Thousand Year Old Vampire 4: Game Moves 11-15

Move 11:  I rolled 8 and 6 respectively, so net move is +2. Was on 21, so I'm going to prompt 23. 

You master a strange new science or field of knowledge. How does your vampire nature give you special insight into these studies? Create an appropriate Skill based on a Memory. 

After encountering Jin in the cave (see Memory 13, which is Move 10) I seem to have gained the ability to "Calm child". Agitated children are calm in my presence. It is hard to notice, and most people attribute it to Sunflower, my companion/servant. But Sunflower knew it was me doing it, even as I told her to take credit, as to divert any attention from me. 

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, [X] charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, [X] I control the Beast, [X] Disguise the Beast, Calm Child

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Move 12: I rolled 1 and 6, so net move is -5. I am going to prompt 18

You have fed too long in one place, destroying a community or social group. Who were they? How did the last community member die? Gain a scavenged resource, lose a resource. 

We had gotten lost on the coast and only came upon a small fishing village upon sunrise. We had barely found shelter. After I have recovered somewhat, I talked to the lone fisherman. The next village is over a day's travel away... by water. He lived alone, and he prefer it that way. We talked, and turns out he used to be a military man, but refused a lawful order to kill civilians, and chose to leave it all behind. 

I convinced him to take us to that village, but halfway there my hunger can no longer be denied. I fed from him, and eased his drained body into the river's depths. During the process my charm from Sifu broke and fell into the river as well. I consider this an omen and did not attempt to recover it. 

We reached the village before sunrise and was accepted without question. We kept the boat, and became an informal passenger ferry around these parts serving several nearby fishing villages. Occasionally, I would feed upon one of the passengers who I judged to be evil, but that is another story.   

My inventory: sifu's sword, sifu's bracers, Peony's handkerchief, sifu's protective charm,  small boat

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Move 13: I rolled 8 and 6, so move is +2, prompt 20. 

There is a great shift in the way society moves goods. How does this work to your advantage? Check a skill. Create a skill based on a memory. 

One of the nearby villages became connected to an imperial road, and became a trade hub, and a lot of goods had to be moved across the river. Based on the memory of a similar system I observed in Memory 5, I helped construct a rope-based shuttle ferry to move goods across the river safely, and the village started charging a minor toll to save the merchants days on their journey. The village switched to more of a land-based economy, and they decided to give me a small cut of the tolls. 

To feed, I started picking off the occasional lone traveler. They will not be missed... much. 

I also found that I have developed a SLIGHT tolerance to the sun. As long as I stay in the shade I can stay awake during day-time, but I am much weaker than at night. 

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, [X] charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, [X] I control the Beast, [X] Disguise the Beast, Calm Child, Construction (Basic)

My inventory: sifu's sword, sifu's bracers, Peony's handkerchief, toll loyalties

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 Move 14, I rolled 10 and 5, so +5, prompt 25. 

Your methods for acquiring victims are no longer effective. What has changed? Lose a resource, and create a skill that describes your new feeding techniques. 

As the trade hub grew, the village became a town due to the toll, a new military outpost was established to prevent bandit raids. Unfortunately, this also prevented me from taking out lone travelers.  

I decided it is time to move on, so I asked for one of the larger vessels that remained in town, and decided to sail downriver and see what else is out there. By now, I've become a pretty decent river sailor. Usually, I play the servant while Sunflower plays the rich noblewoman. Sunflower found the situation hilarious, and I agree. We sometimes pick up a few scammers who believe us to be rich woman and his servant that can be robbed or scammed. I fed upon them easily, but I know soon we'll run out of river.

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, [X] charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, [X] I control the Beast, [X] Disguise the Beast, Calm Child, Construction (Basic), Ship Piloting (river)

My inventory: sifu's sword, sifu's bracers, Peony's handkerchief, toll loyalties

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Move 15, I rolled 9 and 2, +7, prompt 32

You keep a prisoner. Why this particular person? Why don't you feed upon them? Create a Character and a skill related to keeping them captive. 

We picked up a man and 2 women the other day, and one of the women looked so much like Peony I almost called out. But this is only a coincidence. My Peony was long dead, killed by Baron Wong, many many years ago. But I remained distracted. 

