules
do?”) The players in turn describe their characters’ actions, usu- Sometimes you’ll be asked to take an extended action,
ally in the first person. (“I sneak up to the door and look through which represents doing something over a period of time, like re-
the peep hole.”) The Storyteller then describes the results of the searching something in a library or searching a room. In this case,
action, and he and the players go back and forth until the scene each roll of the dice represents a fixed amount of time (usually
is resolved. Dice are rolled when players have their characters 10 minutes, but it varies for some more involved actions). You
try things that aren’t guaranteed success. Jumping out of a mov- accumulate successes from roll to roll until you run out of time or
ing car without getting hurt would require a dice roll; leaving a get a certain number described in the text.
stationary one wouldn’t. Some actions can also be contested, which means two
This booklet contains everything you and five of your friends people are working against each other, such as in an arm-wres-
will need to play your first game of Hunter, except for some pen- tling match or when a character tries to sneak past a watchful
cils, paper for notes and several 10-sided dice. (These specialty guard. In a contested action, each player (or the player and
dice are available in most hobby shops and are sometimes called the Storyteller) rolls the dice pool for his character, and the
“d10s.”) Those of you who are going to be players should read person with the most successes wins.
over the character backgrounds in the back of this booklet and Finally, some actions are reflexive, which means they hap-
choose the one you want to play. The Storyteller should read the pen automatically and don’t take up any time. You can perform
rest of the booklet in preparation before playing. them and still perform a simple action in that turn.
Turns and Scenes: A turn is a 3-second period used to
The Rules
track time passing in combat. A scene is a longer period of
time, usually as long as it takes for everyone to do what they
want in a particular place.
Hunter uses a set of rules called the Storytelling System.
Many of the rules are introduced in the scenario proper or on
the character sheets, but there are a few basics to go over first.
Rolling Dice: When rolling dice in the Storytelling The Character
System, you do not add the numbers together. Instead any
single die that comes up 8 or better is considered a success. Sheet
You usually need only one success to accomplish a task, but This booklet contains character sheets for the five char-
more is always better (causing more damage in combat, for acters players will use in “The Hunt.” These sheets contain
example). Any die that comes up 0 (considered a 10) counts all the game numbers that define a character’s capabilities,
as a success and can be rolled again to potentially get an- divided into a variety of traits. Most traits are rated from one
other success. If you roll no successes at all, your character dot (•) to five (•••••), much like a star rating system for
has failed that action. movies. Different traits represent different things.
Dice Pools: The number of dice you roll to attempt some- Attributes represent inherent capabilities, such as
thing is called your dice pool. It is usually made up of the total of Strength, Intelligence or Presence. Nearly every roll uses
one Attribute and one Skill on your character sheet, along with one of these as a basis for the dice pool.
modifiers imposed by adverse conditions or any special equipment Spirits and ghosts use three special Attributes: Power,
your character uses. Finesse and Resistance. Power represents a ghost’s ability to
Modifiers: The Storyteller determines what modifiers ap- affect its environment. Finesse represents a ghost’s capability
ply to any dice pool. These either add to or subtract from the in interacting with or manipulating elements of its environ-
number of dice rolled in the dice pool. Modifiers usually come ment. Resistance represents a ghost’s ability to withstand
from tools used, Merits the character has or general circum- forces that could banish or destroy it.
stances. The Storyteller should grant or impose a bonus or pen- Skills represent learned abilities, like Firearms or Medi-
alty if the circumstances are especially favorable or deleterious, cine. A word or phrase in parentheses next to a Skill indi-
usually ranging from +5 to –5 (although modifiers tend to be cates a Specialty, an area of the overall Skill in which the
closer to +2 to -2). For example, an attempt to climb a wall that character is particularly talented. If you are asked to roll a
is slick with rain and slime could suffer a –2 penalty, whereas dice pool in which your character doesn’t have the right
doing so on one with a few handholds could gain a +1. Skill, you suffer a penalty of either –1 (for a missing Physi-
Chance Die: If modifiers reduce your dice pool to zero or cal or Social Skill) or –3 (for a missing Mental Skill). If, on
fewer dice, you should roll a single die called a chance die. the other hand, you have a relevant specialty in the Skill in
A 10 rolled on a chance die generates a single success, while your dice pool, you get a +1 modifier.
any other result is a failure. Rolling a 1 on a chance die indi- Health determines how wounded your character is, and it
cates a dramatic failure, and the Storyteller should describe has both dots and points. Your character’s dots are filled in on
especially troublesome results (a gun jamming, a blowout your character sheet, and they represent the total number of
during a car chase, etc.). Health points available to him when he is uninjured. His lost
Actions: Almost anything a character does is considered a Health points are recorded in the corresponding boxes, denoting
simple action. You determine the dice pool, roll the dice, and his current state of health. (See “Health and Damage” for how to
see whether you succeed or fail. In combat you can perform one mark off Health points and the effects of wound penalties.) Spir-
simple action per turn. its and ghosts use Corpus points instead of Health points.
5
Hunter: the vigil quickstart
Willpower represents your character’s reserves. You can Unarmed close combat: Strength + Brawl, minus target’s
spend only one point of Willpower on any roll, and you get Defense and armor (if any)
three additional dice in your dice pool. Alternatively, you can
spend a point to raise your Defense trait by two against a single Armed close combat: Strength + Weaponry, minus tar-
attack. Further, hunters can risk Willpower (see “Risking Will- get’s Defense and armor (if any)
power,” p. 7). Willpower is valuable, and it’s regained by acting
in accordance with your character’s Virtue and Vice (see indi- Touching an opponent: Dexterity + Brawl, minus
vidual character descriptions). It is ranked from 1 to 10, unlike target’s Defense
most of the other traits. Ranged combat (guns and bows): Dexterity + Firearms,
Merits are special edges a character has, such as Con- minus target’s armor (if any)
tacts or Resources or Stunning Looks. The effects of each are
explained in the character’s description. Ranged combat (thrown weapons): Dexterity + Athlet-
Profession represents what the hunter is good at. It’s not just a ics, minus target’s Defense and armor (if any)
job; it’s what the hunter is. The character’s profession relates to her
Add bonus dice based upon what weapon is being used
Professional Training Merit, and is listed on the character sheet.
or what effect is being performed, then subtract penalties for
Tactics are special maneuvers hunter cells develop in or-
circumstance conditions. The player rolls the remaining pool.
der to combat supernatural monsters. Most of the members of
Each success equates to a Health point of damage inflicted, the
the cell need to participate in the Tactic for it to be effective.
type of which is determined by the nature of the attack. The
How to use Tactics is detailed in “Tactics” on pp.7-8, and the
Storyteller describes the attack and wound in narrative terms.
Tactics the cell has are detailed on the character sheets in the
Once everyone has acted, a new turn starts and the
back of this booklet.
player with the highest Initiative gets to act again. Players
Defense and Initiative Modifiers are traits used in com-
do not make new Initiative rolls every turn.
bat, and are explained below.
Speed is the number of yards a character can move in one
combat turn and still perform an action. A character can run Complications
up to twice his Speed rating yards in a turn if he sacrifices his Avoiding Damage in Close Combat: Your character’s De-
action. Speed will most likely come into play in a chase. fense trait represents his instinctive ability to duck and weave
Morality is a measure of your characters’ sense of com- and make an enemy’s close-combat attacks more difficult, and
passion and basic respect for the rule of law. Your characters so serves as a penalty to incoming attacks. If your character
can lose Morality over the course of play. Morality is ranked hasn’t yet acted this turn and is willing to forgo that action, he
from 1 to 10, with an average Morality of 7. can dodge, which doubles his Defense for the rest of the turn.
If your character is attacked multiple times in the same turn,
Combat
however, it becomes harder for him to avoid being hurt. For ev-
ery attack targeted at him past the first, reduce the character’s
Defense by 1 (to a minimum of 0). If your character is dodging,
Violence is inevitable in the life of the hunter—some the doubled Defense reduces by 1 for each additional attack.
would say it’s at the core of the Vigil. When a fight breaks Avoiding Damage in Ranged Combat: Unless a ranged
out, it can be important to keep track of who is doing what, attacker is only a few feet away or is throwing a weapon, De-
and how badly they are hurting each other. fense doesn’t apply. To avoid damage in a firefight you can ei-
First, the Storyteller tells the players their characters are ther hide behind something solid or fall prone to the ground.
entering combat. Until the combat ends, everyone acts turn-by- Falling prone constitutes a character’s action for the turn but
turn, with each character getting one chance to act each turn. levies a –2 penalty on ranged attacks. Anyone within a few
Next, have everyone roll Initiative, which is the result feet gets a +2 bonus to hit a prone character, though.
of the roll of a single die + the character’s Initiative modi- Concealment and Cover: If your character is partially
fier as listed on the character sheet. This is a rare case in concealed behind an object, she is harder to hit with ranged
which you add the number that comes up on a die to the attacks. The penalty goes from –1 (crouching behind an office
value of your trait, instead of rolling a dice pool and look- chair) to –3 (poking up out of a foxhole). If you are completely
ing for a success. concealed, the attacker suffers no dice pool penalty but has to
Starting with the character with the highest Initiative re- score enough successes to shoot through the intervening ob-
sult and continuing to the lowest, each character gets to take ject (called the cover). Piercing an object reduces the number
a single action (usually an attack). The player can choose to of successes rolled by a number based upon the durability of the
yield her character’s action until later in the Initiative queue, cover: from 1 (for wood or thick glass) to 3 (for steel). If this
or until the next turn if she wishes. The Storyteller resolves penalty reduces the number of successes to 0, the attack fails
each character’s action before asking the next player what to penetrate the cover and you take no damage.
her character does. Range: Every ranged weapon has three ranges listed in
If a character attacks another character, the attacker yards, in the format “short range/medium range/long range.”
rolls the appropriate dice pool: An attacker suffers no penalty when her target is within the
6
combat|health and damage
short range. If the target is at medium range, she suffers a –2 Aggravated damage is marked with a large asterisk (*) by
penalty. At long range, this penalty goes to –4. adding a vertical bar to an X. It also pushes any existing lethal
and bashing damage right on the track (so that it always ap-
Health and Damage pears to the left of lethal or bashing damage). If Gabreski next
suffered a point of aggravated damage, his track would be:
Damage Types: There are three types of damage, each
more serious than the last: bashing, lethal and aggravated.
Bashing damage generally results from blunt or stunning attacks.
Lethal damage often comes from cuts, gunshots and other more
serious attacks. Aggravated damage is the result of especially vile No More Health: Marking off a character’s last Health box
supernatural attacks or extremely damaging effects (like fire). usually means the character has become incapacitated. If that
Marking Damage: When a character suffers damage, rightmost wound is bashing, she falls unconscious. If that right-
the player marks off that number of Health points, starting most wound is lethal or aggravated, the character quickly bleeds
with the box under the leftmost dot of his Health trait and to death. Note that this would mean the character has no bashing
proceeding left to right. The symbol used depends upon the damage at all, since it will always be the rightmost. Supernatu-
type of damage. ral creatures may react differently to damage—nothing is certain
Bashing damage is marked with a slash (/) in the first avail- with monsters.
able empty box. So imagining that Gabreski (one of the characters Additional Damage: An unconscious or severely battered
in this scenario, who has eight Health dots) had just taken one hunter can still be damaged by further attacks. Without further
point of bashing damage, his Health boxes would look like this: Health boxes to mark off, you represent this damage by upgrad-
ing existing wounds. Any new bashing wound upgrades an ex-
isting bashing wound to lethal (make the leftmost / into an X),
while new lethal damage can upgrade older wounds to aggra-
vated (make the leftmost X into an asterisk). Additional aggra-
Lethal damage is marked with an X, and it pushes any
vated damage also converts a point of bashing or lethal damage
existing bashing damage right on the track (so that it always
to aggravated (make the leftmost / or X into an asterisk).
appears to the left of bashing damage). If Gabreski next took a
Healing: Hunters recover from damage thanks to rest and med-
point of lethal damage, his track would be:
ical attention. Left to heal naturally, characters recover one point of
bashing damage every 15 minutes, one point of lethal damage every
2 days, and one point of aggravated damage every week. Lost Health
is recovered from right to left on the character sheet.
7
Taking the Vigil Tier Three: Hunter Conspiracies

