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.

Types of Vampire

Wiki Table collapse:

Homo Vampiris

The most commonly encountered vampire is Homo Vampiris. These are largely human in terms of their physical characteristics, and are all distantly descended from a specific progenitor: Vlad Drakul. They are significantly more common in America than Europe due to powerful European covens edging them out for resources and territory. Being more tolerant to sunlight, H. Vampiris visited the New World much earlier and more successfully.

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 require blood to survive. They are unaffected by icons of faith.

Wiki Table collapse:

Hominus Nocturne

Hominus Nocturne are a vastly more powerful cousin to H. Vampiris. H. Nocturne comes from a much older progenitor-- Drake and Akasha. Selective breeding and recruitment keeps several 'pureblood' hereditary lines in good health and with great powers of their own. Many arranged marriages of Europe owe their existence to the influence of these breeding programs.

Noble vampires are extremely sensitive to sunlight, purified silver, and garlic, with fatal results. They are significantly faster and stronger than humans. The strongest can lift several thousand pounds and and dodge bullets. H. Nocturne often 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 even 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. The conflict of once-human spiritus and profane energies that keep a vampire alive make them highly vulnerable to consecrated objects. They are unable to enter consecrated ground without being severely harmed. Holy symbols worn or wielded by a person of faith are very dangerous to vampires. A crucifix worn casually around the neck would be of little protection; one that was a gift for a First Communion would be a potent defense.

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 physical strength of a noble vampire but none of their weaknesses save The Thirst. Dhampirs are effectively sterile. Deliberate 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 or those who are groomed by an Elder for prolonged periods.

Carefully cultivated pureblood breeding programs preserve the potency of the original Drake bloodline. Younger vampires may be allowed to feed on Elders, gaining more strength every time they do. This grooming directly correlates to rank, status, and supernatural power in the vampire community.

Pure-blood vampires are often centuries old and canny enough to avoid conflict. They breed very rarely and only by design, with the approval of the breeding programs. By contrast, Dracula rejected the traditions of the covens. He fed and turned new vampires at will, sometimes many in a day. He 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 direct progeny, but were unable to stamp out the remnants of his armies.