AD&D - Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium, Vol 1 (2e)

! . L, ABLE @F CONTENTS Rising from Hibernation 70

~9Prologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . .5 Chapter Ten:

How to Use This Book. . . . . , , , , , . . . . 6 Relationships Between Vampires . . . . , 7 2

Section, The First: Vampires , , Combat Between Vampires . . . . . . . . 7 3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kin-nectar

Chapter One: Progenitor and Offs

The Background of Vampirism Vampire Brides and

The Question of Origins Chapter Eleven:

The "Necrology" of Vamp The Mind of the Vampire . . . . . . , , , , , 81

Vampires of Different Racial Stock . . . 15 The Psychology of Immortality 81

Chapter Two: Vampiric Powers A Question of Alignment . . . . . . . . , . 83

Age Categories . . . . . . . . . . . Psychological Progression . . . . . . . . . 84

Powers by Age . . . . . . . . . , ,

Speli- and Nonspell-like Powers . . . . 18

Shapechanging 22 Chapter Twelve:

Animal Controi . . . . . . . . . 26 The Facade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Undead Minion Control . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Roles of the Va

Salient Abilities . . . . . . . . . . , , , , , , 29 Disguise . . . . . . . . .

Chapter Three: The Extended Faga

Creating New Vamp Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Traditionai Methods . . . . . . Chapter Thirteen: Retained Skills . . . . . 9 7

Vampiric Saliva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Priests .97

Varnpiric Curses Wizards , , , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Chapter Four: Vampire Weaknesses . . . 38 Thieves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . , , . 98
Keeping a Vampire at B a y . . . . . . . . . 39

Sanctified Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2

Chapter Five: Destroying a Vampire . . . 47
Wooden Stakes . .
47 Psionicists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 102
Blessed Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8
Running Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , , . 4 8 Combat Abilities
Nonweapon Profi
............49 Appendix for the D

The Effects of Magic On Vampires . . . 52 Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Effects of Magical Items Used by

Vampires 54

Chapter Seven: Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Vampire, Nosferatu . . . . . . . .
Life-Blood: Vampire Feeding Habits , , , 58 104

Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Section, The Second Werebeasts. . . , 105
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Signs of Feeding . . , 59
A Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Sources of Blood . . . . . . . . 59

The Experience of the Victim . . . . . . 60

Philosophical Considerations- The House on the Hill . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Chapter One:
. . .An Overview of Lycanthropy
, , , , 111

Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 62 Heritable Lycanthropy . . . . . . . . . , , 112

Chapter Eight: ., , , . . . Pathologic Lycanthropy . . . . , , , . . 115
Maledictive Lycanthropy . , . . . . . . . 118
. . . ..... . . .
The Sleep of the Dead . . . , . , 65 Shapechangers and Lycanthropes . , 119
65
Depth of Sleep . . . . . Origins of Lycanthropy . . . . . . . . . . 120

Soil from the Homeland? . . . . . . . . . 66 Chapter Two:

Vampires Without Sanctuary A Biological Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Exceptions . . , . . . . . . . . . . Werebeast Phenotypes . . . . . . . . . , 123

When Traveling . , , . , . .. . . . . . . . .. Vulnerabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Chapter Nine: Hibernation .... ,. 69 Sc ummary of Vulnerabilities . . . . . . . 127

Entering Hibernation . 69 GWL eapon Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 127
. 70
Effects of Hibernation T1he Transfiguration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

i TABLEOF CONTENIS

Constriction Dama-qe . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Chapter Two: Animation . . . . . . . . . .207

.Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 The Source of Life . . . . . . . . 2-0-7-
Fusing Body and Sp
Life Soan and Lifecvcle . . . . . . . . . . 134 LIL
Procreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
The Man-Beast in Ravenloft . . . . . . . 138 The Spark of Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 2 1 4

Chapter Three: 71c

Constructions of Flesh . . .

A Psychological Survey . . . . . . . . . .145
Moral and Ethical Outlook . . . . . . . . 145

Goals and Desires . . . . . . . . 146 Strength and Damage

Bloodlust 150

Bloodlust Saving Throw Penalties . . 150

Relationships Between Lycanthropes 151

Relationships Between Lycanthropes and

Humanity

Werebeast-led Groups . . . Effect of Odd Body Parts . . . . . . . . 223
Zeitgebers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Infiltrating Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Resiliency of
Obtaining Skills and Abilities . . . . . . 158 Extraordinar

Allowable Character Classes 159 Chapter Four: Unusual Materials . . . . 238

Chapter Four: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Stone . . . . . . . . . . .
The Pathologic Scourge . . . . . . . . . .160
Chapter Five:
Susceptibility . . .
Golems E Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Susceptibility by Race
Mental Development
Vestiges of Race .
Conservation of Phenotype . . . . . . . 163 A Creature Built of Hate? . . . . . . . . 263

Conservation of Triggers . . . . . . . . . 163 Chapter Seven: Pursuit .

....... The Gibbering Golem . . . .

Detecting Infection

Chapter Five: . . . . . . . ,174

On the Hunt . . .
Identifying the Beast . . .

. . . . . . . . . 186

Appendix for the DM . . . . .

Gaming Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 investigation . . . . . . .

Special Abilities Preparing for the Hunt

Vulnerabilities . . . . . . . . The Attack . . . . . . . .
Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Destroying the Golem . . . . . . . . . . .276
Sample Triggers .
Appendix for the DM . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Werebadger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
Timetable for Personality Dissolution 284
Section, The Third The Created. . . . . 192
PC Golem Self-Control . . . . . . . . . . 286
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . .
Golem, Flesh, Ravenloft. . . . . . . . . . .288
A Doctor's Obsession . .

Chapter One: Assembly . . . . . . . . . .197

Procuring Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Assembly Time and Cost . . . . . . . . 198

Fleshly Concerns

, Body Parts and De
Climatic Effects on Decay . . . . . . . , 2 0 6





This book is a compilation of three volumes What i s fie
previously published as Van Richten's Guide RAVFWLOFsTetting?
to Vampires, Van Richten's Guide to
Werebeasts, and Van Richten's Guide to the The RAVENLOFTcampaign is the gothic horror
Created. three of the most popular RAVEN LO^ setting for the ADED game. The essence of
products of ail time. The problem with popu- the setting is the macabre fear of classic
lar products is that they tend to go out of print horror tales such as Dracula, Frankenstein,
over time. The product you hold is the solu- and DI Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It suggests,
tion to that particular problem. These docu- rather than blatantly dispiays, suspense and
ments have not been substantially altered; terror. When an ADGD player thinks of the
Ravenloft setting, a likely image is that of a
they have been re-edited and corrected, have lonely, mist-shrouded castle high atop a dark
all new art to go with them, and a gorgeous moor, lit only by a cloud-obscured full moon.
new graphic treatment. The game is the same, but the mood, the
atmosphere, is unique.
Those of you who are not familiar with the
Van Richten series of products may Still be Several key elements define a good
wondering just what it is you're holding. Very RAVENLOFT(horror) ADGD scenario. Perhaps
simply, each Van Richten's guide redefines the the most important is description. When the
meaning of a monster in the AD&D@game. player characters are exploring the ruined
castle, a talented RAVEN LO^ Dungeon Master
The first section of this compilation, for e x a n does not simply list the contents ofeach
ple, is on vampires. Everyone who's read the room, she describes them. Tell the players
MONSTROUSI%NUAL'" tome knows about how dark the room is, what the heroes hear,
ADGD vampires, right? Not any more. The smell, and see, but do not make their conclu-
Van Richten's Guide to Vampires examines sions for them. For example, never give the
and explores every aspect of a vampire's life, name of the creature they're encountering.
from how they're created, how they pass the "A huge dog that warps and shifts until it's a
centuries, and how they hunt and feed, to cre- bipedal beast so large that is towers over you
ating servitor vampires, vampire "spouses", all" is much more effective at creating thrills
and a great many suggestions on how to vary and suspense than simply saying, "The were-
the vampires that appear in your ADED cam^ wolf shapechanges into its wolf-man form".
paigns. Differentpowers, abilities. vulnerabili- By using the game terms "werewolf"and
ties, and fatal weaknesses can be found herein "shapechange", you've broken the suspense-
for the enterprising Dungeon Master who ful mood you were trying to create by re-
wants to shake up not only the heroes, but the minding the players that this is only a game
players themselves. Imagine the looks of after all: perhaps the worst crime any
horror and surprise on the faces of your play- RAVENLOFTDungeon Master can commit.
ers when, after tracking the blood-drinking
fiend to it lair, the heroes drive a wooden stake For those interested in learning more
through the heart of the vampire as it lies about the Ravenloft setting itself, pick up
Domains ofDread (TSR #02174), the rule
abed in its coffin-nly to have the vampire book for running full-fledged RAVENLOFT
erupt out of its casket, pull the stake out, toss campaigns.
it aside, and say, "Youshall count yourselves
lucky if only death finds you this night." FWP, Horror, m d Mdfless

These books (and hence, this compilation) Checks
allows you, the Dungeon Master, to create
unique beings, not just monsters, for your These are simple, optional mechanics unique
heroes to combat. By giving the vampire (for
example) in your scenario a background, a to the RAVENLOFTsetting. While Domains of
history, and a personality, he stops being a
mere monster and becomes more of a Dread gives full rules for these checks and
person with goals, desires, fears, and hatreds.
It's villains like these that inspire the richest, their effects,a simpler method follows. When
most exciting adventures, and they're the
foes the players will remember fighting, run- the text (or the Dungeon Master) decides the
ning from, and battling. until finally, they kill
the creature once and for ail. It's villains and time has come for a check, have the PC save
adventures like these that both Dungeon
Masters and players fondly recall months and vs. paralysis. Effects of failure are left for the

Dungeon Master to determine, but inlcude

fleeing, rage, obsession, and shock. These

checks are optional; use them only when the

players' roleplaying falters. G



aunt thy nuhw yluce,2 n d .suchh e blood o f all fh14 race.

