vampires

Fighting Vampires:

Vampires are immortal in the sense that they are living dead whose bodies remain unchanged throughout the years if they feed regularly on blood. It is believed that they do not cease to exist unless they are killed in one of the ways described below. (It is not verified whether this is in fact true, or whether they grow old and die so slowly that it takes several millenia. There are no reports of elderly vampires.)

Vampires can be hurt/killed by:

• exposure to sunlight (effect depending on the vampire's strength and age; see below)
• wooden stakes driven through a vital part of the body (think humans and swords)
• beheading

False myths about things that can hurt vampires:

• crosses (if some do not like them, it is because Christianity as such bothers them)
• holy water (same as above)
• silver
• garlic

Other Limitations and Abilities:

Contrary to public belief, vampires do not have to sleep in coffins (though many prefer to because it gives them the best protection from sunlight and enemies). They need sleep in the same way humans do, but they are not entirely helpless during the day.

They can get into houses without an invitation and do have shadows and reflections.

Their skin is very pale when they have not just fed, and their body temperature very low.

They regenerate much more effectively than humans, and, depending on how "old" they are, have supernatural strength/senses (i.e. sight, hearing, taste, etc.). As a basic rule; the older the vampire, the better regenerating power and strength.

There is uncertainty about the question of transformation. We have no verified reports of vampires transforming into other beings, but as there is no proof against it, we cannot be sure. Perhaps a few very old vampires can do it and are wise enough not to use the ability in public.

The Creation:

When a vampire creates a new vampire, the sire has to suck a lot of blood out of the victim and then replace it with their own (usually by letting the victim drink). It can be done using modern Earth technology, but that is not known to be practiced very often.

The personality of the victim turned vampire changes a bit, but it is mostly due to physical changes (i.e. needing to drink blood, the emotional shock of being a living dead). Some vampires seem to feel that they are on a higher level in the food chain than humans, and as such have the right to feed on them.

A vampire can live off animals, but it is not very healthy. Cold blood can be used for feeding, but it is said not to be particularly tasty.

The origin of vampires is unknown, but they may be freaks of nature or related to beings from outside of or extinct on the Earth. They appear to have been around for millennia.

Structure of Vampire Societies:

There seem to be small clans, or covens, of vampires around the world. They feed together, guard each other's hideouts, take care of each other if trouble should befall them. Sometimes two or more clans join together, ruled by a powerful leader, to archieve an objective. Perhaps there is a council of old vampires governing the rest, but it is as of yet unconfirmed speculation.

There are also vampires who are outside the clans. They seem to have chosen to live independently because they were not satisfied with the hierarchy inside the clans, or have simply been thrust out because they have violated a code of honour. They are usually regarded, by other vampires, as outsiders and not worthy of being vampires.