Modern Threat Compendium

AX.GHW.13.01 - North American Folklore & Urban Fantasy

This compendium applies AxiomRPG's core rules to a modern urban fantasy theme inspired by North American folklore, cryptids, ghost stories, and contemporary supernatural fiction. Drawing from sources like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, Sanctuary, Warehouse 13, and Grimm, these threats represent the hidden world of monsters lurking in contemporary America.

Setting Assumptions

The Veil: Most supernatural threats operate in secret or exist in forgotten niches of modern society, hiding from or manipulating normal society. Hunters, government agencies, and secret organizations work to contain, control, eliminate or protect these threats.

Modern Equipment: Characters have access to firearms, vehicles, technology, and specialized anti-supernatural gear. Traditional methods (salt, iron, silver, holy symbols) still work against many threats.

Urban Environments: Most encounters occur in cities, suburbs, abandoned buildings, forests near civilization, or remote American locations with dark histories.

Campaign Power Levels

Street Level (6D Package): Local hunters dealing with vampires, ghosts, and minor supernatural threats in a small town or a more rural region.

Regional (9D Package): Experienced hunters or government agents tackling significant threats across multiple states. Standard campaign level.

National (12D Package): Elite operatives or powerful supernatural beings dealing with apocalyptic threats and ancient evils.

Compendium Organization

This compendium is divided into seven category files, each containing 8-12 threats ranging from Minion to Champion power levels:

aberration - Lovecraftian horrors, dimensional beings, and reality-warping entities
cryptid - Bigfoot, Mothman, Jersey Devil, Chupacabra, and cryptozoological entities
cursed or possessed - possessed humans, cursed individuals, and corrupted mortals
Shadow entities - The Hollow, shadow-touched beings, and entities from the dark between
shapeshifter - Werewolves, skinwalkers, wendigos, and other transformation-based creatures
fae - Banshees, will-o'-wisps, and fairy tale creatures
undead - Vampires, zombies, revenants, ghost and other restless undead horrors

Using Modern Threats

Adaptation Notes:

Armor ratings represent bulletproof vests, tactical gear, or supernatural toughness
"Magic" talents can represent demonic powers, psychic abilities, or supernatural gifts
Modern weapons (firearms) use Speed + Precision, dealing similar damage to fantasy ranged weapons
Silver bullets, blessed weapons, and cold iron provide bonuses against specific threat types
Technology (phones, cameras, EMF detectors) can help identify and track supernatural threats

Modern Combat Considerations:

Firearms are loud and attract attention (police, witnesses, more threats)
Many supernatural threats require specific weaknesses to permanently destroy
Collateral damage matters - civilian casualties complicate hunts
Evidence must be destroyed or covered up to maintain the Veil

Threat Weaknesses: Each threat entry includes specific vulnerabilities drawn from folklore and modern supernatural fiction:

Vampires: Sunlight, stakes, decapitation, holy symbols
Werewolves: Silver weapons, wolfsbane
Ghosts: Salt, iron, burning remains, resolving unfinished business
Demons: Exorcism rituals, holy water, consecrated ground
Fae: Cold iron, rowan wood, true names

Quick Reference: Power Levels

Threat Type	Power Package	Typical Use	Example
Minion	3-4D	Vampire spawn, possessed civilians, minor spirits	Newly turned vampire
Standard	5-7D	Established vampires, adult werewolves, dangerous ghosts	Classic vampire
Elite	8-10D	Ancient vampires, alpha werewolves, powerful demons	Vampire elder
Champion	11-13D	Master vampires, demon lords, apex cryptids	Master vampire
Legendary	14D+	Apocalyptic threats, primordial evils, godlike beings	The First Vampire
### Campaign Frameworks

Monster of the Week: Self-contained episodes where hunters investigate reports, identify the threat, discover its weakness, and eliminate it. Standard threats with occasional Elite.

