Vampires

Vampires is a term for a the undead creatures created by Mithras. They are known for their need to consume the blood of living beings, everlasting life, access to powerful magicks, and a variety of supernatural weaknesses, the notable of which is an aversion to sunlight.

## Clans

### Waldfolk

The Waldfolk exist primarily within the northern regions of Arvinder. In addition to the enhanced physical abilities inherent to all vampires, the Waldfolk clan is possessed of the ability to transform into and control animals, as well as the power to meld with and manipulate the earth and plant life. These abilities, along with many thousands of years of culture, result in most of the Waldfolk choosing to live in the wilderness, feeding upon beasts. Some, however, do choose to settle down and live as warlords in various vampiric communities.

## Physiology

Whilst different variations vampires all have unique attributes which set them apart from each other, nearly all species share several common characteristics.

### Aging

Vampires are functionally immortal, and their bodies do not suffer from any form of degradation as a result of aging. However, as a vampire ages, the magic which sustains them will steadily grow more potent, resulting in their powers becoming stronger.

### Bloodlines

Tales of vampires throughout the world are confusing and contradictory, speaking of numerous different physical features and traits. This is due to the fact that numerous vampire bloodlines exist, each with their own unique abilities and traits. Each bloodline can trace their origin back to a founder, or set of founders, transformed into pureblood vampires by the Deinar god Mithras for some reason or another. Every time Mithras creates a new pureblood, they will have a brief time period to develop a unique set of traits and magical abilities, which will then become inherent to all their descendants.

### Creation

Vampires spread their curse through a process they call the Embrace. To Embrace a mortal, a vampire must drain their blood to the point of death. Thereafter, the vampire will drip a few drops of their blood into the mouth of the freshly made corpse, which will rise a few moments later as a new vampire. The vampire performing the Embrace is known as the sire, and the vampire-to-be receiving it is known as the progeny.

### Diet

All varieties of vampires have a hunger for the blood of other beings, most commonly living, but occasionally from the deceased. Most require blood to survive and sustain their strength, whilst for a rare few, blood is merely desirable.

### Generation

One notable trait of vampires is that the magic which flows through each vampire grows weaker with every subsequent generation. This means that the powers of any vampire will be weaker than those of their sire. For this reason, vampires can be divided into numerous categories based on their generation.

#### Purebloods

Pureblood vampires are titanically powerful, nigh godlike creatures of the night. Pureblood vampires are created directly by Mithras himself, infused with his dark power. The extreme potency of pureblood vampirism lasts for a mere two generations after the bloodline progenitor, being held by the first pureblood's progeny, and their progeny after them.

## Abilities

Immortality: Vampires of all variations are gifted with limitless lifespans, ceasing to age once turned, or in the case of those who are born, when they reach physical maturity.

Physical Prowess: All variations of vampires are more physically capable then whatever species they were derived from, with nearly all being top tier predators capable of easily slaughtering most humanoids.

Regenerative Abilities: Most every vampire variation is able to rapidly regenerate tissues that are damaged, with the speed of healing always being bolstered by the consumption of blood.

## Weaknesses

Aversion to Sunlight: Nearly all vampire variations are averse to sunlight. Some species are merely nocturnal, whilst others are pained by the sight of it. More serious weaknesses to it entail actual burning of the skin, and even bursting into flames within the sun's presence.