| The History of Vampires; Working Draft | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 19 2013, 09:13 AM (172 Views) | |
| Vextra | Nov 19 2013, 09:13 AM Post #1 |
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On Vampires What follows is a brief treatise on the nature, origins and history of Vampires(Homo Nocturnes, or Homo Sapiens Lamia) as is currently understood. Whilst to the majority of people Vampires are by and large a mythology, or at most a stylistic or political affectation by certain ultranationalist Kandarans, to those authorised to research the subject by the Remus Council or within the Tiangai Empire, the reality of Vampires as distinct subspecies, similar to Theriantropes, is more than apparent. This work, though classified against general readership, attempts to illustrate a basic overview of what is known for sure about Vampires, both in the past and the present. Vampire Biology Let us first begin with the ultimate question: What is a Vampire? In order to anwser this question, we should perhaps begin by clarifying what a Vampire is not, and clear away some of the many confused or wrongheaded ideas that have become conflated with these creatures. Firstly, a Vampire is not someone suffering from a disease, or who has been infected. Like Theriantropes, Vampirism is an inherited condition, and appears to be an aggressively dominant mutaphagic strain of DNA. However, the exact code for the condition remains elusive, and difficult to obtain and research securely. Secondly, a Vampire is not a form of Theriantrope. This point remains more controversial, and many Tiangai in particular subscribe to the theory that Vampirism is a form of perpetual lycanthropy- of always being on the verge of transformation into a form of Werewolf or Werehound, hence the sensitivity to sunlight, but unable to make the full physical transformation. Some have suggested that Vampires may be related to Werebats, especially given the existence of so-called Vampire Bats. This leads us into the next point, and one that is often used to support the second. Given the scarcity of Werebats, this may be a moot point. Thirdly, Vampires cannot transform. They do not turn into wolves, bats, mist, or any of a plethora of legendary forms ascribed to them. Vampires remain in human form at all times, though it appears they are capable of a limited number of conscious self-enhancements, through a process of biological chemistry that is at this time poorly understood. Fourthly, Vampires are not Undead. This may seem an odd point to raise, but Vampires are in fact Living creatures. Whilst many do posess an extreme sensitivity to sunlight, and also appear to require only blood derived from humans or mammalian species for sustenance, neither of these are conclusive proof of Vampires being soulless or undead creatures. Some Vampires do suffer from extreme necrosis, or atrophying of the organs, however these may be the result of Vampires being a species in transition, one that is transitioning from humans, an omnivorous species, to something else, which is a haemovorous one. As far as we know, no Vampire that has been definitively killed has ever come back, nor do people who have been bitten by Vampires come back after death either. Whilst Vampires do posess extraordinary regenerative powers, destruction of the heart or brain is more than sufficient to terminate them completely. The legendary power of the Stake seems to stem more from the physical damage it can inflict rather than any mystical power. Finally, Vampires are not Unholy. From records of the Great Amurgos War, it is clear that many operatives believed that holy symbols, salt, garlic, silver, wolfsbane or other charms or portents would protect them from Vampiric attack. Unfortunately, this always turned out not to be the case. To date, the efficacy of these traditional remedies have had zero effect in deterring vampiric assault. Having dispelled some of the myths surrounding them, perhaps we should elaborate what a Vampire is. Vampire Behaviour Homo Nocturnes is a subspecies of human that seems to posess a highly volatile biochemical makeup, thought to derive from an aggressive and virulent strain of mutaphagic DNA. The properties of this DNA are thought to account for the many odd and exotic traits of vampires. First and foremost, they invariably posess an extreme sensitivity to sunlight, though the degree to which this effects them varies from Bloodline to Bloodline. Age also seems to play a factor, as young Vampires seem able to walk about in midday, with the worst that occurs being extremely severe sunburn. Ancient Vampires, however, have reportedly burst into flames when exposed to bright daylight, though it is difficult to imagine how this is possible. The most notable thing about Vampires, however, is what gives them their name. In addition to being forced to operate by and large