The Official How's My Driving Post for Vlad, plus some notes...
I'm always working to improve my performance of our friend Dracula here, and so I'd appreciate any questions, comments or pointers you feel like throwing my way. Some notes, however:
1. In sixwordstories Vlad had been on a redemption arc, and had been genuinely making some progress. But now, with his Brides gone and his kin threatened by fanatical hunters, he backslid somewhat and ended up declaring war. He is attempting to consolidate his allies in order to defend all.
The latest: Now that the Hunters have backed off some, Dracula is considering putting down roots, starting with some strategic real estate buys around town.
Important note: Once again, Dracula in this venue is full powered. He can only be killed by one very specific thing, he regenerates very quickly and he is generally a very tough customer. He won't win every fight he gets into, especially considering that he's actually in the middle range for offensive power levels given sandbox standards, but a major plot point of the movie was that he was nigh impossible to kill or even injure for long. I have had one player who apparently has a problem with this throw a little fit a while back and start godmodding ridiculous amounts of backup suddenly showing up so that his pup could "win". Thus this disclaimer.
SWS is a CR heavy dressing room game. It is not supposed to be SRS BZNS and I mostly go there for fluff, crack and interesting little scenes. Also, deaths and serious injuries are generally negotiated between players first in this venue. If you have a problem with this, or a problem with the fact that my pup is so hard to kill, do us both a favor and don't tag my posts.
2. In lastvoyages another redemption arc is underway, but except for the results of the plot himself is as close to canon as I can humanly make him. Currently the only changes to his canon is that he has sworn off ever torturing again, and is disinclined to turn people into vampires against their will. Emotionally he has grown capable of regret, loneliness and hope as well as passion and aggression. His power set has been significantly reduced in this version.
The latest: After several more stressful incidents, including being abandoned in Paris, encounters with his other ex-Bride, temporarily losing his hand to a giant corpse-spider and thus failing to save those in the CES, and having a reunion with his Warden damaged by Armand's offhand comment that perhaps they are not a good pairing after all, Dracula's grasp on sanity is growing shakier and shakier while he attempts to "suck it up", wary of any further show of vulnerability. He has developed the delusion that Marishka, his last unredeemed Bride, followed him back from the last Port and is now hiding in his rooms. Unfortunately this originally harmless delusion has started to become dangerous, as "Marishka" has started demanding that he "act like a real vampire" and stop restraining himself from hunting, if he wants to keep her.
3. the_love_hotel 's Vlad is completely canon, unredeemed, uncompromising and generally a very naughty boy. He goes easier on his Brides, of course, but his lack of use for humans can make him very cruel.
The latest: Dracula has started making friends and acquaintances outside of his usual circle, including the vampire goddess Akasha, with whom he hit it off surprisingly well once they really talked.
4. In tenebrae_nostro Vlad actually (barely) survived Gabriel's attack, though it took him well over a century to heal. Trapped in that state for so long, he had a great deal of time to consider his actions and the losses that they caused him. He also read a great deal and took advantage of other media, allowing him to both educate himself on the modern world and adapt to it philosophically. He is now more humane than other versions, though still foul-tempered, self-interested and generally a tough customer.
The latest: Dracula has just arrived in Los Angeles under the alias Iulian Caradja, after making several strategic purchases of buildings around town through his company, Caradja Properties International. He plans to keep a low profile, quietly refurbishing the buildings in question (and turning several of them into safe houses suitable for vampires and other allies).
In all universes, especially the first two, he will fake being nicer, more trustworthy and a lighter touch than he actually is, as he has discovered the social payoff for doing so. However, doing so takes work, and he is easily frustrated and still has a terrible temper. Questions? Comments? Concrit? Funny stories? Hit me up! Comments are screened.