LES MONSTRES
Lesser Vampire (Western)
Description translated from the journal of the German Biologist, Victor VanHelsing
Description:
Perhaps the most fearsome of the predators that stalk human prey is the Nosferatu.. Called the 'Vampire' by western historians, it is a creature that subsists on the blood of human and animal victims. The lesser, or 'western vampire,' is perhaps the weakest of the species - thus the most vulnerable and the least deadly. The nosferatu of the Americas, it would seem, trace their lineage back to the
Puritanical colonies of the eastern United States. They are vulnerable to sunlight, to the sting of wooden weapons, and (to some degree) traditional "shootin' irons" such as pistols and frontier rifles. One should note, however that not all myths concerning these creatures are true. Surely enough a stake to the heart will immobilize them - and cutting off their head and burning the remains is a sure way of disposing of them.. However, other weaknesses such as: the inability to cross
running water, may have no affect on these abominations. Sunlight however, is a sure means of destruction in all cases. It would also seem that this phenomena called by Americans, 'The Reckoning,' has somehow increased the number and/or proliferation of these creatures - as accounts of their manifestation have risen geometrically over the last several years. One definite conclusion that can be drawn is simply that if these creatures are encountered, they should be destroyed utterly and
forever - at any cost.
Stats on the Lesser, or Western Vampire
(Sample stats represent a 'gunfighter' profession)
Deftness 3d8
Shootin': Pistol 5, Speed-Load:Pistol 3, Fannin' 4
Nimbleness 2d12+2
Dodge 3, Fightin':Brawlin 4, Fightin':Wraslin 5, Climbin' 2, Sneak 5
Quickness 4d12+2
Quick Draw:Pistol 4
Strength 3d10
Vigor 3d10
Cognition 2d10
Scrutinize 2, Trackin' 1, Search 3
Knowledge 2d8
Disguise 2, Area Knowledge: County 4
Mien 3d10
Overawe 4, Persuasion 3
Smarts 3d6
Gamblin' 3, Ridicule 3
Spirit 3d8
Size 6
Terror 7
Special Abilities:
Claws: STR + 1d4 Damage
Blood Drain:
If the Vampire makes an opposed Fightin':Brawlin' or Fightin':Wrasslin' roll and gets at least one raise on its opponent, they may bite and drain blood on each successive round - doing 2d6 Wind per round. During this time the victim must make an onerous spirit roll (TN 7) each round - if this is failed they can not fight back in that particular round as they are succumbing to the 'kiss'. If the spirit roll is made the victim may make an opposed brawlin roll to break free - if they obtain a raise on the vampire they manage to wiggle loose . See "Blood Drain" below for the effects of this ability.
Night Vision: A lesser vampire can see in darkness as if it was high noon.
Prescience: A lesser vampire can sense a human presence within 100 yards on a fair (TN 5) spirit roll, they can identify a particular person - providing they have met or sensed the individual before with an onerous (TN 7) roll.
Blood Drain
If the vampire drains a victim to negative wind - the victim is simply dead and will not rise again.. However, if the vampire
drains the victim to 0 wind the victim will fall into a listless and troubled slumber. The next day they will be pale and weak - suffering a -3 to all actions. If the vampire drains the victim again, they will become increasingly weak and be at -5 to all actions. If the vampire drains the victim a third time, the victim will die - but will rise from the grave 1-3 days later as a creature of the night (aka a vampire). The new vampire however is not bound to its creator, though there are no
"hard feelings." If at any time the vampire ceases its attacks on the victim, the victim will slowly recover, losing -1 penalty per day (for example a victim bitten once but left alone will after one day be at -2 to all actions, the next day -1, etc..). However if the victim is bit again they will immediately drop to the appropriate penalty level (unless they have lost all penalties at which time the vampire must begin the process again with the "first bite"). If at any
time during the process the victim is given a transfusion of blood (a general medicine roll target of 5) their action penalty will be improved by +2 (for example someone suffering a -3 who is given a transfusion is improved to a -1 to all actions). This process however does not stop the "transformation" of the victim.
Sunlight
The lesser vampire takes 1 wound level per round to every exposed part of their body. They take 1 wound level per 2 rounds to all covered
areas of the body (Use hit location chart to identify these areas). A "maimed" result to guts, vitals, or noggin results in final death (they aren't comin' back). Providing it finds cover, the vampire can begin to heal - as described below.
Religion
The lesser vampire is affected by all forms of miracles - including the protection miracle. Any miracles that cause damage (such as Gabriel's Fire - if you use it) can drive them to rest - but do not cause
"lethal" damage and they can heal it (see below). Also- anyone with faith can make an opposed roll versus the spirit of the vampire to hold them back with a holy symbol.. However this roll must be made round to round and once the vampire wins the contest - it can no longer be held back by that individual.
Resistances
The lesser vampire feels no effects from wound levels. They take only take 1/2 damage from normal weapons - and regenerate one wound level per hour of
rest (all affected locations). A "maimed" result to the guts, vitals, or noggin will make them appear as dead - but they will heal one wound level per hour all the same (while they rest or "feign death").. As soon as the wound levels rise above maimed they will themselves rise again. Wooden weapons designed to pierce do full damage - and a "maimed" result to the guts, vitals or noggin will cause the vampire to appear dead and begin healing as above. A stake or
similar wooden weapon ,if it strikes the heart, will paralyze the vampire until the offending item is removed -during this time the vampire can not heal. Severing the vampires head will result in final death - most people like to burn the remains just to be sure (severing the head results from a maiming wound to the vitals - made with a cutting weapon (machete, sword, etc..).
Appearance and Feeding
On Aptitudes
The lesser vampire, unlike its more powerful counterparts, is more attached to its human life. Thus they may possess a wide variety of aptitudes - depending on their mortal experiences. So it is possible to encounter vampiric gunslingers,
gamblers, etc. Though a vampiric gunfighter is detailed above, a vampire can have any aptitudes that you (the marshal) want to give them. However a vampire can not use hexes and DEFINITELY can not summon miracles.. These powers are lost to them.
General Notes
The lesser,or western vampire is the basest form of such creatures. They tend to be hard to spot, as they are still quite familiar with their previous "mortal" coil and can still blend in well with mortal society. They do not possess the shape shifting and dominating skills of the European or Carpathian vampires, and are generally more vicious and barbaric. This does not, however, mean that you can not design a lesser vampire that is cultured and intelligent - its just that a great many of them are not. They are also more likely to travel in bands or gangs since some are quite aware of the fact that they are not invulnerable. They also tend to create other vampires (or progeny, if you will) more frequently than their more powerful brethren.
Bon pour l’instant, je fais du tri parmi “mes” monstres...........en attendant........vous avez demandé un vampire? ne quittez pas.....de plus des pouvoirs vampiriques vous attendent.....
(oui, je sais c’est anglais.....mais c’est déja mieux que rien....en attendant la traduction)