A SOURCEBOOK FOR VAMPIRE: THE DARK AGES

20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

by Jacob Bjørnø Klünder
Dark Myth and Legend

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Credits:
Written by: Jacob Bjørnø Klünder
Edited by: Jacob Klünder, Maiken Klünder
Cover Art by: Maiken Klünder
Cover Design by: Auralys Wium
Title Logo Design by: Auralys Wium
Special Thanks:
A huge thanks go out to my wife, Maiken, for not only,
as always, being a sounding board for ideas and doing beta-
reading, but also for agreeing to draw the cover picture.

Follow my work here:

https://www.facebook.com/VikingWrites/

© 2017 White Wolf Entertainment AB. All rights reserved. Vampire:

The Masquerade®, World of Darkness®, Storytelling System™, and
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Wolf Entertainment AB. All rights reserved.
For additional information on White Wolf and the World of Darkness,
please, visit: www.white-wolf.com, www.worldofdarkness.com and
www.storytellersvault.com.

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 CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 5
CHAPTER TWO: ITEMS OF MYTH AND LEGEND 6
CHAPTER THREE: BESTIARUM VOCABULUM 18
CHAPTER FOUR: FROM THE NATURAL WORLD 25

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 And when matins and the first mass was done, there was seen in the churchyard, against the high altar, a great stone four squ are,
like unto a marble stone; and in midst thereof was like an anvil of steel a foot on high, and ther ein stuck a fair sword naked by the point,
and letters there were written in gold about the sword that said thus:—Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil, is rightwise
king born of all England.

– Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d‘Arthur

Greetings, dear reader.

The World of Darkness is a world of magic;
vampires, werewolves, demons, ghosts, and more. As such,
the historical beliefs of past times make for an interesting
addition to the world of Dark Ages: Vampire. The people of
the Middle Ages held numerous beliefs that we, today, would
label as superstition, but which can contribute to an
interesting and vibrant setting.
This book contains numerous weapons, items, beasts,
stones and plants, some real, some the stuff of myth and
legend, and explains their effects with game mechanics.
However, the book is not intended to be a list of monsters to
defeat and treasure to be won. Not that it cannot be used as
such if you want to – after all, Sigurd defeated the dragon
Fafnir and claimed a huge treasure. But the intention of this
book is to serve as an inspiration to add a sense of real-world
myth and legend to the setting, to interject some of the
magic that the people of the Middle Ages believed in, be it
folk magic, the legendary weapons of great heroes or the
objects blessed by God.
The lists presented in this book are by no means
exhaustive and some research on-line should provide further
interesting beliefs about items, beasts or plants to add to your
campaign. In addition, I have focused on Europe, the Middle
East, and North Africa. If you want to broaden your scope,
Hindu mythology and legends from sub-Saharan Africa
contains a book’s worth of additional material.

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 Fafnir replied: “You will ride there, where you will find so much gold that it will be plentiful for the rest of your days. A nd that same
gold will be your death, as it will be the death of all who possess it.” Sigurd stood up and said: “I would ride home, even though it would
mean losing this great treasure, if I knew that I would never die. But every brave man wants to be wealthy until that one day . And you,
Fafnir, lie in your death throes until Hel has you.” Then Fafnir died.