It wasn't until Sunflower yelled out that I recovered. Turns out they are robbing us, once we got to the middle of the river. Unfortunately for them, I had taught Sunflower much of what I know, and even unarmed, she was more than a match for the armed woman, while not-Peony wasn't sure who to help, as I fought the man, looking for his weakness. And I found it a second later as he swung wide and missed. I batted his knife hand aside, pushed in, and bit his throat.  Sunflower used that moment of distraction to knock out her opponent, Not-Peony froze in fear, unable to believe what she saw, But when I dropped the now dead man, she snapped out of her paralysis and try to dive over the side. Unfortunately for her, I was faster. I snatched her out of mid-air and slammed her onto the boat deck, then pinned her to the floor. I ordered Sunflower to tie her up. Sunflower hesitated for a moment, as this was new to me, but obeyed. I fed upon the other female in view of Not-Peony, then ordered Sunflower to knock her out. 

Sunflower asked me what was going on, and I told her Peony's story. She asked me what am I going to do with Not-Peony here, and I told her I don't know, but I can't kill her. She jokingly offered to do it for me, and I got angry and mentally ordered her to forget about it. Sunflower stagged and almost fainted. I caught her and eased her into a seat. She asked what happened? I asked what did you remember? She seems to have forgotten a little bit of the recent past. This appears to be a new skill I discovered, which I will call "mesmerize". 

We took care of the two bodies. 

Later, with a bit of tuning on Sunflower, I was able to order non-Peony to forget about what she saw onboard, and convince her that her two companions had left her behind in my care. She is my prisoner, even if she does not know it. But I don't want to kill her. 

Thousand Year Old Vampire 3: Playing the Game Moves 6-10

 I rolled a 2 and a 6, so -4, which means I am going back to prompt 11, and as this is the 2nd time I landed on 11, I'm using Prompt 11-2.

You discover an internal focus that lets you maintain control of your vampire self. Lose a violent memory and take the skill "I Control The Beast" and rewrite any unchecked skill as something new. What new name do you take to distance yourself from what you once were? How is that name symbolic? 

My skill list is as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds

Revised M7, where I killed bandits (violently, probably feeding on them as well) to save Sunflower to merely rescuing Sunflower. 

I chose the new name Weimin, as it could be construed as "Protect the People". My previous name could be construed as "Protect the Emperor/Ruler". I decided to keep my unchecked charm/negotiation skill. 

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, I control the Beast

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I rolled a 9 and a 1, so +8, which means prompt 19. 

Two friendly characters become embroiled in conflict. Become involved and check a skill. (Create two new characters if necessary) How do you profit? Gain a resource. 

M10: On our way to the coast, we passed near the capital, and I heard that father had a falling out with sifu, due to my disappearance and apparent betrayal. My father had vowed to put me into the ground for betraying the emperor and jinyiwei, while sifu believed in me and wanted an explanation. 

I was able to approach sifu and explained what had happened to me. At first my story was too fantastical that even sifu refused to believe it, forcing me to use my charm/negotiation skill.  Sifu agreed that my father will likely never understand. I wrote a "confession" and left it with sifu, to be revealed to my father at a later date, as well as my family sword. Sifu gave me his own sword, plus his special bracers, useful for blocking blows, and hide one of the marks. (Move 5) 

My inventory: sifu's sword, sifu's bracers, Peony's handkerchief, sifu's protective charm. 

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, [X] charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, I control the Beast

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I rolled 1 and 5, so -4. Prompt 15. But this is the second time I've landed on 15, so prompt 15-2

An immortal proves to be much more than they appear. Check a skill, or else lose a resource or memory. Gain a Resource or skill. 

M11: Sunflower and I continued to the coast. We stopped at an inn to spend the night. There was some lascivious gazes from the innkeeper, but I paid it no head, as I did teach Sunflower some defensive moves. Sunflower went downstairs to get some food. It was then that I sensed another immortal nearby. I rushed downstairs, only to see the innkeeper about to feed on Sunflower, but he hesitated when he realized she was unmarked and was not my food source, which allowed me enough time to get him away from her. 

After a bit of negotiation, we agreed to trade skills. I taught him "I Control the Beast" to control his hunger, and he taught me "Disguise the Beast", which camouflaged the hunger as lustful gazes that can attract the right type of prey. 

