Page 299 - Hunter - The Vigil

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C CHAPTER FIVE: STORYTELLING
rally active site (like the center of vampiric presence in the characters, or in some cases, as both) in a Hunter: The Vigil
region), or a locale that has particular significance for them (a game. Storytellers are encouraged to use the given examples

church or their families’ neighborhood, for example). as is, or as a base for their own specifi c hunter characters.
Others focus on hunting a particular monster type. These Along with samples of stereotypical Vigil characters at
can also be assigned jobs, for which their group sends them where each of the tier levels, examples are given of hunters who
they are most needed, or a particular cell might follow its prey’s have just begun their Vigil or who have left the hunt, either
trails in a nomadic pattern that leads the cell across the globe. voluntarily, or because they have deviated so strongly from
When the non-territorial hunters’ Vigil takes them into the Vigil they are little more than monsters themselves.

the home turf of more territorial hunters, conflict often ensues.
Accustomed to dealing with their enemy through brute force, New Recruit
cunning tactics, high-tech equipment and overwhelming might,
Every hunter was once new to the Vigil. Sometimes
hunters are often quick to act and slow to communicate when
cells form when a group of hunters takes up the Vigil
their information sources detect an interloper in their territory
at the same time and bands together for protection and
or an already established force in the way of their current assign-
camaraderie. Other times an established cell may recruit
ment. Far too often, one hunter cell makes assumptions — often
a new member to bolster its numbers or because of a par-
fatal assumptions — about another without ever realizing that
ticularly valued skill the newbie possesses. In this case,
they are, at least nominally, on the same side.
it’s normal to watch out for the new member until he
has his feet under him, although ultimately, the Vigil is
The Enemy of My a dangerous obsession and no hunter remains on it long
Enemy is My Enemy without being able to protect himself.
For cells with ties to various compacts and conspiracies,
In a similar vein is the problem of coinciding targets, espe-
new recruits are sometimes assigned to existing cells to give
cially in cells with differing goals. One cell may be hunting the
the newcomer some experience without exposing him or her
vampire that slew the family of one of its members family, with the
entirely to the dangers of the Vigil. Some cells welcome this
sole goal of destroying the monster so it cannot kill again. Another
“fresh meat,” either for the skills they provide or because they
may be on assignment to obtain necrological samples (or undead
make good bullet fodder. Other cells resent being put on ba-
specimens for captive experimentation) from whatever vampiric
by-sitting duties with new recruits, and do everything they
entities it encounters. Yet another cell may have researched this
can to make the newcomer’s Vigil a living hell.
particular creature’s history back for several hundred years, and
Likewise, some new recruits fairly shine with potential,
have hopes of gaining valuable (and potentially profi table) in-
enthusiasm and a desire to prove themselves to the more
sight and information from it regarding particular historic events
experienced cells they’ve been recruited into or assigned to.
to which it may be the only (un)living witness. It’s possible the
Others seem to bristle with resentment, expecting to be treat-
cell even counts the monster as a rough ally. Three different cells,
ed as an equal without the need to prove themselves to those
three very different (and potentially mutually exclusive) goals. The
with more time and experience on the Vigil.
recipe for conflict is clear, even in the unlikely circumstance that

all three are in communication with one another and are aware of Marcy “Mouse” Danner
each other’s goals.
Quote: “Yeah, I knew that.”
Background: To hear Mouse talk, she’s been everywhere
Drawing the Line and done far more than her mid-20s age would seem possible.

While most hunters believe themselves to be firmly in the She claims to have a BS in Military Science, and to have
“good guy” camp, desperate times require desperate actions. A done eight years in various branches of the US military: “Spe-
hunter’s devotion to the Vigil can spur him to acts of such great de- cial Ops, Rangers, Seals. You name it, I’ve done it.” For all
struction or seeming callousness that outsiders are unable to distin- her purported experience outside of Task Force: VALKYRIE,
guish his deeds from those of the monsters he hunts. This can affect however, one thing is clear to those whose cell she’s been as-
the player’s characters in two ways. First, they may fi nd themselves signed to — as a hunter, Mouse is inept at best.
the target of another cell or individual hunter who has, for one It’s not that she doesn’t have skills. She’s a crack shot with
reason or another, decided they are the subject of his Vigil. a rifl e, and when she shuts her mouth long enough, she’s capa-
Alternatively, they may find that another hunter (or cell) ble of understanding and carrying out complex tactical orders

has become as much as or more of a threat than the monsters in a stealthy and effi cient manner. But getting her to shut up
they have been hunting, and may decide to focus their hunt long enough to listen to orders, let alone preventing her from
upon their former brethren. arguing with them or demanding her own suggestions be heard,
is a challenge that’s led to her being “placed” and “replaced” in
more hunter cells than any other new recruit in TFV.
Sample Hunter Antagonists Task Force: VALKYRIE recruited her after she’d done every-
thing she could to remain in the Army but had every psych appeal
The following section includes sample hunter profiles denied. They must see something in her worth fostering, because

that can be used as antagonists, as secondary protagonist they’ve continued to place her with new cells, but rumors are be-
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