Vampire

**Vampires** are supernatural beings who subsist by feeding on the blood of living creatures (mainly humans). They are so far the only known supernatural being of the Venom & Blood universe but it is theorized that their are others.

## History

The origin of vampires and their venom is unknown. Most vampires choose to live out their existence as nomads, with only a few choosing to create or join covens. Because of their naturally nomadic nature, vampire history is rarely passed down or shared. It is said that the first vampires are long dead and that the history died with them.

## Physiology & Characteristics

### Physical Appearance

Vampires who are well fed and healthy are extraordinarily beautiful. They are irresistibly alluring and some are described as having "angelic beauty". Their skin appears pale due to the hardening and impenetrability of their vampiric skin and their lack of regular blood flow. Although their skin is tough and nearly impenetrable, it has a smooth and almost soft feel, being described "smooth as silk" and "soft as cashmere" to the touch. Their skin also has a very subtle pearlescent luster in some lightings. Their skin is also bulletproof unless the bullet is made of silver.

### Eyes

Vampire eyes are crimson red and slightly brighten in color after a feed. Their eyes reflect light in the dark. which is caused by their ability to see in the dark. A vampire who hasn't fed for an extended period of time will develop milky or clouded eyes, which slowly begins to weaken their vision, forcing them to rely heavily on their sense of hearing and smell.

### Teeth & Fangs

A vampire's teeth are flawless and razor sharp. They are also incredibly strong, able to bite through almost any solid material. They have two sets of fangs on the top and bottom for a total of four, with their outer canine fangs being longer than their inner fangs. Along with their fangs, their back teeth are also serrated. Their sets of fangs are slightly retractable, growing longer the more they open their mouths. Their teeth are also venomous, affected by the vampire venom that flows in their mouths.

### Bodily Functions

Vampires do not have bodily functions, their body is sustained by the venomous bodily fluid that flows through their bodies. They do not produce waste which means they do not have to use the bathroom, and they do not produce sweat which means they do not have body odor. However they do produce a scent that is alluring to humans.

The heart and brain seem to be the only functioning organs in the body. A vampire’s heart does not beat and is in a continuously dormant state unless they are feeding. During feeding, the heart begins to pump fast and strong. This is because the heart has to pump the new intake of blood throughout the body to provide nutrients to its cells. This is also why the vampire may feel warmer than normal after they feed. Once feeding is over, the heart will slow and eventually return to its dormant status.

### Blood

A healthy vampire’s blood is described as a dark plum color. Their blood becomes darker the longer they go without consuming blood. A starved vampire in the feral state has blood that is almost black in color.

## Diet & Nutrition

Vampires subsist on blood as their only food source. They need to consume blood regularly to stay health and of a sound mind. Blood is what gives vampires their strength and vigor. When a vampire feeds, it is described as a transfixing experience that has a euphoric and almost orgasmic feeling. Vampires can get by on animal blood but it is not satisfying and makes them weaker than a vampire who consumes human blood.

The venom in their mouths helps to immobilize their victim as they feed. Vampires normally drain their victims unless they plan to turn them. Some vampires, like Lady Merlot, cut their victims instead of biting them as to not make a mess and to pour their victims blood into glasses to drink from.

### Starved/Feral State

The longer a vampire goes without feeding, the more uncontrollable they become. Their skin also becomes more pale and begins to appear dry and more "corpse-like". Their skin is weaker but is still extremely tougher than a human's. If a vampire is starved or goes years without consuming blood, they will become more like feral undead animals. They have an extreme blood-lust that makes them incapable of comprehension and rational thinking. They lose control of their minds and only rely on instinct. Their mouths tend to be torn wide, exposing more of their teeth. This is due to their dry and more brittle skin. They become incapable of speech and are described as only producing screeches and monstrous sounds.

Due to their body's slowed regenerative capabilities, they heal much slower than a healthy vampire and are not as fast or as strong (but they are still faster and stronger than humans). Their hair begins to fall out as well since their bodies can no longer maintain is appearance. They tend to run on all fours when chasing their victims and are most often seen being naked or having very few or damaged clothing. Vampires in this state have been know to not care who they attack and can feed from or even kill health vampires if they have the advantage, although this is rare since a health vampire is much stronger and faster.

Once a vampire in this state consumes blood, they will slowly rejuvenate into their beautiful healthy status and will slowly regain control of their mind, but they will not remember anything from their time in the feral state. This requires large amounts of blood however.

