Summary: There are several types of vampires in our world, but the most common among us are the biological vampires known as Homo sanguine. They branched off of a common ancestor to humans relatively recently, and are as closely related to humans as dogs are to wolves. However, much like a cobra in comparison to other snakes, they are a species that has a specialized diet. Living vampires are a nocturnal species and have sensitivity to the sun.
Diet: Living vampires specifically feed upon the blood of humans. They get nutrients and power from consuming human blood, and blood raw from the source is most potent. Vampires do not need to kill to feed, however some opt to do so. In rare cases, a vampire may choose to feed upon the blood of their own species, in which they can sustain themselves, though not nearly as well as if they were feeding from humans.
While they gain very little nutritional value from the blood of creatures aside from humans, they can gain special powers depending on what creature they consume. This can vary heavily based on both the prey and the vampire itself.
Bacteria in the vampiric gut enables them to digest and derive nutrients from mostly human blood. Otherwise, their system is virtually identical to that of a human and many other mammals. Since there is very little/not enough fat in human blood, or blood of any sort, to sustain a creature this large, living vampire make up for this deficit via spending mana as another energy source when they need to. Otherwise, they feed relatively often to avoid this upset.
Venom Variations: There are three types of vampiric venom, two of which are possessed by almost every single vampire on the planet. One venom, a neurotoxin, paralyzes the victim’s muscles, with a duration lasting anywhere from a minute to an hour. This venom does not target organs required to live, therefore a heavy does is typically not fatal.
The second venom common among all vampires is one in which causes the prey to feel like every neuron in their body is on fire. This agony is said to enhance the flavor of the blood, however there is heavy debate as to whether or not there is validity to this statement. Vampires that see their prey as just livestock tend to threaten this type in order to keep said prey in line.
The third very uncommon venom induces a drug-like state upon the prey. It provides a huge dose of euphoria and can be alarmingly addictive. Too much of it can make the prey extremely tired. Usually royals of a specific bloodline have this type of venom. Those bitten with this type of venom often request to be bitten again.
Saliva Variations: There are two types of saliva possessed by a vampire. One is an anti-coagulant, in which is applied to an open wound to prevent clotting. The vampire applies this when starting the meal so they can drink.
The other venom is a sealant which they apply to prey after drinking, which closes up the wound properly.
Notable features: All living vampires have pointed ears, which separates them from both turned vampires and Dhampirs. In addition to this, all of them have deep red irises with little variation in eye color, though on rare occasions amber or black eyes in a living vampire can be seen.
Their dentition is important to note–rather than in common human mythology, vampires have teeth that are all sharp, like that of a cat’s but without saber fangs. Still, the canine teeth of vampires are slightly longer than the rest of their teeth. Rather than nails, vampires have long black claws, of which in some bloodlines are retractable.
Living vampires have a high metabolism, therefore their body temperatures are slightly above that of humans’. Their cells have adapted to protect their proteins from denaturing at a higher temperature.
Due to being a nocturnal species, vampires are more sensitive to extremely bright light. Their skin can burn in the sun more easily, however this can typically be negated by strong sunscreen. While vampires with paler skin are more prone to this, vampires with darker skin need to be careful as well.
Note: Turned vampires don’t have pointed ears like those naturally borne. Theirs remain rounded, though every other vampiric feature they obtain upon turning. This includes blade-like teeth, claws, and red eyes.
Immune System & Aging: Due to a mixture of heavy telomerase and an advanced cell-division control center within their cells, vampire aging is slowed heavily when they reach their 20s-30s. Their immune system is quite aggressive, leading to very little illness overall for vampires that don’t have to do with magic, food poisoning, or dragon venom. This also means that cancer is virtually unheard of in a vampire, as its system takes care of the issue extremely quickly.
Vampires have a natural fast healing ability with the help of enhanced cell division and raw magic.
Unfortunately, there’s an Achilles heel to all vampires. While they have an extremely high amount of raw power, all of them have a severe allergy to silver. When a silver weapon is used against them, their healing ability is slowed down in an extreme manner.
In the case of a “Turned vampire”, its species swapped from human to living vampire, and they obtain the same sort of immune system. However, the turning process can be huge toll on the body, and not everyone can survive. Humans either too old or too young typically won’t survive the DNA corruption phase of metamorphism (see this section below).
