Vampire Games Day III

Mythic Echoes presents Vampire Games Day III; vampire-themed roleplaying games in a gothic 19th century library.

The influence of Bram Stoker's Dracula has been felt across all media, with the story reimagining how a monster can be presented. In particular, within tabletop roleplaying games, vampires can be presented as antagonists, protagonists or player characters.

From Dungeons & Dragons to Vampire: The Requiem, players can book one of several vampire-themed roleplaying games. Each table will be run by expert storytellers and dungeon masters, some of whom have created the games. There will be a break for lunch at midday and a raffle at the end of the day, along with prizes for the best-dressed players.

For those who are not too drained, there will be an opportunity for socialising afterwards (not included in ticket price).

The games

Murder at the Masquerade
Dungeons & Dragons 5E (2014)
Storyteller: Katie Walford (Derby D&D)

While the violins played and the esteemed guests took to the dance floor, drank or paid respects to the Elders, Baron Vavaldi was killed. Your host Evangeline Waymire begs for your help to solve the murder discreetly before the Elders find out for fear of blame or ruin. It is only a matter of time before the Barons absence is noticed, can you help solve the murder at the masquerade? This game uses pre-made level 5 dhampir characters.

Content warnings: 18+, fantasy violence, blood, gore, blood letting

Shadow of the Transylvania-Hounds
Realms of Pugmire
Storyteller: Eddy Webb

In a strange future where humanity is gone and uplifted dogs believe themselves to be in a world of magic and monsters, the ominous Castle Transylvania-Hound has loomed over the city of Houndton for generations. Rumours have circulated that the mouldering family of Transylvania-Hounds have used their home to conduct foul necromantic deeds, and the citizens of Houndton tremble in fear from zombies and other creatures. Will your pack of good dogs brave the castle and end the threat of the undead, or is there something else going on? (Pre-generated characters will be provided.)

Content warnings: violence against (and by) anthropomorphic animals; depictions of dead animals; terrible puns

Rusting Veins
Iron Kingdoms
Storyteller: Chris Handley

In the City of Ghosts, Corvis, death stalks the streets, leaving behind a string of murders. In a world where magic and machines are fused, the cadre of investigators are tasked with uncovering the true identity of this blood thief, and putting an end to their ghastly murder spree. Set in the award winning setting of Iron Kingdoms, characters explore a world where magic has empowered an industrial revolution, and where war is waged with machines and warbeasts.

Content warnings: violence, murder and the supernatural

A Requiem of Ice and Fire
Vampire: The Requiem (2^nd edition)
Storyteller: Naomi Doran

Within Westeros’ sprawling capital of King’s Landing, the Kindred prey upon the unsuspecting masses. However, a terrible plague has struck at the heart of their food source, claiming nearly half the city in its icy embrace. Now vampires war fiercely on the streets over dwindling hunting grounds, the city’s master of coin has been found butchered, and Prince Marqelo’s iron regime unravels at the seams. Before this winter plague thaws, debts will be paid in blood and fire.

Content warnings: mass death, disease, explicit violence, poverty/homelessness, reference to sexual abuse and death by immolation

The Count
Vaesen
Storyteller: Darran Sims

A code of play, A nocturn rite, in the cruel garden of dark delights. Sixteen cages crawl in line, desire is a heady wine. The Count. A slim Pixie, thin and forlorn, the Count, white and drawn and force his slender, thin and lean, in this solemn place of fill-wetting dreams of black-matted lace. Includes flashing lights and musical accompaniment.

Content warnings: horror, supernatural, magic and the dead

The Final Count
Dungeons & Dragons 5E (2014)
Storyteller: Tom Morecroft-Low

A noble's daughter has been taken by creatures of the night. Now her only hope is your company, hired by the Duke Alaric with a reward large enough to make any warrior think twice about refusing. But beyond the gates of the Vampire Lord's castle, Count Vladimir Don Von Glom may not be entirely what he appears to be. Enter the County's domain, steel your nerves, trust your instincts, and prove you have what it takes to survive his deadly games, and discover what terrible choice and terrifying twists awaits those summoned before The Final Court.

