Vampire Mob-Father [Archive] - Wizards Community

Vampire Mob-Father [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Master_Vega
02-12-08, 06:39 PM As I've mentioned before on these boards, I'm currently running my (actually successful) vigilante campaign. As for the setting, it's growing as the PCs explore more and more of the city (for instance, last session I decided that there was an abandoned section of the halfbreed quarter of the city, where a plague started and was neutralized with extreme prejudice, and where the soot from the massive forges from the industrial quarter rains and gathers.) For a good picture of what it's like, however, think Gotham City from Batman, but in a sword-and-sorcery technology level and without a Batman.

The current BBEG, one that the players haven't looked into, is Cyrse Feirec, a very secretive vampire who hosts many parties for public relations, all the while keeping his condition under wraps.
He also runs necromantic and pharmaceutical research... something the PCs have seen the result of while crashing a drug exchange. His current project is Wrath, a trans dermal (supposed) adrenaline-accelerating drug used to make combatants more effective and aggressive.
The street doesn't know where Wrath comes from, and the above explanation (of what it does) is only what they are told. The true function of the drug is to imbue a living creature with negative energy, and allow the creature to benefit from it. This damages the creature soon after the primary effects of the drug end.
...This is what his lower-ranked researchers and more esteemed operatives are told, and is only a partial truth.
Though the original purpose of this project was to enhance the performance of his minions, Wrath has been found to have a property much more desirable to a vampire. When a creature dies under high concentrations of Wrath, the drug crystallizes inside the victim's heart... creating a vile gem (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14541988&postcount=1) which, if left alone for a day, will animate the victim as a Zombie. As long as the gem is within the subject (a skeleton or zombie), the subject becomes incredibly durable (+4HD) and the gem "heals" it with 10 negative energy per round.

If the gem is left inside a zombie for a long period of time, the zombie becomes a crystalline reaper (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14605941&postcount=25) loyal to his creator/creator's organization.
Cyrse Feirec is looking to combine enough of these gems and alter them in such a way so that they will benefit his own body.

ANYHOW! Now that I'm off of my tangent... any ideas on a personality/backstory I can give this Mob Father? He apparently has a passion for pharmaceuticals... Perhaps he started out as an unfortunately turned-vampire, searching for a cure to his ailment, but could find none and was eventually overcome by his new evil tendencies?

Thanks!
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-14-08, 04:27 AM The vampire seeking a cure works out nicely as a start but have you considered the possibility of his having been an alchemist before-hand.

I'd suggest an alchemist working for the local thieves guild, producing lock-eating acids and counters to low power traps and detection. When first transformed he runs, fearing persecution for his undead state. In hiding he begins his experiments with necromantic alchemy, seeking a cure through the means he understands best. He transforms his experiments only when the guild finds him and he realizes the power his new form grants while fighting off the thieves looking for their runaway alchemist. With this sudden realization of his new power he starts working on ways to turn the tables on his former life, where the guilds treated him poorly.

Taking the local thieves guilds over with his new drugs is the first step. The question now is where will he take it. Given he is throwing parties and working PR suggest that he has succesfully taken control of a major portion of the underground and is now "celebrating" his victory. Of course as he spends time amongst the wealthier, noble crowd, he is likely to start wanting more. After all that's the nature of greed. He has gotten all he ever wanted but can't be content, instead increasing his desire to overcome what he has.
Master_Vega
02-18-08, 11:19 PM Thanks for the help, Terjon! I've added your suggestions to his character. Sorry for taking so long to reply, school+work+more players in the game=a whole lot less time to think about my villain and make a decent reply. @_@
Leader-of-the-Pack
02-18-08, 11:32 PM Hey, just a quick note, about his personality, if he is going to be an alchemist turned vampire, maybe he should be somewhat shakespearian and dramatic about his passion for pharmecuticals, or perhaps he is in the pursuit of the ultimate alchemical formula, or some other dramatic goal.

