Vampires

Whether they are considered terrifying, blood-sucking night-walkers, vicious brutes who steal their victims' lives, or creatures of eternal beauty and haunting allure, vampires feed upon the living to maintain their unnatural power and youth. Unlike many other undead creatures, vampires vary as widely as the creatures from which they originate. They come from all walks of life—some are civilized, preferring lives of opulence and splendor, amassing wealth as well as influence. Others act more like terrifying savages, feeding upon the local population and causing wanton destruction throughout the area. Vampires can be found anywhere intelligent, living creatures reside. The larger the population, the more potential victims and the more likely it is that vampires can be found there.

In contrast to more grotesque undead, vampires can move among mortal society with relative ease. As long as their bodies are not excessively mangled or decayed, vampires can pass themselves off as unusually pale mortals. These vampires present themselves as nobility, criminal overlords, leaders of barbarian tribes, or other people of power or influence. But blending into mortal society isn't without risk, as subtle distinctions can give a vampire away. The inability to cast a shadow or show a reflection in a mirror can tip off astute mortals to the vampire's true nature.

Due to these weaknesses, some vampires prefer to operate from the shadows, serving as advisors to those in power, trusted guardians for suspicious leaders, or fences for mortal thieves' guilds. Such vampires draw less attention, but are still able to manipulate the strings of the devious plans they concoct.

Vampires that hide their undead natures from mortal society and don't want to feed on mortals have some options to help them survive. Alchemical blood is one, but a more common method is to drink the blood of animals. No one questions when someone purchases an animal, slaughters it, and serves it for dinner. Unlike mortals, a vampire does not eat the animal's remains, so it must take care not to leave carcasses drained of blood where they can be found, since these could point to the vampire's true nature.

By contrast, other vampires live openly, making no effort to hide their undead nature at all. They generally possess such wealth and power that they don't fear angry mobs of mortals. A few such vampires are powerful spellcasters who use magic to dampen the light around them, allowing them to operate in broad daylight. Others openly act as subordinates to even more powerful undead, such as liches and raveners.

Vampires can dominate the minds of mortals, compelling them to obey the vampire's every whim. Potent vampires can compel lifelong friends to turn on each other, or even force people to kill their own loved ones. Other mortals willingly give themselves over to vampires, either in exchange for a reward or a taste of power, or because the mortal falls for the vampire's dangerous mystique and romanticizes the act of the vampire's bite.

Vampires often collectively refer to humans who willingly allow themselves to be bitten as a herd. Frequently, vampires view these humans as little more than livestock, since they serve the same purpose. However, they often need to provide their herds with other benefits to keep them around and docile. These can be anything from favors, to illegal alchemical narcotics, to bribes of gold and treasure.

A few humans might provide vampires—especially exceptionally charismatic ones—with their blood for the thrill of the experience, but those that do so are rare. Vampires end up dominating most of the thralls in their herds, but value willing servants because of their autonomy and ability to function as envoys. The more willing the members in a herd are, the greater prestige a vampire holds among his fellow undead.

Beyond their mortal minions, vampires can drain the blood or life energy from a victim to create spawn enslaved to their will—either full-fledged vampires or weaker vampire spawn. These servitors are stronger than mortals, but also consume blood the master could use.

The frightening power of vampires is offset by their vulnerabilities. Vampires burn to ash in the light of the sun, a weakness that condemns them to feed and work at night. They cannot endure running water, and a simple wooden stake through the heart is enough to slay a vampire—at least until the stake is removed. Vampires also recoil from garlic, holy symbols, and mirrors. Furthermore, a vampire cannot enter a private home without first being invited inside, though nothing stops a vampire's mortal followers from breaking down a door and dragging a target out of a dwelling which the vampire cannot enter. A vampire is also tied to its coffin; if unable to return to its sarcophagus to recuperate, an injured vampire might very well be destroyed.

From the typical vampire's perspective, her only equal is another vampire. They see themselves as inherently superior to living creatures, and this hubris extends to most other undead as well. Vampires view most other undead creatures as their inferiors at best, or as servants or slaves at worst. Reality sometimes intrudes on these perceptions, and especially powerful undead such as liches more readily earn the vampires' grudging respect.

On rare occasions, vampires can conceive children with the living. These cursed creatures, the dhampirs, retain some traits of their vampire parent, and live as misunderstood outcasts. Often, they grow to become vampire hunters, using their natural gifts to resist the undead they despise. They seek vengeance upon their undead parent, and many vampires try to kill these offspring before they are hunted down.

Full statistics for vampires can be found in their Bestiary entry.

New Rules

The following section describes the main types of vampires, gives templates for their minions, and details new feats, a piece of equipment, and magic items favored by vampires.

