I'm in a an online game currently in the middle of a discussion on this topic. The DM made mention of a Good vampire in the city (the PCs are all Paladin policemen). We're all discussing this and I am stating that vampires cannot be Good (except, of course, for DM hand waving). He isn't forcing the issue either, instead he's seeing where the discussion is headed.
My reasons for stating that vampires cannot be Good are pretty simple and straightforward:
1) MM says so. Core rules. Alignment for the vampire entry is Always Evil.
2) Moral reasons. Vampires can only exist/continue to exist through the intentional infliction of pain and suffering (torture) on others by neck bites, blood drain and loss of constitution.
While I understand the DM can hand wave the first reason away, the second one isn't so easy. I know he's going for variety (there are drow, goblins, etc., running around the same city as elves, dwarves and humans), and I'm not telling him how to run his game either. This is just an ongoing discussion and I'm curious to hear from you guys what you think of this and if you think there are any monsters that could/should be exempted from the "always" part of alignment.
My reasons for stating that vampires cannot be Good are pretty simple and straightforward:
1) MM says so. Core rules. Alignment for the vampire entry is Always Evil.
2) Moral reasons. Vampires can only exist/continue to exist through the intentional infliction of pain and suffering (torture) on others by neck bites, blood drain and loss of constitution.
While I understand the DM can hand wave the first reason away, the second one isn't so easy. I know he's going for variety (there are drow, goblins, etc., running around the same city as elves, dwarves and humans), and I'm not telling him how to run his game either. This is just an ongoing discussion and I'm curious to hear from you guys what you think of this and if you think there are any monsters that could/should be exempted from the "always" part of alignment.