Vampirism

Vampires (those infected by vampirism) are immortal undead beings who feed on the mana in others via their blood (see Mana for more details). Vampirism is caused by the phampiere parasite which is a hive-mind species native to the moon realm. These parasites don't have a single identifiable form as they can change their consistency to and from a flesh-like substance and a thick liquid resembling blood.
The Vampire population is the single most monitored by monster-hunting groups such as the Silvered Daggers. Because Vampires are still intelligent creatures a lot of dispute has been made surrounding the elimination of the parasites and their hosts - causing a peace treaty stating that the hunters would not attack the vampires as long as their population stays incredibly small.

The Red Hunt

Vampires are left to keep their population in check themselves, causing a tradition known as the Red Hunt. When a vampire family gains a new member through birth they either execute one of their own whom they consider a disappointment or traitor to the family or they attack a rival vampire house and eliminate one of their members leaving room for their new spawn.

Turning

Turning is a complex process that is rarely successful (either resulting in the subject staying dead or raising as a ghoul or zombie) that involves summoning a new parasite from the moon realm and a small sacrifice of power from the creator's parasite. Because of the constant need of checking the vampire population, turning is the greatest crime a vampire could commit, resulting in a Red Hunt (instead titled a Crimson Hunt) where both the newly turned vampire (or spawn if unsuccessful) and its creator are to be found and executed on sight.

Vampire Communities

Because of their small population, there is no such thing as a town or even a hamlet of vampires. Most stick with families in remote and isolated locations near smaller lesser known settlements to nourish off of. Families consist of vampires who share blood and are in the literal family, vampires that were legally turned and added to the family's ranks, and or strays (vampires whose family was either destroyed or are the first in their line of vampires) who are recruited into the family's ranks (recruited strays are called New Bloods and are treated as indentured servants).

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Magical

Rarity

Extremely Rare