– Völsunga saga, chapter 18: Regin and Sigurd go riding

Whether it be the named weapons of legendary

heroes, helmets inscribed with magical symbols or
something that merits thought; there are several items
which are cursed to bring ill luck or great misfortune to
trousers made from the skin of a dead man, the myths and their bearer. It will be up to the Storyteller to decide just
legends provide us with a plethora of interesting magical how this will manifest.
items. Some of the items here are holy relics, imbued with
You will notice that this chapter leaves out a number of True Faith. This True Faith can only be accessed by a
very famous things, such as Excalibur, the Holy Grail, believer in the religion that the item is tied to.
Thor’s Hammer, etc. This is quite deliberate – I feel that it Almost all of these items are considered “lost to
is more interesting to focus on those items that have not history” in 1242; looking for them can be quite a grand
become a fixture of public knowledge. scenario. Knowing about the items require either
One thing that a Storyteller must be prepared for with Academics or Hearth Wisdom, depending on the item in
some of these items is effects that cannot be quantified and question.
that will require some kind of adjudication. This is
especially true of items that seem to force a behavior on its
wielder. A good example is swords that are cursed so that
when drawn, they must kill before being sheathed. How do
you handle this when a player declares that his character
will draw and then immediately re-sheathe the weapon?
Does the sword refuse to be sheathed until a kill is made or
does it force the wielder to kill someone? Curses are also
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WEAPONS AND
ARMOR
Perhaps not surprisingly, magical armor and,
especially, weapons play a huge role in mythology.
In the sagas, the chanson de geste and the Arthurian
legends, it seems everyone has a named weapon, along with
a named shield or horn or helmet.
In many cases, you will find that these weapons have
no real magical power except for being of exceptional
quality. However, in the legends that describe them, this
itself is seen as magical, especially if the weapons were made
by a legendary smith, such as Wayland. Also, a number of
weapons are simply called “magical” within the stories they
appear in and are never given any specific properties.
Several other weapons are described as “the sharpest in the
world”, “able to cut through metal and stone”, “will never
miss a stroke” or even “cannot be bested in combat”. I have
tried my best to present some interesting opportunities
without creating too many “ultimate” weapons.
All weapons with True Faith inflict aggravated damage
to most supernatural creatures, including vampires.
WEAPON AND ARMOR QUALITY
This rule was first introduced in the Storyteller’s Vault
supplement The Dark Medieval Armory and it is quite
useful for legendary weapons and armor. Basically,
exceptionally skilled craftsmen (someone with Crafts 4+)
can make weapons and armor of masterwork quality. Several
of the weapons and armor mentioned below will have the
term “Masterwork” appended to them – in some cases, this
is all that is special about them. Masterworks are discussed
in slightly more detail in The Dark Medieval Armory, but
the effects are summarized here:
Crafts 4: For melee weapons, two damage dice granted
by the weapon or by successes rolled on the attack (not by
the wielder’s strength) have the quality that 10’s are
counted as two successes – roll these dice separately.
Throwing weapons and bows gain +10% range. For armor,
two soak dice granted by the armor (not by the wearer’s
Stamina or Fortitude) have the quality that 10’s are counted
as two successes – roll these dice separately. Shields gain an
additional Health Level per dot of Crafts above 3 (this only
applies if using the shield rules from The Dark Medieval
Armory)
Crafts 5: For melee weapons, it is now 4 dice that count
10’s as extra successes. Throwing weapons gain 2 dice that
counts 10’s twice. Bows get +1 damage (if you are using the
basic weapon rules) or can be made with a Strength
requirement 1 higher than normal (if using the rules from
The Dark Medieval Armory). Armor reduces the Armor
Penalty by 1 (if you are using the basic armor rules) or
reduces Dexterity and Alertness penalties by 1 (if using the
rules from The Dark Medieval Armory).
Crafts 6+: Melee weapons have 5 dice where 10’s count
twice. Throwing weapons have 3 dice where 10’s count
twice. Bows get another +1 damage (if you are using the
basic weapon rules) or function at one Strength higher than
the user (if using the rules from The Dark Medieval
Armory). Armor now ignores up to 2 points of Armor
Piercing.
BASIC AND ADVANCED RULES
The rules given for the weapons and armor below are
divided into two categories. This first is if you are just using
the basic rules from Dark Ages: Vampire 20th
Anniversary Edition, the second if you are using the
alternate rules presented in The Dark Medieval Armory.
ARMOR
Aegis: According to legend, the Cyclopes in
Hephaestus’ forge created this shield, which was carried by
Zeus, Athena and Perseus. It is said to terrify those who look
upon it and in some stories, it has the head of Medusa upon
it, turning those who look upon it to stone. The wielder of
Aegis gains +3 successes on all Intimidate rolls.
DA:V20: Standard shield.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) bronze round shield,
indestructible.
Ancile: This shield, blessed by Mars himself, fell from
the heavens during the reign of Numa Pompilius, the
second king of Rome. He ordered eleven copies made to
confuse would-be thieves. The true Ancile is a potent
authority symbol; the wielder cannot lose Backgrounds
except through his own actions specifically meant to do so.
DA:V20: Standard shield.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) wood scutum,
indestructible.
Armor of Achilles: This is the second suit of armor that
Achilles wore during the battle for Troy. He lent his first
armor to Patroclus so that he could disguise himself as
Achilles; when Hector killed Patroclus, he took the armor
as spoils of war. According to legend, Achilles’ second
armor was made by Hephaestus, the God of Smithing. It is
an impressive suit of armor, which inspires the wearer’s
allies and frightens his enemies.
The wearer of the Armor of Achilles gets +2 successes
on Intimidate rolls against enemies and +2 successes on
Leadership rolls affecting allies. In addition, he may try to
remove fear effects from his allies by rolling Charisma +
Leadership (diff. 7) – each success removes 1 success from
fear effects affecting allies
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) heavy armor.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) bronze lorica musculata.
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 Beowulf’s Armor: This mail shirt, worn by the great
hero Beowulf, was made by the legendary Wayland the
Smith. It ignores all armor piercing from weapons, including
supernatural weapons.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) heavy armor.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron early mail without
coif.
Dubán: The black shield of Cú Chulainn. Made by the
great smith Mac Endge after Cú Chulainn threatened to kill
him if he did not, it is made out of silver blackened with
ash.
DA:V20: Small shield.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) metal targe.
Golden Coat of Mail: This is part of the treasure that the
hero Sigurd took from the hoard of the dragon Fafnir after
he had slain it. Other than being golden (whether made
from magical gold or just gilded), it is unknown whether or
not the armor has any special properties.
DA:V20: Heavy armor.
DMA: Early mail of unknown material.
Helmet of Rostam: Rostam was a legendary Persian hero,
whose greatest victory was defeating the giant demon Div-e
Sepid. After killing the demon, he cut off its head and made
it into a helmet which frightens other demons; the wearer of
the Helmet of Rostam automatically affects all demons who
see him with Dread Gaze (Presence 2).
DMA: Galea, counts as made of steel.
Helm of Terror: This is a helmet enchanted with the
magical “stave” or rune called the Helm of Awe – Sigurd
finds just such a helmet in Fafnir’s treasure. The magic of
the stave makes the wearer frightening and helps him in
battle; the wearer gains +2 dice to Intimidate, +1 die to all
soak rolls and +1 die to all Archery and Melee rolls and to
Athletics rolls to dodge or throw weapons.
DMA: Iron spangelhelm.
Goswhit: Meaning “goose-white”, this was the helmet
of Uther Pendragon and was passed down to his son Arthur.
What effects, if any, the helmet has are unknown, though it
is reasonable to assume that it was made by a master
craftsman.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron spangelhelm.
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Huliðshjálmr: According to the legends of the cold
north, this helmet was made by the dwarves and may well
have been the Tarnhelm that Sigurd found in Fafnir’s
treasure hoard. Its effect is to make the wearer invisible,
granting him Unseen Presence (Obfuscate 2), but functions
as Obfuscate 4 with regards to seeing through it with
Auspex.
DMA: Iron spangelhelm.
Pridwen: There is some confusion about this; some
legends state that King Arthur had a shield named Pridwen,
but it is also widely known that the ship that carried Arthur
to Avalon was called Pridwen or Prydwen. It is unknown if
the shield had any special powers or even what shape it was.
Shield of Achilles: Like the Armor of Achilles (see
above), this was the second shield that Achilles used, after
losing his first shield with the death of Patroclus. Like his
armor, it was made in the forge of Hephaestus and it was the
most decorated shield ever made. The wielder of the Shield
of Achilles gets 1 automatic success on all Social rolls when
displaying the Shield.
DA:V20: Standard shield.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) bronze round shield.
Shield of Ajax: Ajax was a giant of a man, the strongest
warrior to fight in the Trojan War. His shield was equally
impressive, made of seven cow-hides and a layer of bronze.
It requires a Strength of 6 to use.
DAV20: Parry Difficulty 5, Attack Penalty +2
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) bronze round shield;
Block Difficulty 6, Attack Penalty +2, Combat Penalties M
-1, C -1, Damage Threshold 8, +1 Health Level (in addition
to the health levels from masterwork).
Shield of Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph brought this shield
with him to England, where it remained. It was used by Sir
Percival, Knight of the Round Table. The shield not only
protects the wearer from blows, but also from demonic
powers; it possesses True Faith 1 (Christianity) and the
wielder is completely immune to all demonic powers.
DA:V20: Standard shield.
DMA: Rimmed wooden round shield.
Shield of Judas Maccabee: This red shield, emblazoned
with a gold eagle, was carried by the greatest Jewish warrior
ever. Somehow, it made its way to England, where it was
found by Sir Gawain. The shield possesses True Faith 3
(Jewish and Christian).
DA:V20: Standard shield.
DMA: Rimmed wooden round shield.
Shield of El Cid: This shield supposedly bears the image
of a fierce, shining golden dragon. It was carried by the great
Castilian warrior El Cid, but it is unknown what powers it
might have, if any.
DA:V20: Standard shield
 DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) rimmed wooden kite
shield.
Shield of Evalach: This shield originally belonged to the
Saracen King Evalach; it allowed him to win great battles
and to heal wounds. When he converted to Christianity, he
gave it to Joseph of Arimathea, who painted a cross upon it
with his own blood, cancelling out the pagan magic within.
It was eventually won by Sir Galahad through several trials.
The shield has a True Faith of 2 and calls down Heaven’s
protection on its user; if the wielder is attacked by a truly
evil opponent, he cannot take more than a single health
level of damage per attack.
DA:V20: Standard shield.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 4) rimmed wooden kite
shield.
WEAPONS
Almace: This sword belonged to Turpin, Archbishop of
Reims. It is a Wayland Sword (see page 14).
Angurvadal: The Stream of Anguish once belonged to
Viking of Bornholm, who used it to slay giants. It later came
into the hands of Frithiof, who became king of Ringerike
after many adventures. The blade has runes that blaze in
battle, but burn dully outside of a fight. These runes grant
+1 die to all rolls made with the sword, including damage
rolls.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel spatha.
Arash's bow: Arash was a legendary archer who used
this bow to mark the border between Persia and Tooran by
shooting an arrow that travelled for three days. However,
this shot was powered by Arash’s life-force and he died.
Arash’s bow has unlimited range – anything the wielder can
see, he can shoot. The bow also suffers no range penalties.
However, each shot beyond the normal range of the bow
costs the shooter 1 unsoakable, aggravated health level.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Craft 5) shortbow.
DMA: Masterwork (Craft 5) Strength 5 self bow.
Ascalon: This was the lance that St. George used to slay
a dragon with. Unlike other lances, it can also be used as a
spear. It has a True Faith of 2, makes the rider’s horse
fearless and penetrates all forged or natural armor.
DA:V20: Lance and spear.
DMA: Steel lance and steel spear.
Balisarda: This sword belonged to the Italian knight
Ruggiero, a descendant of Hector of Troy. It was made by a
sorceress to cut through magical protection; no magic,
including Disciplines, offers any protection from Balisarda.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel arming sword.
Bradamante's Lance: This lance belonged to the female
knight Bradamante, renowned for her great skill in battle. It
automatically unhorses anyone it strikes.
DA:V20: Lance.
DMA: Steel lance.
Brionac: This was the spear of Lugh of the Tuatha Dé
Danann. It protects its user and cannot be stopped by an
enemy. It grants the wielder +1 success on all parries and is
impossible for enemies to parry or block.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron spear.
Carnwennan: The name of this dagger means Little
White-Hilt. It belonged to King Arthur and can cloud its
owner in shadow; granting him Obfuscate 2.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) dagger.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel dagger.
Caladbolg: This was the huge sword of Fergus mac
Róich, a former king of Ulster. When swung, it trails a
rainbow arc. Legends also speak of it cutting the tops off
hills and killing entire armies in a single stroke, though
whether these stories are true or not will only be discovered
if the sword is found again.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) greatsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel sword; Damage
Str+5, AP 1, Length 3, Concealability N, Minimum Str 3,
Balanced.
Clarent: This was once the sword of peace that King
Arthur used for knighting and other ceremonies. However,
it was stolen by Mordred and used to deliver the fatal blow
to King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann. If this sword is
used against someone the wielder is betraying, it will cut
through all armor and negate all magical defenses.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Iron spatha.
Claíomh Solais: This was the sword of Nuada Silverarm,
the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. When unsheathed,
it glows with the true sunlight of an unclouded day. In
addition, the wielder may control the winds, as if he had
Potestas Tempestatum 1 and 3, without any cost, and with
+2 dice to the roll. There are stories that the sword made
the wielder impossible to best in battle, though this likely
comes from Nuada’s own skill, especially since Nuada
managed to lose an arm in battle while wielding the sword.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron spatha.
Club of Dagda: Legends tell of the weapon wielded by
The Dagda, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He was
supposedly able to kill nine men with a single blow and
revive them by waving the haft of the club over them, as
well as perform many other great deeds.
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 Colada: The secondary sword carried by the Castillian
hero El Cid. Like his primary sword, Tizona, it frightens
those less worthy than its wielder; an automatic Dread Gaze
(Presence 2) against anyone with less Courage than the
person wielding the sword.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel arming sword.
Corrougue: This sword belonged to Otuel, a Saracen
knight who converted to Christianity during a duel with
Roland, the greatest of Charlemagne’s paladins.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 4) saber.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 4) steel curved sword.
Crann Buidhe: This was the spear of the god Manannán
mac Lir, which interestingly seems to have no special
properties, beyond its peerless craftsmanship.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron spear.
Crocea Mors: This was the gladius sword of Julius
Caesar himself. According to legend, the British prince
Nennius acquired it when, during single combat with
Caesar, it got stuck in his shield. What powers, if any, the
sword possesses is unknown, but many believe that Caesar’s
tactical genius may have been imparted on the blade.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) dagger.
DMA: Masterwork shortsword.
Curtana: This sword is variously said to have belonged
