VAMPIRES
An excerpt from the ledger of the late Wolfgang
VanGolt, Elder vampire:
From the beginning, we were cursed.
We turned away from the light and were cast down for our aberration, adultery,
and lust for flesh and blood. The first vampires were a peculiar sort, and while
different they retained many of the same traits that characterize our race. For
many years, we had lived the lives of nobles, pleasuring ourselves with women,
wine, and sacrifice. It did not take long before the members of our decadent
society digressed further. With a new fascination in the dark arts, we became
intrigued with the human body and its pain threshold. Victims were easily
attained, as no one would mourn for the occasional missed peasant, only to have
the body returned within the next few weeks, battered and broken as we left it
without a single drop of blood remaining. The tears of the families only brought
us more joy and it appeared as lunacy to all others.
The blood we harvested from these mortals was treated with far more care and
curiosity than the bodies. It was guarded more vigilantly than the protection we
allotted for ourselves. Rumor of this ghastly business spread throughout the
land, and we believed it had fallen on deaf ears. That was, until our first
inquisition from the church. It did not take long for their prying eyes to
discover our misdeeds, which resulted in a quick and bloody battle. Who was to
know that the words of a single dying priest could damn our people for an
eternity? Yet we remain. Multiplying through embrace, finding comfort only in
the company of our kindred. Still hated and damned by the church, though those
days have long past.
Despite the curse, I can not, nor could I ever hate the church, for they merely
labeled what we already knew to be wrong somewhere within ourselves. I will not
go so far as to say that I am faithful. Quite the contrary in fact. The
religions of mortals exist primarily to comfort the fragile souls of the masses,
pillowing and preparing them from the inevitable death that awaits them. As
vampires, a damned race, we are quick to accept death, and our race is stronger
for it.
Character Specifications
Abilities:
Vampires, also known to some as the Noble Dead, are organized into three
different categories. First, are the Embraced Vampires, who have been willingly
changed into on of the Noble Dead by another Vampire, or Sire. The sire retains
a connection to whomever he or she changes, similar to a parent’s sixth sense.
They know when their protégés are hurt or in trouble and many have been known to
seek vengeance on whom so ever chooses to attack them.
The second vampire category would be the Magically Induced Vampires (MIVs) who
were changed during the First and
Second waves. Much about them is still being discovered and other things are still mystery, even to the vampires themselves. Both
the Embraced, or True, vampires as well as the MIVs have been found to have the
same racial abilities. These vary from one individual to the next, but common
abilities found within the newly embraced, or lately morphed include: Telepathy,
Improved Seduction abilities, Animorphism, Illusionism, some small
Prestidigitation, Lightning Reflexes, the ability to heal oneself and Unearthly
speed. Also, a few drops of vampire blood can be used to heal others. A word of
caution though, for too much blood can lead to a drug like addiction to
non-vampires.
Finally, there are the Elder Vampires who are aptly named for they are the
oldest of the race, having been undead for several centuries. The Elders have
some or all of the above abilities, with the additions of Levitation, Unholy
fire, and the ability to smite any kindred who displays behavior unbecoming the
race, reducing them to a pile of ash. These vampires are incredibly strong, not
only in strength but in magical power as well and have even displayed the
ability to charm others and control their actions. (Author’s Note: Players are
prohibited from playing Elder Vampires in game.)
Weaknesses:
Unlike many legends state, vampires are not especially allergic to garlic. They
are however severely allergic to silver, which acts upon them in the same way it
does upon Werewolves; if stabbed or shot, the silver will spread through the
system like a poison which fortunately can be neutralized by feeding. Physical
contact with the material will burn the skin.
Vampires are also photosensitive; they are intensely allergic to sunlight.
Prolonged exposure to either will cause the demise of that vampire. Artificial
Light, however, such as lamplight, neon or iridescent indoor lighting, or candle
light have no effect on them. They can be killed by severing the head from the
neck, and removing the heart. There is no other way to permanently remove a
vampire from un-existence.
True Vampires do also retain some irritation with the use of Christian Holy
Water and any other Christian memorabilia. Strangely, enough this does not seem
to be the same case for MIVs, should they make this discovery.
Another note of interest about vampires would be the
phenomenon that occurs when a vampire, Elder, MIV, or otherwise, loses control.