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, [X] charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, [X] I control the Beast, Disguise the Beast

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I rolled a 2 and a 1, so advance 1, prompt 16

Some mortals have banded together to hunt you, well-armed and wise to your tricks. How do you defeat or evade them? Create a mortal hunter related to one of your checked skills. Check a skill. 

M12: We traveled toward the coast, and my decision to let Sunflower scout ahead paid off. It appears that an immortal hunter Feiwu is in town, and he's looking for a swordsman and an archer vampire like me. After some discussion with Sunflower, we both adopted disguises. I disguised myself as a rich playboy who lustfully gazes upon all beautiful females unabashedly, and she will play the part of my exasperated betrothed. I will also use "Disguise the Beast" skill. 

The disguise worked perfectly, and we were able to enter the city, even walked right past Feiwu himself, who gave no recognition. His daughter did give me a glance or two, which he admonished. I smiled. 

My skill list is now as follows: [X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, [X] charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds, [X] I control the Beast, [X] Disguise the Beast

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Rolled 10 and 5, so advance 5, prompt 21. 

You are trapped outside when the sun rises and take shelter someplace you are not supposed to be. A child discovers and befriends you. Create a mortal child and record a humanizing Experience. 

M13: After that we stuck to the smaller trails, and one evening, we were lost and did not reach the next town by the time the sun came up. I was forced to take shelter in a cave. I had sent Sunflower ahead to find shelter and food, and I remained in the cave to meditate when I was discovered by a child. 

At first, he was startled to find a person in the cave, but when I made no reaction to his arrival, he became bolder, and started playing peekaboo. 

I kept my eyes closed, but said aloud, "It is all right, You are not disturbing me."

He walked in front of me, and I opened my eyes to appraise him. He is a small boy, probably five years old, full if innocence, but well-mannered. 

"Hi, mister, I am Jin."

"Hi, Jin, I am Weimin. I am only borrowing this cave today."

The child is curious, but is well-mannered to not show it. He has been taught well by his sifu. I indulged his curiosity, as I showed him my sword. I cannot show him the charm and the bracers without revealing my marks. I answered the questions that I can. 

The child left before noon, and Sunflower was back before then. 

We left the cave after dark, and we never saw Jin again. But I will remember him. 

Thousand Year Old Vampire 2: Playing the Game, Moves 1-5

The rules are simple: roll d10 and d6, and subtract the result of d6 from d10. 

I rolled 9 and 2, so the answer is 7

Then starting from prompt 1, advance or retreat (if negative) that many prompts, and answer the first non-repeated from top to bottom. 

Going to prompt 8. 

You are recognized for what you are by another creature like yourself. Create an immortal Character, lose a Resource, and gain a skill. What did you lose? 

Well, I have a sword, a handkerchief, and a jade charm. 

M6: The fishermen who found me thought I was dead and were about to throw me back in when a healer nearby onshore intervened. She revived me, and helped me heal. I decided to throw away my jinyiwei uniform as I felt I am no longer worthy. I asked the healer why did she heal me, and she said she always save a life when she can, and she thought she recognized the handkerchief. I tried to tell her about Peony but she told me she did not want to know. Instead, she will teach me "heal wounds" in exchange for the handkerchief. I agreed. 

New skill list: swordsmanship, archery, charm/negotiation, heal wounds

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I rolled 2 and 4, so the answer is -2

Going to prompt 6

A mortal character begins serving you. Who are they? Why are they drawn to you? Create a new mortal character. 

M7: I spent another month in the fishing village, helping the fisherman, regaining my strength. 

One night I heard a scream in the woods. I took my sword and investigated. Some bandits have killed a traveler and his wife, and were about to kill their maid when I intervened. The bandits died quickly. The maid claimed she was an orphan and had nowhere else to go, and since I saved her life, she will serve me instead. I asked her for her name, and she answered "Sunflower". 

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I rolled 10 and 5, so the answer is 5, going to prompt 11

How did you find solace from the raging hunger within you? You may lose one checked or unchecked skill. 

As the prompt says you "may" lose a skill, I chose not to. 

M8: When the hunger was especially bad, I hide and feed on myself, then heal myself from the same wound. I cannot bear the thought of losing more of my humanity, but I understand sometimes I may not have a choice. 

