Way of the Wicked - Vampire Variant

[rhalwarlock]

In Book 4 of the Way of the Wicked adventure path it talks about making the Cardinal a Vampire and making the PCs vampires. Instead of making it a land ruled by Asmodeus, it is to be vampire ruled.

Would the Cardinal still be a Cleric of Asmodeus or something else?

Anyone run this variant of the campaign yet? Anyone have any ideas or suggestions about this variant idea?

[Fire Mountain Games]

rhalwarlock,

"Empire of Night" -- the vampiric variant of "Way of the Wicked" -- could still feature Asmodeus as a patron deity, you could deemphasize religion all together or you could even go as far as to make Thorn a worshipper of something like the demon lord Zura.

Zura is a chaotic evil patron of course so that would present some unique challenges. Vampirism can answer those challenges -- make Zura's first law "Honor those of her brood and spread Zura's gift". In short, make Zura anti-vampire destruction unless absolutely necessary. The PCs get to play a pack of (at first) vampire thralls but in time lords of the night who will build their legions of undead and rule this land.

In short, "Way of the Wicked" could become the foundation of a nation not dissimilar to Ustalev.

Hope this helps and let me know if you actually run this variant,

Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games

[rhalwarlock]

Thsnks for the response, I appreciate it. I wasn't entirely sure if the religion angle could still be kept in there, and even using the contract still - or some form of it. I am still wanting to keep the Lawful Evil aspect.

Zura is a great idea, except the chaotic part. Have to think on that.

[Fire Mountain Games]

If you don't like Zura being chaotic, make her a devil instead of a demon.

Gary McBride
Fire Mountain Games