Vampirism
Vampirism is an exceptionally rare and infamous disease that curses its victim with a ravenous hunger for blood.
Often called the King's Hunger, vampirism is wildly cited as the one thing that The Cruel Age mercifully lacked. It became known for creating clans of high nobility that feasted upon their citizenry until the The Crusades lead to the purge of many noble houses across Tregaron.
Vampiric Bloodlines
The vampiric disease has mutated many times through the years, and descends from several different founders known as Harbingers. Strains are named after the last name of the bloodline's Harbinger; for example, the Hagen bloodline descends from a Villish monarch named Alaric von Hagen, and his progeny are often referred to as the Hagen brood. Each strain holds unique strengths and weaknesses that are common amongst each other.An Eternal Thirst
The one unifying trait among all vampiric clans is their ravenous hunger for blood. All vampires hold an unending craving that is never truly satiated; the desire for blood will always remain, and their stomachs will always ache to be filled with mortal blood. Even the finest cuisine tastes of ash to a vampire, and they are cursed to always feast upon the raw flesh and blood of another life to sustain themselves. Worst yet; blood must come from a mortal life. Lesser blood of animals or raw beasts quenches a vampire's thirst just enough to keep them on the edge of sanity. A starved vampire will eventually wither away to nothing, its muscles will thin and its flesh will weather away to expose brittle bone that snaps at the slightest touch.Undying Bodies
Another quality that vampires share is their undying bodies. Vampires sacrifice their decency and humanity for the sake of immortality. Their hearts no longer pump blood, but instead carries the blood stolen from their victims. So long as they hold blood, vampires are undying; even the most grievous of wounds will seal itself shut in a matter of seconds.Weaknesses
While their thirst is certainly something that can be seen as a weakness in its own right, vampires sacrifice much more for the sake of their immortality. In a twist of irony, their immortal life is always in danger at the slightest weakness; no matter what bloodline it may be.Fear of Silver
Silver is hot to a vampire's hand and will scald their flesh away to ash. Silver is exceptionally deadly to a vampire. Water is often prepared with powdered silver to create tonics called Holy Water, which can be used to splash over vampires to create a caustic reaction that makes their flesh melt like candle wax.Running Water
While fresh water is safe for a vampire, their body cannot tolerate moving water. Their bodies are inexplicably pulled by the slightest force of moving water -- the gentlest rapids will sweep them away until they wind up waterlogged onto the shores. Vampires hold a deep fear of the water as a result.Empty Existences
Pictures, filming, and reflections of a vampire will always be replaced by nothing but empty air. Interestingly enough, all paintings will slowly fade to a blank canvas over time, requiring maintenance when crafted. The world refuses to acknowledge a vampire's existence, and their image is kept only in person.Transmission & Vectors
Vampirism is not something that is easily contracted, contrary to popular myth.
While it is said that vampires are more than capable of spreading like any other disease, they are far less dangerous than the likes of the The Blood Curse, which is far more discriminant in its infection. Vampirism is treated as less of a curse and much more of a gift among their kind; it must be willingly passed down from the bloodline.
Some say that a vampire's bite spreads the disease like a virulent plague, consigning its victim to an eternal life of red hunger.
Others say that vampires trap their victims and place them under a cruel ritual that forever changes them into their own kind, allowing them to be bent to the will of their vampiric masters.
More will argue with the idea that vampirism is simply genetic; and spreads through progeny by damning an entire bloodline the moment it's given the opportunity to spread. Scholars to this day still debate on how vampires are born or created, but the widely considered thesis is that vampires can and will convert others into their own if given an opportunity.
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The First Feast
The truth behind a vampire's creation is far more harrowing. It is made through a ritual called the First Feast; wherein all blood is drained from the victim, down to the very last drop. Afterwards, they are fed blood from a vampire until they're free to walk and feed as their 'father'. This ritual is an act of pure trust; and is never spoken of outside of vampiric bloodlines. Vampires are known to hunt those that would dare speak this secret to the world.History
Vampirism began close to the advent of the The Three Kingdoms Era.
Humans, envious of Elven immortality, implored the Elves would grant them their long lives.
Scholars are still uncertain where the Elven people have procured the secrets to their longevity, but sacred rites and rituals have lead to humanity being bestowed their own form of long life -- at a price.
They must consume the life of another in order to prolong their own.
The Mordencrast Conspiracy
Generations passed where vampires were able to root themselves safely within the walls of their castles and away from their unsuspecting peasantry. All three human Kingdoms were, during this time, ruled by vampiric masters that fed upon their people in secret -- save for Ignan, which, against the will of the other states, eagerly embraced its new rule. As citizens disappeared from the streets, suspicions across the many Kingdoms began to grow. It soon became apparent that the beloved royal lines were no longer truly beloved, but were blood drinking Demons to be condemned. The Church began purging noble families; starting with many noble lines being slaughtered across the entire continent. Eventually, the Crusades turned their blade towards the source of the vampirism; the Elves suffered the true brunt of The Crusades wrath. This eventually culminated with the advent of the The Blood Curse; most vampires were eradicated from the Continent along with the Elves, but some family lines still remain -- such as the Belrose family that still rules Ignan to this day.
Type
Magical
Children
Origin
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Extremely Rare
Affected Species
If I'm reading this right, vampirism has in essence a divine origin, is that right? And turned its vampires, eventually, into lizardmen/snakepeople? That's a new take I haven't seen before - very cool :D Usually Vampirism is a curse or disease, but rarely a "gift" like that. Thanks, Zzath.
Creator of Araea, Megacorpolis, and many others.