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I rolled a 4 and a 1, so the answer is 3, going to prompt 14

An enemy character uses a lost Resource to turn your few friends against you. Check three skills to regain the resource, or check one skill to barely survive. Which former friend did you kill? Where do you flee? 

[X] swordsmanship, [X] archery, charm/negotiation, [X] heal wounds

M9: I had to escape from the village when my old frenemy from jinyiwei showed up, somehow convinced I was a traitor, probably told a tale of lies by my nemesis, Baron Wong. I had no choice but to ambush him in the forest with my bow, and killed him after a brutal fight where I had to heal myself. I was surprised to find the handkerchief from Peony on him. 

It appears that healer went to see Peony, just as Baron Wong arrived to kill Peony in order to get the jinyiwei to go after me. Healer barely escaped, leaving the handkerchief behind, an extra clue used to frame me. I regret killing my frenemy, and with the jinyiwei now after me, I must flee the province. 

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I rolled 4 and 3, so answer is 1, going to prompt 15

While traveling, you come into conflict with another immortal and gain a mark. Who are they? What trick did you play upon them? Create a new immortal character. 

I decided to head to the coast and Sunflower followed me as well. We booked a passage on a boat to take us downriver toward the coast. 

We were about halfway when I felt Sunflower collapse onto the floor. I was about to check her when the boatswain told me he had put her to sleep, as we need to talk privately. I realized I had underestimated the boatswain... He is an immortal as well, and only his shadow betrayed him in the moonlight. 

In the end, he agreed to feed on me, and leave Sunflower alone. And I got a second mark on my wrist. It wasn't later that I realized I also got a weird shadow in the moonlight. 

Thousand Year Old Vampire 1: Creating The Character

This is an attempt to play Thousand Year Old Vampire, a creative storytelling narrative game. 

1) Start by imagining a person in the distant past. This person will be your vampire. Create a short history for him before he became a vampire. 

As a Chinese-American, I wanted to explore a bit of history in the distant past, and the choice is clear: Ancient China. But the question is... How far back? My first thought was around Qin Dynasty, roughly 220 BC, but that felt a bit too far back, so I shifted to Ming Dynasty, probably Early Ming dynasty. 

M1: I am Weijun, son of a navy veteran who fought alongside Zhu Yuan Zhang, aka Hongwu Emperor at the battle of Lake Poyang (1363). My father and fellow veterans were all decorated and became the core of the new Ming Dynasty's military. I was barely a teenager and joined the military, and my martial prowess made me one of the first to join Jinyiwei (embroidered uniform guard) in 1382, basically emperor's special police. 

2) Create three mortals, who have relationships with your vampire, be it friend, family, business, work, love, etc. 

Yonglin: frenemy and fellow jinyiwei, son of a fellow veteran, used to be best friends, now sort of enemy

Peony: love interest, could not quite decide between me and Yonglin, and her father is in no hurry

Sifu: the guy who helped trained me to my potential, second father, knew my father, never called him by name, just "sifu". 

3) Create 3 skills for the vampire, and 3 resources they would have

Swordsmanship

Archery

Charm, ability to negotiate

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Ancestral sword from father

A hankerchief from Peony, as a symbol of her promise. 

A special jade charm from sifu, supposed to ward off evil

4) Create 3 experiences, using 2 of the previously mentioned mortals, skills, resources, etc each. These will be memories 2 through 4. 

M2 / EXP1:  On the day I graduated from the academy, my father passed onto me his sword, the one he carried at the battle of the lake. 

M3 / EXP2:  The day I was genuinely able to land a fist on sifu, he nodded, and gave me this charm, and told me to wear it proudly. He claimed it can ward off evil, and since he had taught me all he could, I need it more than he did. 

M4 / EXP3:  The evening Peony promised herself to me... She said she will tell her father, and I will let my father know so we may bring up the subject of marriage properly per protocol. And she gave me her hankerchief as a symbol of her promise. 

5) Create the immortal who turned you... create a "mark", that permanently marked you as a vampire. And write the experience, as your 5th memory. 

M5: I was investigating Baron Wong for allegedly seditious activities when I was ambushed on his houseboat. Before I can strike the lethal blow, his fangs were on my neck. I somehow survived and landed in the river, and drifted somehow to shore much later. There are toothmarks on my neck that will not heal, and I cover it with collars and scarves. 

Well, that's the character all setup. Next entry, we'll play the game as a journaling game.