-Lord Byron

lucTxoq The details of my journey are immate-
rial here. The trail was cold and difficult to
E y name is Dr. Rudolph van find. Suffice it to say that I finally tracked
the Vistani caravan to the domain of
:I Richten. By my background, Barovia. Erasmus was not with them, but I
I a m a scholar and a doctor. extracted his whereabouts from the gypsy
i, As I was growing up in the leader. They sold m y son, Ilearned, sold
him into servitude, to a local landowner
land of Darkon, I believed it who styled himself “Baron Metus.” I hur-
w z s ,I: :t stiny to heal people, to treat ried to the home of the Baron and de-
sicknesses of the body with the herbal manded that he return my son
cures I learned from my grandmother. immediately.

Yet Fate flaunted my beliefs. I suffered To this day, I still recall my first glimpse
a personal loss of such gravity, was forced of Metus. He was a tall man, slender and
into an act of such trauma, that my entire graceful in his movements. His pale face
direction in life was forever changed. Even was fine of feature, and his eyes were a s
though it still pains m e to recall, it is im- black as pools of ink. As he heard my
portant for the sake of what will follow to demand, his thin, expressive lips curled in a
recount those unhappy events here. smile that could only be described a s ex-

My life in Darkon was placid, enjoyable. ceedingly cruel. He laughed coldly and
I was married to my childhood sweetheart, turned his back on me. His minions escorted
a golden-tressed girl named Ingrid, and I
thought my joy was complete when I m e from his property.
learned that my young wife would soon I camped that night just outside the
bear a child. I still remember the birth of
my son, whom I named Erasmus, meaning walls surrounding Metus’ land, and dark-
“beloved” in a little-known tongue, a s one ness and despair enfolded me. But then,
of the happiest days of my life. He pos- around midnight, Erasmus came to me!
sessed the radiant fair looks of his mother, He had evaded the Baron’s soldiers and
and from m e he inherited a quickness of climbed the wall. He had something horri-
mind and a sense of honor that set him ble to tell me.
apart from other children.
I think that Iknew the truth even before
For fourteen summers Erasmus was he spoke the words, a s soon a s I saw the
my pride and joy. And then, tragically, h e ivory pallor of his face under the moonlight,
was taken from me-not by the arms of a s soon as I glimpsed the dark pits that were
death, but by purely unnatural agents. My his eyes. The words he uttered only con-
son was set upon by Vistani-the gypsies firmed what I already knew.
who wander the lands and travel the
strange Mists-and swept away. When I My son was dead.
returned home and found him gone, my Yet still he walked! Life in death, death
panic-stricken wife bewailed the circum- in life-such was his destiny. The Baron
stances of the dangerous people who had was a vampire, and he had passed on that
stolen our child. dark gift to my only son! I wept there in
the night, cried the inconsolable tears of a
I swore an oath to myself that I would terrified child.
never rest until Erasmus was freed from But the worst was yet to come. My son
whatever unholy fate possessed him. Leaving had something to ask of me. The dark gift
my affairs In the capable hands of my under- had only recently been given and his
standing Ingrid and committing my future to thoughts still ran in the patterns of a
the search, I set off in pursuit. mortal mind. He felt more kinship with



1 ~\ n almost every world, tales id .:-
of vamDirism exist to
I strike fear in both small eto rise after death to drink the blood of
children and grown adults.
the family unless the body is burned at
! ;Sensible people generally burial.

c,: ~5 I : lese tales folklore, and These three worlds, so far from the
Land of Mists, that I know them only
indeed it seems that the existence of by story and rumor, share many tales
the living dead is both implausible and of once-living men walking the land
impossible. Why then, do cultures so and slaying the living. Can this be
separated by distance and time that coincidence? Rather, it would indicate
they have not even the smallest that these tales can only be the truth,
speaking a s they do of undead lords
commonality, share nearly identical who tread upon the domain of the
tales of supernatural creatures that living.

drink the blood of the living? The Question of Origins
I have recorded tales of a place
How did vampirism begin? If new
called Krynn, and a race of sea elves vampires are spawned by other
who claim that if one of their race is vampires, as virtually all tales would
buried on land, it will rise from the have us believe, how then was the first
dead to seek vengeance on its brothers vampire created? These questions
by drinking their blood. A native of have plagued sages as long as the
another world, called Toril, tells a tale undead monsters themselves have
of a great undead beast that used to be plagued mankind. Perhaps the answer
a man. This beast roams the plains lies in Barovia.
and searches for lone people to attack;
The gift-or curse-of immortality
the tale relates that it eats the internal was not thrust upon Strahd von
organs of its prey. From still another Zarovich, Lord of Barovia, by another
place, called Oerth, a man has told me vampire; rather, he stole it from the
of a family curse that causes the first- lips of death. I quote the following text
born male in every twelfth generation from the diary of the bard Gregorri
Kolyan, who supposedly was captured
by Strahd only to be released
sometime later with the complete story
of the creature. I do not know why
Strahd allowed Gregorri to leave with
this vital information. Perhaps the
vampire felt a need to have his story
told after years of exile and secrecy.

September 8, 453: Barouia is a
stranger place now, although I cannot

exactly put my finger on any changes.

There is a physical nature to this
change: colors are not as vibrant,
sounds not as immediate; but the

major change is in the people, in the
life-blood of the land. As near as I can
tell, the change began about two years

ago. I can remember a day when I
used to play my songs in the local

Gfauerns a n d people would dance and

-(.' April 8, 454: Fear-old and
sing. Now they seem satisfied just to sit dripping, like blood from a hanging
corpse-has been m y constant
and drink and to taik in hushed companion for several weeks. The
whispers. There is a dampness over
their souls, like a dreary autumn day. closer /get to that accursed Castle
Rauenloft, the stronger I feel the grip of
Nouember 2, 453: I a m on to terror's icy hand. There can be no
something. It seems that my feelings doubt now as to the source of
about the people of Barouia haue not Barouia's plight.
simply been my imagination. There is
a source, a spiritual suppression if you April 10, 454: I need search no
will, behind the changes. I haue no longer. The object of my quest has not
means of uerifying this, no magical only appeared to me, but sequestered
me away within his foul domicile! Late
detection deuices that will lead me to last night, he appeared in my room
like some silent apparition from the
it; I haue only my heart and my ioue graue. Ordering me to take u p my
for the land and its people. quills, inks, and parchment, he seized
me and leaped out my window to his
March 29, 454: For nearly five waiting coach. This confirmed my
suspicions that Strahd uon Zarouich is
months I haue searched for the answer other than a natural man, you see, for
to the puzzle. Barouia is in danger and my tuindow is four stories from the
no one else seems aware of it; I would ground!
swear to it. But it is not a danger to
which people respond, not a physical April 15, 454: For five days and
enemy at the gates ofa city or the nights I haue literally been Strahd's
border of a land. The enemy is within, prisoner in Castle Rauenloft. Strange
within the hearts and minds of the how the castle seems so w a r m and
Barouian people. Just last week I cozy inside, not the lurking horror its
purchased some supplies from the external uisage portrays. I haue
market. The merchant packaged the discovered many things about Strahd
items, handed them to me, and then and may scribe them later in a tome
turned away before I could pay him. It dedicated to such an endeauor. I feel,
was as if he cared not about being however, that this task will neuer be
paid. Very odd, almost self-destructiue
accomplished, for how can this man
behavior pervades Barouia. allow me to live when I know such
I haue many suspicions. Many
dark secrets about him. He has
would call them paranoid, would say
that my mind has become unbalanced. shared himself, all his intimate
On certain days, when the sun warms
the land and the birds sing in the trees, secrets, w i t h me as i f / were his
I myself doubt my certitude. But then I
find my eyes drawn up, up to the dearest friend.
Not a man, Strahd walks the land
castle on the hill,
as a uarnpire-a once-liuing creature
Castle Rauenloft. What mysteries do that now feeds on the blood of the
its walls hold within them-walk that liuing! Although there are endless
are tall and unyielding like the secrets details about his actions, mannerisms,
of an old man's heart? Strahd uon and appearance that I wish to portray,
Zarouich has ruled Barouia for over a in thisjournal I will pen only one
century and has not been seen in half aspect of him: his transformation from
that amount of time. Each day, the liuing to undead. And I will do so
knowledge comes upon me with more immediately, lest I forget the smallest
certainty: I must learn more about this detail.
dark enigma of a man. And I fear I
must do the unthinkable: go to the It is a great testament to the sleepy,
castle itself and inuestigate its enigma lethargic nature of Barouia that no one

3 first-hand.

n

desire to harm Strahd, his master, the

officerwas now forced to defend

himself.

By Strahd’s account, the battle was

fierce and will make for a great song,

should I live to compose it. Both men

were excellent swordsmen-Strahd

from his years as a general and the

officer from his constant training. Yet

Strahd’s madness gave him the edge,

and he finally struck down the officer

, , . but not before he himselfhad taken

a wound that would have slain a

lesser man instantly.

Strahd uon Zarouich was as good

as dead. In his mind he knew that, but

his hatred and rage would not allow

his failing body peace. As the lifeblood

poured from his body, Strahd made a

pact with Death. He reached over,

grabbed the dead guardsman, and

drank the blood of the corpse.

Strahd would now live free from

Death forever;cheating that dark and

shadowy figure! But the pact required

another act to be complete. He would

haue to kill his brother Sergei on his

wedding day to finally seal the wicked

contract.

Strahd hid the guard’s body,

awaiting Sergei’s wedding day. As the

time passed, Strahd found his charade

more and more difficult to maintain.

The daylight hours were becoming

increasingly uncomfortable and the

naked rays of the sun physically

painful to his eyes and skin. He also

found it difficult to eat food, which

hardly satisfied his hunger. The

transformation to whatever creature

Death had in mind for him was

beginning.

On the day o f the wedding Strahd

sought out Sergei and instigated a

fight, intending in this way to give

himself somejustification for killing the

young man. Strahd expected his

young and fit brother to be a challenge

to defeat, but quickly found that his

physical strength had increased far

beyond its preulous limit. With but a

single, cruel blow Strahd felled his G

.

