Richard Balterhouse "The Sage"

Richard Balterhouse is a Ninth Generation Toreador, and the founder and patron of the Black Curtain Theater (among other artistic endeavors), as well as being the sire of the former (and now disappeared) director, James Godwin.

The Sage will make a brief appearance in the story, after a member of the group has already disappeared. He is on the trail of Godwin, wondering why the neonate disappeared without notifying him. Doing so, he will himself be abducted unless the players step in.

Should the group save the Sage during the course of the adventure, he could be a worthwhile contact. He is also a neonate, but well respected within his clan, and he has befriended Toreador primogen in several cities (including Annabelle Triabelle in Chicago). No stats are included in this adventure, but GMs wishing to keep him on should feel free to give him whatever attributes he or she feels is appropriate.

Kelly Grove ("The Innocent')
Clan: Toreador Sire: James Godwin
Generation: 11th
Nature: Gallant
Demeanor: Caregiver
Concept: Actress
Embrace: 1988 (Born 1967)
Apparent Age: Early 20's
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 5, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Acting 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 1, Dodge 1, Empathy 3, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Drive 2, Etiquette 21 Melee 2, Music 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Knowledges: Computer 1, Finance 1, Medicine 2, Politics 1
Disciplines: Presence 1, Celerity 2
Backgrounds: Allies 1 (Juan Teguero: "connected" fan), Fame 1, Herd 2, Mentor I (Richard Balterhouse), Resources 1
Virtues: Conscience 5, Self Control 2, Courage 3 Humanity: 9 Willpower: 5
Image: Kelly is a cute girl, 5' 5" tall, with a curvaceous build. She has reddish brown hair, and was pale-complexioned even before the Embrace. Her face has a light dash of freckles, and her expression is animated and usually cheerful.

Role-playing Hints: You are an extroverted person, a woman who laughs and smiles easily, but would never be considered ditzy. You still enjoy "life" very much and are a curious person. You love to party. Recently, you have started to miss the sun and other aspects of daily life, but remain excited about immortality (as long as you don't think about the potential cost to your soul).

Russ 'Cage' Stacey ("The Star")
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Kelly Grove
Generation: 12th
Mortal Concept: Actor
Nature: Bon Vivant
Demeanor: Gallant
Embrace: 1993 (Born: 1968)
Apparent Age: 20's
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Talents: Acting 3, Alertness 2, Athletics 1, Dodge 1 Empathy 2, Intimidation 2, Leadership 1, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Animal Ken 2, Drive 1, Etiquette 2, Melee 1, Music 3, Stealth 1
Knowledge: Linguistics 1 (Spanish), Occult 2, Literature 2
Disciplines: Presence 3
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 3, Resources 3, Fame 2
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self Control 4, Courage 3 Humanity: 6 Willpower: 6
Image: Cage is a brash young actor with reasonably good looks. He fancies himself a ladies' man, and has a cocky confidence which often works in his favor. He stands 5' 11" tall, and has dark brown hair and eyes. Cage is a thin man, and his face betrays somewhat fragile features

Role-playing Hints: You get along with people very well, in a confident easy-going manner. You are much more approachable than Thomas, your rival, and know it. You treat people with courtesy and respect, but don't mind joking around if they seem to have a sense of humor. In particular, you have an eye for the ladies, and will zero in on any attractive women as soon as politely possible. More than your peers, you enjoy your new vampiric existence, and don't miss being alive at all.

Thomas Barber ("The Cynic")
Clan: Toreador
Sire: James Godwin
Generation: 11th
Nature: Visionary
Demeanor: Curmudgeon
Concept: Actor
Embrace: 1985 (Born: 1957)
Apparent Age: Late 20's
Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 1, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Acting 4, Alertness 1, Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Dodge 2, Intimidation 1, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 3
Skills: Melee 3, Stealth 1, Survival 1, Written Expression 4
Knowledges: Computer 2, Finance 1, Investigation 1, Linguistics 1 (Spanish), Politics 1, Science 1, Literature 3
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Presence 1, Celerity I
Backgrounds: Allies 2 (Chuck Ruddy/film actor, Jeri Barber/Ex-wife & lawyer), Contacts I (Theater), Fame 2, Resources 3
Virtues: Conscience 3, Self Control 3, Courage 5 Humanity; 7 Willpower: 6

Image: Thomas is a tall (6'2") African- American actor, weighing 195 pounds. While not particularly handsome, he has strong features and good stage presence. He's in excellent physical shape, and moves with poise and confidence. He dresses casualty when not on-stage, in ripped jeans, an old leather jacket and faded T-shirts. His most common expression is a cynical smirk.

