This tiny implant goes just behind the ear, a small bump

barely noticeable to anyone who isn’t looking for it. The de-
vice is derived from something the Cheiron Group doctors
call “special pets” because they pull a great deal of implants
from whatever the monster is. They claim it is a reverse en-
gineer of their hearing apparatus, but most hunters just as-
sume they are getting a monster’s cochlear bone implanted
directly into their skulls. They aren’t wrong.
The device enhances hearing, but not just by a little bit.
It somehow drowns out all background noise and lets the
hunter listen in on the one thing she wants to hear, no mat-
ter how unlikely it is she would normally hear it.
Costs: 1 Willpower
Dice Pool: Wits + Empathy
Action: Instant
Duration: One scene (see below)
Roll Results
Success: The hunter concentrates on something she
wants to hear within 10 yards per success, and everything
else but that thing fades out of her awareness while it comes
THAUMATECH121121
into sharp relief. She doesn’t have to see it, but she must
know it is there. For example, she could concentrate on a
conversation going on behind a closed door down the hall-
way, but she couldn’t try to listen in on a conversation she
has no idea is happening, even if it’s in the same room. She
could listen in to the other side of a phone conversation
though, knowing the person she is watching is surely talking
to someone else.
Exceptional Success: The hunter can pick up on conver-
sations she doesn’t know are happening.
Failure: The hunter fails to narrow down the conversa-
tion to which she wants to listen.
Dramatic Failure: The hunter focuses on a conversa-
tion but cannot tune out everything else. The feedback is
painful, causing one lethal damage.
Backlash: The dampening of sound is not without con-
sequence. The hunter gains a –2 penalty to react to situa-
tions in her own vicinity, and is always surprised unless she
can see an attack coming.
Time Attenuator
Time moves on, marching ever forward without fail.
Except some monsters seem timeless, or even in some cases
separate from time. They interact in a way that defies all logic
or physics, and yet it exists. And of course, Thaumatechnology
researchers are fascinated by these abilities. And while many
of them are impossible to capture, collect, or even recreate,
someone clever has come up with the Time Attenuator. This
small device goes at the base of the hippocampus in a rela-
tively easy surgical procedure that inserts it via the nose.
The user can use the attenuator to slow down how
time affects her body — just for herself, and only for a short
amount of time. Her body stops bleeding, bones do not
break, and skin does not burn as time refuses to pass.
Cost: 1 Willpower
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Medicine
Action: Instant
Duration: One scene
Roll Results
Success: The user’s body resists the effects of time for
the rest of the scene. Anything that would worsen with
time, such as bleeding out, diseases, or poisons and toxins,
stops affecting her. She does not suffer from new Tilts or
Conditions while this is active.
Exceptional Success: The hunter does not suffer the ill
effects of Persistent Conditions while the Time Attenuator
is active.
Failure: The hunter’s body functions in normal time.
Dramatic Failure: The hunter not only fails to slow
time but speeds up the process for a vital organ, dealing one
aggravated damage.
Backlash: While the attenuator is active, the hunter can-
not heal normally, nor can she benefit from medical care or
Endowments to heal wounds. Her body resists the changes
being applied to her.
The Twitcher
Cheiron Group scientists are adept at thinking outside
of the box — it’s a basic job requirement for them, consider-
ing what they work with. Take the Twitcher, for example:
only Cheiron Group professionals would ever have the inspi-
ration, much less the skill, to take a strange stick-insect-like
creature and implant it in the base of a human’s spine. The
little pink symbiote makes itself right at home, tapping the
user’s senses and sipping on cerebrospinal fluid.
Whenever the host is threatened, the Twitcher drives
the host’s nervous system to hyperactive levels, leading
to reaction and reflex times that verge on superhuman.
Unfortunately, the creature doesn’t seem to understand that
dreams aren’t normal sensory stimuli, and tends to react to
REM sleep as though it is violence — most hosts report a
significant increase in night terrors, anxiety, and paranoia
compared to their pre-implantation norm.
