Rated B

I was looking in all the wrong books for more information on vampires in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Roleplaying Game (Buffy) because my copy of Monster Smackdown (MS) was out of place on the bookshelf. It contains some really great, in-depth information on vampires’ behavior in Chapter Two (Die Young, Live Forever, pp. 14-33) that I used to write the following Ecology of Vampires in Sunnydale.

I am also using the Angel Roleplaying Game (Angel) and Ghosts of Albion (Ghosts) as the corebooks. My take on vampires differs slightly from the one presented in Monster Smackdown and the Buffyverse canon.

Bear in mind that I disallow Charmed One, Slayer, and Promised One (Army of Darkness, p. 39), et.al., because I do not allow “Central Character” Qualities. Unless everyone in the group takes the Quality, at least one PC will be favored over the others, and that does not make for a fair, balanced, or fun game for everyone at the table. If everyone agrees to take the Quality, then I might allow it, but that’s a theoretical. I do allow Slayer-in-Training (Slayer’s Handbook, p. 32). Either way, my campaign fits the “Vampire Hunters” definition given in Monster Smackdown (pp. 32-33) - which is what I am going for. Angel Investigations does exist, but is in Los Angeles.

I am using Influence from the Abomination Codex, p. 25. The Influence Skill (Buffy, p. 55) has been renamed Charm. I have previously published a skill tree of specializations (1-pt. - Military Monster Squad Initiative Handbook PDF, p. 25), which you can find on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Roleplaying Game Page in the sidebar. I also use both Brawling (WitchCraft PDF, p. 96) and Magic Bolt (Abomination Codex, p. 27), in addition to Kung-Fu and Sports (Throw).

Finally, I eliminated the Perception stat, as having both it and Notice is redundant. Notice+INT is your Perception (PCN) score. Vampires get Perception bonuses to several senses, so this may be important (although I don’t believe it is directly applicable to the following). This does not change the points totals for Character Types (Angel, p. 22).

Overview

While the existence of bite dens (MS, pp. 23-24) remains something everyone wishes to keep under wraps, the existence of vampires is known to be more than mere rumor - at least by 80% of the Sunnydale populace. Some people refer to this as “Sunnydale’s Open Secret.” This percentage decreases by 5% for every 100 miles away from the Hellmouth one gets. The knowledge of the existence of Slayers, and even other demons, is nowhere near as high.

Only 1 in 10 people know of Slayers, the Watchers, or anything associated with either; only 2 in 10 know of the existence of other (non-vampire) demons; and only 2 in 10 know of the existence of other Supernatural types, such as Witches, Ghosts, and Werewolves.

This does not mean that people who are far from the Hellmouth are unfamiliar with the concepts of these Supernatural critters, nor even that they do not believe in them. Were they to definitively learn of these creatures’ existence, they might not be surprised, but they are less likely to know that they exist than someone from Sunnydale. Few people are familiar with Slayers or Watchers, or their Lore, even in Sunnydale.

Part of the reason that so few people know about the existence of other demons is that vampires are prolific throughout the region, and other demons are not. One has to go farther toward Los Angeles to encounter a more diverse roster of demons regularly; Sunnydale is primarily a vampire’s playground, and is given a wide berth by many of the other demonic races due to that. Vampires are antisocial by nature, so they don’t get along with much of anyone from any race - not just humans. They barely tolerate one another.

Sunnydale’s large vampire population attracts vampire groupies, wannabes, and bite junkies, who then attract more vampires in a circular ecology the Vampire Lords encourage and exploit. The Hellmouth also produces even more vampires (and other demons), effectively doubling the Vampire Lords’ feeding and recruitment pools.

The Vampire Lords

These Vampire Lords (Ghosts, p. 191) have combined their Influence (Abomination Codex PDF, p. 25) into an organization known as The High Council of Vampires, aka the Vampire Covenant, as it known by vampires. They employ their Minions (Angel, p. 191) and the occasional Vampire Mercenary (BtVS Director’s Screen, p. 52) to enforce their edicts across the vampiric arm of the Supernatural Underworld. But the Vampire Lords know their place; their Influence does not extend far into other demonic domains.