to Sir Tristan and to Ogier the Dane. It is made by the
legendary Wayland the Smith and is a Wayland Sword (see
page 14). However, the tip is broken to symbolize peace, so
the sword cannot thrust.
Dagger of Rostam: The Persian hero Rostam carried this
dagger and used it to behead the demon Div-e Sepid.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) dagger.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron dagger.
Dáinsleif: This sword belonged to King Högni and was
made by dwarves. All wounds made by the sword become
are aggravated and normal humans cannot heal them
naturally. Any attack, parry or damage roll with the sword
cannot achieve less than 1 success. However, once the
sword is drawn, it must kill a person before it can be
sheathed again.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel spatha.
Del Chliss: One of the spears used by Cú Chulainn, it
was enchanted to work against the fae, spirits and ghost. It
does aggravated damage against such creatures.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 4) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 4) iron spear.
Durendal: This was the sword of Roland, which he tried
(and failed) to destroy at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass
before dying. It is a Wayland Sword (see page 14), but also
contains a tooth of Saint Peter, blood of Basil of Caesarea,
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hair of Saint Denis, and a piece of the raiment of Mary,
mother of Jesus, giving it a True Faith of 5.
Dyrnwyn: This sword belonged to Rhydderch Hael, the
king of Alt Clut in northern Britain. When unsheathed by a
worthy man, it burns with flames that do +1 damage (which
is aggravated to supernatural beings vulnerable to fire), but
when unsheathed by an unworthy man, the flames will burn
him for 5 dice of damage. Rhydderch Hael was famous for
always being willing to lend his sword to those who asked,
though many an unworthy man handed it back when they
learned of its power.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Iron spatha.
Eckesachs: This seax (large knife) belonged to the giant
Ecke, who was killed by the heroic Dieter von Bern. Dieter
then took it to replace his own lost sword.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) dagger.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron shortsword.
Egeking: This sword was given to Sir Eger in order to
defeat the evil Sir Greysteil, a knight tainted by dark magic.
Little is known about the sword – some say it was forged in
lands far beyond the Mediterranean for a vast sum, others
that it was a Wayland Sword (see page 14).
Eurytus' Bow: This bow was originally made for King
Eurytus of Oechalia. Legends say that he challenged Apollo
to a contest of archery skill and that the god killed Eurytus
for his insolence. The bow then eventually found its way to
Odysseus, who used it to kill his wife’s suitors.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) shortbow.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) Strength 4 self bow.
Fail-not: This bow belonged to the Cornish knight Sir
Tristan. No shot can achieve less than 1 success, no matter
the roll.
DA:V20: Shortbow.
DMA: Strength 4 self bow.
Fragarach: The Answerer was a sword forged by the
gods and wielded by Manannán mac Lir and Lugh Lamfada.
When the sword is placed against the throat of any person,
they cannot lie and cannot move. In addition, the sword
destroys any shield it hits.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron spatha.
Gáe Assail: This spear belonged to Lugh of the Tuatha
Dé Danann. Anyone who makes a secret magical sign when
throwing the spear makes it impossible to dodge it and
ensures that the throw will have at least one success, no
matter the roll. Another secret magical sign causes the spear
to fly back to the wielder’s hand.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron spear.
Gáe Buide: A yellow spear wielded by Diarmuid Ua
Duibhne and given to him by Aengus, who may have been
a god. The wounds from this sword become aggravated and
no mortal can heal them naturally.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron spear.
Gáe Derg: A red spear specifically designed for
throwing that was also wielded by Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.
This spear destroys all magic it touches, including
cancelling active Disciplines.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) javelin.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron javelin.
Galatine: Known as the shadow to Excalibur’s light,
Galatine was the sword of Sir Gawain, given to him by the
Lady of the Lake. It lacked the power of Excalibur and was
simply very good at hacking through shield, mail and flesh,
doing 1 automatic success of damage with each stroke.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel spatha.
Grail Sword: This was a cracked holy sword that was
kept along with the Grail itself – sir Percival managed to
restore it, though the crack remains. It possesses True Faith
3.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Iron spatha.
Gram: The Norse god Odin stuck this sword into the
world tree and only Sigmund, father of the great hero
Sigurd, could pull it out. It broke in battle, but Sigurd re-
forged it and used it to slay the dragon Fafnir. Some say it
was originally forged by Wayland the Smith. Armor,
whether forged, natural or magical, offers no protection
from Gram.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork steel spatha (Crafts 5).
Gunnar’s Atgeir: This atgeir (Viking halberd) was the
signature weapon of the Icelandic chieftain Gunnar.
Legends say it would make a ringing sound or even sing
when taken down in anticipation of battle; this grants the
wielder 1 temporary point of Willpower for the upcoming
battle.
DA:V20: Mastercraft (Crafts 5) halberd.
DMA: Mastercraft (Crafts 5) steel atgeir.
Guy of Warwick’s Sword: This sword belonged to the
hero Guy of Warwick, who defeated the Danish giant
Colbran to save the English Crown for King Athelstan. The
sword is not magical, but exceptionally well-made and
bigger than any other sword of the time.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) greatsword
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel sword; Damage
Str+5, AP 1, Length 3, Concealability N, Minimum Str 3,
Balanced.
Hautclere: This was the sword of Olivier, Roland the
Paladin’s closest friend and brother to Roland’s betrothed. It
is an exceptionally beautiful and impressive sword of
burnished steel, with a crystal imbedded in a golden hilt.
The wielder gains +1 die on all social rolls to impress.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 4) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 4) steel arming sword.
Herakles’ Arrows: Herakles poisoned his arrows with
the blood of the Lernaean Hydra; the poison is potent
enough to still work today. The blood does 6 levels of
aggravated damage (lethal to vampires).
DA:V20: Arrows.
DMA: Iron broadhead arrows.
Herakles’ Bow: This massive bow belonged to Herakles
and was used for a number of his labors.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) longbow, requires
Strength 6 to use.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) longbow, Strength 6 to
use (functions as Strength 7 due to masterwork).
Herakles’ club: This massive, gnarled olive-wood club
was the favored weapon of the great Herakles. It requires
Strength 6 to wield.
DA:V20: As club, except Damage Strength+4B.
DMA: As club, except Damage Str +6B.
Hrotti: This sword was part of Fafnir’s treasure and
taken by Sigurd when he slew the dragon. It was well-made,
but it is unknown if it has any powers.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron spatha.
Jokulsnaut: This sword belonged to the Icelandic outlaw
Grettir, who used it to kill a draugr, an undead creature.
The sword does aggravated damage against undead,
including vampires, and animated corpses.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Iron spatha.
Joyeuse: Charlemagne himself wielded this sword,
which is a Wayland sword (see page 14). In addition, the
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11
wielder cannot fail Leadership rolls while the sword is
drawn.
Kalevanmiekka: This sword belonged to the ancient
Finnish ruler Kaleva, who may have been a giant. If the
sword has any magical properties, they are unknown.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron spatha.
Kladenets: According to Russian legends, this magical
sword could fight on its own; it attacks with 7 dice and a
Strength of 4.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel spatha.
Lance of Olyndicus: This silver spear, hard as steel, was
given to Olyndicus, a Celtic chieftain in Iberia, by the gods
of the sky. He used it in his battles against the Romans. The
spear gives the wielder 1 automatic success on all Leadership
rolls.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) silver spear (functions as
steel).
Lobera: Meaning Wolf-Slaying, this is the sword of
King Ferdinand III (later Saint Ferdinand), king of Castille,
León and Galicia. Currently in the king’s possession, it is a
good example of a masterfully crafted weapon.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel arming sword.
Lúin of Celtchar: This spear belonged to the Irish hero
Celtchar. It burns with strong flames and must be kept in a
cauldron of blood lest it burns all around it. Only in battle
can the flames be contained; the spear does +2 dice of
damage from the flames (all damage is aggravated against
beings vulnerable to fire). However, if it is taken out
without a battle being imminent, or if it is not quenched
soon after battle ends, it burns anyone holding it, dealing 1
level of fire damage per turn with a soak difficult of 7.
DA:V20: Spear.
DMA: Iron spear.
Maltet: This was the spear of Baligant, the Emir of
Babylon. It is extremely heavy, allowing it to easily
penetrate armor and flesh. It requires Strength 5 to wield
and gets +1 die to damage and +1 Armor Penetration.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 4) spear.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 4) steel spear;
Merveilleuse: This was the sword of the Frankish hero
Doon de Mayence. It is a Wayland sword (see page 14).
Mistilteinn: The name of this sword means “Mistletoe”.
It belonged to King Þráinn of Gaul, who was buried with it,
along with all his wealth. When King Oláfr and his men
learned about this, they went to the burial mound to loot it.
However, King Þráinn has become a draugr, an undead
being, and only Hrómundr Gripsson was brave enough to
face him. They fought and Hrómundr won, taking the sword
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12
with him. The weapon has the power to injure beings
immune to normal weapons, including ghosts and spirits.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel spatha.
Moralltach: This was the sword of Diarmuid Ua
Duibhne, one of the warriors of the legendary warrior band
called the Fianna. The sword leaves no blow unfinished; all
attack and damage rolls with the blade will have at least one
success, no matter what is rolled.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) broadsword.
SMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron spatha.
Murgleys: This sword belonged to Ganelon, cousin to
the great knight Roland and the one who betrayed
Charlemagne’s army. It incorporates some kind of holy relic
in its gold pommel, but Ganelon’s betrayal cursed it.
Anyone who wields Murgleys subtract one success from all
True Faith used against them, but will also find themselves
drawn towards betraying their allies.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel arming sword.
Orna: This sword belonged to Tethra, King of the
Fomorians, until he was defeated in battle. When drawn, it
will recount all kills made with it, as well as any dark deeds
done by its wielder while the sword was in his possession.
This grants the wielder 3 automatic successes on all
Intimidate rolls against people who have heard the sword
speak.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Bronze spatha.
Précieuse: This sword belonged to Baligant, Emir of
Babylon. Although jealous of Charlemagne, the Emir was
unable to have a sword made that could match Joyeuse.
DAV:20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) saber.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel curved sword.
Quern-biter: This sword belonged to Haakon I of
Norway, who later bestowed it upon his follower, Thoralf
Skolinson the Strong. It gained its name for being sharp
enough to cut through quern stones. This sword will cut
through all armor and shields, ruining them in the process.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel spatha.
Sagitta: This was the arrow that Herakles used to kill
the eagle Aquila that perpetually gnawed Prometheus' liver.
Shots with this arrow can never be more difficult than
Difficulty 6.
DMA: Iron broadhead arrow.
Sauvagine: This was the second of two swords carried by
Ogier the Dane and is a Wayland sword (page 14).
Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar: The emerald-studded sword
was once owned by King Solomon himself and is a powerful
ward against magic; all magic, including Necromancy and
Thaumaturgy, that targets the wielder loses 5 successes. In
addition, its wounds can only be healed by magical means. Sword of Damocles: The story of Damocles is well
For supernatural creatures, any wound inflicted by the known to scholars. Many speculate that the sword
weapon becomes aggravated. For mortals, the wounds can suspended above Damocles’ head could have special
only be healed with a special potion, one of the ingredients properties, but none have been able to find it.
being the brains of Fulad-zereh's, the demon this weapon Sword of Peleus: This short blade is said to include
was made to kill. within it parts of the sickle that was used by the titan
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) saber. Cronus to castrate and depose his father, Uranus. It gives
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel curved sword. the wielder great success in battle and in the hunt; +1 die to
Sharur: According to legend, the Smasher of all rolls in combat and +2 automatic successes on any roll
Thousands belonged to the Sumerian god Ninurta. It can fly when hunting.
and attack on its own, as well as offer advice and insight on DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) dagger.
a great number of subjects. Sharur attacks with 12 dice at DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron shortsword.
Strength 5 and its advice acts as Mentor 5, though the
wielder does need to understand ancient Sumerian.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) mace.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) bronze flanged mace.
Singing Sword of Conaire Mór: Conaire Mór was, at one
time, the High King of Ireland. His sword would sing in
battle, frightening the enemy, rallying his allies and
bolstering the resolve of the wielder. Anyone wielding the
Singing Sword gains +1 die to all Intimidate and Leadership
rolls in battle, as well as two extra points of temporary
Willpower.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) iron spatha.
Skofnung: This was the sword of the Danish king Hrólf
Kraki. In addition to being extremely well-made, it was
imbued with the spirits of the king's twelve faithful
berserker bodyguards. Wounds from Skofnung spread
throughout the body, killing the target unless the wound is
touched by the life-stone in Skofnung’s hilt; any attack that
does at least 1 health level of damage results in the target
Sword of Saint Peter: Also called La Malice or the
taking 1 lethal damage per minute. For vampires, this
Sword of the Fisherman, this was the sword that the apostle
damage stops when they fall into Torpor. Any Canite who
Peter drew in the garden of Gethsemane and used to cut the
wields this blade suffers a +2 difficulty on all rolls to avoid
ear off one of the high priest’s servants, when they tried to
Frenzy.
arrest Jesus. The sword is a special relic in that it caught the
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) broadsword.
attention of the Lord Jesus himself, but cursed by earning
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel spatha. his ire. It looks like a single-edged, blunt-tipped blade, old
Sling-stone: This sling was used by Lugh of the Tuatha and without a handle, but still very sharp. The blade has a
Dé Danann to kill his grandfather, the Fomorian Balor. It True Faith of 5, though only one who possesses True Faith
suffers no difficulty penalties for targeting specific areas. in Christianity can call upon the Faith in the sword. In
Spear of Achilles: Forged by the god Hephaestus, it was addition, anyone who uses the sword for any evil or sinful
given to Achilles’ father Peleus as a wedding gift and was action will be cursed by God and can never enter Heaven.
inherited by Achilles. DA:V20: Broadsword.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) spear. DMA: Iron falchion.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) bronze spear. Tathlum: This cement sling-stone was used by Lugh of
Sword of Atilla: This was the sword wielded by Atilla the Tuatha Dé Danann to kill his grandfather, the fomorian
the Hun and is said to have been the sword of Mars himself Balor, along with the sling known as Sling-stone (see
at one point. Nobody knows what powers may lie within the above). Any hit with Tathlum does one automatic health
blade. level of damage, in addition to damage rolled
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 5) saber. DMA: Cement sling stone; functions as a lead bullet.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 5) steel curved sword.