Cost: None (see below)
Dice Pool: None
Action: Reflexive
Duration: Indefinite (see below)
The hunter receives a +3 bonus to all Initiative rolls,
which is always in effect. As a reflexive action, the hunter
may spend 1 Willpower to use the higher of her Dexterity
or Wits to determine Defense, rather than lower, even when
surprised for the turn.
Backlash: The Twitcher causes the hunter to suffer from
terrible nightmares. If she uses her inhuman reflexes, that
night she has night terrors that leave her feeling unrested.
She suffers a –2 penalty to Mental actions until she gets a
good night’s sleep.
Tools of the Trade
Not every job requires a lot of firepower and a little
flash; the Cheiron Group values subtlety — at least in the
Silent Acquisitions Division. In cases where a mystical flam-
ing hand might be overkill, the Cheiron Group offers the
Tools of the Trade when stealth and finesse are required.
These weapons are claws or fangs surgically removed from
monsters, reconditioned, and then grafted to a host’s living
tissue. Special care has been taken to ensure the augmenta-
tions are easily overlooked when not in use.
With physical therapy and exercise to work the affected
muscles, the relevant grafts are fully retractable, allowing
the patient to live a normal life — and bring an unexpected
“weapon” into areas or fights where it might otherwise be
impractical or impossible.
Costs: None
Dice Pool: None
Action: None
The user’s unarmed and bite attacks act as weapons with
a rating of 1L. While not in use, the Tools of the Trade are
undetectable without close medical examination. The hunt-
er can spend a Willpower after a successful bite attack to
inflict the Immobilized Tilt on her victim.
May 7th, 2016, at approximately 7:30May 7th, 2016, at approximately 7:30
p.m., we made contact on Tinder withp.m., we made contact on Tinder with
an individual named Michael S. In hisan individual named Michael S. In his
profile, he appears to be a Caucasianprofile, he appears to be a Caucasian
male, blonde with strong bone struc-male, blonde with strong bone struc-
ture, somewhere between his late 30sture, somewhere between his late 30s
and early 40s. During our brief conver-and early 40s. During our brief conver-
sation, he divulged he was a professor ofsation, he divulged he was a professor of
medieval literature at the University ofmedieval literature at the University of
Oxford, an Akira Kurosawa aficionado,Oxford, an Akira Kurosawa aficionado,
and a mediocre cook. The aforementionedand a mediocre cook. The aforementioned
data matches our reports and severaldata matches our reports and several
verified testimonies.verified testimonies.
We — or more specifically, Lesley, ourWe — or more specifically, Lesley, our
designated Judas — have set up a datedesignated Judas — have set up a date
for next weekend.for next weekend.
• • •• • •
May 14th, 2016.May 14th, 2016.
It was always going to have to beIt was always going to have to be
Lesley. She was precisely his type.Lesley. She was precisely his type.
Young, with an Eastern-European castYoung, with an Eastern-European cast
to her features and something co-to her features and something co-
quettish about the crooked line of herquettish about the crooked line of her
mouth. We dressed her for innocence:mouth. We dressed her for innocence:
knee-length skirt and cardigan, opaqueknee-length skirt and cardigan, opaque
tights and sensible flats — attire remi-tights and sensible flats — attire remi-
niscent of a college student. No weaponsniscent of a college student. No weapons
were provided. Instead, I, Bishop, andwere provided. Instead, I, Bishop, and
Saraswati would function as back-up.Saraswati would function as back-up.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., LesleyAt approximately 8:20 p.m., Lesley
convened with Michael S. for theirconvened with Michael S. for their
scheduled encounter. He appeared ex-scheduled encounter. He appeared ex-
actly as he did in his photos; at worst,actly as he did in his photos; at worst,
slighter paler, as though the winter hadslighter paler, as though the winter had
blanched his skin. Michael S. broughtblanched his skin. Michael S. brought
flowers for Lesley. Red carnations,flowers for Lesley. Red carnations,
with a sheaf of baby’s breath. She ac-with a sheaf of baby’s breath. She ac-
cepted them genially, threading hercepted them genially, threading her
arm through his proffered elbow, beforearm through his proffered elbow, before
they meandered into a side street.they meandered into a side street.
