Notes on Vampires
In the world of fiction, most writers have their own ways of handling certain situations. Same is true for the vampire genre. Whether it be a single work or a role-play story. And of course, everyone does it different. So, rather than explaining this for every single inquiry, I thought I would just jot down a few simple guidelines and insights into the way I play the vampires in my cadre.
These are by no means set in stone; they are merely a directional guide into my vampire world.
So, onward.
☪ Vampires have to have blood to live. Sorry. That's a requisite. Can they survive on animal blood? Of course. But why in God's name would they want to? They are the top of the food chain and humans are the easiest prey walking. Besides, they do have some pride.
☪ Vampires are not dead. Their bodies are just different. They have circulation, reflections, all the sorts of things humans do. They also ingest food and drink the same as humans. It's pretty hard to go ghosting around with an anemic complexion and hope to blend in with the crowd. Predators that can't camouflage themselves seldom eat. Watch the Discovery Channel; you'll see.
☪ In turn, yes, this means that vampires can have sex. Mine are actually quite fond of it, because most often it precedes dinner, breakfast, or supper, whichever. It's usually the easiest way to lower a human's guard; snatching folks right off the street and biting them in a back alley is a tad juvenile, after all. However, that doesn't mean they run around screwing all the time. Be serious, people.
☪ Vampires have no "speshul" powers. Forget Bram Stoker's Dracula. Vampires cannot turn into mist, bats, wolves, polka-dotted zebras or any other sort of incorporeal being. Their bodies are substantial; they bleed when cut, burn when set on fire. But they do have extraordinary strength, speed and stamina, much greater than even a top human athlete. Also, they also do not waft around with creamy pale faces or speak in “thee” and “thou” all the time. They live life as they wish; some even have jobs and the like. Gotta pay the bills to afford those fast cars and fancy clothes, yo.
☪ Vampires do not like sunlight. But they don't go "'splody" if they happen to blunder into it; it's just very, very irritating, somewhere around the level of a third-degree burn. Most vampires will avoid sunlight whenever possible. Crosses and articles of faith have no effect, nor does holy water or silver. So, the way to destroy a vampire? Riddle it with bullets then chop off its head or remove its heart when it finally falls. But be quick, for their regenerative abilities are impressive. Nevertheless, such a complex organism cannot survive without either its brain or its heart.
☪ Reproduction. Vampires cannot give birth the way humans do. They make more like themselves by the sharing of blood. This does not mean that every human/animal bitten by a vampire will grow fangs and a bloodlust in three nights. Do the math. "Turning" usually involves careful consideration on a vampire's part, because he/she is going to be responsible for the little monster, at least until the fledgling is able to live on its own. There are rare occurrences where a fledgling will willingly remain with a sire for as long as both live, but most vampires are usually solitary predators and will not gravitate towards their own kind for very long.
Nevertheless, they do have emotions, and yes, they can get lonely. Eternity is a helluva long time to live, after all. So, it's common for a vampire to initiate relationships with humans, whether they are prey or not. Some vampires divulge their heritage, some do not. It just depends on the individuals.
Questions? Comments? Drop a comment here or send a PM. Flamers and haters will summarily be ignored/dismissed. This be all for pretendy fun times and the post is meant to inform and clarify. :)
These are by no means set in stone; they are merely a directional guide into my vampire world.
So, onward.
☪ Vampires have to have blood to live. Sorry. That's a requisite. Can they survive on animal blood? Of course. But why in God's name would they want to? They are the top of the food chain and humans are the easiest prey walking. Besides, they do have some pride.
☪ Vampires are not dead. Their bodies are just different. They have circulation, reflections, all the sorts of things humans do. They also ingest food and drink the same as humans. It's pretty hard to go ghosting around with an anemic complexion and hope to blend in with the crowd. Predators that can't camouflage themselves seldom eat. Watch the Discovery Channel; you'll see.
☪ In turn, yes, this means that vampires can have sex. Mine are actually quite fond of it, because most often it precedes dinner, breakfast, or supper, whichever. It's usually the easiest way to lower a human's guard; snatching folks right off the street and biting them in a back alley is a tad juvenile, after all. However, that doesn't mean they run around screwing all the time. Be serious, people.
☪ Vampires have no "speshul" powers. Forget Bram Stoker's Dracula. Vampires cannot turn into mist, bats, wolves, polka-dotted zebras or any other sort of incorporeal being. Their bodies are substantial; they bleed when cut, burn when set on fire. But they do have extraordinary strength, speed and stamina, much greater than even a top human athlete. Also, they also do not waft around with creamy pale faces or speak in “thee” and “thou” all the time. They live life as they wish; some even have jobs and the like. Gotta pay the bills to afford those fast cars and fancy clothes, yo.
☪ Vampires do not like sunlight. But they don't go "'splody" if they happen to blunder into it; it's just very, very irritating, somewhere around the level of a third-degree burn. Most vampires will avoid sunlight whenever possible. Crosses and articles of faith have no effect, nor does holy water or silver. So, the way to destroy a vampire? Riddle it with bullets then chop off its head or remove its heart when it finally falls. But be quick, for their regenerative abilities are impressive. Nevertheless, such a complex organism cannot survive without either its brain or its heart.
☪ Reproduction. Vampires cannot give birth the way humans do. They make more like themselves by the sharing of blood. This does not mean that every human/animal bitten by a vampire will grow fangs and a bloodlust in three nights. Do the math. "Turning" usually involves careful consideration on a vampire's part, because he/she is going to be responsible for the little monster, at least until the fledgling is able to live on its own. There are rare occurrences where a fledgling will willingly remain with a sire for as long as both live, but most vampires are usually solitary predators and will not gravitate towards their own kind for very long.
Nevertheless, they do have emotions, and yes, they can get lonely. Eternity is a helluva long time to live, after all. So, it's common for a vampire to initiate relationships with humans, whether they are prey or not. Some vampires divulge their heritage, some do not. It just depends on the individuals.
Questions? Comments? Drop a comment here or send a PM. Flamers and haters will summarily be ignored/dismissed. This be all for pretendy fun times and the post is meant to inform and clarify. :)