Vampirism
Vampirism in the world of Shavirouk comes in a variety of forms, though they can most commonly be divied into two primary categories: Vampirism Arcanus and Vampiris Bacterosis.
Symptoms
While vampirism can have a wide vareity of symptoms and side effects, nearly every form shares the following symptoms.
- Vampires must sustain themselves on the blood of a living creature. Typically the blood must be from the same type of creature as they are (humanoid to humanoid, fey from fey), though some are able to sustain themselves off of the blood of other creature types.
- Vampires are hypersensitive to sunlight. Being in direct sunlight burns them and causes them to struggle with most tasks. There are methods of avoiding this however, such as having all of one's skin covered and wearing glasses to block out excessive light, or living in regions that are most-always cloudy or are below ground.
- Vampires are harmed by naturally running water in great amounts, such as a large stream or river, a man made canal, or a massive body of water such as an ocean. This means that dumping out a cup of water or flooding a bath is likely not enough to be a danger to the vampire.
- Vampires can be paralyzed if pierced with a wooden steak through the heart. This only works if the vampire is incapacitated in their resting place. Adventurers be warned that a wooden steak will rarely help outside of this situation.
- Vampires cannot enter a residence without an invitation from one of the residents. Keep in mind that an inn room is not a residence unless you've been living there for an extended period of time, enough to consider it a home of sorts. Additionally, the vampire must be invited by a person who considers the residence their home, or by a guest of the resident.
History
Each form of vampirism has its own history and lore surrounding them, though many believe that the very first vampires were a group of people who were chosen by Shone Volar as a bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead
Cultural Reception
In most countries around Shavirouk vampirism in any form is seen as deadly and dangerous, and as such known vampires are often hunted and killed. This is due to the distrust of the undead and their need for blood from living creatures to sustain themselves.
However, many vampires find some semblance of safety and community in some few cities and towns in Nugelasau, where the undead and the not-quite living are common.
Children
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