Through the microphone we’d taped toThrough the microphone we’d taped to
the inside of Lesley’s collar, we heardthe inside of Lesley’s collar, we heard
their conversation:their conversation:
LESLEY: “Thanks for coming out on,LESLEY: “Thanks for coming out on,
well, such relatively long notice.”well, such relatively long notice.”
MICHAEL: “The pleasure’s mine.MICHAEL: “The pleasure’s mine.
Tinder moves too quickly for an old manTinder moves too quickly for an old man
like me, so I appreciate this opportu-like me, so I appreciate this opportu-
nity to savor a courtship.”nity to savor a courtship.”
LESLEY: “Why go on Tinder, then?”LESLEY: “Why go on Tinder, then?”
MICHAEL: *hesitation* “Because IMICHAEL: *hesitation* “Because I
am told that it is the only way to meetam told that it is the only way to meet
people.”people.”
LESLEY: “I suppose. There are otherLESLEY: “I suppose. There are other
dating sites, too.”dating sites, too.”
MICHAEL: “None with the same imme-MICHAEL: “None with the same imme-
diacy of contact. Too much stalking. Toodiacy of contact. Too much stalking. Too
much circling profiles, like a wolf outmuch circling profiles, like a wolf out
of time. I suppose I’m just hopelesslyof time. I suppose I’m just hopelessly
complicated.complicated.
LESLEY: “I can get behind that.LESLEY: “I can get behind that.
Anyway, I was thinking — do you wantAnyway, I was thinking — do you want
to do Chilango, or a bar, or – have youto do Chilango, or a bar, or – have you
eaten yet?”eaten yet?”
MICHAEL: “I have. But there’s no rea-MICHAEL: “I have. But there’s no rea-
son you shouldn’t be able to eat.”son you shouldn’t be able to eat.”
LESLEY: “Oh! I’m sorry! In thatLESLEY: “Oh! I’m sorry! In that
case—”case—”
MICHAEL: “No. Please. If you haven’tMICHAEL: “No. Please. If you haven’t
had dinner yet, I’d be more than happyhad dinner yet, I’d be more than happy
to accompany you. I like watching peo-to accompany you. I like watching peo-
ple eat.”ple eat.”
We followed the pair to the localWe followed the pair to the local
Chilango without incident. Michael S.,Chilango without incident. Michael S.,
despite rumor, behaved in an exemplarydespite rumor, behaved in an exemplary
fashion, and the meal concluded with-fashion, and the meal concluded with-
out event. The two did not extend theirout event. The two did not extend their
encounter past dinner. Instead, theyencounter past dinner. Instead, they
exchanged chaste kisses on the cheekexchanged chaste kisses on the cheek
before separating, Michael S. citing thebefore separating, Michael S. citing the
need to attend family obligations.need to attend family obligations.
• • •• • •
May 16th, 2016.May 16th, 2016.
Two more incidents were reported onTwo more incidents were reported on
campus. Michael S. made contact again,campus. Michael S. made contact again,
this time through Telegram. Since thethis time through Telegram. Since the
initial encounter, we have maintainedinitial encounter, we have maintained
close communications with the man,close communications with the man,
building a rapport and exchangingbuilding a rapport and exchanging
anecdotes. Throughout these conver-anecdotes. Throughout these conver-
sations, Michael S. made no overturessations, Michael S. made no overtures
towards a second encounter.towards a second encounter.
So we did it for him.So we did it for him.