Some hunter groups manage to grow until they become
The characters in this scenario are already familiar with influential, well-financed conspiracies that are capable of
hunting monsters and the shadowy world of the Vigil, but since challenging the world’s monsters on an even footing. Through
the players can’t be expected to know the various aspects of the shrewd leadership and relentless dedication to the Vigil, these
hunt, we have compiled the details into this comprehensive list. conspiracies have built a resource base that allows them to
operate more or less self-sufficiently; more importantly, they
Tiers have accumulated a storehouse of occult knowledge and op-
erational tactics their smaller peers can only dream about.
Hunters must keep their Vigil a closely-guarded secret,
Aegis Kai Doru: Greek for “Shield and Spear,” the Aegis
because humanity as a whole is ignorant of the horrors lurk-
Kai Doru search the world for history’s legendary artifacts with
ing in its midst. Yet while the Vigil is a lonely and isolating
which to bolster their numbers in their timeless battle against
existence, very few hunters can take on the night alone and
the forces of darkness.
hope to survive. Individual hunters band together to form
Ascending Ones: The Ascending Ones trace their history
cells, pooling their skills and resources to take on solitary
and symbology back to both ancient Egypt and Muhammed the
monsters that threaten their communities. Sometimes these
Prophet. Like the sacred sun, they see themselves as a cleansing
hunters become aware of other cells in their area and they
agent that can burn away the monstrous impurities of the world.
form broader ties that grow into larger compacts, creating
The Cheiron Group: A confederacy of international corpora-
a network that spans entire cities or regions. In rare cases, tions, The Cheiron Group possesses great wealth and technology.
hunter compacts grow so large that their resources and influ- The Lucifuge: Is it a paradox for those who consider
ence span entire countries. These conspiracies, while pow- themselves the children of a fallen angel to hunt monsters?
erful and ruthlessly efficient, must contend with the same The Lucifuge doesn’t think so, hoping to earn its redemp-
inter-conspiracy politics, bureaucratic inertia and conflict- tion by slaying the truly evil forces in the world.
ing interests common to any large organization. Malleus Maleficarum: In the Middle Ages, the Malleus
Tier One: Hunter Cells Maleficarum wielded the power of the Church against vam-
pires. Today, the Catholic conspiracy pursues supernatural
A cell is the smallest and most common element of hunter
monsters of all sorts with religious zeal.
society; at its core, it’s a group of like-minded people dedicated to
Task Force: VALKYRIE: This covert government anti-
stopping the monsters that threaten their homes and loved ones.
monster brigade includes members from every branch of the
These groups are usually composed of only a handful of individu-
military, foreign and domestic. They hunt by order only,
als, often with minimal resources and limited knowledge of the
slaying monsters where and when their higher-ups dictate.
supernatural, and their area of influence is extremely local. Any
Risking Willpower
given city features dozens, if not scores, of hunter cells.
Tier Two: Hunter Compacts Instead of spending a Willpower point to get three additional
Hunter cells that survive long enough will eventually dice for a roll, a player can risk Willpower on a roll once per scene.
stumble across the existence of others like them, each going Risks don’t stack; that is, if a player didn’t risk Willpower last
about the Vigil the best way they know how. As more cells scene, he can’t do it twice during the current scene. The roll must
pool their knowledge and resources to pursue a common goal, directly relate to the Vigil. Rolls to uncover information about a
their network of communication becomes more elaborate known monster, to break into a monster’s home, to interrogate
and better organized. This is how many hunter compacts take the monster’s minion, to sneak up on a sleeping creature, to resist
shape, starting out as a collection of isolated groups that come a monster’s powers and, of course, combat rolls against monsters,
together to pursue the Vigil on a much larger scale. can all benefit.
The Ashwood Abbey: A decadent Hellfire Club dedicated When a player wishes to risk Willpower, he states this before
to experiencing everything that life (or unlife) has to offer. rolling the dice. If the roll succeeds, the character regains the point
The Long Night: Christian hunters who fight the agents of spent Willpower and an additional point on top of that (for a
of evil in an attempt to stave off the end of the world. total of two Willpower points gained), though this can never go
The Loyalists of Thule: Hungry for knowledge, this oc- beyond the character’s pool limit. The character feels a flush of
cult group seeks things man was not meant to know in places exhilaration and a sense of invincibility. If the roll fails, however,
he was not meant to tread. the world comes crashing down around the hunter. The roll is con-
Network 0: Network 0 uses radio, television and Internet sidered a dramatic failure, no matter how many dice were rolled.
to not only hunt monsters but also to publicize their existence. Risked rolls can benefit or suffer from environmental or
Null Mysteriis: Skeptics who battle the supernatural in equipment modifiers, just as other rolls can.
an attempt to prove it does not exist.
The Union: Rag-tag blue-collar monster hunters, mem-
bers of the Union work without government sanction to
Tactics
Successful cells of hunters develop Tactics, specialized ma-
protect humanity against its most dangerous enemies.
neuvers to damage, hinder and even learn from supernatural
8
Tiers|Risking Willpower|tactics
creatures. Tactics require practice and discipline to execute cor- resources and information to help protect the people, places and
rectly, and they don’t bestow supernatural alacrity or strength on things important to the hunter. Either way, the hunter is frequent-
the hunters who use them. The Tactics possessed by the hunter ly confronted with having to decide what is right and wrong.
characters are listed with the character sheets in the back of this Morality tracks this delicate balance as the hunter strug-
booklet. There are a few unique rules for implementing a Tactic: gles with his conscience. A hunter with high Morality is con-
One character is the primary actor for the Tactic. The player cerned about the rules of society, and is better able to relate
of that character makes the last roll in the Tactic, the one that to people in it. By contrast, a hunter with low Morality finds
ultimately determines whether the Tactic succeeds or fails. her sanity spiraling out of control. She becomes more like a
monster herself, capable of virtually any depraved act.
All other characters are secondary actors. They make their When the character commits such an act, the player rolls a
rolls before the primary actor. number of dice based upon the severity of the sin; Willpower can’t
Any successes on a secondary actor’s roll add to the primary be spent on this roll. The worse the sin, the fewer dice are rolled:
actor’s dice pool. A failure adds nothing, and may have addi- petty theft is four dice, manslaughter or massive property damage
tional effects (see individual Tactic descriptions). A dramatic is three dice, murder is two dice. If the roll fails, the character loses
failure imposes a –4 penalty on the primary actor’s roll, in a point of Morality. Characters with reduced Morality find a way
addition to any of the effects of a failure. to cope with their loss of perspective, and allow themselves to drift
further out of touch. It will now take a worse sin to cause another
A player can choose to risk Willpower as either a secondary
roll to degenerate. At a rating of 7 (where most of the characters
or primary actor, with all the benefit and risk that entails. A
start) petty theft or shoplifting can cause a loss of Morality. At Mo-
player can also spend Willpower normally.
rality 6, only grand theft or burglary can spark such a roll. At Moral-
If the primary actor succeeds in his roll, the Tactic is success- ity 5, it takes intentional mass property damage, such as arson. At
ful, and the benefits listed under “Success” take effect. If the prima- Morality 4, it takes an impassioned crime such as manslaughter.
ry actor fails, however, refer to the “Failure” section of the Tactic. Characters who do lose Morality also risk becoming un-
hinged mentally. If a player fails a degeneration roll, he should
Morality immediately roll his character’s reduced Morality as a dice pool.
If he fails that roll, the character gains a derangement. This
Hunters hunt. It’s what they do. For some, this is extremely
literal—guns drawn, bullets blazing, the hunter tracks her prey and can be any form of minor but pervasive mental disorder, such
puts an end to its profane existence. For others, the pursuit is more as depression or a phobia. The player should roleplay this new
figurative, capturing and studying the supernatural, or gathering character quirk, but it has no mechanical effect.
9
The Hunt
This story takes the characters deep into the World of
Darkness, and reveals some of the terrible secrets that exist Treatment
just outside human understanding. It is meant as an introduc- “The Hunt” revolves around an investigation into
tion to the strange lives of hunter characters and as a launch- several ritualistic murders. Jeremiah Quaker, a wealthy
ing point from which Storytellers can begin chronicles of socialite with the power to utterly bend people to his
their own devising. Though the characters start out in Phila- will, is obsessed with finding a lost piece of Philadel-
delphia, their ultimate fate is in your hands. This standalone phia’s occult history and sees no problem with murder-
scenario is meant for the Storyteller’s eyes only. If you are ing strangers to achieve his goal. The cell is asked to
planning to take on the role of one of the characters in “The look into the first of these killings, but the false evidence
Hunt,” please stop reading now. Storytelling games are much left at the scene points them to another of the city’s su-
more enjoyable if you experience the plot twists and surprises pernatural denizens.
along with your characters, so don’t spoil the fun for yourself. Rag Man is a homeless man who is able to assume
the shape of a dog, and he is set up by Jeremiah to take
Preparing for Play the rap for the murders. Rag Man flees from the charac-
ters when first encountering them, but quickly attempts
First, read through the rules at the beginning of this docu-
ment, just to get an idea of how the mechanics of the game to ally himself with them once captured. After some
work. Then, have a look at the character sheets at the end of simple interrogation, he reveals that while he kills dogs
the booklet, and note the characters’ different capabilities and to fuel his shape changing, he is utterly repulsed at the
advantages. We don’t expect you or the players to memorize thought of killing people. Even though he offers to help
everything right out of the gate, but if you give the characters them find the real culprit, the cell is left with little for-
a quick once-over in conjunction with the rules, the numbers ward momentum.
will make more sense in game play. After several days of chasing down false leads, two
Let the players read over their characters’ backgrounds, role- more murders are reported, matching the profile of the
playing hints and traits, and answer any questions they might first. The victims this time are a couple found dead
have. Help them understand how the rules work with regard to in their low-rent apartment, and again there’s little
the dots and numbers on the character sheets. Also, read through evidence left at the scene. However, the cell catches a
“The Hunt” once before attempting to act as Storyteller. We’ve break when it’s discovered that the neighboring shop’s
tried to make it as easy as possible on you, but you should have an security camera covers the front door of the apartment
idea of what’s coming up. Plus, players will always make decisions building. As they’re looking into this, a battered and
that you—and we—didn’t see coming. That’s great! That’s part of bruised Rag Man shows up at the precinct house look-
roleplaying. It does, however, require you to think on your feet. ing for them. He claims he was attacked in the night
If you know how the plot progresses, you can take what by the man he saw before, the same man seen on the
the players do and allow those decisions to steer the game to- security tape. As proof of his story, he offers up the
ward a satisfying conclusion, rather than having to say, “No, man’s finger, which he managed to chew off in the
you can’t do that because it would take us too far off track.” fight. The prints come back with the name of a man
accused of rape several years ago: Jeremiah Quaker, a
wealthy socialite.
Finally, the characters confront Jeremiah and find
About the Format him in the middle of an inexplicable ritual. He seems to
The format we use for scenes in be consuming the missing eyes of the murder victims,
this and after barely acknowledging the cell member’s pres-
quickstart is our Storyteller Adve
nture ence, he sets the spirits of his victims on them, all while
System (or SAS for short). To keep
this attempting to control Gabreski with his powers. Dur-
quickstart lean and focused, we
haven’t
included many of the core premises ing the fight, the cell members can see the object of
and
Storyteller suggestions that are Jeremiah’s power beginning to take shape inside a ru-
at the
heart of the SAS. If you want to nic inscription on the floor, but once they kill him all
learn
more about how our stories work evidence of his actions winks out of existence, leaving
in this
system, be sure to read the free SAS them to explain the ruined house to both the police and
Guide,
found at the SAS website:
Task Force: VALKYRIE.
www.white-wolf.com/sas
10
The Hunt
The Hunt Flowchart
Back on the
Street
Pounding the
Pavement
Rag Man
Bloodhound
When It Rains
It Pours
Tiger by the
Tail
11
investigation has been shelved and they are tasked with looking
Theme – Man’s into a gruesome (and clearly occult) murder.
Inhumanity to Man Jeremiah Quaker
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Jeremiah Quaker took over leadership of the Par-
murders, and their fallout, are all very mundane—gruesome, liament of Philosophers nearly five years ago, but the
certainly, but still something that happens with distressing society’s lack of any real occult knowledge left him with
regularity. The only things that set Jeremiah’s actions apart little to do except spend his money and enjoy the thrill
from any other serial murderer are his supernatural motives. of total domination of the people around him. Several
Monstrous and inhumanly powerful as he is, Jeremiah is still months ago, however, that all changed.
committing these crimes for the same reason any regular person Jeremiah spends some of his copious leisure time research-
would, and that should frighten the characters. ing the occult history of the early United States, and Philadel-
phia in general. Recently, his studies led him to the story of a
Mood – Frantic strange artifact supposedly used by the founding fathers to bol-
ster their political hold over the colonies and eventually lead
The classic detective story utilizes slow, deliberate pacing
them to revolt. The artifact, said to look like a piece of lime-
punctuated with bursts of violent action. In many ways, “The
stone with an unknown fossil protruding from its surface, was
Hunt” still uses that formula, but it also draws from newer sources
originally discovered by Thomas Jefferson during the surveying
of inspiration, particularly television cop dramas. The characters
of a plantation in 1762. It was hurled into the Schuylkill by
are dropped into situations they know nothing about, and left to
George Washington in 1799. Shortly afterward, Washington
figure things out as they go. The only certainty they have is the
died and the Capitol moved to Washington, D.C.
knowledge that the longer they take to track down the murderer,
Jeremiah seeks to locate the stone, and believes the only way
the more likely he is to kill again. The story should feel as if it
to do so is through an occult ritual of dowsing. In order to success-
has a finite length, as if the characters need to act quickly if they
fully complete the ritual, he requires the eyes of both a long-time
want to avert catastrophe. You should strive to impress upon the
resident of the city and those of someone newly moved there. He
players that every scene is moving the plot that much closer to a
feels no remorse for these acts, believing them necessary to bring
final conclusion—whether or not it’s one they want.
about his utopian vision, but he fears being stopped by the police
Background before his work is complete. In order to avoid any suspicion, he

observes the ritual killings practiced by Rag Man and attempts to
duplicate them, hoping the skinning and runes will distract detec-
The Characters tives from any incidental evidence he accidentally leaves behind.
The characters presented in this scenario are all new to
the Vigil, having encountered the supernatural for the first
time less than a week before the events of the first scene. The The Investigation
three detectives (along with their now-deceased partner, Dar- As the characters progress through their investigation
nell Waters) all belong to the Special Cases Unit, a small po- of the murders, there are several secondary elements of both
lice unit created by the Mayor’s Office with the stated goal of the story and the game that bear remembering. The presence
stemming the rapid growth of Philadelphia’s gangs. The unit of these elements is easy to adjust, leaving you to decide how
worked hard to clean up the streets, but threats and procedur- much you wish to emphasize each in your story.
al shortcuts soon turned into bribes and protection schemes,
and they strayed from the straight and narrow. The detectives
Police Captain William Johnston
Cpt. Johnston hates Gabreski and his crew, and does ev-
became involved with Raimundo and the Siete Muertos’ drug
erything he can to make their lives miserable, but the shelving
trafficking, but their carelessness eventually drew the atten-
of the IAB investigation into them has tied his hands for the
tion of the Internal Affairs Bureau, leading to both an investi-
moment. Though he is not a major player in this scenario, if
gation and Agent Carver’s interest in the team.
you wish to play up the friction between the cell and the rest
While the SCU (along with Raimundo and a couple of
of the department, you can put him to good use.
his soldiers) followed Carver’s tip about strange activity in
Gabreski’s clear lack of accountability leads Johnston to
a downtown warehouse, they were attacked by flesh-eating
persistently harass and make demands of the team in an effort
monsters called ghouls. Waters was taken by the ghouls as they
to keep them as honest as possible. He checks in constantly,
made their escape into the sewers beneath the warehouse, and
demands impeccable paperwork and generally makes things
the cell vowed to track down the monsters and save him. Ga-
tough for everyone in the cell. His constant presence at the
breski started by reaching out to Karl, an old media contact of
precinct can be a great motivator for the cell to keep the major-
his, and with his help they located the ghouls’ lairs.
ity of its investigation in the field.
The cell wiped out nearly all the ghouls, but was not in time
to save Darnell from a grisly fate. Galvanized by their exposure Agent Carver
to the secret world around them, the characters accepted Carv- Agent Carver is a member of Task Force: VALKYRIE.
er’s offer of conditional membership in Task Force: VALKYRIE. TFV’s Philadelphia presence is small, but Carver wants to
Now, not even a week after their fight with the ghouls, the IAB change that—hence his recruiting the characters.
12
The Hunt
Like Cpt. Johnston, Carver wants to stay in touch

with the cell as it proceeds through its investigation;
however, unlike Johnston, he is unwilling to get overly
involved. He wants to make sure his new recruits are
capable of handling themselves in the field, so he will
offer up only the information he has once he’s sure the
characters have earned it. His definition of “earned” is
up to you, and can be triggered by the characters telling
him about Rag Man (of whom he wasn’t aware before),
asking for all the intel he has or even nearly solving the
case on their own.
Regardless of when you choose to reveal Carver’s
intel, his primary use in the story is to provide a contrast
to Johnston. Should you desire to play up the tension
between the captain and the characters, Carver is a great
tool for increasing that tension by acting as a second boss
hovering over their shoulders.
Professional Training
Many of the characters in this scenario possess the
Professional Training Merit, allowing them to roll a sim-
ple dice pool to simulate putting their professional con-
nections to work. While the mechanics for this Merit are
located in the appropriate characters’ sections, its im-
pact on the story as a whole bears mentioning here. The
Merit is an important resource, one the characters are
expected to utilize at several points in the story in order
to move the plot forward; however, you should be cau-
tious not to allow it to wholly replace good roleplaying.
A large portion of any good police story involves talking
to people and puzzling through conflicting testimonies
in order to reach the truth and the guilty party, but too
little or too much of this kind of gameplay can render
an otherwise interesting mystery boring and lifeless. Try
to judge your players’ interest in the investigative side
of the story, drawing out an interrogation when they’re
intrigued and summing up two days of phone calls in a
single dice roll when they’re eager to move on.
13
Scenes
Back on the Street
Mental Physical — Social
The area around the crime scene is heavily com-

