Buffy The Vampire Slayer RPG: Monster Smackdown

170 Pages·2003·75.138 MB·English

by  Thom Marrion

Credits
Producers: M. Alexander Jurkat, George Vasilakos
Director: George Vasilakos
Writer: Thom Marrion
Additional Writers: M. Alexander Jurkat, Deirdre Brooks, Todd Morton,
Dan Davis, Andrew Peregrine, Jeremy Hunt
Writing Assistance: Timothy S. Brannan
Editor: M. Alexander Jurkat
Assistant Editor: David F. Chapman
Quotemeister: Jack Kessler
Proofing: David Carroll, David F. Chapman, Daniel D. Holmes, Jeremy Hunt, Jack Kessler
Archetype Illustrator: C. Brent Ferguson
Additional Illustrations: Jon Hodgson
Playtesters: Jennifer Lee Andersen, William C. Andersen, Alison Bailey, Jim "HanSolo" Bennett, Timothy S. Brannan,
Drew Bittner, Allyn Borland, David Carroll, David F. Chapman, Jp Corkery, Brian Cramer, Dan Davis, Ralph Dula, Steve
Dycus, Megan Gilmore, John Griffiths, Jeremy Hunt, Garner Johnson, Jack Kessler, William Lee and the Game Keep
Players, Line Mikkelbog, Dave Morris, Jesse Morris, Robert Morris, Todd Morton, Jarrod Moschner, J.P. "Watcher"
Nichols, Andrew Peregrine, Tom Reed, Keith Savage, Brian A. Stewart, Robert "Hendersonman" Wood, Sarah Wood
Special Thanks: btvsrpg-eden listserv, Chaz Elliot, Virginia King, Elizabeth Morss, Kelly Vasilakos,
Alison Wallace, Christian Moore
Buffyis hip and tuned in. No Buffy game would be complete without a slew of pop culture references.
These references are intended solely to help players capture the look and feel of Buffy in their games.
No violation of copyright or trademark ownership is intended.
Eden Studios
6 D ogw ood L ane, L oudonville, N Y 12211
Produced and published by Eden Studios, Inc.
BU F F Y TH E V A M PIR E SL A Y ER “ & ' 2003. Tw entieth Century F ox F ilm Corporation.
A ll R ights R eserved. U sed under license from Score Entertainm ent.
The U nisystem “ G am e System ' 2003 CJ Carella.
The U nisystem “ is used under exclusive license.
' 2003 Eden Studios. A ll R ights R eserved.
No part of this book m ay be reproduced w ithout w ritten perm ission from the publisher, except for
review purposes. A ny sim ilarity to characters, situations, institutions, corporations, etc. (w ithout satirical intent)
is strictly fictional or coincidental. This book uses settings, characters and them es of a supernatural nature.
A ll elem ents, m ystical and supernatural, are fiction and intended for entertainm ent purposes only.
Com m ents and questions can be directed via the Internet at w w w .btvsrpg.com ,
via e-m ail at eden@ edenstudios.net or via letter w ith a self-addressed stam ped envelope.
F irst Printing, M arch 2003
Stock EDN6003 ISBN 1-891153-90-0
Printed in Canada
CHAPTER ONE: WELCOME TO THE HELLMOUTH 4
CHAPTER TWO: DIE YOUNG, LIVE FOREVER 14
CHAPTER THREE: FROM HELL 34
CHAPTER FOUR: EVERYTHING YOU EVER DREADED UNDER YOUR BED 54
CHAPTER FIVE: BADS, BIG AND SMALL 78
CHAPTER SIX: MONSTER SPAWNING 128
CHAPTER SEVEN: THE ONCE AND FUTURE HST 150
INDEX 165
TM
1
W e l c o m e t o t h e
H e l l m o u t h
Xander: Yeah, that(cid:213)s life on the Hellmouth.
Buffy: Let(cid:213)s face it: none of us are ever
gonna have a happy, normal relationship.
Xander: We(cid:213)re doomed!
Willow: Yeah!
(Laughter quickly becomes nervous and stops.
Only the fountain can be heard as they each
consider their plight.)
(cid:209)1.8 I Robot, You Jane
Here come the hell-raisers!
Monsters have been a fact of existence in the
Buffyverse for time beyond memory. Before human-
ity(cid:213)s ascendance, demons ruled the Earth and preyed
upon life without limit or temperance. They brought
pain, suffering, and terror to all things . . . for it was
in their nature to do so.
Monsters are also at the core of the Buffy TV show. Most episodes feature some new monster or demon for the Slayer
to fight; they are often symbolic of the struggles of growing up. If one of the characters is having romance problems,
it(cid:213)s almost a certainty that her next boyfriend will be some kind of soul-sucking demon, a hell-bent vampire, or at least
also involved with her best friend.
