Vampire (4e Race)

Vampire

By David A. Trampier

A vampire race based on older legends about vampires, with a few twists to make them fit in D&D

Racial Traits

Average Height: 5'6" - 6'1"

Average Weight: 90 - 135 lbs

Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity; +2 Strength or Charisma

Size: Medium

Speed: 6 squares

Vision: Darkvision

Languages: Common

Skill Bonuses: +2 History, +2 Stealth

Undead Keyword: Being an undead grants you the following traits: You gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against ongoing damage. You don't need to eat, drink, or breathe (although this fact grants you no resistances or immunities). When you roll a death saving throw you can take the better of your die roll or 10 as the result. You still die when your hit points are dropped to their bloodied value expressed as a negative number. You are immune to disease.

Radiant Weakness: You have vulnerable 5 to radiant damage.

Necrotic Resistance: You have resist 5 + your level to necrotic damage. The resistance increases to 10 at 11th level and 15 at 21st level.

Blood Dependent: When you are bloodied, your healing surge value drops by 2. However, you gain a +1 racial bonus to attack rolls when bloodied.

Shadow Origin: You are animated by dark energies so you are considered a shadow creature for the purpose of effects that relate to creature origin.

Vampiric Bite: You have the vampiric bite power.

Vampiric Bite	Vampire Racial Power
You sink your fangs into another creature, draining them of their lifeblood to replenish your own undead self.
Encounter  Necrotic
Standard Action	Melee
Target: One creature
Attack: Dexterity + 2 Vs. AC
Hit: 1d8 + Dexterity modifier damage
Effect: You regain hit points equal to the damage dealt.
Special: Level 11: Increase to +4 bonus and 2d8 + Dexterity modifier damage Level 21: Increase to +6 bonus and 3d8 + Dexterity modifier damage

There are few in the world who know not of some form or iteration of the feared blood suckers of unageing antiquity. Vampires are known to come about from various methods of dark magic and blood rites. The vryloka are believed to be lesser forms of them. True vampires often revel in the dark power that sustains their immortality and magic, having been twisted by becoming undead. That is not to say they are all evil people who sacrificed pure maiden blood to become a vampire.

Physical Qualities

Vampires are characterized by their classic pale skin and sharp fangs which they use to suck the blood out from victims. They are known to have red eyes that allow them to see in the dark, though some might say their eye color is variable. Save these initial telling signs, vampires blend in very well among humans, who they appear very similar to. Due to their old age and immortality, vampires may carry themselves as an anachronism in their current time, wearing older fashions or speaking with antiquated dialects.

Attitudes and Beliefs

Many vampires develop alien mindsets after several millennia of immortality. They lose touch with their original selves due to the wear of time. Some find themselves weary with the world and its never-ending problems. Many lose their sense of morality and thus indulge in horrible acts against mortals, reveling in their status like a pseudo-deity. Still yet are vampire hermits who seclude themselves from others out of loathing and desire to be alone. In particular, these vampires who are unable to curse others to become vampires never grow close to anyone, as any loved ones will die before they do.

Vampire Communities

One of the enduring wants for vampires who retain their moral senses is company. Few, not even elves, can live as long as the undying. Vampires thus seek out company in others of their kind, of which there are few, or other undying creatures. These covens, as they are called, are never large in number. Other vampires often are solitary, but amass mortal companions with whom they often view as lesser beings that serve their will.

Roleplaying a Vampire

When creating a vampire adventurer, here are a few points to consider.

Undying. Vampires do not die of age and therefore will outlive many around them. As such, they may be reluctant to be friendly with anyone or even dismissive towards mortal problems they view as trivial.

Dance with death. Having endured the ages, vampires sometimes develop funny ideas about the ultimate end. Many seek answers about the afterlife and other things related to death, including means to truly evade it forever. Feel free to act like a philosophical vampire about the inevitable forces that claim life.

Blood drinker. Blood has a great effect on the reactions of vampires. They will often be sensitive to its scent and can become feral to obtain it if they are wounded.

Vampire Characteristics: Esoteric, lonely, yearning, depraved, disillusioned, reluctant

Vampire Male Names: Dracula, Alucard, Vladimir, Blasturo

Vampire Female Names: Carmilla, Madison, Arctera, Severie

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