• • •• • •
May 21st, 2016.May 21st, 2016.
We spent the afternoon rigging aWe spent the afternoon rigging a
rental coupe for this evening’s encoun-rental coupe for this evening’s encoun-
ter. IEDs beneath the seats, inside theter. IEDs beneath the seats, inside the
headboard, and in the trunk. Anywhereheadboard, and in the trunk. Anywhere
they’d go. Whatever space remained wethey’d go. Whatever space remained we
then lined with pressurized canistersthen lined with pressurized canisters
of kerosene.of kerosene.
Once prepared, we had Lesley driveOnce prepared, we had Lesley drive
to the gates of the university, whereto the gates of the university, where
Michael S. waited. The latter evidencedMichael S. waited. The latter evidenced
mild surprise at the manifestationmild surprise at the manifestation
of the vehicle, but Lesley was able toof the vehicle, but Lesley was able to
convince him of its innocuousness. Saidconvince him of its innocuousness. Said
it was easier than walking. Satiated,it was easier than walking. Satiated,
Michael S. entered the car. Together,Michael S. entered the car. Together,
they proceed through the motions ofthey proceed through the motions of
early courtship: small talk, an unin-early courtship: small talk, an unin-
teresting movie, drinks in a bar.teresting movie, drinks in a bar.
At the end of the night, Michael S.At the end of the night, Michael S.
acted as we’d predicted. He asked to seeacted as we’d predicted. He asked to see
her again. Here, Lesley escalated with aher again. Here, Lesley escalated with a
direct proposition, which her counter-direct proposition, which her counter-
part laughingly accepted. Because ofpart laughingly accepted. Because of
course, he fucking would.course, he fucking would.
The two agreed to make their wayThe two agreed to make their way
back to Michael S.’ accommodations,back to Michael S.’ accommodations,
although not before first picking upalthough not before first picking up
essentials from Lesley’s apartment.essentials from Lesley’s apartment.
Michael S. exhibited neither interestMichael S. exhibited neither interest
nor suspicion as Lesley exited the car.nor suspicion as Lesley exited the car.
Then, I hit the button.Then, I hit the button.
For the purpose of minimizing col-For the purpose of minimizing col-
lateral damage, we chose a site slight-lateral damage, we chose a site slight-
ly outside the center of Oxford. We’dly outside the center of Oxford. We’d
scouted the location beforehand. Thescouted the location beforehand. The
few people who lived in the wide cul-de-few people who lived in the wide cul-de-
sac worked nights; the worst they’d comesac worked nights; the worst they’d come
home to was property damage.home to was property damage.
Which was a pity, I think, becauseWhich was a pity, I think, because
the resultant bonfire was beautiful.the resultant bonfire was beautiful.
The explosion sent the car geyser-The explosion sent the car geyser-
ing upward into flames and black twistsing upward into flames and black twists
of ruined metal. It spun over itself toof ruined metal. It spun over itself to
land on its roof with a brittle shriek ofland on its roof with a brittle shriek of
broken glass. It took our target two longbroken glass. It took our target two long
minutes to writhe from the wreckage,minutes to writhe from the wreckage,
skin boiled away in places, yet somehowskin boiled away in places, yet somehow
still impossibly, horrifically alive.still impossibly, horrifically alive.
Or at least whatever passed for aliveOr at least whatever passed for alive
with his kind.with his kind.
Lesley and I didn’t waste any time.Lesley and I didn’t waste any time.
I came out of my car, swinging a bag ofI came out of my car, swinging a bag of
bullets on one shoulder, a shotgun overbullets on one shoulder, a shotgun over
the other. Lesley emerged with an axe.the other. Lesley emerged with an axe.
There was nothing supernatural aboutThere was nothing supernatural about
what we did next. It was old-fashionedwhat we did next. It was old-fashioned
human brutality: hosannas of lead,human brutality: hosannas of lead,
heavy steel through the point. Michaelheavy steel through the point. Michael
S. didn’t go down easy. But between ourS. didn’t go down easy. But between our
weapons and another canister of gaso-weapons and another canister of gaso-
line, we succeeded.line, we succeeded.
