
Corlindale |
We're currently at the end of module 5 in CC, with a 4-man party (oracle, druid, sorceror and inquisitor).
At the end of this chapter Luvick will offer the players the reward of vampirism. I know the sorceror will take it, and it is possible the Inquisitor will go for it as well.
This will obviously give them a significant boost in power - especially the sorceror. I can always buff later encounters to compensate, but right now I mostly worry a bit about balance within the party.
I thought it might help if I came up with some other bonuses for the more good-aligned members of the party (druid and oracle). Perhaps some divinely granted reward for those who stay on the path of virtue instead of succumbing to the corruption of undeath. They have all been blessed by Desna at the stairs of the moon, but it could also be related to their individual deities (which I think are Sarenrae and Erastil).
So what I need is suggestions for mechanical benefits to give them that would fit divine fluff and be helpful to a wildshape druid and a healer oracle. Doesn't have to be as good as vampirism, necessarily, but just a little boost so they don't get left out. I thought about perhaps some kind of limited access to mythic power (which I plan to introduce fully at the very end of the adventure anyway), but beyond that I don't have specific ideas yet. Any suggestions are most welcome.

MurphysParadox |

Are we talking about the full +2 CR Vampire template or the lesser Vampire Spawn effect?
Vampire: Type changes to undead, gain darkvision 60ft, gain +6 natural armor, CHA used for bonus hp instead of CON, Channel resistance +4, DR 10/magic and silver, fast healing 5, cold and electricity resistance 10. They can also turn into mist, a wolf, or a dire bat. They cause energy drain with slam attacks. Constant spider climb. Dominate with a look. The can also suck blood.
Undead in general also get immunity to mind effecting spells and abilities, bleed, death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, stunning, ability drain, physical ability damage, energy drain, nonlethal damage, exhaustion, fatigue, fortitude save based effects (unless they also work on objects).
Weaknesses are damaged by positive energy. They can be repelled with garlic, mirrors and holy symbols nor can they enter homes uninvited. Running water and sunlight can destroy them. Stakes can incapacitate them. Incapacitated at zero HP, requires a coffin, cannot act in day light.
The Vampire Spawn gains the blood drain, dominate, channel resistance +2, DR 5/silver, resist cold and electricty 10, fast healing 2, gaseous form, shadowless, and spider climb. It also gets all the weaknesses.
Either way you cut it, there's a pile of power in these templates. Of course, there are bad things too, but I'd say what they gain outweighs most of it.
The problem is coming up with something on the divine side that can even come close. The immunity list alone is staggering.
Here are some ideas:
Demon Possessed but changed to use angels in sort of a "divine host" concept. You'd have to break it down to be a reasonable list of abilities for whichever divine creature inhabits the character, but it is a good basis.
Fey could work, kind of a "avatar of the living world" concept. The earth itself is powering the characters in their effort to prevent the death of all things.
Genie-Bound though obviously you'd change it from genie to the appropriate god/goddess or representative.
Half-Fiend but switched to half-divine with the appropriate resistances/smites/dr modifications.
Divine Guardian sounds pretty heavy but may need a little something more since it rates only a +1.
And lastly, if the druid doesn't want to be a vampire, he can always be a Siabrae!

Zhangar |

Unless Luvick's also agreeing to make any converts immediately free-willed, accepting his offer would be an astonishingly bad idea.
The giant pile of powers is kind of cool, but dying in sunlight, and being another guy's slave until he releases you or actually die, is kind of a bummer.
Make sure your player understands what vampirism entails before they accept it.
(Oh, and becoming vampires can have the hilarious repercussion of them being vulnerable to command undead and other effects. They're going to be running off to attack the high temple of Urgathoa soon, and they'd be in real danger of becoming pets if they show up as vampires).