Dhampir (Player Race)

The half-living children of vampires birthed by human females, dhampirs are progenies of both horror and tragedy. The circumstances of a dhampir's conception are often called into question but scarcely understood, as few mortal mothers survive the childbirth. Those who do often abandon their monstrous children and refuse to speak of the matter. While some speculate that dhampirs result when mortal women couple with vampires, others claim that they form when a pregnant woman suffers a vampire bite. Some particularly zealous scholars even contest dhampirs' status as a unique race, instead viewing them as humans suffering from an unholy affliction. Indeed, this hypothesis is strengthened by dhampirs' seeming inability to reproduce, their offspring inevitably humans (usually sorcerers with the undead bloodline).

## Racial Traits

* **Ability Scores:** Depends on selected heritage
* **Dhampir Heritage**
	+ Presented here are alternative dhampirs descended from specific breeds of vampires. A player may choose one of the following heritages for her dhampir in place of the traditional dhampir racial features (which are assumed to be born from less pure or mixed heritages)
* **Negative Energy Affinity**
	+ Though a living creature, a dhampir reacts to positive and negative energy as if they were undead - positive energy harms them, while negative energy heals them.
* **Resist Level Drain**
	+ A Dhampir is immune to energy drain effects.
* **Undead Resistance**
	+ Dhampirs get a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against disease and mind-affecting effects.

## Heritages

**Dhampir**

* +2 racial bonus to Dexterity and Charisma. -2 Penalty to Constitution.
* +2 racial bonus on Persuasion (when used for bluff) and perception checks.

**Jiang-Shi-Born (Ru-Shi)**

Also called a ru-shi, a jiang-shi-born is usually the result of some foul ritual or a magically possessed father rather than direct congress between a human and a jiang-shi. Jiang-shis lack any natural desire for physical contact or procreation, and their putrefying internal organs make most unable to conceive.

* +2 racial bonus to Strength and Intelligence. -2 penalty to Dexterity.
* +2 racial bonus on Mobility and Knowledge (world) checks.

**Moroi-Born (Svetocher)**

Dhampirs who can trace their heritage to moroi are known as svetochers, and they inherit much of the unnatural charm and beauty exhibited by their vampiric forebears. Svetochers tend to have an easier time than other dhampirs when associating with mortals, though they must be careful that their relatively wanton social interactions do not breed jealousy, resentment, or disdain. They are more often hunted out of covetousness or spite than outright prejudice, so they typically develop social skills that allow them to soothe wounds caused by accidental slights or careless acts.

* +2 racial bonus to Strength and Charisma. -2 penalty to Constitution.
* +2 bonus on Persuasion (when used for diplomacy) and Knowledge (world) checks.

**Nosferatu-Born (Ancient-Born)**

The union that results in an ancient-born is too horrific for most to imagine. Even in relative youth a nosferatu is so terrible to behold that any such coupling must be the result of arcane manipulation or insanity. Ancient-born's hatred for humanity is reflected in their appearance; from birth they are misshapen, sallow, and painfully thin. Abuse from their disgusted peers wears deep on ancient-born's skin thanks to their physical weakness. Lacking the gift of immortality to offset the wasting effect of the curse they are born with, their chalky complexion scars easily and bruises like an overripe peach.

* +2 racial bonus to Strength and Wisdom. -2 penalty to Constitution.
* +2 racial bonus on Athletics and Lore (nature) checks.

**Vampire King-Born (Sacred Ancestry)**

Dhampirs descended from the Vampire King are rare in the extreme. Incredibly beautiful but strikingly grim shades that straddle the line between humanity and vampirekind, sacred ancestry dhampirs are often single-minded loners intent on a specific goal.