Vampire Template- Work In Progress

[sablephoenix]

I'm planning on running a PRC server based around the city of Westgate and as anyone that knows about the city knows that vampires are important.

So, I've decided to work on the vampire template. Using the other templates as, well, templates, I've begun working on this. I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer and some requests for suggestions on implementation.

I'm using the SRD entry for the vampire template found here. Is this the best one or does someone know of another that would be more suitable?

templates.2da
-What's the purpose of the type column?
-In the tlk table, I see the other entries for the templates are around 16847646. Empty rows start at 16847652. Would it be safe to add entries starting at that point?
-Same for feats.2da and I believe spells.2da(though I haven't looked at it yet). There is reserved space for templates in the file but I was wondering if there are any currently being worked on or is it safe to use the next ones in line?
-What's the story on the Marker Feats? Other than what the name would suggest, them being markers, what are they used for in a little detail?

Implementation
-Gaseous Form- Since it's really not possible due to limitations of the engine, should I leave it out or just give an option to change appearance to say a vampiric mist or something similar? I'm trying to figure out what should be done about turning into gaseous form upon reaching 0 hit points as well. Should that just be omitted?

Blood Drain
A vampire can suck blood from a living victim with its fangs by making a successful grapple check. If it pins the foe, it drains blood, dealing 1d4 points of Constitution drain each round the pin is maintained. On each such successful attack, the vampire gains 5 temporary hit points.

I believe this ability is once a round like the vampire shape for shifters. Question here is, I'm thinking of making it a feat. I've seem mention of grapple mainly in the Tome of Battle stuff. Is there something implemented already for grapple that can be referenced so its being used in a unified manner? I'm going to tie in the Create Spawn into this and I'm considering a consent conversation for the victim when they're drained to 0 constitution, mainly to lessen griefing on persistent worlds.

That's all I can think of now. I've gotten a good portion of the rest of it done by looking at and borrowing code from the other templates and preexisting vampire abilities. I hope I can finish this and submit it for addition.

[harkker]

I was thinking of working on vampires on my server... but there are challenges I see coming.  Some of the thoughts I have had might help you though, or might not.

Gaseous Form would simply be a polymorph spell for a new type of polymorph.  I would give the new form damage reduction +1/10, a str of a 10 a slam attack that would do no damage.  I would also consider giving it the ability to cast a sanctuary type spell unlimited times a day.  I think this could take away the ability to harm others and or be harmed.

for my own server I was considering making a coffin placeable that would allow a vampire to have conversation with it.  one option to take the vampire to a separate area named inside coffin where he could wait out the sun, another option so the vampire could pick up (destroy placeable and put a 150 pound coffin in his inventory.  the coffin would have a unique power that would allow the vampire to put it down.  (create placeable.)

then when the vampire respawns change his respawn option to take gaseous form.  then run the script in that so that he polymorphs into gas but has no option to unpolymorph.  allow the unpolymorph to only when he is inside coffin.

just a thought though....