Vampires

Vampires are a type of creature within the Spectral Shadows universe. A vampire tends to result when a mortal individual makes some kind of pact with a predatory spirit animal, thus instilling in the individual The Predatory Prerogative, or the primeval code that allows some or all other creatures to be seen as inferior, and thus suitable to feed on without guilt. 
If such a pact is made with an otherwise good person, it is common to observe various inexplicable betrayals of moral values, while at the same time old loyalties may still hold sway, leading the vampire to unexpected heroics and acts of compassion. Such conflicts may cause the vampire to be tormented and confused. 
* Retractable Fangs - Vampire fangs are visible only when feeding.
* Immortality - Vampires must frequently die to renew their pact on the spirit plain. They are then regenerated in the living world. This regeneration negates aging and allows them to live virtually forever, unless destroyed by some enemy.
* Blood Draining - Vampires can suck the blood of another creature to relieve their predatory compulsions.
*Carnivorism - Some who make the pact may not be satisfied with drinking blood and need to devour the flesh of their victims. 
* Mind Control - Vampires have natural hypnotic abilities used to make victims submit. If the victim survives the attack, it will remain under the control of the vampire. Though this effect only lasts while the Vampire is in the living world, as seen with Blair Montgomery's mind control over Princess Kara.
* Energy Drain - Some Vampires retain their vitality through the draining of life energy or other emotions, such as Lucious Rhoades who subsists on fear, or Makura who subsists on spiritual torture.
*Sexuality - A vampire tends to be seen as drop dead sexy, especially by potential victims. A vampire may discriminate victims on the basis of its own sexuality. It is part of the curse that comes with the pact that the vampire will be driven to kill that which it loves.
*Transmition - The vampire may offer the victim access to the spirit realm where they can find a spirit animal to make a pact with and regenerate them. The victim is free to reject this offer and die. But this is rare, as most fear death more than anything.
*Autonomy - The victim regenerated becomes a full vampire, unable to be fed on or controlled by other vampires. Vampires may then become enemies and attempt to destroy each other. 
*Reproduction - Vampires can be sexually active, but they cannot reproduce. 
*The Sympathetic Vampire - A vampire who, for one reason or another, rejects or attempts to resist The Predatory Prerogative, due to a sympathy it feels for its victims that is stronger than the pact. This will commonly cause the vampire to live in a state of emotional torment that will unfortunately make it all the more attractive to its potential victims.
*Transformation - The vampire may temporarily take on the form of its spirit animal, or it may spiritually inhabit living animals.
*Sunlight - Though not deadly to the vampire, sunlight is something spirit animals are unaccustomed to. Thus, exposure to sunlight may cause the vampire to shield his eyes, and he may wear sunglasses everywhere in daytime. 
*Vampires In The Series - Lucious Rhoades, Nicolas Rhoades, Blair Montgomery, Michelle Duarte, Makura.
*Vampire Bats - These are not actually vampires, but they may worship vampires and may seek a means of making the pact.
*Inspiration - Though the author grew up watching Dark Shadows, Spectral Shadows vampires bear little resemblance to Dark Shadows vampires, outside of their ability to be sympathetic. The author is also familiar with classic Universal vampires. But, again, there is little resemblance. The author is not familiar with Anne Rice, Twilight or any other modern vampire franchises. Therefore, any resemblance is purely coincidental. 
Category:Races