?

‘p

4

"3ground, there are some vampires that those of their living analogues. If they

can eat solid food, but must regurgitate did not already possess the power in
it within a period ranging from minutes
to hours. This issue may seem life, vampires gain the ability to see
incidental, but it obviously has
significant effects on a vampire's in total darkness (infravision),
behavior, should the creature try to
masquerade a s a living creature. typically with a range of some 90

The circulatory system of a vampire feet. Their hearing also becomes
is little changed. The heart still pumps
blood throughout the vessels of the much more acute, a s does their
monster's body. There are some
differences, however. Because sense of touch and smell: a vampire
vampires have no need to extract
oxygen from the air, their blood is exceedingly difficult, if not
absorbs nothing from the lungs. This
renders them completely immune to impossible, to surprise.
noxious gases that must be breathed
to be effective. A vampire might inhale Because a vampire does not
the gas-that is, draw it into its lungs-
but the toxic chemicals in the gas require oxygen and, a s is usually the
would not cross from the lungs to the
blood. case, must feed only once per day,

somewhat differentfrom the blood of a where does it draw the energy
mortal. When viewed normally, it has
the same rich, red color a s a mortal's required for the prodigious feats of
blood. When it is viewed by transmit-
ted light, such a s when a vial of vam- which the creature is capable? Many
pire blood is held up to a light source,
it has a distinctive golden color. Blood sages disagree, but my own belief is
drawn from an undestroyed vampire
can manifest a wide variety of powers. that the creature has an innate link
In some cases, the blood is highly
caustic, causing severe acid-like with what sages refer to a s the
damage to anyone who touches it. In
other cases, the blood bursts explo- Negative Material Plane.
sively into flame when exposed to sun-
light. In still other cases, anyone who Whatever the reason, vampires
touches so much as one drop of the
blood with bare skin instantly falls are much more resilient and robust
under the mental sway of the vampire.
It is impossible to predict beforehand than living creatures. They seem
what effects the blood of a particular
vampire might have, if any. There is generally immune to exhaustion and
one common factor: at the instant a
vampire is destroyed, any samples of to the debilitating effects of pain and
his blood immediately become com-
pletely inert, and frequently become exposure, and seem able to shrug
rancid within seconds.
off t h e negative consequences of
The sensory organs of vampires
become much more sensitive than many magical effects. They are

totally immune to the effects of

sleep, charm, and hold spells, and to

other magical or psionic effects

which mimic these spells. They are

also totally immune to any magical

effect that specifically causes

paralysis. It is important to stress

the word "specifically." While a

vampire would be immune to the

paralyzing touch of a ghoul or the

dweomer of a wand of paralyzation,

it could be affected by a potent

enchantment, such as alter reality or

wish that emulated the effect. (Any

mage capable of casting such

powerful magic would almost

certainly choose an effect more

significant than paralyzation, of

course.) Like many other types of

undead creatures, vampires sustain

little damage from any effect based

on cold or electricity, whether

caused by spell, item, breath

weapon, or even the elements. 6

Vampires are totally resistant to Vampire Blood
several beneficial spells as well. The
creatures are completely immune to Caustic vampire blood causes Id6
the effects of priestly curative or hit points of damage if it contacts
healing magic, such as cure light bare skin.
wounds, heal, etc. Because the failure
of such spells might well give away the E:xplosive vampire blood (in a
monster’s true nature, a vampire vial), when exposed to sunlight,
masquerading a s a mortal will often go infli’ctsI d 3 hit points of damage on
to great lengths to avoid exposure to anyone within 3 feet.
such magic.
Vampire blood possessing a
A vampire’s hair will never turn charm person effect has a saving
gray, nor will the creature show any throw penalty ranging from -1 to
other physical signs of aging unless it -5, depending on the age category
already had before death. In general, of tlie vampire, beginning with Old.
a s long as the creature is well fed and
functions according to whatever other Surprising ilYampire
restrictions are relevant to its
existence, it will never appear any In most situations, the chance of
different from the way it did on the day surprising a vampire is one-half the
of its mortal death. This does not chance for a normal creature of the
mean that vampires will flaunt their race and character class of the
unchanging appearance, because vampire while it was alive.
doing so will certainly attract too much
unwanted attention. A vampire that observe that a certain symbolism plays
chooses to live within or on the an integral role with most of these
outskirts of the society of men will, in vampires. Their weaknesses and
most cases, go to great lengths to strengths are generally highly symbolic
masquerade a s a normal human or of the creatures’ natures while alive.
demihuman, pretending to age and For example, some dwarven vampires
even to “die” to remove suspicion. This may be highly reactive to weapons
deception is discussed at length in made of mithral, especially if they
Chapter Twelve, “The Facade.” coveted the metal in life. This kind of
symbolic significance is a common
Y m p i v of Piffwmt feature with vampires of all races and
natures.
RBcial Stock
Compilers’ Note: We haue
Most of this guide’s discussions about determined that, since Dr. van Richten
“typical”vampires generally refer to penned the passage abooe, that each
vampires that were (demi)humans demihuman race does indeed exhibit
when alive. There are some differences “uncommon”abilities for uampires.
between these once-human vampires Further, many of these abilities seem
and those that arise from different consistent within a racial stock; in
racial stock. other words, many dwaruen oampires,
for example, possess similar powers.
Again, a s with discussions of human
vampires, these paragraphs refer to LWF
“typical”cases. A dwarven vampire
(for instance) may exhibit specifically
dwarven characteristics, may more
closely resemble the human vampires,
or may show attributes totally different
from both. Perceptive readers will

w

2f fiend we hncw him to be, but we beiieved him io be a fiend of mortd acpeci.

Jmaqinr our horror when the first &/ow.wieided b y our etout dwarven companion wdh
c

hit r-r-sharp mf m d q qhnced off our f o i c ecdp with /itk/e effeci. a,$/ho3h the

c

w e a p n had rtruch a mountain bo& . . . .

-From the journal of Aldyn Silvershield

aueat: It is important to beyond human norms. In fact, if not for c
recall that the following their special vulnerabilities (which I will
discuss later), vampires would be
1 discussions refer to what
nearly unstoppable.
~ Although all vampires are extremely

might be called the powerful, there is a moderating effect
o n the abilities of vampires, and this is
.: “typical” vampire. time. A newly created vampire (in the
vast majority of cases) is relatively
tely, there is no such thing a s weak when compared to those that
have been in existence for decades or
Vampires are perhaps the most centuries. On the other end of the
individualistic of undead. What is true scale, a vampire who has existed for a
for one is an outright-and millennium or more is unimaginably
dangerously misleading-falsehood for more powerful than a newly created
another. The differences between
individual vampires typically become Fledgling.
more pronounced as the creatures No one knows exactly why this is
advance in age and power: while most
fledgling vampires typically show at so. Some scholars believe this
least some similarities with each other, progression to be “an innate
the differences between the aged
Patriarchs are often so great as to characteristic of vampiric nature,”
make one suspect that they are which of course is no answer at all. My
completely different types of creatures. personal belief is that all vampires are
The following discussions deal with the created with the potential to use all the
most common powers and weaknesses powers available to a 1,000-year-old
of vampires. Many vampire hunters individual, but that actually using those
have died-r worse-through over- powers is something that must be
generalizing such discussions, learned. Presumably, the more
however. An assumption that any “advanced powers require more
individual vampire has any particular subtlety to control, or are more taxing
power or weakness is a dangerous on the vampire, or perhaps both. TO
assumption, indeed!
use these greater powers the vampire
Great is the power of the vampire. must practice the precision required
These undisputed masters of the and must build the willpower and
undead have an abundance of powers
from which to choose, giving them an mental fortitude needed to wield them.
advantage in nearly every situation. Personally, I hope that my belief is
These monsters enjoy significant
benefits in nearly every aspect of their wrong because of the following logical
being. Their senses, strength, consequence: If all vampires, no
reasoning, and intelligence are all far matter how “young,” have the
potential to use the greater powers,
might it not be possible for an
exceptional individual to come into
being with a natural aptitude for some

of the greater powers? The image of a

3..

9 VAMPRE6 d

Happily, 1 know of only two Patriarch

‘‘d’much more concerned about relative of the apse. Jarmin was not so
lucky. The first boulder struck him
age, and their uses of titles are almost solidly on the back and smashed
exclusively symbolic and valued only him to the ground.
for their psychological effect. For
instance, a vampire addressing another I buried my face in m y hands,
that is its senior in age might address it
a s “Old One,’’ “Ancient One,” or even weeping inconsolably over the loss
“Eminence,” regardless of the senior of m y one and only love. And then I
vampire’s actual age category. In this
case, the form of address would reflect screamed in shock as a familiar
respect (or, more accurately, fear) for hand rested on m y shoulder, and a
the senior vampire. In the converse familiar voice whispered in m y ear!
situation, an older vampire might “Therewill never again be need for
address a younger creature as tears,’’Jarmin told me as his lips
“Fledgling” regardless of the younger
creature’s actual age, to signify brushed m y neck. “Nothing,not
contempt for the junior vampire’s even time, will keep us apart.”
weakness.
_ _ ---From the journal of Maria Castries
In most cases, of course, vampires
meeting for the first time will not know *-.--?-.7-*
each other’s age. The use of titles in ”v-
such a situation would depend on the
intentions of the creatures involved. All vampires enjoy certain abilities
They might refrain from using titles to
avoid giving offense, or might use which, were they possessed by a
them extensively in a game of “one- mortal, would certainly be ascribed to
upmanship.” the realm of magic. To a vampire,
however, such faculties are quite
Jarmin had asked me innate. Some of the powers, indeed,
walk with him, for he said he had appear to be the result of casting
something uery important he spells, yet others render the creature
wished to discuss with me. I have to “superhuman,” so to speak. At this
admit I suspected what his topic point l shall divide these capacities into
would be. After all, we had been “nonspell-like” and “spell-like”powers
spending considerable amounts of and expound upon each, but I hasten
to add that, to the vampire, they are
time together, and it was only one and the same, and altogether
logical that marriage would be on inherent.

