Vampyrus (Vampire)
Other names: sanguisūga, wampir, vampyr, nosferatu, bloodsucker
Vampires are one of the best-known mythological creatures. Cultures all over the world tell of some form of blood-feeding (at least partially) humanoid creatures. In western culture, whose image of the vampire became most prevalent in modern times, vampires went from shadowy, hideous creatures of the night to beautiful yet dangerous creatures that sparkle in the sunlight. Really there is very little in common between Bram Stocker’s Dracula and Stephenie Meyer’s Edward Cullen aside from their thirst for blood and their inexplicable yet seemingly irresistible charm (when they choose to be charming, at least). Many folklore beliefs regarding vampires are used in modern depictions, sometime as truths, sometime as the butt of a joke. Most of these beliefs are the result of religious ideas, literary metaphors and sometimes inspiration from other beings (both magical and non-magical). They have very little, if at all, to do with the magions who identify as vampires.
Most of the popular myths regarding vampires' appearance are inaccurate at best, largely because these myths attempt to create a homogeneous image when in reality vampires are not unified by their looks. There are, however, a few characterizing visual traits common among vampires, albeit minute and hard to distinguish, which differentiate them from humans. There are descriptions of a certain gleam to the skin, or a tightness that seems a bit off. The eyes are often described as having an odd luster, somewhat like cats' eyes. The canine teeth can be longer and sharper than average in humans, but not in a clearly unnatural manner.1 Vampires do tend to be pale, but not in a sickly manner, it is simply the paleness of those who avoid sunlight, since they are generally nocturnal. However, if the vampire had dark or tanned complexion when they altered, it will remain so after their alternation. All these differences are minute, and, unless pointed out, would usually not be observed even by those who knew the vampire before their alternation.
Most of the defining characteristics of vampires are not in their appearance. The clearest and best known are their diet of blood (see details below) and their immortality. It is, of course, impossible to say scientifically that vampires live forever, but we do know them to live for hundreds, even thousands of years. Furthermore, all the known vampires who have passed were either killed or have chosen death, so there does not seem to be a natural limit to their life.
Vampires are generally very resilient, and are stronger and faster than they were before the alternation. This is not an immediate change, it can take up to a hundred years before the vampire fully develops these physical traits. Other than these enhanced physical abilities, most vampires grow more powerful simply because they have more time to acquire knowledge and experience. Many of the arcane powers traditionally ascribed to vampires are misunderstandings or unique cases. Their "mind controlling powers", for example, are usually simply an experienced person ability to persuade, which is not expected in someone who looks relatively young.
There are cases of vampires with magical abilities. However, these are not the result of the alternation itself. In all these cases, the magical ability was a pre-existing condition, enhanced by the vampire's longevity. Therefore, there is great disparity between the abilities vampires present: some can fly, some can transform, some can cast spells, etc., but these are specific characteristics of specific vampires and not unifying traits of the species.
The origin of vampires is unknown, at least not publicly. There are several theories, including, but not limited to: fae origin, an unexpected result of human and magion union (the magion is assumed extinct or fae), a curse or disease that became transferable, a specllcaster's attempt for immortality that didn't go quite as planned. Vampire find these theories varying degrees of amusing, annoying or offensive. If they know their origin, or have theories of their own, they have not shared them.
Feeding is done by puncturing the skin and lapping the blood. This can be done with a bite, as vampires can elongate their sharp canines at will, but some vampires prefer the use of a blade or other tools, feeling that the bite is too intimate a gesture. Regardless of how the skin is broken, the vampire will usually lap the blood since their saliva contains anticoagulants and antiseptic components.
Vampires are capable of consuming other foods and drinks, but seemingly cannot absorb nutrients from them. Solid foods can cause issues, since the vampiric digestive system is not adapted to consuming them. However, since the digestive system is originally of a humanoid, small amounts of solid foods are possible. Liquids will usually not cause any issue and can be enjoyed by vampires for their taste.
Vampires are some of the most persecuted magions out there, alongside Draconidae and witches.3 Their recent romanticism in popular culture is still met with much suspicion, and most of them believe that even the biggest vampire-fans out there could turn into an angry mob if they discover that vampires are real. This is of no surprise. A few decades of swooning teenagers cannot erase centuries of experience.4 Their history of persecution has made vampires cautious creatures. This is one of the reasons they tend to live alone (the other being that "forever together" takes a whole new meaning when you are immortal). It is also the reason that historically they have always been nocturnal beings. Their legendary preference for darkness is not because sunlight harms vampires, it is simply because human vision is not attuned to darkness, making it easier to hide their disparity after dark. And while they can pass as humans quite easily, it is easier under the guise of darkness and, if possible, the tipsy-to-drunk condition of the humans around them. But it is not all about hiding. Vampires rarely have jobs of any kind, least of all day-jobs at the office. Night time and nightlife offer much more entertainment and camaraderie than daytime.