Dark Myth and Legend

13
 Tishtrya's mace: This mace supposedly belonged to the
Zoroastrian deity Tishtrya, who used it to control the
weather. The wielder gains Potestas Tempestatum 5,
without any cost, and with +2 dice to any roll when using
the power.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) mace.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron flanged mace.
Tizona: This was the sword of the great El Cid. It
frightens those less worthy than its wielder; an automatic
Dread Gaze (Presence 2) against anyone with less Courage
than the person wielding the sword.
DA:V20: Broadsword.
DMA: Steel arming sword.
Tyrfing: King Svafrlami of the Kievan Rus managed to
catch two dwarves and forced them to make a sword for him
– this sword was Tyrfing. It cuts through metal and stone
(but not wood) with ease and can never miss, but the
dwarves cursed it and it will bring great evil to anyone who
wields it. No attack roll with Tyrfing can miss or be dodged,
though it can be blocked or parried. The sword cuts through
metal armor and weapons, ruining them, and can cut stone.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) broadsword.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) steel spatha.
Wayland Sword: Wayland was a legendary smith who
created numerous famous swords and at least one suit of
armor. More information about Wayland can be found in
The Dark Medieval Armory. Armor, natural, man-made,
or created through supernatural powers like Cainite
Disciplines, provides no protection against a blade forged by
Wayland and all of them are masterwork (Crafts 6).
DA:V20: Broadsword unless otherwise noted.
DMA: Iron spatha unless otherwise noted.
Yagrush and Ayamur: These are two metal clubs said to
have been forged by the Phoenician god Kothar and used by
the god Baal to defeat Yam, God of the Sea. The weapons
deal aggravated damage and when wielded in a pair, the user
suffers no penalties for dual-wielding.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) clubs
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) iron clubs.
Zulfiqar: This sword was presented to the prophet
Muhammed by the archangel Gabriel. It was later given to
Muhammed’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali. It has a very
distinct split tip and a True Faith of 5.
DA:V20: Masterwork (Crafts 6) saber.
DMA: Masterwork (Crafts 6) steel curved sword.
ITEMS
This covers all those mythological items that are not
weapons and armor. Like the weapons and armor
above, most of them are considered lost to time, just waiting
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14
to be found. Items of True Faith with secondary abilities will
only function for someone who has the right religion
(though no True Faith is needed).
Aaron’s Rod: This short wooden staff was carried by
Aaron, the brother of Moses. It has a True Faith 4 (Jewish
and Christian) and can transform into a serpent (use the
rules for Poisonous Snake in DA:V20 page 399, but with
+1 Strength and +2 OK health levels). It can also become
an almond tree; to the faithful, the almonds are sweet, to
others, they are bitter.
Andvaranaut: This ring was made by the dwarf Andvari.
However, the god Loki tricked him into giving Loki the ring
and so, Andvari cursed it. Loki quickly gave the cursed
Andvaranaut to Hreidmar, King of the Dwarves, as
reparation for having inadvertently killed Hreidmar's son,
Ótr. Ótr's brother, Fafnir, then murdered Hreidmar and
took the ring, turning into a dragon to guard it. When
Fafnir was slain by Sigurd, the hero took the ring.
Andvaranaut will give the wearer the ability to find gold (or
even just produce gold, the legends are not sure), but will
also bring him great misfortune.
Angelica's Ring: Angelica was the daughter of the King
of India and came to Charlemagne’s court with this ring,
which protected her against magic and could render her
invisible. Any magic directed at the wearer, including
Necromancy and Thaumaturgy, gets -5 successes. If the ring
is placed in the mouth, the protection goes away, but the
ring gives Obfuscate 2 (counts as Obfuscate 5 for the
purposes of seeing through it with Auspex).
Babr-e Bayan: This coat was worn by the Persian hero
Rostam over his armor. It is made from the skin of a leopard
and protects the wearer from fire, water and weapons. The
wearer gains 5 automatic soak successes against fire, water,
ice and weapons.
Book of Thoth: This book of magical secrets was
supposedly written by the Egyptian god Thoth and is said to
have been buried with the Prince Neferkaptah. It grants the
owner +3 dice to Necromancy rolls if the book can be
consulted and it contains many secret rituals.
Brazen Head: Made of brass or bronze, these heads are
equal parts mechanical and magical. They are rumored to be
able to answer any yes/no question put to them. These
magical artifacts are of relatively new construction, and
have been created by contemporary wizards and alchemists,
such as Albertus Magnus and Roger Bacon.
 Chariot of Morgan Mwynfawr: This chariot belonged to
Morgan the Generous, king of Gwent and Glywysing. It
travels 10 times faster than any normal chariot, without
tiring the horses unduly.
Chessboard of Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio: This chessboard
was owned by the King of Arfderydd and possibly created by
the legendary Merlin. If the pieces are set up correctly, it
can play by itself.
Circe’s Staff: Who, or what, Circe was, is a topic of
debate; goddess, fae or mortal sorceress. She used this staff
or wand to aid her transformation magic, including turning
Odysseus' crew into pigs. Anyone wielding Circe’s staff gets
+1 success on all magical rolls to transform others, including
Thaumaturgy.
Crock and Dish of Rhygenydd Ysgolhaig: Rhygenydd
Ysgolhaig was one of the earliest clerics to wander the
British Isles and he brought with him this crock and dish to
feed people. Whatever food is wished for will be found
within – though not blood, even if Cainites might consider
that food.
David's Harp: The biblical King David owned this
beautiful harp. It contains True Faith 1 (Jewish and
Christian) and the user gains +1 success on Performance
rolls when playing it. In addition, the harp plays itself when
exposed to the wind during the night.
Elf-Arrow: These are stone arrowheads left over after a
fae has used their magic to blight cattle or inflict an elf-shot
on a mortal. When put into silver and worn as an amulet, it
protects the wearer; -3 successes on all hostile magic meant
to affect the wearer’s body (this includes Disciplines).
Excalibur's Scabbard: While the sword is the most
famous, the scabbard of Arthur’s blade was also magical.
Excalibur’s Scabbard protects the wearer from serious harm;
no attack can do more than 1 health level of damage.
Firebird's Plumage: The feathers of the firebird of
Eastern Europe continue to shed light even after the animal
has died. Just one feather can light up a whole room.
Gambanteinn: According to Norse mythology, these
wooden staves could be won through trials in the deep
forests. Anyone wielding a Gambanteinn gets +1 success on
all rolls to perform magic, including Necromancy and
Thaumaturgy rolls.
Girdle of Brynhildr: This belt was the source of the
Valkyrie Brynhildr’s great strength. It was taken away from
her by Sigurd, the slayer of the dragon Fafnir. It grants the
wearer Potence 2, which does not stack with other Potence
the wearer might have.
Girdle of Hippolyta: This girdle was a symbol of
Hippolyta’s rulership over the amazons. One of Herakles’
labors was to steal it. It is unknown whether or not it has
any magical powers.
Fast-walker Boots: In Eastern Europe, there are
numerous legends about magical boots that gives the wearer
incredible walking and running speed. The wearer gains
Celerity 5, only for the use of movement (this does not
require any Blood to activate and does not stack with any
Celerity the wearer may have).
Hamper of Gwyddno Garanhir: This hamper belonged to
Gwyddno Garanhir, the ruler Cantre'r Gwaelod, a land off
the coast of Wales that sank beneath the waves centuries
ago. Any food put in it will multiply hundredfold (sadly for
Cainites, while they may consider vitae food, the hamper
does not).
Helskór: These shoes were put on dead people to allow
them to walk to Valhalla. True Hel-Shoes are extremely
rare, since most of them are, by virtue of their power, in
Valhalla. A pair of Hel-Shoes has True Faith 1 (Norse) and
the wearer gains +1 success on any roll to use magic to visit
other worlds (such as the Obtenebration 6 power: Walk the
Abyss).
Horn of Brân Galed: Brân Galed was a Welsh hero and
the horn was his most famous possession. Whatever drink
wished for will be in it – though, unfortunately for Cainites,
not blood.
Kantele: Legends state that the wizard Väinämöinen
made the first kantele harp from the jawbone of a giant pike
and a few hairs from a magic stallion. Anyone playing it can
activate Call the Wild (Animalism 2), substituting
Performance for Survival.
Læðing and Drómi: When the Fenris wolf grew too large
to be controlled, the Norse Gods sought to restrain him
with chains. They first created Læðing and when it proved
inadequate, the tried with Drómi, which also failed. They
were finally able to chain Fenris with a chain made by the
dwarves. However, pieces of the first two chains are still out
there. Bursting Læðing is a Feat of Strength 10, bursting
Drómi is a Feat of Strength 15.
Magic Carpet: Several stories from the Middle East
mentions these wondrous items – according to legend, the
great King Solomon owned one. A Magic Carpet flies faster
than the best horse runs.
Mantle of Arthur: As the name suggests, the short cloak
supposedly belonged to King Arthur, though many people
have trouble believing that the great king would wear
something that would make him invisible. It gives wearer
Obfuscate 2.
Mantle of Tegau Gold-Breast: Tegau was the wife of
Caradoc, King of Gwent and knight of the Round Table.
Her magical mantle only fits a virgin or woman who has not
violated her marriage; it is too short for others.
Nábrók: These are a pair of pants made from the skin of
a dead man – they grant the wearer great wealth. Making
these pants require the creator to get permission from a
living man to use his skin after his death. After he has been
buried, the creator must dig up his body and flay the skin off
the corpse in one piece from the waist down. As soon as one
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15
steps into the pants, they will stick to the skin. A coin must
be stolen from a poor widow and placed in the scrotum
along with the magical sign, nábrókarstafur, written on a
piece of paper, before you put them on. Subsequently, the
coin will draw money into the scrotum so that it will never
be empty, as long as the original coin is not removed. A pair
of these ghastly pants grants Resources 3 to anyone wearing
them.
Necklace of Harmonia: This beautiful necklace was
made by Hephaestus and given to Harmonia, the daughter
of Aphrodite and Ares. While the necklace makes the
wearer become young again (this does not affect Cainites)
and grants them Appearance 5, it is also cursed; anyone
who wears it will suffer great misfortune.
Pais Badarn Beisrydd: The coat of Padarn Red-Coat is,
as the name suggests, a red overgarment, exceptionally
beautiful and rich. It automatically fits any man with
Courage 4+ and will never fit anyone with less Courage.
Prometheus' Chains: These chains held the titan
Prometheus chained to a rock, so that each day, an eagle
could eat his live. Herakles finally freed Prometheus, but
nobody knows what happened to the chains. These chains
are made of the magical metal Adamantine and thus, they
cannot be broken.
Reginnaglar: These iron nails were used in Norse
religious rituals. A properly made Reginnagel possesses True
Faith 1 (Norse).
Ring of Dispel: This ring was given to the great knight
Lancelot by the Lady of the Lake, so that he could destroy
hostile magic. The wearer can take an action to dispel all
ongoing magical effects in his sight (including active
Disciplines), though they can be reactivated.
Ring of Gyges: This artifact is mentioned by the
philosopher Plato in Book 2 of his Republic and supposedly
belonged to King Gyges of Lydia. Its wearer gains Obfuscate
2.
Seal of Solomon: This seal ring was used by King
Solomon to imprison demons and is considered lost to the
ages. However, the design survives in the form of amulets,
said to protect the wearer from demons. Properly made
amulets subtract 1 – 3 successes (depending on the accuracy
of the reproduction) from any demonic power directed at
the wearer.
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16
Shirt of Nessus: This chiton (traditional Greek shirt) is
stained with the blood of the centaur Nessus. Nessus was
killed by an arrow dipped in the venom of the Lernaean
Hydra and shot by Herakles. The venom was still in his
blood when it was applied to the shirt and when Herakles
was tricked into putting it on, it meant his death. Anyone
that puts on the shirt takes 7 aggravated health levels of
damage – this includes Cainites.
Sistrum: This rattle is the most sacred Egyptian
instrument. A properly made and blessed Sistrum can
prevent the Nile from flooding and, more importantly,
protect the user from the powers of Set. When the Sistrum
is played, the player subtracts his Performance from the
number of successes of any Serpentis or Followers of Set
Thaumaturgy aimed at him.
Skatert-Samobranka: This is a magic tablecloth from
Russia. When it is spread on the ground, saying the magic
words will cause food and drink aplenty to appear. When all
have finished eating, rolling up all the dirty plates, cutlery,