Role-playing Hints: You're extremely cynical, and make fun of people when you first meet them. You don't like fakers, or people who flaunt their wealth. However, when caught in a good mood, or when around people you accept, you can be a very funny guy. joke around and try to make other people laugh, preferably at the expense of someone else. You know you're probably the best thing going in the BCT, and are thus very confident, but you do not brag about your abilities as an actor or writer.

Claire Rosewood
Clan: Toreador antitribu
Sire: Pollard
Generation: 11th
Mortal Concept: Morbid Painter
Nature: Visionary/Manipulator
Demeanor: Architect
Embrace: 1968 (Born: 1940)
Apparent Age: 20's
Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 4
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Talents: Acting 2, Alertness 1, Brawl 1, Dodge 3, Empathy 4, Leadership 2, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Drive 2, Firearms 1, Melee 2, Painting 4
Knowledges: Computer 1, Finance 1, Linguistics 3, Occult 2, Theater 3, Writing 3
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 2, Fortitude 1, Presence 3
Backgrounds: Allies 2, Contacts 4, Fame 2 (her art, under the name Virginia Rose), Pack Status 3, Resources 3, Sabbat Status 1, Double I entity 2
Virtues: Callousness 3, Instincts 3, Courage 3 Path of Cathari: 5 Willpower: 7
Note: Due to her high Manipulation and Subterfuge, Claire is often able to believe her own lies, and is thus difficult to catch even using Aura Sight (Auspex 2).

Image: Claire is a strikingly beautiful woman, being 5' 8" tall and possessing an excellent figure. She has long light brown hair which reaches halfway down her back, and pate green eyes. She dresses in business-like but revealing attire, such as high heels, short skirts and low-cut blouses.

Role-playing Hints: You are an extremely complicated woman, capable of adopting any number Of guises to further your cause. For now, you play the role of a devoted director, who has thrown herself with full enthusiasm into the Black Curtain Theater, trying to surpass the excellent work done by your predecessor. You are brimming with energy, and are very supportive of the cast members (except for Sarah Hilton, who doesn't deserve the honor of participating). You are also cultured in other arts, and can speak intelligently on many subjects.

Lucas Hall
Clan: Lasombra
Sire: Thomas Espinoza
Generation: 9th
Mortal Concept: Bodyguard
Nature: Director
Demeanor: Loner
Embrace: 1984 (Born: 1953)
Apparent Age: Early 30's
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma. 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3
Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 4, Brawl 3, Dodge 3, Intimidation 2, Leadership 2, Subterfuge 2
Skills: Drive 3, Ftrearms 4, Melee 3, Stealth 3, Survival 2
Knowledges: Finance 2, Linguistics 2, Medicine 4, Occult 3, Science 3
Disciplines: Celerity 1, Domination 1, Obfuscate 1, Obtenebration 2, Potence 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Pack Status 4, Resources 3, Sabbat Status 2
Virtues: Callousness 3, Instincts 4, Courage 4 Path of Power and the Inner Voice: 6 Willpower: 7
Notes: Although he enjoys his Potence, Lucas isn't stupid; if he has a chance to shoot a foe a few times before engaging in melee, he will gladly do so, preferably at a distance and from cover.
Image: Lucas is a big man, although this isn't immediately apparent since he dresses conservatively, often in suits or an expensive jacket. He is 6' 2" tall but also wide and thickly built. He has short black hair and is clean shaven. He keeps a beeper in his belt, a cellular phone in his pocket, and a revolver in a shoulder holster.

Role-playing Hints: You will keep the background unless forced to reveal yourself in order to protect Claire and Valasky. At that point, you will not be interested in conversation. You hate all members of the Camarilla, and do not feel such filth is worth recruiting into the sect. All the same, you will keep your priorities and fight foremost to allow Claire to escape.

Valasky
Clan: Tzimisce
Sire: Lajos
Generation: 10th
Mortal Concept: Surgeon
Nature: Deviant
Demeanor: Bravo/conformist
Embrace: 1951 (Born: 1912)
Apparent Age: Varies
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3
Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 3, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 5, Intelligence 4, Wits 4
Talents: Acting 3, Alertness 2, Brawl 2, Empathy 2, Intimidation 3, Subterfuge 4
Skills: Drive 2, Firearms 3, Fleshcrafting 4, Melee 4, Stealth 2, Survival 2
Knowledges: Finance 2, Linguistics 2, Medicine 4, Occult 3, Science 3
Disciplines: Animalism 3, Auspex 3, Fortitude 2, Potence 1, Vicissitude 3
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Pack Status 4, Resources 3, Sabbat Status 2
Virtues: Callousness 4, Instincts 3, Courage 4 Path of Caine: 7 Willpower: 8
Image: Valasky's extensive use of Vicissitude has left him with no specific appearance. Most commonly he adopts strong square features, and a large physical frame (6' 2" tall, 215 pounds). He likes to let others underestimate his intelligence by adopting the look of a bruiser. Consequently, he usually wears dark heavy clothes, including an overcoat. Valasky never travels without a 9mm tucked away somewhere, and he keeps a policeman's billy club in his overcoat. Naturally, if he were pretending to be someone else, his appear, ance would change drastically.

