Vampires
Type: Nihil
Vampirism is a Nihil affliction that transforms the living into life-drinking undead. This predatory nature makes them some of the most feared supernatural creatures. Governed by immortal bloodlines, vampires form powerful, secretive clans, pulling the strings of mortal society from the shadows.
- Abilities: A vampire’s signature power is the ability to restore themself by feeding on the life force of sentient mortals, usually in the form of drinking blood. Most varieties have sharp fangs to enable this. Immortal and unaging, vampires often also develop other supernatural powers, such as enhanced strength and speed, various transformations, and sometimes even hypnotic abilities. They also have several well-documented weaknesses, although the exact ones vary by strain. Usually they will be hindered or even injured by direct sunlight. Not feeding causes a vampire to become increasingly weak and deathlike, until they are forced into hibernation.
- Origin: Vampires are an ancient race, allegedly created when mortals drank directly from the Night Sea. What exactly this means is unclear, as, normally, direct exposure to Nihil simply kills the living and raises them as a revenant. In any case, vampirism has persisted as a unique affliction. The affliction can spread when a vampire feeds on a mortal, usually by feeding deeply or repeatedly while leaving their victim alive. It can also spread when a vampire allows a mortal to drink of their cursed blood.
- Varieties: There are numerous strains of vampirism, with many varieties of powers, weaknesses, and appearances. Some become grotesque, corpselike monstrosities, while others retain almost completely mortal appearances. Most strains feed on blood, but there are a few who devour life force directly. Dhampirs, or half-vampires, are a special vampiric subtype born when a vampire mates with a mortal, and which have some vampiric powers without the ordinary weaknesses.
- Personality: Vampires have a notorious reputation for being sociopathic and predatory. It’s not entirely clear if this is because of the sinister influence of Nihil, or simply a result of how vampires must view other sentient beings as prey. Their immortal lifespans also means that vampires are often much more sophisticated than their apparent age would suggest.
- Visibility: Secret. Most mortal cultures revile vampires, so vampires must keep themselves hidden to avoid being hunted down and slain. With their often unassuming appearances, many can hide in plain sight, pretending to be ordinary mortals.
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