The Vampire Lords’ armies are tended to by their Lieutenants (Angel, p. 192), who also provide vital information and act as counsel. At least one representative from a non-vampiric demon race sits on the High Council for Vampires, and a few more have honorary positions. The Council is said to have brokered deals with local police and clergy that have eased living conditions for the Sunnydale Undead, but this might just be a rumor.

The Council has mandated that there be no Siring unless permission is explicitly sought and given. Also, that Sires are responsible for their sirelings and their actions for the first decade of the sirelings’ unlife (-1 Obligation). Although they vie for a more peaceful environment with so many Hunters and Slayers patrolling the region, they do not wish to limit the more savage vampires’ hunting practices - something the Council remains split over how to handle - so there is no edict in place regarding any sort of masquerade like one finds in Vampire: The Masquerade. Opponents of such a thing argue that vampires are already masquerading by hiding their Game Face and not openly slaughtering humans on the street.

The Vampire Council also wants to secure and enforce their territory, including Sunnydale’s cemeteries (Welcome to Sunnydale, p. 39), the docks, and the bus depot. In particular, they are seeking more support for the protection of Supernaturals who frequent these areas from the “rogue” (the Council’s term) Hunters, Untrained Slayers (Tea & Crossbows, pp. 33-34), and Slayers-in-Training that are flooding the region. But the vampires who disagree with the Council’s objectives feel oppressed by their enforcement, and so prefer to take their chances.

One of the reasons for this recent push toward organization is the fallout from the 1990s, when vampires ran roughshod over the town but for the intervention of the Slayer and her allies. As the populace of Sunnydale became more aware of the threat they faced, they began taking stronger precautions. Garlic strands across porches and doors started appearing as a quirky decorating trend, its real purpose obscured. Large silver crosses on necklaces and inset in rings became a popular fashion trend that persists to this day (MS, p. 21; Angel, p. 189). And, after the Slayer disappeared, Vampire Hunters became common.

The Council is an attempt to mitigate the damage, and build a better life for both vampires and humans in Sunnydale. But, whether this is a clever ploy or an earnest attempt is unknown. What the Covenant discusses is not known to the general rabble of Supernaturals or even vampires, specifically - many of whom do not support the Council. The majority only hear about the edicts and mandates as they are handed down. Even the identities of the Vampire Lords that sit on the Council are lost on many, though they may know their names in another context, as most of the existing Vampire Lords are well-known throughout the Supernatural Underworld.

Although the Covenant cares nothing for working with organizations like the Watchers’ Council, the High Council of Witches is another matter - just for one example. And, as the rumors suggest, they remain open to working with local police, clergy, and emergency workers to ensure everyone’s protection and safe passage on the streets of Sunnydale. How they go about doing this is likely to be less than professional, but the Council guarantees that it will be done out of sight.

The Council has also promised to curb the practice of bite dens. They understand the community’s concerns over disease and associated criminal activity, and have their own concerns about unwanted deaths and sirings. They will not end the practice entirely, even if they say they will, but they will follow-through on promises of reform and enforcement. They claim that this will require the cooperation of the police, and possibly local leaders.

Vampire Lords are not encountered randomly, nor on the street. In addition to the security The Council provides them, they also have their own private forces comprising Minions, Lieutenants, and Mercenaries. Vampire Lords include The Master (MS, p. 119-123; Lawyers, Gods, & Money, p. 126) and Dracula (LG&M, pp. 126-127; MS, pp. 90-92). Darla may also be a Vampire Lord, though she operates out of Los Angeles (Buffy, p. 172).

The Rabble

The majority of the vampires in and around Sunnydale are not associated with the Council, or anyone else. Sires abandon their sirelings shortly after Turning them. Even those that abide by the Council’s edicts tend to disassociate from their sireling after the first few years of mandatory Siring. Familial-type units may emerge - such as with Drusilla, Angelus, and Spike - but they are uncommon. Tribal clans are equally rare, due to vampires’ Antisocial Impulses and the high value placed on individualism. In many ways, the vampire of the Buffyverse is the ultimate symbol of ever-youthful rebellion, which makes organizing difficult for them. This is one of the reasons so many cooperative attempts to take down the Slayer fail, and so few are launched.

