Extended Preview of Vampire: the Masquerade—Out for Blood (Patreon)

Set in the World of Darkness, Vampire: the Masquerade—Out for Blood is a new game in cooperation with White Wolf Publishing and Paradox Interactive which puts you in the role of a new resident of a small town inhabited by vampires. This extended preview will provide an overview of Vampire: the Masquerade, describe character creation, and delve into the key characters you will meet at the beginning of the game.

What is Vampire: the Masquerade

Released in 1991, Vampire: the Masquerade (VtM) is a tabletop role-playing game set in a gothic–punk world where vampires lurk behind the scenes, unknown to humankind. VtM has since been used as a setting in video games, books, a television series, and other media. In the role-playing game, the most common form involves players assuming the role of a vampire from one of many clans, each with their own abilities, motivations, and drives. Vampires who live under the guidance of the main organization, the Camarilla, must abide by certain rules, called the Traditions, one of which is the Masquerade — hiding the existence of vampires. Breaking a Tradition is punishable by final death.

In 2018, White Wolf Publishing released the fifth edition of Vampire: the Masquerade. One of the main changes is the idea that mortals are fighting back against vampires. The creation of several government agencies has formed to track vampires and ultimately eliminate them. This is an important distinction which influences Out for Blood.

The fifth edition has also introduced a new clan, Thin-bloods. These vampires do not have the normal potency of blood as full-fledged vampires and therefore have strengths and weaknesses that come with their weakened bloodline. They are closer to human than other vampires, and some may even move about in the daytime out of direct sunlight. They cannot create new vampires nor can they create a bond through drinking blood, which is a common means of relationships among other vampires. However the Thin-bloods possess heightened abilities that put them in a supernatural class and may augment their attributes using blood. Out for Blood is one of the first games set in the fifth edition that will include Thin-blood characters.

Goals in Out for Blood

One of the aspects of VtM which has fascinated many players over the years is the concept of mortals against vampires. In many ways that is the story of Vampire: the Masquerade—Out for Blood. When you return to Jericho Heights, a place where used to spend summers visiting your grandfather as a child, you soon learn of the existence of vampires. This creates several options you can explore from the beginning of the story:

• Killing vampires.
• Learning about vampires.
• Becoming a vampire.

Each of these motivations is tracked separately throughout the game, and a number of side games and storylines help your character to explore each path. These goals will be used to create tailored endings for the story.

Character Creation

Like many games produced by Choice of Games, character creation takes part through the narrative of chapter 1. The main features of character creation are linked to the fundamentals of Vampire: the Masquerade. A character has several attributes from which to choose: Physical, Social, and Mental. In addition a character can choose to delve into specific studies: Science and Technology, Occult, and True Faith. Here is a breakdown of each of these traits:

Science and Technology - study of these fields builds an analytical mind and provides access to a number of key abilities, including investigation and deductive reasoning. At higher levels, the character has access to a science lab, may create poisons and tranquilizers, stimulants, and healing concoctions. At the highest level, characters specializing in Science and Technology can build special contraptions useful against vampires.

Occult - this is a broad-spectrum field of study of the supernatural, with emphasis on vampires. Even at low levels, the Occult provides powers of divination — a sort of danger sense that causes visions during times of potential danger. At higher levels, Occult practitioners have access to a library, can place curses on mortals and vampires, and has even greater powers of divination.

True Faith - in Vampire: the Masquerade, a character who possesses True Faith has a close connection with the divine and may use this connection to channel powers against vampires. It is based on Judeo-Christian religion, so at early levels, a character with True Faith may word off vampires by brandishing their holy symbol or reciting a prayer. At higher levels, a character may resist mental powers common to vampires such as domination and charm, can sense the presence of vampires even as they hide or blend in with morals, and can repel vampires with their faith. At the very highest levels, characters may even perform miracles.

Character may also choose to develop willpower to overcome temptation, resist mental manipulation from others, and to force themselves to commit to an action even against overwhelming odds. A character may possess heightened Resources, providing extra funds, Contacts to call on for assistance, and Influence among the townspeople of Jericho Heights.

Aside from these traits and fields of studies, other stats are also tracked that define the personality and morality of each character. For example, the game tracks whether the character is sarcastic or encouraging to others, truthful or manipulative, and kindhearted or matter-of-fact.

Also tracked are relationship values for all key characters as well as their stress levels throughout the story. Stress has a particularly central place in Out for Blood as the horrors of the new reality plague the minds of you and your companions.

Characters in Out for Blood

Early on in the story, you are introduced to a number of key characters, two of which are most notable. Salem and Adam have been your lifelong friends since you were children. They are your primary companions and enter the story starting at chapter 1. You get to establish your relationship with them and through the narrative rebuild that relationship. Also they are the first opportunities to show romantic interest in other characters.

Two other main characters are Marcus and Lacey. Prior to the story, you have no relationship with them, but you form one with them as early as chapter 3. Marcus comes from a rich family in Jericho Heights though he has been somewhat ostracized by them. As a former deputy sheriff, he maintains ties to the Sheriff’s office. Lacey is a vice principal of the local middle school who you meet at a dinner party. She has plans to run against the current Mayor in the next election. Both of these characters are romantic options.

Of course you will meet vampires in the game, but you will need to meet them on your own to find out more. Part of the world I am building throughout the story is one of mystery. At least on your first experience, you will have no idea who is a vampire and who is mortal, who is an ally and who is manipulating you. You will cross paths with many citizens of Jericho Heights, and your opinions of them may change throughout the story.

In Conclusion

As a lifelong player of Vampire: the Masquerade, I am both excited and anxious to develop the story. It’s been a dream of mine to write in this world. Now I have to deliver on a compelling story that’s true to the tabletop game loved by so many. I’m working hard to fulfill that goal.

Based on current projections, Vampire: the Masquerade—Out for Blood will be available in February, 2021.