Sabledrake Magazine
November, 2001
Feature Articles
Thoughts on the Evolution of PBeM
Wraith Over Her Shoulder, Pt. I
Regular Articles
Resources
On Elvs and Vampyres
Copyright © 2001 By Anthony Docimo
The Human Villain
The Humans were once in awe,
"Oh how gentle the Elvs are,"
Said they.
And we Elvs are,
As we are protected and guarded.
For us Elvs,
A man protects the woman or women who accept him,
And grows strong to enforce the protection.
For us Elvs,
A woman is protected,
And are thus the frail beings known to others.
But Human numbers increase rapidly,
And they stretch forth their hands,
Taking all they come across.
And when they came to Elvs land,
They saw who lived with us.
Humans cannot see our men,
Instead they see only muscles and force,
Ignoring the strategic minds at work.
The Humans killed all the men of Olim-Kre Steppe,
Leaving not even a one to protect we womenfolk.
When they entered our township,
The Humans saw the towering statue,
Of Daer-Oolaem,
The finest husband-guard any woman could want.
But Humans have bad eyes,
They could only see their hate.
They saw the same as they had killed,
And aimed to repeat on that statue.
"We will free you from the bonds of the Ogres!"
Cried Mattan of the Humans,
His voice jubilant.
And they slaughtered every man of our people,
Leaving the vales and skree littered with hulking corpses.
Only women remain,
And young boys who have not yet put on weight.
Doubtless the slaughter will begin again,
If even a one boy matures to a man.
Our lifespan is greater than Human,
But their bias outlives any one or ten Humans.
They came without invitation,
Against resistance.
Humans impose their will on us,
Enslaving us,
Even if they do not know it.
But one day,
Their villainy will be overthrown!
Game-player notes:
Yes, the "Elvs" of the story are the slender and frail "Elves" and "elf" of common myth. But here I threw in a twist - those are only the women. The menfolk of the Elvs are Ogres or Giants - or whatever in your game that holds the Large-Humanoid niche - and are so for a reason . . . to protect and serve the ladies. Perhaps like a mustang or dominant antelope, the he-Elvs defends the women under his protection, no matter how wounded he may be.
Some adventure hooks:
- a human has discovered the secret of the Elvs - that they are two forms.
- an ancient prophesy is about to come true, and only the strength of an Elvs man can prevent it - someone has to find one.
- a surviving Elvs man, greatly thinner than normal, trying to hide among humans - can he?
Can you think of more?
The Biology Of Vampyres
Vampyre, the blood-suckers, the night-runners, the shadows that control everything. Their nicknames and supposed attributes are even more legion than vampyres themselves are.
In this brief introductory essay, I will delve into what a vampyre truly is. Major historical sources for this will include the works by Naast Uusaly and Brother Oval of the Western Bridges.
The first vampyres were perhaps not unlike our own ancestors, roaming the Paaktaa Plains, scrounging what they could. But the vampyres took a different route then; instead of hiding in the trees, or diversifying their diets like our kind did, the vampyres opted to specialize. Not just on blood like some legends state, but on any body fluid they could get to.
The need to outrun the Jackals, Barr-Shebt Cats, and Long Howlers made the vampyres into the lanky rails so many mystery writers talk of. Fast and agile, both to degrees that we can only imagine, they never truly feared what we did.
The legend of vampyres loathing daylight originates from the Yomakal Desert, where even Humans require shade and frequent drinks to keep cool. A slender creature like the vampyre would boil in the heat of such places; night being more hospitable, that is when they are out in that area.
The idea that vampyres are afraid of garlic is a wives' tale, one founded on real vampyre behavior. What happens is that a woman vampyre will release a cloud, not unlike a moth, which attracts every vampyre man in the vicinity. Thus, it is not fear that drives vampyres away from garlic-toting humans; it is revulsion at their nature being mocked.
Adventure hooks:
- a non-vampyre traveler heads for the scent of garlic, thinking he'll be safe there - and runs into a lusty lady vampyre - what then?
- a miner or scholar finds a fossil vampyre - something the vampyres don't want to be known.
- vampyres forming an alliance with Giant Spiders - which will leave no victim body behind...can the heroes stop it?
Can you think of others?