Page 62 - Hunter the Vigil - Mortal Remains

STORy HOOkS

dealer, fence, bookie, or as part of the criminal underground. cell attempt to keep that edge for themselves, or will their loyalty
They might know him as a contact for information or goods — to the conspiracy convince them to turn it over to their higher-
anything that would turn a profit. Most recently, however, Boss ups? What lengths will the hunters go to — and how tightly will
is a desperate coward, trying to appear as anything but that. He they tie themselves to the fae — in order to attempt to gain the
will do whatever it takes to avoid being taken back, even if that potential advantages the Market’s resources might provide them?
means he has to sell out his allies, resources — even those who
he might otherwise consider friends. Lost Confidant

Summary: One of the cell’s assets disappears; a group of
Story Hooks privateers has kidnapped and is planning to sell the victim to
the True Fae. In the course of rescue, however, the investigation
Like the fae themselves, the roles Changelings can be begins to turn up evidence that indicates their ally was far
play in a Hunter chronicle are nearly infinite in their variety, from human herself. How far will the hunters go to rescue a
atmosphere, and appearance. While many potential story Changeling?
hooks can be found in the setting material described earlier Setup: Laying the groundwork of a valuable resource in
in the chapter, these four specific examples can be customized a covert Changeling’s guise is vital to this story arc. The Lost
to fit an individual campaign. Ideas on customizing each story might be someone like Pearl Lawrence, or any other Changeling
hook to the chronicle’s tier-level are included as well. that has motivation, talent, and personality that a hunter cell
might find useful. The more human they seem, the more
What Price Freedom? impact the reveal of their fae nature will have — and the deeper

Summary: The cell follows a Changeling through his the hunters’ quandary when they must choose whether or not
they should risk themselves to save a “monster.”
Dark Gate, and the hunters find themselves lost in the Hedge. Tier One: For a tier-one story hook, the kidnapped fae
Eventually, the cell finds a Goblin Market, where anything — is personally connected to the hunter cell. She could be an
including the route home — can be purchased. But, are the information source the cell has come to rely on for obscure
hunters willing to pay the asking price? occult information, a weapons dealer who helps them arm
Setup: This story hook can be kept handy and used any time a for battle, or a back alley doctor they go to for patch-ups.
hunter or cell steps into the Hedge and deviates from the “safe path.” Regardless of her role, the Changeling will have done a very
It provides an interesting tangent to an ongoing plot line, one which good job of hiding her inhuman nature (and any behaviors that
should leave the hunters with a deeper understanding of the dangers might alienate the hunters) from the cell. For maximum effect,
they face if they negotiate with even the most helpful-seeming fae. the victim will be both useful and liked by the cell before her
In order to ensure player character buy-in, the Market should be disappearance, and yet have an unsavory side that the hunters
interesting and appear potentially profitable for the visiting hunters. aren’t exposed to until they begin investigating.
Reinforce an air of danger lurking beneath the surface. Much like a Tier Two: A tier-two scenario may put the cell in the
modern-day casino, in the end, the house always wins. middle of a situation where their philosophy is at war with
Tier One: The Market is fairly easy to find, and the price their humanity. Here, the story brings the hunters into greater
for a map “home” seems minor: a lock of hair, a tear, a story contact with the kidnappers. They discover that the privateers’
of a first love. As well, the hunters may find other information desires — profit (financial or otherwise), revenge, freedom — are
or simple artifacts to aid them in their current efforts, and in synch with the hunters’ own motivations. Will the hunters
are welcomed to return by the oh-so-accommodating Goblin save their friend or throw their lot in with the privateers?
Market staff. The cell may even start thinking that the Market Tier Three: In a tier-three Lost Confidant plot, not only
is a one-stop answer to the challenges they face. But, future do the hunters have to contend with the moral implications
bargains will be more tightly negotiated; after luring their new of risking their own lives to rescue a non-human they consider
customers in, merchants become far trickier about negotiation a friend and ally, as well as the potentially disturbing kinship
and compensation. After all, the first taste is always free. with a privateer gang, they also draw the attention of interested
Tier Two: Compacts may find more than they bargained
for at the Goblin Market. In addition to a route home, they buyer(s). The privateers might be taking the Lost right back
to the True Fae or a compact or conspiracy that plans on
may discover kindred spirits amongst the shoppers and store harvesting her body for supernatural components. Will the cell
owners. If philosophies and personalities mesh well, long- be willing to take on a more powerful antagonist — perhaps
term relationships may find root here. The Ashwood Abbey even their own superiors — to save their ally’s skin?
and Spring Court might pair up, for example, or the Loyalists
of Thule and the Autumn Courtiers. This may pull compact Who’s The Boss?
members into inter-fae politics, send them on dangerous
adventures, or provoke hard philosophical conundrums as Summary: The hunters have been assigned to “acquire”
their new allies gradually reveal their inhuman natures. Changeling targets. When it becomes obvious that the cell’s
Tier Three: It doesn’t take more than a cursory look around orders are coming from another fae creature, the hunters will
to realize that the Goblin Market could be the single biggest asset have to make some hard decisions about where they stand in a
the hunters’ conspiracy has ever had. The question is: will the situation where no black-and-white answers exist.

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