Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Green Elven Vampire 08-01-07, 04:39 AM	Just wondering who are the most well known powerful Vampires in the realms? The most powerful that comes to mind at 4:35am is The Vampire Manshoon, but I know there are a few in Calimshan in the Twisted Rune that are very powerful as well. Any but the Vampire Kierikan Rufo (sp) from The Chaos Curse. Anyone?
GothicDan 08-01-07, 04:44 AM	Shyress of the Twisted Rune is a 21st level arcane spellcaster, I believe. Might be a sorcerer; either that or a wizard.
ShadezofDis 08-01-07, 12:17 PM	Yep, for published vampires I'd go with Manshoon or Shyress (probably giving the nod to Shyress as she hasn't been embroiled in all the crap Manshoon manages to get himself into). However, since vampires are effectively immortal then there's a VERY good chance that there are a few vampires who would eat Manshoon and Shyress (ok, maybe not Shyress as she has some ridiculously powerful allies but Manshoon is a bit on his own compairitively) I'm actually in the process of creating a potent vampire druid of Malar (while I don't really like the idea of Malar working with undead a vampire wouldn't be too terrible due to their desire for hunting and the need for prey) but I don't know that I'll be making the vampire too uber. . . ::shrugs:: haven't gotten that far yet (the party is only 4th level at this point so it's not even a remote issue at this point *g*)
Boda 08-01-07, 12:51 PM	Shyressa and Manshoon-orbakh are, so far the mightiest around. There was a drow priestess of Shar(i think) in Ched Nasad that was a vampire, but dont know if she survived the WotSQ or the drow-dragon takeover. Artor Morlin of waterdeep is also a tough guy but maybe not a match to the other two. Curious that for a imortal type, ther's isnt more heavy dudes among the vampire kin(manshoon-orbakh is a vampire only recently). Since the digging up netherese is in fashion, why not a netherese vampire( would be better them making lame copies of larloch->aumvor)?
Crust 08-01-07, 01:38 PM	Artor Morlin is a male vampire Tethyrian human fighter 13/blackguard 3/master vampire 3 (CR 21), arguably the most powerful vampire in Waterdeep at least. He's detailed in Eric Boyd's "The Fireplace Level" from Dungeon #128, which is module #3 in the Vampires of Waterdeep campaign arc found in Dungeon issues 126-128. I think the most powerful vampire in Faerun is most-likely an NPC created by a DM for his/her campaign. The BBEG for my epic campaign was a ten-thousand year old half-fiend human evolved vampire sorcerer 13/blood magus 10/master vampire 3 with a necrotic cyst (lots of Libris Mortis stuff). He used the eclipse spell to blot out the sun and wage war against the land, etc. etc... Picture the feral Dracula in the Bram Stoker movie, though usually drenched in blood, as his lairs contain massive pools of blood, and he is constantly in those pools. ;)
ShadezofDis 08-01-07, 02:10 PM	Curious that for a imortal type, ther's isnt more heavy dudes among the vampire kin(manshoon-orbakh is a vampire only recently). I attribute that to the vampires hunger, IMO and IMG vampires are defined by the hunger. Some of them manage to overcome it and act in more rational ways but, again IMO, this should be the absolute minority of vampires (Manshoon fits as a "self-controlling" vampire due to his vast will power, though, personally, I would have made it take more time). The majority of vampires, as I see it, should be cunning hunters but inherently flawed due to the need to feed (ie. they would be especially vulnerable to "baiting traps" but they would also be somewhat unaware of the patterns they would be creating and the fact that their limits are pretty well known). They differ drastically from liches (whom do not need to eat) or mummies (who also have no need to eat. . . afaik anyhow) or various other undead. This makes them FAR more vulnerable than other undead (despite their personal power). Anyhow, that's my reasoning on why vampires aren't that prevalent in the upper echelons of uber powerful undead. :)
Bonzai 08-01-07, 03:26 PM	Don't forget about Ember, the vampiric ruby dragon. He seemed to be an accomplished caster as well.
Ioulaum 08-01-07, 04:15 PM	Shyressa and Manshoon-orbakh are, so far the mightiest around. There was a drow priestess of Shar(i think) in Ched Nasad that was a vampire, but dont know if she survived the WotSQ or the drow-dragon takeover. Artor Morlin of waterdeep is also a tough guy but maybe not a match to the other two. Curious that for a imortal type, ther's isnt more heavy dudes among the vampire kin(manshoon-orbakh is a vampire only recently). Since the digging up netherese is in fashion, why not a netherese vampire( would be better them making lame copies of larloch->aumvor)? If you look at it who becomes liches? Wizards, accomplish wizards that manage to accumlate enough power and knowledge to become a lich. Liches were powerful people who choose to become liches, they don't choose to become ghouls, zombies, mummies or vamps. A vampire on the other hand usually start out as another vamps victim and eventually manage to break away form the master vamp. There is huge difference in the level of power between the 2. And as others said, a Vamp no matter how powerful needs to feed, a lich doesn't. That makes the vamp more vulnerable to discovery and thereby attracting unwlecome attentations form various adventures and the local lathander clergy.
