Homebrew Dhampir Species Details

In Arcanum folklore, dhampirs (sometimes spelled dhampyres, dhamphirs, or dhampyrs) are creatures that are the result of a union between a vampire and a human. This union was usually between male vampires and female humans, with stories of female vampires mating with male humans being rare.

 

Dhampirs use their half vampire, half human traits with wit and cunning. Sometimes, being a human can come in handy when wondering the streets of a busy city. But by night, treading the world as a vampire can be quite fun, taking the life from unsuspecting people, just return to normal when the sun rise.

A Hidden People

Wherever humans live, dhampirs reside also; the question is whether their presence is known.

Dhampirs are born to one of three paths. A few are raised in stable communities where dhampirs are true to their nature and deal openly with the people around them. Some are orphans, raised by other races, who find their way in the world without ever knowing another like themselves. Others are part of vampiric covens spread across the world, families who keep their true nature hidden from the single-skins. Some covens maintain safe havens in major cities and communities, but most prefer to stay locked in rickety mansions or old abandoned homes to hide from the sun's light.

In creating a dhampir adventurer, consider the character’s relationships with people around them. Does the character conceal their true dhampyres nature? Do they embrace it? Do they have connections to other dhampirs or are they alone and in search of companions?

Half-Vampiric

In their true form, dhampirs look no different from humans or half elves. They only take certain features from their vampiric blood. Some have fangs, others have the elvish ears. Some take split blood from the necks of other people, while others abstain from contact with garlic and wooden steaks. While others can't traverse the sun, some may not be able to see themselves in the mirror. None the less, all dhampirs hold themselves proudly.

Dhampir Names

A dhampir might use a different name when flashing their human side and when flashing their vampiric side. The many names of dhampirs take an odd inspiration from both elvish and human names. Some are long like elves, most are shorter and simplistic like humans. Names for dhampirs never perfectly stick, as they usually slip in to personas and nicknames to hide who and what they truly are.

Dhampir Traits

Your dhampir character has the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2. In addition, one ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age

Dhampirs mature slightly faster than humans and live about twice as long. The effect of aging doesn't really affect a dhampir. They really never physically change after maturing.

Alignment

Dhampirs tend toward pragmatic neutrality, and few dhampirs embrace evil.

Size

Your size is Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d4

Height = 5 feet + 1 inch + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 95 + (2d4 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Bite

Your vampiric teeth are a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing and necrotic damage equal to 2d4 + your Dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Vampiric Bloodline

You are resistant to necrotic damage. You gain proficiency with one of the following skills of your choice: Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and two other languages of your choice.