Vampirism

Transmission & Vectors

Vampirism can be contracted in one of two ways; Either from being bitten directly by a vampire, or by ingesting the blood of one. Being bitten does not carry a 100% chance of infection, however, that chance is much higher if bitten by a female. On the other hand, consuming the blood of a vampire is nearly guaranteed to pass on the curse.

Symptoms

There are four stages of infection with each presenting different symptoms, which then differ from species to species. Among the humanoid races, vampirism first manifests itself with extreme, insatiable thirst. Over the following few days, the victim may develop nausea, disorientation, hallucinations and even fainting. Soon after, the second stage sets in and physical mutations will take place. The body will reject the natural grown incisors of the victim, and fangs will begin growing in their place. The body will start getting denser, with muscles tightening and bones strengthening. In many cases of humanoid infection, wings will also begin growing at this point, buds rapidly developing in the victim's upper back, before forcefully breaking through the skin and fatty tissues. Why this is is anyone's guess, but some theorise that it is just a trait of the curse, twisting the victim into the appearance of the original subject of the curse - the Akyrah. This second stage is gruesome and nigh unbearable to witness, which is to say nothing for the victim. It usually lasts between two and four days, though some cases have taken a whole week to progress. Many victims die in this stage, either from overstimulation of pain receptors or suicide. Afterwards, in the third, the victim is considered irreversibly changed and thus, incurable. Bodily changes are still taking place, but by now, the new vampire is able to move about once more. A vampire's first feeding usually takes place in this stage. Once the body is finished mutating and the vampire has had their first taste of blood, they are considered to be in stage four - a fully fledged vampire.

Treatment

Vampirism is only treatable in the first two stages of infection, but is far more difficult to treat in the second stage due to mutation. Unfortunately, the cure for vampirism is a powerful counter-curse or blessing, and there are very few mages and priests even within larger cities capable of casting such spells.

Prognosis

The prognosis of vampirism is a simple one, yet grim - the victim, if they survive the transformation - will become immortal, yet bound to the blood of living things.

Prevention

There is no way of preventing the transmission of vampirism, other than avoiding vampires entirely.

History

Vampirism came to be centuries ago, created as a punishment by the goddess Eliil to end a violent war between Akyran clans.

Cultural Reception

Vampires is commonly reviled among the populace. In the event that a vampire is discovered in a town or city, guards are typically summoned immediately and the afflicted is either driven out or killed.

Type

Magical

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Rare