Conspiracy Arc: Multi-session investigation into connected threats, secret organizations, or ancient evils awakening. Mix of Standard and Elite threats building to Champion finale.

Apocalypse Now: Campaign-spanning threat requiring multiple teams, government resources, and desperate alliances. Elite threats common, multiple Champions, potential Legendary final boss.

Character Resources

Equipment Access:

Basic Kit: Salt, iron filings, holy water, silver knife, research materials (50-100 dollar equivalent)
Advanced Kit: Silver bullets, blessed weapons, EMF detector, night vision, body armor (200-500 dollar)
Government Issue: Military-grade firearms, specialized ammunition, surveillance tech, backup teams (1000+ dollar)

Knowledge Resources:

Affiliated networks and message boards
Occult libraries and archives
Government databases (for authorized agents)
Captured or allied supernatural informants
Ancient texts and grimoires

Allies & Organizations:

Local cells
Underground railroad for reformed monsters
Government agencies (FBI Paranormal Division, etc.)
Religious orders maintaining the Veil
Supernatural peacekeepers (neutral monsters policing their own)

Using This Compendium

Each category file contains:

Category Overview: Common traits, typical behaviors, folklore origins
Threat Entries: Full stat blocks following THREAT-TEMPLATE.md format
Variant Rules: Optional modifications for different campaign styles
Plot Hooks: Adventure seeds specific to that threat category
Destruction Methods: How to permanently eliminate threats of this type

GM Guidance:

Start with Standard threats to gauge party capability
Introduce threat weaknesses through research, captured enemies, or mysterious allies
Not every threat needs to be killed - some can be reasoned with, imprisoned, or exorcised
Use Minions to wear down resources before introducing the main threat
Mix categories to keep players guessing and prevent pattern recognition

Appendices

Appendix C: Common Weaknesses Quick Reference

Threat Type	Primary Weakness	Secondary Weakness	Permanent Destruction
Vampire	Sunlight, stake to heart	Holy symbols, running water	Decapitation + stake
Werewolf	Silver weapons	Wolfsbane	Silver through the heart
Ghost	Salt, iron	Burning remains	Resolve unfinished business
Demon	Holy water, exorcism	Consecrated ground	Banishment ritual
Fae	Cold iron	Rowan wood, true name	Iron through the heart
Zombie	Headshot	Fire	Destroy the brain
Shapeshifter	Silver	Their true name	Kill in true form
Possessed	Exorcism	Holy symbols	Banish demon without killing host
### Appendix D: Sample Encounters

The Vampire's Lair (Standard Challenge):

1 Vampire (Standard) + 2-3 Vampire Thralls (Minion)
Location: Abandoned warehouse, nightclub basement, old mansion
Complication: Hostages, daytime approaching, rival hunters

Full Moon Hunt (Elite Challenge):

1 Alpha Werewolf (Elite) + 2 Werewolves (Standard) + pack mentality
Location: State park, rural farmland, mountain wilderness
Complication: Innocent campers, limited time until transformation ends

Haunted Crossroads (Champion Challenge):

1 Crossroads Demon (Standard) making deals
3-4 Vengeful Spirits (Standard) bound to location
1 Demonic Vessel (Elite) as enforcer
Location: Isolated country crossroads at midnight
Complication: Civilians making deals, cursed ground, time limit

Credits & Inspiration

Folklore Sources:

Native American legends and stories
Colonial American ghost stories
Appalachian folklore
Southwestern cryptid tales
Urban legends and creepypasta

Media Inspiration:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Supernatural (2005-2020)
Grimm (2011-2017)
Warehouse 13 (2009-2014)
Sanctuary (2008-2011)
The X-Files (1993-2018)
American Gods (Neil Gaiman)
The Dresden Files (Jim Butcher)

System Design:

AxiomRPG Core Rules (fantasy baseline)
THREAT-TEMPLATE.md (stat block format)
Modern adaptation guidelines