He kept himself alive magically (presumably with Artificer armor during that time, which the "life suit" is supposed to look similar to) after being mutilated by The Undying Sword of Vlad Dracula when he animated it as a lich weapon (hence the Philosopher stone in it's forehead, and why it is magically tethered to the Blood Obelisk), long enough to construct the "life suit". The Vibroblade and Clamp are tools he created himself as well, to excavate the salt cave where the Cup of Hebe was lost - they are unique artifacts.