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Light
Learned Scribe
Australia
233 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 03:36:35
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While I love the Realms very much I admit I prefer a different role-playing setting, World of Darkness. And a big part of World of Darkness is vampires. In WOD there are many vampires well over 1,000....and some even over 6,000 years old. So jumping between the two worlds (Realms and WOD) can feel a little strange. Now I understand that the realms is a fantasy campaign and not a vampire one so don't misunderstand me but in all my time of reading the realms (and I confess that it doesn't amount to that much really) I have only come across a few vampires. Manshoon, and....well I can't remember the others. Anyway I got the feeling that they weren't very old. Probably 200 tops.
So....
1. Are there any notable vampires in the realms?
2. From these how old are they said or suggested to be? 100? 200? 500?
3. How do you see vampires in the realms? Are there any ancient vampires old enough to have seen Netheril's glory, even if they are now just sleeping away the centuries undergound?
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"A true warrior needs no sword" - Thors (Vinland Saga) |
Edited by - Light on 08 Apr 2012 03:38:18
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4452 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 04:27:57
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The plethora of vampires that practically run Westgate for one. They're statted out in detail in a Lords of Darkness supplement (I believe) and most of them are probably over a few hundred years old.
There is the Manshoon clone, which you mentioned.
Aside from some sourcebooks which might detail a vamp or two, they're not really that common in the Realms, well enough to make a strong presence known in sourcebooks and novels.
I'm sure there are a few Vampires running around Daggerdale (aptly named because of a vampire infestation that occured quite a while ago).
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1272 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 04:32:41
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Ulgar the Undying in the Pirate Isles is over two thousand years old as of 1370 according to the Forgotten Realms wiki.
I remember a Vampiric Dragon named Brimstone from the Year of Rogue Dragons series. Dragons of Faerūn lists him as an advanced smoke drake.
There's also Bhodi and Mordoc from the Baldur's Gate games. I don't recall how old they are.
As for your last question... personally, I see Toril as a place full of enough magical beasts and other predators that vampires aren't as big a threat as they are in my (very limited) understanding of World of Darkness. They can make for a good villan, if played right, but most would probably wind up on the business end of a Paladin's sword. |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Eldacar
Senior Scribe
438 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 05:24:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
As for your last question... personally, I see Toril as a place full of enough magical beasts and other predators that vampires aren't as big a threat as they are in my (very limited) understanding of World of Darkness. They can make for a good villan, if played right, but most would probably wind up on the business end of a Paladin's sword.
A vampire lord, on the other hand, would be a whole different story.
(Vampire Lord is a template you can add to a vampire. It makes them much nastier, and even allows them to walk in the sun.) |
"The Wild Mages I have met exhibit a startling disregard for common sense, and are often meddling with powers far beyond their own control." ~Volo
"Not unlike a certain travelogue author with whom I am unfortunately acquainted." ~Elminster |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 15:46:01
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I personally think the whole 'Rise of the Underdark' is a bid to cash-in on the 'Twilight Crowd' (C'mon - Rise of the Lycans, AND Underworld?)
Powerful, evil creatures that can't stand daylight and revel in blood-letting? Its a zombie apocalypse mixed with aberrations (Resident Evil) and a 'hidden horror revealed/returned' scenario (Thirty Days of Night.)
Could be why they've been lightening them up again to make them more like the Dark Elves from Hellboy 2, which looked more like vampires (more then the vamps from recent movies, anyway). They are releasing their own 'Golden Army'.
Anyhow, Drow are the closest lore we got to appeal to the current 'vamp craze', so its a no-brainer. Funny you created this thread, when in the Rise of the Underdark thread I mentioned how it reminded me of WoD.
EDIT: And I am not saying its a bad thing - I like the WoD vibe, and FR could have gotten shackled to something far worse, and based less upon past lore (you know... like telepathic catfish). At least this new storyline sounds interesting. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 08 Apr 2012 15:54:03 |
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Eladrinstar
Learned Scribe
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 17:42:05
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| Vampires have enough weaknesses, and enough desire to get themselves into situations with the living where they would be susceptible to attacks and retaliation, that truly ancient vampires are probably much more rare than, say, truly ancient liches. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2012 : 18:05:32
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I'd say it was about even. In fact, at a certain point of power, all the lines blur (vamps, liches, ghosts, ncient dead/mummies, etc).
I think a creature becomes undead as a certain 'thing' (almost like a character class for the living), but then, as they become more powerful they gain generic undead (shadow?) abilities, like becoming non-corporeal (mist), possession, energy/life-draining, fear aura, paralysis, etc, etc...
