Page 88 - Hunter - The Vigil

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Fortean phenomena. They saw a strange creature fi rsthand and people and read crime scenes, and may have some allies from
decided they had to know more. Other Occultists read a lot of their past life, but don’t know their way around the Key of
books, build Kirlian cameras, or start businesses holding séances Solomon. The latter grew up isolated, diving into the occult
to contact Grandma (or her dead cat). While some have en- with a passion but often neglecting other people in their drive
countered the true horrors that lie just below the surface of the for the strange.
world, many — most, even — have not. Many Occultists have high Mental Attributes, with in-
However she got started, an Occultist needs a range of vestigators focusing on Wits while pure Occultists concen-
skills to stay in business. Investigators need to learn how to trate on Intelligence. Those who actually make money from
solve mysteries. Other Occultists hold séances, and under- their occult practices (or are themselves “cult leaders” of a
stand the differences between what people may mean by sort) have higher Social Attributes. An Occultist who runs
“spirit.” Conning old ladies is one thing, but if she’s going to fraudulent séances or who reads tarot cards would need a high
get anywhere as an investigator, she has to know what’s really Manipulation, for instance, while a cult leader may rely on
happened. All Occultists need to find a wide range of equip- his high Presence. Occultists often have at least one dot in

ment for detecting ghosts, demons, auras and other phenom- Academics, Larceny, Occult and Stealth. Paranormal investi-
ena. Equipment can just as easily be an Electromagnetic Field gators and detectives back that up with Investigation, Street-
detector as it can be a Ouija board or an ornate box of bird wise and maybe a bit of Brawl, while Occultists commonly
bones. Plus, those who do run the occult game as a big con possess Empathy, Persuasion and Subterfuge. Danger Sense,
likely have a wide array of “people skills,” particularly skills Meditative Mind and Unseen Sense are all common Merits.
used to cheat and manipulate. Concepts: Cult leader, crystal gazer, deprogrammer, mys-
Before taking on the Vigil, most Occultists have only tical pyramid-scheme seller, New Age author, occult inves-

fleeting contact with the supernatural. Sometimes they see tigator, professional conspiracy theorist, professional skeptic,

the aftermath of a scene (the effects of a visit of a flock of psychopharmacologist, tarot card reader, UFO theorist
human-faced crows) or catch just a glimpse (trying to contact Asset Skills: Investigation and Occult
ghosts in a mirror). Despite their trappings, most investigators Professional Training:
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are initially unprepared for full-on encounters with things like •• Dabblerr
occult killers, living shadows and bloodsucking fi ends. •• Occultist
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A few Occultists freeze up on their first encounter with ••••• Initiate
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something weird. Whether they witness a magical ritual that •••• Acolyte
Crow
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actually works, a serial killer shrugging off incineration, or a ••••••••• Crowleyy
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woman made out of cracked porcelain, their minds cannot
process it. Others vow “never again.” Uniquely poised to Professional
take up the Vigil, they seek out the monsters to learn from
Vampires think they know how to enslave people. But they
them, to steal from them, and maybe to put them back in
don’t have shit on middle management.
the ground where they belong. (Plus, they often have a bet-
Professionals are the white-collar masses. Some are on the up
ter idea of what’s supposed to work on monsters, and most
and up, clawing their way to the top, while others have a reputation
have a revolver loaded with silver bullets or a stake and some
for being the best in their department, promoted just far enough

holy water lying around the office in order to give people the
that they can hide in their cubicles watching YouTube videos.
right impression. Of course, just as often they cling to stub-
Professionals run the range. The lawyer who works 100 hours a
born misinformation pulled from some “spirit guide” or “book
week to crack a case, the banker who spots an ancient embezzling
of magic.”)
scheme in the old books, and the manager who spends four nights
Hunter cells often seek out Occultists, even those who
a week screwing his secretary all fit into this profession.

only run their businesses to con impressionable kids and old
While not immediately apparent, a Professional has skills
folks. The average Occultist has something that only a few
that are useful on the Vigil. Many higher-ups know how to
people possess: a wide range of occult knowledge. Certainly
deal with people and how to get the best out of a team —
some organizations make use of Occultists more than others:
even if they micromanage or rule by fear. Other Professionals
the Aegis Kai Doru, Null Mysteriis and the Loyalists of Thule
come from a wide pool of white-collar non-technical roles.

all find a world of use for those with strong esoteric know-
Lawyers have access to court records and may work pro bono
how. Ashwood is happy to have those in-vogue Occultists
for members of their cell. Accountants can trace a vampire’s
who are social butterflies and see the occult as a doorway to

books, identifying her havens and exposing deeds signed by a
mad adventure. Some Occultists are, curiously, Christian, ei-
dead woman. Bankers can investigate accounts and can put a
ther having converted or simply studying ways to rehabilitate,
stop on funds or bring in the full wrath of a fraud investiga-

diminish or destroy pagan and New Age influences; these
tion. Stockbrokers can decimate a monster’s financial holdings

hunters often find a home in the Long Night, though even

with just a few days on the trading floor. Stockroom managers

there they suffer the brunt of some suspicion.
can sneak equipment and supplies onto the corporate budget.
Background: Occultists generally come from one of two
Professionals can make life very diffi cult for the monsters.
fields. Some were Detectives first, while most started out with

Though, how is it that a Professional — being in a nomi-
an interest in the occult. The former know how to deal with
nally sheltered profession — is drawn into the Vigil? An accoun-
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