Vampires

Amongst the most feared undead beings that walk the lands of Varda are those known as Vampires. Several variations exist across Varda, but they all share a common heritage and a thirst for blood. With unnatural abilities and a predatory elegance, Vampires spread fear and death throughout the land, and are only talked about in hushed whispers.

Appearance and Behaviour

A Vampire will typically retain much of their appearance they had in life, although some subtle differences may be present. Pallid skin, a slightly more gaunt frame and eyes that almost glint with a predatory nature. Their features seldom change despite how long the Vampire exists, and it is theorised that they are immortal. The most telling feature are the fangs found protruding from their upper jaw, replacing their canine teeth. These are the primary method a Vampire uses to draw blood from their victims in order to drink the life-sustaining elixir.

The abilities that a Vampire possesses makes them an even more terrifying threat to deal with. Heightened strength and agility that far surpass mortals make them fierce combatants, and their almost instant regenerative nature makes them all but impossible to stop. They even seem to possess the ability to walk on walls and roofs at will, ignoring gravity and treating such surfaces as they would the ground.

Despite their physical capabilities, their most deadly is more insidious. Most Vampires possess a supernatural charm that many theorise as a type of hypnosis. This is used with great advantage in lulling victims to their demise, or even enslaving servants to the Vampires will. Throughout the years, this seductive power has been used to infiltrate the highest positions of society. Many Vampires have belonged to the Nobility of a land, going unchallenged and feeding on the peasants under their charge.

Another notable ability Vampires possess is to change their forms. Most traditionally this takes the form of a bat, but other creatures such as wolves has been noted, as well as simply dissipating into a strange mist. This relation to other creatures of the night is also extended to animals found in the wild, and many times rats, bats, spiders and wolves will come under the sway of Vampires to be used as minions or pets.

Vampires do have other traits that are more of a hindrance to their existence and hunts. Part of their curse disallows them from entering others properties without first being invited to enter. They are also harmed by running water and sunlight, with the latter having deadly consequences for Vampires caught outside during the day.

Although they have supernatural powers and unending life, Vampires still require sustenance and rest. A burning hunger for the blood of the living is found throughout Vampire king, and regular feeding from the living is required. For those that do not feed, they will grow week and eventually turn to dust. For rest, a Vampire can enter a trance-like state, but to do this requires a special component. Dirt from the Vampires ancestral homeland must be placed below their resting place otherwise no rest will come. The rest a Vampire takes in such a place can heal the Vampire of any injury, including those that may seem mortal. Vampires who are unable to rest for extended periods will find themselves driven mad by the never-ending consciousness, eventually becoming feral beasts.

Killing a Vampire is no easy feat, as their powers alone are enough to slay even the most valiant heroes. To truly defeat a Vampire, a wooden stake must be hammered into their heart. However, this can only be done at a Vampires resting site as they slumber, above the soil of their homeland. At any other times, damaging a Vampire in a mortal way simply causes it to dissipate into its mist-form, and it will retreat to recover at its resting place.

Signs of Presence

The presence of a Vampire is seldom identified by most common-folk, as Vampires prefer to go unnoticed. It is much easier to keep feeding if the creature is not being hunted! There are some subtle signs that a town or village may also be home to a Vampire:

• Livestock or animals may be found drained of blood
• Disappearances amongst the population
• Strange nocturnal figures may be reported
• Individuals may act strange as if charmed by magic
• Nocturnal animals may be seen more frequently and closer to civilization
• Strange deaths, particularly wit bite-marks, may plague the settlement
• A newcomer, especially in a position of authority, may only be seen at nighttime

Known Lore (In-World)

Many stories and tales can be found across all regions of Varda about Vampires, each with their own twist to stories of isolated castles and palaces where a Vampire-Lord is said to roam. Many agree on the various strengths and weaknesses detailed above, but more specific variants of the folklore does exist.

Across Northern Vastalia, many say that Vampires have an aversion to garlic, although no evidence supports this. In Astiria, across the ocean, it is said a Vampire will purposely avoid mirrors and reflective surfaces, as these will show its true, monstrous form. Religion is also said to avert Vampires, with holy symbols said to ward them off. How this works from region to region with the various religions of the world is unknown, and this may simply be folklore rather than have any truth to it. Other stories that may have a glimmer of truth to them tells that Vampires sleep in coffins. This has been documented throughout history, and Vampires seem to prefer having coffins as their resting place both for conveniance and safety.

True Origins

The curse of Vampirism has perpetuated Varda for thousands of years. Like many of the magical afflictions that plague the land, it is one of the Demon Lords that bought about the blood-sucking Undead.

A mortal sorceress named Maelina delved deep in to the forbidden practices of Blood Magic, sacrificing her own life-force for untold powers. Seeking immortality, her ambition led her to ascend to the first Vampire. Throughout her undead lie, she came to power and reigned over a small nation-state. A tyrannical dictator, suffering and blood defined her rule. Eventually she was slain, but the hundreds of years of suffering by her hand had tainted her soul forever.

Maelina's soul found itself in The Weave after her death, and the corruption within her reawakened as the Demon Lord Velazcara. Also known as the Crimson Thirst, Velazcara whispers to mortals from her infernal realm, tempting them to seek out immortality through the dark arts. Eventually they will fall in their pursuit and reawaken as a Vampire, continuing on the Demon Lord's legacy.

This is not the only way a Vampire is born. Those that are killed by Vampires by having their blood drained will reawaken as a Vampire Spawn, their will tied to the one that created them. Sometimes, be it through an act of mercy, loneliness or maybe simply boredom, a Vampire can share its own blood with one of its Spawns. This ritual frees he Spawn from the Vampires will, transforming them into a fully fledged Vampire. Such a deed is rare, as another Vampire would surely mean competition for potential prey.

Type
Medium Undead
Location
All over the world of Varda

Types of Vampire

• To be added later