Many of the Buffymonsters are based on real world supernatural myths and legends. But that(cid:213)s no limitation. The
BuffyTV show creative team takes a lot of inspiration from such stories, but the writers are never shy about twisting
them to their own ends. The show(cid:213)s mythology should be seen as a starting point for you enterprising Directors, but as
not as a restraint or straitjacket.
Similarly, though the Monster Smackdownprovides a rundown on that mythology as it pertains to the darker side of
the Buffyverse, this book is also a stepping off point of its own. It introduces the rules and tools for you to expand your
own corner of the Buffy underworld as you see fit. First, though, let(cid:213)s show you how we(cid:213)re gonna lay it out, and then
come back to make with the nasties.
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Summary of Chapters Conventions
Giles: Something(cid:213)s coming, something, something Buffy: You also might wanna avoid words like
. . . something is, is gonna happen here. Soon! (cid:210)amenable(cid:211) and (cid:210)indecorous,(cid:211) y(cid:213)know. Speak
English, not whatever they speak in, um . . .
Buffy: Gee, can you vague that up for me . . . ?
Giles: England?
(cid:209)1.1 Welcome to the Hellmouth
(cid:209)2.2 Some Assembly Required
The Monster Smackdown covers a bunch of stuff. We
break it down for you nice and simple though. Here(cid:213)s We have taken certain liberties here to make this book
how we do it. easier to follow. Do try to keep up.
Chapter One: Welcome to the Hellmouth provides all
Text
this neat intro stuff and summarizes the major points
about monsters in the Buffyverse. It gives some ideas for
This book looks different depending on what(cid:213)s going
locating Hellmouths in other places and finishes up with
on. As words make up the bulk of what(cid:213)s in here (hence
a quickie on various demon dimensions.
the appellation (cid:210)book(cid:211)), you can bet that when the words
Chapter Two: Die Young, Live Forever has all you change their look, something important just happened.
would ever want to know about vampires. From detailed The stuff you are reading now is standard text. It cov-
discussions on abilities and weaknesses to new special ers general explanations and narrative sections.
powers to crib notes on the soul and morality, this chap-
ter gives the low down on the (cid:210)other(cid:211) title characters.
Chapter Three: From Hell runs down the usual sus- Buffy (to Giles): You(cid:213)re like a textbook with
pects when it comes to (cid:210)regular(cid:211) demons. These folks arms.
aren(cid:213)t common and they aren(cid:213)t easy, but they are lower- (cid:209)1.1 Welcome to the Hellmouth
tier threats compared to the major league nasties two
It(cid:213)s those pithy sayings that make the BtVSTV show so
chapters hence.
engaging. Anyway, as you probably noticed, quotes
Chapter Four: Everything You Ever Dreaded Under appear like this with the speaker(cid:213)s name up front. The
Your Bed collects all the various non-vamp, non-demon citation includes the season and episode separated by a
critters that we have seen in the Buffyverse. From shape- period, and the title just after.
changers to ghosts to unclassified ickies, we got (cid:212)em for
you here.
Other words are set off from the standard text like
Chapter Five: Bads, Big and Small draws up the curtain this. These boxes contain additional but tangential
on the (cid:210)name(cid:211) Adversaries. These folks are the cream of information, or supplemental charts and tables.
the monster crop. They cause murder, mayhem, larceny,
and loss of sleep. From the Judge to Mr. Trick to cyborg
Forrest and much more, we got your heavyweights here.
These fiction sections or cut scenes give
Chapter Six: Monster Spawning gives tips for Directors
you a better appreciation for the types of
when creating their own Adversaries. It also tricks out
tales that can be told during BtV S RPG
some Cast Member monsters(cid:209)new critter Qualities, new sessions. They cover settings and situations dif-
powers, and new Archetypes. ferent from those you m ay be fam iliar w ith from
the TV series. N one of this stuff should be con-
Chapter Seven: The Once and Future HST is a ready-
strued as adding to the Buffyverse in an official
to-slay Episode containing a major turning point in the
w ay. W e are just m aking these stories up. Y ou
on-going Djinn saga. don(cid:213)t need to read them to understand this book
or the Buffyverse m ythos, but you should find
them an enjoyable (cid:210)slice of life.(cid:211)
Other w ords, m ostly stats, are set apart in this
w ay. These boxes detail Guest Stars or Adversaries
that m ay be used in Episodes, if you w ant.
