A few questions about vampires [Archive] - Wizards Community

A few questions about vampires [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
KingVillain
02-10-08, 04:35 PM My PC and I are playing a vampire adventure and we have some questions.
Can a vampire cross a bridge?
What character class could be assigned to a commoner that becomes turned?
Besides melee',how else could XP be awarded?

This is a first for us both.Any advice would be appreciated.
cool_dude1010
02-10-08, 05:06 PM A vampire can cross a bridge,the just cant go into flowing water.
Moose_Fisher
02-10-08, 07:05 PM adding on to what cool_dude said:

A commoner turned vampire is still a commoner, just with a template added.

XP is awarded according to the DM, but you could try forcing the vampire into sunlight for an extended period of time.
Edymnion
02-10-08, 07:17 PM Can a vampire cross a bridge?Check the Monster Manual, it doesn't list anything about not being able to cross over running water, just not being able to enter it. When in doubt, read the monster entry. If it is not specifically mentioned, you should not assume the creature has it (for good or for bad).What character class could be assigned to a commoner that becomes turned?None, you don't magically become skilled in something just because you become a vampire. I mean, how many times have you heard stories of Joe Schmoe being turned, and suddenly becoming an expert physicist? You just get more powerful as a Vampire, it doesn't impart any extra knowledge on you.Besides melee',how else could XP be awarded?XP is assigned for overcome a challenge, that is not the same as just killing something. If you need in a building thats guarded by a pair of thugs, you could kill the guards and walk right in. Or, you could distract the guards so they leave their post. Or you could just plain sneak past them. All three are perfectly valid ways of overcoming the challenge presented by the guards, and all three would earn the player the same amount of xp.

So, remember, a challenge worthy of xp needs to be clearly defined (for you as the DM at least), and that *ANYTHING* that lets the party overcome that challenge grants them full xp for the encounter. Nothing ever has to die in order for characters to level up.
Fatalis_902
02-10-08, 07:22 PM 1. Yes, a vampire can cross a bridge. As stated, they just cannot enter running water, so they could not swim or wade across a stream or river. If this is a proposed escape tactic, it is a poor one at best. A better escape plan would be to get mirrors or holy symbols, or garlic, and use these to hold the thing at bay, while you book it to the nearest domicile of any kind. Baricade yourself in there, and tell whoever owns the shack not to let anyone else in under any circumstances. Vampires cannot enter any domicile unless they have permission from someone who has authority to invite them in. Also make sure the owner does not look out the window.

2. Uh... Commoner? Again, as stated, a Commoner who becomes a Vampire is still a Commoner, and will remain as such. A better question is, how did a Commoner get enough hit dice to become a Vampire rather than Vampire Spawn. It would still be a Commoner if it became a Vampire Spawn, FTR.

3. Assuming this is an encounter, successfully bypassing it in any fashion should award some amount of XP. If you want to destroy it, stake-to-the-heart while it's in its coffin is a good tactic, if you can manage that before it wakes up. An alternative is to submerge it in the river that has the bridge that you mentioned, three round under running water and it's destroyed. Going toe-to-toe in melee is suicide, because even if you manage to knock its HP down to 0, it will automatically go Gaseous Form and flee to its coffin, where it will regenerate rapidly and come back to kill you later, unless you track it back ther and stake it. Also, Holy Water can damage it, as can Silvered weapons.
Pudge_is_cute
02-10-08, 08:18 PM 2. Uh... Commoner? Again, as stated, a Commoner who becomes a Vampire is still a Commoner, and will remain as such. A better question is, how did a Commoner get enough hit dice to become a Vampire rather than Vampire Spawn. It would still be a Commoner if it became a Vampire Spawn, FTR.

Unless said commoner is lvl 5 or higher...

Pablo Garcia; lvl 7 commoner; vampire XD
Fatalis_902
02-10-08, 08:51 PM Unless said commoner is lvl 5 or higher...

Pablo Garcia; lvl 7 commoner; vampire XD

I'm laughing at the obscene improbability of that. Most commoners are lucky to make 2nd level before middle age sets in, let alone see 3rd. 5th? That's so unlikely it's funny. It is possible, but it isn't likely.
Behaigo
02-11-08, 10:07 AM I'm sorry, but a vampire can not cross over a bridge.

Vampire Weaknesses
For all their power, vampires have a number of weaknesses.

Repelling a Vampire
Vampires cannot tolerate the strong odor of garlic and will not enter an area laced with it. Similarly, they recoil from a mirror or a strongly presented holy symbol. These things don’t harm the vampire—they merely keep it at bay. A recoiling vampire must stay at least 5 feet away from a creature holding the mirror or holy symbol and cannot touch or make melee attacks against the creature holding the item for the rest of the encounter. Holding a vampire at bay takes a standard action.

Vampires are also unable to cross running water, although they can be carried over it while resting in their coffins or aboard a ship.

They are utterly unable to enter a home or other building unless invited in by someone with the authority to do so. They may freely enter public places, since these are by definition open to all.

Slaying a Vampire
Reducing a vampire’s hit points to 0 or lower incapacitates it but doesn’t always destroy it (see the note on fast healing). However, certain attacks can slay vampires. Exposing any vampire to direct sunlight disorients it: It can take only a single move action or attack action and is destroyed utterly in the next round if it cannot escape. Similarly, immersing a vampire in running water robs it of one-third of its hit points each round until it is destroyed at the end of the third round of immersion. Driving a wooden stake through a vampire’s heart instantly slays the monster. However, it returns to life if the stake is removed, unless the body is destroyed. A popular tactic is to cut off the creature’s head and fill its mouth with holy wafers (or their equivalent).

Emphasis mine.

