Leo (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
actlikeamanfred) wrote2013-01-08 10:13 pm
actlikeamanfred) wrote2013-01-08 10:13 pm
VAMP INFO
BIOLOGY
Sustenance:
He needs to drink human blood to survive, roughly once or twice a week.
Animal blood may substitute, but will lead to deficiencies.
He can eat normal food and drink, but doesn't need to.
Feeding on blood creates an euphoric state, especially when it's been a while.
Physical:
Sharp canines that protrude when feeding. Eyes will also turn red.
Enhanced strength, speed, endurance, but within human limits.
Enhanced healing; a bullet wound may heal in a few days.
Being able to see in the dark. Pupils reflect light in the darkness.
Most human body functions still exist. Major differences include low pulse and cold skin.
Mental:
The ability to project thoughts, emotions and sensations.
By vampire standards, he's not very skilled at it.
When feeding on someone, he can "taste" someone's thoughts/emotions/sensations.
Weaknesses:
Sunlight gives a strong allergic reaction, but is only fatal with prolonged exposure.
Silver can weaken him and prevent healing, particularly when left inside wounds.
Silver only causes a mild reaction on touch, like an itch.
Injuries that can kill a human can also kill a vampire, especially if healing is prevented.
Lifespan:
The oldest recorded vampire was around 500 years old. Vampires do age, but at a much slower rate.
A child who's turned will still age and go through puberty, at a slightly slower rate than humans.
Most vampires look to be 20-40, as this is the time their aging plateaus.
Vampires turned at older ages may regress slightly in apparent age, but not more than a decade.
CULTURE
The existence of vampires dates back thousands of years, though their numbers have varied. Their population have boomed in the past few hundred years, along with the human population. They exist all around the world, but are more numerous wherever it is easier to avoid the sun.
Vampire existence became more widely known during the 1950s, though it's not until the 1960s that they were seriously discussed by governments and mass media. However, they've been considered common knowledge in many areas and eras even before then. They were particularly well known during the 1920s, and were blamed by many people for the Great Depression (though there's no connection), but retreated back into obscurity for a couple decades.
Until now they've primarily survived by grouping in covens, where they could protect each other. Even now, a vampire without a coven is more vulnerable to abuse, violence and discrimination. Some are older, dating back centuries, but most are recent, and any grouping of a dozen or more vampires can be counted as a coven. What constitutes membership, and what the rules and expectations are varies wildly.
Currently, there are human laws that restrict vampire behavior, but very few that protect them, especially in the US, though it varies by country. It's almost impossible for a vampire to live a completely lawful life, due to the difficulties in getting a job, and getting access to blood. There are blood-runners: people who illegally traffic and supply blood to vampires. There's also plenty of people willing to give blood as payment in return for (usual illegal) services.
Some vampires do lean into the stereotypes, seeing themselves as superior, and having the right to take human lives. Covens like this are akin to mafia gangs. Still, for every vampire living a selfish, destructive life, there are dozens who are just trying to go about their business like everyone else.
Sustenance:
He needs to drink human blood to survive, roughly once or twice a week.
Animal blood may substitute, but will lead to deficiencies.
He can eat normal food and drink, but doesn't need to.
Feeding on blood creates an euphoric state, especially when it's been a while.
Physical:
Sharp canines that protrude when feeding. Eyes will also turn red.
Enhanced strength, speed, endurance, but within human limits.
Enhanced healing; a bullet wound may heal in a few days.
Being able to see in the dark. Pupils reflect light in the darkness.
Most human body functions still exist. Major differences include low pulse and cold skin.
Mental:
The ability to project thoughts, emotions and sensations.
By vampire standards, he's not very skilled at it.
When feeding on someone, he can "taste" someone's thoughts/emotions/sensations.
Weaknesses:
Sunlight gives a strong allergic reaction, but is only fatal with prolonged exposure.
Silver can weaken him and prevent healing, particularly when left inside wounds.
Silver only causes a mild reaction on touch, like an itch.
Injuries that can kill a human can also kill a vampire, especially if healing is prevented.
Lifespan:
The oldest recorded vampire was around 500 years old. Vampires do age, but at a much slower rate.
A child who's turned will still age and go through puberty, at a slightly slower rate than humans.
Most vampires look to be 20-40, as this is the time their aging plateaus.
Vampires turned at older ages may regress slightly in apparent age, but not more than a decade.
CULTURE
The existence of vampires dates back thousands of years, though their numbers have varied. Their population have boomed in the past few hundred years, along with the human population. They exist all around the world, but are more numerous wherever it is easier to avoid the sun.
Vampire existence became more widely known during the 1950s, though it's not until the 1960s that they were seriously discussed by governments and mass media. However, they've been considered common knowledge in many areas and eras even before then. They were particularly well known during the 1920s, and were blamed by many people for the Great Depression (though there's no connection), but retreated back into obscurity for a couple decades.
Until now they've primarily survived by grouping in covens, where they could protect each other. Even now, a vampire without a coven is more vulnerable to abuse, violence and discrimination. Some are older, dating back centuries, but most are recent, and any grouping of a dozen or more vampires can be counted as a coven. What constitutes membership, and what the rules and expectations are varies wildly.
Currently, there are human laws that restrict vampire behavior, but very few that protect them, especially in the US, though it varies by country. It's almost impossible for a vampire to live a completely lawful life, due to the difficulties in getting a job, and getting access to blood. There are blood-runners: people who illegally traffic and supply blood to vampires. There's also plenty of people willing to give blood as payment in return for (usual illegal) services.
Some vampires do lean into the stereotypes, seeing themselves as superior, and having the right to take human lives. Covens like this are akin to mafia gangs. Still, for every vampire living a selfish, destructive life, there are dozens who are just trying to go about their business like everyone else.