Enslaved Vampires Circumventing Control [Archive] - Wizards Community

Enslaved Vampires Circumventing Control [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ninja1
04-03-07, 04:03 PM Hi all,

What are some creative ideas that you folks have heard/thought/used for enslaved vampires to destroy their master (and thus become free-willed)?

Thanks in advance!
Echo_that_Pains
04-03-07, 04:22 PM I have heard a few of them, but the most famous are

1) Hire someone else to kill it
2) Set up an unfortunate "accident"
3) Move the coffin/put holy water in it - quite inconvienent for a vampire in gaseous form trying to return to its coffin to regenerate
ninja1
04-04-07, 04:54 PM Thanks Echo!

I'm specifically looking for inspiration material for an encounter for my group.

I imagine an encounter where my PC's are meeting diplomatically with a Lead Vampire NPC.

The enslaved vampire NPC uses the meeting location as a set up for his ambush, and unleashes his plot during the PC's meeting.

Then, when the shite hits the fan, the PC's will need to decide what to do, and who to help if at all.

I imagine a couple of the enslaved NPC's secret spawn along with some hired goons teleporting in to attack, perhaps even bluff as though they are working for the PC's to add to the confusion.

I think plan A would include a hired goon casting Forcecage around the gaseous form of the lead vampire after it was forced gaseous by being reduced to 0 hp.

In case the PC's decide to help the lead vamp by dispelling the Forcecage, plan B would include the rebellious enslaved vamp disintegrating all of the coffins w/grave soil of his master.

I would really prefer that the enslaved vamp takes a more active role in the fighting... in such a way that the PC's know for certain that the plot was his....

I guess I'm having a hard time wraping my mind around how an enslaved vampire could overcome his vampire spawn imperative to obey his master...
Ebonyte
04-04-07, 05:46 PM This has actually come up in a game I'm playing now. My Spawn character wants to hate his Master, but the Master, being a clever Master Vampire, gives his Spawn the imperative to love him. So while I would love to escape his control, as he took my past from me, I have no WILLING ability to plot against him.

Many of the crueler Vampires like to let their Spawn retain some small measure of control over their emotions and will, letting them suffer as the Spawn must be horribly aware of their crimes as they are compelled to commit them. Remember, the downfall of old Vampires is often pride and vanity. They believe their Spawn are inferior creatures, and incapable of doing them any real harm.

From an outsider's perspective, if you can establish contact with Spawn who want to be free, and they can plot with the adventurers, remember that a VAmpire may be able to read it's Spawn's mind. So the smart Spawn will ask the Adventurers to come up with a plan away from him/her, to make sure it has a chance to succeed.

To set the Spawn free, you generally have to either kill the controlling Vampire, or have that Vampie either willingly release them or make so many more Spawn that their control limit is reached and the oldest are let go.

This suggests to me that a Control Undead spell might let you compel the Vampire to release the Spawn. Also, consider holding something of value to the Vampire, and threatening to send it someplace safe or destroying it if the Vampire does not comply with demands (ala a Lich's phylactery).

Killing the Vampire is, of course, a viable option, so remember that defense is the first step to victory. Garlic, mirrors, positive energy, holy symbols, magic weapons, positoxins, protection from mind control, holy water. Perhaps the most overlooked tactical choice would-be vampire hunters forget is that the choice of battleground is a HUGE factor when facing Vampires. A Vampire cannot enter a private dwelling without invitation, and can be destroyed by immersion in naturally running water. Once again, try to lure the Vampire away from it's lair (Vampires seem to be dedicated homemakers, with the traps, coffins, home earth, slaves etc... ah, Ravenloft.) to a place where you hold the advantage. Hold Undead, Control Undead, Hallow, and so on. If the DM approves it, drinking holy water can make Con drain hurt the offending Vampire (ah, Tristen ApBlanc).

A Vampire is almost always more fun to defeat by traditional methods than simple spell tricks. Remember that a Vampire is patient, mobile and powerful. Plan against those strengths.