Don’t know if you knew, but old bonesDon’t know if you knew, but old bones
burn bright.burn bright.
The public nature of our assault,The public nature of our assault,
however, required us to evacuate sleepyhowever, required us to evacuate sleepy
Oxford as quickly as humanly possible.Oxford as quickly as humanly possible.
As of the time of writing, our cell isAs of the time of writing, our cell is
fine. No one is injured or at risk of dis-fine. No one is injured or at risk of dis-
covery. We have temporarily relocatedcovery. We have temporarily relocated
to [REDACTED], but we have every inten-to [REDACTED], but we have every inten-
tion of coming back.tion of coming back.
In the meantime, should you wish toIn the meantime, should you wish to
continue the fight for us, included is ancontinue the fight for us, included is an
inventory of everything we’ve learned:inventory of everything we’ve learned:
names, social-media accounts, peekyounames, social-media accounts, peekyou
reports, whatever other dirt we couldreports, whatever other dirt we could
dig up.dig up.
To our knowledge, there are over 100To our knowledge, there are over 100
members of the undead living on themembers of the undead living on the
campus. Let’s not talk about the rest ofcampus. Let’s not talk about the rest of
Oxford.Oxford.
Be careful.Be careful.
It is easy to assume that your prox-It is easy to assume that your prox-
imity to London puts you in the aegis ofimity to London puts you in the aegis of
the local compacts. But London is sub-the local compacts. But London is sub-
sumed by its own problems and frankly,sumed by its own problems and frankly,
that city doesn’t give a rat’s arse aboutthat city doesn’t give a rat’s arse about
anyone else.anyone else.
You’re on your own out here.You’re on your own out here.
But you already knew that.But you already knew that.
This chapter contains the basic rules for playing Hunter:
The Vigil. It also includes additional rules that expand your
options when your characters take risks and work together in
the name of the Vigil.
Rolling Dice
When your character is trying to accomplish something
and the outcome is in doubt, you roll a number of 10-sided
dice. The result of that roll determines whether your char-
acter succeeds and accomplishes their goal, or whether they
fail and don’t do what they set out to. Failure doesn’t mean
“nothing happens,” just that your character doesn’t get what
they want and they’re in for complications.
You might also score an exceptional success or suffer a dra-
matic failure (p. XX).
Dice Pool
The number of dice you roll depends on the action your
character is taking. Most of the time, it’s the value of one of
your Attributes plus one of your Skills, or the value of two
different Attributes put together; for example, fast-talking
your way past a bouncer might be a roll of Manipulation +
Subterfuge, which means you roll a number of dice equal
to your Manipulation rating plus your Subterfuge rating.
(Sometimes you’ll roll a different pool, but those are special
cases the text calls out when necessary.)
Circumstantial factors, appropriate equipment (or lack
thereof), or opposition from another character can add or
subtract dice from the total; see below.
The total number of dice you roll is called your dice pool.
The Storyteller determines the appropriate dice pool
based on what you’re trying to do and how you’re trying to do
it, using the descriptions of the various traits involved. In the
above example, if you explained to the Storyteller that you
weren’t trying to lie your way past the bouncer but schmooze
her into liking you enough to let you in, the Storyteller might
revise the dice pool to Manipulation + Socialize.
Most of the actions described in this book tell you what
the dice pool should be, but it’s fine to come up with dice
pools for other actions on an ad hoc basis. Just try to be
fair and consistent — if you decide bashing down a door
is Strength + Stamina in one session, it should always be
Strength + Stamina unless the situation radically changes.
Dice Rolling Basics
• Building a Pool: Unless otherwise noted, a dice pool is
always Attribute + different Attribute or Attribute