Professional Documents
Culture Documents
www.miraclem.itch.io/elegy
History
Vampires inhabit Santa Maria since its early development, which happened…
Quest starter: Rumors are circulating about an ancient artifact that once be-
longed to a powerful vampire in the Middle Ages, believed to be hidden some-
where in Santa Maria. Retrieving this artifact could earn you the respect of
your elders. What is this artifact? What’s its origin? Where is it said to be? What
guards it?
Quest starter: Legend says a gun that belonged to an old ruler in Santa Maria
is being kept in a museum. This gun was used to kill many vampires a few
centuries ago, and it would make a great trophy. Who convinces you to steal it?
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Origins
It is widely accepted that vampirism is…
Quest starter:A cryptic parchment telling the story of the first murder has been
found. It’s in a strange language, and it seems to reveal new details of the story.
How will you translate it? What details are these?
Quest starter:Vampires form a cult around the idea that it’s possible to turn back
into mere humans, but mortal authorities suspect something is not right with
them. Why do you step in this situation?
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Superstitions
Q Most of what you heard about vampires is untrue.
They are not deterred by crucifixes, garlic, or holy water, and they can enter
private domains without invitation. Astake through the heart merely para-
lyzes them.
Quest starter:A suspicious mortal is guarding a place with garlic and crosses.
While she is clearly superstitious, she seems to be holding something of importance
within said place. What gives it away? How do you get yourself involved in discov-
ering what it is? What is this place?
Quest starter:Garlic gas was released in the ventilation system of your progeni-
tor. Who is the culprit? Why does she want to harm your progenitor?
Quest starter:A visiting bishop in Santa Maria plans to bless the water in a
large fountain, transforming it into a potent weapon against your kind. How
will you stop her, considering she always carry with herself a sacred symbol that
can harm you? What symbol is this?
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Genealogy
Q Depending on their progenitor, each vampire belongs to one of five
different lineages.
Every vampire is affiliated with one of several “families,” each characterized
by distinct traditions and manifestations of vampirism. Lineages are trans-
mitted when one vampire creates another, with each lineage embodying a
specific archetype of the vampire myth, bestowing unique powers and incli-
nations. Members of a lineage may not necessarily resemble or behave like
each other. This alternative enables the Lineages optional rule in page 76.
Quest starter:A newborn vampire went missing. You know she had a unique
ability, which should help you track her. What ability is this? Why do you swear
to find the newborn?
Quest starter:Two newborn vampires don’t know where they come from, but be-
lieve their share the same progenitor. What power do they share? Why do you
agree to help? Who is the progenitor?
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What Mortals Know
Q While it’s not exactly legal, it’s not uncommon for vampires to have
human allies of some sort.
Having connections with individuals possessing valuable skills or occupying
influential positions is advantageous, whether one is undead or not. However,
it’s crucial to exercise caution. Before disclosing your true nature, ensure that
these individuals have a significant stake in maintaining your secret and that
revealing the truth about you won’t be easily believed by others.
Quest starter:A friendly mortal contact begs you to find her child, who has been
kidnapped. How will you track down the culprits? Where is she? Do you ask
something in return?
Quest starter:Vampires are being killed in a serial fashion that seems to be the
work of a skilled vampire killer. What’s her modus operandi? How do you intend
to catch her? What’s in it for you?
Quest starter:Someone took pictures of you while you were feeding. This could
mean a devastating blow to the Façade and a sentence for you. How can you
prevent them from causing this damage? Where can you find the photographer?
Who is behind all this?
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The Internet
Q Using the internet is prohibited by law.
In today’s world, no information is truly secure. A single slip, and the Façade
will crumble.
Quest starter:A ghost hunting YouTube show crew just got actual vampire ac-
tivity on camera. What did they capture? How will you protect the Façade from
them?
Quest starter:A couple of young vampires share their unlives openly in social
media. Why do you step in to stop them? What’s the last Façade-breaking thing
they tweeted?
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Rebels
Q Plenty of vampires don’t agree totally with the queen, and sometimes
they form groups.
These groups can be united by any social or political idea. The bigger ones
can even have some influence, but they are never powerful enough to actually
challenge the queen.
