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

,'.?
' the skin, and a brand in the exact form

of the holy symbol.
Why is this interesting? Recall that

the condition of a vampire's body
normally tends toward the condition it
was in when the creature died. Old
scars, tattoos, and the like will reform,
while new scars and similar marks will
quickly fade. The marks, which I
choose to call "stigmata" (singular,
stigma), did not fade until a period of
months had transpired in the first case.
and several years had passed in the
others. Particularly in the case of the
holy symbol, the vampire was
effectively and visually identified for

points of damage from an enchanted
sword, giving it a current score of 35
hit points. To add insult to injury, it
is then unceremoniously dumped
into a fast-flowing river, with six
burly warriors holding it down. At
the end of the first round, the
creature loses 20 hit points-one-
third of its normal total of 60-which
drops it to a current total of 15 hit
points. At the end of the second
round, it loses another 20 points,
dropping its total to -5 hp. With a
strangled curse, the creature reverts
to gaseous form.

If a vampire is immersed in a
large quantity of holy water, the
creature loses one-half of its total hit
points per melee round so
immersed. All rules relating to
immersion in running water-
Strength bonus, attack bonus, etc.-
also apply. Even if the monster is
not totally immersed. it suffers
2d6+2 points of damage on every
round that it is even partially
immersed.

Epowreto SunligM

At the end of every complete melee
round that a vampire is partially
% exposed to sunlight, it suffers 3d6

?

I

.

SECTK~TUH,EFIRST: J

MAGIC AW YAWIRES well prove immune to spells that are
highly efficacious against their lesser
ampires are, by their brethren. Conversely, vampires with
nature, highly magical unique heritages might well be subje
creatures. Thus it is only to dweomers that are totally useless
logical that their against most of their kin. If the latter
reactions and responses the case, then such vulnerabili
to magic might be quite different in usually counterbalanced by so
their undead state from what they surprising immunity.
were while alive. There are two
issues to consider: the use of magic For example, I have reason
on vampires and the use of magic believe that a vampire line e
by them. Vampiric spellcasting whose members are all susc
occurs most often among those illusions, but totally invulner
creatures who had magic capabilities magic. Also, before discussing
in life. I shall address that subject in individual categories of magic, one
Chapter Thirteen, “Retained Skills.” thing must be made clear. Patriarch
Vampires in general c a n use magical vampires are categorically immune
items, and I shall discuss that briefly spells of low power. This means that
a t the end of this chapter. First, the spells of priests and wizards of
allow m e to consider the issue of the limited experience will be totally
effects of spellcasting on the useless against such an ancient
“typical” vampire. creature.

TFe Effects of lYlW ~ l l t l s i o n / P h nsp~4s

CkYEOnpiw Illusions have a more powerful effect
on mortals than vampires. Mortals
There are a great many spells and exist inside the delicate walls of their
spell-like powers available to own senses and thence are strongly
(demi)human spellcasters, or subject to the effects of illusions. Even
possessed innately by other creatures. the slightest flow of phantasmal magic
For this reason alone it would be may be enough to disrupt their
impossible to discuss individually how carefully maintained mental picture of
each different power affects a the world. Vampires, too, generally
vampire. Fortunately, the vast majority depend on external senses to learn
of these powers can be grouped into about the world. These senses,
representative categories, with most however, are heightened to a literally
members of a category having a superhuman degree. This makes the
similar effect (or lack thereof) on creatures unnaturally adept at
vampires. I have, therefore, chosen to perceiving flaws and telltale clues that
organize this discussion along those identify an illusion a s such.
categorical lines, pointing out unique
exceptions where appropriate. Note En*@fJnt/m spells
that these categories generally do not
equate to schools of wizardly Most vampires are totally unaffected
spellcasting or to spheres of priestly by magic that affects the mind-not
magic. They are generally classified only the classic charm or hold spells,
by effect. but also more subtle magic such a s

Before continuing, please note that fear, taunt, and scare. The mind of the
exceptionally powerful vampires may
vampire is subtly different from that of
a mortal, and its mental processes are
sufficiently changed to allow them to
shrug off such dweomers.

);,. There are certain spells from the Magical Imprisonment
enchantmentlcharm school, however,
that do not directly affect the mind. Spells of magical imprisonment have
Enchanted weapon, shadow walk, and varied effects on vampires. Some of
sink are examples of such spells. these effects are related to the special
Vampires are not innately immune to supernatural powers of the vampire
spells that do not directly affect the itself, and still others are results of the
mental processes. This should not be strange and evil magic at the heart of
taken to mean that such spells are the land.
guaranteed to affect a vampire.
There are basically two types of
Blindness and Deafness magical imprisonment: those that
physically impede movement and
Spells that cause blindness and those that capture the life essence or
deafness can effect vampires, but soul of a being. The various Otiluke's
only while the creatures are in forms spheres are examples of the former
that use such senses. Thus, a vampire and trap the soul, magicjar, and maze
in the form of a human, a wolf, or are examples of the latter. Speaking
something similar could be blinded generally, the former spells are
and deafened. A bat, on the other effective against vampires (assuming
hand, depends very little (if at all) the creature is affected by the spell at
upon vision, so a vampire in bat form all). The latter, however, are much
will suffer few noticeable effects from more problematic.
a spell that causes blindness. That
same bat, of course, would be
virtually incapacitated by deafness
because the creature uses
echolocation in place of vision. In
short, a wolf-form vampire affected
by blindness could virtually ignore the
affliction if it changed to the form of
a bat.

A vampire in gaseous form uses
arcane senses other than vision and
hearing in their classical sense.
Magical blindness or deafness cannot
affect a vampire in gaseous form
because these spells actually target the
physical sense organs. A vampire
magically blinded or deafened could
regain full use of visual and auditory
senses by assuming gaseous form.

A gaseous vampire would still be
affected by magical silence, of course,
because this spell actually suppresses
the physical characteristics of sound,
vibrations in the air or another
medium, and no sensory apparatus
can detect vibrations that don't exist.
The s a m e argument holds for
vampires within the area of a
darkness spell.

3

. _Even if the vamoire’s Dhvsical bodv suell uuon a vamuire is like to c

is on another plane, this “double attempting to break a stone with a
trapping” is a n exceptionally difficult
task. The chance that the spell will be pitcher. For instance, I have seen a
effective is much less than normal, and
the duration of the imprisonment is wizard attempt to drain life energy
drastically curtailed.
from a vampire, only to feel the effects
Bless Spells
of his spell rebound upon him, wither
As might be expected from the
creatures’ responses to holy symbols, him to decrepitude, and invigorate the
vampires find a bless spell cast on
them by a priest of a good deity to be fiend in return. Therefore, I advise
highly disturbing, having the general
effect of a curse spell cast upon the against the use of necromantic magic
living. A curse (that is, the reverse of
bless) cast by a priest of a good deity on vampires.
has no effect.
I must add, against my better
A bless or curse spell cast by a
priest of a neutral deity has no effect judgment, that I have also seen a very
on a vampire, either positive or
negative. A bless or curse cast by a effective use of this particular brand of
priest of an evil deity seems to benefit
the foul creature in some inexplicable magic against the lords of the undead
way, however.
a spell that would reincarnate or
Polyroorph Magic
otherwise bring lifeback to a mortal
Because vampires have innate
shapechanging abilities, it should can destroy a vampire outright!
’ come a s little surprise that polymorph
other and similar spells have abnormal However, if one attempts a spell of this
effects on the fiends. If such a spell
even affects the creature, it will nature and fails, the consequences can
involuntarily remain in its new form for
no more than a minute. Then it will be tragic.
revert either to the form it was in when
the spell took effect, or into any other Ef@b Of hf@d 1ws
form that the monster is able to
assume. Spellcasting vampires can U s 4 by Ympiw
cast polymorph self, shape change, or
similar spells on themselves and these As horrible a s the concept may be, it
spells operate normally.
must be accepted that vampires can
N-ficWc use magic items often more readily
than they can be affectedby them.
The use of necromantic magic against The vast majority of vampires can use
vampires can be highly dangerous. only those items that are usable by
The vampire’s connection with the most mortals. Happily, if these
Negative Material plane affords it an vampires touch or attempt to use
advantage over mortals that is difficult items that are specifically attuned to
to overcome. Casting a necromantic particular professions or nonevil
persons, they generally suffer twice as
much damage as mortals.

Vampires who retain magical skills
from their former lives (discussed in
Chapter Thirteen) can use items
specific to the professions they
practiced while alive, a s well a s those
nonspecific items discussed above, so
long as those items are not protected

by Goodness.

'.

If the vampire fails both magic
resistance and saving throw rolls, it
is poiymorpiled into the form desired
by the caster, but retains this form
for only one round. When the round
is up, the creature can choose which
of its normal selection of forms it will

Magical Imprisonruent

On the Demiplane of Dread, this

type of speli is totally useless. That
.1 *L*+
~~I...^ 'i

-
~~

amage; if it makes its magic-
stance roll, it is totally
ffected.If the spell is cast on a
!pire of Old or greater age, the
jible results are a s follows: 3d12
,oints of damage (magic-
stance roll and saving throw
:d): Id12 hit points of damage
ly saving throw made); or no
ct (magic-resistance roll made).
.he DM's option, a resurrection or
iiar spell cast upon a vampire
10 makes both a successful
ing throw and magic-resistance
) may reverse and rebound upon
caster.

gical Ifems Used by Ympires

le penalty for touching or using a
tain item is loss of experience
nts or experience levels, then a
npire is unaffected, but is totally
apable of using the item in
?stion. Unless otherwise specified,
nniw- stiffer normal (not double)

SECTIONT, HEFIRST:

(Che fiend had its arm catually draped around the shoulder of the unfortunate woman,

4who was loohin into its face with an e$ression of what could only be called Iusfful desire.
screamed my frustration at the shy. but was unable to breah the arcane bonds in which

the fiend had bound me. Jt lowered its lips to touch the woman’salabasfer throat, its eyes

all the time fikd on mine and sparhh3 with inhuman enjoyment.

