Quest Line · Original Adventure · Vampire: The Masquerade 5e
V5 One-shot
A series of brutal murders in the coterie's Domain threatens to expose the Masquerade, but the victims bear signs of the coterie's own feeding patterns. The players must navigate Kindred politics, ghoul conspiracies, and their own Beast to prove their innocence before the Prince sanctions their destruction—or worse, before the Second Inquisition comes knocking.
Players should create a coterie with an established Domain in a mid-sized city, preferably one with feeding grounds they frequent. The coterie should have at least tenuous acceptance from local Kindred society. Content warnings include: gore, political manipulation, potential betrayal, and themes of addiction (vitae bonds). Discuss lines and veils around violence and the use of Disciplines on mortals.
Players should understand their characters' typical feeding patterns—these will become plot-relevant. The adventure works best with 3-4 players of any clan, though at least one character with investigative skills (Streetwise, Investigation, or Awareness) is recommended.
Choose the hook that best fits your coterie:
The Sheriff's Summons: The coterie receives a terse message to meet the Sheriff at a crime scene in their Domain. When they arrive, the Sheriff grimly shows them a drained corpse with wounds matching their known feeding methods. "You have 72 hours to prove this wasn't your doing, or the Prince will grant me permission to act."
The Hound's Warning: A Hound loyal to the coterie arrives at their haven, visibly agitated. Three bodies have been found in the past week, all in the coterie's territory, all bearing their "signatures." The Hound bought them time by obscuring evidence, but whispers are already spreading through Elysium.
The Ghoul's Discovery: One of the coterie's own ghouls finds a body while conducting their usual errands. The victim shows signs of Kindred feeding identical to one coterie member's pattern, but that character has an alibi. Worse, the ghoul recognizes the victim as someone who rejected recruitment into a rival's stable last month.
The first murder scene is in the coterie's territory: a back alley behind a nightclub, industrial waterfront, or abandoned tenement—wherever they typically hunt. The victim is a young mortal, mid-twenties, positioned almost theatrically against a wall or dumpster.
What They Find: The body shows exsanguination with feeding wounds matching one PC's typical method (work with that player beforehand). Examination reveals the wounds are slightly wrong—too precise, too clean, as if made by someone copying photographs rather than feeding in frenzy or hunger. An Intelligence + Medicine check (Difficulty 3) reveals the victim was drugged before death; the blood alcohol content doesn't match the small amount of liquor in their system.
The Witness: A homeless mortal, Marcus, shelters in a nearby alcove. He didn't see the attack but mentions "fancy people" visiting this alley three times in the past two weeks—always in expensive cars, always after midnight. With Manipulation + Persuasion (Difficulty 2) or a small bribe, he describes a vehicle matching one owned by Victor Ansell's known associates (see NPCs). He also mentions the victims were all "recruiting age"—young, attractive, desperate.
Evidence Trail: Characters investigating find:
The investigation leads to one of several possible locations depending on player choices:
The Ghoul Network: Characters who investigate the medical supply angle discover the sedatives trace back to Dr. Sarah Chen, a ghoul working at City General Hospital. She's been requisitioning extra supplies for months. Confronting her (Intimidation or Persuasion, Difficulty 3) reveals she's blood-bound to Victor Ansell, who ordered her to provide the drugs. She doesn't know why, but she's terrified—Ansell has been acting erratic, paranoid about territory.
If violence is used carelessly, witnesses may see the confrontation, potentially escalating Masquerade breaches.
The Recruitment Connection: If players investigate the victims' backgrounds, all three were approached by Ansell's ghouls for "employment opportunities" in the weeks before their deaths. Two refused outright; one seemed interested but didn't follow through. This pattern suggests the murders aren't random—they're sending a message.
Victor's Territory: Directly confronting Ansell or his people requires navigating to his Domain in the warehouse district. Players might:
Key Discovery: However players proceed, they should uncover that Ansell's operation is struggling. His ghoul stable is competing directly with the coterie's feeding grounds, and several mortals have chosen the coterie's territory over his "protection." The murders are designed to accomplish two goals: eliminate those who rejected him and frame the coterie, forcing the Prince to reassign Domain.
The Trap: As players gather evidence, they're ambushed by Ansell's three most loyal ghouls (Dominique, Rashid, and Thomas—see NPCs). The ghouls don't want to kill the coterie, just delay them and possibly provoke a Masquerade breach.
Ghoul Stats (each): Health 5, +2 dice to all Physical pools (from vitae), armed with batons and tasers. They'll flee if two are incapacitated, but they're recording the encounter to use as further evidence against the coterie.
The climax offers multiple resolution paths:
Confrontation at Elysium: If the coterie gathers enough evidence (two or more concrete pieces linking Ansell to the murders), they can call for a gathering at Elysium. Present evidence before the Prince or Primogen Council in a Manipulation + Politics or Persuasion check (Difficulty 4). Success turns opinion against Ansell, but he doesn't go quietly—he accuses the coterie of fabricating evidence and demands Trial by Ordeal or similar judgment. The Prince may force both parties to share Domain or exile Ansell, depending on the strength of evidence and coterie standing.
Direct Confrontation: Confronting Ansell in his haven leads to negotiation or violence. He's desperate and cornered (Humanity 4, willing to embrace extreme measures). Options include:
The Second Inquisition Wrinkle: If the coterie has been sloppy, a third faction arrives: Second Inquisition observers, drawn by the pattern of deaths and supernatural activity. Both the coterie and Ansell must cooperate temporarily to eliminate or mislead the hunters, creating a tense alliance. This requires dividing resources and possibly sacrificing pawns (ghouls or allied mortals) to maintain the Masquerade.
Possible Endings: 1. Political Victory: Ansell is censured or destroyed by Kindred justice; the coterie's Domain is secure but they've made enemies among his allies 2. Uneasy Truce: Both parties survive but must coexist, creating ongoing tension and potential future conflicts 3. Masquerade Breach: Sloppy handling alerts mortal authorities; the Prince blames both parties equally, stripping Domain from both and potentially marking them for destruction
Victor Ansell: Ventrue businessman, 10th generation, 40 years dead. Desperate to maintain relevance in a changing city; views the coterie as interlopers stealing his rightful resources. Humanity 4, increasingly willing to break conventions.
Dr. Sarah Chen: Ghoul physician, blood-bound to Ansell for six years. Wants freedom from the bond but terrified of withdrawal and retribution. Knows damaging information about Ansell's operation.
Dominique Roth: Ansell's primary enforcer ghoul, former private security. Absolutely loyal to Ansell, views the coterie as threats to her domitor's survival. Carries herself with military precision.
The Sheriff (optional): Brujah ancilla, 8th generation, enforcer of the Prince's will. Cares only about maintaining order and the Masquerade; will destroy whoever threatens stability. Can be harsh but is fundamentally fair if presented with solid evidence.
Marcus Webb: Homeless mortal, veteran with PTSD. Just wants to survive and avoid trouble; has learned not to see too much. Potential future contact if treated well.
Experience: Award 3-5 XP based on V5 standards:
Story Rewards:
Complications (ongoing plot hooks):
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