Vampire

(Work in progress)

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. Their affliction is 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. 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. (Reference: TV show Supernatural).

Hominus Nocturne are a vastly more powerful cousin to H. Vampiris. Still derived from humans stock, H. Nocturne stems from a different progenitor-- Vlad Drakul, 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. Regular consumption of blood is necessary or they will die. They can affect something much like flying, allowing them to climb walls with little effort. Fire, sunlight, garlic, and dismemberment are effective means of destroying them. (Reference: Blade, Anne Rice)

The Red Court of vampires is descended from a single progenitor, a 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. A holy person may present appropriate iconography to repel a vampire, though the icon itself is an accessory, not the source. The affliction has strong mystical components and can be cured with mystical herbs or enchantments. A turned victim will not become a vampire unless they consume blood, pushing them into true vampirism.

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 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.

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.