and crumbs into the tablecloth will make them magically
disappear. It cannot create blood, no matter how much
Cainites might think of it as food.
Svíagris: This priceless ring once belonged to Eadgils,
the King of Sweden. While legends say that it is magical, its
powers are unknown.
Tarnkappe: The great hero Sigurd supposedly wore this
cloak, which made him invisible. It gives the wearer
Obfuscate 2 (counts as Obfuscate 4 for the purposes of
seeing through it with Auspex).
Thyrsus: This is a staff of giant fennel covered with ivy
vines and leaves, sometimes wound with taeniae (a
traditional cloth headband) and always topped with a pine
cone. These staves were carried by the god Dionysus and his
worshippers and aided them in their magic. Any worshipper
of the Greek or Roman pantheon wielding a thyrsus gains
+1 die on all magic rolls, including Necromancy and
Thaumaturgy.
Veil of Veronica: This is the cloth that Saint Veronica
used to wipe the sweat from Jesus’ brow as he walked the
Via Dolorosa. It possesses True Faith 5, quenches the thirst
of the faithful and can cure blindness. It is currently in the
treasure chamber of the Vatican.
Was: These Egyptian staff-scepters were symbols of
power and were also used to ward off the chaos brought on
by Set. In the hands of a Cainite, it gives +1 die to all uses
of Disciplines except Serpentis and Followers of Set
Thaumaturgy.
Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd: Tudwal was a Welsh
nobleman and the owner of this magical whetstone, which
would only work for a worthy man. If used by someone with
Courage 4 or more to sharpen a blade, that blade gains +1
damage dice for the next battle. If the person has Courage
of less than 4, the blade gets -3 damage dice.
 Bears when first born are shapeless masses of white flesh a little larger than mice, their claws alone being prominent. The mother
then licks them gradually into proper shape.
– Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia Book VIII, sec. 126
This chapter describes both magical creatures that
never existed in our world and ordinary animals that
the people of the Middle Ages ascribed supernatural abilities
to.
For Cainites, one area of interest is the blood of these
beasts; some of them might have vitae with special qualities.
Some creature blood is effective as long as it remains in the
vampire’s system; in this case, the player will need to track
the special blood. Vitae is always used “last-to-first”, so the
oldest blood in the system is used first.
Unless otherwise noted, all of these creatures can be
affected by Animalism.
AL-MI'RAJ
This creature resembles a large, yellow rabbit with a 2-
foot long, spiraling horn on its forehead. It originates from
an island beyond the deserts of Arabia, but has since been
brought to the mainland. Although it looks harmless, the al-
mi'raj is actually ferocious, territorial and a meat eater. It has
no problem attacking, killing and devouring creatures many
times its size. An al-mi'raj may spend Willpower to resist any
Animalism power that would stop it from fighting.
The blood of the al-mi'raj has no special qualities.
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3,
Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 2
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3
Willpower: 5 Health Levels: OK, -1, -2, -5,
Incapacitated
Attack: Horn (7 attack dice, Strength +2
damage, counts as a steel weapon if using the
rules from The Dark Medieval Armory)
Blood Pool: 1
AMPHISBAENA
This serpent has a head where its tail end should be,
giving it two heads to attack with. It has a poisonous bite
and a hot nature, being able to move even in cold
temperature. As a result, its skin can be used to cure
frostbite.
The amphisbaena can attack twice in a turn without
multiple action penalties. Its bite contains a potent venom
that does 1 level of damage per turn for 6 turns, though only
to mortals (see page 360 of DA:V20).
The blood of the amphisbaena has no special qualities.
Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3,
Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 2
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3
Willpower: 5 Health Levels: OK, -1, -1, -2, -5,
Incapacitated
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 Attack: Two bites (6 attack dice, Strength +1
damage, poison)
Blood Pool: 1
BASILISK
This creature is also called the King of the Serpents or
the Little King. It lives in deserts and other warm, dry places.
The basilisk is only a half-foot in length, and looks like a
brightly-green snake, but is still one of the most dangerous
creatures in the world; its venom can kill even a dragon and
it can kill a grown man simply by looking at him. Birds fall
from the sky when they pass over a basilisk and it poisons
any water source it drinks from. Anyone striking a basilisk
with a weapon will find that the venom even travels up the
weapon to poison them. Only two things can defeat a
basilisk: One is to make it see its own reflection, which will
kill it; the other is a weasel, which can eat a secret herb to
make it immune to the basilisk’s venom.
The basilisk can expel a breath of burning venom,
creating a cloud large enough to cover a room. This does 3
levels of fire damage, soaked at difficulty 9. The bite of the
basilisk kills any living being that does not succeed at a
Stamina roll, difficulty 9. If the roll is passed, it inflicts 3
levels of lethal damage on the first turn and three 3 levels of
bashing on the second. Cainites, meanwhile, suffer 3 levels
of lethal damage, soakable only by Fortitude. However, their
entire blood pool is now poisoned and as long as they have
any of the poisoned blood in their blood pool, any mortal
they drink from is affected as if a basilisk had bit them. If a
basilisk gazes at a creature (which takes an action), that
creature must make a Stamina roll (difficulty 9) or die. If the
roll is passed, the creature takes 2 levels of lethal damage.
Cainites automatically take 2 level of aggravated damage,
soakable only by Fortitude, but the basilisk cannot send
them to Final Death automatically (though the damage
might still kill a wounded Cainite). Anyone who strikes a
basilisk, even with a weapon, is poisoned as if bitten.
It should not come as any surprise that the blood of a
basilisk is intensely poisonous; each blood point consumed
inflicts 2 levels of aggravated damage, which can only be
soaked with Fortitude.
Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3,
Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 2
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3
Willpower: 5 Health Levels: OK, -1, -5,
Incapacitated
Attack: Bite (6 attack dice, Strength +1 damage,
poison)
Gaze (see above)
Blood Pool: 1
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BONNACON
The bonnacon originates in the furthest reaches of the
Middle East, though some have moved westward. It
resembles a shaggy bull, red or black, though with the horns
curving backwards so that it cannot gore. Instead, the
bonnacon defends itself by voiding its bowels; its dung not
only gives off an incredibly foul stench, it is also highly
flammable.
When a bonnacon defecates, the stench covers more
than an acre. Anyone in the vicinity who breathes must roll
Stamina (difficulty 6) or be incapacitated for a turn due to
the foul smell. This roll most be repeated every turn that a
person does not hold their breath; a person cannot hold their
breath while performing strenuous activity. Every time the
roll is successful, the difficulty drops by 1, until it hits
difficulty 3; then the person no longer needs to roll.
When the bonnacon is voiding its bowels, anyone
standing in an arc behind the creature, going out to a range
of 15 feet, must dodge or be struck with the creatures feces.
Being hit does two health levels of fire damage, difficulty 7 to
soak, each turn until the target takes an action to remove the
excrement. In addition, the area behind the bonnacon may
catch on fire if it is dry enough.
The blood of the bonnacon is supposedly incredibly
foul-tasting; also, each blood point consumed does a point of
unsoakable, aggravated damage to the drinker per turn as it
burns the vampire, so even if a Cainite should wish to test
whether the blood tastes disgusting, very few have survived
to confirm it.
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5,
Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3
Willpower: 4 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -
2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: See above
Blood Pool: 4
Note:
of armor.
CAMEL
The camel is a creature from the Holy Land, where it is
used as a beast of burden. Most camels are ordinary beasts, as
described on page 397 of DA:V20. However, there are a
few, special camels whose blood has magical properties. If the
blood is smeared unto the face of someone, that person has
visions (like the Oracular Ability merit). Should the blood
be poured into a lamp and all other light be extinguished,
the light of the lamp reveals incorporeal spirits and ghosts,
even if they are possessing a mortal being.
CATOBLEPAS
This creature has its origins in Ethiopia. It has a heavy
head that resembles a boar, but a weak neck, so it usually
looks downwards. This is good, as the gaze of a catoblepas
can kill. The creature is the size and general shape of a bull,
with a horse’s mane, and prefers to dwell in swamps and
marshes, where it eats the roots of poisonous plants, giving it
a foul breath.
The catoblepas can belch forth a cloud of noxious gas,
poisoned by the plants that it eats. Any living creature
within 15 feet of the catoblepas must roll Stamina (difficulty
7) or take 2 health levels of lethal damage. Far more
dangerous is the eyes of the creature. It must make a Stamina
roll, difficulty 8, to raise its head. If its intended target has
not closed its eyes or looked away, the victim must roll
Stamina, difficulty 9, or die. If the roll is passed, the target
instead takes 3 health levels of lethal damage. Cainites
automatically pass this roll.
The blood of the catoblepas is indescribably foul and
any Cainite who drinks it will vomit it right back up.
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3,
Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3
Willpower: 4 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -
2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: See above
Blood Pool: 4
Note: A catoblepa
of armor.
CHARADRIUS
The charadrius is a large plover bird, about the size of a
heron, found throughout the world. It has the distinction of
being mentioned in the Bible. It likes to live in the halls of
kings, and prefers dwellings that are situated on a river. The
excrement of the bird, if smeared on the eyes of someone
whose eyesight is weak, but has not yet gone, will cure the
waning sight. The bird itself can also cure disease; if it looks
at a sick person, the disease will lift, but the charadrius must
be allowed to fly free afterwards or it will die. However,
should a charadrius pointedly look away from a person, they
will inflict a terrible disease upon that person – this disease
cannot be cured, even by supernatural means. Only True
Faith can lift it. Should the charadrius do this to a Cainite,
the disease will linger in the vampire’s blood and be
transmitted to anyone that Cainite drinks from, until they
have purged all the blood they had in their system when
cursed.
The blood of the charadrius is rumored to have all
manner of healing properties, but this has not been
confirmed.
Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2,
Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3
Willpower: 5 Health Levels: -2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: None
Blood Pool: 1/4 (1 blood point equals four birds)
CHIMERA
This creature has the head of a lion, the tail of a serpent
and the body of a she-goat between them. Some legends
claim that each body-part has its own head. It can breathe
forth a stream of intensely hot fire that will ignite anything
even remotely flammable in the area. The fiery breath of the
chimera streams forth in an arc that goes out to 15 feet and
does 2 levels of fire damage, soaked at difficulty 9. A chimera
may use Willpower to resist Animalism.
The blood of the chimera has no special properties.
Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4,
Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3,
Intimidation 4, Stealth 3
Willpower: 6 Health Levels: OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2,
-5, Incapacitated
Attack: Bite (7attack dice, Damage Strength +2)
Fire Breath (see above)
Blood Pool: 5
Note: The chimera has a single point of armor
soak.
EAGLE
Several eagles exist throughout the world. However, one
species, often called the Aquila, is found only where the sun
is hottest and the bird always flies as high as it can. The
feathers of this majestic eagle still maintains the heat and
light of the sun and anyone carrying such a feather will never
Dark Myth and Legend
19
be cold and can see in darkness as if they had Heightened
Senses (Auspex 1).
The blood of the Aquila is infused with the sun and does
1 level of aggravated damage per blood point to any Cainite
drinking it.
The Aquila has the same stats as a large bird, page 397
of DA:V20.
FIREBIRD
This pheasant-sized bird lives in Eastern Europe and
may be related to the phoenix (see page 21). Its feathers burn
with heat and light, so much so that a single feather may
light up an entire room (see Chapter 2). Cainites need to
roll Courage, difficulty 5, to actually approach a firebird and
touching a live one results in a single point of Aggravated
damage per turn, soakable only with Fortitude at difficulty 5.
Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2,
Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3
Willpower: 5 Health Levels: -2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: None
Blood Pool: 1/4 (1 blood point equals four birds)
GRYPHON
This is a large, monstrous creature, with the
hindquarters and claws of a lion, but the head of an eagle
and large, feathered wings. It is found in great numbers in
India and Ethiopia, but also lives anywhere there are tall
mountains. The gryphon likes to adorn its nest with gold and
digs it out of the ground whenever possible to do so. The
gryphon is also an extremely courageous creature; it has a
Courage of 5 and gains double effect from spending
Willpower to resist fear effects. Any Animalism power used
against a Gryphon is at +2 difficulty and the gryphon can
spend Willpower to resist the effect.
Any vampire drinking gryphon blood will automatically
succeed at their next Courage roll.
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20
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5,
Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 3,
Intimidation 4, Stealth 3
Willpower: 7 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2,
-2, -2, -2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Claw or bite (7attack dice, Damage
Strength +2)
Blood Pool: 5
Note: The gryphon has a single point of armor
soak.
HARPY
The harpy is a foul beast with the head and breasts of a
woman, but the body and talons of a large eagle. Jason and
his Argonauts drove off the largest flock of these creatures
from the Greek island they nested upon. Harpies are
constantly hungry and will happily eat human flesh. Harpies
are not particularly intelligent, but enough so that they
cannot be considered mere animals, but rather sentient
beings.
Harpies have a large blood pool for something the size of
a large eagle, but the blood does not taste as good as human
blood.
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3,
Charisma 1, Manipulation 2, Appearance 0,
Perception 3, Intelligence 1, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3,
Intimidation 4
Willpower: 5 Health Levels: OK, -1, -1, -2, -5,
Incapacitated
Attack: Claw (6 attack dice, Damage Strength
+1)
Blood Pool: 2
Note:
human intelligence, not just animal cunning.
HIRCUS
This creature looks like a large buck goat. It can climb
to any height, making it easy for it to escape pursuers. The
blood of the hircus has special properties; almost anything
boiled in it, with the exception of such magical materials as
Adamant, is rendered soft and can be shaped liked clay.
The blood of the hircus has a peculiar taste and anyone
using that blood to fuel Vicissitude will receive one
automatic success on the roll.
 Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 4,
Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 5 (Climbing),
Brawl 2
Willpower: 4 Health Levels: OK, -1, -1, -2, -5,
Incapacitated
Attack: Head-butt (4 attack dice, Damage
Strength +2 bashing)
Blood Pool: 3
LEUCROTA
This creature is mainly found in India and Africa. It is
the result of a she-lion mating with a hyena. The leucrota is
about the size of a donkey, with the hindquarters of a stag
and the chest and forelegs of a lion. It has a head like a horse
and cloven hooves. The leucrota has only a single tooth,
which runs the entirety of its mouth.
The leucrota has a number of powers; first and foremost,
it can mimic human speech, which it uses to lure victims
away from villages and camps. Secondly, it is extremely swift,
moving at four times normal speed. Finally it is completely
immune to weapons made of steel – this is not a quality that
lingers after the creature’s death, so its pelt has no special
resistance.
The blood of the leucrota has an unpleasant taste, but as
long as a Cainite has leucrota blood in his system, he gains
+1 soak die against anything made of steel.
Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3,
Perception 3, Intelligence 5, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 4 (Running), Brawl
3, Empathy 2, Subterfuge 4 (Mimicry)
Willpower: 4 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -
2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Bite (6 attack dice, Damage Strength +2)
Blood Pool: 3
Note: A leucrota has a single point of armor
soak.
PHOENIX
This magnificent bird lives in India and Arabia. It has a
beautiful, reddish-purple plumage and lives for no less than
500 years. When it feels the end of its life approaching, it
enters a sacred Wood of Lebanon. At this point, one of the
priests of the sun in Heliopolis in Egypt is given a vision and
builds a pyre in that city. The phoenix then flies there and
ignites the pyre with its own flaming body, before burning to
ash. Within three days, the bird grows to full size out of the
ashes. Alchemists and sorcerers seek the feathers and body
parts of the phoenix for their rituals and experiments. A
phoenix is not considered an animal for purposes of
Animalism.
Phoenix blood has a burning taste, but is rumored to
stave off the torpor of ages that afflicts elder Cainites, a
rumor that is quite likely to be true.
The phoenix has the same stats as an large bird, page
397 of DA:V20.
STYMPHALIAN BIRD
Though only about the size of a crane, the Stymphalian
birds are man-eaters. Originally, they dwelt in Arcadia in
Greece, but they were driven off by Herakles using poisoned
arrows and the survivors have settled in various places.
Thankfully, they are rare, for their straight, sharp beaks can
pierce armor, and they have sharp feathers they launch at
their enemies, as well as poisonous dung – their excrement
acts as a poison that does 1 level of damage per minute for 5
minutes, as described on page 360 of DA:V20 (it affects
only mortals).
The blood of a Stymphalian bird is extremely foul and
any Cainite drinking it will vomit it right back up.
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3,
Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3,
Intimidation 4
Willpower: 4 Health Levels: OK, -1, -1, -2, -5,
Incapacitated
Attack: Beak (6 attack dice, Damage Strength +2
which penetrates all armor)
Feather (5 attack dice, Damage Strength +1,
range as a shortbow (or a Strength 2 self bow if
using the rules from The Dark Medieval Armory)).
Blood Pool: 1/2 (1 blood point equals two birds).
UNICORN
The unicorn is a holy beast, blessed by God himself.
They appear as a pure-white horse of exceptional breeding,
with the beard of a goat and a spiraling horn in the forehead.
Only a virgin can ever ride a unicorn; it will violently resist
anyone else trying to mount it.
A unicorn has a True Faith of 3. In addition, the touch
of a unicorn’s horn purifies soiled or poisoned people,
animals, food and drink (including removing Cainite blood
from a ghoul), as well as healing 1 health level of any kind of
damage, no matter the source.
The horn of a dead unicorn possess True Faith 1 and
does aggravated damage to any unholy creature (treat it as a
stake, made of steel if you are using the rules from The Dark
Dark Myth and Legend
21
Medieval Armory). Unicorns are not animals in regards to
Animalism.
Drinking the blood of a living unicorn is not advised; it
will send most vampires to their Final Death. Only the most
powerful Methuselahs will only be driven into torpor. The
blood of an already dead unicorn, however, tastes even better
than that of humans.
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5,
Charisma 5, Manipulation 2, Appearance 5,
Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Awareness 5 (Unholy),
Athletics 3, Brawl 3, Empathy 3, Intimidation 3
Willpower: 7 True Faith: 3 Health Levels: OK,
OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: A unicorn can use its horn like a lance
when charging and as a one-handed spear in
close combat.
Blood Pool: 8
Note: A unicorn has a single point of armor
soak. Their Intelligence score denotes true human
intelligence.
QUAIL
The quail is a small bird that is sometimes sought after
by Cainites for one specific purpose; since the quail loves to
eat poisonous seeds, its flesh and blood is filled with poison,
which can be used to harm Cainites. While it takes four
quails to harvest a single blood point, this blood acts as
poison to any Cainite who drinks it. Instead of adding the to
the drinker’s Blood Pool, it does 3 levels of lethal damage,
which can only be soaked by Fortitude, and disorientates the
victim, reducing active dice pool by 2 for a scene. Quail
blood can only be detected as poisonous by using specific
powers or items (such as user a Lodestone, page 26, to test
the blood).
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22
VARGR
The vargr (pl. vargar) is a wolf the size of a small horse.
They are of an evil disposition and are said to be the
descendants of the Fenris wolf, through his sons Sköll and
Hati. Fortunately, they seem to only live in the mountains of
Sweden and Norway, though in the coldest winters, they
may make their way further south. Vargar may spend
Willpower to resist any Animalism power that seeks to
prevent them from committing evil or destructive acts.
A vargr’s blood has no special properties.
Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 3, Stamina 5,
Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 4 (Tracking), Athletics 4
(Running), Brawl 4 (Bite), Intimidation 4
(Howling)
Willpower: 6 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2,
-2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Bite (7 attack dice, Damage Strength +2)
Blood Pool: 3
Note: A vargr has 2 points of armored soak.
WATER HORSE
Water horses exist all over Europe near lakes, rivers and
bogs. Some scholars think they are fae animals, others
believe them to be infernal beings, while still others claim
that they are merely malevolent beasts. Whatever the truth,
all water horses follow roughly the same pattern; they will
appear as an exceptionally handsome horse, yet any who
climb unto them will be held fast, either through compulsion
or via some means of grappling tendrils or a snake tail, while
the water horse rides to the nearest deep water and drowns
the rider. All water horses can breathe under water and eat
their victims.
Anyone seeing a water horse is compelled to get unto it;
roll the water horse’s Wits + Subterfuge (difficulty equal to
the target’s current Willpower). The target may spend
Willpower points to reduce the water horse’s successes on a
one-for-one basis. Once a victim has climbed unto the water
horse, they are either compelled to stay on (handled like the
compulsion to mount the creature) or are grappled (use the
Clinch rules on page 347 of DA:V20). Water horses may
spend Willpower to resist Animalism.
The blood of a water horse tastes watery, even less filling
than that of other animals.
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5,
Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 1 (or
Brawl 3 for grapplers), Empathy 2, Subterfuge 3
 Willpower: 5 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2,
-2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Kick/Trample (3 or 5 attack dice,
Damage Strength +1 Bashing)
Bite (3 or 5 attack dice, Damage Strength Lethal)
Possible grapple (See above)
Blood Pool: 4
Note: A water horse
worth of armor
WYVERN
Wyverns are somehow related to true dragons, though
they are not intelligent (but exceptionally cunning for a
beast). They resemble smaller dragons with only two legs, a
long tail ending in a very sharp barb and a relatively long
neck.
Some wyverns, though far from all, can breathe fire.
This fills an arc in front of their mouth out to 15 feet, doing
3 levels of fire damage, soak difficulty 7. Most wyverns that
breathe fire can only do so once an hour. Other wyverns
have venom in their tail stings; this does 3 levels of damage
per turn for two turns to mortals (see page 360 of DA:V20).
A wyvern may spend Willpower to resist Animalism powers.
The blood of a wyvern has no special properties.
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2 (3 in flight),
Stamina 5, Perception 4, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 4 (Flying), Brawl
3, Intimidation 3
Willpower: 6 Health Levels: OK, OK, OK, -1, -1,
-1, -3, -3, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Bite (5 or 6 attack dice, Damage
Strength +2)
Claw (5 or 6 attack dice, Damage Strength +1,
may use the Clinch maneuver)
Tail Strike (5 or 6 attack dice, Damage Strength
+2, Amor Penetration 2, may be poisoned,
counts as a steel weapon if using the rules from
The Dark Medieval Armory)
Possible fire breath (see above)
Blood Pool: 6
Note: A wyvern has 3 points of armored soak.
YALE
The yale originated in Ethiopia, but has since moved
further north – rumor has it that some can even be found in
southern Europe. It is the size of a horse, with the same body
shape, but has the tail of an elephant and the tusks of a boar.
It also has two large horns and it can swivel and move these
horns independently. If attacked, it will defend itself with
one horn forward, putting the other back so that it is not
damaged.
The blood of the yale holds no special properties.
Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5,
Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 2
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Brawl 1
Willpower: 4 Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -
2, -5, Incapacitated
Attack: Gore (3 attack dice, Damage Strength
+2)
Blood Pool: 4
Note: A yale has a single so
armor
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23
 To say that there is a soul in stones simply in order to account for their production is unsatisfactory: for their production is not like
the reproduction of living plants, and of animals which have senses.