Vampire Templates

Game statistics for vampires are created by using vampire templates. Each template creates a different kind of vampire. Other types of vampire exist, some of them arising from rare or even unique circumstances, but the following are the most notable types.

Jiang-Shi: Created when a restless spirit does not leave its corpse at the time of death, a jiang-shi more closely resembles a rotting corpse than other vampires do. Instead of feeding on blood, jiang-shi siphon chi from their victims' breath. Marked with a rune-inscribed parchment affixed to its head, a jiang-shi has different drawbacks than moroi and nosferatu.

Moroi: The standard vampire template creates what most people would consider a "common" vampire. They sometimes call themselves "moroi" to distinguish them from other kinds of vampires, which are inferior in their estimation.

Nosferatu: Said by some to be the progenitors of all vampires, nosferatu are immortal but lack the eternal youthful beauty of the moroi. Resentful of their more attractive offshoot race, nosferatu tend to be hermits, keeping their hideous, withered visages out of mortal sight to avoid suspicion. Nosferatu cannot create others of their kind, thus their numbers are dwindling.

Vampire Minion Simple Templates

Vampires can change mortals that they frequently come into contact with. The following templates are indicative of such phenomena, and are available to creatures associated with or victims of vampires.

Addle-Minded (CR +0)

A creature that remains dominated by vampires for long stretches begins to lose touch with his sense of identity. The creature no longer knows exactly what his own desires are anymore and he becomes easily confused. Should that mortal ever be the target of a mind-affecting spell, that mortal is just as likely to babble madly to himself as he is to lash out and strike anyone nearby. An addle-minded creature's quick and rebuild rules are the same.

Rebuild Rules: Saves –2 penalty on all Will saves. Special Qualities Gains the addled defensive ability.

Addled (Su) : Whenever the addle-minded creature fails a saving throw against a mind-affecting effect (other than dominate person, dominate monster, or any other spell or spell-like ability with "dominate" in its name), it becomes confused as the confusion spell, and it must roll on that spell's table to determine its behavior. Instead of acting normally on a roll of 01–25, the creature is instead normally affected by the spell or effect that round.

Repeatedly Drained (CR –1)

A creature from which a vampire routinely drinks blood usually adapts to the rapid and repeated blood loss, but a thirsty vampire can push too far, physically weakening her prey. The victim's skin turns pale and her eyes become listless; others describe the victim as "wasting away" or "a walking corpse." Few mortals realize that these descriptions are accurate, and the victim is, in fact, courting death.

Quick Rules: –2 on all rolls based on Con or Cha and to the DCs of all special abilities based on Con or Cha, –2 hp/HD, +2 on saving throws vs. energy drain.

Rebuild Rules: Defensive Abilities resist drain special ability; Ability Scores –4 Con, –4 Cha.

Resist Drain (Ex) : After having its blood sucked out over and over again by a vampire, the repeatedly drained creature becomes used to the effects and builds a natural tolerance for energy drain. The repeatedly drained creature gains a +4 bonus on saving throws against energy drain attacks and the saving throw to overcome negative levels. It suffers no penalties from negative levels, though it still dies if its negative levels equal or exceed its Hit Dice.

Vampire Feats

Vampires and their ilk can make use of the following feats to help them better survive.

Aversion Tolerance

You have been hunted for so long that you have developed resistances to slayers' usual scare tactics.

Prerequisite: Vampire.

Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus on saves made to resist aversions to objects, sounds, and materials appropriate to your vampire type (such as garlic, holy symbols, and mirrors for a moroi). When confronted with such things, you can attempt a saving throw immediately instead of after 1 round.

Vampiric Companion

Just as your undead existence mocks nature, so too does your twisted companion reflect the vile nature of vampirism.

Prerequisites: Dhampir or vampire, nongood alignment, 10th level in a class that grants a familiar or animal companion.

Benefit: Your animal companion or familiar's type changes to "undead." The creature gains fast healing 5 as well as your vampire or dhampir weaknesses. If you are a vampire, the creature also gains the following abilities, depending on what type of vampire you are.

Jiang-Shi : While the creature is adjacent to or in your square, it gains the benefit of your prayer scroll ability. The creature crumbles into dust if destroyed (just like a jiang-shi), but is not permanently destroyed unless measures are taken that would destroy a jiang-shi.

Moroi : If the creature is adjacent to or in your square when you assume gaseous form, it transforms with you and follows you; its transformation ends when yours does. If reduced to 0 hit points, it's forced into gaseous form and must return to your coffin to reform (or the foot of your coffin if it cannot fit within it).

Nosferatu : If the creature is adjacent to or in your square when you assume swarm form, it transforms with you and follows you; its transformation ends when yours does. The creature can climb as if using the spider climb vampire ability, even if its anatomy is not suitable for climbing (such as a horse).