It is hard to speak of vampire culture because they have come from very different places, times and traditions. Some vampires find themselves the last remnants of the human culture they were born in and wish to preserve it, others want nothing to to with their human roots. Vampires personality, habits, beliefs and interests vary greatly, but they do generally have the shared traits of curiosity and patience. Curiosity was usually one of their main traits before they altered and one reason that they were interested in immortality. What they were curious about differs and can certainly change over they long lives, but the sense of wanting to know is familiar to all of them. Patience is not necessarily something they had as humans, but certainly something they gain as their life continue. Urgency is not a part of immortality, and vampires have no issue with waiting a decade, even a century. This is particularly evident with older vampires that isolate themselves. Vampires that live beside humans or other magions have an odd combination of patience and urgency. They can be immeasurably patient with things they wish for themselves, but have a heightened sense of urgency with anything their mortal companions attempt to achieve, painfully aware of their limited time together.
Description:
Vampires vary quite a bit in their presentation. Like other Undead, they are not a biological species in the traditional sense. Vampires were all born a different species (usually, but not always, humans) and alter later in life. They preserve much of their pre-alternation appearance, and so can look like humans from any race, gender or age. Most vampires look to be between 20 to 50 years old. However, their appearance can be as deceptive with the age they turned in as it is regarding their actual age.Most of the popular myths regarding vampires' appearance are inaccurate at best, largely because these myths attempt to create a homogeneous image when in reality vampires are not unified by their looks. There are, however, a few characterizing visual traits common among vampires, albeit minute and hard to distinguish, which differentiate them from humans. There are descriptions of a certain gleam to the skin, or a tightness that seems a bit off. The eyes are often described as having an odd luster, somewhat like cats' eyes. The canine teeth can be longer and sharper than average in humans, but not in a clearly unnatural manner.1 Vampires do tend to be pale, but not in a sickly manner, it is simply the paleness of those who avoid sunlight, since they are generally nocturnal. However, if the vampire had dark or tanned complexion when they altered, it will remain so after their alternation. All these differences are minute, and, unless pointed out, would usually not be observed even by those who knew the vampire before their alternation.
Most of the defining characteristics of vampires are not in their appearance. The clearest and best known are their diet of blood (see details below) and their immortality. It is, of course, impossible to say scientifically that vampires live forever, but we do know them to live for hundreds, even thousands of years. Furthermore, all the known vampires who have passed were either killed or have chosen death, so there does not seem to be a natural limit to their life.
Vampires are generally very resilient, and are stronger and faster than they were before the alternation. This is not an immediate change, it can take up to a hundred years before the vampire fully develops these physical traits. Other than these enhanced physical abilities, most vampires grow more powerful simply because they have more time to acquire knowledge and experience. Many of the arcane powers traditionally ascribed to vampires are misunderstandings or unique cases. Their "mind controlling powers", for example, are usually simply an experienced person ability to persuade, which is not expected in someone who looks relatively young.
There are cases of vampires with magical abilities. However, these are not the result of the alternation itself. In all these cases, the magical ability was a pre-existing condition, enhanced by the vampire's longevity. Therefore, there is great disparity between the abilities vampires present: some can fly, some can transform, some can cast spells, etc., but these are specific characteristics of specific vampires and not unifying traits of the species.
The origin of vampires is unknown, at least not publicly. There are several theories, including, but not limited to: fae origin, an unexpected result of human and magion union (the magion is assumed extinct or fae), a curse or disease that became transferable, a specllcaster's attempt for immortality that didn't go quite as planned. Vampire find these theories varying degrees of amusing, annoying or offensive. If they know their origin, or have theories of their own, they have not shared them.
Habitat:
Vampires can live where ever they please, but generally prefer comfortable, yet isolated locations.Diet:
Vampires are hematophagous. While any blood would do, it seems that vampires absorb nutrients better from the blood of the species they originated from. Thus, for example, formerly human vampires would find human blood best for their nourishment. The popular belief that a vampire must kill the creature they feed on is false. Vampires require relatively small amounts of blood to sustain themselves and can only absorb so much at once. In each feeding a vampire will usually drink between 200-300ml, which poses no risk to the source. There are known cases of murderous vampires, but their actions were in no way required for feeding. It is unclear why, but it seems that the older the vampire, the less blood they require. Some believe that this change is purely psychological, that a young vampire is too used to be dependent on foods to understand how little they require in their new state. It should be noted that this slow metabolism does result in reduced body temperature, but it is generally within human normative levels.Feeding is done by puncturing the skin and lapping the blood. This can be done with a bite, as vampires can elongate their sharp canines at will, but some vampires prefer the use of a blade or other tools, feeling that the bite is too intimate a gesture. Regardless of how the skin is broken, the vampire will usually lap the blood since their saliva contains anticoagulants and antiseptic components.
