Vampires can advance by levels as normal, according to FR and Ravenloft, IIRC. I don't have a quote to go by, but I know Ravenloft vampires advance in level, and that specific Ravenloft vampire is based off a FR character, so I'm pretty sure. Vampires not growing is more a product of Vampire the Masquerade and White Wolf then D&D.
I don't know, though. As I said- if I was going to go by 'a character gets corrupted my vampirehood', Aerie wouldn't be the first one I chose. She has a lot on her plate, and generally has the incorporable pure pureness aspect going for her. Jaheira and Anomen would be better, and Nalia and Valygar would be better then them, I think.
I completely understand how some could see Aerie as incorruptible. I myself hold that view. However, just like two-face (Harvey Dent) from The Dark Knight, who was seen as the white knight, who then was taken by the Joker and twisted. I see that Bodhi may have the same effect on Aerie. And I suspect if give the right story, it would be impactful and interesting.
I think it sounds a lot cooler then it would actually be in practice, and would still prefer a character who doesn't already have so much going on with them, and quite a few other things that can more easily be developed and explored. Imoen doesn't get a whole lot of development, for example, although ideally you would be just designing a new character for that purpose. Harvey Dent was meant to fall, whereas forcing it on Aerie would just be... forced.
Hmm, I just took a look through Van Richten's Guide to Vampires, and it says they advance much more slowly. Each time they move up an age category they have a chance to gain 1 level. I chuckled a bit at this dated line:
"To put it bluntly, it is strongly recommended that DMs rule PC vampires to be categorically impossible unless using the rules from the Requiem boxed set."
I've never owned that boxed set but some cursory online reading suggests Requiem outlined entirely new undead classes.
Anyway, not trying to derail onto this side topic. I just think that @koawinter has a fine proposal that could be incorporated elegantly with care. There might be some nice middle ground we could find programmatically to keep it more faithful to the rules, assuming my arguments hold water.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not opposed of an NPC who turns into a vampire over the course of the game, just Aerie isn't really the right choice. And it would be trying to make her even more like Fluttershy, which is... no.
Uhh yep, I was wrong. Ran that mod too long ago, I'll have to try it out again. She seems like what I'd expect in a party vampire, although her progression seems quite strong.
Jaheira and Anomen would be better, and Nalia and Valygar would be better then them, I think.
Valygar... I never played with him until EE, when I created my mage-hating jester, who is obviously best friends with him. And now I also begin to see how much potential was wasted with Valygar. He is quite bland, compared to other NPCs. From what I read, he was planned to be a romance option for female charnames, which was cut due to deadlines. That would probably have helped his character development, but only if you play female charnames, which I rarely do. Something other than a romance, that all charnames can experience, would be preferable - though Haer'Dalis often annoys me a bit, I do think he has a lot going for himself with his unique NPC-NPC romance with Aerie.
Imagine Valygar falling as a ranger because he takes his quest for revenge against mages/sorcerers too far. He'd need a new class - assassin would be the natural progression from a stealthy stalker with a bleed damage weapon (though Wizard Slayer would suit his personality best). Or... he'd need something unique to make the loss of ranger abilities worth it. Hakeshar/Nishruu form or abilities - a vampire that feeds from the magical energy of the sorcerers he hates so much. A fallen ranger kit that turns his hate into a weapon; abilities granted by a divine source. Valygar says he does not worship a god, which is uncommon enough for a ranger, so it would make sense to "corrupt" him by having him find faith - to a deity with a strong revenge aspect. Hoar sounds about right - the deity of revenge, retribution and poetic justice. Valygar would "fall" to neutral alignment and be granted the means to destroy what he hates most. It is sort of poetic to make him feed on mages and depend on them as a life source.
Yes, I sold myself on this idea. I always wanted a non-good ranger, and this makes sense to me.
@kidcarnival I have always had similar feelings about Valygar. Would make an awesome Fallen Ranger, and perhaps wizard slayer would have fit his character better
This mod may just bring this desire to the front. Maybe a few can show some love and get this mod better developed!
Dead lovers (Anomen, Jaheira, Aerie, Viconia). You can place killed lovers bodies into pool and they will be resurrected as vampires instead of regaining normal form.
Comments
"To put it bluntly, it is strongly recommended that DMs rule PC vampires to be categorically impossible unless using the rules from the Requiem boxed set."
I've never owned that boxed set but some cursory online reading suggests Requiem outlined entirely new undead classes.
Anyway, not trying to derail onto this side topic. I just think that @koawinter has a fine proposal that could be incorporated elegantly with care. There might be some nice middle ground we could find programmatically to keep it more faithful to the rules, assuming my arguments hold water.
Never played Valen.
Imagine Valygar falling as a ranger because he takes his quest for revenge against mages/sorcerers too far. He'd need a new class - assassin would be the natural progression from a stealthy stalker with a bleed damage weapon (though Wizard Slayer would suit his personality best). Or... he'd need something unique to make the loss of ranger abilities worth it. Hakeshar/Nishruu form or abilities - a vampire that feeds from the magical energy of the sorcerers he hates so much. A fallen ranger kit that turns his hate into a weapon; abilities granted by a divine source. Valygar says he does not worship a god, which is uncommon enough for a ranger, so it would make sense to "corrupt" him by having him find faith - to a deity with a strong revenge aspect. Hoar sounds about right - the deity of revenge, retribution and poetic justice. Valygar would "fall" to neutral alignment and be granted the means to destroy what he hates most. It is sort of poetic to make him feed on mages and depend on them as a life source.
Yes, I sold myself on this idea. I always wanted a non-good ranger, and this makes sense to me.
a) Become irrationally scared of herself...
b) Spontaneously combust... Or
c) Gain control of herself.
The last may actually help with the whining. But overall, I think in this case, vamping Aerie does not make sense.
However if you would like a wall of text extolling the virtues of mummifying Aerie. Just give me call.
@Anduin - Embalming the masses since 4568 BDR
This mod may just bring this desire to the front. Maybe a few can show some love and get this mod better developed!
Dead lovers (Anomen, Jaheira, Aerie, Viconia).
You can place killed lovers bodies into pool and they will be resurrected as vampires instead of regaining normal form.