Special: If your animal companion or familiar is destroyed, dismissed, or lost, you can apply the effects of this feat to the replacement creature. If you are destroyed, the creature retains its undead type but loses all other special abilities from this feat. If you have more than one animal companion or familiar, choose one of them when you select this feat and apply its effects to that creature.

You can select this feat more than once. Each time you select the feat, it applies to a different animal companion or familiar.

Vampire Equipment

Some vampires make use of the following item.

Alchemical Blood

Price 40 gp; Weight 1 lb.

This flask of red liquid is enough to for 1 day stave off a vampire's hunger for blood. Few vampires enjoy it; most describe it as tasting stale and artificial. Some, particularly weaker or newer ones, feel that it interferes with the unholy magic keeping their bodies animated. However, it's an option utilized by vampires that are running for their unlives and attempting to stay hidden from vampire hunters. Crafting this item requires a successful DC 40 Craft (alchemy) check.

Vampire Magic Items

The following magic items are especially useful to vampires and vampire spawn.

Bloodfeast shield

Price 18,770 gp; Slot shield; CL 12th; Weight 15 lbs.; Aura strong necromancy

Three flensed skulls jut from the face of this +2 heavy steel shield . Three times per day as a free action, the shield's wearer can command the heads to attack independently of her, biting with the wearer's base attack bonus (making multiple attacks if the wearer has a high enough base attack bonus). This attack is in addition to any actions performed by the wearer, and deals 1d6 points of damage plus 1 point of Constitution damage.

When using the bloodfeast shield's ability, if the wearer is a vampire (or regains hit points from blood drain in a similar manner), she also heals 5 hit points or gains 5 temporary hit points for 1 hour.

Construction Requirements

Cost 9,545 gp

Craft Magic Arms and Armor, vampiric touch

Bloodletting Thimble

Price 2,000 gp; Slot ring; CL 3rd; Weight —; Aura faint enchantment

This platinum thimble, intricately crafted in the shape of an animal claw, is worn on one finger. A vampire wearer can use the thimble to inflict a tiny wound as part of the use of a blood drain, energy drain, or drain chi ability; use of the thimble in this way isn't an action. This wound deals no additional damage, but it turns the target's pain to pleasure. The target must succeed at a DC 14 Will save or become fascinated by the wearer and make no attempt to resist the draining on that round and the following 2 rounds. At the end of this time, the creature's senses return and it can react accordingly.

Construction Requirements

Cost 1,000 gp

Forge Ring, enthrall

Example Vampires

Vampire Servants

A vampire often needs mortal minions—especially during the day, when it must retreat to its coffin for safety.

Coffin Guard CR 3

XP 800

Elf ranger 4

NE Medium humanoid (elf)

Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10

Defense

AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +4 Dex)

hp 38 (4d10+12)

Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +2; +2 vs. enchantments

Immune sleep

Offense

Speed 30 ft.

Melee mwk rapier +7 (1d6+1/18–20), mwk rapier +7 (1d6/18–20)

Ranged mwk composite longbow +9 (1d8+2/×3)

Special Attacks combat style (two-weapon), favored enemy (humans +2)

Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +2)

1st—entangle (DC 12)

Statistics

Str 12, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 8

Base Atk +4; CMB +5; CMD 19

Feats Endurance, Toughness, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse

Skills Intimidate +6, Knowledge (geography) +8, Knowledge (local) +5, Perception +10, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +10, Survival +8

Languages Common, Draconic, Elven

SQ elven magic, favored terrain (urban +2), hunter's bond (companions), track +2, wild empathy +3

Combat Gear potion of cat's grace, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of protective penumbra, scroll of animal messenger, scroll of longstrider ; Other Gear mwk chain shirt, mwk composite longbow with 20 arrows, mwk rapiers (2), sunrods (5), 9 gp

Only the most trusted of servants are given the position of a vampire's coffin guard. This mortal stands watch over the vampire while his master is resting.

The coffin guard isn't just tasked with protecting his master. He snatches corpses and ingredients required for the vampire's workings. He knows where to find many ingredients in the woods, away from the prying eyes of the city folk, though he's not afraid to coerce those same city-dwellers into doing his bidding for him.

Weird Butler CR 4

XP 1,200

Halfling oracle 5

CE Small humanoid (halfling)

Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7

Defense

AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 16 (+5 armor, +3 Dex, +1 size)

hp 31 (5d8+5)

Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5; +2 vs. fear

Offense

Speed 20 ft.