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Monsters
Mayor: (cid:210)The beast will walk upon the earth and
darkness will follow. The several races of man
will be as one in their terror and destruction.(cid:211)
Aw, that(cid:213)s kind of sweet. Different races com-
ing together.
(cid:209)3.21 Graduation Day - Part One
There are many, many monsters plaguing the
Buffyverse and in particular the town of Sunnydale. Still,
they do break down into larger categories for the most
part. We(cid:213)ll sketch out the basics for you here.
True Demons
Legends tell that the first demons were True
Demons(cid:209)great beasts of terrible power and counte-
nance that walked the Earth like titans for millennia until
mankind evolved and pushed them into the demon
dimensions. If any remain on Earth in modern times,
they are either in an ages-long slumber or laying low in
a major way.
The True Demons ruled the Earth as elder gods and
possessed powers well beyond those of modern demons.
Those that still exist would most likely be nigh invulner-
able and possessed of great cunning and intelligence.
Some or even many may desire to return to Earth to
Gender
reclaim it from humanity. That would be bad.
You English majors know that the guy reference (he, On rare occasions, humans have discovered, interpret-
him, his) is customarily used for both male and female. ed, and attempted the Rites of Ascension, which allow the
Lots of folks think that(cid:213)s part of the whole male domina- assumption of the form of a True Demon. At least three
tion societal thing, and don(cid:213)t like it muchly. On the other Ascensions have occurred and at least two of those who
hand, saying (cid:210)he or she(cid:211) all the time is clumsy and way- attempted it died after the rites succeeded. This is some-
too-PC for us. Given that this is a book about Vampire thing that requires a great deal of preparation and knowl-
Slayers(cid:209)you know (cid:210)the one girl in all the world who edge to accomplish, and the completion of several difficult
. . .(cid:211)(cid:209)we(cid:213)re going to use the gal reference (she, her) tasks. Mayor Wilkins of Sunnydale spent nearly a century
whenever a generic designation is needed. That ought to preparing for his Ascension on graduation day 1999.
wig out some tightly wrapped grammarian somewhere.
Demons on Earth
Measurements
Ancient myths indicate that when mankind evolved, the
Buffy is in California and, until it rolls off into the true demons were pushed out. The nasties may have
ocean, the left coast is part of the U.S. So, we are going been forced to depart for the (possibly) more hospitable
parochial and using the Imperial system. For our world- demon dimensions or to evolve into a more human form,
ly aficionados, rough conversions may be found by mul- becoming the various races of demons seen on Buffy the
tiplying miles by 1.5 to get kilometers (instead of 1.609), Vampire Slayer. These creatures have lived alongside
equating meters with yards (instead of 1.094 yards), halv- humanity, preying upon us and existing in the shadows
ing pounds to get kilograms (instead of multiplying by and dark places where few dare to walk.
0.4536), and so on. The BtVS RPGis about story and The lesser races of demonkind are rarely a large threat
dialogue, not statistics and dimensions. All that meas- on their own(cid:209)many are of animal intelligence and bes-
urement stuff won(cid:213)t come up very often. tial impulses. Some are more cunning and dangerous,
So, without further ado, on to the nasties! but don(cid:213)t act in large numbers. This does not make them
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harmless thought. Those who seek to harness the supernatural power of a hellmouth, artifact, or some ancient ritu-
al in order to return their former dominance over Earth truly threaten the enslavement or destruction of humanity.
Demons vary widely from one race to the next, but are typically distinctive in appearance and can often be easily
identified from a simple description, provided you have the proper knowledge or research materials available. Lesser
demons commonly possess superhuman strength, a gruesome appearance, and a hatred for humanity. Exceptions
exist, of course, such as Whistler, who appears human and has been chosen by certain (cid:210)powers(cid:211) to fight (or at least
advise) on the side of good.
Vampires
The first vampire was created when a demon fed on a human(cid:213)s life and possessed
the leftover body. That vampire was able to spread her plague to others, creat-
ing hordes of immortal, undead, soulless, demon-possessed half-breeds to
plague humanity.
Despite their human intelligence, animal cunning, and ability to breed
rapidly, vampires are not by themselves a huge threat to humanity. For
the most part, they(cid:213)re too fractious, savage, and competitive to create
anything larger than small groups, cults, or communities. They also suf-
fer from crippling vulnerabilities to sunlight and fire, and have a real
aversion to staking. Most are not particularly intelligent or self-moti-
vated to do more than feed on humans and party all night. Those few
who do possess greater ambition often gather others around them
(either through creation or simple recruitment). They also develop
schemes that range from fairly simple goals (kill the Slayer) to
grandiose plans (enslave humanity so vampires may rule as dark
gods over a world of Happy Meals with legs).
