Dracula

**Count Dracula** (his first name is never disclosed) is the titular main antagonist of the 1897 legendary horror novel *Dracula* by the late author Bram Stoker. Universally recognized as the archetype of the vampire, he is one of the most famous fictional characters and horror icons of all time. Dracula is a centuries-old vampire, sorcerer and Transylvanian nobleman, who rules over his namesake palace known as Castle Dracula and he attempts to expand his realm in England but is thwarted and destroyed by the protagonists.

Dracula is an antagonist in the World Protection Security Agency series, who makes his first appearance in WPSA: Strike the Blood. He is later allied by Starro and Mister Mind, where he has plans to take over Itogami Island and turn it into his new fortress to turn the inhabitants of this island into members of his Vampire Army, as well as destroying the WPSA, once and for all.

## Appearance

Bram Stoker was thought to have based his character upon the historical figure Vlad Tepes, ruler of Wallachia in the 15th century, also known as Vlad Dracul and "Vlad the Impaler". Unlike the vampires of Eastern European folklore - which are portrayed as repulsive, corpse-like creatures - Dracula is handsome and charismatic, exuding a veneer of aristocratic charm which masks his unfathomable evil. He is widely regarded as a metaphor for vice, depravity and illicit sex.

Count Dracula's appearance is described thus:

It must be noted that the most iconic portrayals of the Count depict him as a black-haired, clean-shaved, middle-aged man, in stark contrast with the old man sporting a mustache of the novel.

## Personality

Dracula is noted for having been an admirably brave and noble, if ruthless, man when alive, but as an undead he is horribly cruel and heartless, only regarding people as preys to feed on and servants to use and trample. He is suave, refined and sophisticated, being able to seamlessly pass for a perfect gentleman, unfailingly polite and considerate, but only when he needs something from someone. When he does not, he is stern and easily irked.

He is very proud and haughty, as he fully expects to be shown the respect a man of his condition deserves even under his gentleman façade. He deems the protagonists’ attempts against him futile, and reacts with scathing spite when thwarted. However, he is cautious and becomes increasingly wary of them following their progress.

He is immensely intelligent and knowledgeable, with centuries of experience and learning. He prepared his plot with the utmost care, devising counters to all possible troubles. It is stated several times that another vampire trying to do the same would fail. He can quickly adapt to new cultures and situations, and proves especially cunning during his skirmishes with the protagonists.

He knows how to cover his tracks, to create false leads and to misguide his foes to escape them, and he always learns from his mistakes. However, immortality somehow stunted his development, causing Van Helsing to refer to his intelligence as "child-like". Indeed he will first rely on external help, before figuring that he can do better on his own and how, and he needs to experience a situation to fully grasp it.

Many adaptations make the Count a more fleshed-out, three-dimensional character. Some make him an anti-hero who laments his curse and longs for respite, and some even give him a romance with Mina. In spite of the enormous popularity of such portrayal, it must be stressed that the original Mina utterly loathes the Count; although she does wish to save the soul of the great man he once was, she wants to see the vampire destroyed as much as the other protagonists do, and proves vital in his defeat. Furthermore, she breaks down in despair when infected with vampirism, and is revolted by the prospect of becoming one of his vampire brides.

## Powers and Abilities

Dracula is described as an expert scholar with immense knowledge in many scientific fields, including alchemy. After becoming a vampire, he became a master of sorcery and necromancy. While his powers were later regarded as standard abilities for a vampire, the novel notes that he is exceptionally powerful and gifted, even for a vampire. As such, what abilities are his and his alone, and what are common abilities for a vampire remain unclear. Some of his powers like the ability to turn into elemental dust in the moonlight would not appear in most adaptations.

Dracula is as strong, fast and spry as twenty men. He can see in complete darkness and crawl across walls like a lizard. He can alter his aspect and features at will, though he needs to drink blood to rejuvenate and regain his youthful aspect. He is also able to change his size to an unknown extent. Dracula can shape-shift into almost any kind of feral beast and lower critter, like wolves, dogs, bats, rats and the like. He is also able to turn into mist and elemental dust in the moonlight, (the latter transformation being shared by his wives).

He is also able to control the weather to conjure storms, mist, wind and rain at will and to mesmerize people through eye contact or his mere presence. All feral beasts and critters around will obey his every command. Finally, he can control corpses and shares a psychic link with the vampires he sired. He can command them and gain access to their mind, but the process can be reversed.

Dracula, like all vampires in the novel, can be repelled by a religious symbol like a cross or by garlic. Sunlight does not harm him but he is notably weaker and unable to use his powers during the day. Should the sun rise after he shape-shifted, he would not be able to change form for the whole day. As such, the protagonists are able to hold their own in battle against him during daytime, while they admit that they would stand no chance by night.

He also needs to be invited to enter in an inhabited area, but as long as he has this invitation he can appear there out of nowhere. He can also enter through cracks and interstices as small as a hair. However, he would be trapped in his vault should a wild flower be placed upon it, he cannot cross a barrier made of holy wafers, and he cannot cross running waters like rivers unless the tide is at its highest or at slack levels. Finally, he must rest on the soil of his place of "rebirth" on a regular basis to sustain his powers. Such characteristic he shares with other vampires.

Vampires can be destroyed by being incinerated, immersed in running water, shot with a sanctified bullet, having their heart pierced, or getting beheaded. While the most common method to pierce their heart is by using a wooden stake, iron blades can also be used, in reference to the myths where iron harms supernatural beings. However, the adaptations tend to neglect this notion.