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--- wiki:dhampir [2025/12/03 18:59] – created karga
+++ wiki:dhampir [2025/12/13 23:58] (current) – ersatz
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 ====== Dhampirs ======
-{{ placeholder |}}
-^ Dhampirs    ^
+^ Dhampirs ^
-| Height: 170 to 190  |
+| Height: 170 to 190 |
 | Attribute Modifiers: +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Constitution |
 | Language: Common (Taldan) |
-| Common Cultures: [[Jiang-Shi-Born (Ru-Shi)]], [[Moroi-Born (Svetocher)]], [[Nosferatu-Born (Ancient-Born)]], [[Vetala-Born (Ajibachana)]],   |
+| Common Cultures: [[Jiang-Shi-Born (Ru-Shi)]], [[Moroi-Born (Svetocher)]], [[Nosferatu-Born (Ancient-Born)]], [[Vetala-Born (Ajibachana)]] |
 === Overview ===
-**Names:** Lacking a culture and unified traditions, dhampirs share humans' predilection for a diversity of names, and most keep their human birth names. Many dhampirs take their mother's surname, while others take the surname of the towns or regions in which they were born, or use a surname derived from a significant event.
+**Names:** Dhampirs usually retain their human birth names. Some take their mother's surname, a place of birth, or a name tied to a significant event.
-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). Regardless, they live and die just like any other mortal creatures, despite possessing a supernatural longevity akin to that of elves.
-Hardship and suffering fill a dhampir's formative years. Most grow up as orphans, and despite their exquisite features and innate charm, they face a lifetime of prejudice, mistrust, fear, and persecution. Humans who witness the seemingly sinister nature of a dhampir child's supernatural powers or sensitivity to daylight display an array of reactions ranging from awe to terror to outright hatred. Eventually, a dhampir must learn to cope with these difficulties in order to find his place in the world. While most dhampirs succumb to the innate evil of their undead heritage and devolve into the monstrous fiends depicted by society, a few reject their unholy conceptions, instead vowing to avenge their mothers by hunting the very creatures that sired them.
-Dhampirs keep few, if any, close companions. Ultimately, the majority of evil dhampirs regard their allies as little more than tools or fodder. Those whom they deem useful are judged by their merits as individuals, not by their race. However, even with those they feel attached to, most dhampirs are sullen and reserved. Some fear the persecution heaped upon them may be transferred to their companions, whereas others worry their own bloodlust will one day overwhelm them and they'll inadvertently turn upon their friends. In any case, an alliance with a dhampir almost always leads to an ill-fated conclusion.
-== Physical Description: ==
-Tall and slender and with well-defined musculature, dhampirs look like statuesque humans of unearthly beauty. Their hair, eye, and skin colors resemble unnerving versions of their mothers'; many possess a ghastly pallor, particularly in the sunlight, while those with dark complexions often possess skin the color of a bruise.
-While many dhampirs can pass as humans in ideal conditions, their features are inevitably more pronounced and they move with an unnaturally fluid grace. All dhampirs have elongated incisors. While not true fangs, these teeth are sharp enough to draw blood, and many suffer a reprehensible desire to indulge in sanguinary delights, despite the fact that the act provides most no physical benefit.
-== Society: ==
-Dhampirs have no culture of their own, nor do they have any known lands or even communities. Often born in secret and abandoned at orphanages or left to die on the outskirts of town, they tend to live solitary lives as exiles and outcasts. Individuals acquire the cultural beliefs and teachings of the regions in which they grew up, and adopt additional philosophies over the course of their complex lives. This ability to adapt to a verity of circumstances provides dhampirs with a social camouflage that hides them from both predators and prey.
-In rare instances, dhampirs might gather to form small groups or cabals dedicated to resolving their joint issues. Even so, the philosophies of such groups reflect the interests of the individuals involved, not any common dhampir culture.