Also, he should probably be dry but courteous, like courtesy as a tendency or habit and not as an actual well-mannered person would do. Maybe he can be the sort of guy who pulls out the chair for the lady before informing her that she will be a member of the undead in merely (so many amounts of hours)?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Master_Vega 02-12-08, 06:39 PM	As I've mentioned before on these boards, I'm currently running my (actually successful) vigilante campaign. As for the setting, it's growing as the PCs explore more and more of the city (for instance, last session I decided that there was an abandoned section of the halfbreed quarter of the city, where a plague started and was neutralized with extreme prejudice, and where the soot from the massive forges from the industrial quarter rains and gathers.) For a good picture of what it's like, however, think Gotham City from Batman, but in a sword-and-sorcery technology level and without a Batman. The current BBEG, one that the players haven't looked into, is Cyrse Feirec, a very secretive vampire who hosts many parties for public relations, all the while keeping his condition under wraps. He also runs necromantic and pharmaceutical research... something the PCs have seen the result of while crashing a drug exchange. His current project is Wrath, a trans dermal (supposed) adrenaline-accelerating drug used to make combatants more effective and aggressive. The street doesn't know where Wrath comes from, and the above explanation (of what it does) is only what they are told. The true function of the drug is to imbue a living creature with negative energy, and allow the creature to benefit from it. This damages the creature soon after the primary effects of the drug end. ...This is what his lower-ranked researchers and more esteemed operatives are told, and is only a partial truth. Though the original purpose of this project was to enhance the performance of his minions, Wrath has been found to have a property much more desirable to a vampire. When a creature dies under high concentrations of Wrath, the drug crystallizes inside the victim's heart... creating a vile gem (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14541988&postcount=1) which, if left alone for a day, will animate the victim as a Zombie. As long as the gem is within the subject (a skeleton or zombie), the subject becomes incredibly durable (+4HD) and the gem "heals" it with 10 negative energy per round. If the gem is left inside a zombie for a long period of time, the zombie becomes a crystalline reaper (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=14605941&postcount=25) loyal to his creator/creator's organization. Cyrse Feirec is looking to combine enough of these gems and alter them in such a way so that they will benefit his own body. ANYHOW! Now that I'm off of my tangent... any ideas on a personality/backstory I can give this Mob Father? He apparently has a passion for pharmaceuticals... Perhaps he started out as an unfortunately turned-vampire, searching for a cure to his ailment, but could find none and was eventually overcome by his new evil tendencies? Thanks!
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-14-08, 04:27 AM	The vampire seeking a cure works out nicely as a start but have you considered the possibility of his having been an alchemist before-hand. I'd suggest an alchemist working for the local thieves guild, producing lock-eating acids and counters to low power traps and detection. When first transformed he runs, fearing persecution for his undead state. In hiding he begins his experiments with necromantic alchemy, seeking a cure through the means he understands best. He transforms his experiments only when the guild finds him and he realizes the power his new form grants while fighting off the thieves looking for their runaway alchemist. With this sudden realization of his new power he starts working on ways to turn the tables on his former life, where the guilds treated him poorly. Taking the local thieves guilds over with his new drugs is the first step. The question now is where will he take it. Given he is throwing parties and working PR suggest that he has succesfully taken control of a major portion of the underground and is now "celebrating" his victory. Of course as he spends time amongst the wealthier, noble crowd, he is likely to start wanting more. After all that's the nature of greed. He has gotten all he ever wanted but can't be content, instead increasing his desire to overcome what he has.
Master_Vega 02-18-08, 11:19 PM	Thanks for the help, Terjon! I've added your suggestions to his character. Sorry for taking so long to reply, school+work+more players in the game=a whole lot less time to think about my villain and make a decent reply. @_@
Leader-of-the-Pack 02-18-08, 11:32 PM	Hey, just a quick note, about his personality, if he is going to be an alchemist turned vampire, maybe he should be somewhat shakespearian and dramatic about his passion for pharmecuticals, or perhaps he is in the pursuit of the ultimate alchemical formula, or some other dramatic goal. Also, he should probably be dry but courteous, like courtesy as a tendency or habit and not as an actual well-mannered person would do. Maybe he can be the sort of guy who pulls out the chair for the lady before informing her that she will be a member of the undead in merely (so many amounts of hours)?