his mind. P?ovpell-like Powers
We were within the cathedral
All vampires are extremely powerful in
when the earthquake struck. The the physical sense. The reasons for
ancient stone structure shuddered, this are unclear. Perhaps the
transformation from life to undeath
and there was a terrible crashing somehow tempers the body physically,
making muscles stronger and flesh,
noise from above. With hideous bones, and sinew more resistant to
damage.
strength, Jarmin flung me aside,
just in time to prevent me from From the moment of their creation,
vampires are hideously strong. Unlike
being struck by the massive stone mortals, who weaken a s they grow
older and their muscles atrophy,
blocks that had fallen from the roof vampires actually gain strength as the
years pass. Patriarch vampires, for
example, develop a strength rivaling
that of some lesser gods. Vampires
gain great benefits from their



Spell-like Powers unarme,d. If the vampire uses a
weapon , it is incapable of draining
If one were to consider only the innate energy. For this discussion, metal
abilities discussed above, vampires gauntletIS, and “brass knuckles” are
would appear to be lethal enough foes. considered weapons. Perhaps the
Unfortunately for those of us who hunt open-heinded attack symbolizes an
the creatures, they have at their action cIf seizing a s much a s one of
command a formidable array of spell-
like abilities a s well. These powers inflicting3 .
seem to be common to most, if not all All virnpires have the power to
vampires, and are independent of the
spellcasting tradition that a vampire charm i3 mortal at will. This is equal in
may have followed in life. effect tc) t h e wizard spell, charm
person, except that there is no casting
Some vampires that were time in\colved and the victim must be
spellcasters while alive do indeed
retain their arcane abilities. This looking directly into the vampire’s
occurrence is generally limited to those eyes. TIl e range of this power,
who were wizards in life. Only very technic?dly, is sight. For all practical
rarely do priests retain their powers, purpose:s, however, a vampire would
and then only if they served the most not be eable to affect a victim at any
vile and evil gods during their lives. range greater than ten feet. This power,
This particular section, however, deals as well a s having practical combat
exclusively with the innate spell-like applicaitions, is highly useful for
powers of vampires. Spellcasting overcorning a number of vampiric
vampires will be dealt with later. weaknesses. If, for example, a vampire

Perhaps the most fearsome and could not enter a prospective victim’s
wholly destructive power of the home, it could attempt to charm the
vampire is its ability to drain life person into leaving the safe haven of
energy by touch. These monsters can, the building. As with a charm person
by making physical contact with their spell, ttle vampire is unable to order its
opponents, drain away the very living charme,d victim to do anything
essence of those opponents. Contrary obviou: ;ly self-destructive, such as
to several tales, a vampire need not jumpingJ off a cliff. The creature could
make actual flesh-to-flesh contact with convinc:e the victim that the vampire is
its opponent to drain life energy. Even his or her friend, however, and that the
if the creature lands a solid blow on victim 5;hould leave a place of safety to
clothing or armor, it is capable of
draining life force through such greet hiIS or her “friend.”
obstacles. Some theorists explain this As ttlese dark creatures get older,
fact through concepts of symbolism
and symmetry: if a vampire strikes a their charm-gaze gets stronger. An
blow hard enough to inflict physical Ancien1: vampire can charm simply by
damage, then it is also sufficient to the sound of its voice. By uttering
drain away the life of its victim. As soothing words, the creature enraptures
with many facets of magic, this theory its victiim. Under optimum conditions,
holds that the symbolic force of the
attack is more important than the the ma:rimum range of this vocal
superficial boundaries of armor or charm is 40 feet. This range is greatly
clothing. These same theorists are
silent when it comes to explaining an curtaile,d under certain conditions such
additional fact, however: a vampire
can drain life force only when it strikes a s in a strong wind or loud battle. Most

fearsoni e of all, perhaps, is the charm-
gaze of Patriarchs. These great

vampir,es are capable of charming with
their pc,werful will alone. N o barrier is
capable3 of blocking this ability. In fact

Gtheir thoughts are so strong, they can

affect aI victim even on the other side of



,. ..

In fact, our troubles were only e&
beginning.

The thick mist appeared without
warning, seeming to rise from the
ground like a foul exhalation. At
first we paid it little mind; at night,
ground fogs are fairly common. But
then we noticed how the fog was
mouing, swirling toward us euen

though there was no wind to driue
it. What could we do? How can you
fight a fog?

It was then that the leading
tendril wrapped itself around Batlas,
our scout. Poor Batlas screamed,
screamed as though his soul was
being torn from his mortal body.
And then he collapsed lifeless into
the mire.

Little did we think we would
euer see Batlas again. . . .

-From the journal of
Morgren Dunderlorn

7+-

Probably the most visually obvious
testament to a vampire’s supernatural
nature is its power of shapechanging.
In order to better protect themselves or
combat others, all vampires share a
common ability to spontaneously alter
their physical forms. The forms
presented here are those available to
the “typical” vampire. There are many
vampires, however, who possess
unique powers and can assume an
even wider variety of shapes.

Gaseoqs Fonn

Vampires are capable of intentionally
disassociating the physical compo-
nents of their bodies, turning into a
cloud of mist. The transition from
physical to gaseous form takes one
minute, during which period the crea-
ture is unable to take any other action,
either physical or magical-including,
of course, parrying attacks. While the
creature is in the process of changing
to gaseous form, it is also fully suscep-
tible to physical and magical attacks.



i FXST: ej ~

mE ethe first strike from my compatriot's
. SLCPION,
enchanted sword, however, the
'3A vampire in qaseous form is totally creature crumbled to ash. This

immune to any physical attack. Even- particular vampire could rouse itself
from its comatose state and fight, if
the most highly enchanted weapon only until a blow is successfully struck
against it.
passes right through the vaporous
Returning to the subject at hand, a
cloud with no effect. Magical attacks vampire in gaseous form has
considerable control over its
are still effective against some characteristics. It can modify its
density to range from that of a thick
vampires in gaseous form: this varies fog to that of a thin, virtually invisible
mist. As its density changes, a s a
from individual to individual. Some
matter of course, so does the volume
vampires are totally immune to all
the gaseous cloud takes up. In its most
magical attacks while in gaseous form. dense form, which is thick, white and

There seems to be no way to predict opaque, the creature takes up a total
volume of six cubic feet. In its thinnest
beforehand whether an individual form, it takes up a volume of 36 cubic
feet. It can change the actual
vampire will show this immunity or dimensions of the cloud almost without
restriction, so long as the shortest
not. I surmise that the older a vampire dimension is no less than one tenth of
an inch. Thus, in its densest form, a
is, the more likely the creature is to be vampire could range from a sphere a
little over two feet in diameter to a
totally immune to all attacks when in tendril of fog one-tenth inch in
diameter and over fourteen miles long!
gaseous form. Some sages see this as A vaporous vampire can change the
density and shape of its gas cloud at
evidence that such immunity is an will, and such changes take no more
than a few seconds.
acquired or learned trait; I, however,
A vampire in gaseous form
think it more likely that creatures demonstrates an amazing cohesion
that even the strongest wind cannot
possessing this immunity are more dissipate. The vaporous vampire can
totally control its motion, and its
likely to survive over the long term. movement is unaffected by winds up
to hurricane force! If a vampire in
Vampires regenerate their damaged gaseous form is caught in winds of
hurricane strength, that is, speeds of
parts normally while in gaseous form. about 75 miles per hour or more, it is
swept along with the wind. Although it
The only exception is if the creature is not dissipated, it is totally incapable
of controlling its own motion. This
has been physically defeated in battle, failing is of little help to most mortals, I
suspect.
in which case it must rest in its coffin
Vampires in gaseous form move
or sanctuary for eight full hours to slower than do creatures in corporeal
form, but not much slower, and their
regenerate fully. If a vampire is forced speed increases with age. Vampire

into gaseous form by physical damage

and then the creature is pursued to its

coffin or sanctuary, it will be found to

have reverted to corporeal form within

this sanctuary. In the majority of cases,

the creature will be totally comatose,

unaware of its surroundings and

incapable of responding to stimuli,

until eight hours have passed. In this

condition, it is unable to revert to

gaseous form again and is thus highly

vulnerable to destruction.

This is not always the case,

however. I, myself, have faced a

vampire whose behavior was horribly

different. I followed the vaporous cloud

to the creature's sanctuary and gained

entrance. Within I found the fiend, lying

there still a s death. I prepared my

stake and mallet . . . and with a terrible

roar the monster sprung up from its

bier and attacked me and my

@ colleagues with immense ferocity. At



the natural animal. Thus, if it suits the “perfect;” in this case, free of woundIs

monster’s purposes, it can blend or other damage. Luckily for all
undetectably with the normal members mortals, I have noted that the
of a pack of wolves or bevy of bats. monsters seem to be able to use thir
Unless the monster commands ability only once per day, no matter

otherwise, however, the natural how many times they change form.

members of such a group will consider It is important to recall one thing.
the animal-form vampire to be the As I stated at the outset, these
dominant leader of the group, and will observations refer to the “typical”
vampire, and there is no such thing iI S
treat it a s such unless the vampire a typical vampire! There are tales of
vampires capable of taking the form of
commands otherwise. dogs, cats, birds (particularly owls 01 r
crows), and even in one case, an evi1
The transition from human to black steed. I have come to suspect
animal form takes one minute, and that Patriarchs have the ability to
assume at least one form in addition to
during the change, the monster is the “standard wolf and bat, and that
unable to do anything else. Vampires this additional form is specific to the
individual vampire.
are generally unable to transform

directly from animal to gaseous form,

or vice versa, but must change to
human form a s a transitional step.

