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Who’s to blame

Writers

Jamie Chambers, Brian Clements, Jimmy McMichael, Matt Vancil, Nathan Rice, Nathan Rockwood, Andy Vetromile

AdditionAl design

Cam Banks, Ben Dobyns, Chris Duppenthaler, Don Early, Steve Wolbrecht

editing And development

Cam Banks

proofreAding

Liz Wilhelm

grAphic design / lAyout And typesetting

Digger Hayes

Art direction

Renae Chambers

interrior illustrAtion / photogrAphy

Jason Engle, Cornelia D. Moore, Marc Studer

speciAl thAnks

Leila Aram-Panahi, Lizz Baldwin, Tony Becerra, Scott C. Brown, Stacy Chambers, Chris Clark, Jessica Clements, Cobbler’s Crystals, Matt DeMille, Tamia Diaz, Andy Dotson, Christian Doyle, Jason Doyle, Shawn Franklin, Mike Gallagher,

Jennifer Gilbert, HeadGames Podcast, Tracy Hickman, Kevin Inouye, Kirk Isaacson, Matt Jay, Barry Johnson, Dirk Kahler, Anne Kennedy, Brian Lewis, Patrick Levad, Tish Lopez, Jaime Mastromonica, Cindy Messler-Early, Milton Eng, Phil Misner,

Bill Murray, Emily Olson, Jen Page, Kristen Paulson, Steve Payne, Kevin Pitman, Phil M. Price, Cindi Rice, Aaron Rose, John Frank Rosenblum, John Schock, Shawn Shelton, Matt Shimkus, Jeremy Spray, Jesse Stratton, Wayne Tapia, Tree,

Adam Utley, Margaret Weis, Katy Williams, TJ Williams, Airan Sea Wilson, Kat Wood, Phil Woodard, Camille Vancil, Greg Vancil, Dom Zook, and the Purple Ninja

dedicAtion

To each and every teacher, friend, supporter, and fan that we’ve worked, played, and laughed with over these many years: You’re too numerous to name, and you are reading this due-in-part to, well, you. Remember to not take yourselves too

seriously. From all of us: Thanks, Love, and Butt Kicks

Margaret Weis Productions, the MW Logo, Cortex System, and the Cortex System logo are trademarks owned by Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd. Demon Hunters Characters and World created by Matt Vancil. Used with permission. © 2008 Dead Gentlemen Productions, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Table of ContentsIntroductIon......................................... 4Dice........................................................ 4Warning.for.noobs............................... 4

chapter.one:.a.World.of..dark.….er.….dImness............................ 5Join.THe.War.on.Horror!........... 6broTHerHooD.of.THe.celesTial.TorcH.... 6

Mission of the Brotherhood ........................................ 7Brotherhood Training and Recruitment ........................ 7

THe.orDer.of.THe.infernal.scepTer........ 8Mission of the Order ................................................... 8Order Recruitment and Training .................................. 8

THe.earTHWalkers.................................. 9THe.WorlD.of.Dimness........................... 9

Vampires, Werewolves, and Demons—Oh, My! .................................................... 9

THe.gooD.guys.................................... 11Clueless Mortals ....................................................... 12

HisTory................................................ 12myTHic.HisTory.................................... 12ancienT.HisTory................................... 13preTTy.Damn.olD.HisTory................... 1420TH.cenTury.HisTory......................... 15recenT.HisTory.................................... 16TerresTrial.geograpHy......................... 17

Africa ........................................................................ 17America, North ........................................................ 17America, South ......................................................... 18Antarctica .................................................................. 18Asia .......................................................................... 18Australia .................................................................... 19Europe ..................................................................... 19

celesTial.geograpHy............................ 19Hell .......................................................................... 19Heaven .................................................................... 20

maD.science.anD.mysTic.arTs.............. 20Technology ............................................................... 20Quantum Magic ........................................................ 21Ritual Magic .............................................................. 21

chapter.tWo:.recruItment....................22cHaracTers.anD.sTory......................... 23creaTing.a.neW.cHapTer...................... 23

Recruit ..................................................................... 23Veteran ..................................................................... 23Seasoned Veteran ..................................................... 23Concept .................................................................. 24

Nationality, Ethnicity, and Origin–icity ........................ 25Attributes ................................................................. 25Traits......................................................................... 27Skills ......................................................................... 28Skill Rolls ................................................................... 29Derived Attributes .................................................... 30Gear ........................................................................ 30Plot Points................................................................. 31Character Development ........................................... 31Advancement Points.................................................. 32Example of Demon Hunter Creation ........................ 33

chapter.omega.fIfteen.......................36

chapter.three:.What.It.takes............... 42TraiTs................................................... 43

Assets ....................................................................... 43Complications .......................................................... 44Scaling Traits ............................................................. 44

THe.big-ass.lisT.of.TraiTs.................. 45Assets ....................................................................... 46Complications ........................................................... 66

skills................................................... 73Benchmarks of Proficiency ........................................ 74Skill Descriptions ....................................................... 74

chapter.four:.We.rIde........................80playing.THe.game................................. 81

