Vampires (Chill)

''Vampires'' is a supplement published by Pacesetter Ltd in 1985 for the horror role-playing game ''Chill''.

Contents

''Vampires'' is a sourcebook featuring information about ten different vampires. These can be used as major antagonists in a ''Chill'' campaign.

Each vampire is given a biography, a description of its particular powers and weaknesses, and role-playing game statistics.

The book includes a short sample adventure, "Vengeance of Dracula", set some years after Bram Stoker's novel, when Dracula returns to England to exact his revenge.

Publication history

The horror role-playing game ''Chill'' was published by Pacesetter in 1984. The following year, Pacesetter published a number of supplements, including ''Vampires'', a 96-page softcover book designed by Gali Sanchez and Michael Williams, with interior artwork by Stephen Sullivan and cover art by Susan Collins.

After Pacesetter went out of business, Mayfair Games acquired the rights to ''Chill'' and published a second edition in 1990. Mayfair also revised and expanded ''Vampires'', publishing a 128-page second edition again designed by Sanchez and Williams, with interior artwork by Mark Beachum, Mari Paz Cabardo, Terry Pavlet, and Ike Scott, and cover art by Joe DeVelasco.

Reception

Russell Grant Collins reviewed ''Vampires'' and ''Death on Tour'' for ''Different Worlds'' magazine and stated that "In conclusion, ''Vampires'' is recommended to any gamemaster with an interest in the subject, because even if he uses a vastly different system, he should get a number of ideas from it. ''Death On Tour'' is less recommended because after all you can only run it once, whereas there are many variations on the theme in ''Vampires'' (and with the article in ''Vampires'', you have the major concept). Still, if you run ''Chill'', it is not a bad module."

Daniel Huber reviewed ''Vampires'' in ''White Wolf'' #29 (Oct./Nov., 1991), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "For those who love Bram Stoker's (traditional) vampires, Dracula will be interesting to play. I think the other ten vampires will be very useful to the Chillmaster to create the proper atmosphere of horror. ''Vampires'' makes a good supplement for ''Chill'' and fascinating reading for those who enjoy vampire tales."

In Issue 186 of ''Dragon'' (October 1992), Rick Swan called this "the best of the ''Chill'' sourcebooks — in fact, one of the best horror sourcebooks, period." Swan described the writing style of Gali Sanchez and Michael Williams as "a controlled, eloquent style that captures both the sensuality and otherworldliness of the undead." However, Swan felt the included scenario "ends the book with more of a fizzle than a bang. After a promising beginning, the adventure degenerates into a series of ho-hum scares and an unsatisfying ending." Swan concluded "I would've liked stronger scenarios and a few more adventure hooks, but all in all, the fastidious research, evocative writing, and enthusiasm for the material makes for a winning combination."

Other reviews and commentary

*''Asimov's Science Fiction''
*'' Jeux & Stratégie''
*''Game News'' (Issue 8 – Oct 1985)
*''Adventurer'' (Issue 5 – Dec 1986)
*''Casus Belli'' (Issue 44 – Apr 1988)

References

{{reflist

Chill (role-playing game) supplements
Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1985