Vampyre Aging

== Aging ==
As the Vampyre Virus is considered a pandoravirus, and therefore a DNA (as opposed to RNA) virus, it brings several unique qualities to the host cells that vary from a typical infection. One of these effects is its unique RNA transcriptase process. As host DNA is replicated from healthy cells during reproduction, the Vampyre Virus carries the original DNA to its destination, binding to the host cell to form its specialization and transcribing a young, healthy portion of the host DNA molecule to the host cell. This decreases the "wear and tear" that human DNA suffers from, as the transcription process (which modifies the host DNA) oftentimes removes superfluous 'junk' sequences from host DNA and provides a continuity in telomere length and composition. Telomeres, which are repeating sequences of joined nucleic acids known as base pairs, prevent DNA from being corrupted during replication. In normal human lifespans, these are shortened over time and can result in abnormal DNA function, to include the growth of cancer or substandard cellular makeup. In Vampyre cells, their DNA is maintained via telomere conservation, and results in slower aging. Combined with the virus' ability to aid cellular function and instigate stem cell production for repairs, long lifespans of up to 2,500 years are possible (if infected in utero, results determined through computer simulation via Eric's specialized programs). From a practical standpoint, the biological structure of the Vampyre Virus is self-adapting, but not perfect, and would likely result in a significant decrease of efficacy at 1,000 years. No living Vampyre has yet died of old age or natural causes. 
The effect of the Vampyre Virus on aging is similar the the concept of "Dog Years," albeit with several caveats. Hormones (primarily HGH, ACTH, TPO, TRH, testosterone, and estrogen) are each involved heavily in the development and growth of the human/Vampyre bodies and are heavily reactive to the Vampyre Virus. This leads to rapid development of children, who can grow to adulthood in roughly five years, but plateu and age significantly slower for the majority of their lifetime. Because of this rapid childhood growth, it is common social practice among Vampyre families to convert any human children when they reach the age of sixteen, rather than at earlier ages. This gives children the opportunity to grow naturally and obtain the experiences of childhood socialization, as well as mitigating any struggles that accompany parental efforts to manage a child growing at a near-exponential rate. 
In computer simulations, a developmental "fallout" is expected at approximately 900 years (870-1,260), leading to a sharp decline in functionality and - potentially - the death of the virus itself. This would theoretically return the Vampyre to their human form for the duration of their life, and they would age significantly faster until death from natural causes. A chart can be found below detailing an approximation of age comparison, assuming Vampyrism from birth. During the adult lifecycle, the comparative ratio (est.) for [Years Alive]:[Apparent Age] is roughly (28.5:1).
== Vampyre Vs. Human Age comparison chart ==
Chronological (Human) Years of Age	Apparent (Visual) Age as a Vampyre
Infant 	Infant (Growth to toddler within one year)
1 	3
2 	5
3 	8
4 	12
5 	15
6 	18
7-121 	19-23
122-236 	24-28
237-350 	29-33
351-464 	34-37
465-578 	38-42
600-850 	Mid-40's
850-900 	50-59
90-950 	59-75
950-1000 	76-100
1001+ (Estimated 1:1 aging) 	100+ (Estimated 1:1 aging)
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