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.

The most commonly encountered vampire is Homo Vampiris. These are largely human in terms of their physical characteristics, though are descended from a non-human progenitor Dracula. 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. 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. Still derived from humans stock, H. Nocturne stems from a different 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.

The Red Court of vampires is descended from a single progenitor, a [[[New Gods|New God]]] named [[[Kukulcan]]]. They have a rigidly heirarchical social structure and many of the Red Court have significant magical talents. Red Court vampires are greasy, flabby creatures with disjointed limbs. They paralyze their prey with a loud, unnerving shriek in their natural forms. Red Court vampires can create a flesh mask that universally appears lovely and human. Their saliva is a powerful and debilitating narcotic and used offensively as a weapon. Many of them have significant capabilities to project thoughts or hypnotize humans, and can 'turn' or recruit new members. Most vampires are fast, strong, and resilient. Extreme trauma to the brain or the blood sac in the belly is the only reliable means of destroying them with violence. Silver, garlic, and sunlight are also effective. In order to be 'turned', a Red Court vampire must willingly consume fresh human blood from a live host. This blackens the soul sufficiently for the spiritual infection to settle in. Therefore, consecrated silver and water or the presentation of [[[holy icon]]]s have a deleterious effect on the vampire, possibly proving fatal. The affliction has strong mystical components and can be cured with mystical herbs or enchantments. Half-breeds (un-turned vampires) are extremely strong and resilient, but must frequently fight off cravings for blood-- particularly after endorphin rushes or adrenal overloads.

White Court vampires (and their cousins) feed on emotions. The majority of White Court vampires prefer the emotions generated by lust and sex, though others feed on fear or even despair. White Court vampires are immensely strong, stronger than other breeds and capable of hypnotizing humans or addicting them with minimal efforts. They suffer no injury from sunlight or garlic. They must regularly feed on human sexual energy to sustain themselves, or they will die. White Court vampires have limited ability to regenerate from injury once their reserves of energy are depleted. White Court vampires descend from [[[Hell]]]ish [[[demon]]]ic stock, specifically several types of succubi. White Court vampires suffer profoundly from the touch of someone who is truly in love with another person, and the effects of holy items varies considerably depending on the extent of human spiritus in their system.

The Black Court of Vampires are what might be considered truly un-dead. Or at least, un-living. They are rotting, decomposing wrecks of corpses that can stay alive for decades, even centuries. Black Court vampires are the least common of the courts, but arguably the most powerful. Most of them are very old and have prolonged life experiences and magical talents. The vampires of the Black Court have exchanged a literal Faustian bargain for immortality, selling their souls to a Hellion or similar creature. Black Court vampires are extremely resilient to physical trauma and few things can kill them. Consecrated weapons and potent magic are among the few reliable weapons mortals have.