nocturnally, Vampires also seem to enjoy an almost entirely haemovorous diet. It is true that there are or were rumours and unsubtantiated reports of Cannibal Vampires, particularly during the Amurgos War(see Bloodlines, War History for further details) but if so it does not seem to have been a vital part of their makeup or sustenance. Typically, from research conducted clandestinely, it is apparent that a Vampire requires a minimum of one litre of blood(preferably human) every 3 days in order to avoid falling into a coma. Older Vampires are apparently capable of controlling their descent into this torpor, and reserve some small energy to awaken at a set time. Younger vampires however, invariably wither and die over a period of a month if they remain deprived of all blood during this period. For maximum nutrition however, Vampires will typically consume half a litre of blood a day, possibly even from multiple sources. Apparently this blood also serves as fuel for some of their more extraordinary biochemical abilities, as Vampires who are exhausted or drained from activity can sometimes frenzy, and may even exsanguniate a grown adult human, drinking all 8 pints of blood in a matter of an hour or less. Vampire Traits Regarding their biochemistry, it is difficult to quantify, but it appears they have the ability to consciously alter limited parts of their external and internal biochemistry, somehow willing themselves to become stronger, faster, smarter, or a range of other traits. Bloodline seems to play a factor in what exactly a vampire can do in this regard, and again, so does Age. Ancient Vampires are able to push themselves to extaordinary levels, demonstrating strength, cunning, and raw power that can surpass even that of an individual adult male theriantrope in their prime. However, whereas a Werelion can lift a truck at any point during their transformation, even Ancient Vampires seem only able to emulate such strength and raw ability for short bursts of time, often leaving them dangerously depleted and exposed after doing so. Perhaps the strangest and most useful ability of the Vampire is their ability to share their blood with regular humans. An extremely addictive substance, many Vampires are able to form bonds of loyalty by feeding small droplets of their own blood to human servants or followers, who quickly develop a mentality similar to serial heroin users. The source of much of the reputed fanaticism of Amurgos forces during that war seems to stem from their physical addiction to the blood of their masters. These people are sometimes referred to as "Ghouls" or "Zombies", but again it should be stressed that such people are neither monstrous nor undead, simply normal humans with a dangerous addiction. Regrettably, it does not appear to be an addiction with a cure, and only 1 in 5 of those so addicted are ever able to truly shake themselves free after a period of stressful withdrawal. Many, even with such withdrawal, will remain perpetually crippled by a desire for vampiric blood for life, even if it is never again obtainable. An exact life cycle of Vampires is difficult to pin down, and to date there is no known case of a Vampire expiring of disease or old age. The oldest known Vampires were encountered during the Amurgos War, with some claiming to be well over 800 years of age. They additionally claimed to have known Vampires, in centuries past, who claimed to be far, far older. An exact point of origin for Vampirism has thus been difficult to establish, whatever fanciful stories Vampires themselves may tell. Vampire Society Vampire Culture and social behaviour has had great variety over the millenia, however due to their age and various geohistorical circumstances, some commonalities have arisen in how Vampires behave and interact, not only with each other but with the rest of humanity in general. Throughout history, there has been a general understanding amongst Vampires that they are an exception, outcasts, different from their fellow humans. They also intrinsically understand, as the parasite does of its host, that it cannot draw too much attention to itself. If it is discovered it will be destroyed, for it is few whilst its prey is many. For this reason, many Vampires prefer to work alone, solitary predators who will mimic humanity as much as possible, blending in with the crowd and feeding as discreetly as possible. However, this has not always been possible, and Vampires are human enough to feel loneliness, and seek the social company of others, aswell as to fulfill their own need to reproduce, from time to time. Vampires thus will tend to band together, initially in small groups, which are often referred to as Covens, using their blood to accrue human servants and a reliable stock of regular sustenance. Over time Covens may expand into multi-generational Covenants, often taking the name or reputed legacy of some ancient sire