Overview mercial, and can be as busy as you like. The police have
The cell is coming from its first encounter with taped off both ends of a short alley, and a uniform stands
the supernatural, and has only just been spared an In- watch over an open service entrance to one of the build-
ternal Affairs investigation into its actions. It’s now ings. Just inside the door is the body of what appears to
on its way to a murder scene, one it was pointed to be a homeless man. His eyes and the skin on his face
by Gabreski’s Task Force: VALKYRIE contact, Agent have been removed, and the body is surrounded by oc-
Carver. The victim is a homeless man from the city’s cult markings that appear to be drawn in blood, presum-
Northside, and inquiries into his identity, as well as ably his.
why he’s so far from his usual turf, will lead the cell The uniform ordered to brief the detectives re-
one step closer to the horror toward which Carver has fuses to let either Karl or Raimundo onto the scene,
directed it. but some fast talking from any of the three cops will
persuade him to drop the issue; otherwise, the two ci-
Description vilians have to wait in the van while the other three
check the place out.
“I’ve got one more task for you.” That’s what Carver
told you—one more case to take care of, then you were
as good as in. As you double-check the address and turn Storyteller Goals
down a narrow street, you find yourself thinking back to the This scene is designed to help evoke the proper mood
events of the last few weeks. Things were bad enough, what and understanding of the characters’ motives. It has very
with the IAB investigation, but that tip from Agent Carver little action, but it is written much like the opening of a
was the straw that broke the camel’s back and brought your TV police drama, alternating between revealing the past
world crashing down around you. and moving the story forward.
You stop the team’s van in front of the address, pulling up Having just arrived on the scene, the action is still
next to one of the patrol cars already on the scene. All of you had largely out of the characters’ hands. The uniformed offi-
seen some weird shit in your time on the streets, but to suddenly cers have already begun cataloging the basic evidence, and
and violently learn the truth about what hides in the darkness was the medical examiner has completed his initial examina-
almost enough to drive you nuts. Almost. tion of the body. They will have to rely upon their inves-
One of the uniforms starts filling you in on what few de- tigative skills to move forward, but many of the answers
tails they know, but your train of thought has led you right back they need are close at hand.
to the same image you’ve seen every night for nearly a week: Once the characters have gone over the crime scene a
Darnell’s lifeless body draped atop a mountain of corpses. few times and the players are comfortable with the mechanics
“Detective? Did you hear me? I said we can’t really let these of tracking down leads, don’t be afraid to quickly move to the
two down the alley. They’re not cleared.” You snap to and realize next scene.
he’s talking about Karl and Raimundo.
It’s important to set the scene for the players: the Character Goals
characters are fresh from their first encounter with the The characters’ goals are very straightforward at this
supernatural, one that took the life of a close friend point: get up to speed on the details of the crime and
and partner. They were also under investigation by the determine the next step in the investigation. The major
Internal Affairs Bureau due to suspicions they were facts of the case so far are easy to obtain, and mostly re-
protecting Raimundo’s drug trade. They’ve been spared quire the characters to ask the other officers present.
the investigation by an agent of Task Force: VALKY- While the initial investigation may leave both Raimun-
RIE and invited to join, provided they wrap up this do and Karl’s players feeling left out, both characters are es-
last case. sential when it comes to interpreting what the cops come up
14
Scenes|Back on the Street
with. Raimundo knows more about Dogtown and its epony- Success: Even a single success yields the following three
mous gang than anyone else in the cell, and is able to tell pieces of information:
them where to look for a crew that might know something
The victim’s fingerprints have already been sent to
about Jessie. Likewise, Karl can take a stab at deciphering
the station, and quickly come back with a positive
the runes.
match. His name is Jessie Cabrera; he’s 62 and has
Actions
been picked up for vagrancy several times in Dog-
town. This scene places him a long way from his
This scene is all about gathering data before mov- usual haunts.
ing forward with the investigation. It is possible for
many of the characters to bring their areas of expertise The medical examiner’s initial opinion is that the
victim was still alive when mutilated. There don’t ap-
to bear here, resulting in a much clearer picture of how pear to be any signs of a struggle, and he suspects the
to proceed. man went into shock from the pain and died from the
Getting up to Speed blood loss.
Dice Pool: Presence + Socialize. The first responders The runes on the floor and walls are extremely ob-
and the medical examiner have most of the case’s relevant scure. Karl has difficulty identifying them, let alone
details; the trick is asking the right questions. reading them.
Action: Extended. Each roll represents an hour spent Exceptional Success: You not only learn the three major
grilling the officers who responded to the call. pieces of information listed above, but the medical examiner
Hindrances: Raimundo or Karl are present (-1), Darnell is able to make an accurate guess as to the time of death:
Waters is mentioned (-1) only two hours ago.
Help: Jack takes point in the discussions (+1)
Roll Results Recalling Dogtown
Dramatic Failure: Your recent brush with the IAB Dice Pool: Intelligence + Streetwise. When it be-
has spooked the other cops, and they’re only barely comes known that Jessie is from Dogtown, Raimundo
cooperative. can be called upon to supply information about that area
Failure: You learn only that the victim is homeless; of town.
you’ll have to dig up anything else on your own. Action: Instant
15
Hindrances: Raimundo is distracted by the mutilated Action: Instant

body (-1), the uniformed cops harass him (-1) Hindrances: The ME is still around to interfere (-1),
Help: Raimundo has a chance to speak with his crew Karl doesn’t have access to the Internet (-2)
first (+2) Help: Karl posts a description of the runes on the
Roll Results Internet (+1), Karl posts a picture of the runes on the
Dramatic Failure: Raimundo isn’t up to date on Dog- Internet (+2)
town’s latest actions and assumes they’re still friendly toward Roll Results
the Siete Muertos. Dramatic Failure: In his excitement to study the runes,
Failure: Raimundo recalls Dogtown’s hostility, but can’t Karl slips in a puddle of blood and smears most of the markings
come up with the names of any of their members. beyond recovery.
Success: Raimundo remembers the name of a dealer he’s Failure: Karl cannot positively identify the runes.
worked with before, and thinks he can convince the guy to Success: Karl is unable to read the runes, but he does rec-
talk to the cops. ognize them as a supposedly magical derivation of Sanskrit.
Exceptional Success: Not only does Raimundo remember Exceptional Success: Karl recognizes the runes as a
his Dogtown connection, he still has a phone number, enabling form of Sanskrit and recalls seeing one of them on a web-
the cell to call and speak with him right away. The dealer seems site claiming to impart the secrets of shape changing.
eager to help and invites Raimundo to come talk face to face.
Conclusion
Reading the Runes Regardless of which pieces of information the characters
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Occult. Karl’s knowledge of the uncover, the investigation is likely to go to Dogtown and the
occult is extensive, and even though he is unlikely to under- next scene, “Pounding the Pavement,” where they will put
stand the runes, it is possible he might recognize their source. their new knowledge to work.
Pounding the Pavement

Mental — Physical Social
a buddy from before he started the Muertos. “I know we got his-

Overview tory, man, but you can’t just roll up in here wit’ your cop buddies
After tracking down their initial leads, the cell arrives without a good fuckin’ reason. You better start talkin’.”
in Dogtown, a Northside neighborhood. There, the members Regardless of what the cell says or does, the Dogtowns
track down a group of Dogtown gang members with the inten- are looking for a fight, even if it’s with a group of cops who
tion of interrogating them. If the characters aren’t extremely outnumber them. Though they’re armed with guns, the Dog-
careful with their actions, the situation can quickly escalate towns won’t pull them unless they’re fired upon first. Instead,
to violence, forcing the cell to take down the hostile bangers. they attack the cell with fists and knives. No matter how bad-
When subdued, the thugs seem to come out of a trance, and ly they’re being beaten, they won’t run away.
are all too happy to point the cops at Rag Man, another home- After the last banger has been subdued, whether through
less man in the area they suspect is the killer. diplomacy or a fight, read the following:
As things start to calm down, you can see a noticeable change
Description come over the Dogtowns, almost as if they’re coming out of a trance.
They all seem to remember what just happened, but are at a loss when
You roll up to Dogtown and immediately spot the dealers. asked why they attacked you. Russell looks particularly sheepish: “You
They’re working the corner across from a hardware store, and gotta believe me, Rai, I don’t know why I had such a mad-on for you
aren’t even bothering to hide the baggies of smack or wads of crum- back there. It’s like, I knew you weren’t here to start shit, but I had to
pled bills that change hands every couple minutes. throw down anyway. Look, man, you gotta believe me!”
Provided the characters don’t become overtly aggressive, the Whether the characters believe Russell or not, he is now all
drug dealers stay on their corner and are even willing to talk, but too eager to help them out, and responds immediately to questions
it’s mostly grandstanding and posturing toward Raimundo. The about the murder, becoming increasingly sure of his answers if told
merchandise does disappear when the badges come out, though. about the occult symbols. He suggests that Rag Man, another lo-
When the cell approaches the corner, use this description: cal bum who has been murdering stray dogs, might be responsible.
The four bangers eye you suspiciously, but don’t seem afraid “You ask me, only one man capable of that kinda cold, sick shit:
of you, though they’ve clearly read you as cops. “Whatcho want, Rag Man. We thought he was just some old vet in a raggedy coat,
man? One of the seven little Mexicans call you up and ask for but a little while back we started findin’ dead dogs all over the place.
an escort?” Raimundo recognizes the man as Russell Cameron,
16
Pounding the Pavement|Dogtown thugs
Dogtown thugs
Quote: I got what you need, son, soon as I see some green.
Background: Just like thousands of others in the city, these kids
were born into a tough life and have only dug themselves in deeper.
They were all beat into Dogtown at an early age, and though they’ve
seen gang leaders come and go since then, the only way out for them
is either in an orange jumpsuit or a body bag.
Appearance: Everything about them speaks of leanness: short hair, drawn
faces and very little body fat. Dealing isn’t as profitable for these guys
as it is for their lieutenants, so they don’t dress at the height of urban
chic. A motley collection of tattered jerseys, dirty jeans and secondhand
sneakers are the order of the day, but each banger sports a green bandana
somewhere on his body.
Storytelling Hints: This life is all you’ve ever known, but it was ei-
ther join the gang or get caught in the crossfire. You don’t give much
thought to the future, but you’re certain no church or after school
program can give you what Dogtown promises.
Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2, Wits 3, Resolve 1
Physical Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social Attributes: Presence 2, Manipulation 3, Composure 2
Mental Skills: Academics (Law) 1, Investigation 2, Medicine 1
Physical Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Drive 1, Firearms 2, Larceny 2,
Stealth 1, Weaponry 1
Social Skills: Intimidation 1 (Threats), Persuasion 1, Streetwise 3
(Drug Trade), Subterfuge 2
Merits: Allies (Dogtown) 2, Fleet of Foot 2, Resources 1
Willpower: 3
Initiative: 5
Defense: 3
Speed: 13
Virtue/Vice: The gang bangers’ Virtue is Hope. Once per session of
play they regain all spent Willpower when they refuse to let others
give in to despair, even when doing so risks harm to their own goals
or wellbeing. Their Vice is Greed. They regain one Willpower point
whenever they acquire something at the expense of another. Gaining it
must come at some potential risk (of assault, arrest or simple loss
of peer respect).
Size: 5
Health: 8
Equipment: Glock 17 pistol (+2 to Firearms rolls, with a range of 20/40/80
yards), army surplus knife (+1 to Weaponry rolls), several bags of heroin
Weapons/Attacks
Type Damage Range Dice Pool Special
Knife 1(L) n/a 5
Punch 0(B) n/a 4
Glock 17 2(L) 20/40/80 7
17
Dogtown thugs
Continued
Merits
Allies: These guys may be simple foot soldiers, but their gang mates won’t
hesitate to retaliate against anyone who hurts them.
Fleet of Foot: Gang life offers many opportunities to practice sprinting, and
the Dogtowns have gotten pretty fast. They add +2 to their Speed (this
is already factored into their listed Speed).
Resources: The drug trade is lucrative, but most of the money that passes
through their hands gets passed up to their superiors in Dogtown. What lit-
tle remains is often spent on clothing and jewelry, leaving the gang members
with little more than a couple hundred dollars to spend at any given time.
Damn’ things was sliced up, missin’ their faces, and some of ’em had
this writing around ’em. Thought it was Arab. But I didn’t look too Actions
close—shit was written in blood. I ain’t seen him in a few weeks, so The primary action in this scene is almost certainly going
maybe he finally went all the way and moved up to people.” to be combat, but the characters have a small window they
can utilize to avoid it. The Dogtowns are being influenced by
Storyteller Goals some terrible power, but it hasn’t completely subsumed their
This scene is the first chance for the characters to direct reason. A forceful appeal to their common sense and self-pres-
the course of the investigation, and it’s your first chance to ervation has the possibility of giving them enough strength of
present some opposition. The key to this scene is to play the will to overcome the suggestions buried in their minds.
Dogtown members to the hilt: full of bravado, absolutely un-
afraid of either the cops or Raimundo. As the conversation
Calming the Dogtowns
Dice Pool: Presence + Persuasion. This action may be at-
goes on, have the dealers get angrier and angrier for no ap-
tempted only once. If it fails, the Dogtowns attack immediately.
parent reason, until they jump the characters. The possibility
Action: Instant
for a peaceful solution does exist, but don’t be afraid to make
Hindrances: The Dogtowns are excessively violent due
it as miniscule as you can. The fight, and resulting revelation
to the mind control (-4), speaker verbally threatens the
about the gang members’ states of mind, will go a long way to-
Dogtowns (-1), anyone touches the Dogtowns (-1)
ward convincing the characters they’re up against something
Help: Speaker is Raimundo (+1), speaker pulls his gun (+1)
serious and insidious.
Roll Results
Once the situation breaks down, be sure to point out what
Dramatic Failure: The Dogtown dealers immediately
the characters would notice immediately: the bangers aren’t go-
draw their guns and fight until it is clear their only choices are
ing for their guns. They’re clearly serious about a fight, but they
to surrender or die.
don’t seem to want to make it immediately lethal. If the charac-
Failure: The Dogtowns draw their knives and attack.
ters resort to the use of their own guns, the Dogtowns will too,
They will all surrender after only one of them goes down.
but will quickly surrender when one of them is taken down.
Success: Though they still attack, the gang members use
Finally, despite whatever else happens, Rag Man’s name needs
only their fists and surrender after trading only a few blows.
to be dropped. He’s an important next step for the characters, and
Exceptional Success: The drug dealers are talked down,
without his name to go on, their investigation will stagnate.
and Jeremiah’s hold over them is broken.
Character Goals Consequences

