Van Richten's Monster Hunter's.pdf - Askadesign.com

. ~LCI~TClN, ~~~11E FIIGT:
way the vampire can receive
information from these animals. Thus,
a vampire typically could not use a
summoned bat as a spy to gather
information. Of course, this is only true
of the "typical" vampire. There are
some unique individuals that can
communicate bi-directionally with
certain animals, or even "speak" their
language. I must admit I find this a
terrifying concept, because virtually
any creature of the forest or hedgerow
thus becomes a potential spy or scout
for a vampire. Nevertheless, as with
the spell speak with animals, there
remain severe limitations on what the
vampire can communicate and learn
by this means. The minds of lesser
animals are very limited, and are
focused almost exclusively on the
moment-to-moment requirements of
survival. Animal communications
reflect these limitations. Thus, it would
be impossible to conduct a
philosophical discussion with a rabbit,
for example, or to instruct that
creature to perform complex tasks,
those involving judgment and
contingencies. Nor would a controlled
rat be able to turn a key, and a
controlled wolf would likely be unable
Undeacl Minion Control
to remove the bar from a door, and
so on.
These limitations of communication
and control are not sufficient to stop a
vampire who can speak with animals
from forming close bonds, friendships,
as it were, with certain creatures.
These animals would consider the
vampire a compatriot or a leader, and
would obey the monster's commands
willingly even after the period of
complete mental control ends. Such
willing "animal friends" would probably
not sacrifice their lives for the vampire,
but otherwise would be loyal minions.
Some examples of vampire-
controllable animals are rats, bats,
wolves, cats, snakes, ravens, vultures,
and wasps.
other Minions
It is an unpleasant point to add that
vampires also exercise power over
their fellow undead, particularly
zombies, ghasts, and the like.
Fortunately, they are not omnipotent in
these matters, even though they are
technically the "kings" of the undead,
and many of the more powerful
creatures may resist being controlled,
particularly other vampires. Because of
of undead
1 HD
Zombie Zombie
2 HD
3-4 1-4 HD HD
5 HD
Fledgling Mature
13 10
16 13
19 16
70 20 19 19
- 20
Old Very Old Ancient
7 4 1
10 7 4
13 I3 IO 7
16 13 10
19 16 13
Eminent Patriarch
* *
1 *
4 1
7 4
10 7
Ghast 20 19 16 13 10
6 HD 20 19 16 13
Undead of higher HD (including special) are immune to control by vampires of any age
category.
+
* Automatically controlled (no chance of failure)
Vampires of any age category are automatically entitled to a saving throw, to resist being
controlled
'