+Dhampirs are the half-living children of vampires and human mothers, born of tragedy and horror. The circumstances of their birth are rarely understood, with most mortal mothers not surviving. Legends suggest dhampirs may result from mortal women bitten by vampires or from unions with vampires themselves. Their offspring almost always inherit the human form and cannot reproduce true dhampirs. Despite their supernatural heritage, they live and die like mortals, though they age more slowly.
+Dhampirs grow up facing prejudice, fear, and mistrust, often as orphans. Many struggle against the innate evil of their lineage, with some dedicating themselves to vengeance against the vampires responsible for their conception. Dhampirs tend to keep few companions, seeing most allies as tools, yet even those they trust face tension from fear of their bloodlust or persecution.
-== Relations: ==
+== Physical Description ==
-As dhampirs are scions of evil, few races view them favorably. They share an affinity for those half-breeds whose sinister ancestry also sets them apart from human society, particularly tieflings and half-orcs. Humans view them with a combination of fear and pity, though such feelings often devolve into hatred and violence. Other humanoid races, such as dwarves, elves, and halflings, simply shun them. Similarly, dhampirs bear a deep-seeded loathing for living creatures, their hatred planted by jealousy and fed by frustration.
+Dhampirs are tall, slender, and statuesque, possessing a beauty that is both alluring and unsettling. Their hair, eyes, and skin often mirror exaggerated versions of their mothers', with some showing pallor or bruised tones. All dhampirs have elongated incisors capable of drawing blood, hinting at their vampiric nature. They move with fluid, almost unnatural grace, making them immediately noticeable even when attempting to blend in.
-== Alignment and Religion: ==
+== Society ==
-Most dhampirs succumb to the evil within their blood. They are unnatural creatures, and the foul influence of their undead heritage makes an evil outlook difficult to overcome. Those who struggle against their wicked natures rarely progress beyond a neutral outlook.
+Dhampirs have no distinct society or homeland. They grow up adopting the culture of the regions in which they are raised. Some form small groups or secretive cabals, but these are based on individual goals rather than a common dhampir culture. Their ability to adapt provides both social camouflage and survival advantage.
-== Adventurers: ==
+== Relations ==
-The life of an adventurer comes naturally to most dhampirs, since constant persecution condemns many to spend their days wandering. Evil dhampirs keep moving to maintain their secrecy and evade lynch mobs, while those who follow the path of vengeance venture forth in search of their despised fathers. Regardless of their reasons, most dhampirs simply feel more at home on the road than in a settlement. Having little formal training, a great many of these journeyers become fighters and rogues.
-Almost universally, those inclined toward magic pursue the field of necromancy, though dhampir alchemists have been known to obsess over transforming their own bodies. Those who feel the call of the hunt often become inquisitors.
+Few races accept dhampirs. They are often shunned or feared, though they share bonds with other outcasts like tieflings and half-orcs. Humans may pity them or fear them, sometimes turning to violence. Most dhampirs hold a deep resentment for living creatures, nurtured by envy and frustration at their cursed lineage.
+== Alignment and Religion ==
+Dhampirs typically lean toward evil due to their undead heritage, though some struggle and maintain neutral alignments. Their outlook is heavily influenced by their upbringing, experiences, and personal choices.
-----
+== Adventurers ==
-//Sources: [[http://paizo.com/products/btpy9g9v?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Inner-Sea-Races| Inner Sea Races pg. 240]], [[http://paizo.com/products/btpy8rv2?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Advanced-Race-Guide|Advanced Race Guide pg. 96]], [[http://paizo.com/products/btpy8auu?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Bestiary|Pathfinder RPG Bestiary pg. 89]//
+Adventuring comes naturally to dhampirs due to their persecution and solitude. Many become fighters or rogues, while magic users often pursue necromancy or body-altering alchemy. Some take up the path of the hunt as inquisitors, especially those seeking vengeance against vampires. Constant travel suits their secretive lifestyle, and most feel at home on the road rather than in settlements.
-//Many thanks to the many contributors of the [[https://www.aonprd.com/ | Archives of Nethys]] for rendering this material readily accessible.//