Predator Types

The following Predator Types are designed for the Dark Ages setting of this chronicle, though nothing stops a character from using the standard types from the Vampire corebook instead. Storytellers may disallow any of these, or require PCs to choose from this list — Storyteller's call.

Camp Follower

Hunting Rolls: Manipulation + Leadership or Wits + Warfare

Armies have always had non-soldiers following in their wake, providing aid and comfort to warriors on their long journeys to and from battle. You have become part of such an entourage, feeding upon soldiers as they lie in their tents at night or hunting the battlefields for the dead and dying who still hold Vitae within their veins. When your coterie is away from the battle lines, you hunt the night watch of the city guard and the military barracks you know so well.

Works particularly well for former soldiers, mercenaries, prostitutes, and barbers — even noble types who command troops.

• Add a specialty: Leadership (soldiers) or Warfare (aftermath)

• Gain one dot of Obfuscate or Presence

• Gain either the Iron Gullet Merit or three dots in the Herd Background (soldiers)

• Gain either the Organovore Flaw or both the No Haven and Destitute Flaws

Cirurgien

Hunting Rolls: Intelligence + Medicine

Medicine is not yet a science, but some do make health their specialty. The most learned scholars of the era believe in the humors of the blood, which align with the Resonances known to Cainites. Through blood lettings and leeches, you ostensibly work to balance the forces within the body — in truth, you gorge yourself on the blood you acquire through your ministrations. You may be associated with the Hospitaller Order, a local barber, or the personal cirurgien (surgeon) to a noble lord.

• Add a specialty: Medicine (blood lettings) or Persuasion (nobles)

• Gain one dot of Animalism or Blood Sorcery (Witches of Echidna, Banu Haqim, Tremere, or their bloodlines only)

• Gain either one dot of Humanity or both a dot of Medicine and a dot of Melee

• Gain the Baby Teeth Thin-Blood Flaw, even if you are not thin-blooded

Confessor

Hunting Rolls: Manipulation + Persuasion or Intelligence + Academics

You are either an actual member of the clergy or you know how to pretend to be. You've learned to twist the trust mortals place in you for moral guidance into opportunities to get them alone and take their blood, by force or persuasion. Because you operate around churches, you run the risk of running into Inquisitors — but you're good at what you do.

• Add a specialty: Persuasion (confession) or Academics (Theology)

• Gain one dot of Dominate or Oblivion (Cappadocians, Lasombra, or their bloodlines only)

• Gain Linguistics (Latin) and two dots of the Influence Background

• Gain either two points in Mythic Flaws or the Infamy Flaw at two dots, representing Faithful hunters on your tail

Courtier

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Subterfuge

You have the status and skill to blend in among those at court, feeding on the wealthy and powerful. You hunt nobles, their entourages, and perhaps even a royal once in a while. Particularly common among Harpies, who spend as much time at mortal court as they do vampiric Elysium. Likely a Ventrue or Toreador, though exceptions exist.

• Add a specialty: Politics (court) or Subterfuge (seduction)

• Gain one dot of Auspex or Presence

• Gain three dots of the Influence Background

• Gain two dots of the Infamy Flaw, representing your political enemies within the mortal court

Devil

Hunting Rolls: Manipulation + Insight

You make devil's bargains with mortals in return for their blood, providing services to those who accept your bargain. In some cases all you need to do is ghoul the mortal to give them what they desire. Many mortals see you as the devil himself or one of his servants, yet you are far more humane in your feeding than those who simply take blood by force.

• Add a specialty: Insight (mortals in need) or Persuasion (devil's bargains)

• Gain one dot of Auspex or Dominate

• Gain one dot of Humanity or three dots in the Retainers Background

• Gain the Flaw: Prey Exclusion (non-consenting)

• Gain three Stains whenever you break a promise to a mortal

Entertainer

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Performance

You work your way into the presence of mortals by entertaining and beguiling them — a travelling bard, a member of a company of actors, or a jester beholden to a particular court. Those taken in by your wit and talent often find themselves at the end of your fangs.