C h e woman’seyes rolled up in her head, and rhe moaned with pleasure. 9 s the

creature bestowed its his, J mv the woman’s youthful beauty ~~Jto IfIaIde. &r shin

dried and sfretched mer fhe bone sfructure of her face, wrinhles deepened around her

eyes. and her Iusfrous blach hair foArag. ~7closed m.y e.yes in ~oul-sichhorror.

-From the personal journal of Dr. van Richten

or obvious reasons, the thigh near the groin, if circumstance,
aspect of vampirism most make this possible. One advantage 01
important to mortals is tapping this artery is that the marks
that of their feeding habits. left by the feeding are rarely seen by
Vampires must gain others.
Sustenance by feeding upon the living.
If they do not do this, they suffer Some tales describe the eyeteeth of
terribly and eventually die. the vampire a s hollow, and claim that
the creature drinks blood through
Mdwni-
them a s through a straw. In no case
Vampires prefer to drink blood directly
from the living body of a victim, that I have studied, however, has this
preferably one of their former race. been the case. The teeth of a vampire
The most efficient method of doing this are identical in structure to normal
is to use their prominent eyeteeth to human teeth, albeit somewhat
enlarged and often angled almost
open a wound in a major blood vessel imperceptibly outward. My
observation is that the vampire simply
of their victim. In (demi)humans, uses its teeth as implements to open a
major vessels are closest to the wound in the victim. It then sucks or
surface in the throat. Because the neck laps up the blood using its lips and
is also one of the least protected parts tongue, much a s a babe drinks its
mother’s milk.
of the body (even when the victim
wears armor) this adds to the In the vast majority of cases a
vampire will open only a small woun
desirpbility of this target area. that will quickly heal, through which II
Sometimes vampires will choose can drain only a small amount of
blood. “Small” is a relative term here:
f 3 another major blood vessel such a s the the debilitative effect is related to the
femoral artery, on the inside of the robustness of the victim. While a
battle-hardened warrior might shrug off
a single feeding with no ill effects, th-
same blood loss might kill a weaker
victim through shock.

i VAMlJrnS

<;: totally unaware of the wound untll they
see their image in a mirror, or until
Vampires usually feed through such someone else brings it to their
small, survivable wounds because they attention. The victim may feel some
do not want to kill their victim. Any weakness that arises from blood loss,
(demi)human killed through blood lost and may appear somewhat pale.
to a vampire will of course rise as a
vampire itself, subservient to the Soyrces of Flood
creature that killed it, unless the body
is decapitated or destroyed. In most Vampires almost exclusively insist on
cases, vampires do not want to create the blood of living creatures:
subservient vampires, for reasons that (demi)humans are preferred as
will be discussed later. victims, and members of the same
species as the vampire above all. Why
If a vampire does not care whether is this? It could be a physiological
its victim survives, it can open a issue whereby, for example, blood from
massive wound in the throat. This a human is most restorative to a once-
wound will kill its victim a s would a human vampire. Or it could simply be
dagger drawn across the throat. So fast symbolic: the evil creature holds within
is the blood flow from such a wound its heart a great hatred for the species
that the creature probably cannot drink to which it once belonged, and wishes
it all. It can usually ingest enough to to wreak the maximum amount of
sate its hunger, however. Such a victim havoc on its erstwhile fellows.

is not necessarily raised as a vampire, Vampires prefer healthy victims, but
unless the vampire is somehow able to can also draw blood from those who
drink all of his blood. are mortally wounded and sinking into
the final coma (characters who are
Vampires usually feed only from below 0 hit points, assuming the
unresisting victims, which includes optional “Hovering on Death’s Door”
victims that have been gaze-charmed rule is in effect; see the DMG index
or victims that are immobilized in under “Combat, death”). The amount
some manner. In order to drink the of blood that can be drained from such
blood of its victim, the vampire must a victim is usually limited because
be undisturbed for a period of at least
one minute. Thus, a vampire in the
heat of combat cannot feed.

Sig;ns of Feeding

Eve:n a relatively small and survivable
WOIAnd left by a vampire causes
not able trauma to the flesh of the
vici:im. There is not only the wound
its€:If, which is often less than half an
inch in length, but also discoloration
cat,sed by bleeding below the skin.
This appears a s a bruise that is usually
an inch or so in diameter. The wound
is e:asy to spot.

It causes no pain to the victim,
holNever, and is not sensitive to the
t0LIch. This may be the result of some
un’known component of a vampire’s
saliva, or could arise from some other
caluse entirely; I have no way of

owing, Thus, victims might be

SECTIONT,HEFKST: sweet it was like oleasure. / could
hear the throbbing o f m y heartbeak
aenerallv it was severe Dhvsical
damage-(hence blood &I);. that put .in my ears, and also a deep and
the character into that condition in the
first place. distant thudding that must haue
been the beating of the uampire’s
Vampires can also feed from the heart. m e drumbeats synchronized
corpses of freshly slain characters. until the sounds were one. / cried
Blood spoils rapidly in regards to out from the ecst
serving a s a foodstuff for vampires, so
the corpse must have been killed How can a vampire charm a victim
within four hours of the vampire’s into submitting to having his or her
attempt to feed. Because the heart of blood drunk? Surely the very nature of
the corpse is not pumping, the a charm, which cannot force its
vampire is drastically limited in the recipient to put itself in imminent
amount of blood it can drink from the danger, prevents the subject from
body, and this amount decreases with accepting a command so obviously
time. self-destructive. Then again, the
vampiric charm-gaze is not the charm
In time of dire need, I believe that a spell.
vampire can feed on the blood of
animals, although the creature will find This is one of the most insidious
this foodstuff bland and unsatisfying, factors in the nature of vampirism. It
and it may leave the vampire ill. would seem that there is some deep
(When drinking from a rancid pool and dark desire within the psycholow
becomes a question of survival, then of (demi)humans that makes
tainted water is better than none.) submitting to a vampire’s “kiss” 8
Because vampires are masters of all somehow attractive. Vampires
creatures whose form they can aslsume often portrayed a s creatures w
(generally wolves and bats), in regions intense sensual appeal. This, it
where such creatures dwell a vampire
will never starve. The subservient offering their throat to a vampire is not
creatures will obey the commands of the self-destructive nor even suicida
their undead master even to the death, act that it is.
and so will offer their lifeblood to
preserve their master’s unlife. In addition, some victims who ha
survived the attentions of a vampire
lshake in horror to think about it report that the experience was high1
now. But at the time, as the fiend pleasurable, much as this may fly in
spoke, /felt its ueluet uoice thrilling the face of reason. They felt no pain
through my body. So seductiue the beast opened the wound in their
were its words that I gladly opened flesh, and described the actual
the collar of my coat and bared the sensation of the feeding a s one
skin o f m y neck, and then stood “voluptuous pleasure.” (I find
trembling as I awaited the approach
of the dark figure. have heard it from so many sources
that I cannot disregard it.)
/gasped aloud with pleasure as
its lips touched my flesh,and its I have also heard the words use
hands grasped m y shoulders. m e n a vampire while attempting to cha
came an instant of Dleasure so victim into allowing it to feed. The
piercing it was like pain-“ pain so monster seems to instinctively
perceive a desire to submit that lies i
60

the dark recesses of the human mind. Alternative Forms
It plays upon this desire, talking about
“the gentle joy of surrendering,” of of sustenance

“opening oneself,” and of The variety of “foods” on which

“experiencing the unequalled bliss of “atypical” vampires may subsist is

total sharing.” staggering, and particularly disgusting.

Vampires often feed from sleeping I personally know of some vampire-

victims. If the victim is not awakened like creatures who feed on

when the vampire makes the wound, cerebrospinal fluid, draining this clear

he or she rememhws nothing of the liquid through holes that they punch in

experience when they awaken their mortal victims’ skulls or spines.

normally. At the very most, the victim Obviously, such wounds are much

recalls that h e or she experienced a more immediately debilitating to the

dream of intense and sensual pleasure victims, and much slower to heal.

