Villains

[Snypiuer]

O.K., one of my favorite books is Villains by Necessity written by Eve Forward (READ THIS BOOK - you can get a paperback online for, about, $40 or so, free if you have kindle - I think), or you can go here: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/71705/villains-by-necessity-redux which is her Royal Road site and she's rewriting it (slowly) and you can get a small taste of it.

ANYWAYS . . . 

What would YOU do if you were one of the last evil beings in a realm where Good has won and sealed off the source of all evil - no more Evil gods, demons or corruption.

Nothing but GOOD.

All "bad" people have been given amnesty if they change their ways, "monsters" and evil creatures have all been hunted down and all "evil" kingdoms overthrown.

Then there's you. Are you an Evil god or demon that hasn't been found yet? An assassin? Thief? Monster? Or just like kicking puppies?

What is YOUR story in this situation?

[TLDunn213]

I might try something with this or maybe just outline a posable story thread that someone else can take further.

A vampire (or vampire like) being has to feed on others to survive but their blood has healing properties. So feed and heal. A fair trade. But vampire; so considered a monster, and hunted. But aided by those who were helped.

Beginning is easy. Our "hero" was turned into a vampire to save them from...? Take your pick of situations. Decided to do something similar with their new abilities.

I say vampire like because I'm wanting the Hunger: must feed on others, aspect but don't really want the other weaknesses, especially sunlight.

Current situation, just described in outline. 

Need a good bit of backstory and I have no idea where the story should go beyond basic survival. 

 

Edited December 26, 2025 by TLDunn213

[Snypiuer]

I created a race for my D&D world years ago called the Vampyr. Sunlight weakened but didn't kill them. Feeding gave them strength, powers, healing, etc. for a limited time depending on their experience level.

There were very few of them, but they led a kingdom of normal people who adored them and willingly allowed them to feed. They used the strength and powers they gained from feeding to benefit their people, protect from invaders, heal disease/injuries, etc.

They never drained, excessively fed or even fed without consent, on their own people and their people were willing to sacrifice themselves in time of war to keep them fed in battle.

Draining a normal person has an inverse chance to raise their level or give them a power - the higher the Vampyr experience level, the less the chance.

Feeding off another Vampyr was even more potent and detrimental. While a normal person eventually recovers if they aren't drained completely, a Vampyr that is fed on WILL lose levels and, possibly, powers that they can't recover simply with rest and time. Even healing won't return them; they have to be regained as if they never had them.

The Vampyr that feeds off another Vampyr has a chance, in direct correlation to their experience level (the higher their level, the greater the chance), to gain levels and powers. A Vampyr that drains another Vampyr WILL have every stat raised by half the drained Vampyr's equivalent stat level, experience level raised by half the drained Vampyr's level and gain the drained Vampyr's powers.

These new levels last for a number of turns equal to the new experience level, after which there is a percentage chance equal to the new level that these can be permanent - e.g. new strength level 20 = 20%, if failed 19%, etc. until original level is reached.

This is done for every stat once a turn, until there is a save for that stat, or the original level is reached - e.g. strength saves but no other stat saves; strength now permanent while each stat drops by 1 level and rerolls next turn and repeats until each stat saves or reaches original level.

This includes experience level.

Gained powers are checked each turn and can fail until all other stats either pass or fail until original level is reached.

Powers gained are each rolled against experience level each turn until each power saves or is lost, regardless of experience level save or failure - e.g. experience level is originally 15 and increases to 20, while there are 3 powers gained. After 20 turns all stats are checked, some stats pass, most fail, including experience level while all gained powers fail at a 20% chance, next turn the experience level is now 19 and powers are checked against 19% and fail, but the experience level passes, this means all other stats continue to be checked until they pass or reach original level while the gained powers are checked at 19% until they pass or all other stats pass or reach original level, after which the gained powers get 1 more chance at 19%.

Here's the kicker: After the final check, there is a chance that the feeding Vampyr can't handle the increase in stats and powers and, basically, burns up and dies - I can't remember how I worked out how to determine the chance this happens, but it did take a while to figure out a way to make it fair.

I had a lot more, as well as several other races, but have no idea where I have any of it.

[TLDunn213]

A most interesting concept.

I'd have to see someone playing one of those before I'd be able to decide if I would want to try it myself.

Hopefully you'll find your notes and share the rest of your world here someday.