The cell’s main goal at this point is to continue moving
The group proceeds directly from here to the search for
the investigation forward. The members should be cautious
its next lead in “Rag Man.” The next scene is very straight-
in the fight, though; sustaining serious injuries this early in
forward, unless one of them has killed one of the Dogtown
the investigation could delay them significantly.
drug dealers. If that is the case, and you want to play out the
If you’re worried they’re a little too eager for a fight with
consequences, you can easily use the thug stat block to rep-
the Dogtowns, remind them of the consequences of an offi-
resent a Dogtown crew of two or three sent to kill Raimundo
cer involved in a fatal shooting: mountains of paperwork, the
in retaliation. The additional Dogtowns would most likely be
captain breathing down their necks, and a mandatory two-day
encountered while looking for Rag Man, and could be the
suspension, none of which they can afford right now. Besides,
source of his skittishness.
dead gangsters can’t tell you what they know.
18
Rag man
Rag man
Mental Physical Social
When the idea of killing people is brought up, Rag

Overview Man becomes immediately disgusted, protesting that he
After learning about Rag Man from the Dogtown gang would never murder people. If the pictures of the scene are
members, the cell is left with the task of locating him. He produced, he confirms that the runes look like his work,
surfaces after a brief search, but is easily spooked, resulting in but are wrong in a few places. He also points out that he
a chase through the streets of Dogtown before the members doesn’t take their eyes.
speak with him. Rag Man offers the characters anything they After being interrogated for a while, he suddenly re-
want in return for his continued well-being, and cooperates members someone snooping around one of his skinned
fully. He proudly admits to the dog killings, but becomes dogs a few weeks back, but he admits to running away
sickened at the mention of the murder and loudly protests before he could find out what the guy wanted. In an ef-
his innocence. Should the cell believe him, the investiga- fort to be helpful, he offers to look around the crime
tion is left with little forward momentum. scene to see whether he notices anything magical they
might miss.
Description Storyteller Goals
Russell was able to narrow your search area to only a couple
blocks, but it’s been hours now, and Rag Man has yet to show Your primary goal here is to connect the characters
his face. The van is beginning to feel stuffy, and everyone’s just with Rag Man, but you shouldn’t make it too easy on
a little bit on edge. them. He’s not all that bright, but you should make the
Just as you’re beginning to think he won’t show, a man cell work a bit to run him down or drive him into a
fitting his description slips out the front door of a grocery with blind alley.
a paper sack tucked under his arm. Even from across the street If the interrogation comes around to it, Rag Man is will-
you can see the grime caked on his clothes and in his hair. He ing to check out either photos or the crime scene itself. He
looks around nervously, takes a swill from a bottle hidden in the becomes even more sure of himself when he can point to the
sack and hurries down the street, clutching at his ragged coat. differences between his symbols and those written near the
When the cell approaches Rag Man, whether on foot body, and will try to discuss their meaning (and why those
or in the van, he gets spooked and starts running. He’s at the murder scene don’t make any sense) with anyone who
not very fast on two legs, and will duck into the first al- seems interested.
ley he sees in order to change shape unseen. From the If the characters believe Rag Man’s story about the
characters’ perspective, they see Rag Man go into an alley man studying his work, they have a new suspect, but no
one second, and a mangy dog come out the next. Instead leads to his identity. The trail goes temporarily cold,
of using his new form to blend in, Rag Man continues to leaving the characters to resort to their usual contacts
flee, drawing attention to himself. and procedures.
Once the cell finally catches him, read the following: As a final note, you should emphasize Rag Man’s piti-
The dog looks panicky and backs against the side of a build- able state. His abilities shouldn’t strike the characters as safe
ing, whimpering. As you approach, its body suddenly warps or harmless, but his attitude and demeanor should eventually
and elongates amidst a chorus of wet crunches and snaps. It convince them he’s no threat to anyone—and a potentially
looks at first like the dog merely increased in size, but as it shifts useful street-level informant on the supernatural aspects of
and the long fur coat falls away from its face, you see Rag Man the city.
looking up at you. “Please don’t hurt me,” he says. “I saw you
comin’ after me, and I got scared. Thought you were with them Character Goals
Dogtown boys. They ain’t right in the head lately.” The characters should be focused upon the same goal
Once the cell finally catches up to him, Rag Man spills as in the previous scenes: moving the investigation for-
his guts. He is eager to tell everything he knows, which ward, one lead at a time. However, tracking down and in-
isn’t much. He freely admits to killing the stray dogs in the teracting with Rag Man provides some unique challenges.
neighborhood, but insists he treats them well beforehand, Their first task in this scene is to simply prevent Rag Man
feeding and caring for them when no one else will. Rag from escaping. Whether they do this on foot or in the van
Man agrees with whatever else the characters might say, is unimportant, so long as they run him down before he
but he remains adamant that his killings are exactly what goes to ground.
the dogs want him to do.
19
rag man
Quote: Hey, mister. Are you

gonna finish that?
Background: Rag Man doesn’t
remember much about his life
before the streets, just
vague impressions of a fam-
ily, a desk job and what he
thinks might be a hospital.
Other than these ghosts of
his former life, Rag Man’s
mind is filled with the here
and now, dominated by ani-
mal instinct. He doesn’t
clearly remember the entity
that granted him the ability
to shape shift—he just calls
it Big Dog—but he has given
himself over to it entirely.
He now spends his time car-
ing for the dogs he finds
on the street, fattening
and pampering them until he
kills and skins them.
Appearance: Dirty, unkempt
hair and beard, wild eyes
and a powerful stink: ev-
erything about Rag Man says
“stay away.” He earned his
nickname because of the
patchwork coat he constant-
ly wears. It’s made up of
the faces of the dogs he
skins, and it allows him to
assume canine shape.
As a dog, Rag Man looks
much the same. His fur
is going to grey and is
patchy from mange. His eyes
bulge out slightly, and what’s left of his tail looks ready to fall
off. When in this form he tends to stay away from people, coming close
only when he thinks he can get fed.
Storytelling Hints: You are still capable of basic human interaction,
but display more obvious dog-like tendencies than is comfortable to
those around you. Forget them, though; you have more important things
to do, like marking your territory.
Note: All numbers in parentheses represent Rag Man’s dog form.
Mental Attributes: Intelligence 2 (1), Wits 2, Resolve 2 (3)
Physical Attributes: Strength 2 (3), Dexterity 2 (3), Stamina 3 (3)
Social Attributes: Presence 2 (1), Manipulation 1 (1), Composure 3 (3)
Mental Skills: Investigation 2 (Scent), Occult 2 (Animal Sacrifices)
Physical Skills: Athletics 3, Larceny 2, Stealth 4, Brawl 3 (Bite)
Social Skills: Empathy 3, Intimidation 1, Persuasion 2, Streetwise 3
(Avoiding Trouble)

20
Rag man
rag man Continued
Merits: Brawling Dodge 1, Danger Sense 2, Unseen Sense 3

Willpower: 5 (6)
Initiative: 5 (6)
Defense: 2 (3)
Speed: 9 (13)
Virtue/Vice: Rag Man’s Virtue is Faith. Once per session of play he
regains all spent Willpower when he is able to forge meaning from
chaos and tragedy. In Rag Man’s case, his faith isn’t in a specific
being (though he does revere Big Dog), but rather a sense that things
happen the way they do for a reason. His Vice is Sloth. He regains
one Willpower point whenever he successfully avoids a difficult task
but achieves the same goal nonetheless.
Dread Powers: Strange Form 4. Requires 3 Willpower and a Wits + Oc-
cult roll. Rag Man can assume the shape of any dog he has killed and
skinned in the last two months as an instant action. The transforma-
tion lasts for a single scene, though an additional Willpower point
can be spent to extend it by one scene per point spent.
Size: 5 (4)
Health: 8 (7)
Equipment:Ragged fur coat, mostly empty bottle of cheap bourbon
Weapons/Attacks
Punch 0(B) n/a 5
Bite (dog form) 1(L) n/a 8
Merits
Brawling Dodge: Whenever Rag Man performs a Dodge, he may add his Brawl
Skill dots to his Defense, rather than doubling it.
Danger Sense: This ability functions identically to the Merit possessed by
Gabreski.
Unseen Sense: When Rag Man assumes his dog form, its heightened senses al-
low him to perceive the supernatural and emotional resonance of an area.
His limited understanding of the occult prevents him from elaborating on
his perceptions, but he is able to explain his general impressions.
After the cell captures Rag Man, its goal is to interrogate Roll Stamina + Athletics for each participant. This is
him, extracting everything he knows about the murder. not quite the conventional extended and contested task,
however. Rolls are made for each participant in each
Actions stage, but the quarry has a different goal than the pursuer.
The number of successes that must be acquired for the
When Rag Man starts running, there are two options
quarry equals the pursuer’s Speed. So, if the pursuer has
available to the characters: go after him on foot or hop back
a Speed of 12, successes accumulated for the quarry must
in the van. Once he starts talking, he’s so eager to cooperate
reach 12 for him to get away.
no roll is required.
The pursuer, however, does not seek to get away.
Foot Chase His goal is much more specific: to stop the quarry from
Dice Pool: Stamina + Athletics versus Stamina + Athletics escaping. The number of successes the pursuer needs
Action: Extended and contested (each roll represents is therefore different. He seeks to tally a number that
one turn of running) equals or exceeds the quarry’s current total of successes
21
at any point in the chase. If the pursuer gets that num- smashing into the side panel and temporarily stunning
ber, he catches up. himself. Should this happen, he changes back to human
Hindrances: (All) Crowded street (-1) form immediately.
Help: (Rag Man) +1 for every three points his Speed
exceeds that of his fastest pursuer
Roll Results
Consequences
This scene not only brings the cell one step closer to
Dramatic Failure: The participant trips, falls or wipes
finding the murderer, it also reveals more of the city’s occult
out. He may suffer a Health point of bashing damage at the
character, almost certainly to the surprise of the characters.
Storyteller’s discretion. The race is over.
Rag Man’s attitude and utter pacifism stand in stark contrast
Failure: The participant gains no ground in the pursuit.
to the other supernatural entities the characters have encoun-
Success: The participant gains some ground in the chase,
tered so far. But regardless of how they feel about Rag Man, he
whether fleeing or in pursuit.
provides the characters only a vague description of the man he
Exceptional Success: The participant gains a great deal
saw, leaving them to turn to other, more mundane, sources.
of ground through a mixture of luck and capability.
If the characters decide to take Rag Man to the
Car Chase crime scene, move on to “Bloodhound.” Otherwise,
While Rag Man’s dog form is built for running, he’s if they feel they’re finished with him, skip ahead to
not nearly fast enough to outrun a vehicle. Any charac- “When It Rains, It Pours.” If you do skip “Blood-
ter who opts to chase him down in the van need only hound,” this is an ideal time for the characters to uti-
accumulate three successes on an extended Dexterity + lize their Professional Training before moving on (see
Drive roll to pull in front of him and block his escape. An the “Bloodhound” Storyteller Goals section for more
exceptional success on a single roll results in Rag Man details, p. 19).
BloodHound
Rag Man can immediately feel something isn’t right,

