Lord
Blood drain: 1 pint
Arch-Lord
Blood drain: 2 pints
Princeling
Blood drain: 3 pints
Prince
Blood drain: 4 pints
Arch-Prince
Blood drain: 5 pints
Blood Drain: Any greater vampire can drink blood as described in the article. In addition, a greater vampire has the ability to suck blood rapidly during combat, making this an effective attack form. This bite attack can be used at the vampire's option in place of the hand attack during "surprise" situations; that is, when a creature is surprised by the vampire. At other times the bite can only occur if the vampire has rolled a hand "to hit" value 5 places better than required. The monster then gains an immediate "to hit" roll for the bite (with no Dex or shield considerations to the AC). If this bite succeeds the vampire proceeds quickly to drain the opponent of blood. For any one bite the actual amount taken (in pints) depends on the vampire's title and is the value shown. Obviously in combat a vampire ignores any thoughts of blood-type preference. The effects of this sudden loss in blood are different from those produced by the previously described gradual decrease (see Table 3).
Table 3: Effects of Rapid Blood Loss
% of Blood Lost / Effects on Str, Dex, Con / Effects on Movement
1-15 / nil / no charge possible
16-30 / -1 / fast trot max
31-45 / -3 / walk max
46-60 / -9 / can only stagger*
61-75 / -15 / can only crawl**
76+ / death /death
*Victim cannot attack or cast spells; may only defend
**Victim cannot attack, cast spells, or defend
For example, a human suffering 50% blood loss would lose 9 points each of Str, Dex, and Con, would not be able to attack by weapon or by spell, and could only move at a stagger. OF course all these penalties woudl be extra to the damage and drain effects caused by the initital hand attack that gripped the human so as to facilitate the bite!
It is important to note that the decrease in ability points arises indirectly from the blood loss; they are not drained as such. Thus it is possible for negative values to result and the victim to remain alive. However, if and when Con falls below 3, the individual must make a "system shock" roll (based on original Constitution) or else die. If Con falls to zero or below another check is required; teh chance this time being 20%. In any event an individual wiht negative Con value immediately becomes unconscious. Lost ability points are regained with rest at the rate of 2 points per day for each affected characteristic. Alternatively, a heal spell will restore values to their original number.
Any human/oid creature bitten by this "combat-drain" has a chance of becoming a vampire as described previously under "partial blood-drain".