– Albertus Magnus, De Mineralibus

This chapter deals with the stones and plants of the

natural world and the powers they possess.
Not every single stone and plant of the types mentioned
here have supernatural properties; only certain perfect
specimens, plants plucked at a certain time or those stones or
plants treated with either alchemical or ritual processes have
supernatural abilities. I have specifically kept this vague; if
you want these natural wonders to be common, feel free to
have characters make Hearth Wisdom rolls to find the right
plants or create Thaumaturgy rituals to awaken the power of
stones.
Knowing what powers certain plants and stones might
possess is usually a Hearth Wisdom roll, though sometimes,
Academics can be used if some of the ancient masters of
Greece and Rome wrote about them.
STONES
Most of these stones are gemstones. They are
naturally occurring, but will often need to be dug
out of the earth.
ADDER STONE
These glassy stones only have powers when they have a
naturally occurring hole in them. In such a case, wearing
them like an amulet makes the wearer immune to the poison
of snake bites.
AMETHYST
This wine-colored stone is clear and fine. It clears away
confusion: Carried in the mouth, it gives clear speech (+1
die on all social rolls based on speech). Carried or worn on
the head, it wards off lunacy (clearing away any derangement
except the intrinsic madness of a Malkavian and reducing

Dark Myth and Legend

24
any Dementation used against the wearer by 1 success). If
worn on the body or swallowed into the stomach, it keeps
someone clear-headed when drunk.
BANDED AGATE
This stone is patterned in many different colors. It gives
the carrier knowledge of things that are hidden; anyone
carrying the stone can see through Obfuscate and illusions as
if they had Auspex 3 and gets +3 dice to all Awareness rolls
to sense magic and supernatural beings.
BEZOAR
These stones can be found in the stomachs of various
animals, such as cattle. A bezoar neutralizes any poison it
comes into contact with.
BRIMSTONE
This soft stone has a fine, yellow color, but an infernal
smell. If brought within 10 paces of someone hiding, it will
force them to reveal themselves, unless they are using
magical means to hide, in which case, a Stamina + Stealth
roll, difficulty 8, will allow them to keep hidden. In addition,
animals, even ghouled animals, will never attack the bearer
without being forced through supernatural means, such as
Animalism.
CAPON STONE
This stone, also called an electorus, is only found in the
gizzards of a cock which does not crow. It removes discomfort
from whatever body part it touches. Carried in the mouth, it
will remove the pains of hunger and thirst (even from a
Cainite, meaning the carrier does not risk hunger frenzy),
though the wearer can still die from hunger or thirst.
Touched to a wound, it removes all wound penalties.
CORAL
Under the sea, this stone actually grows as a plant – it
only becomes a stone when it is taken out of the water.
When touched to a wound, it staunches the bleeding
(restoring 1 lethal health level to a mortal target). If touched
to the water, it calms the waves.
CRYSTAL
This stone is clear as water, without any color, and ends
in one or two spikes. If the sun shines through it, a rainbow
can be seen. This rainbow can ignite anything flammable
within two paces (doing 1 level of fire damage, difficulty 5 to
soak).
DIAMOND
This clear stone is extremely hard; it cannot be affected
by anything except itself or the blood of the Hircus (see
Chapter Three). Anyone carrying a diamond gains +2 dice
on all non-soak Stamina rolls and 1 additional point of
Willpower.
DRAGON’S STONE
These stones are extremely rare – they are taken from
the heads of dragons, wyrms and linnorms. Usually from dead
dragons, though it is possible to remove one from a living
dragon, with said dragon’s permission. This will not kill the
dragon, and it will eventually grow another one.
Carrying a dragon’s stone from a dead dragon means the
wearer cannot suffer penalties from wounds or poison.
Though they can be hurt, and may even die, they will never
feel pain or even discomfort.
Carrying a dragon’s stone from a living dragon makes
the wearer immortal; age will still cripple the wearer, but
wounds, poison and disease will not lay them low. Any
mortal brought below Incapacitated with lethal damage will
lose a dot from a Physical Attribute or a permanent Health
Level, but will recover. Should they run out of both Physical
Attributes and Health Levels, they will be unable to move
on their own accord. For Cainites carrying such a stone,
being sent to Final Death will not kill them; instead, they
enter Torpor and lose one dot of Physical Attributes or a
permanent Health Level, in the same way as mortals.
DRIPSTONE
This stone is only found in caves that the sun has never
reached. It is brownish or gray in color and feels like
hardened wax. If it is pierced and worn like an amulet, it
helps the wearer see through lies and illusions; the wearer
gains +3 dice to all rolls to discern lies and is considered to
have Auspex 3 (or +1 to their effective Auspex if they
already have Auspex 3 or more) for the purposes of seeing
through illusions.
FOOL’S GOLD
Also called hephaestites, after the Greek god
Hephaestus. It appears like gold, for it shines like the sun and
is quite heavy. It draws heat from non-living matter into
itself; it can reduce a boiling cauldron to room temperature
just by being dropped into the water. If struck hard, it will
release this heat strongly enough to start a fire. If gently
squeezed, it will release warmth rather than heat.
25
LAPIS LAZULI and if affected by fire, the salamander hair burns like a very
bright torch that cannot be put out for an hour.
This stone is blue as the sky. It cures any disease as long
as it is carried – should the stone be lost, the disease may TOADSTONE
very well return. This can even suspend magical diseases.
These stones form inside the heads of toads. Carrying
LODESTONE one protects the wearer from all natural poisons. Swallowing
one destroys it, but cures the person of the falling sickness
This dark stone is exceptionally heavy. It draws things
(epilepsy).
that are good and sound towards it, while it pushes away
things that are bad or unsound. One can use it to test the
quality of iron, but also of other things; one must place it
within one pace of the thing being tested and roll Perception
+ Awareness, difficulty 8. If successful, the holder will be
drawn to something that is good or true or sound and be
repelled by something that is not. This can test a ship’s
seaworthiness, an animal’s loyalty, a lover’s faithfulness, etc.