Overview and he says so. He also claims he has to turn into a dog in or-
This scene finds the cell back at the murder scene der to get a more complete picture, but doesn’t wait for per-
with Rag Man in tow. Other than a pair of uniformed mission before doing so. After sniffing around the hallway
officers left to watch the site, the place is deserted, for nearly five minutes, he changes back to human form and
leaving the characters free to bring their new ally in explains there was definitely magic used during the murder.
without incident. After checking out the place, in both “Mind, I ain’t sure what it is exactly, but I know some bad
human and dog forms, Rag Man reveals that magic was magic happened here. Seein’ all this blood, and smellin’ the anger
definitely used there not long ago, and he thinks it and fear that’s floatin’ around the air, I think it’s the same stuff that’s
might be the same kind that left the Dogtown bangers hangin’ ’round the heads of them Dogtown boys. I ain’t no expert,
so violent before. though, just tellin’ you what I smell. You want me to read you those
words on the wall, too?”
Description After explaining the auras he senses to the best of his
ability, Rag Man also offers to decipher the runes for Karl.
It’s late by the time you pull up to the scene, and the crowd He explains they’re meant to be a prayer from the dead dog
of onlookers seems to have finally dispersed. In fact, the only to the Big Dog, and that some of the letters in the hallway
people left anywhere near the alley are two uniformed officers, are off. He thinks the mistakes make the prayer useless, and
one watching each end. They recognize you on sight, and don’t doubts they actually do anything other than frame him.
even bother to stop the civilians. Rag Man’s presence gets you a If the characters present pictures of the corpse, or bring it
puzzled look as you pass, but he isn’t stopped. up after showing them to him in the last scene, he will (again)
The hall just inside the service entrance is now lit by a pair of point out that he doesn’t take the eyes; he wants only the skin.
high-powered lamps, lending a surreal quality to the gore that still
spatters the walls. The absence of the body leaves the whole scene
feeling incomplete somehow, and it creeps you out. The feeling Storyteller Goals
only intensifies when you look over to see Rag Man’s hair stand- The optional nature of this scene, along with its brevity,
ing on end. It’s clear he senses something here, and from the low leaves you with one simple goal: use Rag Man’s heightened
growl coming from him, you’re pretty sure he doesn’t like it. sensitivity to magic to increase the characters’ awareness of
22
Bloodhound
the nature of Jeremiah’s powers. The lack of any other new Dramatic Failure: Karl’s lack of tact upsets his contacts, and
information regarding the case is likely to leave the cell sty- they refuse to speak with him for the remainder of the story.
mied at this point, making the latter part of the scene ideal Failure: No one is familiar with either the symbols or
for each of the characters to exercise their Professional Train- the magic. He’s on his own.
ing Merit. The answers won’t come right away, but rather at Success: A poster on Network0.net, a site Karl fre-
the beginning of “When It Rains, It Pours.” quents, suggests the runes look like a script used by an
ancient Sumerian cult whose members could supposedly
Character Goals change their shapes.
Exceptional Success: As a success, but a second person
The characters continue their search for the murderer, po-
tentially learning more about his capabilities and desires from also suggests the lack of a struggle and the strange behavior
Dog Man. It’s possible they might still be leery of the bum and the of the gang bangers might indicate mind control.
powers he uses so lightly, but his desire to please them should at Raimundo’s Professional Training
least be beginning to convince them he’s no threat to anyone. Dice Pool: Manipulation + Persuasion or Socialize
Should the characters decide to make use of their Pro- Action: Instant
fessional Training Merits, they will begin their individual Raimundo can ask his crew whether they’ve had any
procedures, but will not see any kind of return until the be- weird run-ins with the Dogtowns.
ginning of “When It Rains, It Pours.” Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: Raimundo’s focus upon helping with this
Actions case has strained his relationship with his crew members, and he
has to put them back in line before they’ll go out of their way to
Karl’s Professional Training help him. He cannot use this Merit for the rest of the story.
Dice Pool: Manipulation + Persuasion or Socialize Failure: None of the Siete Muertos knows anything unusual.
Action: Instant Success: One of Raimundo’s lieutenants admits to dating a
Karl can get his contacts working on further identifying girl in Dogtown, and remembers seeing a well-dressed white guy
the runes or identifying the magic used on the victim. giving a group of the Dogtown boys the business. He thought it
Roll Results was weird that the bangers just stood there and took it.
23
Exceptional Success: As a regular success, except the block remembers seeing a sports car drive off in a hurry the
banger saw the man drive away in his new Mustang. night of the murder. He couldn’t make out the model, but
he’s sure it was a sports car.
Andrea, Jack or Vince’s Exceptional Success: As a normal success, except a uni-
Professional Training form reports that after the medical examiner removed the
Dice Pool: Manipulation + Persuasion or Socialize body, he discovered tire marks down the street. They fit the
Action: Instant pattern for a new Ford Mustang.
Any one of the cops can follow up on any leads their
colleagues may have uncovered.
Roll Results
Consequences
The information the characters could potentially learn in
Dramatic Failure: Before they get a chance to talk to the this scene is significant, but it does not move the story forward
rest of the detective pool, Captain Johnston pulls the trio into in the same way as previous scenes. Ideally, what the charac-
his office and grills them about the investigation so far, tying ters learn here will better prepare them to face Jeremiah, but
them up for hours. the vague nature of the information available to them, cou-
Failure: The other detectives are still leery about being pled with the scene’s optional nature, makes it highly unlikely
involved with the trio so soon after the IAB investigation they will be able to solve the case just yet—they will have to
was mysteriously called off and refuse to help. wait for the next scene for things to fully develop. Once the
Success: A detective sent to knock on doors around the cell has finished up at the crime scene, progress the story 48
area of the murder reports that a security guard down the hours and move on to “When It Rains, It Pours.”
When It Rains, It Pours

The victims this time are a young husband and wife, Khaek
Overview and Syphay Soungpradith, found dead in their apartment in
The characters have reached a dead end in their in- Chinatown. Both were in their early thirties and only recently
vestigation, and are faced with the hardest part of police emigrated from Laos. Just like Cabrera, their faces have been
work: waiting for something else to develop. After nearly skinned and their eyes are missing, but unlike him they appear to
48 hours with no further leads, they’re finally presented have put up a fight. The apartment is wrecked, and the strange
with a new piece of evidence, a second murder scene. The runes written on the wall are noticeably sloppier, as if written in
victims this time are a couple found dead in their low- a hurry. Mrs. Soungpradith has bruises on her arms and shoul-
rent apartment in Chinatown. Again, there’s no sign of ders and a gunshot wound on her chest. Her husband is still
a struggle. The cell catches a break when it’s discovered clutching a revolver, and has no visible wounds.
that the neighboring shop’s security camera also covers The second murder scene is slightly more complex
the front door of the apartment building. As they’re look- than the first, but still shouldn’t take the characters long
ing into this, a battered and bruised Rag Man shows up at to analyze before leaving the ME and forensics teams to
the precinct house looking for the cell. He claims he was do their work. Eventually, they should stumble upon the
attacked in the night by the man he saw before, the same neighboring grocery store’s security camera. When they do,
man seen on the security tape. As evidence, he offers up read the following:
something he managed to take in the fight: the man’s As you’re looking around the apartment, you find yourself
right index finger. The prints on the finger come back glancing out the window to the storefront next door. You notice
with the name of an accused rapist from a case several a security camera clumsily attached to an awning. It’s hanging
years ago: Jeremiah Quaker, a wealthy socialite. at an odd angle, and looks like it may catch the front door of the
apartment building in its field of view.
Description When the cell investigates the camera, the manager of
the grocery store is unwilling to cooperate, but after some
It’s been two whole days since you last spoke with Rag persuasion (and possibly threats), he hands over last night’s
Man, and you can’t shake the feeling that the case has gone security tapes with only a few grumbles.
cold. Every lead you dig up just ends up another victim, an- After returning to the precinct, and handing the se-
other person manipulated by whoever killed that old bum, curity tapes over to forensics (probably along with Jack)
and you’re left with nothing else to look into. So when word for analysis, Rag Man barges in, demanding to speak with
of a double murder fitting the same MO as the last one comes Gabreski. He sports several large bruises, and is still bleed-
in, you’re almost relieved. Almost.
24
When it rains, it pours
ing from a gash over his left eye. He claims to have some- If you’re playing up the antagonism between Gabres-
thing for them, but doesn’t want to talk about it out in ki’s Boys and their captain, this scene is an excellent op-
the open. portunity to give him ammunition. Not only has the team
Rag Man looks around nervously and says, “I, uh, I’ve got failed to turn up any good leads, but the killer has struck
something for you guys, something that will help you catch the again, mutilating two more innocent people. Very few
guy you’re lookin’ for.” He lowers his voice and leans in close; witnesses have been brought in for interrogation, and he
you can smell the stink of blood and sweat on his coat. “It’s in (rightly) suspects the cell is hiding something about the
my pocket, but I can’t show you here. Don’t want no one to see case from him. In particular, he doesn’t trust its associa-
it an’ lock me up for the murder or nothin’.” tion with Rag Man, and if he learns about the finger, he
After Rag Man is taken somewhere he feels safe talk- will try to prevent the Boys from running the print. Play-
ing, he produces a bloody finger from his coat pocket. It ing up Johnston’s impotent outrage here is a great way to
extends from the fingertip to the second knuckle, and make the characters’ eventual triumph over Jeremiah all
looks like it was chewed off. Rigor has set in, and it feels the sweeter.
cold and hard to the touch. Finally, should you decide to add more emotional
“That man I saw talkin’ to them gang boys came after weight to the Soungpradiths’ deaths, you can add another
me last night. I was diggin’ through some scraps behind a character witness to the mix: Khaek’s brother, Choumma-
Mexican place when he steps out the door from the kitchen. ly. He is also a recent immigrant to the country, and ada-
He starts tellin’ me to sit and shit, like I’m some kinda pet, mantly denies any accusation against either his brother or
and pulls out a gun. He looks kinda confused when I don’t sister-in-law. He steadfastly maintains their marriage was
listen to him, so I go for his throat. He hits me with the piece, ideal, though he does mention their stress over the hostile
then we get into it, him with his fists and me with my teeth. grocer next door.
I manage to chew off his trigger finger, and while he’s cryin’
out to wake the dead, I tear off down the alley.” Rag Man
sighs and slumps his shoulders, “Man, I hope this helps you
Character Goals
After their investigation stalled due to the lack of evi-
catch the sick fucker. I hate the way people taste.”
dence, the characters should be extremely eager to capital-
Analysis of the finger’s print and the surveillance videos
ize on the new developments that crop up in this scene.
come back at roughly the same time, and for once, both are
Though the new murders are likely to leave them feeling
good news. Both pieces of evidence point to the same man:
angry and a little helpless, the evidence Jeremiah leaves
Jeremiah Quaker.
behind at the scene should make them feel as if the end
When Jeremiah’s picture in the police database is
is in sight.
compared to the surveillance videos, it is an exact match,
Once the fingerprint comes back, you should emphasize
leaving little doubt that he is the murderer. Other than
the importance of double-checking the facts before moving
the rape allegation, there is little in the way of public re-
on Jeremiah. When the characters discover he’s in the po-
cords on Quaker. He is a wealthy socialite, a descendent
lice database due to an alleged rape case, they will undoubt-
of some of the city’s oldest money, and he leads a very
edly be ready to take him down, but you should take the
private life funded by real estate investments. Should the
extra steps to make sure they’re ready to do whatever it takes
cell speak with Agent Carver, he paints an entirely differ-
to stop Jeremiah, including killing him.
ent picture of the man.
Actions
Carver informs the cell that the Quaker family is a
central player in a utopian secret society, the Parliament
of Philosophers, which has operated in Philadelphia Most of the actions in this scene involve processing the
for nearly a century. His intelligence initially reported new evidence that comes in.
them to be nothing more than a bunch of old white men
giving to charity and playing at mysticism, but recent Investigating the murder scene
rumors have been painting Jeremiah as something dif- Dice Pool: Wits + Investigation
ferent. Carver had come to suspect he had developed Action: Extended. Each roll represents 10 minutes spent
strange powers, but couldn’t be sure until he had the combing the scene for clues.
cell look into it. This roll can only be made by the officer who takes
point, but the others may assist.
Storyteller Goals Hindrances: The characters are rushed for time (-1)
Help: Each additional character assisting (+1)
This scene reveals the final pieces of the puzzle, fi- Roll Results
nally giving the cell a suspect on which to pin three mur- Dramatic Failure: The characters misinterpret the
ders, an assault and a host of strange occurrences. Your scene as a combination domestic dispute and a copycat
primary goals in this scene are to reveal the last bits of mutilation.
information the cell needs before it can move to put a Failure: The scene is obviously the work of the same
stop to these murders, and finally be accepted into Task killer, but the presence of the gun and fatal gunshot wound
Force: VALKYRIE. throws them off.
25
Success: The characters learn one piece of information

for every success rolled. Regardless of the number of suc-
cesses rolled, they also notice the security camera outside
the building.
Syphay’s bruises: She sports livid bruises on both
arms, all the way up to her shoulders. They appear
consistent with defensive wounds, but her husband
has no similar marks. She was clearly assaulted by a
third party.
The gun: Mrs. Soungpradith’s gunshot wound ap-
pears consistent with the weapon found near her
husband. The revolver contains a spent shell, and
burns on Khaek’s right hand indicate that he prob-
ably fired it.
Causes of death: The wife’s cause of death is definitely
the gunshot to her chest. She was skinned after death.
The husband’s cause of death is a bit more uncertain,
but it appears he was skinned while still alive, most
likely resulting in him dying due to shock and blood
loss, just like Jessie.
Exceptional Success: If the lead investigator manages an
exceptional success on a single roll, the characters not only
learn all the above details, but they also reason that Jeremiah’s
control over people is undoubtedly behind the shooting.
Interrogating the grocery manager

