D
Lore

Drifter Lore

An ancient vampire roaming across America, the nameless monstrosity known as The Drifter has been preying on the living for generations.

ContentsHide
  1. 1Overview
  2. 2Biography
  3. 3Personality
  4. 4Appearance
  5. 5Information
  6. 6Character Relationships
  7. 7Grey Talon
  8. 8Shiv
  9. 9Oathkeeper
  10. 10Venator
  11. 11Character Interactions
  12. 12References

They gonna cry, they gonna beg, they gonna scream.

Unlike most vampires, Drifter doesn’t value finery or titles and has naked contempt for vampiric laws and tradition. This refusal to toe the line has made him a marked man all over the North American Baronies; but while Viscounts and Elders cry for his execution, Drifter continues to do what he pleases…

Overview

Unlike the other heroes, Drifter isn’t participating in the ritual for a wish, but instead for the carnage.[1] He views the wish as a "bonus".[2]

Biography

The Drifter has lived for centuries.[3] His age is unknown, but he refers to New York as "New Amsterdam",[4] which implies he’s been around at least since 1665.[5] He also implies that he knew Doc Holliday from the 19th century.[6] He goes only by "The Drifter" since he doesn’t feel the need for a name.[7]

Drifter speaks in a Cajun accent from Louisiana, indicating that he may be associated with 17th century Acadian French immigrants.[8]

In the current day, Drifter has travelled a long way to come to New York.[9] He says that he’s there for a different reason than summoning the Patrons,[10] and supposedly has an "old friend" he wants to say hello to.[11]

Drifter has been hunted by the Vampire Society (particularly Viscount Simon), the Baxter Society, the Swords of Saint Benedict, and Silver.[12][13][14][15] The OSIC aren’t after Drifter,[16] but they would still like to see him dead.[17]

Drifter is not the Troubadour.[18][19] He has never met him before, and only knows him by reputation.[20]

Personality

Drifter is a sadistic monster who loves murdering people and playing with his victims. He especially enjoys torturing his victims by murdering their loved ones to make them suffer.[21][22] In the ritual, Drifter enjoys getting competitive with his allies over who can kill more people.[23][24] He has less fun killing people when his victims aren’t made of flesh, are already dead, or if he’s just putting them out of their misery.[25][26][27] Most heroes hate Drifter or are scared of him.[28]

Drifter likes to steal his victim’s coats,[29] and thinks it’s not fun if they willingly give it to him.[30]

Drifter doesn’t hide his evil nature, but he may be willing to act friendly or polite to lower people’s guards, such as when he convinces Bebop to invite him to meet Ms. Shelly.[9] Drifter also seems to be smarter than he lets on, displaying knowledge of high culture.[31] He believes that life is more fun when people accept their true nature,[32][33][34] and seems to view murdering as his purpose.[35] He doesn’t need a name other than "The Drifter", as he sees himself more as a force of nature than a person.[7]

Drifter seems to be scared of fire, and expresses relief if he doesn’t have to fight Infernus.[36]

Appearance

Drifter appears as a middle aged man with pale white skin, red eyes, messy black hair, a stubble beard, and a wicked, unnaturally large grin. His proportions are exaggerated, most notably his large hands that appear red due to being covered in blood, with sharp black nails.

He wears a dark brown jacket with a vampire teeth pattern on its back, over what looks like an open red shirt with a large collar, a gray shirt, greenish-brown pants, a gray newsboy cap, brown boots, and a fingerless glove in his left hand. All his clothes are dirty and ragged, with bloodstains in his shirt collar.

Notably, his jacket has a leather belt, but he uses a rope as a belt for his pants instead. His weapon seems to be short range blood shards that he shoots from his hands.

Under Eternal Night, Drifter runs on all fours.

Information

When using Eternal Night, Drifter whistles Hush, Little Baby, a lullaby typically sung by mothers to their children.[37]

Drifter has a variety of symbols on his right hand. It’s currently unknown if the symbols are meant to be Alchemy Symbols or Hobo Signs. As the red-eyed man on the portrait in the Hideout also has the same symbols on his wrist, it’s likely that the symbols are meant to be Alchemy, although it’s currently unconfirmed.

Drifter’s hand symbols

Portrait of the red-eyed man in the Hideout. Has similar symbols to Drifter on his right wrist

Alchemy Symbols

Ø = salt = joining between spirit and soul

| | = sublimation = process of becoming spiritual

🜂 = fire = passion, energy

O = vessel = the body

-O-> = iron = blood, viscera, organs

X = talcum = rejuvenation

Hobo Signs

Ø = good road to follow

| | = anything goes / the sky is the limit

∇ = road spoiled (full of other tramps)

O = nothing to be gained here

-O-> = no use going this direction

X = alright / okay

Character Relationships

Grey Talon

Drifter and Grey Talon have a long history with each other.