Melee mwk dagger +3 (1d3–2/19–20)

Ranged dagger +7 (1d3–2/19–20)

Oracle Spells Known (CL 5th; concentration +9)

2nd (5/day)—desecrate, false life, hold person (DC 16), inflict moderate wounds (DC 16)

1st (7/day)—cause fear (DC 15), compel hostility (DC 15), cure light wounds, inflict light wounds (DC 15), obscuring mist, shield of faith

0 (at will)—bleed (DC 14), detect magic, mending, resistance, stabilize, virtue

Mystery bones

Statistics

Str 6, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 18

Base Atk +3; CMB +0; CMD 13

Feats Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Lucky Halfling

Skills Acrobatics +4, Bluff +12, Climb –1, Diplomacy +12, Intimidate +12, Knowledge (local) +6, Knowledge (religion) +9, Perception +7

Languages Abyssal, Common, Halfling

SQ oracle's curse (clouded vision), revelations (bleeding wounds, death's touch)

Combat Gear potion of invisibility, scrolls of dread bolt (2), scroll of helping hand, scroll of hide from undead, scroll of lesser animate dead, scroll of protective penumbra, scroll of silence, scroll of status, unholy water (4); Other Gear +1 chain shirt, dagger, mwk dagger, spell component pouch, sunrods (2), silver dust (worth 50 gp), 92 gp

The highest-ranked mortal servant of a vampire, the butler is responsible for maintaining order among the other servants. He knows all his master's secrets and guards them well. He's responsible for disposing bodies that result from his master's deadlier feeding sessions.

A butler might work for a vampire because he wants to be rewarded with unlife himself. As many vampires collect vast fortunes over their long lives, some butlers are initially lured into service due to avarice.

Vampire Seducer

Vampires trained in the bardic arts couple those skills with their vampiric abilities of domination and persuasion to freely mingle with mortal society.

Vampire Seducer CR 6

XP 2,400

Human vampire bard 5

NE Medium undead (augmented humanoid, human)

Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +19

Defense

AC 25, touch 15, flat-footed 20 (+4 armor, +4 Dex, +1 dodge, +6 natural)

hp 61 (5d8+35); fast healing 5

Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +5; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4; DR 10/magic and silver; Immune undead traits; Resist cold 10, electricity 10

Weaknesses vampire weaknesses

Offense

Speed 30 ft.

Melee slam +7 (1d4+4 plus energy drain)

Special Attacks bardic performance 24 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 18], inspire competence +2, inspire courage +2), blood drain, children of the night, create spawn, dominate (DC 18), energy drain (2 levels, DC 18)

Bard Spells Known (CL 5th; concentration +11)

2nd (4/day)—darkness, enthrall (DC 20), share memor y (DC 18)

1st (6/day)—charm person (DC 19), ear-piercing scream, lesser confusion (DC 19), memory lapse (DC 19)

0 (at will)—daze (DC 18), detect magic, mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation (DC 16), unwitting ally (DC 18)

Tactics

During Combat The vampire seducer uses her dominate ability to make others defend her, calls for assistance using her children of the night ability, and attacks with her slams. She uses her necklace of fireballs when she can target multiple opponents.

Statistics

Str 18, Dex 18, Con —, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 22

Base Atk +3; CMB +7; CMD 22

Feats Alertness, Combat Casting, Dodge, Extra Performance, Greater Spell Focus (enchantment), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Spell Focus (enchantment), Toughness

Skills Bluff +22, Diplomacy +14, Intimidate +14, Knowledge (local) +12, Knowledge (nobility) +12, Perception +19, Perform (act) +14, Perform (dance) +14, Sense Motive +19, Stealth +19; Racial Modifiers +8 Bluff, +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive, +8 Stealth

Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven

SQ bardic knowledge +2, change shape (dire bat or wolf, beast shape II ), gaseous form, lore master 1/day, shadowless, spider climb, versatile performance (dance)

Combat Gear feather token (whip), necklace of fireballs (type I), potion of inflict moderate wounds, potion of invisibility, scroll of haste, wand of disguise self (15 charges), smokesticks (2), thunderstones (2); Other Gear mwk chain shirt, animated portrai t, 450 gp

A vampire seducer relies on getting others to do her bidding instead of acting in the open herself. Deception, manipulation, and spells are all tools of her trade. This does not mean that such a vampire cannot defend herself in combat—it simply means that she prefers to get others to risk their necks instead of taking matters into her own cold, dead hands.

Through a blend of natural charm, physical beauty, and supernatural persuasion, the vampire seducer selects her prey from among her admirers and critics, takes her victim back to her home, and convinces them to let her bite them willingly—all part of her game. The vampire might dispose of her victims before they are too obviously afflicted by her unnatural appetites by forcing them to duel rivals for her affection or arranging for mysterious accidents and suicides (usually easily explained as the result of broken hearts).