Dice Pool: Presence + Intimidation versus the manag-
er’s Stamina + Resolve (4)
Action: Extended and contested. The characters re-
quire a number of successes equal to the manager’s Will-
power (4) to succeed in getting him to cooperate. He must
score a number of successes equal to the lead interrogator’s
Willpower to successfully resist.
The characters need to convince the manager to give
them access to his surveillance tapes, but he is unwilling to
cooperate. He freely shares his vitriolic and racist opinions
about the Soungpradiths, and refuses to help bring their
killer to justice.
Hindrances: (Characters) The characters speak too
highly of the victims (-1), Choummaly is present (-1);
(Grocer) The manager is shown pictures of the murder
scene(s) (-1)
Help: (Characters) Raimundo threatens to bring his
crew in to trash the store (+1), each additional cop par-
ticipating (+1)
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: Not only are the cell members un-
successful in obtaining the tapes, but the manager files
a complaint against them, provoking the captain to fur-
ther harass them.
Failure: The shop manager refuses to help, and asks the
cell to leave.
Success: The characters succeed in convincing the gro-
cery store manager to turn over his security tapes, albeit with
protest. He also, very reluctantly, voices his doubts that the
couple would kill each other.
26
Tiger by the tail
Exceptional Success: If the lead interrogator scores an

exceptional success on a single roll, the manager offers to
Running the fingerprint
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Computer
help locate the exact footage of the killer, adding a +2 bonus
Action: Instant. This roll represents several hours of work.
to the roll to analyze the videos.
The officer who volunteers for this duty must spend
Analyzing the surveillance videos time identifying the print’s unique marks and ruling out the
Dice Pool: Stamina + Investigation computer’s suggestions.
Action: Instant. The roll represents several hours spent Hindrances: A thunderstorm flickers the power (-2),
watching the night’s tapes. Johnston catches wind of the finger (-1)
Whoever volunteers to analyze the security tapes is Help: The forensics tech offers to help (+1)
in for a grueling marathon of grainy surveillance foot- Roll Results
age. The trick to stay sharp-eyed enough throughout to Dramatic Failure: The computer crashes, and can’t be recon-
spot the killer. nected to the database for several hours, delaying the investigation.
Hindrances: The character hasn’t slept in awhile (-1), Failure: The character fails to find a match and must
the viewing room is warm (-1) double-check his work.
Help: The character drinks some coffee (+1), each ad- Success: The finger comes back as belonging to the prime
ditional person watching (+2), exceptional success in inter- suspect in a rape case from several years ago, Jeremiah Quaker.
rogating the grocery manager (+2) The file says Quaker was released shortly before the case went
Roll Results to trial, and cites the girl’s refusal to press charges as the rea-
Dramatic Failure: The character falls asleep and is dis- son. The file shows the victim dropped her complaint at the
covered by Captain Johnston. He not only has to re-watch last minute, and claimed to have made it all up. When police
everything, he must do so with the captain present. attempted to contact her several weeks later, it was discovered
Failure: The character fails to locate the proper footage, she had left town almost immediately after recanting.
and must double-check everything. Exceptional Success: As a success, except the process
Success: The video shows a young white man leav- takes only a little over an hour.
ing the apartment at four thirty, only five minutes after
the first report of shooting was received. He can be Consequences
seen climbing into a new Mustang and driving off in Once the cell has identified the killer, and settled on a course
a hurry. of action, move immediately to “Tiger by the Tail.” Should the
Exceptional Success: The footage of Jeremiah entering members decide to consult with Agent Carver, he will reveal
the building at four o’clock is also located. His face is dif- what he knows about Jeremiah and the Parliament of Philoso-
ficult to make out, but he can be identified by his clothing. phers and suggest the cell move against the warlock before he
He can be seen drawing a gun. manages to complete whatever unholy ritual he’s planning.
Tiger by the tAIL

Mental Physical Social —
Overview Description
The cell converges on the row house and confronts Jeremiah, You pull up outside Quaker’s row house and immediately feel
the warlock responsible for the murders. They find him in the the hair on the back of your neck stand up. There’s a strange energy
middle of an inexplicable ritual that looks quite different from the in the air, and you can’t help but feel your spirits lift—everything
bogus markings left near the bodies. He seems to be consuming seems a little bit brighter, like nothing can go wrong. You manage to
the murder victims’ missing eyes, and after only a brief moment of catch yourself before you actually smile, and look around the car,
gloating that they’re expected, he sets the spirits of his victims on hoping no one saw you. The unnatural brightness you feel just fills
the cell while attempting to mind control Gabreski. During the you with more disgust for Jeremiah and what he’s done. Nothing he
fight, a strange watery vortex seems to be flowing up from the sym- could be planning is worth doing that to innocent people.
bol on the floor, and a glowing stone slowly emerges from within. Jeremiah’s two-story row house is in the middle of a block
After Jeremiah is killed, the vortex winks out of exis- that overlooks the Schuylkill River. If the characters arrive
tence, taking the ghosts, Jeremiah’s body and a large chunk at night (which is likely, given their intentions) it is the only
of the floor with it. Most of the water stays, left to splash house still illuminated. Unknown to them, Jeremiah is upstairs
down onto the level below (along with the characters). in the middle of his dowsing ritual. Fearing for his safety after
27
GHOSTS OF
JEREMIAH’S VICTIMS
Quote: (Complete and utter silence)
Background: These three restless spirits were enslaved by Jeremiah’s pow-
er and summarily murdered, but he was not content to simply let them pass
on. He controls them now, even in death. He plans to put their ghostly
corpus to use in the activation of the artifact, but sees his own defense
as a more immediate concern.
Appearance: Each apparition is a pale reflection of the person it once was.
All three appear just as they did at the moment of death, contorted and
bloodstained, with gaping holes in place of their eyes. They appear human
in a dark room, but once exposed to light become indistinct and almost
transparent. Their faces are twisted by the impotent rage that fills them,
making them appear maddened and desperate (which they are).
Storytelling Hints: The ghosts are bound to serve their master, Jeremiah,
but they still retain enough self-awareness to resent him. They will fol-
low his every word to the letter, but always hesitate slightly before
carrying out an order, trying in vain to resist his commands.
Attributes: Power 2, Finesse 2, Resistance 2
Willpower: 4
Initiative: 4
Defense: 2
Speed: 14
Virtue/Vice: The ghosts’ Virtue is Hope. Once per session of play they
regain all spent Willpower when they refuse to let others give in to
despair, even when doing so risks harm to their own goals or wellbeing.
While they remain under Jeremiah’s control, they cannot act on this.
Their Vice is Wrath. They regain one Willpower point whenever they un-
leash their anger in a situation where doing so is dangerous. If a fight
has already begun, no Willpower points are regained. It must take place
in a situation where anger is unwarranted and inappropriate.
Dread Powers:
Manifestation: The ghosts are only barely there, physically. Subtract
one point of damage from every successful attack upon a ghost before
reducing its corpus. Once a ghost’s corpus has reached zero, it loses
its hold on the physical world, returning to its normal Twilight state.
Telekinesis: Each of the ghosts was brought into existence amidst over-
whelming feelings of anger, pain and helplessness, and their very na-
ture continues to echo with these emotions. By spending a point of Es-
sence and concentrating for a turn, a ghost may focus this negative
emotion into raw kinetic force. They lack any fine control with the pow-
er, making it essentially a ranged attack.
Terrify (••): see p.26
Size: 5
Essence: 5
Corpus: 7
Weapons/Attacks
Telekinesis 1(B) 10 5

28
Ghosts of Jeremiah’s victims
Terrify (••)
The ghost spends a Willpower point and an action engaging the target in eye contact
and activates this power with a Power + Finesse + Terrify roll (6 dice), reflexively
resisted by the target’s Resolve + Composure. If the attack succeeds, the target
flees the scene as quickly as possible, via the nearest available escape route. She
will not stop running until she reaches a location she considers to be safe.
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: The target is unimpressed by the ghost’s attempt to frighten
her. It in fact emboldens the target, and she may gain a point of Willpower.
Failure: The ghost fails to frighten the target, but may spend another
Willpower in the next turn and try again.
Success: The result for success is described above. If the target cannot escape
(or spends a point of Willpower to remain), she suffers a penalty to all rolls equal
to the ghost’s dots in Terrify (-2). This effect lasts for one scene. Multiple uses
of the power against the same target do not accumulate; instead, the most successful
use of the power is used to determine the target’s dice pool penalty.
Exceptional Success: The effect so terrifies the target that she also loses one
Willpower point.
Storyteller Goals
his failed assault on Rag Man, he has surrounded himself with
the ghosts of his victims. He intends to sacrifice the ensnared
souls as a means of activating the stone once he recovers it, Your goal in this scene is to provide an exciting cli-
but sees them as adequate protection for the time being. max to the investigation. Though he is no tougher than
When the characters enter the house, read the following: a normal person, Jeremiah’s offensive capabilities (along
As you move into the kitchen and toward the stairs, you can hear with his ghostly servants) make him a formidable op-
the sound of rushing water coming from upstairs. As you crest the stairs, ponent. He should not go down easily, but the odds are
you can see Jeremiah in the room at the end of the hall. He is chanting stacked in favor of the characters, ensuring their even-
in what sounds like Latin, and gesturing wildly over a luminescent spot tual victory.
on the floor. What started as the sound of a bath being run now grows
louder and louder, until it becomes the roar of river rapids. As the sound
increases, the spot on the floor widens, turning into a swirling vortex of
Character Goals
By this point in the story, the characters should want
water. Jeremiah pauses his chanting long enough to pop something small
to take down Jeremiah hard. Once they locate and gain en-
and round into his mouth. He stares into the whirlpool and pulls back
trance to his house, it’s really just a matter of surviving his
his lips to reveal one of the missing eyes clenched between his teeth. He
assault long enough to bring him down.
bites down, squirting vitrious ichor into the pool of water, and reaches
Consequences
for another eye. He is missing his right index finger.
Once the characters have Jeremiah’s attention, read
the following: Once Jeremiah is dead, and the vortex has dissipated,
“I see that stupid dog put my finger to good use,” Jeremiah shouts the cell is left to clean up the mess. Officers will quickly
over the roar. “It doesn’t matter, though. Once I recover the stone, you respond to the house after receiving numerous reports of
won’t be able to thank me fast enough for putting you out of a job.” gunshots, and the characters will likely be at a loss to ex-
Regardless of how the characters gain entry to the house, plain the situation. Their captain will attempt to pin ac-
Jeremiah reacts in the same way: he sends the ghosts to distract cusations of murder and conspiracy on them, but Carver
them and attempts to control the most obvious threat with his and Task Force: VALKYRIE will take care of any official
Command power. His righteous certainty prevents him from inquiries into the characters’ actions. After all, they are
accepting the possibility of defeat; thus he fights to the death. now fellow operatives.
After Jeremiah is dead, read the following: Should you not wish to leave the ending ambigu-
The warlock crumples to the floor, and you can feel his control over ous, you may rule that police find Jeremiah’s body
the forces around you lapse. The last of the ghosts quickly fades from floating in the river several days later, and through
view, a smug smile on its face, and the crash of the water begins to sub- regular forensics can determine his guilt in the Chi-
side. As the whirlpool shrinks, it appears to be sucking in anything around natown murders. Unless the cell can produce any evi-
it, including the floor. After it finally dissipates, Jeremiah’s body, along dence linking him to the first killing, Jessie’s case is
with a large section of floor, is gone, presumably sucked into the river. never officially solved.
29
Jeremiah Quaker,
Warlock
Quote: I’m going to make this city a paradise. It’s too bad you won’t be
here to enjoy it.
Background: Jeremiah was introduced to the occult at a young age by his
father. The Parliament of Philosophers, the secret society to which he
belonged, saw potential in his boy, and demanded he be all but given
over to them. Raised as much by the society as by his parents, Jeremiah
developed both an aptitude for magic and a warped sense of morals. His
powers allowed him to easily take control of the Parliament, bending
its members toward what he sees as the greater good. Several years ago,
Jeremiah’s attention was drawn to the legend of a powerful artifact,
lost somewhere in the Schuylkill River. He is convinced it will give
him the power to transform Philadelphia into the idyllic city it was
always meant to be.
Appearance: Jeremiah is in his early thirties, with short, thinning
brown hair. Though he stands only 5’9”, his bearing makes him seem
taller. He dresses for comfort—mostly sweaters and chinos—but always
has at least one accessory that shows off his wealth (gold watch, ex-
pensive shoes, etc.).
Storytelling Hints: You’re the most powerful warlock in the city, able to
bend others to your will with just a glance. You’re not dumb enough to
be blind to your own arrogance, but your power makes up for so many of
your shortcomings that you often mistake it for competence. The artifact
you seek will allow you to bring about such positive change in the world
that nothing you do in its pursuit can be considered immoral—even mur-
der. You genuinely think you’re doing the right thing, and that’s what
makes you most dangerous.
Mental Attributes:Intelligence 2, Wits 3, Resolve 3
Physical Attributes:Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2
Social Attributes: Presence 3, Manipulation 3, Composure 3
Mental Skills:Academics 2, Computer 2, Investigation 2, Medicine 1, Oc-
cult 4 (Philadelphia secret societies), Politics 1
Physical Skills:Athletics 1, Firearms 2, Larceny 1, Stealth 2
Social Skills: Empathy 1, Expression 3, Intimidation 1, Persuasion 2,
Streetwise 3
Merits: Danger Sense 2, Fast Reflexes 2, Resources 4, Retainer (souls of
his victims) 3
Willpower: 6
Initiative: 8
Defense: 3
Speed: 10
Virtue/Vice: Jeremiah’s Virtue is Fortitude. Once per session of play
he regains all spent Willpower when he withstands overwhelming or
tempting pressure to alter his goals. This does not include temporary
distractions from his course of action, only pressure that might cause
him to abandon or change his goals altogether. His Vice is Pride. He
regains one Willpower point whenever he exerts his own wants over oth-
ers at some potential risk to himself.
30
Jeremiah Quaker, Warlock
Jeremiah Quaker,
Warlock Continued
Dread Powers:
Command (••••): see below
Size: 5
Health: 7
Weapons/Attacks
M9 Beretta 2(L) 20/40/80 7
Equipment: M9 Beretta (+2 to Firearms rolls with a range of 20/40/80
yards), book of occult rituals, 6 human eyeballs
Merits
Danger Sense: This Merit functions as the Merit of the same name possessed
by Gabreski.
Fast Reflexes: This Merit functions as the Merit of the same name possessed
by Raimundo.
Resources: Quaker is heir to an impressive collection of real estate
holdings throughout New England. Though most of his money is tied up
in property at any given time, he still has easy access to roughly
$10,000 at any given time.
Retainer: Jeremiah isn’t content to allow his control of a person to
lapse when they die. He has enslaved the souls of his three murder
victims, and plans to use them to fuel the artifact. They are under
his total control.
Command (••••)
The target is entranced by Jeremiah’s voice and gaze. After spending a Willpower
and making a Manipulation + Expression + Command roll (10 dice, resisted reflexively
by the target’s Wits + Resolve), he needs to hold the target’s attention long
enough to implant a verbal suggestion. That suggestion could be simple, such as
“Take your clothes off,” or complex, such as “Go to Riley’s bar, wait until you
see a brunette in a blue dress and ask her if she’s a Libra.” A suggestion may
overtly involve violence.
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: The target sees right through the trick, and can’t be
hypnotized again for the rest of the scene.
Failure: Jeremiah may try again next turn.
Success: The target obeys to the best of her ability, for up to one round
Exceptional Success: The target goes so far as to believe the suggestions are
her own idea in the first place, following them for the rest of the scene.
31
Lt. Vince Gabreski