as a name and motiif, or perhaps uniting over a common Vampiric political or ideological set of beliefs. Only a handful of times have such Covenants expanded into what are now termed "Compacts" after the most famous such grouping. The Amurgos Compact was a superpower nation ruling many millions, but it was also headed by a Council of 12 Elder Vampires, each of whom maintained a Covenant of between several hundred to well over several thousand vampires each. Each of these vampires in turn had their own Covens filled with human loyalists. It is believed that, at its peak, the Amurgos Compact played host to well over a hundred thousand vampires of all known bloodlines, and much of its more bizarre and disturbing research went into how to effectively feed and sustain such a population. Thankfully, or perhaps regrettably for the cause of science, it is known that most, if not all, of these vampires were killed by the end of that War, with the rest being hunted down and exterminated in the years that followed. How many vampires still exist, or have come into existence since, is hard to say, but at best estimates there cannot be more than twenty-five thousand globally, and none in any positions of known national power or influence. Vampire Bloodlines Throughout history, there have been many myths and fables about the legendary abilities and powers of Vampires. Many attribute all sorts of incredible and fantastic powers and behaviours to these creatures. It is possible that once there were dozens of Bloodlines, mutations in the core Vampiric traits that allowed them to preform some of these amazing abilities. It is difficult to imagine how some of the more legendary tricks, like turning into mist or sprouting wings, were accomplished, unless the Tiangai turn out to be right and Vampires are or were also a form of Theriantrope. Nonetheless, below is all known scientific information on Vampires. Regrettably, it is worth noting that much of the information comes from the Amurgos Compact, the one superpower in modern history to be able to conduct truly vigorous and scientific testing on Vampires. As such the morality of how these results were obtained, and their veracity, must remain ambiguous, though research since conducted in secret by the Great Powers of the world have so far not encountered any major contradictions. The Lamashtu: The oldest and most widely spread bloodline, The Lamashtu are characterised most by their ferocious strength and apparent ability to sprout razor-sharp fangs and powerful claws, like those of were-wolves or werecats. Arguably the most like the Theriantropes, The Lamashtu originate somewhere in Central Azawakhta, and are perhaps the strongest surviving bloodline as a result, with many dark rumours existing of whole villages and towns deep in the deepest deserts and jungles with Lamashtu holding sway. It is not clear when they crossed over to Teohacali and Vesperia, but it is certain that sizable covens and covenants of Lamashtu exist in these continents aswell. In the Amurgos War, Lamashtu were most often used as shock-troops, codenamed "Moon Hunters" deploying from airplane or airship in the middle of the night in packs of up to 50, spreading terror and carnage in their wake before dawn arose. The Strix: The most cunning and solitary of predators, the Strix seem to posess an almost uncanny ability for fluidity and mobility, clambering up drainpipes with exceptional agility, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, and even contorting themselves to fit in tiny spaces, some too small and cramped even for human children. They are also the Bloodline most prone to suffering from organ atrophy and necrosis, speculated to be the result of their mostly human biology rejecting the mutaphagic components which make their diet and extraordinary morphology possible. Originating in Artoisa, stories of Strix predation date back at least two millenia. The Strix are also amongst the hardest to find, operating in the darkest corners of the world, rarely forming Covens of more than a few dozen, seeking out solitary humans to drain dry, preferably without them ever knowing they were there. In the War, the Strix were called "Night-Snakes" and were used as Assassins against people in high positions. They rarely held positions of any import in the Compact, however, and as such it is believed they were the most successful in escaping the Purges. The Vetalas: Often called the "Brains" of Vampire covenants and compacts, the Vetalas posess the ability to regulate their metabolism, heartbeat and body temperature, aswell as posessing near-perfect eidetic memories for every sight, sound and scent they ever encounter. Originating in Western Yantuo, the Vetalas often use their abilities to feign death or to aid in the evasion of detection, aswell as enhancing their ability to meditate and access different parts of their brain, able to