Q Those who don’t agree with the queen’s rule will be silenced or
punished.
The queen’s law is absolute. Any organized political divergence from the tra-
ditions that hold her in power is a threat that must be eliminated.
Quest starter:A Agorean militant believes her collective’s leader is a spy from the
Olympus. Why does she trust you to uncover her leader’s true colors? What does
this collective fight for?
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Blood sorcery
Q The powers of blood don’t manifest themselves through silly rituals
While some individuals may follow peculiar esoteric traditions, the concept
of vampiric blood sorcery is nonexistent in our world. Rituals are not a part
of our reality.
Q Vampires who know blood sorcery rituals are rare, but often powerful
and wise.
They keep out of sight, so their methods stay secret, but they sometimes take
vampires as pupils when they are worthy.
Quest starter:Rumors say there’s an elder in Santa Maria who could teach you
rituals — if you manage to find and convince her. Why are you so eager to be
her apprentice? Where will you start looking for her?
Quest starter:A bag of werewolf blood has been located in the local medical clinic.
This not only endangers the Façade, as it would make a potent concoction for
rituals, according to the vampire that contacts you. Why are you trusted with
this quest? What do you get in return?
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Religion
Q The government has tones of faith.
The most important practices are held in a cult-like fashion, and the queen
and other important figures act as priestesses in these situations. It’s some-
thing purely ceremonial, but it reflects the idea that the queen and her peers
are more than simple vampires.
Quest starter:An important ceremony that will happen soon requires half the
blood of at least 3 mortals. Why does the queen trust you with to collect it?
Quest starter:A local mortal preacher has been saying things that go against the
Epitaph Order’s ideals. What commandment do they inspire humans to break?
Why do you agree to silence her?
Quest starter:A vampire who was devoutly religious in life now attends nightly
ceremonies associated with her former faith, drawing the curiosity of mortals
who sense something’s wrong about her. What’s giving away she’s not like them?
How do you prevent her nature from being discovered by others?
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Deviance
Q Vampires rarely break the three moral laws buried within their nature.
Everybody has heard of a vampire drinking the blood of another, turning
mortals into vampires without thinking twice, or even revealing their nature
despite the risk, but they’re really abnormal cases.
Quest starter:You hear rumors of a group of vampires killing others to use their
vampiric blood to conduct dark, esoteric rites. What’s their story? What do they
seek through these rites? Why do you swear to stop them?
Q A large group of vampires called the Egregoros rejects the three basic
vampire laws and opposes anyone standing by them.
They embrace a more anarchic and brutal existence, engaging in open warfare
against their enemies and resorting to violence. This alternative gives access to
the Egregoros NPCs.
Quest starter:Rumors say the Egregoros are planning to turn a serial killer into a
vampire in one of their macabre rituals. How will you stop their plans?
Q Vampires who create blood links with others of their kind or even
mortals are common.
They usually do it to establish a relationship of dominance and influence over
the other individual.
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Werewolves
Q They live in packs within the city and call themselves lycanthropes.
Werewolves are another type of creature that hides in the night. Vampires and
them are not necessarily enemies: sometimes, they cooperate to keep their
existences in the shadows. This alternative gives access to the Lycanthrope NPCs.
Quest starter:A varou has been killing vampires that wander through a large
park. Why do you promise to eliminate it or drive it away? What is your plan?
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Elegies
The precious promises vampires make one another…
Quest starter:Your progenitor writes her elegies in a special paper collection she
owns. However, this collection was unfortunately stolen. What will you do to the
culprit? Why is this collection so important?
Quest starter:While you were meditating on an elegy, the vivid image of a vam-
pire smiling at you suddenly appeared in your mind. What strong emotion did
this make you feel? Why does her appearance evoke in you a desire to discover
who she is?
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Mortal Magic
Q The Crystal Compass is a global mage organization.
They follow their own individual path into magical enlightenment. This alter-
native gives access to the Crystal Compass NPCs.
Quest starter:Your progenitor suspects a mage from the Crystal Compass is plot-
ting to assassinate her other progeny. What evidence does she have? How will
you stop this assassin?
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