[/i]I'm looking for information on how to become a severed vampire without having to be a Priest of Blood. If any one has any information on the subject please reply.

You'd have to be an elf that was willing to pay an awful lot (in both cash and servitude) to a priest of Blood willing to perform the correct ritual. Something dangerous and complicated that the GM should decide on.

No hard and fast rules, since the methods used to create the Severed are as numerous as the Severed themselves.

You could also be an Elf Necromancer who reaches level 20, and for whatever reason likes vampirism more than being a Lich. I don't know if Human necromancers can choose Severed-type undead with their 'Become any type of Undead' ability, though...

And, amusingly, you could be a level 19 Human Monk, and choose to mimic the Elven Necromancer Level 20 ability, but again, why choose Vampire when Lich offers so much more?

19th level Human Monks "Superior Adaptation" gives you the ability (minor, moderate, or Major) - so you wouldn't get the undead type until level 20.

(Although a leel 20 Monk Wraith would do mighty well with those touch attacks)

Yeah... and lose all their hard-earned unarmed damage.

What about with Ghost Touch Gauntlets?

All your equipment when you become a Severed Wraith gains ghost touch, however you yourself are not incorporeal, you simply have the ability to become so. Severed Wraith is the way to go.

As for being a Severed Vampire, it's possible you could pay a Severed of Blood a large sum (as mentioned) or Cordeos Dythanus could do it (and you've got a 50/50 chance of survival).

Would deal the natural weapon's damage or the gauntlet's damage. If being a severed wraith means you lose your fists as natural weapons, the ghost touch gountlets would only make your wraith touch attacks into normal melee attacks.

Yes, but while you are incorporeal (and therefore able to make touch attacks), you lose the unarmed strike damage. The two combo about as well as armor use and arcane spellcasting. Sure, don't have to wear armor, but you can't use both at the same time.

I was just wondering on how to become a Severed Vampire If I were a Elf Ranger who follows the teachings of the Element of Blood?

Mechanically, it's not possible. I.E, class features, feats, skills, etc aren't going to allow you to do it. The prestige class that would let you do it derives itself from cleric or necromancer levels, so rangers are SoL in that case.

Otherwise, it's not impossible to contract for your undead metamorphosis by a suitably powerful necromancer. However, the price you would pay would have to be significant. In game terms, you'd probably have to, at the very least, pay enough gold that would balance out you gaining two character levels (Severed Vampire Template is +2 ECL). This probably translates to a six figure sum.

Most NPC severeds instead basically become indentured servants to their masters for a few hundred years and are magically bound to a specific place or directly to their master. This option, however, is obviously not viable for an adventuring party member.

To be more accurate, the 'Rebuke undead' class feature is required for the Priest of Blood. Currently, there are only three classes that give this, Necromancer, Cleric, and Paladin. Should AEG ever print more prestige classes, or possibly have a variant Ranger, it's possible one of those could give it to you as well.

Why wait? negotiate with your DM for a variant ranger ability TODAY!

I've finally found a mechanical way for any character to become a Severed of Blood. The little 8th level necromancer spell called Undead Champion.

For no cost in XP or material components, any living creature can be made into any undead (up to twice caster's HD). Wanna be a vampire? A lich? Now you can!

In fact, why stop there? Tell your friends! Tell your cohorts! Tell your followers! Soon, you too can be part of an all-lich party, stomping around the Accordlands with an attitude!

The spell is probably undercosted...

You think? Combined with a powerful evil cleric, it can grant complete dominion over almost anyone, just for a start.