## Transformation

> *"I was burning. I wasn't literally on fire, but the entire inside of my body felt like it was being broiled inside an all-consuming volcanic oven. A pulsating scorching fire raged through my veins and seemed to devour every inch of my tissues."*
> ― Matthew Kinley
>
>

The vampire transformation is said to be the most painful and excruciating experience one could ever go through. A human can be changed into a vampire by a vampire's venomous bite.

Once a human is bitten, the venom from inside the vampire's mouth enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body to change every cell. The transformation process lasts about and hour to two hours depending on how much venom is injected into the body. During this time, all senses are cut and the only thing the human knows is burning pain. The body tries to fight the venom's spread which results in an accelerated heartbeat, but this only pushes the venom further. The body convulses and shakes and the throat tends to fill with blood, which results in a low gurgle and prevents the subject from screaming.

The first half of the transformation is felt only on the inside of the body and the skin is described and being "untouched". During this phase, it is still easy to kill the subject since the skin has yet to be hardened and strengthened. Once this phase is over however, the venom moves to the skin where the burning sensation continues and is described as being worse than the pain before. The skin is refined, strengthened, and left flawless and nearly impenetrable. All pigments like tattoos, freckles, moles, and beauty marks disappear from the skin.

After the transformation is complete, the senses are restored and are left heightened. The newborn vampire is also left with a dry burn in their throat from their new thirst for blood. Being near a newborn vampire is dangerous for humans because they tend to lose control and attack any potential nearby victims.

### Sire Connections

The creator of a newborn vampire has a permanent sire link that can only be broken if one of them dies. This sire link is felt mostly through the sense of smell, which helps vampires know where their creator or their sire is located. The sire connection is especially useful in covens, as it bonds them together, however if the creator of a coven dies, the sire link is broken and the remaining vampires are no longer linked to one another. Vampires outside of a sire link do not give off as strong of a scent which makes it difficult for them to be located.

## Abilities

* **Enhanced Senses** - Vampires have extremely keen senses that are superior to those of humans. They possess perfect crystal clear sight, remarkable hearing, a strong sense of smell, and an enhanced sense of touch.
* **Immortality**- Vampires live forever. They never age, and are immune to all diseases.
* **Enhanced Agility** - Vampires have amazing agility, they can jump extraordinary heights and fall from heights without damage. They also have reflexes faster than those of any human.
* **Night Vision** - Vampires are able to see perfectly fine in complete darkness.
* **Superhuman Strength**- Vampires are far stronger than humans, they can lift cars, crush rocks and bend hard materials with their bare hands.
* **Superhuman Speed**- Vampires can run at speeds so fast that they become a blur. They can go short distances in a fraction of a second which makes it almost look like teleportation.
* **Supernatural Regeneration**- Vampires can heal exponentially from all wounds. Wounds from silver however take much longer to heal depending on the severity.
* **Vampirization**- Vampires are able to convert humans into vampires.

## Weaknesses

* **Sunlight** - Healthy vampires are only slightly weakened by sunlight. The longer a vampire goes without blood, the more vulnerable they are to the sun's rays, and vampires in the feral state are killed instantly by sun exposure, being reduced to ash.
* **Silver** - Silver burns vampires on contact. It also prevents them from healing wounds and can kill the vampire if the wounds are severe enough.
* **Decapitation** - Vampires, much like humans, can be killed by removing or cutting off their head, most likely by a weapon made of silver.
* **Fire** - Vampires are as vulnerable to fire as humans.
* **Impaling The Heart**- Destroying the heart with something made of silver (like a silver bullet or silver stake) can kill a vampire.

## Vampire Society & Rules

Vampires do not have an official government or ruling hierarchy. They can live anywhere and are free to do whatever they please. However, there are rules known amongst them that almost all vampires have mutually agreed to live by.

1. Keep Vampirism and the existence of vampires a secret from mortals unless they are going to be converted or killed.
2. Feral vampires must be killed as to not risk exposure.
3. Do not overfeed in any one general area.
4. Change locations periodically.
5. Avoid vampire hunters.
6. Vampire knowledge must be passed down to newborns.

## Known Covens

Below is a list of all the known covens that are discovered or mentioned so far in the Venom & Blood series.

* The Merlot Coven
* The Sendall Coven
* The Krovad Coven