From: "S.D. Anderson" <102250.1425@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Vampyr, variant Vampir BloodType The description of the vampire type known as Vampir in GURPS BloodTypes suggests that slightly more corporeal versions of these monsters be built using a modified Vyralokos template. Since these vampires are entirely solid, you need to do extensive alterations to bring them in line with a slightly more solidified Vampir. No thanks. The Vampyr is similar to the Vampir, basically a blood drinking ghost whose existence depends on the existence of it's corpse and the ability to rest within it during the day. It's generally more dangerous if only because it's harder to destroy than it's astral entity cousin. DESCRIPTION: It generally looks like it's corpse at the time of it's first emergence from the grave. Unless the emergence occurs well after burial or some sort of pathogen was actively decomposing the corpse at a very fast rate, the Vampyr will be able to pass as human with a little cleaning up and grooming. The vampyr is not quite as immortal as other vampire types. Eventually their corpses will crumble to dust and their connection to the mortal world is severed. In most campaigns this is still long enough to justify the vampiric immortality advantage at full cost. In an "Immortals" game, reduce the cost of their immortality by 20% to 48 pts. HABITS: The typical emergence time seems to be three days after death but it's not unusual to find exceptions, some even emerging at the moment of death. (GM's decision.) If a random determination method is wanted, here is one (other tables are just as valid): roll 3d. 3: immediate to one hour after death if after dark. Following sunset otherwise. 4-6: within one day of death, while dark or at the following sunset. 7-8: 2 days after death, at sunset. 9-14: traditional 3 day waiting period. 15: Not until first new moon after the 3 day period. 16: First new moon after a month has passed. 17: 20 minus the deceased's HT months, 3 months minimum, new moon. 18: At least 3 years ADVANTAGES: Bite [30], Dark Vision [25] DX +2 [20], Insubstantial [80], Magery 1 [15], Multiple Form: Bat [10], Vampiric Immortality [60], Vampiric Invulnerability [150] 390 pts Optional: Enhanced ST 20, Claws, Multiple Form: Wolf Speak with Animals, and Vampiric Resurrection. DISADVANTAGES: Bloodthirst [-15], Dependency: Human Blood (weekly) [-20], Dependency: Rest in corpse (stationary, unique/irreplaceable) base cost: -30 pts (daily) [-90], Dread: Garlic [-10], Dread: Religious Symbols [-10], Infectious Attack [-5], No Body Heat [-10], No Reflection [-10], Nocturnal [-10], Unhealing [-30], Vulnerability: ANY damage to corpse [-10], Vulnerability: Beheading [-10], Vulnerability: Sunlight 4 levels [-60], 290 pts Optional: Monstrous Appearance, Bad Smell, No Shadow, Pallor, Unliving, Vulnerability: Running Water. RACIALLY INATE MAGIC: Optional: Beast Summoning (Rodents, Canines), Fog, Pestilence. BASE COST: 100 pts (So I'm nostalgic about the original cost of vampires in GURPS...) VAMPYR IN CAMPAIGN: Vampyr's are a varied lot, the more monstrous among their number would fit in well as a ghostly version of Noferatu while the better preserved could easily take places with Gothic or Modern vampires. Because they do not need blood as often as their corporeal or astrally projecting cousins, they are less likely to be detected, needing to feed one seventh as often. In combat, these undead are particularly difficult to harm or destroy. The few things that get past their vampiric invulnerability are generally useless against them while they are insubstantial. Only Sunlight really affects an insubstantial Vampyr, unless the weapon can affect an insubstantial foe. Their bodies are both the source of their existence and their greatest weakness. They take any damage done to the corpse. A Vampyr with the optional disadvantage of unliving would cease to exist if someone jabbed it's actual body with a knitting needle HT +1 times if it's spirit form couldn't get healing before the final jab was made. (Corpses don't take impaling or cutting damage increases, about the only "defense" they have. On the other hand, dead bodies don't heal. The vampyr's spirit form could heal injuries taken from damage done to the body, but the body remains damaged, and that much closer to destruction. ) Even Vampyrs who don't suffer from the unliving disadvantage have been destroyed by a hungry rat that got into their coffin. A vampyr will seek to have it's body hidden if possible, but many will be reluctant to risk possible damage caused by transit. Because of their corpses, and the need to both protect their bodies and rest within them in daytime, Vampyrs are limited in travel options. Hunters have an edge here. Find even the approximate location of the Vampyr's lair and it is in serious jeopardy. (Total Body destruction for $400 Alex...) Of course, the vampyr can either attempt to move his corpse or eliminate those threatening it. They can see in the dark and know full well the deterioration their bodies undergo, and most are therefore reasonably aware of their semi-mortality. Some will take considerable effort to preserve the corpse. Suspended Animation doesn't work on dead bodies, and known preservative spells resist the vampiric spirit's attempt to enter the body, with the spell negated on the spirit's successful entry. Wealthy and/or influential Vampyrs in Fantasy settings may well hire necromancers and/or alchemists to solve this problem, if they themselves aren't skilled in those arts.