Quote: You think you’re hot shit, huh? Let’s see how you Roleplaying Hints: You are the leader of the cell, and
feel after a couple hours talkin’ to me. for good reason. Take charge of every situation, but allow
Background: Vince has spent nearly his whole life in your teammates to play to their strengths. You didn’t get to
Kensington. He ran with the street gangs as a kid, and did where you are today by not trusting your partners. Also, call
odd jobs for the crime bosses, eventually working his way Karl “Junior.” He hates it.
into an enforcer position. As he got older, he realized he had Equipment: Detective’s badge, Beretta Model 92 (+2 to
no future as a criminal, and transferred to the other side of Firearms rolls with ranges of 20/40/80 yards), clasp knife (+0
the law. His firsthand knowledge of the criminals he faced to Weaponry rolls)
helped him rise through the ranks quickly, and he made de- Virtue/Vice: Gabreski’s Virtue is Justice. Once per ses-
tective after only a couple years. sion of play he regains all spent Willpower when he does
The Special Cases Unit was created by the Mayor’s Of- the right thing at risk of personal loss or setback. The “right
fice to deal with the stranger cases, mostly the drugs and thing,” to Gabreski, is less what’s in the law books and more
violence that surround the city’s gangs, and Gabreski was a sense of decency and honor. His Vice is Greed. He regains
handpicked to lead it. Unfortunately, the lure of easy money one Willpower point whenever acquires something at the expense
was too much for him and his unit, and they started working of another. Gaining it must come at some potential risk (of as-
with the gangs, rather than against them. The SCU was near- sault, arrest or simple loss of peer respect).
ly shut down by an Internal Affairs investigation, but it was
ordered shelved by Agent Carver, a Task Force: VALKY-
RIE operative, shortly after Gabreski’s Boys helped him take
Tactics
down a family of ghouls. Moral Support
Description: Vince is in his early forties, but his light Dice Pool: Primary (Andrea): Manipulation or Presence
brown hair and muscular physique make him seem young- + Empathy. Secondary: Wits + Expression.
er. His eyes have a sleepy look to them, and at slightly Action: Instant
over three hundred pounds, he is often mistaken for a Description: A monster might be able to tear a man’s
dull-witted goon. arm off or bite through his throat, but the truly terrifying
32
Lt. Vince Gabreski
ones are those that can control his thoughts and feel- Success: For the next scene, successes on the primary
ings. Hunters have long been aware that many creatures actor’s roll are added to the hunters’ Resistance traits for
of the World of Darkness can do this sort of thing— purposes of countering mental and emotional supernatural
some even cause memory loss by their very presence. attacks. For example, the primary actor rolls three successes.
The Moral Support Tactic, hopefully enacted before it If a vampire attempts to mind-control a member of the cell
becomes an issue, gives a cell some protection against during the scene and the usual resistance roll is Resolve, the
this kind of attack. appropriate player rolls Resolve +3.
The secondary actors exchange words of encourage- Exceptional Success: As above. In addition, the
ment and support, psyching each other up, as it were. characters are inspired by the primary actor’s words, and
The primary actor then says a few words to the cell: last- ready to go into battle. Each participant regains one
minute advice, reminders about Tactics, or just an ad- Willpower point.
monition to “kill the bastards.” The cell can then enter
a dangerous situation knowing the members have each
other’s backs. While this isn’t a foolproof method of pre-
Merits
Danger Sense: Used to watching his back, Gabreski is
venting infiltration or mind manipulation, it’s certainly
very adept at spotting an ambush. He receives a +2 bonus on
better than nothing.
his Wits + Composure roll to spot one.
Note, though, that moral support does nothing to help
Professional Training: Gabreski has a great deal of train-
with existing mental manipulation. If a vampire catches a
ing as a detective, which also means he meets many people
hunter out alone and implants a hypnotic suggestion, this
in his job. After Gabreski has had some time to talk to his
Tactic does nothing to remove or weaken it. The hunter
network of contacts, he can roll Manipulation + Persuasion or
is protected from other mental incursions, but the prior
Socialize to get information from one of three groups: the po-
one stands.
lice department, street gangs and the media. If he gets at least
Roll Results
one success, he can get information on a particular topic.
Dramatic Failure: The cell is demoralized. Each member
Resources: Being a cop doesn’t pay much, but some of
loses a point of Willpower, and all Tactics rolls suffer a –2
Gabreski’s “side investments” have made things a little more
penalty for the next 24 hours.
comfortable for him. He has a comfortable (if small) apart-
Failure: The cell isn’t in synch today, for whatever rea-
ment and a working car without too much rust on it. Given a
son. No special protection from mental attacks.
few hours’ notice, he could scrape up $1,000 during this story.
33
Lt. Vince Gabreski Blunt Leader Detective

Justice Gabreski’s Boys
The Hunt Greed
danger sense
professional training
resources
body
language
dirty tricks
moral support
5
10
4
2
Beretta Model 92
clasp knife
interrogation
gangs
34
Raimundo Guttierez
Raimundo Guttierez
Quote: You better watch where you point that thing, vato. The primary actor then says a few words to the cell: last-
You don’t know who’s watching my back now. minute advice, reminders about Tactics, or just an ad-
Background: In many ways, Raimundo’s story is a mirror monition to “kill the bastards.” The cell can then enter
of Vince’s. He moved with his parents from Guatemala, and a dangerous situation knowing the members have each
grew up in the gangs of Kensington, but unlike Gabreski, he other’s backs. While this isn’t a foolproof method of pre-
never got out. Instead, he worked his way slowly through the venting infiltration or mind manipulation, it’s certainly
ranks, earning enough respect to put together a crew of his better than nothing.
own, the Siete Meurtos. With the SCU’s help, Raimundo led Note, though, that moral support does nothing to help
the Muertos to prominence in the district, dominating the with existing mental manipulation. If a vampire catches a
gun and drug trades. hunter out alone and implants a hypnotic suggestion, this
He has a sister, Lupe, who is a nurse. She is his only Tactic does nothing to remove or weaken it. The hunter
surviving family member, and he loves her dearly, but not is protected from other mental incursions, but the prior
enough to find a safer occupation. one stands.
Description: Raimundo’s complexion and speech mark Roll Results
him as an obvious Latino gang member. He tends to wear Dramatic Failure: The cell is demoralized. Each member
thick jackets over sweatshirts, but regardless of the details loses a point of Willpower, and all Tactics rolls suffer a –2
his clothes are always excessively baggy. He has a boyish penalty for the next 24 hours.
face that would normally make him look ten years younger Failure: The cell isn’t in synch today, for whatever rea-
than the twenty-five he is, but his constant scowl more than son. No special protection from mental attacks.
makes up for any softness. Success: For the next scene, successes on the pri-
Roleplaying Hints: The world is a hard place, and the mary actor’s roll are added to the hunters’ Resistance
only way to get what you want is to take it. You don’t take traits for purposes of countering mental and emotional
crap from anyone except Lupe, and go out of your way to supernatural attacks. For example, the primary actor
remind your men why you’re in charge. Rewarding loyalty is rolls three successes. If a vampire attempts to mind-
important, but not as important as punishing disobedience. control a member of the cell during the scene and the
You have no time for social niceties, and swear constantly in usual resistance roll is Resolve, the appropriate player
both English and Spanish. rolls Resolve +3.
Equipment: Siete Muertos jacket, Luger 9mm pistol Exceptional Success: As above. In addition, the
(+2 to Firearms rolls with a range of 20/40/80 yards), roll characters are inspired by the primary actor’s words, and
of cash ready to go into battle. Each participant regains one
Virtue/Vice: Raimundo’s Virtue is Hope. Once per ses- Willpower point.
sion of play he regains all spent Willpower when he refuses
to let others give in to despair, even when doing so risks
harm to his own goals or wellbeing. His Vice is Lust. He
Merits
Fast Reflexes: Living on the streets has made Raimundo
regains one Willpower point whenever he satisfies his lust in incredibly fast. He has a +2 to his Initiative (already calcu-
a way that compromises others. lated on the sheet).
Language (Spanish): Raimundo speaks fluent Spanish.
Tactics Professional Training: Raimundo has learned a great
deal about being a criminal on the streets, and he’s gotten
Moral Support to know many shady characters. After Raimundo has had
Dice Pool: Primary (Andrea): Manipulation or Presence some time to talk to his network of contacts, he can roll
+ Empathy. Secondary: Wits + Expression. Manipulation + Persuasion or Socialize to get information
Action: Instant from one of two groups: street gangs and gun dealers. If
Description: A monster might be able to tear a man’s he gets at least one success, he can get information on a
arm off or bite through his throat, but the truly terrifying particular topic.
ones are those that can control his thoughts and feel- Resources: Raimundo’s drug and gun trafficking has
ings. Hunters have long been aware that many creatures made him a little bit of money. He has a small apartment
of the World of Darkness can do this sort of thing— and a used car. Given a few hours’ notice, he could scrape up
some even cause memory loss by their very presence. $1,000 during this story.
The Moral Support Tactic, hopefully enacted before it Retainer (bodyguard): Raimundo doesn’t go anywhere
becomes an issue, gives a cell some protection against dangerous without his personal bodyguard, Miguel. If you need
this kind of attack. mechanics for Miguel, use Raimundo’s Attributes and Skills
The secondary actors exchange words of encourage- as a basis. Miguel is a character handled by the Storyteller.
ment and support, psyching each other up, as it were.
35
Raimundo Guttierez Gang Leader Criminal

Hope Gabreski’s Boys
The Hunt Lust
fast reflexes
language (Spanish)
resources
retainer (Bodyguard)
gangs
conceal
stolen goods
moral support
5
11
8
2
luger 9mm pistol
threats
dealers
36
Karl Rivers
Karl Rivers
Quote: I’ve seen this before, and…well, if you’d calm down, I’d You don’t let on, but the things you read about often
be happy to show you. rattle your nerves, so you smoke constantly in an effort to
Background: Karl worked as an investigative reporter calm yourself. You hate it when Gabreski calls you “Junior.”
for the Philadelphia Inquirer until he was fired six months Equipment: Battered laptop (+1 to Computer rolls),
ago for his wild conspiracy theories. He has been living in cell phone with built-in camera, pack of cigarettes, Colt
his car ever since. He has spent the time working freelance M1911A1 pistol (+3 to Firearms rolls with a range of
for various tabloids and calling the SCU with all sorts of 30/60/120 yards)
strange cases, trying to convince them to help him find evi- Virtue/Vice: Karl’s Virtue is Faith. Once per session of
dence of the Truth he knows is out there. When Gabreski play he regains all spent Willpower when he is able to forge
took out a restraining order against him, he turned to his meaning from chaos and tragedy. In Karl’s case, his faith isn’t
Internet contacts, many of whom work with Network 0. in a divine being, but rather in the belief that everything ties
After he started uncovering what was really out there, together in the end. His Vice is Gluttony. He regains one
he purchased a handgun for protection. Willpower point whenever he indulges in his addiction or
Description: Karl has always looked a little crazed and appetites at some risk to himself or a loved one.
disheveled, and living out of his car isn’t helping any. His
T-shirts always look like they’ve been slept in (which is fre-
quently true), and his cologne doesn’t always cover up the
Tactics
smell of body odor and cigarettes. His lack of regular groom- Moral Support
ing has left his black hair long and greasy, and his wispy Dice Pool: Primary (Andrea): Manipulation or Presence
beard is starting to fill in. + Empathy. Secondary: Wits + Expression.
Roleplaying Hints: You have a certainty to your atti- Action: Instant
tude that many people find unsettling, and you’re frequently Description: A monster might be able to tear a man’s
labeled as a crazy. You’re aware of these reactions, and even arm off or bite through his throat, but the truly terrifying
their cause, but that doesn’t sway you from your search for ones are those that can control his thoughts and feel-
the Truth. People need to know about the things that stalk ings. Hunters have long been aware that many creatures
them, whether or not they want to. of the World of Darkness can do this sort of thing—
37
some even cause memory loss by their very presence. attacks. For example, the primary actor rolls three successes.
The Moral Support Tactic, hopefully enacted before it If a vampire attempts to mind-control a member of the cell
becomes an issue, gives a cell some protection against during the scene and the usual resistance roll is Resolve, the
this kind of attack. appropriate player rolls Resolve +3.
The secondary actors exchange words of encourage- Exceptional Success: As above. In addition, the charac-
ment and support, psyching each other up, as it were. ters are inspired by the primary actor’s words, and ready to go
The primary actor then says a few words to the cell: last- into battle. Each participant regains one Willpower point.
minute advice, reminders about Tactics, or just an ad-
Merits
Encyclopedic Knowledge: Karl is extremely smart
other’s backs. While this isn’t a foolproof method of pre-
and knows minute facts about a variety of strange and
venting infiltration or mind manipulation, it’s certainly
unusual topics. Whenever he is confronted by a situa-
better than nothing.
tion outside his normal realm of knowledge, he may roll
Note, though, that moral support does nothing to help
his Intelligence + Wits to produce a helpful fact about
with existing mental manipulation. If a vampire catches a
the given topic.
hunter out alone and implants a hypnotic suggestion, this
Fame: Karl has gained a small following for his expo-
Tactic does nothing to remove or weaken it. The hunter
sés and reports. He gets +1 to his Socialize or Persuasion
is protected from other mental incursions, but the prior
rolls among those who follow his career or otherwise re-
one stands.
spect his work.
Roll Results
Professional Training: Despite his checkered past,
Dramatic Failure: The cell is demoralized. Each mem-
Karl’s made a few contacts as a reporter. After Karl has had
ber loses a point of Willpower, and all Tactics rolls suffer a
some time to talk to his network of contacts, he can roll
–2 penalty for the next 24 hours.
Manipulation + Persuasion or Socialize to get information
Failure: The cell isn’t in synch today, for whatever rea-
from other reporters. If he gets at least one success, he can
son. No special protection from mental attacks.
get information on a particular topic.
Success: For the next scene, successes on the primary
Resources: Karl makes just enough money from his free-
actor’s roll are added to the hunters’ Resistance traits for
lance reporting to pay for food and gas.
purposes of countering mental and emotional supernatural
38
Karl Rivers Reporter Journalist
Faith Gabreski’s Boys
The Hunt Gluttony
encyclopedic knowlege
conspiracy
theory fame
internet professional training
resources
puzzles
Breaking and
entering
moral support
5
9
4
1
colt m 1911 a 1
39
Sgt. Andrea Taggart

