A Dissertation on Vampirism

[BattlePixie]

This book is bound in worn leather that looks like it was cut from a tavern bar stool. The pages are an odd assortment of varying quality, with the backs of some even advertising old theatre or a sale on wood, suggesting the author wrote on what was at hand. The pages are also written by different hands and in different scripts, suggesting that many people have contributed to this work as it has been passed around. Contained within these pages, the writings range in content from complex arcane formulas, divine philosophy, eyewitness accounts and even a few dirty limericks.

The cover clearly displays the title, framed by the symbols of both the scales of Kelemvor and the black hound's head of Urogalan. It is written in Common, Halfling, Elf, Dwarf and Orc:

a Dissertation on Vampirism

((This is an open thread for people to post their observations on the vampire issue))

[BattlePixie]

Forward

The intention of this document is to provide all race of people a collection of discussions on the problem of vampirism that seems to plague the region known as Sundren. It is the intention of the undersigned to compile as much information from as many disciplines as possible in order to unravel the myth associated with these creatures.


signed

Katalina Zephyr
Faithful of the Black Hound

[BattlePixie]

Vampires are powerful, and intelligent, undead creatures that seem to retain some knowledge of their former lives. It seems they are driven by an insatiable hunger for blood in order to sustain their life, though it is unclear if this is their sole motivation.

It is of import, at this point, to note that all vampires are not the same. This suggests that there are many ways in which to create these creatures as well as providing the theory that the method of creation is not flawless, but subject to Beshaba's hand as all things are.

However, some things hold true across all species, or it would seem.

First: These are nocturnal creatures and as such only come out once the sun is down. Further to this, the kiss of the suns rays will burn these creatures and in time, turn them to dust.

Second: Garlic is known to hold the creatures at bay. They are either unable or quite reluctant to enter a place that has a significant amount of it.

entered here is a long and complex mathimatical formula suggesting an optimum garlic to vampire weight ratio to produce the desired effect

Third: Brandishing a holy symbol will cause the creatures to stay back, though more experimentation will be required to determine if certain holy symbols have a greater effect than those from other dieties.

Fourth: Magic silver is effective against these creatures, able to harm them better than most materials, but it is not the only material that will do so. Magical mithiril will also do the same, however it is unknown whether adamantine (a higher order metal) will do the same. It is important to note here, that silver on its own will have little effect, it must be permanently imbued. A temporary enchantment through either arcane or divine means will not do.

there has been additions to these entries, with different sections scratched out and notes written in the margins

Magical mithiril will not harm a vampire as silver will. However there is an incantation to imbue a king's tear gem of specific cut and quality. Once properly empowered it will allow any weapon it is affixed to, to bite into a vampire with the utmost of efficiency.

Fifth: Water blessed by a priest will cause great discomfort to them, burning them as acid would to normal folks.

[BattlePixie]

There are those Vampires that have command over the undead, able to create, summon or command them at will. This conjures a frightening image, however to this end there is some hope.

Through the next couple pages are penned in detail the complex magical formulas in which lesser forms of the undead are created. It is not my intention to advocate such actions or to provide the knowledge to do so, but instead have noted key points in the ritual that prove to be key weaknesses. As you will see, these weaknesses can be exploited and following are examples of such.

The master of these lower forms of undead have a tenuous link to their creation, which can be exploited. You can target the link on the lesser creature itself effectively dissmissing it, or one can target the creater, using the weave to strip all enchantments from them resulting in the lower creature being unsummoned.

the following pages detail the weakness of the create undead spell as well how to use dismissal and greater dispell magic

[BattlePixie]

At this point I believe it is appropriate to discuss, breifly, where the Sundren vampire comes from. Currently there are several theories to this, but one suggests that Colibrus, through his divine will, created the first vampire. From there others were created by spreading the vampiric "disease".

Their home (or homes as the case may be) can be anywhere. Popular theory suggests the mansion high in the mountains (as the pressence of lower order vampire supports this) or deep within the veridale forest. However it is uncertain if the presence undead here indicate a vampire nest or a clan of elves that fell victim to "darker forces".

In addition, not all vampires pay homage to the same diety (though they are all linked). One can theorise that there are vampires that follow Colibrus (as he is their father), but since Colibrus is also closely aligned with Bane, it is reasonable to assume that there are vampires who worship him as well. Also, I have seen at least one vampire that follows Myrkul.

Three gods all worshiped by vampires provides its own challenges. From this we can theorise that each sect of vampire will have its own location to keep their coffins and from the creatures intelligence we can also theorise that these location are well protected from magical means of scrying.

The trick in this matter will be to scry a location near the nest in order to narrow the search. The purpose to this would be to find the vampires while they sleep, and as such vulnerable.

One theory that I pose is that it may be possible to manipulate a scrying pool to not just find an object, but to look through their eyes and see what they see, in a manner similar to clairvoyance. A theory that will have to be explored more closely.

[BattlePixie]

A note on the vampire's resistance to the arcane.

At this point it is also note that vampires have an extremely high resistance to the weave. If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself facing one of these creatures and magic is your only recourse. Takes steps to prepare yourself to overcome their resistance. There is a little used arcane symbol that allows one to have uncanny knowledge of your foe's inherant weaknesses.

Do not waste your ability on a foe who will easily brush it away. Prepare yourself.

[BattlePixie]

I have seen their lair! It is deep in the spine of the world where the cold winds bite at your skin and numb your bones. Their lair is a manor of the finest design, but be cautous! Vampire wander the grounds just outside the gate (and coffins line the walls of the lower reaches).

If your intention is to rest the creatures in their coffins, bring someone who is good with locks. The coffins I saw were behind large iron gates with intricate locks. It is unknown if a specific key is needed for these gates though, as I did not have the opportunity to test the lock while I was imprisoned there.

below is a rough sketch of Wynter manor

[BattlePixie]

One theory has come forward, that higher order vampires hold sway over their vampire creations. This is likely possible through a similar means that one would control a summons or control lower forms of created undead.

I suspect that this link is telepathic, and potentially can be either weakened or severed through the use of powerful anti-scrying symbols or areas specifically prepared to prevent such links. There are other formula in which one can cage their mind from another as noted below:

in this section is a detailed examination of the lesser mind blank spell

A sub theory to this; it may be possible to "possess" the mind of one of these creatures to explore the nature of this link with its master or patron. Perhaps the warlocks at the Hell's Maw tavern would have some insight into the effectiveness and utility of possession.

Another thought is perhaps a pair of crowns that would allow one to venture into the mind of the other. In theory such objects are possible as there are spells that allow one to discern lies in another. Whether this is due to "mind reading" or other factors is unknown at this time though and will need to be researched.

As to the usefulness of this information?

I don't know, but it allows us to understand how the vampire "hive" works and how they are connected. Perhaps one may be tracked through another?