Vampyr (Race)

**Vampyrs** are a specific type of human or humanoid known for their immortality, odd-colored skin and eyes, nocturnal nature, and most importantly having the need to feed on the blood of non-vampyrs. Most of the Vampyrs live in the far northwest of Grimur under the Empire of Nylorn, but Vampyrs from other lands are not unheard of.

## Appearance

Vampyrs typically appear as human-like creatures with long ears and a long set of fangs; they are also known for their unique skin colors. In the case of light tones they are a very pale beige, green or blue showing their undead skin. For darker tones they incline more to a dark amber or yellow brown hue instead of a reddish brown.

Vampyrs have black nails by nature. Most Vampyrs have blonde, ginger, silver, or dark hair, but some dye their hair to any other hue to their liking.

As for their eyes, all Vampyrs have bright glowing eyes in a red, orange, amber or yellow tone. The Imperial Family of Nylorn is known to have purple-colored eyes. Eye color is inherited from the Vampyr that turned the former human in those who were not born Vampyrs; in those that were, eye color is inherited either from one or the other parent, or a mix of both.

## Physiology & Abilities

Vampyrs are stronger and faster than most typical humanoids. On average a healthy Vampyr can run at 40-55mph (65-85kmh) and lift up to 8 times an equivalent human's body weight in strength.

### Injuries and illnesses

Vampyrs are immortal beings that don't age or die naturally, but can still be killed if wounded with a lethal strike, such as severe wounding to bleed out before they can heal said wound(s), or any organ damage that would not have enough time to heal before being lethal, such as damaging the heart, lungs or brain.

Still, a Vampyr can heal at a faster rate than any other similar creature, being able to heal any broken bone in just under a week or heal deep cuts in a matter of days with no permanent scarring (unless damaged with silver, which slows down the healing process). Vampyrs, unlike superstition may imply, can be in direct sunlight but only for a short period of time. While most paler humans, elves, and the like get a tan or sun burn after a couple of hours directly under the sun, Vampyrs get worse sunburns that if left untreated may rapidly grow infected and cause serious damage.

Even with a faster healing process, some options can be used to slow down this factor. Wounds caused by silver, direct sunlight, or another Vampyr using their natural weapons (claws and teeth) will not heal as fast as other wounds and may leave scars behind.

### Lifespan

Vampyrs are immortal beings. They've been here since before the dawn of civilization. Today only a select few can remember the beginning of history. Life expectancy in Vampyric life is usually somewhere between 300-900 years for the average Vampyr commoner, and 600-1800 for a member of nobility. This is due to the fact that the average Vampyr may cause their own demise one way or another, when they are killed by a mortal or another Vampyr for any reason (going to war, provoking a fight, being hunted down by vampire hunters, or simply being victim to a lethal accident). Even though theoretically Vampyrs could live forever, not one has proven this as none have ever lived through all time successfully.

Most commoners have an age up to 600 years, though most vampyr nobility has an average lifespan almost double of this at around 1500 years. Most recently-turned vampyrs tend to be under a century old. Very few vampyrs are over the age of 1800; all from this time were born during the warlord era, and it is miraculous that they even survived. Some vampyrs claim to be over 3000 years old, yet it is effectively impossible to confirm these claims, and they may merely be lying.

## Culture

Vampyrs see themselves as the "apex predator" of the world, preying on humans and other civilized creatures. Despite being on top of their mortal counterparts, most are nonetheless encouraged to be humble and do not feel superior over others. Only a select few still believe themselves to be greater than others. Some families may call themselves purebloods, as all their members were born Vampyrs instead of being humans turned into Vampyrs. Foreigners are seen as strangers, and if they do not know anything about their species yet may be a bit more on the distrustful side, not knowing anything about them, their culture, or what they can physically do.

Vampyrs are surprisingly open about drug use, sexuality, etc. They have a "code of no harm" meaning that as long as whatever action you are doing is not affecting others in a negative way (real negative impact, not just "my feelings got hurt cause I don't approve of that") they'd just let you mind your own business. So most likely they wouldn't mind it at all. Vampyrs have no racist, sexist, or homophobic tendencies. They only tend to draw a line between mortals and immortals no matter your race, age or sexuality. And some Vampyrs would also draw the line between natural born Vampyrs and "impure" turned Vampyrs depending on the individual.

Due to their sensitivity to sunlight, Vampyrs prefer to concentrate in the northern latitudes. In the winters of the far north, where nights last longer or even for entire months at a time, Vampyrs thrive. Conversely, however, they do not fare well in the polar summers where the opposite of near-constant daylight occurs.

### Religion

The largest Vampyr religion is Zilthurism. There are three sects, although one of them is only practiced illegally by humans in Nylorn. There are also various minor cults spread around the empire that, although heretic in nature are not being actively chased by the authorities unless they prove to be a problem.

## Becoming a Vampyr

### Eligibility

To turn into a Vampyr, first one must see if they are compatible. The turnee must be genetically similar or identical to humans. The closer they are to *Homo sapiens,* phylogenetically speaking*,* the better their chances to mutate into a Vampyr. To become one, a Vampyr must drain their own fresh blood and feed it to the turnee, or intravenously transfer it. This is not something done lightly, as the amount of blood required could be lethal depending on the individuals involved.

Vampyr conversion has a sense of importance similar to parenthood. The individual who converted someone has a sense of responsibility for said individual and it is expected of them to care for their new spawn, and guide them in their new lives as immortals. Failing to do so, abandoning spawns, or turning people for no reason is badly viewed by the vampyric community.

### Process

It is not an exact science as it varies a lot from person to person, but at least **1 liter (.26 gallons)** of blood must be exchanged in order for it to have any chance to succeed. This process will take hours and must be done carefully, as not giving enough blood (or on the other hand giving too much) could have a negative impact on either party.

If a mortal doesn't get enough blood, they just succumb to a sickness presenting various symptoms dependent on the species, and if left untreated could prove lethal. If a mortal is given way too much blood, the mutation would cause a blood disease (similar to Leukemia) that would be fatal for the individual in just a matter of days or weeks. Because of this, conversion is not something done lightly and must be carefully thought out for the people involved just like any other major life decision.

### Who *should* be turned into a Vampyr, then?

Anyone a vampyr is close to that they'd want to stick around with forever, or who did something great in the vampyr's life that merits this honor. As this can be lethal for either or both parties, it is something both should know the risks of and take precautions. Turning someone would rarely be used as a form of punishment or revenge due to the points mentioned above on the views of spawns and the implications and risks that come with it. Besides that, there are unwritten rules agreed generally by the vampyric community on who you **shouldn't** turn into a vampyr. This includes:

* People who are badly sick and may not survive the transition. Conversion shouldn't be seen as an elixir to cure all diseases.
* People who in their species are now elders/seniors
* People who in their species are too young (teenagers or below). If someone was turned at this stage they'd stay in a body of this size for eternity never able to fully mature physically. In the case of very young children they may never be able to mature mentally either.
* People who are seen as undesirable by the vampyric community. This includes vampyr hunters, priests and any other vampyr haters who do not deserve to be blessed with this gift.