To be sure, vampires like to congregate. They also cooperate to achieve short-term goals. They do not tend to form long-lasting organizations, with a few exceptions (such as those noted in Monster Smackdown). Small hunting parties, and gangs of d10 vampires (as Granite Gang Members - BtVS Director’s Screen, pg. 19), are about the most organized units an Investigator should expect to encounter. These gangs may include one or more Demon Gangstas (Angel, p. 80) in addition to vampires, but this is even rarer (3 in 10 chance).

Welcome to Sunnydale provides a good list of Lairs around the area (pg. 39), but they are not vampire-specific. Directors are encouraged to develop more, as well as place a few bite dens on the map (in run-down areas), featuring vampire NPCs of their own creation or those found in the books. Bear in mind that most Buffyverse vampires prefer to hunt and live alone, or perhaps in pairs. Hunting parties, while uncommon in general, are more common amongst newly-awakened vampires but their members do not necessarily nest together. Vampires of the Buffyverse are largely solitary critters that prefer to congregate, then separate.

All vampires have the abilities detailed in the Buffy and Angel corebooks (Buffy pp. 167-169; Angel, pp. 48, 186-190), and many have Supernatural abilities as detailed in Angel, pp. 49-60 and other books (notably, Ghosts of Albion). Some, like Dracula, also possess Sorcery (Buffy, p. 49, Magic Box) or Innate Magic (Ghosts, p. 48), and have access to spells. These spells should be determined before play begins, although a few spell slots can be left blank to be filled-in later.

Vampires lead lives of extravagance whenever possible but, just like humans, they are limited by their Resources and opportunities, as well as their skills sets and natural ability. Vampires' enhanced Perception is responsible for their heightened emotional states, such as their perpetual bloodlust, as well as their heightened sensations. This compels vampires to seek out ever-increasing levels of physical gratification which results in extreme and reckless behavior. Unfortunately, drugs have no effect on vamps, so they tend to eat their feelings.

Vampires receive at least as much pleasure from feeding as the vessel being fed upon, and likely more. For this reason, all vampires have a -5 Addiction to Blood (Angel, p. 29). They must feed at least once per day (1 full CON point, or about 2-3 LP) or suffer a -1 to WILL. This becomes an additional -1 CON after one week without fresh, human blood (Ghosts, p. 189). This fresh blood cannot be from animals, but may come from certain other races (such as Demons or maybe Trolls).

Most vampires are extremely vain. Although they do what they can, signs of death belie their attempts to disguise their state of unlife. Many bear the stench of death, attract clouds of flies, have a pallor of death, or worse. Vamps spend a lot of time and effort trying to hide these problems, though few go as far as those who learn Semblance of Life (WitchCraft PDF, p. 280). Most affect parfums, lotions, and even smoking habits to combat the odor, and wigs and make-up to fight the appearance of death. See also, Beautician (WitchCraft PDF, p. 95-96) - aka, Wildcard: Fashion (Buffy, p. 94).

Vampires do not receive a ST against beheadings; the Vampire Death Chart on Ghosts of Albion, p.190, is incorrect in that regard.

Random Encounter
1-5 Brand New Vamp (Buffy, p. 169)
6-8 Vampire Minion (Angel, p. 191)
9-0 Vampire Veteran (Angel, p. 191)

Again, Vampire Lords are never randomly encountered. They are incredibly powerful, and hidden behind several layers of security.

Vampires in History

Rumor, superstition, and a warped view of history are common amongst street-level vampires. While vampires as a whole have their own version of events that tends to outstrip what humans know of history, many vampires live a cloistered unlife. Their personal experiences and knowledge of these events often overshadow the reality of how those events unfolded, and their egos do the rest.

For example, it is said among vampires that it was a vamp who killed Duke Ferdinand and set-off World War I, and that the assassination story was a cover-up. It doesn’t really matter if it’s true or not, as it has spread far and wide among vampires over the decades. But, even if there is truth to it, the larger historical events of WWI are more important than the details of vampires somehow being involved. Furthermore, few members of any other race have ever heard this version of events; it is only known to vampires, so its influence and recognition by others is extremely limited.