Similarlv, there is reputed to be a line

p~ilosopFiq{C O ~ ~ & @ O ~ ~folf-uvidasmdpriariensedthfartosmubthseistgslaonndlsyomfpthheaitric
my Blood?
victims. Recurrinq- but unsubstantiated

Why must vampires drink blood? Even rumors also tell of creatures who drain

those few “atypical” individuals who do the aqueous and vitreous humors from

not drink it require sustenance that is the eyes of (demi)humans, rarely if

in some way an equivalent to blood. ever killing their victims through this

(Note: “atypical” is certainly as feeding, but always leaving them

subjective a term as “typical”when blind.

referring to vampires.) As with so There are also known to be

many facets of vampirism, the answer vampires that “feed” upon life energy

is likely symbolic. Generally speaking, directly from their victims via touch,

vampires are creatures of undying evil without the intermediary of blood.

who hold an implacable hatred for the These creatures feed upon the actual

living. Even those who do not actively life experiences of victims, who will

hate the living consider them to be eventually perish if they are

somehow meager reflections of completely depleted of their acquired

vampires, and “cattle”whose sole memories and skills. Other creatures

purpose is to act a s victims and tools feed in ways that are more arcane or

for the vampiric “elite.”This belief symbolic, tapping their victims’

system carries with it the implication intelligence, willpower (Wisdom),

that vampires feed upon the living in Strength, Dexterity, force of

both a spiritual and metaphorical personality (Charisma), even physical

sense. It would be appropriate, then, vigor (Constitution). Some can drain

that vampires should also feed on the these characteristics simply by striking

living in a physical sense as well. a target in melee; others, and

Where does this symbolic thankfully, the more common

equivalency arise from? Some sages monsters, can feed only from willing

believe that it is a jest of the ancient or immobilized victims, and do SO

and evil deities who originally set through a “kiss.” Still others drain

vampires loose upon the worlds of the vigor from their victims by inflicting

universe. Others hold that a parallel physical damage, seeming to draw

arises from the very nature of reality; their sustenance from the pain they

in other words, we know that evil preys cause to their prey (they absorb hit

upon good, and vampires vindicate points directly when they strike a

this axiom on the suoernatural level. victim in combat).

rL- CS SECTIONT, HEFRST: when necessary. The “sluggishness”
relates more to its preferred level of
Most feared by spellcastem, there activity than to its capabilities. A
are even some who seem to feed on sluggish vampire is very much like a
the magical power that flows through sluggish s h a r k to consider either of
the body of a wizard, or even a priest. them to be weak is a dangerous error.)
A touch from such a creature causes These symptoms become even more
the victim to forget spells that have pronounced if the creature has been
been memorized, and-in one extreme unable to feed sufficiently, a s
case of which I know-allows the discussed in the following section.
vampire to cast the forgotten spell at
the level of ability possessed by the Note that the above comments refer
victim! to “typical,” blood-drinking vampires.
Vampires that depend on other sources
Being of extremely high of sustenance may exhibit similar
intelligence, a few vampires are changes, but it is foolish to depend on
sensitive to natural balances, albeit in these signals in any way.
a sense warped by their undead state.
Thus, they may occasionally depart FW~SWQ
from their usual diet of blood in order
to avoid depleting the neighboring How often must a vampire feed? Sages
village of all life. everywhere have debated this question
for years, perhaps centuries. The
Here allow me to summarize some following comments are based on my
of the possible dietary items: own research, and are not guaranteed
0 Blood to be true. Other reputable researchers
8 Spinal fluid might have different answers.
8 Heart (eaten)
8 Brain (eaten) Generally speaking, a “typical”
8 Bone marrow vampire must feed once in any 24-
0 Body water hour period. Not doing so causes the
vampire to grow weaker until, with
Body salt prolonged denial of sustenance, the
8 Life energy levels creature is destroyed. It may be
8 Abilities (Con, Int, etc.) surprising, but it seems to be the case
8 Memories (spells or proficiencies) that a vampire’s need for food
8 Bodily health (hit points) decreases a s it ages. Perhaps this is a
8 Mental disciplines (psionic strength result of its growing connection with
the Negative Material Plane, from
points if used) which it draws much of its unnatural
energy. The vampire’s hunger for blood
When a vampire feeds, its body shows increases with age, however. A
various physical signs. Its skin, Patriarch can subsist on much less
normally cool and pale, becomes blood than can a Fledgling, but the
warmer and takes on a healthy, almost ancient creature has the desire to drink
ruddy tinge. In addition, the creature’s much more blood than its youthful kin.
levels of energy and activity seem Should its source “dry up,” so to
higher. speak, it can subsist on “starvation
rations“ much better than can the
In contrast, when a vampire has Fledgling creature, however.
gone without feeding for a period of
time, the reverse effects occur. I t s skin
becomes colder and paler, sometimes
inhumanly so. The creature also
becomes more sluggish. (Do not
misunderstand this: the monster is still

9capable of incredible feats of exertion

Generally, a vampire will drain A typical Fledgling vampire must
enough blood to inflict I d 4 hit points drink 12 hit points worth of blood in
of damage to a victim per round of every 24-hour period. The source of
feeding. If the victim’s throat is torn this blood i s immaterial; it can come
open, a vampire can drink up to 12 from living victims, fresh corpses,
hit points worth of blood From such a animals, or even sealed “caches” of
wound. If the victim has fewer than chilled blood. This requirement is
12 hit points. however, the vampire decreased by 1 hit point for every
can drink only as many hit points of age category beyond Fledgling. Thus
blood a s the victim possesses, a Patriarch could subsist on only 6 hit
remembering that -10 hit points is points worth of blood every day, but
dead. For example, if a mortally would be unwilling to do so without
wounded, comatose character is at -8 good cause.

t the vampire will kill hi

ararneters of the charm spel

Drained attribute points wil
pically regenerate at a rate

I

?

It is important to remember that Many tales pertaining to vampires
vampires are incredibly cunning. Just claim that the creatures must sleep in
because the dozing creature has been vessels that contain soil from their
awakened by the approach of hunters homeland, or even soil taken from
does not necessarily mean that it will
immediately leap to the attack. If their own graves. If they do not do so,
circumstances warrant, it may prefer
to "play dead," and lure its would-be these tales tell, they are destroyed. As
killers to their doom. Vampires that with so many such tales, the truth
doze also wake instantly and without varies from individual to individual,
disorientation at the instant the sun and from place to place. And, of
sinks below the western horizon. If course, with vampires there are
such a creature is awakened while the always exceptions to the rules.
sun is still above the horizon, However, these creatures at least
however, it does suffer some believe the presence of such an item
moments of disorientation, and is to be an absolute requirement, and
unable to use some of its abilities for will go to any lengths to ensure that it
some time. is present. I use the word "believe,"
simply because I have never heard
vampire sleeps will have a great effect any substantiated report of a vampire
on the sanctuary it chooses, and how it being destroyed through not having
protects its resting-place. Vampires the required item present during sleep.
that sink into deepest oblivion at the Vampires believe they will be
moment of dawn recognize their destroyed if an appropriate element is
immense vulnerability and thus go to not present, and so will make sure
the greatest lengths to hide their that it is present. But is this belief
sanctuaries and attempt to make them based in fact?
totally impenetrable to mortals who
might be hunting them. Any traps that Personally, I find myself drawn to the
they place will be a s lethal a s the idea that this "requirement" is actually
creature can possibly make them a baseless superstition, perpetuated
because it knows any hunter who gets and believed by vampires as well a s
through the traps will almost certainly mortals over the centuries. I am
end the vampire's existence. convinced that a vampire forced to
sleep without a symbolic tie to its
Vampires who doze, however, might mortal life will not be destroyed. Of
make different decisions. They, too, course, proving this experimentally is
are vulnerable during daylight hours, somewhat problematical. Vampires will
but nowhere near a s much a s their obviously not test my hypothesis
deep-sleeping kin. While they will because, if I a m wrong, they will be
generally be as careful about hiding destroyed. And vampire hunters are
and warding their sanctuaries (why understandably more interested in
take chances, after all?), they will be destroying the creatures than in
less concerned if circumstances experimentally examining their
prevent them from taking all the limitations. Still, it is an interesting
precautions they might want. They will concept to consider.
probably set lethal traps, but also
tripwires and other warning devices to What happens to a vampire that is
alert them to the approach of prevented from reaching its sanctuary
attackers. before the moment of sunrise? The
consequences vary widely.

&G+, have previously arranged suitable ,

sanctuaries along the way and at the 25
final destination. For vampires
masquerading a s mortals in civilized at night to hunt. (Obviously, this
lands, this is relatively easy to arrange, second option represents a grave risk,
of course. Representatives of the particularly in a closed environment
vampire can purchase or rent suitable such as a ship at sea.) The smartest
buildings and furnish them with art and alternative would be to arrange for a
objects that have symbolic significance cache of stored blood, if the
to the vampire. Who, after all, would requirement for low temperature
suspect vampiric activity if a wealthy could somehow be met.
businessman were to send ahead and
have a country manor decorated in a While a coffin is almost traditional
style reminiscent of his childhood as the portable sanctuary of a
home? vampire, virtually anything else large
enough could serve. The major
Vampires will sometimes arrange advantage of a coffin, from a
to have suitable sanctuaries carried vampire's point of view, is that most
with them. (This is usually required if people are somewhat unwilling to
the vampire plans an extended open it up to confirm its contents.
voyage.) For example, a creature This is particularly the case if the
could travel in a coffin that is body within is said to have died of
supposedly carrying a dead body some contagious disease.
"home" to its final burial place. The
people charged with transporting the Vampires are exceedingly cunning,
coffin could be servitors of the and will show great creativity in the
vampire or could be simple trades- precautions they take. When hunting
persons hired to do the job. The the travelling vampire, I suggest that
vampire could stay within the coffin, you attempt to eliminate places that it
never emerging, and suffer the effects could not hide, and consider every
of also starvation. Alternatively, the other possibility a good one.
creature could sneak out of its coffin

With very few exceptions, all vampires have to sleep sometime. The
exceptional, sleepless vampires that van Richten describes still lose I HD for
every day that they do not sleep. They regain all lost Hit Dice the first time
they sleep for a whole day (from sunrise to sunset).

If awakened during daylight hours. a "dozing" vampire i s stunned and
unable to take any action for one round. Thereafter, it can't shapechange or
voluntarily assume gaseous form for an additional Id4 rounds, although it can
cast any spells it has previously memorized.