If the seducer's true nature is ever discovered, she has no qualms about abandoning the paramours she has acquired and relocating to a new city to begin her plots anew. Some seducers do this many times over the course of their long unlives, if only to stave off the eternal boredom that inevitably afflicts them all.

Vampire Warrior

Some vampires learn the arts of war while alive, then carry on those traditions into undeath.

Vampire Warrior CR 8

XP 4,800

Vishkanya jiang-shi vampire fighter 7

LE Medium undead (augmented humanoid, vishkanya)

Init +9; Senses blindsight 60 ft. (breathing creatures only), darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +21

Defense

AC 25, touch 15, flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +4 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural)

hp 78 (7d10+35); fast healing 5

Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +4 (+2 vs. fear); +2 vs. poison

Defensive Abilities bravery +2, channel resistance +4, prayer scroll; DR 10/magic and slashing; Immune undead traits; Resist cold 20

Weaknesses jiang-shi weaknesses

Offense

Speed 20 ft.

Melee mwk katana +15/+10 (1d8+8/15–20 plus poison) or bite +12 (1d6+5), 2 claws +12 (1d8+5/19–20 plus grab)

Ranged shuriken +12/+7 (1d2+5)

Special Attacks drain chi (DC 17), poison, weapon training (heavy blades +1)

Tactics

Before Combat The warrior vampire uses her oil of keen edge on her katana and applies a dose of her racial poison to it.

During Combat The warrior vampire uses her scabbard of vigor to grant her katana a +3 enhancement bonus for 3 rounds. Once that expires, or if her katana attacks are ineffective, she resorts to natural attacks, grappling, and her drain chi ability.

Statistics

Str 20, Dex 20, Con —, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 18

Base Atk +7; CMB +12; CMD 28

Feats Alertness, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (katana), Improved Initiative, Mobility, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Acrobatics), Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (katana), Weapon Specialization (katana)

Skills Acrobatics +12, Craft (calligraphy) +4, Craft (paintings) +4, Escape Artist +3, Knowledge (local) +2, Knowledge (nobility) +2, Perception +21, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +12; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics, +8 Perception, +10 Stealth

Languages Common, Vishkanya

SQ armor training 2, poison use, toxic (4/day)

Combat Gear oil of keen edge, potion of bull's strength, potion of fly, potion of haste, potion of inflict moderate wounds, potion of invisibility ; Other Gear o-yoroi, mwk katana, shuriken (20), brooch of shielding (50 points), scabbard of vigo r, 46 gp

Special Abilities

Drain Chi (Su) Instead of draining blood, a jiang-shi vampire drains "chi," or life energy, from a victim's breath. When a jiang-shi makes a successful grapple check (in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage), the jiang-shi can attempt to drain chi by drinking the victim's breath. The victim can resist this attack by succeeding at a DC 17 Fortitude save. On a failed save, the victim gains 1 negative level and is staggered for 1d4 rounds.

Poison (Ex) Vishkanya Venom : Weapon—injury; save Fort DC 17; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Dex; cure 1 save.

Prayer Scroll (Su) The scroll attached to the brow of a jiang-shi grants immunity to any effects generated by spell-completion or spell-trigger magic items, such as scrolls and wands. Such magical effects treat the jiang-shi as if she had unbeatable spell resistance. A jiang-shi's prayer scroll can be removed with a successful steal combat maneuver, which immediately ends the jiang-shi's immunity to these effects. If a jiang-shi's prayer scroll is destroyed (a standard action), the vampire also loses her fast healing ability. A jiang-shi can create a replacement prayer scroll by using any strip of parchment and a writing instrument, but doing so requires 10 minutes of uninterrupted work.

Toxic (Ex) Four times per day as a swift action, a vishkanya can envenom a weapon that she wields with her toxic saliva or blood.

When this vishkanya was alive, she pursued the path of the samurai, but wasn't allowed to join their honorable ranks. Her restless spirit remained trapped in her flesh after death, and eventually she animated her own rotting body and sought out those who had wronged her.

Vampire Savage

Not all vampires clothe themselves in the trappings of civilization. Some embrace their bestial natures.

Vampire Savage CR 10

XP 9,600

Half-orc vampire barbarian 9

CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid, human, orc)

Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +24

Defense

AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 16 (+1 deflection, +4 Dex, +1 dodge, +7 natural, –2 rage)

hp 136 (9d12+72); fast healing 5

Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +8

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4, improved uncanny dodge, orc ferocity, trap sense +3; DR 10/magic and silver and DR 1/—; Immune undead traits; Resist cold 10, electricity 10

Weaknesses vampire weaknesses

Offense

Speed 40 ft.