Good luck! I'm sure it'll be a blast! Be sure to let us know how it went down.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ninja1 04-03-07, 04:03 PM	Hi all, What are some creative ideas that you folks have heard/thought/used for enslaved vampires to destroy their master (and thus become free-willed)? Thanks in advance!
Echo_that_Pains 04-03-07, 04:22 PM	I have heard a few of them, but the most famous are 1) Hire someone else to kill it 2) Set up an unfortunate "accident" 3) Move the coffin/put holy water in it - quite inconvienent for a vampire in gaseous form trying to return to its coffin to regenerate
ninja1 04-04-07, 04:54 PM	Thanks Echo! I'm specifically looking for inspiration material for an encounter for my group. I imagine an encounter where my PC's are meeting diplomatically with a Lead Vampire NPC. The enslaved vampire NPC uses the meeting location as a set up for his ambush, and unleashes his plot during the PC's meeting. Then, when the shite hits the fan, the PC's will need to decide what to do, and who to help if at all. I imagine a couple of the enslaved NPC's secret spawn along with some hired goons teleporting in to attack, perhaps even bluff as though they are working for the PC's to add to the confusion. I think plan A would include a hired goon casting Forcecage around the gaseous form of the lead vampire after it was forced gaseous by being reduced to 0 hp. In case the PC's decide to help the lead vamp by dispelling the Forcecage, plan B would include the rebellious enslaved vamp disintegrating all of the coffins w/grave soil of his master. I would really prefer that the enslaved vamp takes a more active role in the fighting... in such a way that the PC's know for certain that the plot was his.... I guess I'm having a hard time wraping my mind around how an enslaved vampire could overcome his vampire spawn imperative to obey his master...
Ebonyte 04-04-07, 05:46 PM	This has actually come up in a game I'm playing now. My Spawn character wants to hate his Master, but the Master, being a clever Master Vampire, gives his Spawn the imperative to love him. So while I would love to escape his control, as he took my past from me, I have no WILLING ability to plot against him. Many of the crueler Vampires like to let their Spawn retain some small measure of control over their emotions and will, letting them suffer as the Spawn must be horribly aware of their crimes as they are compelled to commit them. Remember, the downfall of old Vampires is often pride and vanity. They believe their Spawn are inferior creatures, and incapable of doing them any real harm. From an outsider's perspective, if you can establish contact with Spawn who want to be free, and they can plot with the adventurers, remember that a VAmpire may be able to read it's Spawn's mind. So the smart Spawn will ask the Adventurers to come up with a plan away from him/her, to make sure it has a chance to succeed. To set the Spawn free, you generally have to either kill the controlling Vampire, or have that Vampie either willingly release them or make so many more Spawn that their control limit is reached and the oldest are let go. This suggests to me that a Control Undead spell might let you compel the Vampire to release the Spawn. Also, consider holding something of value to the Vampire, and threatening to send it someplace safe or destroying it if the Vampire does not comply with demands (ala a Lich's phylactery). Killing the Vampire is, of course, a viable option, so remember that defense is the first step to victory. Garlic, mirrors, positive energy, holy symbols, magic weapons, positoxins, protection from mind control, holy water. Perhaps the most overlooked tactical choice would-be vampire hunters forget is that the choice of battleground is a HUGE factor when facing Vampires. A Vampire cannot enter a private dwelling without invitation, and can be destroyed by immersion in naturally running water. Once again, try to lure the Vampire away from it's lair (Vampires seem to be dedicated homemakers, with the traps, coffins, home earth, slaves etc... ah, Ravenloft.) to a place where you hold the advantage. Hold Undead, Control Undead, Hallow, and so on. If the DM approves it, drinking holy water can make Con drain hurt the offending Vampire (ah, Tristen ApBlanc). A Vampire is almost always more fun to defeat by traditional methods than simple spell tricks. Remember that a Vampire is patient, mobile and powerful. Plan against those strengths. Good luck! I'm sure it'll be a blast! Be sure to let us know how it went down.