operate with near savant-like levels of genius for mathematics in one moment and slow, inspired, chaotic artistry the next. This gift for self-control over their brain chemistry has made them formidable scientists and also, it is believed, inspired artists. Indeed, the terrifying weapons and pseudo-sorcery the Amurgos called on in the dying days of the war is believed to be the product of Vetala genius. Their heightened mental capacity comes at a price, however, making them amongst the thirstiest of vampires, requiring a near constant intake of human blood to sustain their heightened perception, cognitive power and metabolic self-mastery. Over a third of the Council of 12 was made up of Vetala Ancients, who it is believe were instrumental in creating the Compact in the first place. Much of what we know about Vampires comes from their own research into themselves and other kin. The Moroi: Called also the Strigoi or Stryka, the Moroi have dominated Southern Kandara since time immemorial. Their gifts seem to stray into the more esoteric, with amazing control over their vocal chords, body language and even their body's sweat and hormone production levels. These abilities are believed to be key in their apparent unnerving mastery for perusasion, coercion and even seduction. The Moroi are masters of hypnosis, auto-suggestion and other techniques for convincing people to do what they want. It was a Moroi who first called together the Council of 12 centuries ago, and created the foundations for what became the Amurgos Compact. Their ability at persuasion seems to extend even to many Theriantropes, which accounts for the unswerving loyalty many of that sub-species seemed to owe to the Compact, even as it decimated their kin in other nations. Despite their apparent ability to persuade or manipulate people with unerring skill, they themselves lack much in the way of smarts, strength or cunning, and will often delegate to those they have persuaded to work for them. This arrogance and laxity is a key weakness that has been exploited time and again. Even those who are at risk of falling into their control have been able to distract them or in some way interrupt their manipulation through appeals to their vanity and arrogance. Ultimately, however, it was the Moroi who doomed the Amurgos Compact, and gave the orders for its most destructive and final chapters, condemning millions to a painful and agonising death, and sealing the fate for all Vampires forever. The Fylgja or Fetches: Near legendary and possibly a highly-exaggerated bloodline, the Fylgja are also sometimes called the "Doppelgangers" or "Facestealers." Believed to posess the unbelievable ability to reshape their skin, epidermis and muscle tissue, the Fylgja are reputed to be perfect at stealing the identity of others, appearing as well known or trusted humans and theriantropes, making them perfect infiltrators and saboteurs. Believed to originate in Ardboras, the Fylgja are believed to have begun by stealing the identities of dead men or fallen warriors, trading on the achievements and accomplishments of those who had fallen through no effort of their own to live more comfortable lives. Some even it is believed were able to steal men's wives and raise their children as their own, as loyal ghouls ready to serve when matured. Whatever the truth, there are few surviving references to them from the Compact, and if any were used in their many devestating clandestine attacks against the Allies, then it is believed they were all wiped out in the Final Blow and during the Purges. Given their ability however, final extinction of this rare breed may be impossible to verify. The Chimeras: Almost certainly a myth, the Chimeras are, if they were ever real, likely the ancestral Bloodline of all other Vampires, reputedly posessing not just some of all of the abilities above, but also the ability to create other, pseudo-Vampires called Dhampir or Nosonthropes. If legend is to be believed, the Chimeras could turn grown humans into these lesser kin through biting them, as if passing on a disease. This flies in the face of everything we believe we know about Vampires, yet if true it would certainly explain how such a strange subspecies was able to spread and grow in times before records began. If any Chimeras exist today, they may be operating on an even deeper level than other vampires, who take exceptional care to remain hidden and out of public notice even as it is. Likely the Chimeras hide themselves even from other Vampires, for their power is such that they could easily dominate over even others like the Moroi and Vetalas. If such brethren did exist, however, their power would also be difficult to exert without revealing themselves, and all hands, human, therian or vampiric, would be turned to their destruction. Edited by Vextra, Nov 19 2013, 10:58 AM.
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