Level 9 characters. Van Helsing types and reformed channelers of darkness encouraged. All printed races and Tasha's optional variant rules permitted.

Content warnings: Humour/minigames/freedom of choice, blend of comedy and seriousness.

The storytellers

Eddy Webb (with a “y,” thank you) is a writer, consultant, and designer for video games and RPGs. He’s worked on over 200 books and games during his career. He has created unique game universes, such as the Realms of Pugmire. He’s also worked on established properties like Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire the Requiem, Curseborne, Marvel, Transformers, and The Walking Dead. He’s even won a few awards over the past decade or so. In his spare time, he advocates for more inclusion of people with hearing loss. He currently lives in London, England, and can be found at pugsteady.com.

It was during Covid-19 that Katie Walford started playing Dungeons & Dragons. Before too long, Katie established herself as a freelance games master, including games for D&D at Elvaston Castle. With the aid of Community Action Derby, the non-profit Roll With Us CIC was launched in 2024 and Katie has have been offering partly or fully funded taster sessions, campaigns and workshops ever since.

Chris Handley is an ENNIE award-winning writer, having worked on many titles in the Warhammer range of RPGs (Wrath and Glory, Warhammer Fantasy, The Old World, Soulbound), Iron Kingdoms: Requiem, and Vampire: The Masquerade. He is developing the upcoming RPG, Trashumanism, with Cyberpunk 2077 musician, Le Destroy. He has hosted Darker Days Radio, a podcast dedicated to horror RPGs, for over 15 years, and is a dedicated multidisciplinary creator, interviewing game creators, reviewing game products, creating original content for games, and painting miniatures.

From an early age, Naomi Doran felt the inexorable pull towards the gothic. It was within tabletop roleplaying where she discovered her perfect canvas, setting up player communities with a passion for cultivating others' creative sparks. Among her contributions include the article Dyslexia & Dragons for the UK Games Expo magazine and the Vampire: The Masquerade sourcebook, Birmingham by Night for the Storyteller’s Vault. Naomi currently resides in Nottingham where she can regularly be found stimming on the goth night dance floor.

Darran Sims is a long term collaborator with Mythic Echoes and a popular convention games master, having organised two RPG conventions of his own previously. His games of Tales from the Loop, Alien and Vaesen have always proved popular. Darran is also the owner of two fine fluffy dogs, nicknamed Buggerlugs and Slobberchops.

Tom Morecroft-Low is an experienced dungeon master that embraces the innate humour in the game. His adventures are evocative and compelling, ensuring all of the players are invested in the story they are weaving.

Travel and accommodation

The nearest carpark to The Wardwick is the Parksafe Systems carpark on Bold Lane (11 disabled parking spaces), which is just five minutes walk away. The B9 bus stop is just outside The Wardwick. Derby Bus Station is a ten minute walk away and Derby train station is a thirty minute walk (or five minute taxi ride). East Midlands Airport is also fifteen miles away, which has a regular bus service to and from Derby.

For those wishing to stay overnight, there are a limited number of rooms available with discounted rates at the nearby Leonardo Hotels: Derby for anyone attending our event. The access statement for Leonardo Hotels: Derby can be found here.

We endeavour for our events to be as inclusive as possible and have ensured that The Wardwick is fully accessible, with a wheelchair ramp at the side and accessible facilities (Accessibility at Derby Museums).

Who are Mythic Echoes?

Mythic Echoes is a collaboration between Eunice Morecroft-Low and Peter Ray Allison, who met through a shared interest in roleplaying games. Eunice has provided D&D events for Wizards of the Coast, as part of the release of Honour Among Thieves, whilst Peter has extensively written about gaming, including The Fall and Rise of Role-Playing Games for Deviant Leisure. Both have run roleplaying games for various events. They also host the immersive vampire live roleplay experience As Night Falls: The Crimson Ball.

The social media pages for Mythic Echoes and Vampire Games Day III can be found here.

Presented as part of ‘Dracula Returns to Derby: 101 Years and Counting’.