Vampiric Half-Dragon?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

darthsylver

Jan 25, 2004 14:56:56
Let us just say for an instance that half-dragons were possible in krynn.

If the half-dragon was made into a vampire would the creature use the standard "Vampire" template in the monsters manual, or would it use the "Vampiric Dragon" template in the draconomicon?
#2

Matthew_L._Martin

Jan 25, 2004 19:42:27
Half-Dragons are of the Dragon type. The standard vampire template can only be applied to creatures with the Humanoid or Monstrous Humanoid type. I don't know if the Vampiric Dragon template can be applied to any creature with the Dragon type, but if so, use that.

Matthew L. Martin, thinking that Cyan may work better as a vampire dragon than a dracolich . . .
#3

ferratus

Jan 25, 2004 20:44:48
I don't know, I kinda find the vampiric dragon to be rather redundant and lame. I mean, the dragon already has DR, can shapechange with spells, and fly. Plus, drinking blood doesn't really seem all that scary an attack when you can bite someone in half.

Vampires were designed so that the monstrous undead could hide in the shadows of humanity. That is what makes it a figure of horror.

But what does a vampiric dragon do?

I can see a spectral dragon, a ghoul dragon (corpse-tearer), and the dracolich... but a vampiric dragon? I don't understand the appeal.
#4

cam_banks

Jan 25, 2004 20:51:14
The vampiric dragon template may only be applied to a dragon of adult age or older. It doesn't say true dragon, but then it specifes an age category which only true dragons have, typically. It's possible that the template would work with a half-dragon that is determined to be at least an adult, however that's not something which is specifically detailed.

Cyan Bloodbane makes a better dracolich or even ghostly dragon than vampiric dragon, although ultimately he's probably been divided up into numerous draconic relics by Dark Knights and elves and scattered across Ansalon by now.

Cheers,
Cam
#5

darthsylver

Jan 26, 2004 10:35:29
So if the Vampire template can only be applied to humanoids and monstrous humanoids, and (theorectically) the vampire dragon template can only be applied to true dragons, is it even possible for a half-dragon to be a vampire?

The reason I ask is I played a half-dragon in 2E that went to ravenloft and eventually the DM made her a vampire. Of course she had been bit and drained and so on.

I am attempting to update her to 3E.
#6

cam_banks

Jan 26, 2004 12:30:23
Originally posted by darthsylver
So if the Vampire template can only be applied to humanoids and monstrous humanoids, and (theorectically) the vampire dragon template can only be applied to true dragons, is it even possible for a half-dragon to be a vampire?

Nothing actually prevents you from applying one or the other to a character, remember. The vampiric dragon template was created precisely because vampires can't normally be dragons. Apply the vampiric template to your half-dragon, and so long as everything else seems to work it shouldn't be a problem.

In my home campaigns, I've broken those "rules" many times just to get a specific character or NPC. The reason folks like me usually point those limitations and restrictions out isn't to discourage you from doing something, but to make you aware of what the "official" point of view is, so that you can go ahead and do what you want.

Cheers,
Cam
#7

darthsylver

Jan 28, 2004 13:12:23
Just so we are on the same page.

Believe me, when I dm a game it is more of a colodge (not sure that is spelled right) of DL and whatever else strikes my fancy.

If the players are lucky, and I am in a good mood, I let them bring something in. :D :D

Oh that character I was talking about, she uses the Half-dragon template in the MM, the Vampiric Dragon template in the Draconomicon, and is advanced (as a 357 year old vampire) in the Ravenloft campaign book.

In RLCS monsters (like Vamps, Gohosts, etc...) get more powerful as they get older.
#8

zombiegleemax

Jan 29, 2004 9:16:25
Originally posted by Cam Banks
Cyan Bloodbane makes a better dracolich or even ghostly dragon than vampiric dragon,

May I ask why you think that, Cam?
I am not trying to challenge you or say that you are wrong, I am merely curious.

Regards,
Loralon
#9

cam_banks

Jan 29, 2004 9:25:48
Originally posted by Loralon
May I ask why you think that, Cam?
I am not trying to challenge you or say that you are wrong, I am merely curious.

I get a better vibe from imagining Cyan Bloodbane, if he were to become an undead villain at all, as a lich or ghost as opposed to a blood-drinking draconic vampire. I also think Matthew's background to the character (with the dragon orb phylactery, etc etc) is more appealing. It's also possibly because I squint when I think of making enormous elemental creatures of power vampires, but then perhaps that's narrow-minded of me.

Cheers,
Cam
#10

Matthew_L._Martin

Jan 29, 2004 11:08:33
Originally posted by Cam Banks
I get a better vibe from imagining Cyan Bloodbane, if he were to become an undead villain at all, as a lich or ghost as opposed to a blood-drinking draconic vampire. I also think Matthew's background to the character (with the dragon orb phylactery, etc etc) is more appealing. It's also possibly because I squint when I think of making enormous elemental creatures of power vampires, but then perhaps that's narrow-minded of me.

Cheers,
Cam

The reason I was thinking that the vampire might make a better approach was because of the thematic associations with guile, corruption, decay, and slow death, which Cyan shares. However, the logistics of draconic vampirism suggest that a lich or ghost _is_ the better option.

Matthew L. Martin