Preview of the main characters in Vampire: the Masquerade — Out for Blood

In Out for Blood, you are moving to Jericho Heights, Illinois after inheriting a house and adjoining store from your recently deceased .grandfather. Within a short time you learn of the existence of vampires in town and enlist the aid of other mortals in town to deal with this unexpected problem. Below are the characters you will meet and a bit of their backstories. I will keep this review spoiler-free so some major characters will be left out.

Vampires

Amanda Chastain: After decades of living in Chicago, Amanda longed for a quiet unlife rather than the turbulent and violent Camarilla capital. She is an anomaly among Kindred in that she adores mortals and loves to be among them. After siding with Prince Jackson in his Praxis (campaign to become Prince of Chicago) even at the expense of status among her own clan, Addison was allowed to move to a small borough outside of Chicago and set up her domain there.

In Chicago, Amanda was a tiny fish in a big pond. She prefers to be a piranha in a small pond. She loves to involve herself in small-town mortal affairs and politics. She’s tech savvy, made much of her current fortune off trading in cryptocurrency, hosts an American history radio show, and loves fashion and bold colors. She never feeds off minors or children and disdains non-human blood.

Amanda feeds often, enjoys variety, and considers all of the townspeople of Jericho Heights her herd. She erases the memory of feedings from her victims using Domination. Amanda is living a relatively quiet life in Jericho, but around the time the PC shows up, she longs for the taste of new blood.

Monroe Duncan: Monroe grew up in Jericho and lived a fairly average life. She graduated high school and took a year break before college to intern for the small public access radio show in town. Around that time, she caught the eye of a vampire who Embraced her. Due to the low blood potency of her sire, Monroe became a Thin Blood, not quite human, not quite vampire. Horrified by what she became, Monroe fled Jericho Heights. However, since this area is all she knows, she remains in the woods outside of town, returning to hunt or to spy on her family. She has since attracted several other Thin Bloods to make up a Hunting-Party coterie which preys on Jericho Heights.

Mortals

Adam Bane: Adam’s a friend from childhood, from when you spent summers visiting your grandfather, as an adult, he’s a financial wizard who works for his father’s accounting firm. However, he yearns for adventure and being the hero of his story, though he has physical limitations – several years ago, an accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. He now uses a wheelchair. Possible romantic interest.

Lacey Pendleton: She’s the Vice-Principal of the local grade school and a wealthy, connected resident. Lacey aspires to take part in city politics, maybe even a run for mayor of Jericho Heights. You meet her early in the story and form an alliance over the vampire problem in town. Possible romantic interest.

Salem (Sarah Morelli) Another of your childhood friends, Salem lives with her parents, works two part-time jobs, and aspires to move to Chicago to pursue a graduate degree. Since she lives across the street from your store, she pops over often to help out or hang. Possible romantic interest.

Marcus Williams: An ex-Deputy Sheriff, Marcus now works as a security guard at an Army-Navy store. He still has friends in the sheriff’s office. As an avid hunter, martial artist, and bodybuilder, he provides the muscle for the group. He comes from a rich family but has set aside his family’s fortune. Possible romantic interest.

Makayla Clark: A 12-year-old girl, who warns you of the vampire presence early in the story. She has been aware of the vampires in town but no one has believed her. She wants to confront Amanda and constantly presses you for action. Makayla is one of the few people in town who believes in the supernatural but largely keeps this to herself.

Mayor Marvin Bumpley: Not only is he mayor of Jericho Heights, he owns the largest bank in town. He’s friendly and charming, though beneath it all lies a shrewd businessman and politician. He is quick to greet you on your arrival and even invites you to dinner at his grand estate.

Sheriff Ray: The venerable town lawman, he has been sheriff for decades and is one of the few residents who stands up to the mayor and City Council. You meet him early in the story at the mayor’s dinner party and may form a friendship. 

Gabriel: Gabriel has been Amanda’s devoted ghoul for a decade, taking care of her affairs and protecting her during the daytime. He drinks his master’s blood which gives him strength and vitality. While Amanda is exuberant, charming, and well-liked in town, Gabriel is pushy, ill-tempered, and avoided by most people.

Gabriel also helps run the podcast, New Heights, which discusses American history and local events.