So, I like the idea of giving the players the choice of gaining the old school, mucho stereotyped abilities of the vampire, in whatever form they take it. Hell, I'd even like the idea of a certain character I'd written being produced in DnD form. However, as we all know, the template means no DM will EVAR allow it, and even if they did, it would be a balancing act to give it to you and not unbalance the party. So, though novice to this I may be, I decided to take the idea of the Template class, as inspired from Savage Progressions, and try and make a vampire out of it. I understand it may be strong; that's why I took out a bunch of the abilities and made an LA +8 template a nine-level class (which means you melee types can still get +16 BAB in 20 levels, but you spellcasters are fairly screwed).
Any comments and criticisms are encouraged, if not outright demanded, as I have no doubt balancing is needed. So, here it is...
The Vampire
Base Vampire Template ClassL - HD - Class Features
1 - 1d12 - Str +2, Cha +2, No Con Score, Blood Drain, Ageless Immortal
2 - 2d12 - Dex +2, Natural Armor +2
3 - - Int +2, Damage Reduction 5/silver and magic
4 - 3d12 - Str +2, Resistance to cold 5 and electricity 5
5 - 4d12 - Wis +2, Turning Resistance +4
6 - - Natural Armor +2, Gaseous Form
7 - 5d12 - Cha +2, Damage Reduction 10/silver and magic
8 - 6d12 - Dex +2, Resistance to cold 10 and electricity 10
9 - - Str +2, Fast Healing, Natural Armor +2
Class Features:*ProficienciesA vampire character gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies, but retains all proficiencies previously gained.
*True BloodDepending on how the vampire's bite infects your blood, your true potential can be unlocked. You choose one of three blood types at level 1, and that will determine the base attack bonus and base saves (fortitude, reflex, and will) gained by this class. As a plot point, it is the usual case that a vampire will inherit the true blood bloodline from their sire - the vampire that created them.
If you choose the Vrykolakas bloodline, you gain a good base attack bonus (as a fighter), strong fortitude and reflex saves, a weak will save, and 4 + int mod skill points per level. Class skills are the same as the class skills of the Warrior. The ancient butcher of men is a member of this bloodline.
If you choose the Strigoi bloodline, you gain a poor base attack bonus (as a sorcerer), a weak fortitude and reflex save, a good will save, 2 + int mod skill points per level, and an advancement of one caster level of any existing class (chosen at the first level this ability is gained) for every odd level in this class taken. If you have no spellcasting levels, you gain sorcerer spellcasting levels. Class skills are the same as the class skills of the Adept. The reclusive but powerful vampire wizard is a member of this bloodline.
If you choose the Ubyr bloodline, you gain a medium base attack bonus (as a rogue), strong will and reflex saves, a weak fort save, and 8 + int mod skill points per level. Class skills are the same as the class skills of the Aristocrat. The aristocrat of the night is a member of this bloodline.
*Blood Drain (Ex)A vampire can suck blood from a living victim with its fangs by making a successful grapple check. At 1st level, if it pins the foe, the vampire can drain blood, dealing 1d4 points of Constitution drain each round the pin is maintained. On each such successful attack, the vampire gains 5 temporary hit points.
*Ageless Immortal (Ex)Aside from being killed, vampires are effectively immortal. They never age, appearing to be the same age they were when they were turned. As such, vampires do not take penalties for aging, and have no maximum age.
*Damage Reduction (Su)*Resistances (Ex)At 4th level, a vampire gains resistance to cold 5 and electricity 5. This resistance grows to cold 10 and electricity 10 at 8th level.
*Turn Resistance (Ex)As of 5th level onward, a vampire has +4 turn resistance.
*Gaseous Form (Su)As of level 6, as a standard action, a vampire can assume gaseous form at will as the spell (caster level 5th), but it can remain gaseous indefinitely and has a fly speed of 20 feet with perfect maneuverability.
*Fast Healing (Ex)A vampire in it's mature stage of development can heal at great speeds. At 9th level, the vampire heals 5 points of damage each round so long as it has at least 1 hit point. If reduced to 0 hit points in combat, it automatically assumes gaseous form. It must reach its coffin home within 2 hours or be utterly destroyed. (It can travel up to nine miles in 2 hours.) Any additional damage dealt to a vampire forced into gaseous form has no effect. Once at rest in its coffin, a vampire is helpless. It regains 1 hit point after 1 hour, then is no longer helpless and resumes healing at the rate of 5 hit points per round.
Edits:7/12/09: *Added class skills to each bloodline; Strigoig get Adept, Vrykolakas get Warrior, and Ubyr get Aristocrat, as per the NPC classes.
*Added the immortality clause. They do not age (for RP purposes) and take no age penalties (for co purposes).
*Clarified language about +1 spellcasting/+1 sorc levels in Strigoi bloodline.
*Made a bit easier to read.
4/8/10: *Changed spellcasting from 1/level to 1/odd level (meaning 5 caster levels over 9 class levels, or 5/9 casting).
*Changed HD from every level to every level non divisible by 3 (so no HD at 9, but bitching fast healing.