Vampyre Bodies

## Basic Physiological Enhancements

After an equilibrium is reached within the body, a specially-encoded protein is utilized upon reaching a viral load threshold that bind virions to specific host cells, only after enough of the virus has spread throughout the body. Some of these bind to muscle cells, using local stem cells or undeveloped muscle cells to adapt its purpose, infecting the tissue and increasing the capacity for the production of ATP (the source of muscular energy). This is the reason that all Vampyres have a limited degree of enhanced strength, even in spite of the size of the individual. The same process takes place in all major organ systems, including the skin (for faster healing), the eyes (for enhanced vision) and the brain (to increase synaptic function and to aid in the efficiency of neurotransmitters).

### Viral Nourishment

As blood vessels supply plasma and erythrocytes (red blood cells) to their designated tissue groups, the virus consumes some of the necessary blood components in order to sate its needs. This often leads to shortages of iron and protein in Vampyres if untreated through an extremely high-calorie, high-protein diet, or through either the consumption of blood or Vampyre Medicine. If the virus' needs were to be neglected, this would lead to the breakdown of local host cells for sustenance until the eventual death of the host as they suffer organ failure, anemia, and other potentially fatal side effects. This is partially what occurs during Vampyre pregnancy in some cases.

### Vampyre Nutrition

Modern Vampyres have no otherwise special dietary considerations, and do not *need* to depend on blood to live. As a Vampyre is more physically active or utilizes any abilities, the virus' demands drastically increase. If living a sedentary lifestyle, modern Vampyres could theoretically live through dietary supplementation with iron and protein increases, as well as a caloric intake of roughly 4500kcal/day. Since this is difficult for most, Vampyre Medicine is a simpler alternative. It is assumed that a lower rate of erythrocytic consumption was part of the virus' evolution, and blood or a blood substitute may have been necessary for survival in Kara and some of the older Vampyres until the early 1900s, when Kara, Val, and Sonya all began to notice less frequent cravings over a period of years. The subsequent passing of this assumed mutation has led to a biological norm for Vampyres.

### Immunology

One unique quality of the virus' effects on Vampyre physiology is the fact that the immunological functions of its host are actually enhanced, rather than diminished as in the case of other diseases and viral infections. Virions have the capability to aid T-cell function in the eradication of foreign substances, and while Vampyres can still be poisoned or suffer from allergic reactions, dosing would need to be significantly higher to produce results comparable to humans. For example, a human with an exceptionally strong peanut allergy, which would normally result in anaphylaxis, may only experience a mild itching or tingling after conversion. This same concept can be applied to a variety of immunological concepts, with the virus adapting to aid leukocytes (white blood cells) by increasing production in bone marrow upon reaction to a foreign agent. One exception to this concept is digestive complications, such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance. As this depends on a bacterial microbiome, there is little effect on gastrointestinal function or flora, other than an increased metabolic rate of digestion, that the virus produces.