• Add a specialty: Larceny (sleight of hand) or any Performance specialty

• Gain one dot of Celerity or Presence

• Gain one dot of the Fame Background

• Gain either the Beautiful Looks Merit or two levels of the Linguistics Merit

• Gain the Prey Exclusion Flaw for those you haven't yet entertained, and the Disliked Flaw for a nearby town you've been run out of

Guttersnipe

Hunting Rolls: Manipulation + Intimidation or Strength + Brawl

You're a rough and tumble type, attacking mortals on the street for their blood — usually in the seedier parts of town, unpatrolled by the night watch, where drunks make easy pickings.

• Add a specialty: Brawl (grappling) or Intimidation (robbery)

• Gain one dot of Celerity or Potence

• Gain three dots of criminal Contacts

• Lose one dot of Humanity

Mendicant

Hunting Rolls: Manipulation + Insight or Dexterity + Stealth

Beggars make up sizeable populations on the streets of most Dark Ages cities. You've learned to blend in with their kind, feeding upon those who would aid you as well as your fellow vagrants — gaining trust only to betray it. This takes its toll on your Humanity.

• Add a specialty: Insight (kind people) or Stealth (city streets)

• Add one dot of Obfuscate or Potence

• Gain one dot of street Contacts and two dots of Herd

• Gain the Despised Flaw for the city's night watch, who see you as a serious threat to nighttime safety

Noble

Hunting Rolls: Manipulation + Resources

You are powerful and wealthy, holding some significant noble title — or at least pretending to. Others worry about what you think and are willing to do nearly anything to avoid your ire, even give up their life's blood.

• Add a specialty: Leadership (noble bearing) or any Warfare specialty

• Add one dot of Dominate or Presence

• Split three points between Fame, Haven, and Resources Backgrounds

• Gain two points worth of Background-related Flaws, such as Infamy, Despised, or Obvious Predator

Specter

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Intimidation or Wits + Stealth

You haunt a location that superstitious mortals fear — heroes, fools, and children are always brave (or foolish) enough to venture near. Patience is key, as is cultivating an alluring local legend about yourself.

• Add a specialty: Intimidation (frightening children) or Stealth (my haven)

• Add one dot of Obfuscate or Oblivion (Cappadocians, Lasombra, or their bloodlines only)

• Gain two dots of Haven and one dot of Fame

• Gain either the Creepy or the Haunted Haven Flaw

Succubus

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Subterfuge

You seduce others to hunt, passing off your blood drinking as part of the tryst — perhaps acquiring a harem of lovers over time. Looks and charm are crucial.

• Add a specialty: Performance (sex) or Subterfuge (seduction)

• Gain one dot of Fortitude or Presence

• Gain the Stunning Looks Merit

• Gain the Stalkers Retainer Flaw and the Compromised Flaw for one of your Havens

Sycophant

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Mawla

You are the seemingly loyal servant of a methuselah, a chosen protector or pawn in her political games. Your master provides you with all the blood you need in the form of her precious Vitae — you claim to enjoy the condition.

• Add a specialty: Awareness (keeping watch) or Politics (Machiavellian manipulations)

• Gain one dot of Celerity or Fortitude

• Gain one dot of Herd and two dots of Mawla, both representing your master

• Gain the Methuselah's Thirst Flaw as well as the Addiction (elder vitae) Flaw

• If you do not possess the Unbondable Merit, you begin bound to your master

Traveler

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Etiquette or Manipulation + Finance

You exist primarily on the road, touring the medieval world as a merchant, pilgrim, or entertainer. Your nomadic unlifestyle allows you to move on when your feeding victims are discovered. You are the reason peasants don't trust outsiders.

• Add a specialty: Investigation (finding lodging) or any Performance specialty

• Add one dot of Dominate or Obfuscate

• Gain two dots in Contacts and a dot of either Fame or Mask

• Gain the Despised Flaw for the many villages and towns you've had to flee

Village Elder

Hunting Rolls: Charisma + Insight or Intelligence + [Mental skill most appropriate for your advice]

You have dwelled in a particular village long enough to be considered a local elder. Members of the hamlet rely on you for sage advice and trust you — a trust you abuse to gain blood. Only appropriate for characters embraced at around 50 years of age or older, or who can mask their age with Obfuscate.

• Add a specialty: Insight (citizens of Athens) or Politics (Athens)