The Vampire Nation
The Vampire Nation is as present the only known ethnicity of the vampires. Taking in Purebloods, Halfblood, and related vampires, it only covers the region of the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Whether there is related vampire nations in other countries such as Asia, majority of Africa or further is unknown.
Split into specific Clans showing certain traits drawn from aspects of the vampire personality. Nearly all of them belong to one of these clans in some way.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Sanskrit, Farsi and Arabic are all spoken regularly along with a splattering of other Semiotic languages such as Aramaic & Hebrew. A few of the old Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian languages are spoken along with Hittite.
Shared customary codes and values
To the Vampire Nation, all Purebloods are the dominant individuals, and the true children of Samael & Lilith. The Halfbloods, primarily the Vampire Spawn, are seen as tainted. Anything below these are seen as chattel, and akin to either a food source or effectively slaves. Each are given the necessary respect with the Purebloods willing to kill anyone or anything that doesn't show deference to them.
All believe in keeping the Vampire Nation as a who a secret from the world at large due to possible attack from outsiders. Only under severe duress would they break this code, along with the details of any individual. Giving away details of the latter is an automatic death sentence.
Only blood from the living should be used as food, anything from the dead, dying or undead is impure through and through. Even more so if it is from another vampire.
The Clans are to be respected and when a member of one, it comes first and anything done against it may result in the mark of the traitor, again resulting in a death sentence.
No vampire will actively kill or harm another unless it is a necessity,, out of survival or one that is marked for death. And no vampire should have active links to other organisations or groups, especially the Necrocult, or Star God / Dragon Cults.
Common Etiquette rules
Purebloods are usually referred to as Lord, Lady, Master, Mistress, Caliphate or Imam when in the presence of lesser creature. This can be overruled by the vampire in question.
Halfbloods my be seen as tainted but are are treated with basic respect due to the Pureblood that spawned any. Also, the Halfbloods are generally not touched nor taken in unless their master is killed or disappears permanently.
Nobody can touch a vampire unless asked to, and any vampire injured or killed by another may lead to a blood libel by their family. This has to be paid promptly within a lunar month. If not then the price is doubled until settled. It is seen as bad form if it's not settled quickly.
Common Dress code
The vampires have little credence on overall dress code, and are very individualistic in it. Some are traditionalist dressing in ancient or modern garb of the peoples they live amongst, while others dress bizarrely, even completely alien to outsiders. Other vampires don't really care as to what way others of their kind dress.
Art & Architecture
The Vampire Nation art & architecture reflect the customs and traditions of those they live near or around. They seem to like mimicking their prey species in this regard. They do add their own touches taking in elements of the Near East and red hues where possible. The odd time they take in other colours such as brown yellow and other warm colours. Blacks & greys are sometimes used to create shadows in their buildings.
Foods & Cuisine
Blood is their main source of sustenance so many vampire communities will keep specific creatures in pens in which to feed upon. Preferring it live they try to keep these alive as long as possible. Sometimes they will kill one to terrify the rest, and to remove possible threats.
The meat of many are also used and as bloody as possible. This can make the centrepiece of a grotesque banquet when one is called for. Sometimes specific dishes such as jellied blood, blood sausage, and a type of alcoholic blood wine is made to store and change the flavour of the blood.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Birth is an extremely private affair as the vampire doesn't want to be seen as weak or prone, and to stop attacks by others who would seek to harm the newly born or the mother.
Coming of Age Rites
To become a fully fledged member of the Vampire Nation a specific creature or number of creatures is to be lured in or captured. Drained completely of blood in front of an Elder or their representative is required. The corpse is then burned to make sure it doesn't return in any form.
Funerary and Memorial customs
All vampires prefer to be buried in crypts below their Clan's main territory, with their bodies placed in urns. They avoid placing these in sunlight or having their remains cremated in the off-chance they can be revived my some method later.