With few exceptions ( D M s choice), all vampires require dirt from their
graves to be in their resting-places. Within Ravenloft, vampires do not
necessarily need to sleep on soil from their homeland or from their grave
because of the Demiplane's proximity to the Negative Material Plane. There
remains some symbolic truth to the tale, however, in the case of numerous
vampires. These creatures often must have within their sanctuaries, and in
contact with their bodies while they sleep, some item that is symbolic of either
their origin or their mortal life. This item can be virtually anything, from a
piece of clothing, to a gift from a relative or friend, to an object that is
somehow related to their homeland.

', sflecfs of HibemEttion

several feet below the occupant of a The time that passes during
grave. hibernation is not p.hy.sically kind to a
vampire, Its condition deteriorates
Hibernation differs from normal steadily: the monster loses strength
and stamina while in the dormant
vampiric sleep, oncethe vampire has state. Vampires that were weakened
through starvation before going to
made the decision to hibernate and ground sometimes never emerge from
has sequestered itself away in its dormancy, instead just fading away
sanctuary, it slips into a state in which into oblivion. The physical appearance
it is nominallv and intermittently aware of a vampire is horribly changed as
of its circumstances and of the passing well. The creature's flesh and muscle
of the years around it. It is difficult for mass atrophies, its skin dries and
the creature to rouse itself from this tightens, and sometimes its skeleton
condition at will. Only in the fullness of
time, when the cycle of hibernation even shrinks marginally. A vampire
draws to its close, can the vampire rise that has been in hibernation for more
from this state of "sleep but not sleep." than fifty years looks very much like a
A hibernating vampire exercises little mummified corpse: wizened, dry, and
control over how long it stays in this very brittle. The creature's fragility is
dormant condition, cannot "preset" a
time or date to revive and cannot very much an illusion, of course. The
predict beforehand how long the overconfident vampire hunter may find
hibernation will last. Left unmolested, a himself at a distinct disadvantage
vampire generally will not awaken until against a newly awakened hibernator.
forty years or more have passed, and
there are tales describing vampires Rising @mHibemEttion
that have hibernated for more than one
and a half centuries. When the cycle of hibernation comes
to a close, waking from dormancy is
Hibernating vampires are not ab- not instantaneous. It takes the vampire
solutely oblivious to their surroundings days, sometimes many days, to rise
while dormant. They can sense danger, from the depths of semiconsciousness.
should anyone break open or enter their The condition of the creature is de-
sanctuary, and will struggle to rouse pendent both upon its condition before
themselves. This enforced arousal is it went into the ground and upon the
quite damaging; in fact, there is a amount of time it has hibernated. A
chance that the trauma of the awaken- vampire who was weakened by starva-
ing will instantly destroy the vampire. tion and then has spent a century in
the ground is a vulnerable creature,
indeed, and is unable to shapechange
or voluntarily assume gaseous form for
several days after wakening. It is also
much more susceptible to magical at-
tacks. The creature quickly regains
most of its normal powers a s soon as it
feeds sufficiently during the days after
its arousal. Thus, the highest and often
only priority for a newly awakened
vampire is to hunt and to feed.
Needless to say, the monster will be
ravenous to the point of recklessness.

27 lie io m y offyri3," the vampirr told me wiih a cmilr. "Jt is rral/y ihai ~simp/e;.4"

nrw f/ed@q hnows litfir about thr worid,about itself. J%qenrral the oniy

Lc

informaiion ii has is whai ii rrmemherr from f o h i a h and iceqrnds. offen purr

falsehood."

LThrvampire chuchlrdand settird dsrlf more comfortabi~f".430e7 fell my
offcyrinq khat ihejr ditencr j.5 intdricahlrj iinhed wiih mine." it coniinued. "'c7f ~7am

c

drciroyed,' e7 trll ihrm, 'ihrn 50 are ijou. y o u r ehience is as locnq a5 minr, no locnqer.'

"cThry uwa//y beiirve me,"if added compiacenfi1j. " O r .a t irad. h e y bar to ied

,hr i r u h of what e7 ieli ihrm. ,Chic ir a hind of ioyaliij; ihry will do whatever ic in

their {rower io proirci mr from harm. brlievinq that ihr momeni of m y desiruchon is
L-

aho ihr moment of iheirs."

" Z - o they nok learn oihrrwir? e7 achrd.

.C,CI"hry would." ihr creature admiited. "in time. c 3 u t e7 alwaij~sdestroij them
brfore ihai iimr comer. x f i e r ail,/c-qaw ihrm uniib. so e7am rntifhd to rrscind m y

-From the personal journal of Dr. van Richten

y nature most vampires A few individuals apparently enjoy
are solitary and territorial interacting with others of their kind and
predators, whether form social microcosms of their own.
competitively building This usually occurs only with vampires
their power and amassing of considerable power and maturity
i - ' . .: ;r just jealously defending a that have existed long enough to pass
beyond a stage of blind competition
~ and jealousy. When such vampire
"societies" form, they can become
persoiia~hunting ground. This frighteningly powerful, frighteningly
rapacious, ruthless, and competitive fast, and there is virtually nothing that
nature sometimes brings vampires into can stand in their way.
conflict with each other.
It is lucky, then, that these societies
Although vampires generally much are usually relatively short-lived
prefer to compete through minions and (although in this context that may
champions, or even through more intan- mean they last a s long a s a century or
gible means such as influence-peddling two). Over the centuries vampires may
and rumor-mongering, the creatures do learn patience and cooperation, but
sometimes come into physical contact. only to a degree. At their core they are
Unsurprisingly, physical contact often still selfish and evil monsters, and this
leads to physical combat. nature will almost inevitably resurface.
Initially a society of vampires may
appear stable and united, but soon
enough one vampire and then the

~ ?,E,‘.’’ iLON,711E FrliST: ,- e

i’* within reason. Most vampires will find
this interconnection distasteful and, in
Kin-nectar

The majority of vampires can feed only the case of the creature who was fed

from a willing, charmed, or otherwise upon, downright dangerous, so the

immobilized but living victim. Can one monsters usually shun kin-nectar. Most

of these creatures feed from another will only participate in this kind of

vampire? Apparently, yes. The feeding on either side if they totally

following discussion will concentrate trust the other participant (which is

on those creatures who drink blood, very rare) or if they simply have no

because these are the most common. choice in the matter.

Similar conditions apply for other It is nearly impossible for two

types of feeders. vampires to feed exclusively from each

One vampire can drink the blood of other for a protracted period of time.

another. In fact, vampiric blood, They can do it for the short term, but it

described by one vampire a s “kin- will become debilitating to both

nectar,” is a better source of creatures in the long term. Such

sustenance than the blood of mortals “mutual” arrangements would be

at least in one sense. Vampires need to incredibly rare in any case, because

drink much less kin-nectar than they both vampires would in turn make

would mortal blood in order to meet themselves vulnerable to the telepathic

their food requirements. orders of the other.

Yet few vampires enjoy drinking kin-

nectar, it seems; they vastly prefer the PFOgel@OP and Offspring
taste of blood supped from the vessel
of a living (demi)human. It may be Conventional wisdom is categorical on
that there are some vampires that one point: newly formed vampires are
prefer kin-nectar, and perhaps one or slaves of the creatures that created
two who require it. These creatures are them, with no free will of their own.
in the unenviable position of depending Even one of the most reputable tomes
upon other vampires for their survival: on the subject repeats this: “Once they
not a particularly secure position in become undead, the new vampire is
which to be. under the complete control of its
killer.”

But how true is this? And what

constraints are there on the control

that does exist? For the first days or

weeks of a Fledgling vampire’s

existence, it is highly susceptible to the

orders of its creator-so 1 have

discovered from my research. If there

is no telepathic bond between creator

and created, then the master vampire

must be in the vicinity, and must be

willing to communicate with its

offspring.

How, then, do vampires keep their

slaves under their control beyond this

period? They do so in much the same

way that mortals dominate others:

through intimidation. The fledgling is

new to the vampiric world, and at least

partially ignorant of its own abilities. Its

‘8 “raise” their offspring, teachlng them
all they need to know to survive in the
creator can, if it is careful, create the world, and then send them forth to
perception in its offspring that the “live their own lives.” Gratitude is an
master is immensely more powerful uncommon thing among vampires,
and knowledgeable than the newly however, and offspringof such
created vampire, which it may in fact sentimental creatures generally view
be. Through simple intimidation and this “care” a s weakness. Vampires who
by playing on the offspring’snatural care for their offspring are most often
doubts and fears. the master can destroyed by those very offspring.
create a situation enabling it to “rule”
for decades. Vampires differ in their motivations
when creating offspring. Some
The reader may realize that this fledglings do it accidentally, not yet
situation is totally different and much understanding the consequences of
more unstable than the “traditional” killing a foe. Others do it to create
picture of the master and its slaves for themselves. Some few seem
unquestioning slaves. Offspring to need contact with members of their
vampires may have considerable free own kind and so create companions.
will from the moment of their creation, This latter group are more likely to
although they do have an “inborn” become the sentimental “parents”
propensity to bow to the will of their described above, and are hence most
creator. After several years have likely to meet destruction at the hands
passed, however, this propensity of their offspring.
wears off.
When a vampire is destroyed, all
The journal entry that opened this semblance of control over its offspring
chapter indicates the risks that immediately vanishes. Most offspring
accompany creating an offspring will immediately go about their own
vampire. The “master”must keep the business. I have heard of some rare
intimidation level high and discipline creatures who have sought the
tight. If the offspring senses weakness destroyers of their creator and wreaked
in its master, it may consider vengeance on them. I find this
challenging for dominance or simply somewhat hard to believe because it
fleeing. As time passes the offspring implies a sense of loyalty, even love of
vampire learns more about its own a kind, between vampires. Still,
strengths, and probably more about its stranger things have proved to be true.
master’s weaknesses. As soon as the
offspring believes that it may be able -&.2L..-lsd- ,a++...-
to defeat its master, the two creatures
will almost certainly come into conflict I truly loued her,” the vampire
Of course, the majority of vampires admitted quietly, pain showing on
destroy their offspringbefore this point its normally stoic face. “Would you
is reached. Some, however, send them belieue that? I looed her. I would
away, officially granting them their haue giuen anything, euen the rest
freedom, (This is merely another of eternity, if she had loued me in
psychological trick. If an offspring return. ”
vampire is “ f r e e d before it realizes it
can depose its “master,”it may feel It paused, and I thought for a n
some gratitude toward its creator.) incredible moment that the monster
might cry. But then it seemed to
The vast majority of vampires view ra11.4 its strength, and its chill gaze
their offspring simply a s disposable nailed me to my chair.
tools, to be used and then discarded.
Yet there are some, it seems, who feel