Using the Dice .......................................................... 81When to Roll ............................................................ 82Unopposed Rolls ...................................................... 82Opposed Rolls ......................................................... 83Attribute Rolls ........................................................... 83Skilled Rolls ............................................................... 84Unskilled Rolls .......................................................... 84Complex Actions ...................................................... 84Modifiers .................................................................. 85Assistance ................................................................. 86

ploT.poinTs.......................................... 86Gaining Plot Points .................................................... 87Spending Plot Points .................................................. 88

spellcasTing.101:.THe.mysTic.arTs...... 90Mystic Arts Requirements .......................................... 91Rituals ....................................................................... 91Sacrifice .................................................................... 91Playing it Out ............................................................ 92Getting Distracted ..................................................... 93Getting Kicked in the Junk by the Universe ................ 93Ritual Threshold Guidelines ....................................... 93Cheating the Universe .............................................. 95

combaT................................................ 96

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The Turn .................................................................. 96Movement ................................................................ 99Attacking ................................................................. 100Defense ................................................................. 103Special Situations ..................................................... 105

geTTing.HurT..................................... 106Damage Types ........................................................ 107Fallout ..................................................................... 107Other Injury ........................................................... 107Conditions .............................................................. 108

HoW.iT.all.plays.ouT:.a.TacTical..example.............................................. 109Healing.anD.recovery........................ 110

Recovering Stun Damage ........................................ 111Recovering Wound Damage ................................... 111Medical Assistance................................................... 111

veHicles............................................. 113Hazardous Conditions ............................................ 113Getting Wrecked .................................................... 114Vehicle Weapons .................................................... 115Brotherhood Vehicles ............................................. 115Chase Scenes ........................................................ 115Types of Vehicles ..................................................... 115

chapter.fIve:.the.Warehouse............... 116THe.WareHouse.................................. 117Doors................................................ 117equipping.your.cHapTer.................... 117

Bureaucracy ............................................................ 117Availability ............................................................... 118Cash Money ........................................................... 118The Black Market .................................................... 118General Gear ......................................................... 119Omega–class Standard Gear ................................... 119Clothes................................................................... 120Weapons and Armor .............................................. 122Specialty Equipment ................................................ 128Holy Relics ............................................................. 131Upgrading Your Equipment ..................................... 132Services .................................................................. 134

chapter.sIx:.hoW.not.to.dIe............. 136

chapter.seven:.playIng.god................137role.of.THe.game.masTer................... 138

Running a Game ..................................................... 139Portraying the World ............................................... 140

Demon.HunTer.convenTions..anD.THemes........................................ 140campaign.sTyles................................. 140

Serious ................................................................... 140Dead Gentlemen Style ............................................ 141Goofy ..................................................................... 141

missions............................................. 141Designing.aDvenTures........................ 142

Adventure Concepts ............................................... 143Adventure Structure ................................................ 143Scenes ................................................................... 146Events, Adventures, and Campaigns ........................ 147Playing the Parts ...................................................... 149Game Mechanics and Storytelling ............................ 151Technology and Magic ............................................. 153Game Mastering Tips .............................................. 154

chapter.eIght:.demons,.angels,..and.Innocent.bystanders..................... 159broTHerHooD.of.THe..celesTial.TorcH................................. 160

Anti-Tank Sally ......................................................... 160Brotherhood Recruit ............................................... 161Cipher (Standard) ................................................... 161Cipher (Glitchy) ...................................................... 161Cipher (Human) ..................................................... 162Grizzled Veteran ..................................................... 162Kincaid .................................................................... 162Purple Ninja ............................................................ 163St. Peter.................................................................. 163Tree........................................................................ 164

orDer.of.THe.infernal.scepTer........... 164The Amazing Velma ................................................ 164Demon of the Order .............................................. 165Sam Hell ................................................................. 165Missy ...................................................................... 165Order Recruit ......................................................... 166Johnny “The Demon” Ossesso ................................ 167

clan.of.THe.golDen.fang.................. 167Master Wu .............................................................. 167Ninja Vampire ......................................................... 168Syphilitic Ninja Vampire ........................................... 168

THe.pounD......................................... 168Pound Agent ........................................................... 169

sisTers.of.Divine.reTribuTion............. 169Sister Mary Dillinger ................................................ 169Nun with a Gun ...................................................... 170Revout.................................................................... 170

foolisH.morTals................................ 170Frightened Teenager ................................................ 170High School Witch .................................................. 170Local Sheriff ............................................................ 171Mad Scientist .......................................................... 171Overzealous Hunter ............................................... 171Tabloid Reporter ..................................................... 172Tourist with a Camera ............................................. 172Tweedy Academic ................................................... 172Chris Weiner .......................................................... 173

ranDom.supernaTs............................. 173Half-Demon ........................................................... 173Vampire .................................................................. 173Werewolf ............................................................... 174Zombie .................................................................. 174

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�

IntroductionGreetings, recruit! Welcome to the Brotherhood

of the Celestial Torch. You’ve joined the war on horror, and you’re ready to fight for heaven to track down demons, monsters, and prevent Hell on Earth.