Melee +1 greataxe +20/+15 (1d12+16/×3), bite +14 (1d4+5 plus energy drain), slam +15 (1d4+5 plus energy drain)

Special Attacks blood drain, children of the night, create spawn, dominate (DC 20), energy drain (2 levels, DC 20), rage (24 rounds/day), rage powers (animal fury, bleeding blow, no escape, powerful blow +3)

Tactics

Before Combat The vampire savage drinks one or more of his potions as appropriate to the upcoming battle.

During Combat The vampire savage rages and makes full attacks against his opponents, grappling an opponent and draining blood if he has an opportunity to do so.

Base Statistics When he's not raging, the savage's statistics are AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 18; hp 118; Fort +11, Will +6; Melee +1 greataxe +18/+13 (1d12+13/×3), slam +13 (1d4+4 plus energy drain), bite +12 (1d4+4 plus energy drain); Str 26, Cha 18; CMB +17 (+21 bull rush); CMD 33 (33 vs. bull rush).

STATISTICS

Str 30, Dex 18, Con —, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 22

Base Atk +9; CMB +19 (+23 bull rush); CMD 33 (35 vs. bull rush)

Feats Alertness, Cleave, Dodge, Greater Bull Rush, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Toughness, Weapon Focus (slam)

Skills Acrobatics +16 (+20 when jumping), Intimidate +20, Knowledge (nature) +12, Perception +24, Sense Motive +12; Racial Modifiers +8 Bluff, +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive, +8 Stealth

Languages Common, Orc

SQ change shape (dire bat or wolf, beast shape II ), fast movement, gaseous form, orc blood, shadowless, spider climb

Combat Gear potion of blur, potion of haste, potion of resist energy (fire); Other Gear +1 greataxe, amulet of natural armor +1, belt of giant strength +2, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, 80 gp

Special Abilities

Undead Barbarian An undead creature with the ability to enter a rage gains the morale bonuses from rage despite being immune to morale effects. The bonus to Constitution from the rage applies to an undead creature's Charisma instead.

With razor-sharp fangs and the ability to drain the life out of his opponents, a vampire savage is a frightening sight to behold. This vampire tears his victims apart even as he bleeds them dry—savoring every scream he causes, enjoys the last heartbeat of each victim, and laughs at adventurers who dare to try stopping his murderous rampage. Because the vampire savage mangles the bodies of his victims so badly, many believe that his killings are the work of a wild animal. The carnage he leaves in his wake stands as an easy trail for a hunter to follow, but those would-be vampire slayers who get too close are not usually seen again.

This sort of vampire often takes control of a violent tribe of orcs, gnolls, and similar creatures, driving them into a frenzy and demanding blood sacrifices from them to appease his appetite.

Enlightened Vampire

An enlightened vampire tries to live in peace with his surroundings, drinking the blood of the living only when he must do so to survive and trying not to kill his victims when he does.

Enlightened Vampire CR 12

XP 19,200

Human vampire monk (hungry ghost monk) 11

LE Medium undead (augmented humanoid, human)

Init +9; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +30

Defense

AC 34, touch 25, flat-footed 28 (+2 armor, +1 deflection, +5 Dex, +1 dodge, +4 monk, +4 Wis, +7 natural)

hp 108 (11d8+55); fast healing 5

Fort +10, Ref +14, Will +11; +2 vs. enchantments

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4, improved evasion; DR 10/magic and silver; Immune disease, poison, undead traits; Resist cold 10, electricity 10

Weaknesses vampire weaknesses

Offense

Speed 60 ft.

Melee unarmed strike +15/+10 (2d8+6/19–20 plus energy drain) or flurry of blows +15/+15/+10/+10/+5 (2d8+6/19–20 plus energy drain) or slam +14 (1d4+6 plus energy drain)

Special Attacks blood drain, children of the night, create spawn, dominate (DC 18), energy drain (2 levels, DC 18), flurry of blows, life from a stone, life funnel, steal ki

Tactics

During Combat The enlightened vampire uses flurry of blows and ki strike to gain extra attacks, and uses steal ki and life funnel to replenish his ki and hit points. He uses Punishing Kick to knock his most dangerous opponent prone, then grapples it and drains its blood.