Thus, changing from animal to

gaseous form would take the creature

two minutes. The only exception Animal Conh-01

seems to be when the vampire in Combating and destroying a solitary

animal form suffersmassive physical vampire is difficult enough. The
damage. Then and only then, the
creature’s powers and ab
creature seems able, indeed forced, to enough to strike Fear into the heart of
transform directly from animal to even the doughtiest vampire hunter.
However, the hunter is almost never
gaseous form. lucky enough to face an unallied
Considering that the transition from

human to animal form takes one vampire. The monsters are very
minute, and that the monster is

unusually vulnerable during the protective of their unlife, and will

transition, why would the fiend choose surround with
to change forms at all? The most
servitors or minions of one variety or

obvious use for this ability is another. Vampires have the innate
camouflage, allowing the creature to ability to summon and control certaiin

stalk victims unseen, or to escape species of lesser creatures.

detection by those with the temerity to By nature, a vampire is able to
completely control all animals whose
hunt it.
There is another major benefit, too. form the can assume. Thus,

When a wounded vampire changes because a “typical”vampire can
assume the form of a wolf or a bat, the
form, it often seems to totally shake
off all damage it has suffered up to monster is the natural master of all

that point. Speaking from experience, wolves and bats. As with the
shapechanging capability, there are
there are few things quite so terrifying
a s to have grievously wounded a probably vampires capable of

vampire in animal form, and then summoning and controlling many
differenttypes of creatures. This couId
have the monster transform into
human shape and show no signs explain recurring, albeit unsubstan-
tiated, rumors of attacks on mortals by
whatsoever of even wounded! It huge flocks of Crows and other birds,

seems that when the vampire changes Theoretically, the creatures that can

form, the new form it assumes is

,

.

. ~ L C I ~ T C l N~, ~ ~ F1 I1IGE T: '<

way the vampire can receive to remove the bar from a door, and
information from these animals. Thus, so on.
a vampire typically could not use a
summoned bat as a spy to gather These limitations of communication
information. Of course, this is only true and control are not sufficient to stop a
of the "typical" vampire. There are vampire who can speak with animals
some unique individuals that can from forming close bonds, friendships,
communicate bi-directionally with a s it were, with certain creatures.
certain animals, or even "speak" their These animals would consider the
language. I must admit I find this a vampire a compatriot or a leader, and
terrifying concept, because virtually would obey the monster's commands
any creature of the forest or hedgerow willingly even after the period of
thus becomes a potential spy or scout complete mental control ends. Such
for a vampire. Nevertheless, a s with willing "animal friends" would probably
the spell speak with animals, there not sacrifice their lives for the vampire,
remain severe limitations on what the but otherwise would be loyal minions.
vampire can communicate and learn
by this means. The minds of lesser Some examples of vampire-
animals are very limited, and are controllable animals are rats, bats,
focused almost exclusively on the wolves, cats, snakes, ravens, vultures,
moment-to-moment requirements of and wasps.
survival. Animal communications
reflect these limitations. Thus, it would other Minions
be impossible to conduct a
philosophical discussion with a rabbit, It is an unpleasant point to add that
for example, or to instruct that vampires also exercise power over
creature to perform complex tasks, their fellow undead, particularly
those involving judgment and zombies, ghasts, and the like.
contingencies. Nor would a controlled Fortunately, they are not omnipotent in
rat be able to turn a key, and a these matters, even though they are
controlled wolf would likely be unable technically the "kings" of the undead,
and many of the more powerful
creatures may resist being controlled,
particularly other vampires. Because of

Undeacl Minion Control

of undead Fledgling Mature Old Very Old Ancient Eminent Patr*iarch
1 HD 10 7 41
13 13 10 *
Zombie 74 1*
16
22 HD
31--44HD 19 16 1I 33 IO 7 4 1
5 HD
2700 19 16 13 10 7 4
Ghast
- 20 19 16 13 10 7
6 HD
20 19 16 13 10

20 19 16 13

Undead of higher HD (including special) are immune to control by vampires of any age

category.
+ Automatically controlled (no chance of failure)

* Vampires of a n y age category are automatically entitled to a saving throw, to resist being

controlled



L

indiscernible from the ornate architec-
ture which graces many castles, so
they may become a sudden and terri-
ble hindrance to vampire hunters who
thought they had caught their quarry
alone. Gargoyles are so malicious that
a vampire need only summon them
and they will do the rest, without need
of instruction. They seem to sense
goodness and delight in torturing it.

I have also mentioned previously the
ability of the vampire to charm the
unsuspecting. A simple look into the
eyes of the creature and an
unfortunate hunter becomes the
vampire’s ally or willing victim. Yet an
even more frightening prospect is that
of a vampire who can charm you even
while it is in gaseous form! There are a
few of those, by report, who have
charmed their pursuers when they
believed it to be helpless and on the
run. A s the vampire swirled into airy
mist, it twirled in hypnotic patterns and
left the hunting party dumbfounded,
glassy-eyed, and altogether helpless.
No matter that it was near death; it
convinced its new devotees to follow it
off a cliffand was rid of the danger.

Another specific vampire who is
particularly dangerous while in
gaseous form is the one whose life-
draining ability remains intact in that
form. I have seen a young warrior cry
in triumph upon dealing the blow to
the vampire that dissolved it into mist,
only to find himself immersed in that
mist, swooning and dying before my
eyes. H e suffered no pain, no injury-
only a look of dizziness and then
death.

Experienced vampire hunters have
witnessed their prey taking gaseous
form while attempting to escape or
when severely injured, but few have
seen the creature simply step through
a nearby wall while in solid form. Yet,
a s I have once seen, there is a unique
vampire or two who can d o just that.

Unlike the wizard spell passwall,
which, a s I understand it, requires the

(3presence of even the tiniest fissure in

P

4ge Categories The statistics for a vampire's two

Uthough age categories apply to all animal forms are a s follows:
iampires in or out of Ravenloft Wolf form: Int per vampire; AL CE;
'keeping in mind the exceptions AC 2; MV 18; HD per vampire; hp per
liscussed above), it is unlikely but
lot impossible that the most powerful vampire; THACO per vampire; #AT 1:
,f the vampires will be seen outside Dmg 3-36; SZ L;ML 16.
.he Demiplane of Dread. Quite Bat form: Int per vampire; AL C E
simply. a s a vampire grows older and AC 2; MV 3, FI 18 (C); HD per
nore evil, the chances of being
jrawn into Ravenloft increase. vampire: hp per vampire; THACO per
vampire: #AT 1; Dmg 2-12; S D
The Use of Weapons Againsf Special: -3 penalty to opponents'
attack rolls (see the MONSTROUMS ANUAL
Tampires tome: Bat, Giant); S Z M ML 16.

$/hen weapons of insufficient en- As with the transition to gaseous
zhantment are used against a vam-
>ire, it is up to the DM to choose form, the vampire suffers a +4
Zxactly how such an attack will fail. penalty to Armor Class, and a -1
nventive DMs can embellish upon penalty to all saving throws during
uan Richten's description of the possi-
3ilities. The best choice is the one that the change into and out of animal
will be most dramatic at the moment. form.

5hapecha.nging Animal Control

The movement rate for a vampire in Results of Summoning
gaseous form is three less than the
vampire's normal movement rate. For Type Number Duration
example, an Old vampire would
travel at a rate of 13. Bats 10-100 2-12 rounds

While changing form, a vampire Rats 10-100 1-10 rounds
suffers a +4 penalty to Armor Class
and a -1 penalty to all saving throws. Worg wolves** 3-18 2-8 rounds*

Once-and only once-in any 24- Wolves 3-18 2-8 rounds*
hour period, a vampire can * will remain in area, free-wilied, when this
automatically heal all damage it has
suffered to that point simply by period expires
changing form from human to
animal, or vice versa. (It cannot heal **can be summoned only in Ravenloft,
itself by assuming gaseous form,
however.) In other words, when the and only by the lord of the land
transition is complete. the vampire is
restored to its full hit-point total. If a A summoned swarm of bats will
vampire in animal form has even a
single hit Point and reverts back into cover a roughly circular area
human form, it regains full points
from the change. If the vampire in measuring 20' in radius. Anyone
animal form is reduced to zero or less
hit noints. however. it is forced to caught in this swarm will be blinded,

make all attack rolls at -4, have their

armor class reduced by 4, and have

their movement rate cut in half. The

swarm will move at a movement rate

of 18, attempting to envelop the

greatest number of people. After

2-12 melee rounds, the bats will

disperse. Under most circumstances,

the bats summoned will be the tiny

"flying mouse" variety. In special

environments, larger bats such a s

flying foxes or fruit bats may respond.

From 4-24 of these larger creatures

will answer the call.

In tropical climates, vampire bats

may answer the summons. If the

vampire summons the bats to bedevil (Roll 3d6:) 3. Innate Magic: The
foes who are awake, 1 0 6 0 of the tiny vampire can cast any selected 1st-
creatures will arrive, having the same level spell at will. There is no limit to
effect a s the "standard" swarm of small the number of times per day the
bats. Vampire bats frequently carry vampire can use the power, and it
diseases. and anyone bitten by one of never requires material components.
the nasty creatures has a 5%chance of The spell must be selected when the
contracting a serious disease. vampire first gains this ability, and it
may never change.
Con+rollingUndead
Reroll: The vampire may select an
Once undead are controlled, the additional 2nd-level spell that it may
vampire can maintain its dominance
indefinitely. A vampire can cast at will. As with the 1st-level
simultaneously maintain control over spell, there is no limit to the number
a number of undead whose HD are of times per day the vampire can cast
equal to half the vampire's age. For the spell. and it need not use material
example, a 137-year-old (Mature) components.
vampire can control up to 6 8 HD of
undead. 4. Passwall: The vampire can
pass through walls a t will a s if they
Went Abilifies were simply not there, traveling at the
movement rate appropriate for
The use of salient abilities is optional, gaseous form (although the vampire
and DMs should use them sparingly. is not gaseous while using this
Their purpose is to create unique and ability). Note that unlike the passwall
powerful creatures that will keep spell, the vampire does not actually
player characters wary of creatures create a physical hole in the wall.
whose statistics the PCs think they
It merely passes through the wall.
know. Of course, the DM is free to The duration of the power is 2d4
melee rounds, and it can be used
create other salient abilities to suit his once per day.
or her needs. The following list of
abilities can be used for random Reroll: The power is the same a s
determination, but powerful NPCs are above except that it can be used two
best shaped by the DM's designs and times per day.
campaigns, enhancing the story as
much a s the ,vampire. 5. Transport: Once per day, the
vampire can transport itself as by the
If random determination is wizard spell dimension door.
required, t h e procedure is a s follows:
for every full century the vampire has Reroll: Once per day, the vampire
existed beyond the age of 500, roll can teleport itself, a s per the wizard
ld10. (Thus, for a vampire that has
spell of the same name.
existed 975 years, the DM would roll 6.Charm While Gaseous: When

