The Lore
The veil between vampire and mundane society? Gone.
​
Our existence is an open secret; shared online by enterprising hunters and superstitious bigots. To top it all off, the city's Viceroy--an elected leader who unites the city's vampiric parties--is dead. So now it's Valentine's Day night and we've all been called together to meet the nominees, cast our vote, and ensure we have the resources together to maintain our way of life.
Can we come together without tearing each other to pieces?
​
Will us being all in one place make us a bigger target?
No matter what the night brings, we all kinda agree...
Valentine's Day Sucks!
The Game
Valentine's Day Sucks uses an unofficial modified version of the Urban Shadows 2nd Edition system, streamlined for one-shot play and amended with some "parlor LARP" mechanics and original faction-based Playbooks.
​
You'll be walking around the venue as your character, mingling with fellow vampires and using Stand-Up Moves to utilize key game mechanics without dice rolls.
​
But when things go south, you'll still head to a table with some dice to roll out key combat encounters and set pieces.
The Factions
The vampires of Albuquerque divide themselves into three different parties representing their ideology regarding feeding and humanity. Though they don't exactly like each other, each party has specialities that they provide to fellow vamps as part of a symbiotic relationship.
​
Each faction has a specialty Resource that it accumulates. However, regardless of faction, you'll need to utilize all three Resources to survive the night.
Predators, Militants, Damage-Dealers
Apex
We're at the top of the food chain and prey on humanity with a clear conscience. We make the tough calls and perform the wetwork the rest of our kind are unwilling to do.
​
Resource: Might -- representing armed personnel, weapons caches, and secured locations​
Social Role: Intimidation, "Bad Cop"
​
Combat Role: DPS
Diplomats, Mediators, Front-Liners
Isoran
We exist as part of a greater balance. The humans we feed on are those who consent enthusiastically. We navigate the social nuance and politics the rest of our kind are incapable of understanding.
​
Resource: Rapport -- representing local political connections, consenting prey, and law enforcement "looking the other way"
​
Social Role: Diplomacy, "Good Cop"
​
Combat Role: Tank
Inventors, Technocrats, Backup
Synthis
We all started as humans! Our physical gifts don't make us superior. We ise synthetic blood and other tech to coexist without feeding on others. We provide the research and expertise the rest of our kind are too ignorant to tackle.
​
Resource: Tech -- representing advanced gear, online intel, and other technological adaptations
​
Social Role: Intel gathering, expert witness
​
Combat Role: Healer/Support