3 some kind of empathy for their
“children.”These rare creatures will

“I misjudged her totally,” the am sure. Eternity can weigh heavily on
vampire continued, its uoice now the spirit-even the spirit of a vampire.
uirtually emotionless. “I thought she Of all the burdens of immortality,
would retain the innocence 1so perhaps the greatest is loneliness. To
ioued in her as a mortal, but no. 1 whom can a vampire bare its soul and
misjudged her, and it was my admit its fears? With whom can the
greatest mistake. She saw me not as vampire vent some of the intense
a protectoor, but as a riual, as a slaw sensuality that seems to pervade its
master. And she dedicated herself to breed? From whom can it receive
fr-eeing herself from my yoke. ” It consolation for the past, comfort for
chuckled mirthlessly. ‘“It is so the present, and hope for the future?
obuious now, but for all those An eternity of solitude can be an
decades I fooled myself. I eternity of pain.
suppose-” and its uoice almost
broke, foi- all the creature’s It is no wonder, then, that vampires
superhuman control. “Isuppose I sometimes long for a special
had the ioue in my eyes, so that I companion. Fortunately for these
was unable to see what was right in tortured souls-and unfortunately for
their mortal victims-vampires are
front of me. capable of creating such companions.
“The first clue I actually paid These special minions, if such a term
truly applies, are known a s “Brides”
attention to,” it continued after a and “Grooms.” These terms may seem
inappropriate, carrying with them a s
moment, “was when the hunters they do the emotional “baggage” of
arrived in my sanctuary. Can you love and marriage. While marriage is
imagine my horror, my humiliation, not an issue, a Form of love, or at least
my degradation? The only way they of emotional bonding, is involved, SO
could have found me was through the terms are not as inappropriate as
my bride, my loue,” and it spat the they may seem at first.
last word with undying hatred.
Cwfing 8 Bride or-W4n
“I killed them all, of course,” it
went on. “My beloved did not know Creating a bride or groom, although
seemingly a simple process, requires
all my strengths. And then 1hunted an exhausting exercise of much
her down. Not difficult, really. Then power by the creating vampire. For
I dissolued the bond.”It bowed its this reason, only vampires of
head in remembered pain. “1 advanced age and capability can even
dissolued the bond and I tore her assay this procedure. A bride or
traitorous body apart. And do you groom can be created only by a
know? I think the pain that I felt vampire of age category Ancient or
greater, and not even all of those are
was greater than hers. . . 0’ capable of doing so.

-From the personal journal of The first step requires that the
Dr. n vampire find an appropriate mortal to
be the bride. (Note: With apologies to
An especially rare and unique the feminine gender, I shall use the
relationship between vampires is in term “bride” and the pronouns “she”
that of the “Bride” or “Groom.” and “her”to refer to both brides and
Actually, considering that the fact all grooms, Unless otherwise specified,
vampires were once mortal, it is there are no restrictions or differences
almost surprising that this in the procedure based on the sex of
phenomenon is not more prevalent. N o
matter what changes undeath has
wrought, some vestiges of mortal
thoughts and aspirations still survive, I

ve as a vampire. This obviously
e creator great power over the
y lying to her or bending the
3 can convince her that she
'ey his every order or suffer
consequences. With time, and
experimentation, the bride
nd out the true level of control
itor has over her: that is, none.
,till in a very inferior position, of
because she is a Fledgling and
itor is at least an Ancient.
reator vampires, particularly
ho created the bride out of
I1 be totally honest with their
I, depending on loyalty,
lip, and even reciprocated love,
the bride from trying to bring
ieir destruction. This is
y the most beneficial situation
vampires, because two
3s cooperating are much more
3 than two creatures involved in
ations against each other. A
:and bride who truly love and
ch other make a team that is
mally difficult to defeat!

rniwfion

the reasons "married vampires"
lifficult to defeat is that a vam-
1 its bride share a telepathic
nication that has a range meas-
miles. Regardless of interven-
sin or obstacles, the two
3s can communicate instantly
,ntly as if they were speaking
r in the same room. It is irnpor-
Tote that this communication is
ich like silent speech. One
3 cannot read the other's mind
the subject's will, so the bride
pilfer secrets from the mind of
3tor. As the sole exception to
:ement, one member of the pair
se incredibly strong emotion in
3r's mind. (This could be
1 to hearing a vocalized gasp of
I or fear.) Only extreme fear,
irprise, sadness or exaltation
sensed in this manner.

~ VAMPIRES 'i

Love and Jealowy otherwise, she cannot instigate it. The
ritual must be performed at the will of
the creator.

I

I

. ,~ I. , -I

1- , ~ E C TOJN, T i i ~FnGr:

usually does i.o meet its food saving throw vs. spell. If it
requirements. On the other hand, the successfully saves, it refuses to
vampire fed firom loses twice a s follow that order, although in general
many hit poirits a s the other vampire the charm stays in effect.
drinks. For ex:ample, a Fledgling
need drink on~ l y6 hit pints worth of Vampire Brides 8n4 Grows
blood, but the! donor vampire loses
12 hit points, These lost points "Donating" blood to the prospective
represent a SI3ecial case: the bride or groom inflicts 3d8 hit
creature CanPlot regenerate these points of damage on the creating
points norma Ily. To regenerate hit vampire. This damage-and only
points lost to feeding, the vampire this damage-does not begin to
must feed suf'ficiently to meet its regenerate until the first sunset after
daily requirernent, and must do so the bride is created. All damage
upon mortal IAood (whether from an inflicted on the vampire by other
animal, a dernihuman, or from a means regenerates normally,
cache of stori2d blood). Immediately
after the feeding is complete, the Ifone vampire in a bridefcreator
donor vampir'e can begin to relationship is destroyed, the other
regenerate the hit points lost to vampire instantly suffers 6d6 points
feeding. (If the vampire feeds in turn
rrom anom. I er vampire, it cannot damage, There is no limitation in
ige to this effect, because the
reaenerate those lost hit points.) ychic shock propagates through
5 Negative Material Plane, to
Progenitor qnnd offspting iich all vampires have a strong
,nnection. Even if the two vam-
For the first 4d4 days of the .es are on different planes, the
Fledgling vampire's unlife. any order rvivor will sense and suffer from
given to it by its creator has the
effect of a suggestion. against which rr,eother's destruction. The creature
the Fledgling receives neither saving unable to begin regenerating this
throw nor magic-resistance rolls. mmage-and only this damage-
After this initial period the automatic itil the next sunset, In addition, it
susceptibility of the Fledgling to its nnot shapechange or voluntarily
creator diminishes. The offspring still sume gaseous Form for 24 hours,
has some propensity toward
,,Id is unable to create another bride
following the instructions of its or groom for 3 d 6 years thereafter.
master, but this propensity is
The range of telepathic com-
considerably less than it was initially. munication created by this union is
This state lasts for several years. one mile for each age category of
the bride or groom. The age
Fcr the first l d 4 years of its unlife. category of t h e creating vampire is
immaterial.
the offspring vampire will react to its
master a s though under a charm To dissolve the bond, the amount
spell. This isn't strictly a spell effect, of blood that both vampires must
however. so t h e offspring doesn't spill is enough to inflict 2d8 points of
receive regular saving throws to damage on each creature. They
shake off the effect. If the master cannot begin to regenerate this
damage-and only this damage-
instructs it to do something that is until the next sunset after the ritual is
dangerous to the offspring,but not cornple
suicidal, the offspring receives a

I

-’ SLCTIONT, HEFK~T:

“Time is precious,” “time is slipping factor. The victim of a vampire could
away,” “time is fleeting,” “time, the be a saint or a sinner, a paladin or an
subtle thief of y o u t h : these are the assassin, a compassionate healer or a
proverbs and truisms of mortality. So ruthless alley-basher.
many facets of (demi)human
psychology and philosophy can be The fact is that the vast majority of
understood when viewed through this vampires are chaotic and evil in the
lens. extreme. How does this come about?