Only those of high status are placed in expansive crypts with many servants & funerary goods present. There they will lie for eternity. These are regularly viewed & visited as a mark of respect for being the remains of a remarkable member of their kind.
Al crypts are guarded by specific guardians, usually magical in nature, along with wards to stop any tampering with the remains, the stealing of both remains & grave goods, or the use of necromantic magic to raise the dead from their eternal slumber.
Common Taboos
The greatest threat to the Vampire Nation is knowledge of it's existence. This has led to the vampires, even in all their vanity, to refuse to divulge information about the Vampire Nation. Some would say that it is their greatest taboo, and felt that if even a single individual is named outside the Nation then it could ruin the society and their secrecy.
The other main taboo involves blood. The Vampire Nation has found that drinking the blood of the nearly dead, the dead, and of undead, especially in the case of other vampires, far too dangerous. Something within the blood of these fell creatures and the former causes horrific damage to a vampire's mind and body. It seems to warp & twist them in unforeseen ways that creates abominations if used. A blanket ban is imposed on all vampires according to this.
Killing other vampires unless deemed as traitors, murderers or abominations is viewed as one of the worst crimes. They view this act as aberrant, more so if it is the killing of a Pureblood, and of one by a lesser vampire.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
The Vampire Nation is a contradiction in terms when it comes to beauty ideals and have extreme views on what is applicable. Some prefer to reach the perfect form of the human form, and will appear as preening, well-toned and youthful. Some prefer to build themselves into terrifying creatures straight of nightmares and Hell. Certain Clans will have specific outlooks though the majority will have great variability and many have slight body modifications such as scarification, tattoos, and piercings.
Certain trends appear such as unmodified looks are important to certain clans. The leadership will try to go to the extremes of either unmodified or modified bodies to show their dominance of their own bodies. Some such as the military will be lean to well-built showing their fitness levels for example.
Overall, the vampires are exceptionally vain creatures, and try to dress in lavish clothing & jewellery. Along with any possible body modifications, these can be seen as bizarre and even disturbing to many other sapient creatures.
Gender Ideals
Little distinction is made between male and female vampires. Both are able to rise to leadership positions and other important roles. Both can follow any path they desire, and can dress any way they want.
Courtship Ideals
Vampires generally only court those of the same Clan, though a few will build up a relationship with one of another Clan. The latter is generally frowned upon, and need the permission of the Elders of both Clans to pursue this. The vampire initiating the courtship will try to impress their counterpart with supplying lesser creatures to them. The more dangerous, rare and prized creatures is preferred.
Treasure and assets are also took into account. They view these as a dowry, and those that have minimal assets as viewed as lower rank. Also, the vampire cannot speak out of turn or risk being ostracised by speaking out of turn, or insulting the other. This is unsurprisingly quite common due to the vanity of many vampires.
If two look to co-join monogamously, they must get permission from the Elders of their Clan to do so. Rarely does this go against the two as long as they are from the same Clan especially if they are Purebloods. If it involves Halfbloods or other variants then there is trials of bloodshed and intrigue to be carried out. These vary tremendously and and are to benefit the Clan overall, and seen as ,ich as a sign of loyalty to the Clan.
Relationship Ideals
Most vampires, at least of the Pureblood variety, can be very domineering and usually prefer the leadership role. When two or more work or live together they usually divide who does what, when and where. They can spend years or even decades in solitary pursuits, but always remain loyal knowing that family & Clan comes first. When there is children involved, they will equally tend to the child to make sure that the latter gets the best possible training the child needs to survive. Other members of the child's Clan will help too, as many will view that child as a possible asset down the line, and even an ally.
Spats and outright hatred do boil over, and when it does, the two or more that are involved are usually driven off. Only by completing something important to the wronged individuals or Clan can they be allowed back.
Major organizations
The Pureblood Clans and the Children of the Nazarene are the two main organisations within the Vampire Nation, along with the Court of the Pale Queen , and the House of the Lamb .
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