However, this presumed historical importance is a source of great pride to many vampires. To some, it proves that they shepherd humans in a healthy, symbiotic relationship; to others, it proves vampires’ superiority and mastery over the herd called Mankind. Either way, many hold to this often twisted and myopic view of history, with vampires at the forefront of it all yet never credited for their contributions.

This insertion of vampires into important historical events may be emblematic of a greater need for recognition or belonging, but the fact that vampires have played a far greater role in our history a lot more often, and for a lot longer, than humans realize is inarguable. It is said that vampires predate Mankind, though what they fed upon is unknown. Perhaps history is as the vampires say... but looking for one who would know it is not suggested.

Vampires are also often used as a metaphor for counterculture, so all of this makes perfect sense from any perspective. Their own culture and history is intertwined with that of Mankind’s, which sometimes makes the prouder of the species act-out in defiance. Combine this with a serious bloodlust and you have some truly dangerous vampire “activists” on the streets of Sunnydale, demanding respect and literally thirsting for blood. Among these may be the next Vampire Lord, but most are just street-level demagogues often acting in bad faith.

Still, as noted in Monster Smackdown (p. 30), vampires have their own holidays, beliefs, and society. Vampires even recognize different astrological signs. Although their society intermingles with larger demon society, as well as that of humans’, it is separate from both and remains hidden from them. This bothers these civic-minded vampires.

Networking

As noted, vampires do not get along with one another, nor with other races; they are antisocial to a fault. They may form small nests with familial-like ties, but these do not last more than a few decades at most. Usually, the nest is run out of town or hunted to extinction, and the members lose touch while on the run. Larger clans like the kind you see in Vampire: The Masquerade are not possible due to the rebellious nature of vampires in the Buffyverse. The High Council of Vampires is as close to a Masquerade-type clan as any organization has ever come, and a good number of vamps do not support it - instead feeling oppressed by its decrees and enforcement.

Not every vampire knows every other vampire - even if they did, the turnover rate is pretty high in and around Sunnydale, even without a dedicated Slayer. Every vampire knows the Vampire Lords of the region, though; their Status and Renown precede them. The general vampire of Sunnydale is also aware of the High Council of Vampires, which they call the Vampire Covenant. Many do hang-out together, and vampires appear to be social creatures despite their individualistic tendencies. Dedicated vampire bars, separate from dedicated demon bars, dot the landscape (particularly in Los Angeles and Las Vegas), for example, and slave markets exist literally underground in the sewer tunnels and necropolises of wealthier cemeteries.

By and large, which vampires know one another is the same as it is for humans: It depends largely on geography and where they lair, as well as any personal relationships they have with one another (Angel, p. 32) - especially those they may have had in life. Vampires are often solitary or nest in couples; larger clans are rare, and families of five or more are basically non-existent. Anti-Covenant sentiment continues growing, which may culminate in a second or even third Council of Vampires that will butt heads with the original, but these competing Councils won’t last. How long the first Vampire Covenant lasts remains to be seen, and is likely to come down to how heavy-handed the enforcement is.

Supernatural (Vampire) Type characters can have Influence and Contacts like any other [N]PC, and may know the PCs, and/or other Supernatural Types, before play begins. They are technically just as likely to know another Supernatural Type as they are to know another vampire, especially Ghosts and Demons. These are the two Supernaturals vampires are most likely to encounter outside of their own kind.

Aside from the sympathizers, vampires do not hang around humans. Even those who believe the two can live in harmony keep their distance. Humans are thought to betray their masters, and be unpredictable. Vampires also tend to hate humans, and do not see them as equals.

Those who do not hate them still stay away, as other vampires might see their association as weakness or discriminate against them for their beliefs. One could say that only those vampires with souls associate with humans - and those are rare, indeed.

Keep in mind that it’s silly-easy to become a vampire in Sunnydale and L.A., so take precautions.

Anti-Vamp Measures

“No normal untrained human is going to survive a fight with a vampire.” - MS, p. 33.