Magical Proficiency: Vampires are a species that has natural magic. Their speed, senses, and strength are enhanced, which aids in hunting. These vampires can learn basic magic, however nothing advanced like the legendary status humans can get to. Their natural abilities inhibit this. Things like obtaining a familiar form (see spells) come easily to vampires, as it is a simple spell. The section on “Royal Vampires” however explains that vampires with certain bloodlines have very special powers based on said bloodlines. More details in said section.
Turned Vampires are more magically inclined than those natural borne since they were originally human. They are like a hybrid in terms of magic between human and vampire, leaning more heavily toward magic than natural vampire abilities. Again, this can vary based on vampire, with rare cases exhibiting powers as strong as if not stronger than their natural borne counterparts.
Royal Vampires: A breed of living vampires are known as “Royals”. They are more powerful than the rest, and their bloodlines carry through to vampires of legend that have been gifted with raw natural power. An ancient vampire is extremely rare, though they don’t necessarily need to be ‘ancient’. Most of the time, they are ‘luck of the draw’ persay, and can be born with legendary power.
Metamorphism: Royal vampires can turn humans into “turned vampires” via a special process that requires a blood exchange. First, the royal vampire must bite the human and inject them with a certain type of venom that corrupts the DNA of their victim. This is the most dangerous part of the process in which certain humans do not survive (more on that in the “Turned Vampires” section.) Then, a blood exchange occurs, in which the royal vampire provides its blood to the victim. This process is important, for essential bacteria from the vampire’s blood is provided to the human, which settles in the digestive system and multiplies to allow the proper digestion.
Every cell of the human’s body is turned into that of another species due to the DNA corruption. This process is usually only seen in bacteria, however in this case, it’s performed on a multicellular scale.
Royal Vampire Advanced Natural Magic: All royal vampires have a unique power they can use against enemies. Said power is extremely dangerous and must be honed like any magical skill. This is what sets royal vampires apart from others and why they are a force to be reckoned with, on the level of legendary magic users in the human world. These powers align with their bloodlines, with a family tree leading up to an ancient vampire of legend.
Royal Vampire Known Bloodlines:
1. Vlad the Impaler: Bloodline of Kingdom Arachnida Royals; typically offensive restraint magic.
2. Dracula: Bloodline of Kingdom Elapid Royals; typically stealth, evasion, and ambush magic.
3. Elizabeth Bathory: Bloodline of Kingdom Accipitrid Royals; typically mind modification magic.
This is not a full list! There are hundreds of bloodlines, these are just those that appear in the series. I’m adding as I go.
Turned Vampires: A human that’s been transformed into a vampire is known as a “turned” vampire. These vampires are still living vampires, however due to originally being human, they typically are weaker than natural borne vampires. There are exceptions to this rule, it depends on the human turned. Only humans can be turned into a vampire–attempts on other humanoid species that have been successful have never been recorded. For example, trying to turn a shifter will result in a death.
In rare cases, turned vampires can be a bit off in the mind. The transition from one species to another can bring about unstable side-effects that are not well-studied. In some cases, extreme mania or depression can occur. In others, they’re more prone to enraging and lashing out at friend or foe. There is no pattern to who is affected in this fashion.
Common misconceptions:
1. Living vampires are not affected by garlic, nor are they affected by religious objects.
2. Unless someone tosses glitter upon them, vampires most definitely do not sparkle.
3. Most vampires do not spare their prey unless they’re a blood slave. Merciful vampires are relatively rare, especially when Earth was taken over. Many favor ripping the heart out of their victims and eating it.
4. Vampires claim their eating habits are neater than shapeshifters’, however that’s been proven wrong on multiple occasions.
5. Most vampires encountered are not undead, as the undead species is extremely new(see section).
6. Only a particular vampire bloodline has ‘mind control’ and even then it’s not true control of the mind. Compulsion is just a myth for 99.9% of vampires.
7. Vampires cannot survive on animal blood, and even if they could, they wouldn’t be ‘vegetarians’.
8. Vampires can consume the food of other creatures, however it would bring them no nutritional value, and might cause stomach issues in some cases.
9. Vampires get most of their mana and water from the blood they consume, however sometimes they need to replenish that separately.
10. Territory wars between vampires and shapeshifters spawned naturally due to common hunting grounds, otherwise the ‘war’ has no other base.
11. Vampires do not sleep in coffins, unless you speak with the really edgy ones.
Des M. Astor 