Vampire

Vampires are primarily nocturnal sapient homonid hemaphages, biologically related to humans. They are also known for their great strength and longevity.
Vampires have integrated in human society and are found at all echelons of it. Their relations with humans and other parahumans depend a lot on local conditions. In some places their integration within society is without controversy and issues, while in others there is often tension and open violence.  They represent around 7.6% of the world population.
There has been a recent wave of vampires who have decided to emigrate towards the American Union in the hopes of finding better lives and fortune.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Vampires appear to be nearly identical to humans, with the exception of elongated razor sharp canines, which allows them to easily pierce skin and allowing them to suck blood. They also tend to be taller and slimmer than their human counterparts.

Biological Traits

The primary biological trait of vampires is their longevity related to the regenerative healing properties of their systems. While no vampire has been known to die from old age, it is estimated that their lifespan is approximately 450 to 600 years based on the general health and condition studies of various vampire age groups.  However, there are several legends of vampires living millenia and more, but there is no direct proof of this actually occuring.
Vampires are physically stronger and more enduring than humans, enabling even a prepubescent child to overpower an adult human. Despite many having a fragile appearance, their bodies are more tolerant to injuries than the average human.
As hemaphages, vampires have adapted feeding mechanisms, most visibly pronounced sharp canine teeth. To overcome natural hemostasis (blood coagulation), vasoconstriction, inflammation, and pain sensation in the host, vampires have also evolved chemical solutions, in their saliva, that cause anesthesia and capillary dilation. Scientists are currently studying anticoagulant medicines from substances found in their saliva.
Their average body temperature is around 34°C, making them cold to the touch.

Genetics and Reproduction

Vampires are a gonochoric species, dividing into male and female sexes. Most vampire reproduction takes place by internal fertilization via sexual intercourse, but can also occur through assisted reproductive technology procedures. The average gestation period is 40 weeks, but a normal pregnancy can vary by up to 20 days.
Like most non-hybrid parahuman, vampires have a very low fertility rate compared to human, which greatly limits their numbers.  Most female vampires have between 2 and 3 offspring during her lifetime.
Female vampires are less likely to perish during childbirth than their human counterparts.
They are also capable of reproducing with human and dracul.
Vampires have a male-to-female ratio of 0.94 at birth.

Growth Rate & Stages

These represent the average development stages for vampire children.

• Infancy 0-12 months
• Toddler 1-3 years
• Childhood 4-10 years
• Puberty 11-17 years
• Adulthood 18+ years

Dietary Needs and Habits

Vampires are complimentary hematophages, obtaining most of their nutrients from the consumption of fresh blood. They only normally need to ingest around 500ml of fresh blood per day, however, their metabolisms cannot go for more than 10-14 days without ingesting fresh blood, before perishing from starvation.
Vampire infants consume milk until they are weaned. Their deciduous teeth are not as sharp or pronounced during their youth.
They are allergic to the consumption of raw garlic, due to it's content in allicin. Even consuming a small raw quantity of the plant can provoke anaphylaxis in most vampires.
The consumption of human and transhuman blood has additional euphoric effects, depending on the quantities ingested. While the consumption of human and transhuman is normally safe, vampires are susceptible to Sapient Blood Addiction when consuming large quantities of human or parahuman blood for extended periods of time.  Vampires who choose to be obligate hematophages, consuming around 2.5 liters of blood per day, would also be at high risk if they consume human or parahuman blood.

Biological Cycle

Vampires are typically nocturnal creatures but many adapt to a full diurnal lifestyle in order to deal with societal expectations.  This causes many vampires to deal with lethargy during the day.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Vampires possess elongated sharp fangs, well suited to pierce and lacerate the skin.
Most vampires have highly reflective red or blue eyes that appear to glow under some circumstances.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Vampires have incredibly good nightvision, allowing them to see at night as clearly as if it was daylight. Contrary to popular belief, however, they cannot see in complete darkness.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Most vampires normally follow the current trends of fashion, however some older vampires will wear clearly anachronistic clothing.
Wealthy vampires often use some rouge blush to help give colour to their pale skin, and this trend has trickled down to the lower classes.  Some also use dark red or black lipstick and eyeshadow to stand out more.

Common Taboos

Sucking the blood of a blood-relative is often frowned upon, as it is perceived as a form of incest, though it occasionally occurs at all stratums of vampire society. Teenage vampires may experiment with this taboo at times with siblings.
Romantic relationships with non-vampires used to be strictly forbidden.  However, this stance has been relaxed in many areas, but relationships with parahumans are always discouraged for the fear of birthing an abomination.

History

While there was never a true vampire nation, there have been several instances of vampires having a position of leadership and rulership over humans, acting as advisors, priests, monarchs and even deities.

Prehistory and Ancient Era

Vampires have been known to exist in various oral traditions since the dawn of recorded time. They are mentioned in the holy texts of every major religion in North Africa and Eurasia. They have been part of human society in some manner or another.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

Vampires where primarily blamed for the Black Death that ravaged Afro-Eurasia from from 1346 to 1353. The plague created religious, social and economic upheavals, with profound effects on the course of European history.  Many vampires have either been burned at the stake or buried alive as part of superstition or retaliation for events they had no control over.
With the colonization of the Americas, vampires have also emigrated to the New World, where they were previously unknown.

Historical Figures

• Vlad Tepes
• Vlad Tepes II
• Elizabeth Báthory

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Vampires views on human and parahuman vary by individual, but older generations of vampires tend to favour more segregation and limited interaction, unless necessary, while younger generations are more open to the idea of establishing friendships and even romantic relationships.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Genetic Descendants

• Dracul

Scientific Name

Homo Draculae

Lifespan

estimated 450-600 years.

Average Height

170 cm for adult men, 162cm for adult women

Average Weight

64kg for adult men, 55kg for adult women

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Vampires seem to have evolved nearly every skin phenotype, but several shades lighter. This may be due to their nocturnal biological cycles allowing them to maximize their absorption of Vitamin D during crepuscular moments.
Vampires are believed to have less body hair because of lower androgenic levels and their unique genes. Some male vampires possess high levels of body hair, but this seems to be more a hereditary trait to some families.

Geographic Distribution

• Earth

Related Organizations

• European League of Vampires

WHA:OpenD6 Roleplaying Game Stats

(12D)	Base	Max
STR	2D+2	4D+2
DEX	2D+2	4D+2
KNO	2D	4D
PCN	2D+2	4D+2
TEC	2D	4D

Special Abilities
Nightvision - vampires can see as clearly during the night as it was daylight. Weather conditions modifiers apply.
Well Fed - vampires receive a +1 pip bonus to all Strength and Dexterity checks if they have fed in the last hour.
Studious - vampires can select two Knowledge skills other than Intimidation and Willpower at character creation and receive 2D for every 1D of skill spent. This does not apply to advanced or specialization skills.
Social - vampires receive 2D for every 1D of skill spent on Con and Persuasion. This does not apply to advanced or specialization skills.