Some private police forces have Special Forces specifically trained and outfitted to handle vampire-related emergencies. Their team members are outfitted with crossbows, holy water flasks (5B dmg., AoE splash as grenade), Kevlar armor (10[5] AP), d10 stakes, and vampire detection goggles (Slayer’s Handbook, p. 39). Some of the pricier, and generally shadier, ones (1 in 10) have vehicles with mounted Portable Sun Lamps (SH, p. 38) and carry daylight grenades (Military Monster Squad Initiative Handbook, p. 47) instead of holy water flasks.

These forces vary in size depending on the assumed threat of the situation, but most teams consist of five men (and women), flexing to a maximum of 12 members who occasionally train together. All members of the team have 1+ Tactics.

Team Composition
1-4 Initiative Commando Tough Guy (Buffy, p. 159)
5-6 Former Initiative Agent (Buffy, p. 62)
7-0 Former LAPD (Angel, p. 179)
+1 Captain (MMSIH, p. 30)

So far, the public police (Buffy, p. 159) have no such anti-demon forces. They mock the private security companies’ Supernatural forces with monikers like "Monster Squad" and "The X-Files," but the majority would prefer to have something similar, if they could answer honestly. Several take precautions of their own, from wearing reinforced Kevlar scarves (keep in mind that Sunnydale is in California) and silver cross necklaces, to carrying water guns filled with holy water. At least they have tasers, although only 1 in 10 knows that they are effective on demons (including vampires).

All police forces are trained not to deal with nor answer questions related to vampires or demons, in general. They have become adept at avoiding the conversation and changing the subject. They do not sneer at those who inquire about the Supernatural, but they do not discuss official police investigations with the general public, either.

Private police forces offer security only; they do not employ detectives or private investigators, nor do they engage in investigations. If these are necessary, the security team usually instructs the victims to call the police. This is often where the PCs get involved.

The Initiative

Contrary to popular belief, The Initiative is still active throughout the area, albeit in a decentralized and unorganized fashion. The program, originally thought to be a disaster, was actually successful in seeding Sunnydale’s security forces with Former Initiative Agents (Buffy, pg. 62). Even more have pursued careers as freelance security and Hunters outside of the normal private sector structure. The military believes most would return to active duty if asked, because they maintain good contacts with these agents in the field.

They do not operate in the open as The Initiative, and most have left the military since serving as agents, but they all received the same training and most have experiences with the Supernatural, so many keep in touch with one another and may even operate as a unit for a private police force or hang-out at the same bar, etc. Homegrown, offshoot operations of The Initiative may have taken root, especially among members of the Military community (Angel, p. 32), and they may be training others to fight HSTs.

Like Slayers and vampires, the hatred between Supernaturals and Initiative Agents is palpable. Neither would willingly agree to work with the other for any reason, although situations like Riley’s being compromised (both by falling in love with Buffy then later becoming a bite junkie) can clearly happen. Similar situations include not knowing that the other is a former agent or Supernatural Type; being forced to transport, or being in pursuit of, the Supernatural Type without harming it; and the like. These situations can be played as comedies of errors or something darker - the TV show usually played them for both. Creative solutions can allow these sworn enemies to [be forced to] work together for at least one-shot adventures, if not longer.

Former Initiative Agents carry holy water flasks and prefer electrical weapons (5B damage - MMSIH, p. 40-41), in addition to any weapons they carry for their profession. Some carry high-powered water guns filled with holy water, wear garlic strands as necklaces, and carry silver crosses. All know that demons exist, particularly vampires, and most have hands-on experience with them (usually from their time in The Initiative).

A neighborhood needs to have at least Resources (Well-Off) to afford a private police force. Those with mounted weaponry and other extreme gadgets require the neighborhood to have Resources (Wealthy) or greater. Neighborhoods with fewer Resources are served by public police.

Several of the private security forces with their own anti-demon special response teams are represented by Wolfram & Hart (LG&M - Ch. 3, Wolfram & Hart; Angel, p. 170, 207-211).

Happy Halloween! 🎃

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Ecology of Vampires in Sunnydale (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Roleplaying Game)

Overview

The Vampire Lords

The Rabble

Vampires in History

Networking

Anti-Vamp Measures

The Initiative

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