Boda 08-01-07, 07:28 PM	Still, vampirism is a viable option for imortality to the non spellcasters classes. No powerful warrior or rogue ever tought of being imortal? I dont think that from the pespective of the undead hunting churches, vampire or lich, its just another target. Besides, so many experiments on lichdoom have being made, why not on vampirism? By the reasoning of ''better'' undead state, shouldnt the spectral ghost think(like that saharel) be better that lichdoom?
GothicDan 08-01-07, 07:34 PM	By their natures, Warriors and Rogues aren't the types who would seek immortality - USUALLY - via undeath, especially. If they were, then most likely they would have picked up the study of magic in the first place.
Beaver 08-01-07, 08:01 PM	Xander, the Duke of Saerloon is a Lvl 3 Vampire Master/Lvl 17 Sorceror
Lord Karsus 08-01-07, 08:33 PM	Don't forget about Ember, the vampiric ruby dragon. He seemed to be an accomplished caster as well. -Speaking of Dragons, there are also Vesz'zt Auvryana (Rogue 6 / Assassin 3), and Capnolithyl, better known as Brimstone (Sorcerer 10). -Jander Sunstar is also a 2e 8th level Fighter- meaning he is probably, in 3e, a little higher than that.
Ioulaum 08-01-07, 09:59 PM	-Speaking of Dragons, there are also Vesz'zt Auvryana (Rogue 6 / Assassin 3), and Capnolithyl, better known as Brimstone (Sorcerer 10). -Jander Sunstar is also a 2e 8th level Fighter- meaning he is probably, in 3e, a little higher than that. While Jander is a vampire he still retain most of his mortal memories and personality. Meaning he is still basically a goody two shoe. He also worshippes Lathander, it is possible for Jander to become a Cleric of Lathander? The Whole new beginning and redempation thing would fit Jander. Think about it a Gold Elf Vamperic Cleric of Lathander :P
GothicDan 08-01-07, 10:01 PM	He is CN with Good tendencies, I believe.
dragonheart 08-01-07, 10:14 PM	You want probably the most powerful vampire on Faerun? try Brimstone - the vampire dragon of the rage series - Samaster's first try at an undead dragon way back at the start of the Cult of Dragons. IN Dragons of Faerun he is listed as CR33 - Vampiric Advanced 36 HD Smoke Dragon/Sorceror 10. I doubt any other vampires are around to match him :D
Lord Karsus 08-02-07, 12:00 AM	While Jander is a vampire he still retain most of his mortal memories and personality. Meaning he is still basically a goody two shoe. He also worshippes Lathander, it is possible for Jander to become a Cleric of Lathander? The Whole new beginning and redempation thing would fit Jander. Think about it a Gold Elf Vamperic Cleric of Lathander :P -Theoretically, it's possible. Why not? He is CN with Good tendencies, I believe. -Correct.
ShadezofDis 08-02-07, 09:26 AM	Yep, and Jander hasn't been updated since before his trip to Ravenloft afaik. Anyhow, I wouldn't be surprised in the least to learn that Laroch has himself a really powerful vampire or a dozen. The other pretty powerful vampire I remember is the Druid (maybe it was Cleric, been a while) of Malar from the "Lost Level of Undermountain" adventure. She was pretty nasty (though not of the level of Manshoon or Shyress, but very powerful none the less)
Bonzai 08-02-07, 10:55 AM	Oh, my bad. It was Brimstone, not Ember I was thinking of.
starfalconkd 08-02-07, 03:07 PM	The other pretty powerful vampire I remember is the Druid (maybe it was Cleric, been a while) of Malar from the "Lost Level of Undermountain" adventure. She was pretty nasty (though not of the level of Manshoon or Shyress, but very powerful none the less) Hunts Mistress Dhusarra. She's 12th level I think. She's listed in a dungeon magazine.
ShadezofDis 08-02-07, 03:10 PM	Hunts Mistress Dhusarra. She's 12th level I think. She's listed in a dungeon magazine. Good deal, and since that's 2nd ed then we can add about 5 or so levels with impunity. ;) I keed, I keed Good work star
Lord Karsus 08-02-07, 06:30 PM	Yep, and Jander hasn't been updated since before his trip to Ravenloft afaik. -His stats, from the Villain's Lorebook, reflect him after the events of Vampire of the Mists.
