Vampire Court

The Vampire Court is a Necromantic Tradition for charismatic commanders who transform undeath into aristocratic power. Its practitioners fight as elegant predators, binding lesser undead through blood-oaths, draining vitality with supernatural attacks, and moving across the battlefield with impossible grace. Rather than relying only on numbers, a Vampire Court necromancer cultivates a small circle of specialized retainers who serve as bodyguards, agents, duelists, and spies.

Back to classes

Create your own CharacterClass

No portrait

Hit Die

1d8 per Necromancer level; 8 + Constitution modifier at 1st level, increasing by 1d8 or 5 + Constitution modifier per Necromancer level thereafter.

Subclass of Necromancer

Vampire Court

Rule the night through blood-bound loyalty, exquisite terror, and an immortal court.

SystemD&D 5E (2014)

RoleCharismatic undead commander, life-draining skirmisher, social infiltrator, and battlefield controller.

Hit Die1d8 per Necromancer level; 8 + Constitution modifier at 1st level, increasing by 1d8 or 5 + Constitution modifier per Necromancer level thereafter.

ResourceGrave Sparks, undead servants, spell slots, and the loyalty of your Courtly Retainers.

Primary AbilitiesIntelligence & Constitution

SavesUses the Necromancer's normal saving throw proficiencies. The subclass improves mobility, necrotic damage, temporary hit points, resistance to cold, and defenses against charm and fear.

SystemD&D 5E (2014)

The Vampire Court

Spellcasting & Powers

Full spellcasting progression through the Necromancer class, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability. The Vampire Court emphasizes necromancy, enchantment, fear, mobility, curses, life-draining attacks, and spells that create or command undead.

Curated Spell List

First Court

False Life Provides temporary vitality and reinforces the tradition's unnatural endurance.
Cause Fear Turns the necromancer's commanding presence into supernatural terror.
Charm Person Supports manipulation, etiquette, and courtly infiltration.
Disguise Self Allows the necromancer to pass as a living noble or servant.

Blooded Court

Misty Step Creates an elegant burst of supernatural mobility.
Ray of Enfeeblement Weakens a foe as though its life force were being drained.
Suggestion Enforces polite commands through subtle supernatural influence.
Vampiric Touch A direct life-draining attack suited to a predatory immortal.

Midnight Dominion

Animate Dead Raises the retainers and servants that form the court's foundation.
Fear Projects the overwhelming authority of an immortal ruler.
Gaseous Form Provides an escape or infiltration method associated with nocturnal predators.
Bestow Curse Marks a victim with a lingering blood-bound affliction.

High Nocturne

Create Undead Elevates the court with more powerful and enduring undead retainers.
Dominate Person Allows the necromancer to seize control of a living political or military figure.
Wall of Stone Creates a fortified crypt, throne room, or battlefield barrier.
Circle of Death Unleashes a wide burst of life-draining necromantic power.

Eternal Throne

Danse Macabre Transforms a battlefield into a temporary royal procession of undead.
Finger of Death Kills a victim and potentially adds a new undead servant to the court.
Power Word Kill The final decree of a ruler whose command cannot be disobeyed.
True Polymorph Can reshape a creature, object, or servant into a lasting instrument of the court.

Multiclassing

A character multiclassing into Vampire Court must meet the Necromancer's normal multiclassing prerequisites. This subclass grants no additional proficiencies. The features use Intelligence for Necromancer spellcasting and subclass effects; Charisma is valuable for social influence but is not required for the mechanics.

Proficiencies

Light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons, and either an herbalism kit or calligrapher's supplies from the Necromancer class. The Vampire Court grants proficiency in Deception or Persuasion.

Skill Options

Deception
Persuasion
Insight
Intimidation
Investigation
Stealth

Training & Initiation

An aspiring Vampire Court necromancer studies blood symbolism, aristocratic etiquette, corpse preservation, and the binding of personal oaths. Initiation usually requires forming a pact with an undead patron, surviving a ceremonial blood-drinking rite, or inheriting the obligations of a dead noble household. The initiate must then raise or restore a first retainer and establish a courtly code that governs how the dead are commanded.

Societal Perception

Most ordinary people regard a Vampire Court necromancer as a dangerous predator hiding behind manners and fine clothing. Some desperate nobles seek their services as spies, bodyguards, or heirs to forbidden legacies. Religious orders and monster hunters tend to treat the entire court as a contagious threat, regardless of whether its members feed on the living.

Visual sheet

Turn Vampire Court into a sheet

A high-res, share-ready sheet you can post or print.

Gallery

No gallery plates yet.