This likewise how it is written (verbatim) in the monster manual.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
KingVillain 02-10-08, 04:35 PM	My PC and I are playing a vampire adventure and we have some questions. Can a vampire cross a bridge? What character class could be assigned to a commoner that becomes turned? Besides melee',how else could XP be awarded? This is a first for us both.Any advice would be appreciated.
cool_dude1010 02-10-08, 05:06 PM	A vampire can cross a bridge,the just cant go into flowing water.
Moose_Fisher 02-10-08, 07:05 PM	adding on to what cool_dude said: A commoner turned vampire is still a commoner, just with a template added. XP is awarded according to the DM, but you could try forcing the vampire into sunlight for an extended period of time.
Edymnion 02-10-08, 07:17 PM	Can a vampire cross a bridge?Check the Monster Manual, it doesn't list anything about not being able to cross over running water, just not being able to enter it. When in doubt, read the monster entry. If it is not specifically mentioned, you should not assume the creature has it (for good or for bad).What character class could be assigned to a commoner that becomes turned?None, you don't magically become skilled in something just because you become a vampire. I mean, how many times have you heard stories of Joe Schmoe being turned, and suddenly becoming an expert physicist? You just get more powerful as a Vampire, it doesn't impart any extra knowledge on you.Besides melee',how else could XP be awarded?XP is assigned for overcome a challenge, that is not the same as just killing something. If you need in a building thats guarded by a pair of thugs, you could kill the guards and walk right in. Or, you could distract the guards so they leave their post. Or you could just plain sneak past them. All three are perfectly valid ways of overcoming the challenge presented by the guards, and all three would earn the player the same amount of xp. So, remember, a challenge worthy of xp needs to be clearly defined (for you as the DM at least), and that ANYTHING that lets the party overcome that challenge grants them full xp for the encounter. Nothing ever has to die in order for characters to level up.
Fatalis_902 02-10-08, 07:22 PM	1. Yes, a vampire can cross a bridge. As stated, they just cannot enter running water, so they could not swim or wade across a stream or river. If this is a proposed escape tactic, it is a poor one at best. A better escape plan would be to get mirrors or holy symbols, or garlic, and use these to hold the thing at bay, while you book it to the nearest domicile of any kind. Baricade yourself in there, and tell whoever owns the shack not to let anyone else in under any circumstances. Vampires cannot enter any domicile unless they have permission from someone who has authority to invite them in. Also make sure the owner does not look out the window. 2. Uh... Commoner? Again, as stated, a Commoner who becomes a Vampire is still a Commoner, and will remain as such. A better question is, how did a Commoner get enough hit dice to become a Vampire rather than Vampire Spawn. It would still be a Commoner if it became a Vampire Spawn, FTR. 3. Assuming this is an encounter, successfully bypassing it in any fashion should award some amount of XP. If you want to destroy it, stake-to-the-heart while it's in its coffin is a good tactic, if you can manage that before it wakes up. An alternative is to submerge it in the river that has the bridge that you mentioned, three round under running water and it's destroyed. Going toe-to-toe in melee is suicide, because even if you manage to knock its HP down to 0, it will automatically go Gaseous Form and flee to its coffin, where it will regenerate rapidly and come back to kill you later, unless you track it back ther and stake it. Also, Holy Water can damage it, as can Silvered weapons.
Pudge_is_cute 02-10-08, 08:18 PM	2. Uh... Commoner? Again, as stated, a Commoner who becomes a Vampire is still a Commoner, and will remain as such. A better question is, how did a Commoner get enough hit dice to become a Vampire rather than Vampire Spawn. It would still be a Commoner if it became a Vampire Spawn, FTR. Unless said commoner is lvl 5 or higher... Pablo Garcia; lvl 7 commoner; vampire XD
Fatalis_902 02-10-08, 08:51 PM	Unless said commoner is lvl 5 or higher... Pablo Garcia; lvl 7 commoner; vampire XD I'm laughing at the obscene improbability of that. Most commoners are lucky to make 2nd level before middle age sets in, let alone see 3rd. 5th? That's so unlikely it's funny. It is possible, but it isn't likely.
Behaigo 02-11-08, 10:07 AM	I'm sorry, but a vampire can not cross over a bridge. Vampire Weaknesses For all their power, vampires have a number of weaknesses. Repelling a Vampire Vampires cannot tolerate the strong odor of garlic and will not enter an area laced with it. Similarly, they recoil from a mirror or a strongly presented holy symbol. These things don’t harm the vampire—they merely keep it at bay. A recoiling vampire must stay at least 5 feet away from a creature holding the mirror or holy symbol and cannot touch or make melee attacks against the creature holding the item for the rest of the encounter. Holding a vampire at bay takes a standard action. Vampires are also unable to cross running water, although they can be carried over it while resting in their coffins or aboard a ship. They are utterly unable to enter a home or other building unless invited in by someone with the authority to do so. They may freely enter public places, since these are by definition open to all. Slaying a Vampire Reducing a vampire’s hit points to 0 or lower incapacitates it but doesn’t always destroy it (see the note on fast healing). However, certain attacks can slay vampires. Exposing any vampire to direct sunlight disorients it: It can take only a single move action or attack action and is destroyed utterly in the next round if it cannot escape. Similarly, immersing a vampire in running water robs it of one-third of its hit points each round until it is destroyed at the end of the third round of immersion. Driving a wooden stake through a vampire’s heart instantly slays the monster. However, it returns to life if the stake is removed, unless the body is destroyed. A popular tactic is to cut off the creature’s head and fill its mouth with holy wafers (or their equivalent). Emphasis mine. This likewise how it is written (verbatim) in the monster manual.