Some ancient vampires develop strengths beyond those typical
of their brethren. Kakistos, the Master, and Dracula are all exam-
ples of such evolution. The age and power of the first two made
them more inhuman and demonic in nature. Kakistos could also
withstand a stake to the heart (well, a little one), The Master
was nearly resurrected thanks to the Anointed One, and
Buffy found Dracula nearly unbeatable.
Among demons, vampires seem to be at the
bottom of the food chain. Perhaps their
former humanity taints them in the eyes
of the more pure (but still partly human)
demonic races. Despite this, vampires
are able to hide among humans and
prey upon them, and they seem to be
able to increase their numbers rapid-
ly. Finally, the strong-willed among
them never seem to lack for hench-
men to aid them in their schemes of
world domination or destruction.
It is because of the vampire
plague released upon the world
that the First Slayer was imbued
with her power, and why every
generation sees a new Slayer.
Throughout it all, the vampire
menace endures.
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Others
Canon Alert
Not all of the creatures of the night in the Buffyverse
are demonic in origin. Strange, fey creatures occasion- In other contexts, the BuffyTV show creators
ally torment people, ghosts and zombies show that not all have indicated that hellmouths other than the one
of the dead sleep gracefully in their graves, and the occa- in Sunnydale exist in the Buffyverse. That fact has
sional humanlike robot spices up the mix. There are not been reflected in any episode aired through
more things in heaven (or hell) and Earth than can be Season Six, however. Thus, if you want to stay
easily accounted for, and perhaps they shouldn(cid:213)t be. true to the TV show, placing a hellmouth anywhere
but Sunnydale could be seen as an iffy proposition.
Ghosts, werewolves, primals, robots, bogeymen, zom-
bies, shape-shifters, and other beasts occasionally defy Still, the BtVS RPGis all about players being able
definition or description, let alone easy categorization to explore a variety of locales, settings, characters
with the many races of demons present in the Buffyverse. and situations. So, we are taking these hellmouth
They boil forth from demon dimensions, are born from hints and running with them. While not strictly
humanity(cid:213)s fears, or are even created by humanity(cid:213)s hand, canon, the BtVS RPGcontemplates the potential for
either with magic or technology. It(cid:213)s a strange, dynam- placing hellmouths at various places and times(cid:209)
ic world out there in the Buffyverse. indeed, wherever you like. Face it, we(cid:213)re rebels.
Hellmouths
Sunnydale(cid:213)s Hellmouth
Giles: Yes, I(cid:213)m aware that there(cid:213)s a great deal of This is the best-known hellmouth, given that it(cid:213)s the
demonic activity in Cleveland. (listens) It . . . center of the action for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It(cid:213)s
Well, it happens, you know, that, that Sunnydale where the Master was trapped for nearly a century, where
is on a Hellmouth. (listens) It, it is so! Angel tried to use Acathla to bring hell to Earth, and
(cid:209)3.9 The Wish where the Mayor attempted his Ascension. It(cid:213)s been the
center of heavy supernatural activity for years. Buffy(cid:213)s
Hellmouths are places where the mystical walls
hands have been full saving the world because of its
between Earth and the demon dimensions are thin and
influence(cid:209)and the surplus of monsters seeking to tap
where strange energies suffuse the surrounding area.
the power contained within it.
Such places are known for odd events and attract large
supernatural populations. On the converse side, rarely More information on Sunnydale(cid:213)s Hellmouth (the cap-
do such places draw large human communities. The ital H hellmouth) is available in the Welcome to
high death rate, not to mention the utter weirdosity that Sunnydalesupplement to the BtVS RPG(plug, plug).
surrounds hellmouths, simply makes them unlikely spots
for vacationers or residents. Other Hellmouths
People who do live on a hellmouth tend to rationalize
It(cid:213)s entirely possible (even likely) that there(cid:213)re several
events away. People found dead with bite marks on their
hellmouths in the Buffyverse. If you decide to go that
throat are simply catalogued under (cid:210)death by misadven-
direction, it(cid:213)s simply a matter of picking or inventing a
ture,(cid:211) (cid:210)neck rupture,(cid:211) or some other relatively benign-
town or city and putting a hellmouth somewhere in it.
sounding explanation that does not require acknowledge-
When creating a hellmouth, keep in mind that its pres-
ment of what(cid:213)s really happening. People in communities
ence should have a profound effect on a city(cid:213)s history. In
built on and around hellmouths often have suspicions, but
Sunnydale, it attracted the Mayor, the Master, and myri-
few voice them for fear of sounding crazy or paranoid.
ad other creatures who warped Sunnydale into the town
A hellmouth(cid:213)s full properties are not completely under-
it is. The Mayor made Sunnydale into an ideal feeding
stood, but can range from healing vampires to serving as
ground for monsters, to better prepare for his Ascension;
portals to Places Not Meant For Mortals. They cannot sim-
other hellmouths may have similar influences.
ply be closed or paved over, nor can they be safely ignored.