Many vampires (with exceptions of course) work hard to maintain a level of
control over their hunger which, in a post-Second Wave world, has been made
easier by the release of blood based products, such as Vampri Suns©. Should the
vampire in question not feed as needed, the animalistic urges that the vampire
works so hard to suppress will take over. The vampire will lose control of their
actions and rational thought. This can be rather unfortunate, should someone
they care about get in their way. There has been accounts of this phenomenon
also occurring due to intense anger or fear. Most cases have some link to the
vampire having not properly fed.
Some Origins:
Vampires can be found worldwide, always having existed in the shadows, rather
than suddenly appearing, as many people living in the Age of Magic are quick to
believe. Their origins lie in medieval Europe, namely In Germany, Russia,
France, Romania, Lithuania, with a few reports from the British Isles,
Scandinavia. And rather unusually, lower parts of Africa.
The Rebirth of Magic:
Vampires as a race are considered inherently evil because of the nature of the
race as well as the origins of the first vampires. Once turned, or embraced,
they remain immortal, bound to this earth until killed or insanity takes them.
It is always interesting when a seemingly ordinary person morphs into a noble
dead.
MIVs are both troubling and interesting to the vampires. Without guidance, they
quickly become way wards, causing destruction to the name of the race. Because
of the morph, Vampires can no longer live in the shadows they have become
accustomed to. Some are even sanctioned to watch over and guide some of the
newer race.
As mentioned before, much about the MIVs is still a mystery. Though like True
vampires they do not need to breathe to stay alive, they do however can, and
require, regular food. Where as a True vampire would simply vomit it back up, it
appears the MIVs need both blood and food to survive. Once again, this is
another discovery the individual must make on their own. Many cases have shown MIVs to be psychosomatic; their predicament is what they make of it.
Some MIVs live very similarly to True vampires. Others, having made the
psychosomatic discovery, live lives very close to the normal ones they
originally had when they had before they changed. One thing
is certain though. The MIVs are caught between the worlds of the living and the
undead, unsure exactly of where they fit.
Primary reasons for magical change are as follows:
1.) The person had led a life of evil. Murderers, decidedly decadent and evil
individuals too intelligent and dastardly are often transformed into vampirism
in lieu of Orcs, Drow, or Trolls.
2.) An ordinary person was conceived through or during an evil act, such as
adultery or violent rape. The individual may not be evil, it is more the
responsibility of one or both of the parents, and the sin is passed through
them. This is also extremely unfair to the morphed child, and can create a
tragic character.
Vampires and Religion:
Religion among vampires is as different as the vampires themselves. Each vampire
has their own individual views. It is not unusual for a vampire to retain their
life’s faith before the embrace, but it is even more common for them to curse
the god that had forsaken them. Some pursue a righteous path and seek god, while
others see this as a waste of time, and a denial of self. Many are blatantly
atheist.
As tradition dictates, vampires and Christianity do not generally mix very well.
As for the MIVs, they do not have the same problem and several have been known
to return to any church that is willing to accept them, much to the dislike of
the Angels of Deliverance.
Vampires and other races:
Vampires generally get along, to some extent, with other immortal races. They
are especially quick to befriend Drow, as the two dominate the nightworld, and
have a lot of time on their hands.
How Other Races View Vampires:
Humans: “I don’t want any bloodsucker staring
me down like I’m some kind of easy lunch! They need to go back to whatever pit
they crawled out of!”
Elves: “Sucks to live forever, doesn’t it? Out of curiosity... does elven
blood taste better or worse than human blood? Ah, Really?”
Drow: “I believe it is best we try to remain in shadow... magic or
not...this world is not ready to accept us. Gum?”
Trolls: “Vampire? .... I thought that was gnat buzzing in ear...”
Orcs: “The way I see it, Vampires are extremely useful in a fight.
They’re quick, They’re smart, but sometimes they are lost in rage. I wouldn’t
mind fighting with a stable one.”
Werewolves: "I suppose in some way we are like brothers, but how are they
to tell that I am wolfkin and not ordinary humankind?”
Fae: “Eeewww!”
Dwarves: “They creep me out a bit. Found a few lurking around down here.
They better not decide to make themselves a problem.”
Sidhe: “Come to think of it, about half of us are vampires....in essence
at least. Difference is, we were always this way.”