Larloch_the_Ultra_Lich 08-02-07, 10:37 PM	As I recall recently, there was a Wizard Vampire who was immensely powerful named Palron Kaeth who freed several Phaerimm from the sharn wall thousands of years before the archwizards returned. Khelben Blackstaff as a mortal hated and feared him. This was detailed in the book blackstaff, Not sure on stats though. Szass Tam has some very powerful Vampires who work with him, as does Larloch(but Larloch's are probably much scarier) From my older books, I remember a Vampire that was Ancient(Around 2000 years old) and once worked alongside the mad mage of undermountain. Before becoming a Vampire, he was an Immensely powerful archwizard, and he only became more so with immortality. After around 1000 years of unlife, he no longer needed to feed like he once did(He feeds once every 6 months or something) and he was basically immune to the other banes of Vampires, such as sunlight and silver. For the life of me, I can't remember which book it was. I have sooooooo many.
Old Sage 08-02-07, 11:03 PM	-Jander Sunstar is also a 2e 8th level Fighter- meaning he is probably, in 3e, a little higher than that.Jander received some updated treatment in the 3e RAVENLOFT Champions of Darkness resource. While Jander is a vampire he still retain most of his mortal memories and personality. Meaning he is still basically a goody two shoe. He also worshippes Lathander, it is possible for Jander to become a Cleric of Lathander? The Whole new beginning and redempation thing would fit Jander. Think about it a Gold Elf Vamperic Cleric of Lathander :PNot in 3e RAVENLOFT -- given the disconnect between the cosmologies that now exists. From what we know... Jander wanted to die in rays of the sun at the end of Vampire of the Mists. However, the Mists of Ravenloft snatched him away before he could be burned, determined to keep him alive in his tortured existence. He apparently has no further interest in the faith of "Lythander Morninglord."
Old Sage 08-02-07, 11:04 PM	Yep, and Jander hasn't been updated since before his trip to Ravenloft afaik. -His stats, from the Villain's Lorebook, reflect him after the events of Vampire of the Mists.Jander's 3e stats in Champions of Darkness also represents his time after Vampire of the Mists, and his "current" status in the Realm of Dread.
Ramenth 08-03-07, 01:14 AM	Just out of curiocity, what book is Ember stated in?
Lord Karsus 08-03-07, 10:08 PM	Jander's 3e stats in Champions of Darkness also represents his time after Vampire of the Mists, and his "current" status in the Realm of Dread. Jander received some updated treatment in the 3e RAVENLOFT Champions of Darkness resource. -What is Jander, nowadays, then?
Old Sage 08-03-07, 10:18 PM	According to his work-up in Champions of Darkness, Jander is now an 'eminent vampire' [Ftr 16].
Lord Karsus 08-03-07, 10:21 PM	According to his work-up in Champions of Darkness, Jander is now an 'eminent vampire' [Ftr 16]. -Jeeze, he got a 200% level increase! Good ol' Jander. :)
ShadezofDis 08-04-07, 01:52 AM	-Jeeze, he got a 200% level increase! Good ol' Jander. :) Well he was supposed to have matched wills with a pretty darned major caster. . . I mean, I can understand a tad bit about the whole "been a vampire longer" line of thought. . . but that doesn't hold a lot of water when we're talking about a necromancer who should be able to make vampires (at least I'm pretty sure that should be possible for what was a 16th level necromancer, as long as I'm remembering that right *g*) Besides, he's had like X amount of years. ;)
Green Elven Vampire 08-04-07, 01:59 AM	I believe there is also a Vampire Duchess Cleric 15/ Divine Disciple 2 of Shar who is one of the Dukes of The Night Masks. That would put her at CR 19 which is the same as The Vampire Manshoon.
GothicDan 08-04-07, 05:05 PM	In 2E, casters really couldn't make Vampires. In general, there were no easy spells to make Undead. You had Animate Dead, a few very specific spells (Create Dread Warrior, for example), and then just sort of "rumors" as to how to create other undead. While this annoyed me as a player at times, I've actually come to appreciate it as time's worn on, as far as actual world design and theme goes.
ShadezofDis 08-04-07, 06:31 PM	In 2E, casters really couldn't make Vampires. In general, there were no easy spells to make Undead. You had Animate Dead, a few very specific spells (Create Dread Warrior, for example), and then just sort of "rumors" as to how to create other undead. While this annoyed me as a player at times, I've actually come to appreciate it as time's worn on, as far as actual world design and theme goes. Oh, I certainly agree with you and looking back on the statement I don't think I'd really like having Strahd be able to make vampires through arcane means. Specifically Strahd though, because of the flavor of Ravenloft. I would have allowed for arcane creation of vampires in FR at that level of necromancy, it would just be very difficult and the knowledge very rare. Actually, when I really think about it, I do actually like the way that was handled in the book, I think I was just crabby and I've had a head cold (never any good for thinking) All that said though, my ideal for vampirism would be that it is indeed a divine curse and no one would ever, ever want to contract that curse (or, conversly, it could be a divine blessing from a terrible dark god and only his insane followers would want vampirism. . . until they got it and found out that it's just an immortal existence based around a hunger that would never be filled) Hmmm. . . I think I still need to do a lot of thinking on vampirism before I actually come up with a satisfactory system of it (satisfactory to myself anyhow).
GothicDan 08-04-07, 08:04 PM	Satisfaction is hard. :)