Vampire

The term 'vampire' is a catchall that describes humanoid predators which consume either blood or spiritual energy ("spiritus vitae") to survive. They come in a variety of species and with wildly varying natural or physical properties. There is a supernatural origin for vampirism but the biological delivery method of turning and conversion has been identified as a type of cancer delivered by parvovirus in vampire bites.

The most commonly encountered vampire is Homo Vampiris. These are largely human in terms of their physical characteristics, and are very distantly descended by birth from a specific non-human progenitor: Vlad Drakul. They are significantly more common in America than Europe due to their more powerful cousins edging them out for resources and territory. Their affliction is genetic and transmitted through forcing humans to consume vampire blood. These vampires are very resistant to pain and physical trauma. Sunlight is unpleasant but not immediately fatal. Silver provokes a severe allergic reaction. Coagulated human blood is a powerful sedative. Vampirism makes them extremely resilient and allows them to operate at peak physical capability, but it is not typically what one would call 'superhuman'. The only methods of reliably killing them are decapitation or dismemberment. Extreme trauma to the cardio or central nervous system can neutralize them as well. H. Vampiris look human but have additional teeth in their mouth that aid with exsanguinating their target. H. Vampiris have subtle powers of telepathy and mental influence. Older and stronger vampires are capable of a hypnotic effect and even telepathic communication with their progeny. H. Vampiris can eat normal food but requires blood to survive.

Hominus Nocturne are a vastly more powerful cousin to H. Vampiris. H. Nocturne stems from a much older progenitor-- Drake, and his mate, Akasha. These vampires are extremely sensitive to sunlight, silver, and garlic, with fatal results. However they are significantly faster and stronger than humans. H. Nocturne exhibit low-level telepathic abilities and influence that can grow over time. The older vampires can change their physical appearance and create distracting and confusing mental effects among humans. They are extremely resilient and can recover from major injuries and wounds if exposed to sufficient fresh blood. Regular consumption of blood is necessary or they will die. Many can affect something akin to flight, effortlessly defying gravity to scale walls. Fire, sunlight, garlic, and dismemberment are effective means of destroying them.

'Half-Vampire', or Dhampir, are extremely rare and a product of unique magical circumstances or genetic mutations. The most notable Dhampir is the Hunter known as Blade. Dhampirs have all of the strength of the vampire but none of their weaknesses save The Thirst. However, Dhampirs are effectively sterile. Efforts made to replicate the process of creating Dhampirs or preserving their genetic legacy have been universally failures.

The functional difference between low-level H. Nocture and H. Vampiris is often a matter of academic interest only. Recently turned vampires, and those produced by feeding, are nowhere near as strong as older purebloods.

Carefully cultivated pureblood breeding programs preserve the potency of the original Drake bloodline. Pure-blood vampires are often centuries old and canny enough to avoid conflict. By contrast, Dracula-- rejecting the traditions of the covens-- spread a lesser form of vampirism like a disease over Europe until he was exiled into Transylvania. Predation from groups such as Clan Akkaba as well as organizations dedicated to hunting down vampires largely destroyed Dracula's pureblood legacies, but were unable to stamp out the remnants of his armies.