It should come as no surprise, then, In most cases, it seems, the transition
that the psychology of vampires is
very different, in some very profound to undeath itself works this grim
ways, from that of the mortal races. change on the mentality of a vampire’s
Having already died, vampires little victim: the Fledgling’s previous world
consider the specter of death as mortal view is largely irrelevant.
do. Provided that they can avoid
accidental destruction or annihilation There are some fascinating
at the hands of foes, these fiends could exceptions, however, some
theoretically continue to exist to the documented cases of Fledgling
(hypothetical) end of time! vampires that managed to cling to
some of the attitudes and beliefs they
One must not forget, however, that had while alive-for a time, at least.
vampires were once mortal creatures. What set these exceptions apart? Was
Although the transition to undeath it, a s some sages suggest, a
drastically affects the body, its effects characteristic of the vampire that
on the mind and on thoughts, beliefs, created them? Or was it something
and philosophies are much less within them? My own theory is this: the
predictable and generally more subtle. victim must have an immense strength
of will, and the vampire that killed the
Before discussing the psychology of victim be prevented in some way from
immortality in more detail, it is implementing the innate control that
necessary to distinguish between the such creatures have over “secondary”
three “classifications” of vampires, vampires. (This can happen if the
based on their origins. The first creating vampire leaves the area or is
classification includes those who destroyed between the time of the
became vampires because of “deadly victim’s death and the night the victim
desire,” like Strahd von Zarovich. The first rises as a vampire.)
second comprises those who became
vampires a s the result of a curse, Some of the most fascinating
whether laid by a mortal or by an evil examples of this sort of “carry-over”
deity. The third and final category is were recorded by a sage, whose name
the most numerous: those unfortunates has been tragically lost, in a treatise
who became vampires a s a result of whose title I have borrowed (with
the attack of another vampire. thanks) for this chapter: The Mind of
the Vampire. Two samples follow:
The first two categories have one
major factor in common: in almost all A young, naive man, raised in a
cases, these vampires were evil while sheltered and privileged family, was
they were alive. The transition to slain by a vampire passing through the
neighborhood. At first, he was unaware
undeath never affects this, except, in of his true nature (or unwilling to
accept it), believing that his “ d e a t h
some cases, to intensify their evil. had been only profound sickness and
The final category is a totally that his “premature”burial had been a
mistake by his overzealous family.
different case. Victims of vampires Evidence of his vampiric nature soon
have no commonality with regard to became apparent, however, but the
poor wretch was unable to fully
0 ethos, moral strictures, philosophy of
life, care toward others, or any other

,.I’ VAMPIRES *-

>) life in low regard.” How, these
philosophers- ask, could a creature be
” renounce the life he left behind. He classed otherwise, that must feed on
took to “haunting” his old home, living victims to survive? The point
watching from the darkness and trying that these philosophers proceed to
to pretend he was at least peripherally make in their heavy-handed and
part of mortal life. He would seem a pedantic fashion, which I have
totally pathetic figure had it not been abbreviated here, is that describing
for his vicious attacks against anyone vampires a s Chaotic Evil actually
who tried to take away from him the conveys very little information about
semblance of his former life. the creatures’ behaviors and attitudes.
An intrepid vampire hunter was
slain by one of the creatures she so But this thesis raises a fascinating
tenaciously hunted: her colleagues question: if I set aside the matter of
immediately destroyed the monster Feeding habits, could a vampire exhibit
that killed her. For whatever reason, other behavior patterns that could be
these colleagues neglected to take the described as “good”? The answer is
precautions to prevent the woman “theoretically yes,” and I can even cite
from rising as a vampire. The trauma one short-lived example. A man of
the woman suffered when she realized good alignment was killed by a
her vampiric condition was almost- vampire, and became a vampire
but not quite-enough to drive her himself under the control of his dark
mad. She had taken up her life’s master. When the master vampire was
pursuit a s a moral duty, to rid the destroyed, the “minion” vampire
world of the scourge of vampirism, and became free-willed. Even though
now she had become what she had undead, h e still held the beliefs and
always hated! She set the trauma attitudes that, while alive, had
aside, however, and decided to play categorized him a s Good. Now, in
out the hand that Fate had dealt her. secret, he decided to use his powers to
She dedicated her unlife to continuing at least partially set right the damage
the work she had started a s a mortal: that he and his master had done. In
to use her newfound powers to help fact, for some decades he was a secret
her track down and destroy others of benefactor to his home town.
her kind. Unfortunately, she soon
confused her mission with a quest for Unfortunately, things changed with
power, and was destroyed by Strahd the passage of time. At first, the
von Zarovich. undead benefactor wanted no thanks,
and kept his identity and nature
4Question of Alignment inviolably secret. He lived in a cave on
the outskirts of town and saw no living
The “typical”vampire is described as soul, After a decade, however, it seems
having an alignment of Chaotic Evil. that he began to resent the fact that
There are some philosophers who the townsfolk showed no signs of
believe this fact says more about gratitude for his largesse. He began to
(demi)human perceptions than it does leave behind notes, asking for some
about vampires. Chaotic, holders of kind of “concrete appreciation,”
this theory point out, means simply generally money, in return for his
that vampires consider their personal efforts. (He had no need for the
interests over those of others, or of money, of course; the coins were
“the many.” While they do not go SO purely symbolic of the thanks he
far a s to condone this stance, they do thought he deserved.) His demands
consider it to be understandable became proaressively. hia-her until the
because vampires are immortal. Evil, townsfolk decided the requests from
strictly speaking, is defined a s “holding their secret benefactor were too great.

..’ the grand facade,” to borrow a phrase
once used by a vampire (I will discuss
*.P ? there are those in the world who would this concept at length, later). If the
creature fails in its first attempt to
like nothing more than to destroy the “assimilate,” it will rarely try again. If it
“blood-sucking fiend.” It hardly seems enjoys some measure of success,
to matter whether this first group of however, this is usually the path the
attackers actually manages to harm monster will follow for the rest of its
the vampire or not. The simple fact of
their assault triggers the change existence. It will become one of the
because it forces the vampire to fight “shadow people” (to use another
to defend itself. In many cases this is vampire term), always existing more
the first time the new vampire kills or less on the periphery of
(demi)humans. The vampire will (demi)human society, moving through
usually draw two conclusions from this it when necessary, and secretly preying
event. The first is that some
(demi)humans wanted to destroy it, upon it.
and thus all (demi)humans are Vampires who decide against
potential foes. The second is that the
vampire is a phenomenal fighter, a dabbling in society, or those who fail in
virtual killing machine. their first attempt, usually deal with the
boredom and loneliness in a more
These two conclusions generally destructive way. To add interest to their
trigger the next phase. During this bleak existence, they often escalate in
stage, many vampires become cruelty. Rather than killing one person,
rampaging fiends, killing for the pure they kill a caravan of merchants.
joy of it, sometimes feeding from Rather than terrorizing a small village,
several victims in one night, even after they bully an entire county. Creatures
they are totally sated. Vampires will in this phase often put much energy
often create their first “servitor” and imagination into new ways to
vampires during this phase, before
they realize the consequences of their spread destruction over the land.
actions. This phase can last for several Obviously this phase is most likely to
years, and in some vampires it ends attract the attention of vampire
only when the creature is destroyed.
For most creatures, however, this stage hunters. Conspicuous behavior
will last no more than twenty years. coupled with relative weakness has
spelled the destruction of many
Usually the next stage is one of vampires during this stage. For one
boredom. The “innocent” joy the reason or another, vampires rarely
creature derived from exercising its continue in this mode of mass
powers is gone a s the monster destruction beyond the transition to the
becomes accustomed to those powers. Mature age category. (Either they
Even the thrill of the hunt frequently “grow out of it,” or are destroyed.)
begins to pall after a decade or two. In
short, the prospect of an eternity of One definition of “maturity” in
unlife becomes bleak when all the
creature has to look forward to is its (demi)humans is the ability to
next kill. There is also a great sense of emotionally accept one’s mortality.
loneliness. Conversely, in vampires, one definition

At this point, vampires typically of maturity might be to emotionally
diverge into two groups. There are understand the consequences of
some who try to interact once more immortality. Usually after about 100
with (demi)human society in one way years of existence, vampires will come
or another. With varying degrees of to realize that they could truly never
success, these creatures will try to cease to exist , . , if they are careful.
take on the mask of mortality, to “play At this stage vampires come to realize,
sometimes for the first time, just what
they have to lose.

Security, to be worth anything, must
be security against all dangers, and
perhaps the greatest danger to a
vampire is boredom. Thus at this
stage, vampires will often g o to great
lengths to ensure that they have
diversions open to them. They may
engage in physical activities, either in
human or animal form, such as
hunting purely for pleasure. They may
surround themselves with things of
beauty. As their intelligence grows
sharper with age, they may entertain
themselves by learning new languages,
and by working their way through the
libraries of humanity. So great may be
their need for company and
companionship that they create a
"groom" or "bride" a vampire with
which they have an intense bond and
kinship. (Grooms and brides are
discussed in Chapter Eleven:
"Relationships Between Vampires.")

This stage of maturity can last for
several centuries. Indeed, many
vampires never progress beyond it. For
them, security and sources of diversion
are all they need.

For other vampires, however, these
two factors are required, but not
sufficient.They need something more.
This "something more" is often found
in a hunger for power. This is
something of an echo of the earlier
stage where they tried to spread their
range of destruction over larger and
larger areas. Now, however, it is their
sphere of influence that they wish to
expand.

The nature of this sphere of
influence depends on the personality of
the vampire. The most obvious
manifestation of power hunger is the
desire to rule, but a vampire-king is
soon faced with a quandary: what do
the people of the land think when their
king has ruled for fifty years? One
hundred? One thousand? Sooner or
later, the vampire's true nature will be
revealed.