Read the tome you now hold very carefully, as it may hold the keys to survival—though careless use of this knowledge might well lead to your own doom.

You’ve seen the orientation film—er, you have watched the film, haven’t you? If not, you might want to do that right away as it contains the basics—so now you’re ready to dive into the deep and dangerous waters of Demon Hunter lore.

This volume contains information on the Brotherhood and the many terrifying, evil, supernatural villains that will most likely rip your entrails out through your eyesockets. Everything from our history, standard procedures, information on both high-level Hunters and the most notorious bad guys, the Warehouse and the most important Hunting gear, and other stuff that would make this sentence far too long, will all be found within these pages.

Another purpose this book serves is to hold the rules for one of our most important training tools: Tabletop Simulations. Using the information in this book, a Demon Hunter team can undertake a simulated mission and practice tactics and strategy while honing teamwork and problem-solving skills. Pay attention during these sessions and you might last an extra day out in the field. Of course, you could just use the rules to play a ridiculously fun game while eating pizza and drinking high-caffeine soda all night—but that would be a complete waste of your time and ours.

DiceNothing is certain in life except death and taxes,

unless you’re a vampire or an accountant. The randomness is represented in our simulations by the use of polyhedral dice. We use everything except d20s, because they are too random even for us. I mean, seriously. Here’s what you need, at least one of each—though things’ll go much faster if every team member brings their own dice.

d2.•.d4.•.d6.•.d8.•.d10.•.d12

Warning for noobsWe’re not going to hold your hand or wipe

your ass for you. You’re going to be thrown into the deep end of the pool—and it’s probably infested with radioactive sharks. If you don’t know what a role playing game is, or think you need an easier introduction, we’ve got one for you. Go to www.margaretweis.com and look for the Brotherhood of the Celestial Torch Recruitment Manual. It’s free, and may even be available from your favorite online hobby vendor. Maybe you know a fellow recruit who has a copy of the thing lying conveniently on his nightstand with the trashy romance novel he pretends he reads just for the sex parts. It doesn’t matter how you get it—you should make use of this resource. Just remember, there’s no crying in the Brotherhood (except when you get junked�).

Flip the page, and you’ll be ready to learn about the world we live in, which should provide enough nightmare fuel to last you a month.

�  Junked means “kicked in the ‘nads.”

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�

Chapter One: A W

orld of Dark...er, Dimness

ChApTer One:

A World of Dark......er, Dimness

At the end of the day, it’s easy enough to lay your head down to rest knowing the toughest things you likely have to face tomorrow are assholes at work, family problems, or a swift death via an overturned semi-truck. But while any of these things could ruin your day, they leave you more or 

less fit and in a state of good mental health. Well, except for the whole semi thing.What if there were something else, though? What if the world you see isn’t all there is? What if 

other things exist, darker things just beyond your perception—things so nasty, so terrifying, so brutal and dangerous that knowledge of their existence would leave you in a catatonic stupor, drooling into your bowl of Tard-O’s, while Aunt Lisa changes your Depends?

That is the world you are entering, Meat. Take my advice: Close this book. Turn away. Go back to whatever it is you normals do during the day—find daycare for your children, file reports, take pop-quizzes in chem class, remove those Cheez-Bomb stains from your khakis.

You haven’t closed it, eh? Wonderful. Foolish meat tastes so much better. Especially with a nice lemon béarnaise, a little tarragon … damn it, now I’m hungry.

You are choosing to enter a world of supernatural horrors, where the unspeakable lurks around every corner. This world is kept out of the public’s sight by the Demon Hunters. This world is less vibrant than the one you know, less kind, and less forgiving. It is a world of Dark—er, rather, a World of DIM-ness. Yes, dimness. That’s because you’d pretty much have to be a total dim-bulb to take a job as a Demon Hunter. The benefits and the pay are crap, and don’t even start to make up for the long workday, ruined weekends, and frequent dismemberment. Plus, no overtime—you’re salaried.

In this World of Dimness, it’s all real.  All of it. Demons, devils, angels; werewolves, zombies, vampires; ghosts, ghouls, guys in hockey masks who haunt lakeside camps; mad scientists, robots, brains that live in jars; nuns with martial arts skills and covert-ops training; nameless, unknowable terrors from beyond that have way, way too many tentacles (Seriously, I ain’t shitting you—WAY too many tentacles. And you know what’s underneath them? More tentacles); anything that results in sleep loss and ammonia-soaked bedsheets. Yeah. It’s all real.

So, then. If this whole “safe and mundane life” thing isn’t working out for you, by all means read on. And if you’re having trouble finding daycare for your kid, I could totally watch it. Them babies is some good eats. Damn, am I hungry …

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