Quote: Up against the wall, hands on your head! Do it now!
Background: Andrea comes from a line of cops so long
and spread out over New England it’s often referred to as a
“dynasty.” Her father wanted her to surpass him, and take on
a white collar job, but he had always defined himself by his
job, and more than a little of that rubbed off on Andrea. She
saw it as her duty as an only child to carry on the Taggart
family legacy.
She joined the Academy alongside Gabreski, and the
two quickly took to each other. They rose through the ranks
together, and when he was given command of the SCU, An-
drea was at the top of his list for the team.
Description: If asked to describe Andrea in one word,
anyone who knows her would quickly choose “hard.” The
time spent amongst criminals and her hyper-masculine co-
workers has inured her to almost anything, and she wears
a perpetual scowl on her already hatchet-like face. Though
she would never admit it, the stress of her job has caused her
black hair to start turning prematurely grey.
Roleplaying Hints: You’ve had to prove yourself to ev-
eryone around you time and again, but you don’t mind so
much anymore. You know you’re one of the most capable
detectives in the city, and have come to almost enjoy rough-
ing up the scum who assume the lady cop will be the nice
one. Take pride in your defiance of stereotypes, and always
make sure to give back better than you get.
Equipment: Detective’s badge, .45 ACP autoloader (+3
to Firearms rolls, with a range of 30/60/120 yards), police
baton (+2 to Weaponry rolls)
Virtue/Vice: Andrea’s Virtue is Fortitude. Once per ses-
sion of play she regains all spent Willpower when she with-
stands overwhelming or tempting pressure to alter her goals.
This does not include temporary distractions from her course
of action, only pressure that might cause her to abandon or
change her goals altogether. Her Vice is Wrath. She regains
one Willpower point whenever she unleashes her anger in a
situation where doing so is dangerous. If a fight has already
begun, no Willpower points are regained. It must take place
in a situation where anger is unwarranted and inappropriate.
Tactics
Moral Support
Dice Pool: Primary (Andrea): Manipulation or Presence
+ Empathy. Secondary: Wits + Expression.
Action: Instant
Description: A monster might be able to tear a man’s
arm off or bite through his throat, but the truly terrifying
ones are those that can control his thoughts and feelings.
Hunters have long been aware that many creatures of the
World of Darkness can do this sort of thing—some even
cause memory loss by their very presence. The Moral Sup-
port Tactic, hopefully enacted before it becomes an issue,
gives a cell some protection against this kind of attack.
40
Sgt. Andrea Taggart
The secondary actors exchange words of encourage- Exceptional Success: As above. In addition, the charac-
ment and support, psyching each other up, as it were. ters are inspired by the primary actor’s words, and ready to go
The primary actor then says a few words to the cell: last- into battle. Each participant regains one Willpower point.
minute advice, reminders about Tactics, or just an ad-
Merits
other’s backs. While this isn’t a foolproof method of pre- Favored Weapon: Andrea’s had her ACP autoloader
venting infiltration or mind manipulation, it’s certainly since she first joined the force, and it’s served her well all these
better than nothing. years. As long as it’s on her person or within reach and easily
Note, though, that moral support does nothing to help with accessible, she gains a +2 to Resolve + Composure rolls.
existing mental manipulation. If a vampire catches a hunter Iron Stamina: Andrea is as tough as nails, and she’ll
out alone and implants a hypnotic suggestion, this Tactic does keep on kicking long after some of the other guys are curled
nothing to remove or weaken it. The hunter is protected from up in a ball and crying. She ignores up to a -2 modifier for
other mental incursions, but the prior one stands. wound penalties, meaning she loses only one die when she’s
Roll Results close to going unconscious, instead of -3.
Dramatic Failure: The cell is demoralized. Each member Professional Training: Even though Andrea is in the
loses a point of Willpower, and all Tactics rolls suffer a –2 detective division, at heart she’s a cop, and that’s where her
penalty for the next 24 hours. training lies. After Andrea has had some time to talk to her
Failure: The cell isn’t in synch today, for whatever rea- network of contacts, she can roll Manipulation + Persuasion
son. No special protection from mental attacks. or Socialize to get information from the guys in the police
Success: For the next scene, successes on the primary department. If she gets at least one success, she can get in-
actor’s roll are added to the hunters’ Resistance traits for formation on a particular topic.
purposes of countering mental and emotional supernatural Resources: Being a cop doesn’t pay much, but Andrea
attacks. For example, the primary actor rolls three successes. has spent enough time in the force to net a few good rais-
If a vampire attempts to mind-control a member of the cell es. She has a small, comfortable apartment and a car that
during the scene and the usual resistance roll is Resolve, the doesn’t need too many repairs. Given a few hours’ notice,
appropriate player rolls Resolve +3. she could scrape up $1,000 during this story.
41
Sgt. Andrea Taggart Tough Cop Cop

Fortitude Gabreski’s Boys
The Hunt Wrath
favored weapon (.45 Pistol)

iron stamina
resources
Chases
pistol
moral support
5
9
Baton
3
2
.45 ACP Autoloader

Police baton
rumors
42
Det. Jack Dean
Det. Jack Dean

Quote: Look, let’s just take this joker down quick so I The primary actor then says a few words to the cell: last-
can get home. minute advice, reminders about Tactics, or just an ad-
Background: Jack was born in Co. Cork, Ireland. He monition to “kill the bastards.” The cell can then enter
immigrated to the United States with his mother when he a dangerous situation knowing the members have each
was just a baby, a few months after his father died of cancer. other’s backs. While this isn’t a foolproof method of pre-
She tried to care for Jack as best she could, but her search for venting infiltration or mind manipulation, it’s certainly
a replacement father led her from one abusive man to the better than nothing.
next. Jack joined the force immediately out of high school, Note, though, that moral support does nothing to help
out of a desire to protect people like his mother, but was with existing mental manipulation. If a vampire catches a
quickly disabused of his righteous notions. Jack is a little hunter out alone and implants a hypnotic suggestion, this
more jaded now, but he still hopes he is doing more good Tactic does nothing to remove or weaken it. The hunter
than harm. is protected from other mental incursions, but the prior
Description: Jack looks every bit the Irish cop: one stands.
freckled face, red hair, and big dimples on his baby face Roll Results
when he smiles. He tends to dress in simple, functional Dramatic Failure: The cell is demoralized. Each member
suits, and tries to lend an impression of respectability to loses a point of Willpower, and all Tactics rolls suffer a –2
the SCU. He doesn’t feel any strong connection to his penalty for the next 24 hours.
roots, but when he gets upset his faint accent becomes Failure: The cell isn’t in synch today, for whatever rea-
more pronounced. son. No special protection from mental attacks.
Roleplaying Hints: You see the actions of the SCU as a Success: For the next scene, successes on the primary
necessary evil. Sure, you’ve done bad things in your career, actor’s roll are added to the hunters’ Resistance traits for
but you’ve tried to make those ethical compromises mean purposes of countering mental and emotional supernatural
something. If a drug dealer is taken off the street, who cares attacks. For example, the primary actor rolls three successes.
if the evidence against him was planted? The strange things If a vampire attempts to mind-control a member of the cell
going on make you nervous, but you’re trying to hold it to- during the scene and the usual resistance roll is Resolve, the
gether as best you can. appropriate player rolls Resolve +3.
Equipment: Detective’s badge, small flashlight, Glock 17 Exceptional Success: As above. In addition, the
pistol (+2 to Firearms rolls, with a range of 20/40/80 yards) characters are inspired by the primary actor’s words, and
Virtue/Vice: Jack’s Virtue is Charity. He regains all ready to go into battle. Each participant regains one
spent Willpower when he gives something of himself to Willpower point.
help another. This does not include giving something
of which he has an abundance, only those things that
will cause him hardship through their absence. His Vice
Merits
Common Sense: Jack is exceptionally grounded and
is Sloth. He regains one Willpower point whenever he pragmatic, and can be depended upon to make sound,
successfully avoids a difficult task but achieves the same straightforward decisions after a few moments’ thought. The
goal nonetheless. Storyteller can make a reflexive Wits + Composure roll once
per session if Jack is about to embark upon a disastrous course
Tactics of action, or if you find yourself at a point in the story where
you’re completely stumped for ideas. If the roll succeeds, the
Moral Support Storyteller may point out the risks of a particular course, or
Dice Pool: Primary (Andrea): Manipulation or Presence suggest possible actions Jack can take that might get events
+ Empathy. Secondary: Wits + Expression. back on track.
Action: Instant Professional Training: Jack is still learning how to be
Description: A monster might be able to tear a man’s a detective, but he’s made a few friends on the force. After
arm off or bite through his throat, but the truly terrifying Jack has had some time to talk to his network of contacts,
ones are those that can control his thoughts and feel- he can roll Manipulation + Persuasion or Socialize to get
ings. Hunters have long been aware that many creatures information from his friends in the detective division. If
of the World of Darkness can do this sort of thing— he gets at least one success, he can get information on a
some even cause memory loss by their very presence. particular topic.
The Moral Support Tactic, hopefully enacted before it Resources: Being a cop doesn’t pay much, but Jack’s
becomes an issue, gives a cell some protection against managed to spend his money well (or let other people spend
this kind of attack. money on him). He has a modest apartment and a modest
The secondary actors exchange words of encourage- car that’s only a few years old. Given a few hours’ notice, he
ment and support, psyching each other up, as it were. could scrape up $1,000 during this story.
43
Detective Jack Dean Nervous Detective Detective

Charity Gabreski’s Boys
The Hunt Sloth
common sense
resources
crime
scenes
forensics
pistol
moral support
5
10
5
3
motives Glock 17
44
Scene Cards
mental
SCENE: Back on the Street physical —
social
H IN D R A N C E S HELP
Getting up to speed: Raimundo or Karl are Getting up to speed: Jack takes point in the
present (-1), Darnell Waters is mentioned (-1) discussions (+1)
Recalling Dogtown: Raimundo is distracted by Recalling Dogtown: Raimundo has a chance to

the mutilated body (-1), the uniformed cops speak with his crew first (+2)
harass him (-1)
Reading the Runes: Karl posts a description
Reading the Runes: The ME is still around to of the runes on the Internet (+1), Karl posts a
interfere (-1), Karl doesn’t have access to the picture of the runes on the Internet (+2)
Internet (-2)
STs Help evoke the proper mood and understanding of the characters’ motives.
PCs Get up to speed on the details of the crime and determine the next step in the investigation.
mental —
SCENE:Pounding the Pavement physical
social

The Dogtowns are excessively violent due to Speaker is Raimundo (+1)
the mind control (-4)
Speaker pulls his gun (+1)
Speaker verbally threatens the Dogtowns (-1)
Anyone touches the Dogtowns (-1)
Give the cell with a chance to direct the course of the investigation,
STs and provide some opposition.
PCs Continue moving the investigation forward.
45
mental
SCENE: Rag Man physical

social
Crowded street (-1) Every three points the Ragman’s Speed
exceeds that of his fastest pursuer (+1)
STs Connect the cell with Rag Man, but don’t make it too easy on them.
PCs Track down the Rag Man to move the investigation forward.
mental
SCENE: Bloodhound physical —
social
Rag Man isn’t quite saneLeave the tunnel alive. Rag Man has heightened sensitivity to magic
Use Rag Man’s heightened sensitivity to magic to increase the characters’ awareness of the
STs nature of Jeremiah’s powers. Also, get some information from the cell’s professional contacts
PCs Learn more about the murderer, and get information from your professional contacts.
Investigating the murder scene: The characters are rushed for time (-1)
46
Scene Cards
mental
SCENE: When It Rains, It Pours physical —
social
Interrogation: The characters speak too Investigating the murder scene: Each ad-
highly of the victims (-1 to cell), Choummaly ditional character assisting (+1)
is present (-1 to cell), the manager is shown Interrogation: Raimundo threatens to bring
pictures of the murder scene(s) (-1 to grocer) his crew in to trash the store (+1 to cell),
each additional cop participating (+1 to cell)
Analyzing videos: The character hasn’t
slept in awhile (-1), the viewing room is Analyzing videos: The character drinks
warm (-1) some coffee (+1), each additional person
watching (+2), exceptional success in inter-
Running fingerprint: A thunderstorm flickers rogating the grocery manager (+2)
the power (-2), Johnston catches wind of
the finger (-1) Running fingerprint: The forensics tech offers
to help (+1)
STs Reveal the final pieces of the puzzle and give the cell a suspect.
PCs After the investigation stalls, capitalize on this latest development.
mental
SCENE: Tiger by the Tail physical

social —
Vortex Jeremiah distracted by ritual
Controlled ghosts
STs Provide an exciting climax to the investigation.
PCs Survive Jeremiah’s assault long enough to bring him down.
47
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Quickstart Developer: Art Direction and Design:

Hunter: The Vigil Developer: Art:

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Printed in the United STates

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Taking the Vigil Tier Three: Hunter Conspiracies

The Hunt Flowchart

Background before his work is complete. In order to avoid any suspicion, he

Like Cpt. Johnston, Carver wants to stay in touch

The area around the crime scene is heavily com-

Hindrances: Raimundo is distracted by the mutilated Action: Instant

Pounding the Pavement

a buddy from before he started the Muertos. “I know we got his-

Character Goals Consequences

When the idea of killing people is brought up, Rag

Quote: Hey, mister. Are you

rag man Continued

Merits: Brawling Dodge 1, Danger Sense 2, Unseen Sense 3

Rag Man can immediately feel something isn’t right,

When It Rains, It Pours

Success: The characters learn one piece of information

Interrogating the grocery manager

Exceptional Success: If the lead interrogator scores an

Tiger by the tAIL

Lt. Vince Gabreski

Lt. Vince Gabreski Blunt Leader Detective

Raimundo Guttierez Gang Leader Criminal

luger 9mm pistol

Sgt. Andrea Taggart

Sgt. Andrea Taggart Tough Cop Cop

favored weapon (.45 Pistol)

.45 ACP Autoloader

Det. Jack Dean

Detective Jack Dean Nervous Detective Detective

Recalling Dogtown: Raimundo is distracted by Recalling Dogtown: Raimundo has a chance to

Anyone touches the Dogtowns (-1)

PCs Continue moving the investigation forward.

PCs After the investigation stalls, capitalize on this latest development.

STs Provide an exciting climax to the investigation.

PCs Survive Jeremiah’s assault long enough to bring him down.

A unit of soldiers is sent under cover of night to

AVAILABLE NOW Scenes of Frenzy

White Wolf Introduces the Storyteller

vic neitte (free product) 2

five of your friends

Hunter: The Vigil

vic neitte (free product) 2

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