So after a time, even a Ghoul Lord could give a powerful vamp or lich a run for its money - they draw their abilities from the same pool of power, and after a time, the differences between their original forms matters little. Would folks even know the difference after a certain point? An ancient ghoul, mummy, wight, or vampire might all be mistaken for -and called - a lich after a thousand years or so.
What these creatures do is get smarter - the stupid ones get killed off, but the ancient ones are both brilliant and incredibly dangerous. The reason why you don't hear about very ancient vampires is because when you do, you don't live long. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 00:11:35
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There were lots of vampires in the catacombs beneath the Edificant Library in RAS's The Chaos Curse. And there's another on the loose in his "The Neverwinter Saga", who, after having his body destroyed, may be toying with the idea of moving on toward lichdom.
But I can't say that any of those vamps were particularly noteworthy. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6673 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 02:06:50
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Artor Morlin, the "Baron of Bood" - see Eric Boyd's Waterdeep series of adventures in Dungeon magazine (back when it was a real magazine).
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 04:13:45
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To answer the #3 question of the initial post;
I've always felt that there would be several amazingly powerful vampires in the Forgotten Realms...they are simply so powerful they aren't seen in the spotlight because they choose not to be.
I imagined that during the godless times of the Imaskari, an early wizard may have found Vampirism a way to extend his life...and when the Gods came, he moved on and out of the way of someone like Seker. He would still exist today as a vampire of incredible power capable of walking among the cattle he feeds on; but having long ago stopped caring for the mundane attractions of the world. Such a Vampire would have moved on to much greater heights of understanding. With most of his "weaknesses" being shed long ago, he would be frightful in the extreme; but most likely to care little about mortals.
Other vampires, I think would be the result of falling prey to vampirism just like others fall victim to being werewolves and such. I did think that such evil powers as Gargauth or Set might "reward" someone with vampirism as a gift of "Immortality" or such.
I think vampires would fit well in the Moonsea area, the Dales...almost anywhere really. A lonely castle is very entrenched in Vampire stories...but too easy to see through. I like vampires that are not looked for. A filthy hermit in the woods, a night fisherman on the riverbank catching catfish, a street thief or catburglar (who probably broke into the wrong home), or a nightwatch captain...anything really. The simpler the more of a surprise is my motto. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36826 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 04:34:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I personally think the whole 'Rise of the Underdark' is a bid to cash-in on the 'Twilight Crowd' (C'mon - Rise of the Lycans, AND Underworld?)
Except Underworld came out in 2003. Kinda late to jump on that bandwagon, which really isn't the same as the Twilight bandwagon, anyway. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2012 : 06:01:48
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Tammith Iltazyarra, a prominent innocent-maid-turned-slave-turned-vampire character in Richard Lee Byers' The Haunted Lands Trilogy. Relatively young, but quite cunning, strong (though not as much as a blood fiend), and could transform into bats. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 14 Apr 2012 06:10:55 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2012 : 14:59:38
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| Kierkan Rufo a former cleric of Deneir turned into an extremely powerful vampire after drinking from the chalice that contained the Chaos curse and slaughtered practically every priest in the Edificant library. Though he was eventually destroyed by Cadderly and his friends. |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2446 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2012 : 20:51:34
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Shyressa, a mage in the Twisted Rune.
Makal el Wisynn, a high-ranked guard in Calimport and one of pasha's favourites.
A pair of drow:
Shyntlara Auvryndar, priestess and matron of the House Auvryndar in Ched Nasad.
Tsabrak of the Blood, the Master of Necromancy (i.e. representative in Conclave) of Sshamath.
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People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11896 Posts |
Posted - 12 Apr 2012 : 16:05:46
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In the country of Veldorn, the vampire lord Saed rules
Saestra Karanok (of the royal family of Luthcheq) was also a vampire |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2012 : 18:08:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Tsigone, a prominent innocent-maid-turned-slave-turned-vampire character in Richard Lee Byers' The Haunted Lands Trilogy. Relatively young, but quite cunning, strong (though not as much as a blood fiend), and could transform into bats.
Any relation to Tzigone of Halruaa, daughter of King Zalathorm? |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2012 : 19:06:02
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| I assume he means Tammith Iltazyarra |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2012 : 03:01:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-Jander Sunstar, a personal favorite. In all of the Forgotten Realms, he is probably the vampire to have the most written about him and his situation.
+1 that is the name I was trying to remember |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2012 : 06:10:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Zireael
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Tsigone, a prominent innocent-maid-turned-slave-turned-vampire character in Richard Lee Byers' The Haunted Lands Trilogy. Relatively young, but quite cunning, strong (though not as much as a blood fiend), and could transform into bats.