Statistics

Str 22, Dex 20, Con —, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 16

Base Atk +8; CMB +17 (+21 grapple); CMD 39 (41 vs. grapple)

Feats Alertness, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Gorgon's Fist, Greater Grapple, Improved Critical (unarmed strike), Improved Grapple, Improved Initiative, Improved Unarmed Strike, Ki Stand, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Power Attack, Punishing Kick, Scorpion Style, Step Up, Toughness, Weapon Focus (unarmed strike)

Skills Acrobatics +19 (+42 when jumping), Climb +20, Intimidate +17, Knowledge (history) +16, Perception +30, Sense Motive +30, Stealth +27; Racial Modifiers +8 Bluff, +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive, +8 Stealth

Languages Celestial, Common, Elven

SQ change shape (dire bat or wolf, beast shape II ), fast movement, gaseous form, high jump, ki pool (9 points, cold iron/lawful/magic), life funnel, maneuver training, shadowless, slow fall 50 ft., spider climb

Combat Gear potion of displacement, potion of haste ; Other Gear amulet of natural armor +1, belt of physical might +2 (Str, Dex), bracers of armor +1, headband of alluring charisma +2, ring of protection +1, 500 gp

An enlightened vampire spends his nights in meditation. He tries to live an ascetic's life, in search of purity and wholeness, even if his very nature requires him to harm others on a regular basis. Because of this, he lives in a state of suffering, seeking to atone for his nature while exploring the mysteries of enlightenment. This outlook on unlife doesn't stop him from killing his enemies. Whenever someone harms his spawn or one of his herd, an enlightened vampire responds with deliberate and decisive action.

Vampire Lord

A vampire lord is a ruthless, calculating noble or other figure of authority that dominates her political landscape.

Vampire Lord CR 15

XP 51,200

Half-elf vampire magus 14

NE Medium undead (augmented humanoid, elf, human)

Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +35

Defense

AC 28, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+7 armor, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +7 natural)

hp 150 (14d8+84); fast healing 5

Fort +16, Ref +10, Will +13; +2 vs. enchantments

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4; DR 10/magic and silver; Immune sleep, undead traits; Resist cold 10, electricity 10

Weaknesses vampire weaknesses

Offense

Speed 20 ft.

Melee +1 frost longsword +20/+15 (1d8+11/17–20 plus 2d6), slam +13 (1d4+8 plus energy drain)

Special Attacks blood drain, children of the night, create spawn, dominate (DC 22), energy drain (2 levels, DC 22), greater spell combat, improved spell combat, spell combat (–2 attack, +2 concentration, double bonus), spellstrike

Magus Spells Prepared (CL 14th; concentration +18)

5th—baleful polymorph (DC 19), monstrous physique III

4th—fire shield, greater invisibility, ice storm, shout (DC 18), stoneskin

3rd—cloak of wind s, dispel magic, fireball (DC 17), haste, slow (DC 17)

2nd—darkness, frigid touch, mirror image, scorching ray (2), web (DC 16)

1st—expeditious retreat, frostbite, shield, shocking grasp (2), true strike

0 (at will)—arcane mark, dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound (DC 14), ray of frost

Tactics

Before Combat The vampire lord casts stoneskin on herself.

During Combat The vampire casts cloak of winds, expeditious retreat, greater invisibility, and shield on herself. She uses accurate strike against better-defended opponents, Mobility to avoid flanking, and Flanking Foil to negate sneak attacks.

Statistics

Str 26, Dex 14, Con —, Int 18, Wis 15, Cha 20

Base Atk +10; CMB +18; CMD 32

Feats Alertness, Combat Casting, Critical Focus, Disruptive, Dodge, Flanking Foil, Improved Critical (longsword), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception), Spellbreaker, Toughness, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword)

Skills Diplomacy +12, Intimidate +22, Knowledge (arcana) +21, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +21, Knowledge (local) +11, Knowledge (nobility) +11, Perception +35, Sense Motive +12, Spellcraft +21, Use Magic Device +15; Racial Modifiers +8 Bluff, +8 Perception, +8 Sense Motive, +8 Stealth

Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Sylvan, Undercommon

SQ arcane pool (11 points, +4), change shape (dire bat or wolf, beast shape II ), elf blood, fighter training (fighter level 7), gaseous form, heavy armor proficiency, improved spell recall, knowledge pool, magus arcana (accurate strike, concentrate, spell shield, spellbreaker) medium armor proficiency, shadowless, spider climb

Gear +1 breastplate, +1 frost longsword, amulet of natural armor +1, belt of physical might +2 (Str, Dex), cloak of resistance +2, headband of alluring charisma +4, ring of protection +1, granite and diamond dust (worth 500 gp), 835 gp

Vampire Spawn

This pale humanoid has fangs and burning red eyes.

Vampire Spawn CR 2

XP 600

Human rogue 2

NE Medium undead (human)

Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +9

Defense

AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+4 armor, +2 Dex, +4 natural)

hp 18 (2d8+6); fast healing 2

Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +1

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +2, evasion; DR 5/silver; Immune undead traits; Resist cold 10, electricity 10

Weaknesses resurrection vulnerability, vampire weaknesses

Offense

Speed 30 ft.