Role-playing Hints: Valasky usually plays the role of the strong silent type, backing up Claire, Lucas, or even Marc Sivak with brooding intimidation. When speaking, his voice is slow and somber, and betrays both intelligence and education. Everyone who knows him (including all involved Sabbat) are somewhat fearfill of this enigmatic vampire.

Marc Sivak
Clan: Pander (Caitiff)
Sire: Unknown
Generation: 11 th
Nature: Fanatic
Demeanor: Bravo
Embrace: 1964 (Born: 1940)
Apparent Age: Early 20's
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4
Social: Charisma 31 Manipulation 2, Appearance 2
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence 2, Wits 4
Talents: Alertness 3, Brawl 4, Dodge 2, Intimidation 4, Leadership 3
Skills: Drive 3, Firearms 2, Melee 4, Repair 2, Security 2, Stealth 1, Survival 3
Knowledges: Law 2, Linguistics 1, Occult 2
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Celerity 2, Fortitude 2, Potence 2, Presence 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 1, Pack Status 5, Resources 2, Sabbat Status I
Virtues: Callousness 4, Instincts 4, Courage 4 Path of Cathari: 7 Willpower: 7
Image: Marc looks much like the other members of his pack (see below) in dress and equipment. He is actually a bit short (5'8" tall) but very stocky and muscular, and his body is riddled with tattoos. He is completely bald, but keeps a well groomed goatee. Dangling from his left ear is a cross upon which a struggling serpent has been crucified. Marc is fond of blatantly displaying his vampiric nature to Camarilla Kindred, finding it discomfits them, and often greets such with fangs out, eyes glowing, and claws extended.

Role-playing Hints: As mean and nasty as you wanna be. You are Sabbat through and through, and for you that means being an openly vampiric lord of the earth. You are pleased to be given the chance to turn Camarilla maggots into proper soldiers, and hope they die gloriously in upcoming Sabbat sieges as cannon fodder.

Pander Template

Most of Marc's pack is composed of fellow Panders, the unified Caitiff of the Sabbat (at the GM's discretion they could also include Brujah and Ventrue antitribu who admire the Pander cause). They have focused upon physical and combat skills and disciplines, but there is variety in their makeup (GM's can get as creative as they want). Most are aggressive, violent, and fearless. At the same time, Marc is an intelligent and capable leader, and he has forced his group to learn how to cooperate in combat situations. Also, since the pack is operating in enemy territory, they rarely strike to annihilate a foe, even when not recruiting. They are willing to retreat, hide, and regroup if confronted with serious opposition.

Clan: Pander
Sire: Varies
Generation: 12th-14th
Nature: Bravo, Rebel, Deviant, Bon Vivant, etc.
Demeanor: Bravo
All Physical Stats: 3
Social: 2 Mental: 2 (but Wits 3)
Talents: Alertness 2, Brawl 3, Intimidation 2, Streetwise 2
Skills: Drive 2, Firearms 2, Melee 3, Security 1, Stealth 1, Survival I
Knowledges: Law 1, Occult 1, Linguistics 1
Disciplines: 6 points among Celerity, Fortitude & Potence, with some Animalism or Protean.
Image: Like most Sabbat packs (Panders in particular) these guys dress similarly, and look very much like a punk street gang: spiked leather jackets, ripped jeans, combat boots, earrings, other jewelry, pins and shirts from various hard- core Goth and industrial bands. These boys mean business, and carry a wide assortment of knives, chains, bats, pistols, shotguns, wooden spikes, and a big canister of gasoline for good measure. They drive around in a large Cadillac (nice big trunk for abductions), and several motorcycles.

Note to the GM: It may seem that between Claire's people and Sivak's pack, there are an impossibly large number of Sabbat involved in this story, and that the characters don't have a chance against them. That's the point! The characters are not expected to fight both Sabbat packs in outright combat and destroy them. PCs taking this tactic are in for a short unlife, at least if the GM plays them well.

The story should be run such that the players need to use strategy and caution to succeed, and they must keep in mind their true objectives: saving their friend, and helping the innocent members of the BCT. Once discovered, Claire and her people will flee at first opportunity to Toronto, and the combat pack will escort them to stall opposition. They will attack en masse only if the players are foolish enough to try to destroy them all.

Black Curtain Theater Vampire Adventure

Introduction
Chapter One: A Night at the Theater
Chapter Two: A Case of Missing Person
Chapter Three: Digging Up Some Old Friends
Appendix 1: NPC Stats
Appendix Two: Alternate Scenarios