Any relation to Tzigone of Halruaa, daughter of King Zalathorm?
Oops. I can't believe I mixed the names up! No, not Tsigone. It's TAMMITH Iltazyarra. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 07:01:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
I've always felt that there would be several amazingly powerful vampires in the Forgotten Realms...they are simply so powerful they aren't seen in the spotlight because they choose not to be.
Only when necessary that is; and when their masters choose to, given that many of them have undead masters (liches). Szass Tam, for one, have several.
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Every beginning has an end. |
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coach
Senior Scribe
USA
479 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2012 : 01:12:47
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[quote]Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-Jander Sunstar, a personal favorite. In all of the Forgotten Realms, he is probably the vampire to have the most written about him and his situation.
[/quote
isn't he the "good" vampire
if so yep i like him
good vamp is much more believable than a "good" drow |
Bloodstone Lands Sage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31797 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2012 : 01:39:58
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quote:
Originally posted by coach
[quote]Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-Jander Sunstar, a personal favorite. In all of the Forgotten Realms, he is probably the vampire to have the most written about him and his situation.
[/quote
isn't he the "good" vampire
if so yep i like him
good vamp is much more believable than a "good" drow
I wouldn't label Jander as "good," strictly, in terms of D&D alignment. Neutral, certainly, with some good tendencies. But like most vampires, he must indulge in the intake of fresh blood from victims, though he's particularly "discriminatory" in whom he selects for this bloodletting.
At most, I'd say he's the Realms-equivalent of Morbius the Living Vampire of Marvel Comics. He's not really good, or evil, really, but something in-between. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
556 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2012 : 04:45:35
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by coach
[quote]Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-Jander Sunstar, a personal favorite. In all of the Forgotten Realms, he is probably the vampire to have the most written about him and his situation.
[/quote
isn't he the "good" vampire
if so yep i like him
good vamp is much more believable than a "good" drow
I wouldn't label Jander as "good," strictly, in terms of D&D alignment. Neutral, certainly, with some good tendencies. But like most vampires, he must indulge in the intake of fresh blood from victims, though he's particularly "discriminatory" in whom he selects for this bloodletting.
At most, I'd say he's the Realms-equivalent of Morbius the Living Vampire of Marvel Comics. He's not really good, or evil, really, but something in-between.
Is Jander still "alive"? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31797 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2012 : 05:04:26
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| From what we know... Jander wanted to die in rays of the sun at the end of Vampire of the Mists. However, the Mists of Ravenloft snatched him away before he could be burned, determined to keep him alive in his tortured existence. If you're looking for more about Sunstar, I suggest you pick up Children of the Night: Vampires for his latest mention. Jander also received some updated treatment in the 3e RL Champions of Darkness resource. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1293 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2012 : 15:58:46
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| Thibbledorf Pwent is now a vampire on the side of good, after being a Gutbuster for so long. Interesting twist on a great character. |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2012 : 00:17:01
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| When did this happen, Seravin? Is the new RAS out already? |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2012 : 11:42:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
Thibbledorf Pwent is now a vampire on the side of good, after being a Gutbuster for so long. Interesting twist on a great character.
When did that happen?
Its certainly a surprise thats for sure though in hindsight he did get his throat ripped out by a vampire so maybe i shouldn't be so shocked. |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2012 : 18:19:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Fellfire
When did this happen, Seravin? Is the new RAS out already?
(spoiler)Korvin Dor'crae killed Pwent at the end of Gauntlgrym.
In the comic mini-series "Neverwinter Tales", Pwent is back, but he's changed into a vampire. (I haven't read it yet--just online excerpts.)
I now call him Vamp-Pwent.(/spoiler) |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
Edited by - BEAST on 04 Jun 2012 20:11:17 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3745 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2012 : 20:38:29
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
From what we know... Jander wanted to die in rays of the sun at the end of Vampire of the Mists. However, the Mists of Ravenloft snatched him away before he could be burned, determined to keep him alive in his tortured existence. If you're looking for more about Sunstar, I suggest you pick up Children of the Night: Vampires for his latest mention. Jander also received some updated treatment in the 3e RL Champions of Darkness resource.
-Though I doubt he'll be mentioned/referenced ever again, I hope Eldath takes him away somewhere where he can finally find peace. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1293 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2012 : 01:42:12
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| Sorry I didn't mean to spoil anyone. He was "killed" by a vampire in Guantlgrym so it shouldn't be too suprising that he may have risen as an undead. But yes, in the latest comics he Pwent is a vampire and he's feeding on goblins and orcs rather than good folk. It's a great twist! |
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Vampires of Note and Age
