Vampires

"Vampirism is something best saved for your thirties, much like marriage."

- clockworkEsper, October 2014

Vampires are creatures that drink the blood of other living creatures, mainly humans, and are weak to the light of the day.

Basic Information and Appearance
Vampires are not born vampires, unlike Lycanthropes, and must be 'turned'. This changes the biology of the human undergoing the process of becoming a vampire, and may be considered 'undead'. Like werewolves, Vampires are not well-loved by the human populace, and are also considered inherently violent or even evil due to their need to feed on the blood of others, and not helped by it being seen as a choice to become a vampire.

They’re typically really pale, obviously. Not pale enough to be too conspicuous, but pale enough to be noticeable. Can grow paler with darkened veins when they haven’t fed for a long time. This also generally makes them skinnier. They sport large fangs, though some can still pass for just a human with really sharp teeth. Their eyes turn red when they feed or are intensely angered/losing control, but otherwise remain the same colour as when they were 'alive'. Eyes may appear rather "cloudy". Recently-turned vampires may still have double puncture marks, usually on the neck. These can be healed away easily.

Being 'undead', vampires neither have a heartbeat, nor do they generate their own body heat, and are usually room temperature or colder.

Strengths/Powers

 * Super strength, speed, and durability. To what extent depends on the vampire’s age and health, however, even a very weak vampire is still strong enough to probably be a bouncer if they really wanted to.


 * They also have a heightened sense of smell, in order to detect fresh blood and identify not only what a person’s blood type is, but if their blood is contaminated by alcohol or disease. May have a taste for one blood type over another.


 * Don’t think I like the idea of transformation into a bat or any other form. I do, however, like the idea of bats being naturally attracted to them and the two being capable of communicating.


 * Obviously, they are immune to disease. However, if they’ve recently drank from someone who has a viral disease, the vampire can become a ‘carrier’ and pass those illnesses on to the humans around them.


 * They have improved night vision. No goggles necessary!


 * They have a high pain threshold, and are difficult to kill. They can also heal their injuries after drinking fresh blood.


 * They also have limited healing capabilities of their own. Their saliva can clean and seal up wounds — naturally, this is so they can hide their bites from victims.


 * Immortality, in the sense that they do not age. Ever. They can still be killed, though: see below.


 * They are NOT weak to holy things (holy water, churches, crosses), contrary to popular belief.

Weaknesses

 * Silver, the metal of the moon, and gold, the metal of the sun. Silver is considered more dangerous, since weapons from it can be forged and it’s easier to come by. The strength of the gold depends on purity and volume. They react to gold jewellery like as if it was an allergy. [Weapons made of silver are fatal.]


 * Direct sunlight. Light bulbs and fluorescent bulbs, however, do nothing. Sunlight doesn’t instantly kill, but it will burns like hell and will slowly lead the vampire to an agonizing end.


 * Excessively cloudy or foggy daytime weather is good enough for them to go out in, but it’s still rather weakening. GOOD THING WE’RE IN SEATTLE!


 * Cannot enter a home unless invited. Invitations cannot be revoked, but it needs to be renewed every time the vampire tries to enter that same building. Only applies to residences. A vampire can gain access to a home if it has a welcome mat.


 * Garlic. Yep, it’s here, but it’s only as harmful as pepper spray.


 * No reflection. This also extends to not being able to be seen on video, film, or phone.


 * Obsession with numbers. Spill a bag of seeds on the ground where a vampire can see them, and they HAVE to get down and count all of them. This is a very difficult impulse to control, but they can be forced away from it if they’re, say, dragged away or something.


 * They cannot cross running water. I mean, if they were on a plane or they took a piggy back ride, sure.

Blood Drinking
No way of getting around it: they need blood. It won’t kill them or anything if they don't have it, since they’re already 'dead', but when a vampire lacks blood, it weakens them physically, can sometimes make them act sickly, and can usually cause them to lose humanity, therefore control, over their actions and their hunger. So basically, without blood, they become monstrous bloodthirsty killers that need a bottle of vampiric Coldkiller X.

It is possible to feed on animals, non-human creatures, and non-fresh blood from a hospital or blood bank or something. However, if a vampire is injured, they need fresh blood in order to regain their proper strength. Also, it tastes better. Additionally, vampires don’t need to kill if they’re drinking from an adult human. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t accidentally kill if he lost control during his feeding frenzy, though. They can also drink from other vampires, but it’s probably not a good idea.

If a vampire drinks the blood of someone who is under the influence of any type of drug or alcohol, the effect passes over to the vampire.

Turning
Contrary to popular belief, one is not turned into a vampire simply being being bitten- that would turn all their targets into vampires too! In fact, it's quite the opposite- a human must drink the blood of a vampire to become a vampire. This is usually done with the consent of the vampire, and hopefully with the consent of the human, and most probably treat it as a ritual and give the event much respect, much like a coming of age ceremony. This is, however, not always the case...