4th ed, the Good & the Bad?

[Brother MacLaren]

But why can't a Rogue apply the same training he used for striking the heart of living creatures to strike the heart of a unliving creature? Even if he has to use a stake to do it effectively?

Because the rogue's training is to hit the kidneys, the lungs, an artery, or any of a number of vital areas that present themselves as targets. He's an opportunist. A typical human has numerous weak spots, any one of which might be exposed. If the vampire only has to protect his heart (in addition to the protection provided by extra-hard flesh and breastbone), the rogue's job is a lot harder.

 

[rounser]

In Dracula, there is no discussion of wood being necessary -- only "a stake" is mentioned.

I'd venture that it certainly implies wood - maybe my archaic term knowledge isn't up to speed, but in the modern world, whoever heard of an "iron stake"? There's other words for that, such as nail, spike, rod, or piton. Or tent peg.

 

[The Little Raven]

I'd venture that it certainly implies wood - maybe my archaic term knowledge isn't up to speed, but in the modern world, whoever heard of an "iron stake"? There's other words for that, such as nail, spike, rod, or piton. Or tent peg.

Yes, stake implies wood. However, Bowie knife in the chest doesn't imply anything but a sharp piece of steel through the heart. So, no need for wood.

 

[rounser]

However, Bowie knife in the chest doesn't imply anything but a sharp piece of steel through the heart. So, no need for wood.

Unless of course, Draco is faking it.

 

[The Little Raven]

Unless of course, Draco is faking it.

It's thinking like that which gave us a multitude of spinoff movies!

(Then again, some of those cheese-tastic Hammer films are some of my guilty pleasures.)

 

[Brother MacLaren]

I'd venture that it certainly implies wood - maybe my archaic term knowledge isn't up to speed, but in the modern world, whoever heard of an "iron stake"? There's other words for that, such as nail, spike, rod, or piton. Or tent peg.

There are some references to "iron stakes," such as used to mark boundaries of plots of land. But the issue as I see it is this:
1) If the fundamental property that makes the stake effective is its wooden-ness, then you have players thinking that arrows with the heads removed will be more effective against vampires than arrows with the heads on. Any piece of wood is used, any stick is considered a stake.
2) If the fundamental property is its physical form (sharp, fairly thick, and capable of really destroying the heart), then an iron spike would work or even a large knife, but an arrow might not be massive enough.
3) If the fundamental property is its symbolism (a stake is used to anchor things to the ground, which is where dead bodies should stay), then iron spikes or tent pegs would likewise be effective, but the knife wouldn't.

Most D&D players I know think that 1) should be the reason that stakes work. Bram Stoker suggests that it's 2) in his novel, and personally that's what I'd go with in the next game I run. I think 3) is an interesting concept, though I don't see much support for it.

 

[Voss]

I'd venture that it certainly implies wood - maybe my archaic term knowledge isn't up to speed, but in the modern world, whoever heard of an "iron stake"? There's other words for that, such as nail, spike, rod, or piton. Or tent peg.

Having worked on a farm, let me tell you that it has come up. Putting up temporary fencing with wooden stakes would be even worse than it already is.

Also:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=iron+stake&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[rounser]

Having worked on a farm, let me tell you that it has come up. Putting up temporary fencing with wooden stakes would be even worse than it already is.

Okay, I stand corrected.

And I assume it's got surveying or building origins - e.g. "staking out a territory". Stakes when not being stuck into vampires go in the ground, yeah?

EDIT: Yup...

stake1 /steɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[steyk] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, noun, verb, staked, stak·ing.
–noun 1. a stick or post pointed at one end for driving into the ground as a boundary mark, part of a fence, support for a plant, etc.
2. a post to which a person is bound for execution, usually by burning.
3. the stake, the punishment of death by burning: Joan of Arc was sentenced to the stake.
4. one of a number of vertical posts fitting into sockets or staples on the edge of the platform of a truck or other vehicle, as to retain the load.
5. Mormon Church. a division of ecclesiastical territory, consisting of a number of wards presided over by a president and two counselors.
6. sett (def. 2).
–verb (used with object) 7. to mark with or as if with stakes (often fol. by off or out): We staked out the boundaries of the garden.
8. to possess, claim, or reserve a share of (land, profit, glory, etc.) as if by marking or bounding with stakes (usually fol. by out or off): I'm staking out ten percent of the profit for myself.
9. to separate or close off by a barrier of stakes.
10. to support with a stake or stakes, as a plant: to stake tomato vines.
11. to tether or secure to a stake, as an animal: They staked the goat in the back yard.
12. to fasten with a stake or stakes.

So after you've staked your vampire, you can build a fence on him. (Unless a bowie knife was used.)

 

[Voss]

Actually... its worth noting that many of those stakes are... not small. They're certainly not the tiny little things that Buffy is running around with. I suspect that if you really go back and look at the mythology of the vampire, people are staking them to the ground with some fairly large implements and bloody big hammers.

More like nailing the creature down and tying it back to the earth, through the medium of its cursed heart.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

Actually... its worth noting that many of those stakes are... not small. They're certainly not the tiny little things that Buffy is running around with. I suspect that if you really go back and look at the mythology of the vampire, people are staking them to the ground with some fairly large implements and bloody big hammers.

More like nailing the creature down and tying it back to the earth, through the medium of its cursed heart.

"Arthur placed the point over the heart, and as I looked I could see its dint in the white flesh. Then he struck with all his might.

The thing in the coffin writhed, and a hideous, blood-curdling screech came from the opened red lips. The body shook and quivered and twisted in wild contortions. The sharp white champed together till the lips were cut, and the mouth was smeared with a crimson foam. But Arthur never faltered. He looked like a figure of Thor as his untrembling arm rose and fell, driving deeper and deeper the mercy-bearing stake, whilst the blood from the pierced heart welled and spurted up around it. His face was set, and high duty seemed to shine through it. The sight of it gave us courage so that our voices seemed to ring through the little vault.

And then the writhing and quivering of the body became less, and the teeth seemed to champ, and the face to quiver. Finally it lay still. The terrible task was over."

Horrifying, as it should be.