These hellmouths are set up as they would be just prior
The Watchers Council has most likely worked relentlessly
to the pilot Episode for a BuffySeries, with potential and
to locate all hellmouths and monitor them closely (though
actual threats not yet fully in action. They can serve as
relying on that could be a bad idea). It(cid:213)s entirely possible
the focus of a few Episodes, wherein the Cast Members
that different hellmouths have different properties and are
travel to the location to deal with the threat in question,
connected to different demon dimensions.
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or they can become the focus of an entire Series, with
antagonists like the Black Scot (see below) or Prinz
Brandt (see p. 10) serving as first Season Big Bads.
To get you started down this road, we have sketched
out five hellmouth locations in the next few pages. None
of them are definitive or exclusive. Many more could
exist and some of these may not exist in your Series.
Marston, Massachusetts
Marston, Massachusetts is a small coastal New England
community that from the outside appears to be a sleepy
place where very little ever happens. Many of the inhab-
itants, should they open up to outsiders, would agree.
Most are closemouthed and suspicious of anyone from
the Civil War resulted in the plantation(cid:213)s burning and the
out-of-town though, and for good reason. Underneath
hanging of all the family members present at the time.
the skin of a normal New England town is a terrible
The slaves themselves were emancipated with the end
secret that has existed for generations. Most of the
of the American Civil War and many moved north to
town(cid:213)s population is unaware of the nature of this secret,
avoid retribution. The LeClerc ghosts were not, howev-
although they instinctively act to protect it without
er, easily laid to rest.
knowing why. That(cid:213)s simply the nature of it.
After the Second World War, investors purchased the
When Justice Withers founded the town in the early
land and made it over into a modern (for the time) com-
1800s, he met a prior demonic tenant and made a deal:
munity. They dismissed stories of the hauntings as
200 years of uninterrupted prosperity for Marston and its
superstitions and ignored tales of strange lights in the
people in exchange for a tithe of 10% of the children
night. Despite numerous construction accidents and
born within the town. Justice died in 1854 at the ripe old
bizarre setbacks (such as entire buildings collapsing for
age of 76, but he passed along the knowledge of the deal
no apparent reason), they saw the town(cid:213)s construction to
and now a small cult serves the demon, providing it with
its completion and created a thriving community.
the infants it requires. Few question the (now) high
infant mortality and disappearance rate, preferring not The LeClerc ghosts are outraged. Every year, more
to think too hard about such things. None know what people take up residence in their resting place and stir
purpose the demon has for the infants it collects, nor do them from their slumber. They cannot tolerate this vio-
they know what it will do in a year or so, when Justice lation of their graves and carry the rage from their slaves(cid:213)
Withers(cid:213) bargain is up. rebellion with them. In their unrest, they have worn thin
the walls between worlds, creating a hellmouth and caus-
The demon, known to its faithful cult as the Black
ing no end of supernatural trouble. The first to arrive
Scot, collects the children(cid:213)s souls to gather power to
since the hellmouth(cid:213)s creation was a small clan of were-
open the hellmouth and enter Earth(cid:213)s dimension. When
wolves who delight in the taste of human flesh. They(cid:213)ve
he returns in 2004, he will bring his faithful army of sol-
only been in Bright Lake for a few months, but the dis-
diers(cid:209)the tithed infants, now grown into demonic
appearances have already attracted the FBI(cid:213)s attention.
adults(cid:209)to spread his black wings of dominion over
Marston. He dislikes the presence of other supernaturals
Ruhigestadt, Bavaria
in Marston and subtly helps the Watchers locate incur-
sions so as to better excise them before they interfere
Located in northern Bavaria, Ruhigestadt is an ancient
with his own plans.
town with history stretching as far back as the Roman
Empire. It started as a small Roman village and after the
Bright Lake, Louisiana
fall of the empire grew into the city it is today.
Ruhigestadt is chiefly defined by its gothic architecture,
In 1747, Julien LeClerc and his family moved to the
long history, and numerous strange stories. At least half
Louisiana territory and established the Lac Lumineaux
of the city(cid:213)s buildings are reputed to be haunted, and sto-
plantation. Built on the shores of one of the many lakes
ries of strange beastmen haunting the night during the
in the area, and given to sunny weather, it served the
Black Plague still circulate.
LeClerc family well. That is, until a slave revolt during
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