Vampirism

“They stood like scarecrows in the field. Stiff. Ragged. They didn’t blink or move. I ran back to the house, and when the pounding on my door finally stopped, only devastation remained in the yard. I abandoned the farm the next day, but their vacant eyes will forever haunt me. Flame protect me, burn away the fear in my soul, and keep the night at bay, lest I am doomed." - Ashenfeld farmer

Life is fluid, it is flowing, viscous fluid. It is pumping, beating fluid that has flowed in the veins of man since the dawn of time. Likewise, for as long as blood has pumped in man's veins, there have been those seeking to consume the red fluid. They are those that lurk in the dark, forever scorning the sun and its wholesome light. They are the ones who have achieved immortality, but at the cost of everything, even their very soul. They go by many names: bruxa, alp, strigoi, nosferatu, and so many more. One name above all, however, fills the heart with terror and despair: Vampire.

The Origin

In truth, much like lycanthrope, the origins of vampirism are oh so little known. Theories do exist, as they always do, but they are oft disputed. Some point to the legend of an ancient dragon known as Kain, who went mad and began to feast on blood. Some tell of a pale woman, so heartbroken by a cruel lover that she drowned herself, only to come back the next day and slaughter everyone in the village save for the children, who became vampires themselves. Some even whisper of a reality beyond this realm, one of scarlet moons that once housed the vampires, only for it to begin to decay and force the vampires into both the realm of the dead, and our realm. Regardless of which story is true, the result is the same: they are here, they are hiding in our families and cities, you could be next.

The Power in the Blood

Vampirism imbues powers that perhaps may be hard to comprehend. The body becomes perfect, perfect in nearly every way. The skin feels the same, yet it is described as being hard as some of the strongest leather. Normal weapons barely hurt at all, and what wounds they do suffer, they can take arrows straight through the brain, be maimed and torn apart, and their healing powers will heal the wounds almost instantly. They can change their shape into animals, most commonly bats, and other animals at will. They can fly, they are masters of magic both common and profane. Furthermore, they can hypnotize their prey, make slaves and thralls of their victims, and are so strong that they can swipe away trees in the woods and send people flying with their bare hands. Some can even feast on exotic bloods, and gain unnatural mutations and powers related to said magical beasts. Senses are heightened to a razor point. Of course, the greatest gift is of course: immortality. To become like that of a god, to forever exist and live, to enjoy the decencies of life without the fear of time. Oh, what a glorious existence, that is, if the blood did not take as much as it gave.

The Beast within the Blood

For all its glorious rebirth the body goes through, the toll is oh so terrible indeed. For one, the body is dead, yet the soul is trapped inside. While the body may still enjoy many of the pleasures of flesh and life, some things become lost to them forever. Food can be consumed, yet it is not what slakes the hunger in their heart. They lose the ability to see their own reflection in the mirror, so that only their hunger can keep them company. Most of all, they forever shirk the light of the sun, for the sun burns and scorns them with its harsh judgment of their hideous existance. The only thing left for them, is hunger. Indeed, they hunger for the blood of living beings. While some can indeed consume the blood of animals, it is disgusting to them to consume blood of a common animal. No, what they crave is the blood that beats in man's hearts. They hear the thumping, pumping sound of the heartbeats of mortal men, who have become like cattle to them. This hunger is a beast that claws and scratches at the edges of their mind, and it can only be held off for so long before either the vampire perishes, or they give in the to hunger.

The Forms of the Blood

There is a lifespan for the vampire, and the longer they live, the more powerful they grow. When first being reborn, they are known as spawn, the youngest of their kind. They typically enter a state known as "frenzy" where the hunger hits hard, and it is where many vampires are first discovered. While still dangerous, this is perhaps when the vampire is the most vunerable, as they do not know their own power. Spawn are typically kept close to their vampiric sire, acting typically as thrall to their dark master. The sire teaches the spawn in the ways of the night, and the vampire learns until the grow more and gain more power. Young vampires are around 10-50 years into their affliction, and have regained a sense of self. Many might remain in the company of their master, but many also begin to slip their leesh or even kill their previous master. This typically means that vampires are always vigilant for signs of treachery in their sired kin. Few vampires survive this stage. "Adult" vampires are those 50 - 250 years into their affliction, and they are powerful indeed. They become cruel and cunning, many likely own plots of land or strongholds, and even have minions and others to cater to them. They have learned and undesrstood their powers, and many by this point also tend to take up some form of hobby or obsession to pass the time of eternity. After this, lies the ancients. They can be thousands of years old, and they are most powerful indeed. They are like gods amongst men, and though they are rare, they are the doom of empires and life itself.

Transmission & Vectors

Vampires are made when a vampire feeds a mortal their blood after having drained a large amount of the mortal's blood. This is commonly known as "The Blood Kiss", and despite its romantic naming, it is a brutal act. For those going through it willingly, both participants tear each other's necks open and feast on the blood pooling out. For those not given a choice, the vampire can simply pour their blood from an open wound into a victim's mouth, typically after draining them of all their blood.
However, as hard as it is to believe, the curse of vampirism can be passed through the act of making children. While normally a vampire is unable to give birth to a child, with magic they are able to circumvent this problem and sire children like mortals do. Such children are known as Dhampir, those that stand between the realms of death and life. They are neither living, nor dead. They retain some attributes of their undead parentage, and feel a hunger for blood (or other bodily fluids or even "souls" in some reported cases), though it is not as harsh nor is it as controlling of them. However, they do not have the immortality and many of the other great gifts that vampirism gives, until they give in and feast on a vampire's blood to become a full vampire.

Symptoms

While to the untrained eye it is hard to spot, there are ways to tell someone may be a vampire. Such signs include:

• pale like skin
• strikingly sharp features
• sharp fangs (though these can be "retracted" in a sense)
• aversion to sunlight
• aversion to holy symbols
• eating too much or too little, as normal food does not grant them sustenance.
• the inability to see their reflection
• increased activity later in the evening

Treatment

There is no cure for vampirism, the only cure is death, and praying the gods have mercy on your soul. However, there exists a old legend, that drinking the blood of a dragon may embue a vampire with perhaps the most astonishing gift: the removal of the thirst. The hunger they feel for blood goes away entirely, at least according to the stories, and some even say they can once more walk in the sun without a care.

Cultural Reception

The vampire is a curious being, to be sure. They live forever, and yet are lonely or driven to madness. They care little for those they see as cattle, and yet need them to survive. Likewise, people are curious in how vampirism is seen, for it is as reviled as it is romanticized. Indeed, such a curse is romanticized heavily in many places of the world, the idea of whisking away a lover to spend eternity in each other's arms is a touching tale to be sure. These tales, however, ignore the truth: a vampire is a monster wearing mortal skin. It may be able to talk, and to feel emotion, but it is a beast that hungers for blood and life. Especially after the failed Crusade of Light, vampires are known in common parlance as monsters that devour men of their very soul. Yet despite this, little is known about vampirism, or in truth how to effectively beat them. Talks about vampires are discouraged by the church, and may even bring witch hunters to your door, and some fear that many supposed weaknesses of vampires are instead little tricks and jokes told by vampires to confuse mortals further. Whatever is the case, remember that they are a type of beast to be feared, for they are men like us, and that makes it all the more terrifying.

Type

Supernatural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Unique