Therefore, I surmise that most
vampires in this ambitious

\ of power hunger within a mere century
or two; others might never even reach
. psychological stage either put a mortal this phase. As a general statement,
“figurehecid’’ on the throne while they however, a vampire who manages to
achieve the age of Patriarch will have
rule from behind the scene, or tkley reached the pinnacle of psychological
participat e in a more insidious development.
manifestation of power hunger: in the
vast majcirity of societies, rulers can %o
come anc1 go--even despots anc1
tyrants-i m d “power brokers,” ttle Mortals are cattle,” the uampire said
buyers arId sellers of informatiorI and without animosity. “Yousupply US
favors, retain their places of POPier with food primarily, but with much
(and theiir heads) regardless of 1aw or more as well. You are our tools, you
morality. I a m sure it is in this SIiadowy ephemeral, posturing fools. We use
stratum C,f society that those vaimpires you as pawns in our ongoing
plans.” The creature leaned forward
prefer to operate. to fix me with its icy stare. “Thatis
Still other vampires display ttieir the only significance to your
existence: You serue us.”
hunger fc)r power through a fixation
with the Imagical arts. Those thi~twere -From the personal journal of
wizards (or even priests) in life ’will Dr. van Richt--
sometimses pursue their magica I
endeavo.s~ in unlife. With immol-talky, a ---..LuaT?.----d. -,
vampire can amass a treasure trove of
old tomes,laboratory equipmerit, and One consideration that does not see
magic it<3ms. But even more va hiahle to correlate with a particular phase
is the tini e they can dedicate to their
’a vampire’s psychological
studies. ’If a particularly powerful spell
development is ego. Virtually from
will take ninety years of research, what outset, a vampire will have an
exceptionally strong ego and sense
of it? A Jampire has eternity to invest self-importance.A major conseque
of this is the belief that mortals are
in the results that it desires. basically unimportant. Should a
mortal, an “insignificant creature,”
I belie!ve this cannot be over- challenge it in any meaningful way,
vampire is very likely to respond w
stressed! Vampires capable of casting disbelieving fury and overwhelmin(
spells hzwe literally unlimited time in vengeance. For this reason, amon5
others, injuring a vampire is a
which tcf research and develop new or dangerous thing. One should destri
“custom,ized”versions of familiar the creature or not challenge it at i
spells. 1.he nature of these There is a positive aspect to this
inflated ego, however: vampires
idiosync:ratic abilities depends on the frequently underestimate the risk tl
vampire’s personality. One thing is mortals pose, believing that the
“obvious superiority” of immortals
certain, however: Those who would such ephemeral creatures means t
all mortals are incapable of harmir
hunt a spellcasting vampire-even one A wily vampire hunter can sometir
“only” several centuries of age-should play upon this overconfidence.

be prepared to face magic of a nature

and lethality that can hardly be

imagined by mortal mages.
Many humans and demihumans

become “arrested” at particular stages

of their psychological development-

so too do vampires. Other events can
later reverse this “arrested
development.” For this reason, there is

no direct correlation between the

psychological stages discussed above
and age category. Particularly intuitive

Q vampires might progress to the stage

Throughout the "life" of a vampire,
there is always a grave risk of insanity.
Perhaps it is the enforced separation
from the community of mortals that
unseats the creature's reason, or
perhaps it is the prospect of the
eternity that stretches before them.

Perhaps it has a more physiological
reason, based on the changes that
occur in the brain on transition to
undeath. Whatever the reason, a
significant proportion of vampires
become insane.

Sometimes the transition from
sanity to insanity is hard to spot. As a
result of the creatures' immortality,
they will often engage in plans that
might take centuries to reach fruition.
The creatures' day-to-day actions,
when viewed without the long-view of
immortality, might make little or no
sense. The transition to insanity is
insidious, subtly more complicated as
the vampire engages in more and
more intricate plans-"wheels within
wheels within wheels," to quote one
vampire-and more labyrinthine
plotting. Eventually the creature's day-
to-day actions make no sense to the
creature itself, but it follows through
with them anyway.

In other cases, the transition to
insanity is more obvious. As the
vampire grows older its behavior

becomes more psychotic, more
paranoid a s it begins to grow tired of
its way of life. The tiny part of it that is
still mortal yearns tenaciously for the

things it had in life, while the part of it

that is a vampire scorns those
pleasures of the flesh. Eventually, the

,;Iwa(: J belied ihat there was ~omethin uneihical or ille a/ aboui how the younq

4c!! c

,c3erron.Zahras inherited the a n d ectaic from hir qrandfather. &ionat

c

e7(JL a b r a s . admii it: Ju~iycciedthat 25erron had slain Jonat ju'i to acquire

the ectate.j

e7 beqan to inyeskiair. c7 found that !he criatc had been in the L a b r a c
c

family for five qencraiion~c.7 olio found thai each iime the essiaie chan ed hand~c,

c c!

the curreni owner died or diiapyearcd and a yorrnq relative app-and from abroad to

c

J 4tahe oyer ihe yroyerty. O n a hunch, &mined samylec of handwritin from all

five owneri of /he eiiaie. L C O my horror and shoch, the writinq ~iamplei-.ipread
i

oyer a jreriod of two centuries-had undeniablq comc from the same hand. . . .

@

’?

adventures provides a perfect cover for
the vampire’s “hunting trips.”

In all of these roles there is one
issue that the vampire must address,
and that is feeding. Usually this is not
a major problem. In a town or city of
any size there are enough poor and
destitute to sate the hunger of an army
of vampires. The creatures would
rarely, if ever, kill, choosing instead to
drink small amounts from numerous
victims. Even if the vampires did kill,
few citizens would miss a destitute
beggar or two.

To successfully infiltrate society, a
vampire must disguise, or draw
attention away from, those
characteristics that set it apart from
mortals. This often requires great
cunning, yet these fiends usually have
a surfeit of that characteristic.

Physical Tmfs

The most obvious traits that identify a

vampire are physical. For instance, the

skin of a vampire is typically pale and

cold. While this alone is not enough to

identify the creature’s true nature,

when combined with other clues it can

be damning. Vampires who wish to

survive in society must avoid even the

slightest risks.

There are two ways to handle the

issue of skin color. One is to change it,

either through makeup or magic. The

other is to leave it alone, but simply

provide a convincing rationale For it. A

“gentleman adventurer” vampire might

blame his cold and pale skin on a

“jungle fever” he suffered some years

ago and, in the absence of any reasons

to suspect otherwise, he could

reasonably expect everyone to believe

him. Skin temperature cannot be

disguised by makeup, but a vampire

could simply devise an excuse For not

physically touching anyone. A life-long

phobia, a religious requirement, or

something similar would serve. 6

.I One physical characteristic The easiest solution is simply never
to enter a situation that involves public
impossible to explain away is a eating-dinner parties and the like.
vampire's absence of an image in a The vampire may simply claim a prior
mirror. Obviously the creature's only engagement. Alternatively, it could
choice is to avoid mirrors and other explain that its religion forbids it from
polished surfaces. Thus a vampire's eating and drinking in public, or even
home will have no mirrors or highly that it is allergic to many types of
waxed floors, If the vampire should go foods and must adhere to a very
abroad in society, it will always be on specialized diet. (This latter is
the lookout for reflective surfaces and something of a risk because obliging
avoid them. This is a ticklish point, hosts might offerto meet whatever
and the vampire must be very careful dietary requirements the individual
that mortals do not realize it is has.) In social gatherings among the
avoiding mirrors, because this can be upper class, wine often flows freely.
almost as damning as the lack of a Fortunately for the vampire, it is easy
reflection itself.Vampires are to claim an aversion to alcohol based
exceptionally cunning, however, and on any number of reasons (religious
will frequently find some way of prohibitions, personal taste, allergic
worming out of this problem. reaction, etc.).

Other physical characteristics that More difficult to explain away is the
can give a vampire away are its creature's aversion to holy
resistance to physical damage and the accoutrements. These are rarely in
inhuman speed with which it heals. evidence at social or business
This is easily solved, of course. The gatherings, however, because religion
vampire simply has to avoid being is a personal matter and few people
drawn into combat or into situations would risk offending guests of other
where it might be harmed. faiths. The vampire would have to
build a reputation as either a complete
Or, if it is drawn into combat that it atheist or as a devotee of a faith that
cannot avoid, if challenged to a duel, requires private worship, and in this
for example, it has merely to slay its way avoid being invited to temples or
foe before that unlucky soul even has chapels. The greatest risk to a vampire
a chance to strike the vampire. is casual or purposeful display of holy
Considering a vampire's physical
strength, quickness, and magical
abilities, this is usually very simple to
arrange

Behaviors

Vampires are cursed with certain
behavior patterns that can give away
their true nature to careful observers.
The most notable of these behaviors
are discussed below.

As was mentioned in Chapter Seven
of this treatise, some vampires are
able to ingest normal food and drink,
and to keep it down for at least some
period of time. But individuals unable
to do so must either disguise or
explain the fact that they do not eat or

their days. A vampire moving in these c

circles can simply accept only those
invitations whose events take place
after sunset. If necessary, the vampire
might provide an additional
explanation: perhaps he suffers from a
"childhood malady" that makes the
eyes painfully susceptible to bright
lights.

In criminal society there is less risk
of detection, because so many of this
underclass's activities naturally occur
at night.

The body of a vampire shows no sign G
of aging. Even after a millennium or
more of unlife a vampire looks little
changed from the day on which its
mortal body died. In the short term
this is not an issue. If a vampire
wishes to continue its masquerade
over a period of years or decades,
however, this longevity is something

that must be addressed, especially
among the short-lived races, such
as humans.