l d l O four times.) For each roll that the vampire is in gaseous form, it can
yields a result of 1-4, the vampire attempt to "charm-gaze'' with the
receives one saiient ability; roll 3d6 same restrictions that apply to its
and consult the following list. If the normal charm attack. The mist will
vampire already possesses the ability, begin to swirl in hypnotic patterns,
follow t h e instructions given under attracting the attention of the victim.
"Reroll." Should a previously gained This is considered a gaze-type attack.
power be rolled a third time, The vampire can use this ability once
disregard the result and roll again.
per day.
Reroll: The victim of the gaseous

vampire need not be looking at the
creature for the charm to be



\> VAMPIRES

nproved Saves: The vampire Reroll: The vampire's flesh is
a bonus of + I to all its translucent. Any light source of eql
irows (in addition to any or greater intensity than a torch wil
nuses it might receive). shine through the creature's skin ai
:The vampire receives a flesh, silhouetting its skeleton. As
t 2 to all its saving throws. above, the creature can attempt to
uperior Regeneration: The disguise this with makeup. Masks e
regenerates two more hit clothing remain normal.
:r melee round than it would
16. Gargoyle Control: The vamF
: The vampire regenerates can summon and control l d 4
e hit points per melee round gargoyles. The monsters will arrive
ould normally. 2d4 melee rounds and will remain i
nimal Frenzy: Natural (non- the vampire's control for 2d4 melee
IS, nonmagical) animals rounds. When the period of control
1 feet of the vampire sense expires, the gargoyles will remain ii
:ure's evil nature, which the area as free-willed monsters.
em into a panic. This makes There must be gargoyles available
nimals skittish, nervous, and be summoned (within one mile) for
?possible to control, and this power to be successful.
iild or untrained animals to
Reroll: Gargoyles need not be in
: S o great is the evil nature the area for the summons to be
i r e exudes that animals are successful. The vampire has the
-ack a vampire. Only power to transform any native rock
y or hunting animals (such the immediate area (maximum of c
s or dogs) will willingly track mile) into an appropriate number o
'e. The base chance for gargoyles. The transformation take
in tracking the vampire is 2d4 rounds to occur.
3 following cumulative
i apply: 17. Energy Drain While Gaseou:
The vampire can drain life energy
i r since from a victim even when in gaseou
form. The monster can affect only
mpire's passing: -10% one victim per round with this attac
By surrounding the victim, it drains
over muddy or slushy one life level but does no physical
damage.
3: -5%
Reroll: The power is the same as
d i n g rain: -5% above except the vampire drains tv,
life levels from the victim,
ir: -10%
18. Extra Feeding: The vampire
j a trained must feed twice a s frequently a s
normal (see the section on feeding)
g animal: +lo%
Reroll: The vampire must feed
hat the vampire can assume three times a s frequentiy as normal
form or fly away a s a bat in
avoid being tracked. All vampires with salient abilities
.tin Tone: Years of undeath are subject to the rules governing
Icted the vampire physically. mundane vampires unless their spec
ster's skin has turned stark power specifically counters it. For
rntifying its nature to anyone example, a vampire that has gained
h e creature. (The creature the transport power cannot dimensic
I disguise its nature using door into a sanctified place that it he
of course.) not received permission to enter.



Sdiva Poisoning vampires able to use this curse
should be few and far between.
A character bitten by this type of
vampire is entitled to a saving throw Vampires wfi Surviving
vs. poison. It is best if the DM makes
this roll secretly, If the save is "C;oodness"
successful, the victim suffers only
2d4 points of damage; should this be It's entirely up to the DM if a particu-
enough to kill the victim on the spot, lar newly formed vampire retains
he or she won't rise a s a vampire. If some part of his or her mortal atti-
the character fails the save, 2d4 days tudes, emotions, and beliefs upon the
later he or she will suffer sudden transition to undeath. For DMs who
heart failure and drop instantly and like concrete rules, try the following:
painlessly dead. Within I d 4 days of
burial the character will rise a s a If a character is killed by a
Fledgling vampire. under the control vampire, and the creating vampire is
of its killer. destroyed or leaves the area before
the victim rises as a vampire, roll 8d6
Vtnnpiric Cyrses and compare the result to the victim's
Wis. If the result is equal to or greater
Some vampires have the ability to than the victim's Wisdom, the newly
cast a special version of the unique formed vampire is completely and
priest spell, diuirie curse, once per utterly Chaotic Evil. If the dice roll is
day at most (DM's choice). The less than the victim's Wisdom,
effects of this curse are always the however, there's a possibility that the
same. Should the victim fail a saving new Fledgling vampire might retain
throw vs. spell, every time the sun some portion of its previous
rises thereafter he or she loses 1 worldview, possibly including
point of Strength. When the victim alignment. (See Chapter Eleven, "The
reaches 0 Strength, he or she dies Mind of the Vampire.")
and will rise a s a vampire under the
control of the monster who cast the Note: This does not mean that a
curse. If the vampire that inflicted the PC who becomes a vampire can
curse is destroyed, the curse comes remain a PC! The only purpose of this
to an end and the character regains 1 "rule" is to give DMs the opportunity
point of Strength per day. This is a to add some roleplaying spice to
particularly unpleasant effect, and vampires. To repeat, a PC who
becomes a vampire immediately
becomes an NPC, under the complete
control of t h e DM.

Ympiric CLlrses succumbs. Of course, the body can be
destroyed to prevent it from rising, but
Some of the monsters also have the this is obviously too late to help the
dread ability to impart vampirism via a victim. In general, any victim brought
curse. With their voice and their gaze to death by any draining effects of a
they are able to afflict a victim with a vampire, but not by normal combat or
terrible wasting disease that drains the spell damage, is a candidate to
body's strength. ARer a number of become undead.
days, the victim dies and then rises as
a vampire the second night after burial.
The only means of saving the victim

/3 known to me is to destroy the cursing
vampire before the victim Finally

’ Jwa5 b h l y impread by our n3hbor when he stopped by for his first vicit. &e wa5
a very well-spohen chap. edeedizly polite,and almost over-formal for 5imple folh

5uch as we. &or edmple, when J reyonded to hi5 hnoch on our front door, the
boshgentleman simply stood on the doontep and conver5ed.wen
J stood bach and

opened the door to allow him to enter. o h e n J a5hed why he preferred to talh

outside, he re3ponded that hi5 u p b r i 3 i s had indoctrinated him wifh the belief that one

should nwer enter anofher‘s home unless one is syecifically and formally invited. 80
charmed was J by this olden-dyle formality that J immediately bade him enter. . . .

-From the journal of Vidimus Tansim

y discussion of those few blessed accoutrements, sanctified
salient abilities that are a places, mirrors, garlic, and running
hindrance to the vampire
seems a natural bridge to water.
the subject at hand: that of One thing that the potential vampire

their general weaknesses. Do not take hunter should remember is that not all
too much heart from this chapter! vampires are affected by the same
Vampires are among the most powerful
of the undead, possessing great things. The discussions below relat
strength and numerous magical “typical” vampires-which, of cour
abilities. Coupled with this is their is a n oxymoron: no vampire is
inhuman tenacity and their undying
hunger. Taking all into account, “typical.” In practice, there is no
vampires should surely be masters of
all they survey, destroying civilization guarantee that any individual vampire
and life a s they see fit. will suffer from any of the above
“standard weaknesses.
It is very fortunate for
This holds particularly true with
(demi)humanity that vampires have a
number of weaknesses that can be respect to uniquely powerful vampires,
exploited. Again, those who would or the heads or progenitors of vampire
hunt vampires should be cautioned. lines. (A “vampire line” is defined a s
These creatures are of great might and “all those ‘subsidiary’ vampires created
terrible cunning. To confront one is
bv the same D. roq-enitor vampire, or by
literally to stare death in the face. Not
only must the hunter overcome the vampires who were created by the
monsters’ strengths, but also must he progenitor, etc.“ A progenitor is a
master his own weaknesses: almost vampire whose creator has been
surely the vampire will discover and destroyed, or one who was not created
capitalize upon them. by another vampire, but came into

Some of the most common vampiric being by some other method.) These
vulnerabilities are holy symbols, creatures tend to be unusual and will
commonly possess strengths and
weaknesses altogether different from
the “standard vampire.

