Dhampyr Dhampyrs , also known as " daywalkers , " are living creatures who have inherited some of the tainted blood of vampire s . Some are the descendants of male vampires and mortal females , but many others have dhampyrs for parents and some result from a vampire of either sex biting a pregnant female . A dhampyr ' s powers may lie dormant for years before being quickened ; dhampyrs may also have children who are normal in every respect . Possessing some of the strengths of vampires and none of their traditional weaknesses , dhampyrs are simultaneously valued and discriminated against by both sides of their heritage . Ecology . Physical characteristics . Dhampyrs are thin and willowy , with pale skin and slightly pointed ears . They have slightly pronounced canines and blood - red eyes . Dhampyrs are unharmed by sunlight or positive energy the way true vampires are . Many dhampyrs feel the characteristic bloodlust of a vampire as well as the ability to feed off of blood for sustenance or healing , though their thirst is much milder than that of true vampires and not all or even most dhampyrs carry out the practice . Abilities . In addition to the characteristic " blood drain " ability shared by nearly all of their kind , some dhampyrs develop other unnatural abilities . Some fairly common abilities are the ability to move more quickly , enhanced nightvision , or even the ability to transform into a mist for under a minute once per day . More advanced abilities might allow them to charm enemies into a daze , give them enhanced vitality from blood drinking , or grant dhampyrs other abilities that make them more like their vampiric kin . The time it takes for vampiric abilities to awaken in dhampyrs varies from one person to another . In some cases , the marks of a dhampyr ' s heritage skip a generation , awakening in later descendants . In other cases , dhampyrs awaken their vampiric heritage early in their life . In addition to abilities gained from their vampiric heritage , most dhampyrs possess the standard abilities and physical characteristics of their mortal heritage , whatever that may be . Psychology . Because of their unusual circumstance of being not only half - breeds , but the spawn of the living dead , dhampyrs often feel out of place no matter where they are . Grim and somber , dhampyrs often are guarded and obsessive , though they also exhibit a great deal of patience and a penchant for black humor as well . The degree of outcast feeling , however , varies from individual to individual , however , and depends to a certain degree on the environment in which a dhampyr is raised . Dhampyr raised unaware of their vampiric blood may more or less pass as normal , while those who are aware of their heritage have a greater tendency to develop a fascination with death and macabre practices such as blood drinking or black humor . Some of the latter even develop a vampire - like thirst for blood , though this derives from a psychological , rather than a physical need . Culture . Dhampyrs may be born into mortal society or they may be raised by vampires and treated as special but lesser members of a vampire clan . In the former case , how dhampyrs are treated depends largely on whether or not the dhampyr ' s neighbors knows of their true nature . In cases where a dhampyr ' s heritage is a secret known to only a few , many can safely pass as normal without incident . When a dhampyr ' s true nature is known , however , they are frequently mistreated , though in some cases their vampiric ancestry is treated as a boon rather than a curse . Dhampyrs raised among vampire are another matter . Most vampires see their progeny as special creatures , above the average mortal though of less value than a true vampire . As a result , dhampyrs are the favored thralls of true vampires , who utilize them as soldiers and assassins , giving them tasks that are beneath a true vampire but allow opportunity for prestige nonetheless . In some cases , dhampyrs are even allowed to use the names of vampire clans as their surname , a high honor on vampiric society . Some dhampyrs view their heritage as a curse , others as a blessing . The former often turn to hunting their undead brethren , becoming deadstalkers who hunt down vampires and other undead , turning vampires ' own abilities against them . Those who feel their heritage makes them special , however , are more likely to become bloodknight s , using their supernatural abilities as a tool to make them deadlier warriors .