A vampire playing a prolonged
facade must take care to simulate the
effects of aging. This can be done
through makeup or by magic. Both
represent risks, of course. Even the
best disguise can be penetrated, and
magical alterations can he detected,

arousing suspicion, and they even
can be dispelled. Powerful magical
items such a s a hat of disguise can
assist the vampire in keeping up the
charade of mortality, but the risk
remains.

Many vampires minimize this risk
by keeping their affectations short-
lived, or by changing locations and
identities every decade or so. A
vampire might "pack up shop" in one
city and disappear, only to resurface

with another identity on another
continent.

If the vampire is looking to gain
nothing more than diversion from the
facade, there is no problem with this

. -. .-. .. .. . .. . .. , . . ~. .,, .. ~. .,. . , ~ ., .IL., ‘c..I
......~ ......, F,.. . .

highwayman, robbing unguarded
travelers and merchant caravans with
relative impunity. Perhaps a “lone
adventurer” might join a party on a
treasure hunt, only to murder his
associates when the prize is achieved.
In a town or city the vampire might
indulge in mugging, or in breaking and
entering. In any case the creature’s
abilities would give it a massive
advantage over mere mortals. A
vampire might also hire itself out as a
lethal assassin.

One of the most interesting options
open to a vampire in need of starting
capital is also one of the most risky. It
is possible for a vampire to kill a
wealthy person-perhaps the owner of
a manor-and temporarily take that
person’s identity, thus playing a very
specific kind of facade. This would
usually involve a magical disguise of
some kind to handle the physical
resemblance, but the other facets of
the impersonation-voice, gestures,
movements, and so forth-would be
remarkably easy for a vampire to
create. The risk of detection would
remain relatively high unless the
vampire made sure to limit contacts
with the outside world, by claiming a
virulent illness, for example.

The impersonation need not last
long, of course. The vampire would
need only sufficient time to orchestrate
a convincing excuse for shipping away
some measure of the unfortunate
victim’s wealth, and then could make
its escape. With at least some portion
of the victim’s possessions converted
to untraceable form, the vampire could
vanish and resurface elsewhere with a
“nest egg” on which to build.

After a vampire has generated
starting capital, it can build that money
into a fortune, just as a mortal might
do. The vampire, however, has a major
advantage: time. The creature can
spend a “paltry” one hundred years
building a business empire, then
liquidate and get on with its real plans.

G

L

.3

Gu.rpicion had been buiidinq in my mind that /he .re/f-dyird Countr~rsSbaiia wac

c

actuaiiq a vampire. c7n fact. c7 had tota//q convinced mqrcif ihai shr wat a fiend. Jou

wi//undrrrtand m y ciuyrfacfion ihcn. when on that wcninq J saw hrr primpinq and
c c
mo.rf rmcem/q ha.rtc, J
prcening in a lith hand mirror rhr beid hefore her face. @t?ifh
c

yojifionrd mystif behind hcr and loohed in the mirror. . . to her face. rmiiinq archiif at
c
mc. e71 war oniq iatcr. after mi! inaction had icd to JO many draths. that J undenfood

whai had hapycncd. ':The C o u n t m Rbalia was not on/!{ a vampire, but ais0 a w i a d

c7of condrabic Mi.a o t h thr mirror Jhc heid and thr rrficction saw in it wcrc

4nothinq more than ma icai iiiusionr. . . .
c
-From the journal of Melnor Melabbey

i o quote from a respected the creature must meditate and pray to
bestiary, "In most cases, receive the powers. Vampire-priests
~ ' ' vampires do not lose the seem to be much more skilled at
1 abilities and knowledge casting spells from the necromantic
' sphere than are mortals, and less
.1 which they had in life adept with spells from the sun sphere.
w;r). ~ . .. become undead. Thus, it is
Tvrning 01-Commanding unclead
possibie 'or a vampire to have the
powers of, for example, a wizard, thief, Vampire-priests who followed nonevil
or even priest." Thankfully, this is not deities while alive retain none of their
always the case, a s the transition to mortal abilities to turn or command
vampirism sometimes seems to wipe other undead. Priests who worshiped
the victim's mind clean of most or all evil deities sometimes retain this ability
previously held skills. after death and, in fact, often wield it
with an aptitude they never had in life.
Priests
wizards
Only those priests who worshiped evil
deities during life can retain the ability Individuals who were wizards or
to cast spells after death. The reason arcanists while alive can retain their
for this is simple: priest spells are spellcasting abilities regardless of their
bestowed by the priest's deity or by its previous alignment, and seem to retain
minions. Deities dedicated to Good will the ability to cast all spells they were
certainly not bestow spells upon able to wield while alive, with much the
vampires because these creatures will same effect. The fact that vampires
always use those spells for evil can develop inhumanly high levels of
purposes. And some evil deities may intelligence gives some creatures the
refuse to bestow spells or, perhaps, ability to cast sometimes many more
only bestow certain spells upon spells than they could while alive.
vampires.
Vampire-mages must memorize
The process that a vampire-priest spells as they did while alive. The
must follow to attain spells is the same same holds true for gaining access to
a s for a mortal priest. In other words, new spells. Vampire-mages must have
spell books, like mortal wizards. These
undead wizards are particularly adept

unable to enter a private dwelling
without invitation (although the
creature's charm-gaze can frequently
make up for this).

The skills of the bard and the gypsy

seem to suffer the most from the

transition to vampirism. Of course, a

vampire-bard or vampire-gypsy gains

similar enhancements to its roguish

skills as does a normal thief, but bards

who could cast wizard spells while

alive invariably lose this ability when

they become vampires. Opinions are

divided on why this is. I believe it is

because bards, unlike true wizards,

rarely if ever understand exactly why

their spells work, casting them only by

rote. Changes occur with the transition

to vampirism, and the bard

underdands too little of magical

tradition to properly alter the spell's

components and cast it as a vampire.

An even greater change occurs in

the bard's ability to inspire and sway

the opinions of mortals. Vampire-bards

always lose this ability. This may, on

the surface, be very surprising. It is

true that a vampire's ability to mimic

behavior allows the creature to play

instruments, to sing, even to recite

poetry with superhuman virtuosity. But

there is something missing from the

vampire's performance that forms the

core of a similar performance by a

bard: the understanding of the

thoughts, fears, hopes, and desires of

the mortals in the audience. The

transition to undeath so distances the

vampire-bard from the emotions of

mortality that it is incapable of forming

the emotional connection with its

audience that a mortal bard can create

instinctively. Thus, while the musical

performance of a vampire may be

technically perfect, it lacks ''soul;'' the

performance of a mortal bard may be

less perfect, but it touches the

emotions. Of course, the creature's

enhanced force of personality G

i.

(Charisma) and charm-gaze can Should, b y some extreme chance, *ry
somewhat m a k e up for this lack. the paladin ever b e brought back from
vampirism, the poor individual will n o
Falidins doubt b e forced to undertake quests of
extreme rigor to b e atoned in the eyes
Unsurprisingly, all of the exalted and o f his or her deity, for the evil taint of
magical abilities of a paladin are lost, vampirism.
should the unfortunate soul become a
vampire. The creature is considered to Rangers
b e a simple vampire-warrior. If the
former paladin had a war horse, the Vampire-rangers retain their tracking
mount will immediately turn against abilities, and their skills at hiding in
the vampire and try-vainly, of shadows and moving silently. In fact,
course-to destroy the abomination these abilities benefit from the
that its rider has become. creature's enhanced sensory acuity. It

This discussion. of course, refers to category, it has a 35% chance of
PCs and NPCs belonging to specific advancing one level in spellcasting
ability. For every 500 years that a
character classes. The DM decides Patriarch exists, it has a 50% chance of
advancing a levei. Vampire-priests cast
whether any individual character necromantic spells as if they were
turned into a vampire retains his or her priests one level higherthan they
character class abilities. As a general actually are, and sun spells as if they
were one level lower.
rule of thumb, the DM could assign a
If a vampire-priest worshiped an evil
65% chance that the character retains deity in life, there is a base 50%
class abilities. chance that the creature will retain the
ability to comrnand other undead as a
Friests vampire-priest. Should the creature
retain this ability, it commands other
Vampiric priests who worshiped evil undead and turns paladins as if it were
deities retain whatever level of
experience they had at the time of their 3 levels higher than its actual level. As
death, and retain access to the same mentioned above for spellcasting, a
spheres they had as mortals, As with
vampire-priest has a 35% chance of
living priests, the DM must adjudicate advancing a level for each age
category it achieves. and a 50%
what spells are bestowed, based upon chance of advancing a level every 500
the vampire-priest's actions and the years it exists as a Patriarch.

nature of its deity. For example, if a WiZWrdS

vampire-priest worshiping the god Vampire-mages,and vampire-arcanists
retain whatever level of experience
Cyric prays for and receives a flame they had at the time of their death, and
retain access tct the same schools they
strike spell, and then uses it to kill had as mortals. They advance in level
some followers of Cyric, then Cyric much more slowly than mortals. Each
would be unlikely to grant the vampire- time the creature attains a new age
priest more speiis until the creature category. it has a 35% chance of
had atoned for this indiscretion. Priests advancing one level in spellcasting
ho worshiped Good deities in life will
naturally lose their spellcastirg powers.
Anchorites that become vampires also
lose their spellcasting abilities.

Vampire-priests advance iri level
much more slowly than mortals; each
time the creature attains a new age