I'm looking at the Vampire Lord template in DMG1. It says to add the characteristics to an existing NPC. Ok call me a dull boy for asking, but let us say I had an NPC wizard of some considerable power who was transformed into a Vampire Lord. He would then keep all his wizardly powers, spells, etc and add them to his new-found vampiric ones?

(And, for that matter, now that I am thinking about it, would a cleric of a good diety keep getting spells once transformed?)

But back to thew wizard in question... Assuming he or she keeps the spells and powers, would you rather have a vampire lord like that or a lich?