Drifter has eluded death by Grey Talon’s hands for a long time. He refers to Talon by his first name "Wesley".[38]

While Grey Talon despises Drifter,[39][40] Drifter holds Talon in high regards.[41][42]

Drifter enjoys tormenting Talon, seemingly by hurting his loved ones.[43][21] He believes Talon is a better fighter than Calico.[44]

There was a particularly brutal interaction between the two in Oklahoma.[45] Vyper mentions that Drifter is a "legend" in Oklahoma.[46]

Shiv

Drifter knew Shiv from before he joined the Baxter Society.[47]

If Drifter kills Shiv, he calls him a "disappointment" and mentions that killing him feels "Shakespearean".[48][49][50] He also mentions that, had Shiv not "put himself in a muzzle, he’d be worried".[51]

When hunting Shiv, Drifter refers to himself as an "old friend".[52]

How Shiv and Drifter met each other is unknown.

Oathkeeper

Drifter and Oathkeeper are old friends.[53]

Drifter can’t believe Lady Geist could lock away "someone as fun as Oathkeeper".[54][55]

Venator Venator

Venator believes Hell is too good for Drifter if he kills him.[56] If they’re on the same team, Venator promises to kill Drifter after the ritual.[57]

Drifter has killed other Venators before,[58] though he had higher expectations for Venator Quinn.[59]

