In many ways, it was Van Helsing who was my true gateway to D&D.
While I will wax poetically about the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, it was really Hammer Horror that fueled my desire for adventure games. And while Christopher Lee's Dracula was the unchallenged star of many of the films of my youth it was Peter Cushing's portrayal of "doctor, professor, and meta-physician" Abraham Van Helsing that was the obvious model my first character took.
Here is the good professor for Night Shift.
5th level Theosophist/5th level Sage (Human)
Archetype: Vampire Hunter
Strength: 11 (0)
Dexterity: 13 (+1)
Constitution: 13 (+1)
Intelligence: 18 (+3) P
Wisdom: 18 (+3) S
Charisma: 15 (+1) S
HP: 45
Alignment: Lawful Good
AC: 8
Attack: +2
Fate Points: 1d10
Languages: English, Latin, Greek, German, Dutch, Flemish, French, Hebrew, Romanian, Russian, Arabic, Middle English
Spells
First Level: Bless, Detect Evil
Second Level: Find Traps, Knock
--
Van Helsing, MD, D.Ph., D.Litt., etc., combines the powers of a sage and a theosophist. The sage is easy to see, but the theosophist is a little different. His powers are not those of a "necromancer" but rather own that studies the undead and wants to fight them.
The balance of powers each class gives is important to give the character the right feel. The Sage gives him his languages and survivor skills. The theosophist gives him some undead fighting ability. Though you never see him casting spells, save for rituals that would help him fight Dracula.
