Vampirism

Dhampir

Dhampir occupy a very curious case. While through magic a vampire is able to sire children, they usually come out as Dhampir until given the blood of a vampire. Dhampir are neither living, nor dead, but retain some of the traits of their undead parentage, such as negative healing. While they don't strictly need to feed, it is exquisitely tasty and empowering for a dhampir to feed on blood

Exotic Blood and Mutation

Power lies in blood, for it keeps a vampire fed and prosperously alive in their un-life. However, the blood of mythical or very powerful creatures is said to bestow...unique gifts upon the vampire. Drinking the blood of say a drake, dragon, kraken, griffin, phoenix, manticore, etc. can embew dark gifts upon the vampire, earning them certain traits of the beasts they drink the blood of. However, this is a dark and dangerous path even for vampires, for while it is a path to great power, it also means their minds can deteriorate to be that of the beasts, much like the beastial nature deep inside every vampire. This also means the vampire could become addicted to this specific type of blood, making feeding more challenging. These vampires who descend into madness are sometimes called blood beasts, for they turn into ravenous blood thirsty monsters. However if a vampire were powerful enough mentally, physically, and magically, they can withstand the madness and emerge anew, fully sane and with the powers of the beast they consumed. These vampires are some of the most powerful of the dark aristocracy, and are considered some of the most powerful vampires in existence

The Demon Within

How ironic that vampires believe themselves above the lycan, for in truth they deal with their own beast. Deep within every vampire lies a beast, a beastial and dark nature that seeks only to drown in blood and gore. Vampires, of course, seek to suppress this beastial nature, though they sometimes call upon it in battle to grant themselves terrifying berserker like feats of martial prowess. However, those that willingly give into their most deep dark desires or those that are forced to go without blood for centuries, turn into truly terrifying monsters, with any semblance of intelligence. They do not partake in the courtly politics of the vampire clans and houses, for they do not have the capacity to think of anything more then kill, eat, and drink. some examples are the Varghesit, Varghulf, Katakan, Ekimmara, and Fleder. Some powerful vampires bind these mindless monsters to their will, showing their true mastery of the dark arts and earning themselves deadly monsters to unleash on their enemies

Transmission & Vectors

Vampires are made when a vampire feeds a mortal their blood after having drained a large amount of the mortal's blood

Symptoms

After being infected with vampirism, a person undergoes many changes such as:

• Pale skin
• Sharp fangs that can be retracted
• The inability to see their reflection
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• If an adult, the inability to age any further
• The inability to subsist off of normal food and water, and instead having a ever consuming desire for blood

On top of this, vampires also gain a few abilities such as increased strength, survivability, speed, transforming into creatures or mist at will, and a natural inclination to raise and command the undead, on top of being able to live forever and gain thousands of years of knowledge potentially. Vampires can seemingly reincarnate at will, making killing one for good a very hard task. They can be torn to shreds, blown up, beaten to a pulp, and cut up and seemingly reform their body rapidly thanks to their regenerative qualities, as long as the head isn't destroyed or they are decapitated

Treatment

There are stories of some vampires either curing their "Red Thirst" or curing their condition entirely, finally being granted the peace of a true death. However these are stories and as far as everyone who knows about vampires in detail is concerned, there is no way to come back from embracing the night

Prognosis

When infected, for the first 16 or so hours the target will feel drained and absolutely tired, however after this he will suddenly feel a rush of energy and self confidence. But soon after this, they will feel the craving for blood. This will come to make their first feeding an almost brain blastingly pleasing act. Some vampires go mad from this and turn into rampaging mass murders, however many are able to withhold their desires to realize their newfound status. Many then go on to become vamprie spawn, the lowest ranking vampires who work for other more noble vampires or go out on their own as wandering killers. However if a baby is born form vampires, they will simply grow up normally up until they turn 26 where they stop aging.

Hosts & Carriers

The most common hosts for vampires are humans, elves, tieflings, and drow. It is unknown if any other species can be affected, as apparently most other blood either "tastes bad" according to vampires or simply no one has seen other examples of vampires yet

Epidemiology

Vampirism is spread through the Red Kiss, an almost ritualistic act where a vampire lets a mortal drink their blood, and infect them with vampirism. Ussualy those infected are considered part of that vampire's clan and "noble family"

History

The orgins of Vamprisim is completely unknown, with each society that has dealt with vampires in any capacity having their own tall tales and bedtime stories for how vampires came to be. Many believe that vampires have always been there, in the shadows of mortal society, always silently feasting on the mortal races and gaining influence and power without any realizing. Some even believe they were the spawn of some sort of failed or hateful experiment with dragons and their blood. It is only recently due to the formation of the Crypt Kingdoms in the deadlands that people are becoming more aware of vampires and their power, with many rightfully fearing them

Cultural Reception

While some cultures have rather romanticized stories of vampires, in truth many don't really know much about vampires. Even after the Crusade of Light, lots of religious organizations have taken steps into censoring more knowledge of vampires other then the extremely basic facts of: undead, evil, and feed on blood. In truth, a peasant could be forgiven for not recognizing the signs of vampirism, for scholarly discussions on vampirism aren't accepted in many kingdoms. It doesnt help alot of weaknesses vampires are said to have: such as garlic or not being able to enter a house without permission, are unbeknownst to the wider populace made up by vampires to make it easier for them to go about their feeding

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Unique