House Rule: Vampyres as Player Characters

What have TSR's efforts to make every possible variant spelling a different monster wrought? Well, in this case it wrought a species of predatory blood-drinkers who are not undead. Here's my cobbled-together rules for letting them run amok as player characters. Happy hunting!

Ability Modifiers: +1 Strength, -1 Charisma
Classes: Cleric, Fighter, Illusionist, Mage, Ranger, Thief
Natural Weapons: Claw (1d4 S), Bite (1d6 P + toxin)
Natural Armor Class: 4
Size: Medium
Movement: 12 

Special Advantages: A human, demi-human, or mammalian humanoid bitten by a vampyre must save vs. poison or become charmed; every 2 points of damage done by the bite (round up) gives the victim a -1 penalty to their saving throw. A victim who is charmed will not resist the attacks of the vampyre that bit them, but will defend themselves against other attacks. Biting is always an option unless the vampyre is wearing a mask or helm that fully covers their face, or is gagged or similarly impaired.

DMG Style: A vampyre can claw or bite instead of using a melee weapon, but not both unless their class gives them multiple attacks.  Thus a 13th-level vampyre fighter could swipe with both claws in one round (if unarmed), or swing their melee weapon and bite in the same round.

S&P Style: A vampyre can make two claw attacks and a bite attack in one round, but this prevents them from using any other weapons that round.

Special Disadvantages: Vampyres can only derive nourishment from blood - preferably fresh, hot blood from a human or demi-human. The amount needed varies, but it is known that a small pack of vampyres can subsist for several days on the blood of a single adult human. The toxin that causes their victims to be charmed can even be addictive for some people, which makes feeding easier; but when feeding from a live victim, the vampyre must make a Wisdom save or drain most of the victim's blood in the heat of the moment.

Art from the Monstrous Compendium Appendix.