Character Interactions

References

  1. ↑ Hidden KingHidden King‘s in-game voice line (Drifter Start): "Revel in the massacre, Drifter, it is the Hidden King’s gift to you. All he asks in return… is that you summon him."
  2. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Select): "Fact of the matter is: I do this for free. The Patron’s gift is just a bonus."
  3. ↑ The Doorman The Doorman‘s in-game voice line (Drifter Trapped in ult): "It wont be long before you find yourself feeling something that’s eluded you for centuries: fear."
  4. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Select): "The elders of New Amsterdam are soft, clinging to archaic titles like they grant them real power."
  5. ↑ History of New Amsterdam
  6. ↑ Drifter And Holliday Conversation 3 – "I know whose gun that is. You gon’ be able to make him proud?"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Drifter‘s in-game voice line (select) – "I never had much use for a name. Names are for people who want to be remembered. Me? [Chuckle] My existence is like gravity or time. A concept that you fear, but you cannot escape. I simply am."
  8. ↑ Shopkeeper‘s in-game voice line – "You Louisiana boys know how to party."
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Drifter And Bebop Conversation 1 – "Been traveling a long way to get here. Haven’t had time to rest up and… get a proper meal." – "In that case, you should come over to the scrapyard after the ritual! I’m sure Ms. Shelly could help out with dinner."
  10. ↑ Drifter‘s in-game voice line (unselect) – "I came to New York for a reason, and it wasn’t to help the Patrons."
  11. ↑ Drifter‘s in-game voice line (unselect) – "Wish I could help, but I have an old friend I need to say hello to."
  12. ↑ Soul Urn‘s in-game voice line (Drifter stalling) – "Does Simon know you’re here? Because I don’t want the Municipal Coven to get in trouble with the Viscount."
  13. ↑ Drifter And Grey Talon Conversation 3 – "What are the boys and girls of the Baxter Society gonna say about us workin’ together?"
  14. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Venator): "How many of your order do I gotta kill before you realize you can’t stop me?"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Silver Silver‘s in-game voice line (killed Drifter): "I got you, you son of a bitch."
  16. ↑ Drifter And Haze Conversation 1 – "OSIC finally coming for me?" – "No, we’re using you. If we were coming for you, you’d already be dead."
  17. ↑ Haze‘s in-game voice line (killed Drifter) – "That should make the office happy."
  18. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Select): "The Troubadour ain’t got nothin’ on me."
  19. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Holliday): "Don’t worry about the Troubadour, sheriff, worry about me."
  20. ↑ Drifter And Infernus Conversation 2
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Drifter And Grey Talon Conversation 1 – "Did you do it?" – "Wesley… If I was gonna murder your grandkids, we both know I would’ve tied you down and made you watch."
  22. ↑ Drifter And Dynamo Conversation 1
  23. ↑ Drifter And Haze Conversation 2 – "Think you can keep up, Haze?" – "I’m not getting in some schoolyard challenge with you." – "All business, heheh… that’s fine. I can appreciate directness. I am going to kill more than you, though."
  24. ↑ Drifter And Wraith Conversation 1
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Bebop): "Machines are so dissatisfying to kill."
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Sinclair): "Not as much fun when they’re already dead.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Victor): "Ain’t no fun when you’re just putting someone outta their misery."
  28. ↑ Drifter‘s enemy hero interactions
  29. ↑ Drifter And Abrams Conversation 1
  30. ↑ Drifter And Paradox Conversation 2
  31. ↑ Drifter And Vyper Conversation 1 – "As far as I’m concerned, this is like sitting next to Mozart on the piano bench while he plays Canon in D." – "Pretty sure that was Pachelbel."
  32. ↑ Drifter And Infernus Conversation 1 – "You got a gleam in your eye, Infernus. How long has it been since you really cut loose?"
  33. ↑ Drifter And Haze Conversation 3 – "Life’s more fun when you accept who you are, Haze."
  34. ↑ Drifter And Ivy Conversation 1 – "I’m not a legend." – "Yes, you are. You know it, and you’re afraid of it. Don’t be."
  35. ↑ Drifter‘s in-game voice line (upgrade Stalker’s Mark) – "I won’t be deterred from my purpose."
  36. ↑ Drifter And Infernus Conversation 3
  37. ↑ 2025-08-18 – Kaori; Deadlock Discord – "[Drifter whistles] ‘hush little baby’"’
  38. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Bloodscent Hunting): "Wesley? It’s time we finish this."
  39. ↑ Grey Talon Grey Talon‘s in-game voice line (Killed Drifter): "I wasn’t expecting to see the Drifter here, but I’m glad he showed up to get what’s coming to him!"
  40. ↑ Grey Talon Grey Talon‘s in-game voice line (Killed Drifter): "Finally…"
  41. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Grey Talon): "The fun had to end sometime, didn’t it?"
  42. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Grey Talon): "You had a good run, Talon."
  43. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Calico): "Always nice when I get to kill Wesley’s friends."
  44. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Calico): "Wesley could never stop me, and you’re no Wesley."
  45. ↑ Drifter And Grey Talon Conversation 2 – "The Patrons have a curious sense of humor now, don’t they?" – "The silent treatment? Really? Don’t tell me you’re still raw about Oklahoma."
  46. ↑ Drifter And Vyper Conversation 1 – "Yeah, it’s because they never did time in OKC. Buddy, you’re a legend there! You’re like the… you’re like the… the boogeyman!"
  47. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "The Baxter Society made you soft!"
  48. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "You’re such a disappointment, Shiv."
  49. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "You’re not the man I thought you were, Shiv."
  50. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "Feels Shakespearean, don’t it, Shiv?"
  51. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "If you hadn’t put yourself in a muzzle, maybe I’d be worried."
  52. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Bloodscent Hunting): "Why you hidin’, Shiv? Don’t want to say hello to an old friend?"
  53. ↑ Drifter & Lady Geist Conversation 1
  54. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Lady Geist): "I can’t have you puttin’ someone as fun as Oathkeeper under lock and key, Geist."
  55. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Lady Geist): "I can’t believe someone like her trapped Oathkeeper."
  56. ↑ Venator‘s in-game voice line (killed Drifter) – "Hell is too good for him."
  57. ↑ Venator And Drifter Conversation 1 – "After the ritual’s complete, I’m going to drive a stake in your heart."
  58. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Venator): "How many of your order do I gotta kill before you realize you can’t stop me?"
  59. ↑ Drifter‘s in-game Voice archivevoice line0:00--:-- (killed Venator) – "I expected more from the Sword of Saint Benedict."
  60. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Mina killed in lane): "They took out that pathetic excuse for a vampire!"
  61. ↑ Mina Mina‘s in-game voice line (Pass Drifter on Zipline): "Did he notice me?! Oh God, I think he noticed me…"
  62. ↑ Mina Mina‘s in-game voice line (kill Drifter): "Get that thing away from me!"
  63. ↑ Drifter‘s in-game voice line (killed Mina) – "The Vampire Nation is a Ponzi scheme, Mina! The sooner you realize that, the better."
  64. ↑ Drifter And Holliday Conversation 1
  65. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Seven): "And here I was hoping to find an equal…"
  66. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Seven): "I was expecting so much more from you, Seven."
  67. ↑ Drifter Drifter‘s in-game voice line (Killed Seven): "That boy still has too much humanity left in him."
  68. ↑ Seven‘s in-game voice line (killed Drifter) – "Mindless savage!"
  69. ↑ Drifter And Mirage Conversation 1 – "Ritual’s starting, pretty boy."
  70. ↑ The Doorman The Doorman‘s in-game voice line (Killed Drifter): "Always a pleasure to see you again, Drifter."
  71. ↑ The Doorman‘s in-game voice line (Hotel Guest taunt) – "Your heart beats faster as you find yourself in new territory. Slowly, but surely, realizing that here you are no predator, merely vermin scuttling down the hall. It wont be long before you find yourself feeling something that’s eluded you for centuries: Fear."
  72. ↑ Drifter And Paradox Conversation 1 – "You look annoyed." – "I am annoyed. You don’t have anything interesting to steal."
  73. ↑ Haze‘s in-game voice line (killed Drifter) – "Looks like the viscount is going to owe the OSIC a favour."
  74. ↑ Drifter And Kelvin Conversation 2 – "You’re looking a little upset, Kelvin." – "I don’t want to work with someone like you."
  75. ↑ Drifter And Kelvin Conversation 1 – "What’s on your mind, Kelvin?" – "Just wondering if getting the answers I seek is worth helping you in the process."
  76. ↑ Silver Silver‘s in-game voice line (killed Drifter): "One way or another, this all ends today."