Vampire Vampires , also spelled Vampyres , are those affected by the condition of Vampirism ( Also known as Sanguinare Vampiris in Skyrim and Porphyric Hemophilia in Oblivion and Morrowind ) . They can feed on the blood of any warm - blooded creatures , but are infamous for targeting mortal s . The types of vampire present in Tamriel are said to number over a hundred , with nine variations in the Iliac Bay alone , each with its own powers and abilities . Typically ( and rightfully ) associated with undeath , vampires are related by legend to the Daedric Prince Molag Bal , who is referred to as the " Kin - father " of vampires . As the legend states , Bal is the father of the first vampire , which leads to all of vampirekind being considered his offspring . Considered to be a " blight of the world , " Vampires are recognized as the strongest type of undead found in Tamriel , and are plagued by uncontrollable thirst for blood . That causes a vampire ' s first kill to commonly be a friend or otherwise acquaintance of their mortal selves . Along with lich and wraith s , vampires are among the few undead types that are recognized as sentient ( as opposed to being bound by a necromancer ' s will ) and capable of understandable speech . Vampires are often recognizable by the exceptional paleness of their skin and alert eyes , as well as visible signs of restlessness . They are also weak to the light of the sun , as exposure burns their skin and makes the recovery of wounds impossible . Another debilitating condition is hunger , which also prevents healing , and causes the infamous , signature lust for blood that affects all vampires . One strain of vampirism especially prevalent during the Second Era — Noxiphilic Sanguivoria — however , is known to give special abilities during the night to those whom it afflicts , such as resistance to pain and courage . Those infected with this particular strain are not burned or otherwise negatively affected by sunlight . Behavior and distribution . Vampires behave differently according to the individual , but certain habits are shared by most . One of the most widespread of such habits is the tendency to sleep during the day , that comes with their nocturnal habits . Feeding behavior varies , and vampires claim victims in their own way , whether by attacking conscious people , silently feeding during their sleep . or using a spell to make them their Vampire ' s Thrall . Skyrim . The most powerful vampire tribe of eastern Skyrim , the Volkihar , are known as paranoid and cruel , never venturing out of the ice - coated lakes of which they live under except to feed , which they tend to do whilst the target sleeps . Other remarkable groups within the province include Movarth ' s Coven , led by the ex - vampire hunter and ancient vampire Movarth Piquine . They inhabit Movarth ' s Lair in Hjaalmarch , and plan to take over the city of Morthal by having the local Nord vampire Alva seduce the guards and turn them one by one into vampires ; then wrangling up the townsfolk and exploiting them as cattle . The plan is stopped in the 3rd Century of the Fourth Era , when the Last Dragonborn destroys the coven . In Falkreath Hold , the Nord vampire Vighar ( an ancestor of Jarl Dengeir of Falkreath ) , leads a coven in Bloodlet Throne that is destroyed upon his descendant ' s request ; and the couple of vampires Hern and Hert run Half - Moon Mill , where they use local animals and travelers as food source . The Dark Brotherhood is given a contract to kill the male , Hern , but the fate of the female , Hert , depends on the player . Cyrodiil . A single group exists in Cyrodiil , a powerful clan of vampires which ousted all competition , and are remarked as much more civilized and organized than most tribes ; they are able to pass themselves off as mortal , so long as they remain well - fed ( and thus , very hard to find ) . Much like the Volkihar of Skyrim , they feed during their victims ' sleep and consider discretion to be the greatest of their virtues . They focus most of their time on the pursuit of influence , political and otherwise , and are skillful in their manipulation of Cyrodilic society . Valenwood . In northern Valenwood , four tribes are known , the Telboth , Yekef , Keerilth and Bonsamu . The Telboth first prey upon children , eventually taking their place in the family and waiting for years before claiming all of them as victims ; while the Yekef are said to swallow men whole . The Keerilth have a signature ability of temporarily disintegrating into mist ( whether on land or underwater ) ; and Bonsamu are said to be indistinguishable from ordinary Bosmer except when seen by candlelight . Morrowind . In Morrowind , which has a violent antipathy for necromancy and vampires as part of local culture , they were believed to be extinct for centuries . There are three known bloodlines in the island of Vvardenfell : the Quarra , dubbed the most savage of vampire bloodlines , who are known for their exceptional strength and endurance , and attack in a state of ecstatic frenzy ; the Aundae , who are potent spellcasters and seek to hypnotize victims before feeding ; and the swift and agile Clan Berne who prefer stealth and ambush , first poisoning the victim with a bite , then withdrawing to a safe distance and returning to feed only when the prey is weakened . It is also noted that the " Ash Vampire " of Ashlander legend is not undead , and has never been linked to any of the known clans of Tamrielic vampires . It is unknown whether the vampires begun to sneak back into the province or if long - dormant ones have been awakened , but by 3E 427 , they had already made a significant return . Iliac Bay . The Montalion of the mouth of the Bjoulsae River contact new " family members " by letter , and alone have the power of inherent teleportation and curing of paralysis ; they dominate the regions of Wayrest , Bhoriane , Gavaudon , Satakalaam , Lainlyn and Mournoth . Their mentors are known to be very patient with new vampires . High Rock . In High Rock , a group called the Glenmoril Wyrd inhabits Breton cities ; and the Vraseth Clan , who are gifted with nimbleness , dominate the regions of Daggerfall , Betony , Glenpoint , Kambria , Tulune and Glenumbra . The Thrafey , whose bloodline grants the ability of restoring damaged tissue , controls the regions of Daenia , Dwynnen , Ykalon and Urvaius . The Garlythi are gifted with the ability to magically shield themselves from damage , and dominate the regions of Northmoor and Phrygias . The Lyrezi Clan are gifted with invisibility and the ability to magically silence their enemies ; and control the regions of Alcaire , Koegria , Menevia , Orsinium , the Wrothgarian Mountains and Balfiera . The Haarvenu are gifted in the school of Destruction magic , and dominate the regions of Anticlere , Ilessan Hills , and Shalgora . Hammerfell . In Hammerfell , the Selenu Clan , who are resistant to elemental attacks , dominate the regions of Abibon - Gora , Ayasofya , Pothago , Cybiades , Sentinel , Kairou and Myrkwasa in Hammerfell . The Anthotis are gifted with great intellect , and dominate the regions of Alik ' r , Antiphyllos , Bergama , Dak ' fron and Tigonus . The Khulari are gifted with the ability to paralyze their prey , and dominate the regions of Santaki , Totambu , Kozanset , Ephesus and the Dragontail Mountains . Black Marsh . In Black Marsh , there is the Whet - Fang sodality , whose members use of magicka to keep captives catatonic and harvest from them the " red nectar " . Both the Glenmoril Wyrd and the Whet - Fang are recognized as possible rivals by the Cyrodilic vampires . Other . Vampire groups exist in Elsweyr and the Summerset Isles , but not much is known about them . The bloodline of Lamae Beolfag is afflicted by the disease Noxiphilic Sanguivoria ( rather than the more common Porphyric Hemophilia and Sanguinare Vampiris ) . As a consequence , the vampires of this group neither burn nor weaken in the sunlight , but rather become more powerful once night falls . Their abilities include invisibility . A particular way of acquiring this strand of vampirism is through the " Rite of Scion " , in which a mortal ' s blood is fully replaced by that of Lamae herself . This rite turns one afflicted by vampirism into a Scion , a stronger variety of vampire . These vampires don ' t worship Molag Bal , but rather hate him in accordance with Lamae ' s will . Having new recruits profane symbols of Bal is part of the ritual . The exact name of this bloodline is unknown but they were extremely common in the Second Era , and were not limited to any particular area of Tamriel . Origins . Most vampires trace their lineage to a distant common ancestor , an unwilling Nedic virgin called Lamae Beolfag ( commonly referred to as Bloodmatron Lamae , Lamae Bal and Blood - matron ) , who was defiled by Bal . With her , he spawned the race of monsters known as vampires , who then set upon nomads , spreading his corruption further . Other species of vampires are said to be the result of other pacts and bargains with Molag Bal , who promises immortality and power , but gives the afflicted " an eternity of damnation . " The Tribunal Temple ' s doctrine teaches a different version of the origin of vampires , but still sees Bal as their progenitor . In the legend , Molag Bal ( called the " Father of Monsters " ) spawned the first vampire upon the corpse of a defeated foe , whose nature varies by account . In some versions , the foe is a Daedra Lord , in others a Temple Saint or a powerful beast . It is noted that such legend only appears in Morrowind ' s lore . Vampirism . For Vampirism in specific games :