Vampirisim

Vampirism is a necrotic curse that decays a body into a state of unlife, resulting in a plethora of corporeal transformations in the process. Vampires are a particularly powerful variety of undead creatures, and can be classified most simply into two broad categories. Jiangshi, or 'wild' vampires, and Yinzhe, or 'noble' vampires.

## Origin

According to legend, Vampirism originates from Xiousha. Long ago, in the land to the East, a powerful dynasty ruled the land. The coffers of their greedy lord were filled by the riches of conquest, an abundance of excellent harvests and the opening of hundreds of precious mines. His wealth and power were unmatched, but he was still displeased and he bemoaned his aging. He gathered sages from all the land, magi, apothecaries and elders. He gave them only one task, to make him immortal. The vast riches of the Empire were consumed in the search for immortality. Expeditions were sent out to roam the great seas, delving into ancient and timelost ruins. Great allowances were given to aspiring necromancers and healers, seeing rapid development in their fields of study. Bubbling away beneath the royal castle was a vast array of alchemical experiments. Unnatural secrets were in time unfurled, and what remained of the kingdom's wealth was spent on the final ritual to extend his life. Soon, however, his kingdom was destroyed - unable to pay its armies.

It is said that the Undying King still roams Xiousha, draining blood to quench his thirst and attempting to re amass his enormous wealth. From him, the vampiric bloodlines were formed by those that pledged to serve him - but the word of a vampire is worth little. Unlike the pureblooded Yinzhe, whose curse is transferred by a ritual, the Jiangshi arise in a number of ways. Some believe them to be merely degenerated Yinzhe, though it is also said that they are created through biting rather than an ancient ritual. Another tale says that Jiangshi were soldiers twisted by the Undying King to destroy his enemies.

## Bloodlines

### Harkusson

The Harkusson bloodline originates from Lord Olaf Harkusson, ruler of Vekra. Due to their proximity to the Empire, and their habitual ousting from Carolian nobility, the Harkusson bloodline is well known to Imperial citizens. They excel in the dark arts of flesh-shaping and alchemy. Cold, calculating, brutal.

### Roseblood

The Roseblood bloodline originates from the Undying King, but has since proliferated amongst the nobility of Laeoyas and to the petty human Kingdoms to the north of the Carolian Empire. The Rosebloods are infamous for seducing young and beautiful women, only to capture and destroy their hearts - this is believed to be the method of creating a banshee. Unlike other vampires, they are attractive rather than hideous, and posess a significant amount of charisma and charm.

## Common Varieties

The Jiangshi are difficult to categories due to the wild variations between them. Generally, they are beast-like, savage and indiscriminate. While their powers are not comparable to Bloodline vampires, each boasts a unique blend of dark powers.

### Chrom

Night falls upon a town, but as Aurorae rises, the colour does not return. Chrom vampires drain colour itself from the places they inhabit. When harvesting a victim, they drain every essence of its lifeforce, turning them into hollow and ashen clumps. They are particularly sadistic, and enjoy torturing their victims for extended periods. They are believed to be created from severely depressed psychotics.

### Mentora

A woman looks at herself each day in the mirror. Something changes slightly, but she doesn't realise until its too late. The Mentora feeds upon thoughts, memories and hopes. They replace these with themselves through a series of dreams. Slowly, the victim loses and semblance of their identity and becomes one with the Mentora. No longer are they tied to a single body, instead they inhabit a whole host, bounded together by the single possessive desire to assimilate. They mimic human behaviour, but can be told apart if trained correctly. They are believed to be created from the paranoid, and the jealous.

### Ragarum

A beast possessed with boundless rage and the abilities to enact wrath. The most common Jiangshi, a mindless beast with unnatural strength and an abominably transformed body. They will simply kill everything in their vicinity until they are put down. They are believed to be created from those that seek revenge.

## Alleged Powers and Vulnerabilities

### Vulnerabilities

It is said that the greed of the Undying King is so strong that it has passed down to all Yinzhe. Accordingly, they are reported to count every coin they come across.

They are particularly vulnerable to silvered weapons, especially those blessed by Luna.

The cleansing light of Aurorae is said to deter these beasts.

Running water allegedly burns the unliving.