now it’s time for our vampire lore preview!
Genetically, vampires are distinct from the human and daemon population because they possess 24 chromosomal pairs like wix. Vampire blood brings the ordinary human genetics to its greatest potential, conveying preternatural beauty, longevity, strength, height, and senses to the former human. They have increased strength, speed and senses and are described to have long and beautiful features. Though resistant to diseases that affect warm-blooded beings, vampires are subject to a genetic illness called ‘blood rage’.
Once known as ‘the vampire curse’, this illness leads to hyper-aggression and an insatiable desire to hunt and kill. While all vampires need to hunt for physiological and psychological reasons, vampires afflicted with blood rage are unable to stop themselves from doing so. Although it’s inherently negative, it also brings a surprising benefit: blood rage holds the key to a vampire’s unusual ability to produce natural children.
True to their mythological counterparts, vampires in our world are immortal blood-drinkers who were originally human before being converted through a blood exchange followed by a physical death. There are long-standing cultural prohibitions against turning a wix or daemon - considered higher life-forms than humans, into a vampire. Vampires select potential humans according to their needs at the time, whether that is a mate, soldier, assassin, skilled servants, or to fill out their clans.
Once the humans are selected, the vampire sire drains the human of all its blood. The moment the heart stops beating, the vampire forces the human to drink enough of the makers blood to bring the heart and rest of the body back to life. This process is called “rebirth”. Once made, vampires experience up to five years of vampire infancy, where they are constantly under supervision by a senior vampire.
Vampires have strong family bonds and put loyalty to family above all else. They are hierarchical and obedience to the pack leader isn’t up for discussion. When they choose a mate, their commitment will last centuries. This is a sacred link in vampire social circles, as any attempt on a mate’s life will result in vicious retribution.
Vampires are physically stronger and faster than humans or witches, but they don't have supernatural powers. They are usually stunningly beautiful, and their bodies are very efficient; they run cold and don't need to eat frequently; their hearts don't beat often; they breath very slowly and don't need much sleep. This is because they aren't fully alive. They are very difficult to kill, because their blood has properties to heal their bodies quickly after injury, but they are not fully-immortal. They can be killed through massive blood loss, by causing them to bleed out entirely without replacing the blood, or by burning them.
Though vampires are able to consume foods such as wine, raw meats, nuts and berries - vampires naturally feed off the blood of others. While they often drain an animal food source, they try not to kill human prey as that raises too many questions. Instead they use a bit of their blood to anesthetize and confuse their victim. Vampire blood can also be used to heal human wounds. Vampires can also gain knowledge of any creature by drinking its blood; they see the creature’s memories through it.