This same is true for the original set
of vampires created personally by a
head of a vampire line. These
creatures are referred to a s the “first
b r o o d and comprise the progenitor’s
strongest and best “children.”



e With lesser undead, should the evil attempt, vampires hate the sight of
good-aligned holy symbols. This
priest establish control, that control is hatred usually manifests itself in an
virtually complete. Not so with a vam- unwillingness to look at or touch the
pire; a controlled vampire retains its symbol, or to flinch away from it. A
free will, and acts in much the same masquerading vampire must exerci
way a s a mortal might when threat- much self-control to suppress this
ened with physical pain. It will obey natural reaction. Vampires seem
the letter, but not necessarily the spirit, distracted and apparently have
of any orders it is given, and will difficulty concentrating when a good-
always try to pervert the controlling aligned holy symbol is within their field
priest’s intent so a s to break the con- of vision.
trol. Only if the priest’s and the vam-
pire’s desires run in parallel will the Bless4 Accwbmmb
monster wholeheartedly cooperate. In
the vast majority of cases, the vampire In addition to holy symbols, there are a
will use its cunning and considerable number of other religious items that
powers to reverse the situation, likely can be used to exert control over
without the priest’s awareness, so that majority of vampires. Although th
the slave will become the master. are usually not a s effective a s holy
symbols, they can be used in a pin
There is no equivalent of
presentment with evil-aligned holy These items, collectively called
symbols. A vampire is totally blessed accoutrements, vary in na
unaffected by an evil symbol presented and form, depending on the religio
by a layperson or by a priest of mythos from which they come.
insufficient experience. Regardless of the mythos, howeve
be effective, blessed accoutrements
T m h g Y w s Pr-mNmt must be associated with a faith
reveres a good-aligned deity. A
In addition to priestly turning a s of that religion must have bless
discussed above, many vampires are these items. (Note that a n item that is
also subject to the presentment of a not directly associated with the faith,
good-aligned holy symbol by a but has nevertheless been blessed,
layperson or by a priest of insufficient does not qualify a s a blessed
experience to actually turn the accoutrement.) Blessed
creature. It should be noted that accoutrements can never be used
presentment of a holy symbol will turn a vampire; only to keep it
never drive a vampire away; it will only Although a priest’s bless spell
keep it at bay temporarily. normally has a temporary duration of
approximately six minutes, a blessed
As with actual turning, presentment holy item remains blessed-but only
depends almost exclusively on the for the purposes of holding a vampire
faith and the force of personality of the at bay or warding a portal-until
person presenting the symbol. Even something befalls the item that would
the slightest wavering of faith or dip in desecrate it. (Events that would
confidence can allow the vampire to qualify a s desecration vary from faith
ignore the effects of a holy symbol. A to faith, although there are certain
presented holy symbol in the hands of actions that would always fill the bill,
the most virtuous and pious believer all of which are far too unpleasant to
will force a vampire to remain at least discuss here.)
five feet away from the character
holding the symbol. Some examples of blessed
accoutrements are holy wafers, holy
Whether or not the item is actually
being used in a turning or presentment

vAM131RES

protection against the monsters.
Many legends tell of vampires being

kept at bay by running water, and
conclude that running water somehow
has some warding power over
vampires a s does garlic and mirrors.
As far a s i can tell, these tales are
probably true with regard to the base
events, but totally wrong in their
conclusions. It is true that all but the
most powerful vampires-generally
speaking, Eminents and Patriarchs-
are quickly destroyed if they are
immersed in running water. Vampires
are, of course, aware of this
vulnerability, and hence will avoid
running water if there is a chance they
can be immersed in it. This means that
vampires will be particularly wary of
bridges, stepping stones, ferries, and
other means of crossing running water.
(After all, bridges can collapse, ferries
can sink, etc.) if the benefit is great
enough, vampires will risk such means
of crossing running water, but will
always do whatever it takes to
minimize the risk. If circumstances
allow, however, the fiends will
shapechange to bat form and fly
across a river. Thus it can be seen that
an aversion to crossing running water
is not a strict prohibition, but merely a
rational choice.

There is one exception: a vampire in
gaseous form is strictly prohibited from
crossing a body of running water that
is more than three feet wide.

Compilers’Note: The notes Dr. van
Richten used to compose this section
haue been lost since his disappearance.
From the referenceabove and other
notes we do haue access to, my sister
and I have concluded that the reason
for this prohibition has something to do
With the vampire’s fatar susceptibility
to immersion in running water.
Whether this prohibition is merely a
psychological auersion or a “life-
sauing” measure on the part of the
vampire is not known as this time.

GWF

Mvths and legends tell of other 8 a house, owned by the residents
items or situations that can drive away a monastery, owned by the order of
vampires or keep them at bay. Among priests that dwells within it
these are wood ash, dove feathers, and
the singing of a small child. It is not 8 a graveyard, owned by the priestly
known if these items are truly effective order that oversees it
against vampires. I believe that these The following locations would not
tales actually describe idiosyncratic qualify:
weaknesses of certain individual
vampires, which should not and cannot 8 an inn, because the residents
be generalized to the whole of the race. staying in the various rooms do I
own them
smctifi4 Pia- a public area, such a s a village
green
Although the realization caused my a town’s public graveyard, because
gorge to rise, I suddenly perceiued the the area would generally be
onlg way I might escape the fiend that by an elected (and hence
pursued me. There was one fresh graue ephemeral) town council
in the graueyard, one that had been
closed this afternoon. 8 a trading coster’s warehouse,
because the building is owned by a
In desperation, I cleared away the “corporation,“which is a legal fiction
fresh earth, exposing the coffin. I could Churches, temples, and the like,

hear the unnaturally fast footsteps of even when officially owned and
the uampire as I climbed into the coffin operated by amorphous groups such
a s a town council, qualify because
with its cold occupant and closed the they are symbolically owned by the
lid. Of course I was unable to re-cover deity to which the buildings are
the coffin with dirt, but [prayed, more dedicated.
fervently than I had euerprayed before,
that it would make no difference. The second type of place that is off-
limits to a vampire is one that is in
-From the journal of some way hallowed. In the case of per-
Zylara Windermere sonal homes, they are the retreat or
sanctuary of the owner, and are inher-
There are certain structures and ently hallowed. Churches and temples
locales that can strongly influence or are obviously hallowed by their nature.
prohibit vampires. These structures Note that, in this case, the word “hal-
and locales can best be described as lowed” does not necessarily mean reli-
sanctified places. As a general rule, gious or holy: rather, it means
these locations are rare. “respected or “venerated.”The follow-
ing list of structures/areas gives a gen-
In order for a building, structure, or eral idea of what might be considered
area to be considered a sanctified hallowed ground. As with holy symbols,
place and to hold power over a the types of hallowed ground vary with
vampire, it must be one of two specific different cultures and religions:
types of establishment. 8 house or home

The first type of safe house from the church
vampire is one that is expressly holy burial sites
owned. An individual or strongly 8 hallowed hunting grounds
defined group must own the location. If In general, even the most powerful
the location is inhabited, it must be priest is unable to sanctify a location
inhabited by the owner or by a that does not have some tradition of
member of the owning group. The sanctity or veneration associated with
followina are examples of locations it. Thus, even a high priest could not
buy the title to an abandoned estate-
/3 that meet this criterion:
h

. VAMPIRES a’ I

.’) home without further invitation. Third,
‘I actually the lair of a vampire-and just because a vampire is unable to
actually enter a house, those within are
then somehow sanctify it, just to not totally protected from the
aggravate the vampire if nothing else. creature’s wrath. A vampire has a
Unless the estate had some tradition of number of options open to it. For
sanctity attached to it, the priest would example, it could attempt to charm
have to establish the building a s a someone inside the house, or
temple, attract a body of other priests otherwise convince him or her to
and a congregation, hold services, etc. officially invite the creature to enter. It
Then and only then might the building could summon minions, who are not
be considered sanctified. (And if you forbidden to enter the house.
think the vampire in the catacombs Alternatively, it could burn the house
would abide that, then you would not to the ground or otherwise force its
last very long in the Land of Mists.) potential victims to leave the structure.
In short, fleeing to one’s home to
Homes escape a vampire offers temporary
protection at best.
Homes, th3t is, houses or other spaces
where individuals or families have their In the Land of Mists there are a
permanent residence, enforce their number of exceptions to the above
own restrictions on a vampire. Homes remarks. Strahd von Zarovich is the
are not actually sanctified places absolute ruler of Barovia and thereby
(except in the most unusual of cases) owns all properties contained in it. This
and so give priests or laypersons no mighty vampire lord can enter any
benefits when turning or holding at bay building or structure that he wishes,
vampires and other undead. They do, simply because he “owns” them all.
however, give those within a unique
protection against vampires. GFW-

In short, a vampire is completely Many experts find the statement hard
unable to enter a home unless invited to believe, but it seems that that most
by a resident; the creature is simply vampires, the “lords of the undead,”
unable to physically enter the are unable to physically open the
residence. A few important notes do grave, crypt, or other final resting
apply. First of all, to qualify a s a place of another who was interred
“resident” of a home, a person must according to the precepts of the
have been invited to live there religion the person followed in life.
indefinitely. This can be the actual (They can obviously open their own
homeowner, the spouse, a relative of resting-place with impunity.) Although
the owner, a live-in servant, etc. A surprising on the surface, when viewed
guest of the owner does not qualify a s symbolically, this makes perfect sense,
a resident. Second, the invitation must An interment site is, in one manner of
be overt, stated in words. An implied speaking, the only property owned by
invitation, such a s an open door, is not its inhabitant, for eternity. And,
sufficient. A single invitation to enter a assuming the deceased was interred
home will allow the vampire to enter with the formality and ritual associated
that home but once, immediately after with his or her faith while alive, the
the invitation is extended. The sole interment site is thus sanctified, at
exception is if the “man of the house”: least to a degree. For these reasons, a
the oldest member of the household “typical”vampire is unable to enter,
offersthe invitation. If it is the “man of break open, or otherwise physically
the house” who formally offers the disturb an interment site without the
invitation to a vampire, the creature is

* thereafter always free to enter that

P

..

. .. . . .- . . ... . .. .