MOONSTONE
This stone looks like the full moon and is not found in
the earth, but inside the head of those animals that come out
under the full moon, such as crabs, toads and turtles. It only
functions when the full moon shines in the sky. When this is
the case and someone puts the stone under their tongue,
they begin to speak prophecy.

ONYX
This stone is the darkest black, sometimes banded with
white, and is often found in places that are connected to the
afterlife or Hell itself. Anyone gripping the stone will be TOPAZ
assaulted by feelings of sorrow and terror and will vocally
lash out against their companions. This can only be resisted This stone is of clear green or yellow color and has the
power to calm that which is touches. It may calm the wind
with a Conscience/Conviction roll, difficulty 7.
in the immediate area, calm the waves around a boat or a
OPAL ship, or calm tempers; granting anyone who has failed a Self-
Control/Instincts or Courage roll a new roll with one
This stone shines with numerous brilliant colors and
automatic success.
anyone who sees it will be distracted by its beauty, blind to
anything else. As long as the stone is visible, those who can
see it suffer -3 dice on all Alertness rolls to notice anything
METALS
else. Two special metals are worth a mention in this section.

QUARTZ
The stone appears as a small pebble, cool to the touch
and pure white. It is made of mountain ice that has not
melted for over a hundred years and now, it cannot be
affected by even the hottest fire. Carrying the stone also
cools tempers; anyone carrying it gets +2 dice to all Self-
Control/Instincts rolls.
SALAMANDER HAIRS
Called asbestos in Latin, this fine, soft stone does not
come from the earth but from the salamander. It draws fire to
it and then burns with that fire, without harming the bearer.
Anyone carrying salamander hairs gain +2 dice to soak fire
ADAMANT
The metal of Olympus. Only the gods could forge this
metal, which is completely unbreakable. The chains that
held Prometheus were made of Adamant.
ORICHALCUM
According to some writers, including Plato, this was a
metal used in lost Atlantis. It is said to be as beautiful and
valuable as gold, as strong as steel and as easy to work as
bronze.

Dark Myth and Legend

26
PLANTS
Most of these plants are naturally occurring, though
recognizing their power is the realm of Hearth
Wisdom.
AGLAOPHOTIS
This plant is related to the peony blossom. It wards off
demons, witchcraft and fever; the wearer gains +3 dice to
resist any fever disease, any hostile magic and the power of
the infernal.
BASTARD BALM
This plant has small, pink-white flowers and draws to it
the beasts that man has made to serve him, such as bees,
cattle and dogs. Even wild animals of this type will act docile
in the presence of someone carrying this plant.
CHECKERLILY
This plant bears a flower like a serpent’s head. While
growing, the plant attracts all serpents in the immediate
area. If the plant is powdered and the powder burned, those
who inhale the fumes will see visions of snakes all around
them.
CINQUEFOIL
This low-growing and far-spreading plant gains its name
from its leaves, which look like the hand of a man, with five
fingers. Anyone who wears it becomes extremely persuasive,
gaining +3 dice to all social rolls to persuade or lead.
FERN FLOWER
This plant is found in Eastern Europe and blossoms only
on the summer solstice. It is guarded by evil spirits, but
should someone defeat these spirits and pluck the flower
while it blooms, they will experience great fortune. Over the
coming month, they will receive three extra background dots
through sheer luck.
HENBANE
This herb carries a fruit in the shape of a pair of jaws and
is poisonous, even though its taste is sweet and pleasing.
Anyone who carries it on their person secretly, gains +1 die
to all social rolls to impress others.
HOUND’S TONGUE
This herb blooms with deep purple flowers. It attracts
dogs and any dog that smells the flower loses its bark until
the sun next sets or rises.
HOUSELEEK
This plant originally grew in rocks, but has been
transplanted to grow upon the roofs of houses as well, hence
the name. The plant never dies of natural means, no matter
the coldness of winter or the lack of water (though without
water, it will not grow in size either). Anyone who eats it
will instantly be cured of any poison, no matter how potent.
In addition, anyone who eats the plant during a day can
subsist on poor food and water for that day alone. Anyone
who eats it with adequate food and drink will have their
passions inflamed, gaining +1 die to all Courage rolls, but -1
die to all Self-Control rolls. In addition, eating the plant
along with sufficient sustenance makes the eater
exceptionally fertile. No known method exists to make the
houseleek affect Cainites.
HUNGRY GRASS
Some say these patches of grass are planted by fairies,
others that they grow where an unshriven corpse is denied a
Christian burial. Anyone who walks through hungry grass is
cursed with insatiable hunger. Some legends say it is only
while walking through the grass, others that it is perpetual,
only to be removed by magic. As bad as it is for mortals, it is
worse for Cainites; no matter how full their Blood Pool is,
they always feel and act as if it is only at 1 (unless it is
empty).
LILY OF THE VALLEY
The small plant grows pretty, bell-like flowers in the
spring. Any mortal who carries it will never grow tired and
cannot sleep, though their body will certainly be fatigued
after a while. Cainites still sleep during the day, but get +1
die to rolls to awaken during the day (see page 336 of
DA:V20).
MOLY
Odysseus carried this plant, a variation of the snowdrop,
to protect himself from the magic of Circe when he went to
rescue his companions. Carrying this plant gives the wearer
+1 die to resist hostile magics and makes him immune to any
supernatural attempts to alter his shape, such as Vicissitude.
MONK’S HOOD
This plant has beautiful, purple flowers. If properly
prepared, anyone who ingests it will be given great strength
(equal to activated Potence 2) for a scene. Then, he will
suffer 2 levels of unsoakable bashing damage as he convulses
and raves wildly for several minutes. After this comes a
death-like stillness, during which the victim is fully aware.
This lasts for a full day and then the person recovers. There
is no known way for monk’s hood to affect Cainites.
27

MOONFLOWER
This plant grows in places of waste, such as middens,
and only blooms under the moon. If ground up and treated
correctly (a well-known procedure involving an extended
Intelligence + Hearth Wisdom roll, difficulty 6, requiring 5
successes, with each roll representing half an hour’s work), it
creates a paste that can be applied to a person’s eyes. That
person can then see in darkness and his eyes shine like the
beasts that run beneath the moon; this is equivalent to Eyes
of the Beast (Protean 1).
NARCISSUS
This flower grows in the Mediterranean regions and
lands just to the north, at the gates to faerie places. The
white flowers have a pleasant smell and may protect against
magic when in bloom. If planted as the door of a dwelling, it
protects the room just beyond the door; no Necromancy,
Thaumaturgy, or other magic may affect it from outside as
long as the plant blooms.
PENNYROYAL
This small plant grows close to the ground and has a
very strong smell. Any person or beast who eats it will
become barren for a season. Any person or animal who
deeply inhales the scent of pennyroyal will fall over as if dead
unless they make a Stamina roll, difficulty 8. This state only
lasts a few minutes, though.
RASKOVNIK
This four-leafed plant grows in Eastern Europe. It has
the power to open anything that is closed or locked if
touched to it. However, no person can recognize the plant;
only beasts that burrow or live beneath the ground has the
Dark Myth and Legend
28
power and so, herbalists looking for the plant must use
specially trained animals.
SILPHIUM
This was one of the premier medicinal plants of the
ancient world. It came from the city of Cyrene in Northern
Africa and trading the plant was so vital to the city that it
appeared on its coins. Sadly, knowledge of where to find the
plant and how to harvest it has been lost to the ages.
However, were it to be rediscovered, it could be used to
create the most potent medicines, curing all manner of
illness and complaint.
SUNFLOWER
As the name suggests, this bright yellow plant is the
herb of the sun. Anyone carrying a sunflower on them while
sleeping will dream of those who have done them harm,
even if they do not know about the harm done. The wearer
also gains +1 die to all social rolls to persuade others not to
harm them.
VALERIAN
This plant bears many small flowers of delicate pink and
white. Anyone eating this herb, either on its own or in food,
will find any negative emotions (anger, hatred, jealousy,
etc.) to be calmed completely. If Cainites drink the blood of
anyone under the effect of Valerian, they gain +1 die to their
next Self-Control/Instincts roll.
VERBENA
Anyone who carries this plant is protected by either a
ghost or a spirit of the air. However, unless the bearer is a
child or a woman, the plant will lose its power within a
week. The spirit of protection prevents the wearer from
being touched or possessed by infernal beings. If given to
someone who is already possessed, the demon will be cast
out.
NINE HERBS CHARM
This charm is put together with nine different herbs;
mugwort, cockspur grass, lamb's cress, plantain, mayweed,
nettle, crab-apple, thyme and fennel. If correctly
constructed, it cures all poisons and infections in the person
it is touched to, no matter how potent.
 There is an animal called the beaver,
which is extremely gentle; its testicles are
highly suitable for medicine. Physiologus
says of it that, when it knows that a
hunter is pursuing it, it bites off its
testicles and throws them in the hunter's
face and, taking flight, escapes.
— The Aberdeen Bestiary

Cainites are not the only supernatural creatures to

walk the Dark Medieval world and their Disciplines
not the only magic. Mortals know of great items of
power and plants with curious effects.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A list of legendary weapons, armors and items.
• A bestiary of mythological creatures
• Descriptions of plants and minerals with
supernatural properties.