Melee slam +4 (1d4+4 plus energy drain)

Ranged dagger +3 (1d4+3/19–20)

Special Attacks blood drain, dominate (DC 13), energy drain (1 level, DC 13), sneak attack +1d6

Statistics

Str 17, Dex 14, Con —, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 15

Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 16

Feats Improved Initiative, Intimidating Prowess, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Acrobatics +13, Climb +6, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +9, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +13

Languages Common, Halfling

SQ gaseous form, rogue talents (strong impression), shadowless, spider climb, trapfinding +1

Ecology

Environment any

Organization gang (2–8) or family (vampire plus 2–8)

Treasure NPC Gear (chain shirt, dagger, other treasure)

The following template can be used to create unique vampire spawn with class levels.

Creating a Vampire Spawn

"Vampire spawn" is an acquired template that can be added to any living creature with 4 or more Hit Dice (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A vampire spawn uses the base creature's stats and abilities except as noted here.

CR: Same as the base creature + 1.

Alignment: Any evil.

Type: The creature's type changes to undead. Do not recalculate class Hit Dice, BAB, or saves.

Senses: A vampire spawn gains darkvision to 60 feet.

Armor Class: Natural armor increases to +4, unless the base creature's natural armor is already +4 or higher.

Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. Class Hit Dice are unaffected. As undead, vampire spawn use their Cha modifier to determine bonus hit points (instead of Con).

Defensive Abilities: A vampire spawn gains channel resistance +2, DR 5/silver, resistance 10 against cold and electricity, and fast healing 2.

Weaknesses: A vampire spawn has the same weaknesses of the vampire that created it.

Resurrection Vulnerability (Su) : A raise dead or similar spell cast on a vampire spawn destroys it (Will negates). Using the spell in this way does not require a material component.

Melee: A vampire spawn gains a slam attack if the base creature didn't have one. Damage for the slam depends on the vampire spawn's size (see Bestiary 301).

Special Attacks: A vampire spawn gains a vampire's blood drain and dominate special attacks. The vampire who created the spawn can influence a spawn's dominated creature as if she had dominated it herself.

Energy Drain (Su) : A creature hit by a vampire spawn's slam (or other natural weapon) gains 1 negative level. This ability only triggers only once per round.

Special Qualities: A vampire spawn gains the gaseous form, shadowless, and spider climb abilities of a vampire.

Ability Scores: Cha +2.

Skills: Spawn gain a +8 racial bonus on Acrobatics and Stealth checks.

Feats: Spawn gain Skill Focus (Perception) as a bonus feat.

Encounters

Encounters with vampires can be as varied as a wandering group of hunting vampires or an established family that has been in residence for decades.

False Family (CR 5)

Many times, a true vampire sends mortal and undead minions to scout out an area, with a spawn pretending to be full vampire. If the group prospers, the vampire might visit. If the group is destroyed, the vampire knows it should proceed with caution. A vampire might also use this sort of team to claim a newly risen spawn from its coffin or crypt.

Shady Minions (5) CR 1/2

XP 200 each

Addle-minded brigand

hp 15 each

Vampire Spawn CR 2

XP 600

hp 18

Celebration (CR 8)

When a vampire seducer throws a party, it is the talk of the town, and everyone hopes to be invited. The exotic pleasures are unforgettable. The vampire's herd works the party, ushering individuals away from the crowd to spend a few quiet moments with the vampire. Those partygoers return to the party feeling light headed, while the vampire feeds well that night.

Vampire Seducer CR 6

XP 2,400

hp 61

Vampire Spawn (2) CR 2

XP 600 each

hp 18 each

Weird Butler CR 4

XP 1,200

hp 31

Hunger (CR 12)

When several vampires are on the prowl for blood, they collectively call themselves a hunger of vampires. This group constantly tries to creatively one up each other in the ways they seduce and kill their victims. At least one vampire brings along a butler to ensure any other desires are met.

Coffin Guard CR 3

XP 800

hp 38

Vampire Seducers (2) CR 6

XP 2,400 each

hp 61 each

Vampires (2) CR 9

XP 6,400 each

hp 102 each

Weird Butler CR 4

XP 1,200

hp 31

Family (CR 16)

A mockery of a mortal family, a vampire "family" consists of a powerful vampire lord along with several lesser vampires, spawn, and mortal minions. This family, all of whom are either dominated or enslaved by the vampire lord, follow their leader's directives without fail.

Coffin Guards (5) CR 3

XP 800 each

hp 38 each

Vampire CR 9

XP 6,400

hp 102

Vampire Lord CR 15

XP 51,200

hp 150

Vampire Warrior (2) CR 8

XP 4,800 each

hp 78 each

Vampire Spawn (5) CR 2

XP 600 each

hp 18 each

Weird Butler CR 4

XP 1,200

hp 31