New Vampire Mod Idea

[IronRoan]

So, I've browsed through the various vampire mods, and some are very nice, and detailed. But to be honest, none of them really give me the feel that vampirism is in any way encouraged in the game. The detriments always seem to outweigh the benefits... or it gets to the point that the vampires are overpowered. So I'm proposing this idea to sort of give the vampire a fix that finds a better balance between it all. The main issues I encounter are 1: Spending obscene amounts of time sleeping to pass the daytime, 2. Fast-traveling only to wind up dead from sun damage due to a miscalculation on travel distance and time.

 

The idea I have is this, a system where you level up your vampire skills through either a quest chain, or through exercising your gifts. In the end there would be four individual levels, and then a side-level.

 

Level 1: Fledgeling

 

This is when you first contract the Porphyric Hemophelia, and avoid treatment of the disease over 3 days, resulting in the first level of vampirism. At this point you receive moderate sunlight damage, gain no real strengths, other than the ability to feed upon sleeping humanoids.

 

Level 2: Mature

 

This would be after 5 days of being a vampire (for reasonable purposes and not wanting to force the player to spend an unreasonable amount of time sleeping), and after feeding on 10 different people's blood. At this point the vampire unlocks some minor abilities. Some have used things such as "suggestion" or "hypnosis" as abilities, which cause NPCs to seek out a bed to sleep, allowing the vampire to feast on them. This would be an idea I'd also like to incorporate. Other abilities would be maybe a slight strength modifier of a permanent +10 stat increase. The vampire still retains damage to sunlight, and if it goes a prolonged period without food, it would revert back to Fledgeling status. (Hypothetically, lets say if the vampire went a week without feeding).

 

Level 3: Full-Blooded

 

This would be, for arguments sake lets say another 5 days after becoming a Mature vampire. Other conditions would be the feeding on twenty different people, and using the "suggestion" or "hypnosis" ability at least 10 times. At this point, the player would have undergone the full transformation from human to vampire. They would gain minor aditional benefits, such as underwater breathing, and self-cast chameleon. Other things this mod could include would be a "gift" you receive while sleeping from a vampiric admirer. Either a ring, or an amulet, something small, yet useful. This trinket could provide minor benefits to speech-craft, personality, and stealth.

 

At this level, the vampire would still, once again, suffer penalties in sunlight. However, if possible, I would like these penalties to be removed under circumstances such as light-impairing weather, where clouds provide natural shade.

 

Level 4: Elder

 

The gap between Full-Blooded and Elder would be larger than previous ones, however, it would provide some much-desired benefits. The vampire would at this point be able to travel in the sun without receiving damage. The theory that after spending ample time adjusting to the lifestyle, the Elder had learned to best use naturally provided shade. This does not mean immunity however. I would like there to be a penalty to damage and defense during daytime, as the vampire is in a vulnerable position traveling in the open during the day. I feel that this could happen after twenty days of being a Full-Blooded Vampire, in addition to feasting upon lets say 50 people. It would be no small task, making the reward of sun-resistance well earned.

 

Level 5: Methuselah

 

The final level, I propose of being a vampire. This would come after feasting upon a full 100 helpless victims. At this point, it's impossible to be cured of your vampirism. And your need to feast is limited, allowing the vampire to function for extended periods of time without feeding. Along with this, the penalties during the sunlight are removed almost entirely. You no longer receive damage from the sun, you are no longer weakened defensively from its harsh glare. However, your abilities require the presence of the night to utilize. At this point, you would be as you were before the vampirism hit during the daytime, but you would be powerful during the night, or indoors, away from the sunlight.

 

Along with this, I propose that the Methuselah vampire receives one final benefit: The ability to heal its wounds, and drain the life of it's victim from damage inflicted during combat. This provides the vampire a means of a "meal-on-the-go" for the impatient ones, and encourages them to live out a more violent lifestyle.

 

A final thought I would have: For those who feel that the process of going through these levels is still tedious, and almost as bad as the "downtime" spent sleeping and avoiding sunlight with the existing vampire system in Oblivion, I propose this:

 

Level 2.5: Half-Breed

 

The player would be given the option, either via a received potion, or through a quest to purge themselves of the vampiric disease. However, the transformation he has already undergone will always leave him somewhat tainted. Once going through this, the player loses the ability to pursue stronger levels of vampirism. Becoming a half-breed removes the sun-damage and weakening effects, as well as the majority of the benefits. The player would still be able to feed on humans, though would not be required to. And they would be able to "suggest" or "hypnotize". However they would lose the +10 or so stat bonus of being a vampire. Additionally, the physical changes they receive from being a vampire (Such as either aging, fangs, eye-change, or paler skin, depending on the mod's settings) would remain.

 

There are plenty of other, in-depth ideas I would have for this. But I personally am not fluent nor equipped currently with the means to produce this mod. If anyone wishes to undertake this project, I would be greatly appreciative. On top of this, I would be willing to provide any support I can. In either providing details, dialogue for potential quests, or other ideas to flush the mod out further.

 

Also if reading this has given you your own creative ideas, feel free to leave some input or suggestions!

[AtlasS]

Try combining a few vampire mods. the sticky about posting req pretty much says not to make any vampirism requests