SECTIONT, HEFIRST: of the interment site. The restriction
also does not apply to unfortunates
express permission of the “inhabitant” who were interred without benefit of
(who, obviously, is unable to give it). clerical rites and rituals: bodies buried
in a mass grave, crimipals who were
This does not prevent a vampire excommunicated, etc.
from magically animating the inhabi-
tant of a grave, however, and then
having the animated corpse break out

@emselves“fang fodder.” likki (from the F O ~ G O I TRFLAL~MS’,

t h e charactef then make of one week to prepare. If t
is a precious metal, it must

d in the interest of colorfu ,,

sornerhing like, “ProfaneCreature of
Darkness, in the name of T o m 1

d

umber of other factors. DMs in pain, etc.-unless it successfully
‘eel free to add other modifiers saves vs. spell. A successful saving
k e sense in their campaigns. throw means t h e creature has sup-
pressed its natura! reaction. If it suc-
use the lands of Ravenloft are cessfully saves, the creature can view
:al manifestation of evil the item without effect from then on.
te, the effects of sanctified
d structures are diluted a s Vampires find it very difficultto
ed to those in other locates. touch, move, destroy, or otherwise
ly. when in Ravenloft, undead manipulate Good-aligned holy
led according to the Turning symbols; even covering the item or
/tables presented in the removing it from view requires a
is ofDi--ad rulebook. If the great effort of will. To touch or
:is on sanctified ground, otherwise manipulate a holy symbol,
r, the standard Turning the vampire must successfully save
1 table from the P/ayer’s vs. spell. This save is separate from
iok is used (making it easier the roll to see if it can suppress its
visible reaction. A successful save
jts to turn the monsters). means the monster can touch the
tified places also give the fol- item this time. Any subsequent
modifiers to related functions attempt to touch or manipulate the
ut of the Demiplane of Dread): item requires another save.
:ntment of
symbol: +2 on Cha check Note that vampires gain a bonus to
i r e touching/manipulating both the above saving throws as they
item: -2 on saving throw progress in age. The monster
3ire passing portal warded by
;ed item: -1 on saving throw receives a bonus of + 1 for every age

srs and DMs should bear in category past Fledgling. Thus, a
hat keeping a vampire at bay Mature vampire gains a + I bonus,
while a Patriarch receives a +6 bonus!
)t negate its ability to attack
son presenting a holy symbol. Blessed A c c o ~ e n t s
tature could hurl objects,
! t o charm the character with The procedure for holding a vampire
ibol, summon minions to deal at bay using a blessed accoutrement
:offender, or a host of other is the same a s that for using a holy
. A successful presentment symbol. Use the table for Turning
means the vampire cannot Undead in the PHB (or. when playing
ch within 5’ of the holy in t h e RAVENLOFTcampaign setting,
, (If the vampire is somehow use the tables in the Domains of
Dread book), but with a +2 penalty to
to come within five feet of the reflect the lesser power of a blessed
:er, the effect of the accoutrement. The dice roll is further
ment ends.) Note that a modified by + 1 for every age
e could attack with a long category of the vampire above Old. If
n. such as a spear. the dice roll is successful, the
jood-aligned holy symbol is vampire is held at bay for 2d4 melee
3 vampire’s field of vision, it rounds at a distance of five feet. If the

a +I penalty to its Initiative for DM wishes, some of the modifiers

a s it can see the item. A from the “Modifiers for Turning
e seeing a Good-aligned holy Vampires” list above may be applied.
will normally show some sign
iste or hatred-hissing and Another common use for blessed
I in anger, flinching away a s if accoutrements is to keep a vampire



;The ~ma/bloat c a y ~ i i d 'a, nd all of us-mq colleaque! and the fiend-were cmt into

c

the torrent. .cLhic.wm our oyfrortuniiij.2 5 ihe rock5 baitered at u3 and thr rufrids

to wei4rubbed at the hirrin ccreamin monder and druqqled
c3 ~
4 v
qthreatened
drown uc,

to immene ii. Jtc cirenqth was inhuman.and the wound5 it inflicted on us were
c
terrible. 3 u t wr withttood it a5 the o11h4certain waif of destroyinq the hideou.!
c

creature.

43.27~thouqht we had tucceeded when the thin wailed a5 if in 5qony. and it.$
C~

b o d y shifted in DIU qrip. hut the creature had become a bat. , W e qrabbed for it,
shy.cL,4i
c and flew away into the niqhf tbai yoint we
c
chfrfredfrom ourcqrasp

[ha: even if we ourvived ihr u p m i 3 rapidr, our troubie5 were onlq j u ~ t t

I.

-From the journal of Vraymar Orcbane

riving a vampire away or or other reasons, there are other ways
keeping it at bay is quite that it can be prevented from becom-
ing a vampire. The way most certain is
i . ~ '. ldifficult enough. to drive a stake through the heart of
Unfortunately, in the the body, fill its mouth with a conse-
' maj'ori.ty of cases this will crated substance, and cut off its head.

o - ' ,~ .. , ~. : n t e ethat the fiend will Remember the vampire hunter who
approar:h again, at a time of its relies solely upon tradition is almost
choosing and when you are least certainly doomed to become the thing
prepare d. The ultimate goal is to he hunts!
significzintly damage and then destroy
the Creeiture. Unfortunately, this feat is Wooden stE\kes
much ITlore difficult to achieve than it
is to discuss. However, these creatures Folk tales make this means of
are not wholly omnipotent and there destruction sound much simpler than it
are, thanks to all that's holy, some really is. In fact, there are several
means t:o strike them down! That, of significant issues that must be
course, is my intent in committing this addressed. First, the stake must be
guide tc1 parchment. prepared from wood. Ash is normally
the appropriate wood, but certain
Of cciurse, the easiest way to de- vampires may be immune to ash, and
stroy a vampire is to be sure that it another wood must be used. The
never ri ses at all. When a person is appropriate wood may vary depending
killed b!j a vampire, a s I have postu- upon the individual vampire, and will
lated, it is almost certain that that often be somehow related to the
person,will become a vampire a s well. creature's personal history (how it
The bes,t way to prevent a victim from became a vampire, etc.). For example,
rising a!j a vampire is to completely a vampire who lives in a graveyard
destroy the body rather than bury it. If might only be killed with a stake of
the bod,y must be buried for religious yew wood.

In the niaht. when a vamvire's
L

power is at its height, a wooden stake

reasonsit is best to confront a vampire
while it is unconscious in its sanctuary.
Unfortunately, this is not always
possible and the vampire hunter must
be prepared to face a conscious and
active vampire.

If attacking a conscious and
unrestrained vampire, the stake must
be manually driven through its heart.
In other words, the stake must be used
like a dagger or a short sword and
driven into the chest of the monster,
who will hardly remain still while
someone positions the stake and
prepares to strike it home with a
mallet. Even this is harder than it
sounds; a s evidenced by its inhuman
strength, the muscles of a vampire are
much more sturdy, perhaps more
dense, than their mortal equivalents.
Thus, the attacker must have great
strength in order to drive the stake into
the monster’s chest cavity. In addition,
it must be remembered that the heart
is a relatively small target, and very
difficult to hit if the vampire is moving.
Even if the vampire is somehow
restrained, it is far from a sure thing
that the attacker can drive the stake
manually through the heart.

If the vampire is unconscious or
immobilized, success with a stake and
mallet is still not guaranteed if the
stake is ever removed from the
vampire’s body, the creature rises
again. To prevent the monster from
ever rising again, the attacker must
decapitate the vampire. Otherwise, the
possibility of it rising to stalk the lands
still exists.

Blessscl weapons

Weapons that have been blessed by a
priest are a special case: for the
duration of the bless spell, a blessed
but otherwise nonmagical weapon can
strike a vampire. It inflicts only
minimal damage, however, unless
wielded by a warrior of exceptional

-

which bubbles to the surface, and must the burning touch of the sun. A
flee to its sanctuary. Patriarch can go forth during the
daylight hours with the same freedom
Sunlight as a mortal. (There are also tales of
vampires centuries too young to be a
For this discussion and the following Patriarch, who are equally immune to
paragraphs, the word "sunlight" refers sunlight; the possibility that such a
to the direct rays of the sun or such creature can pass this immunity on to
rays reflected by a mirror. a line of vampires is too horrid to dwell
upon.)
Most vampires can be destroyed by
exposure to sunlight, and even A vampire could stand in a room
momentary exposures can be lethal to with sunlight streaming through the
Fledglings. These creatures hate the window and remain totally unharmed
sunlight with a passion that mortals so long as it did not step into a
can't begin to understand. If a vampire sunbeam. It is important to here relate
is up and about in the daylight hours, the nature of reflected sunlight that
then it will always take great pains to harms vampires. "Diffuse" reflection,
shade itself from the sun. With very such a s that from the floors and walls
few exceptions, vampires will never of a room, is harmless to the vampire,
willingly pass into the sunlight. If this albeit highly distasteful. "Focused"
means that they must fight a battle to reflection, however, is dangerous. As a
the death, allow a mortal enemy to rule of thumb, the reflected sunlight is
escape, or make any other such dangerous only if the vampire could
sacrifices, so be it. conceivably see a recognizable image
of the sun in the reflecting surface. The
As soon a s a normal Fledgling sun reflected in a mirror, a polished
vampire is totally exposed to sunlight, shield, or perhaps even a well-cleaned
it is instantly incapable of using any of plate would harm a vampire.
its magical abilities. All it can
concentrate upon is trying to get into Even partial exposure to sunlight
shelter. If at the end of one minute the can be dangerous to a vampire:
creature has not escaped the rays of "partial" in this case meaning that only
the sun, it is instantly and permanently a small portion of the vampire's body
annihilated. (such as a hand or arm) is exposed to
the direct or mirror-reflected rays of
As a vampire ages, however, it the sun. The vampire's period of
becomes able to sustain brief periods immunity comes into play again. Ifthe
of time in the sun. Older vampires partial exposure extends beyond this
seem to be able to resist the lethal period of immunity, the exposed
effects of exposure to sunlight for portion of the vampire is burned as if
varying periods of time. A Mature by direct application of fire.
vampire might withstand one minute of
exposure, for example, while an It cannot be stressed too often: most
Ancient might withstand one hour in vampires hate sunlight. Even if a
the sun without being destroyed. vampire is in the sunlight less than its
During this "period of immunity," the period of immunity, it takes a massive
creature is able to use all of its powers effort of will for the creature to do
normally. The instant this period of anything other than seek shelter.
immunity expires, however, the Patriarchs or vampires innately
creature is stripped of its magical immune to sunlight still dislike being
powers, and one minute later is exposed to the direct or reflected rays
annihilated. of the sun although the intensity of this
dislike is infinitely less than that
A vampire that has existed for a exhibited by their lesser kin. Such
millennium is no longer susceptible to