Vampires are capable of consuming other foods and drinks, but seemingly cannot absorb nutrients from them. Solid foods can cause issues, since the vampiric digestive system is not adapted to consuming them. However, since the digestive system is originally of a humanoid, small amounts of solid foods are possible. Liquids will usually not cause any issue and can be enjoyed by vampires for their taste.
Habits & Culture
Probably the two largest misconceptions regarding vampires are them being soulless evil beings and their numbers. Vampires are extremely rare. The process of becoming a vampire is a closely kept secret, but what is known is that it is a rather long process that involves something alike an initiation. Quite the opposite to the belief that a simple bite, or a quick exchange of blood can make a vampire, the process takes time and there are several points where the altered can change their minds and stop the process without consequences. Vampires are not made by mistake, it is a well thought decision made by both the altered and the vampire the guides them.2 Many vampires remain with their guide for a period time after altering, which could be anything from a few years to a few centuries. Vampires are generally aware of all other vampires in the world, and do keep in touch with each other. However, when you are immortal, what humans consider "seeing a friend in the holidays" can easily translate to once in a century. While some vampires live together, it is very rare to find a group larger than three or four, because it makes it harder to hide their identity.Vampires are some of the most persecuted magions out there, alongside Draconidae and witches.3 Their recent romanticism in popular culture is still met with much suspicion, and most of them believe that even the biggest vampire-fans out there could turn into an angry mob if they discover that vampires are real. This is of no surprise. A few decades of swooning teenagers cannot erase centuries of experience.4 Their history of persecution has made vampires cautious creatures. This is one of the reasons they tend to live alone (the other being that "forever together" takes a whole new meaning when you are immortal). It is also the reason that historically they have always been nocturnal beings. Their legendary preference for darkness is not because sunlight harms vampires, it is simply because human vision is not attuned to darkness, making it easier to hide their disparity after dark. And while they can pass as humans quite easily, it is easier under the guise of darkness and, if possible, the tipsy-to-drunk condition of the humans around them. But it is not all about hiding. Vampires rarely have jobs of any kind, least of all day-jobs at the office. Night time and nightlife offer much more entertainment and camaraderie than daytime.
It is hard to speak of vampire culture because they have come from very different places, times and traditions. Some vampires find themselves the last remnants of the human culture they were born in and wish to preserve it, others want nothing to to with their human roots. Vampires personality, habits, beliefs and interests vary greatly, but they do generally have the shared traits of curiosity and patience. Curiosity was usually one of their main traits before they altered and one reason that they were interested in immortality. What they were curious about differs and can certainly change over they long lives, but the sense of wanting to know is familiar to all of them. Patience is not necessarily something they had as humans, but certainly something they gain as their life continue. Urgency is not a part of immortality, and vampires have no issue with waiting a decade, even a century. This is particularly evident with older vampires that isolate themselves. Vampires that live beside humans or other magions have an odd combination of patience and urgency. They can be immeasurably patient with things they wish for themselves, but have a heightened sense of urgency with anything their mortal companions attempt to achieve, painfully aware of their limited time together.
[1] The canines can be further elongated at will, usually for feeding, but vampires are extremely careful with exposing this mien.
[2] There have been cases of people made vampires against their will as a form of torture. Few of them survived more than a few years into their vampiric life. This is considered the highest form of atrocity among vampires, and any who performs such a deed is dealt with.
[3] 'Witches' usually refers to human spellcasters and diviners, who would be considered magic-folk, not magions. However, witches have always shared their lives and fate with magions, and are therefore generally seen as part of the magion community, even if they are biologically human.
[4] Most vampires find this recent development amusing in a detached sort of way. It is odd to find yourself discussed as a metaphor, but they generally agree that being a metaphor is preferred to being a devil. While most vampires do not follow these developments closely, some do, and it is quite possible that the best collection of modern and contemporary vampire fiction and art is in the hands of a vampire (they didn't visit other collections to compare, but are very proud of theirs).
[2] There have been cases of people made vampires against their will as a form of torture. Few of them survived more than a few years into their vampiric life. This is considered the highest form of atrocity among vampires, and any who performs such a deed is dealt with.
[3] 'Witches' usually refers to human spellcasters and diviners, who would be considered magic-folk, not magions. However, witches have always shared their lives and fate with magions, and are therefore generally seen as part of the magion community, even if they are biologically human.
[4] Most vampires find this recent development amusing in a detached sort of way. It is odd to find yourself discussed as a metaphor, but they generally agree that being a metaphor is preferred to being a devil. While most vampires do not follow these developments closely, some do, and it is quite possible that the best collection of modern and contemporary vampire fiction and art is in the hands of a vampire (they didn't visit other collections to compare, but are very proud of theirs).
Taxonomy Chart
Magion - Undead - vampyrus
Basic Information
Lifespan
Immortal (can be killed)
Average Height
Varies.
Average Weight
Varies.
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