Strain 3.0

## Andromosis-Virus, The Vampyre Strain

Vampyre is the name given to those infected with the Strain 3.0 of the Andromosis-Virus. It is common knowledge that Individuals can be directly infected with the Vampyre Strain of the Andromosis-Virus, by bite or direct contact with bodily fluids however there is a high possibly of the individual also being infected Strain 1.0. of The Andromosis-Virus as well.

From what little is known about the reasoning for this evolution stage of the Virus; it is known that they are living creatures infected with a Virus granting them immortality, superhuman physical abilities, enhanced resilience and healing but causing severe weakness to direct sunlight and reliance on regular blood consumption.

This means Vampyres have biologically immortal Transgenics, as opposed to being supernaturally immortal beings. They are also Hemovores, meaning that they feed on blood. While they primarily consume human blood, Vampyres can also consume flesh and sold foods though this is not necessary. They can also feed on other Vampyres..

## **Names Around The Known World**

Vampyres are often call different names depending on the reign they are in; recorded as the following:

* **Northern Europe:** Igle ‘Leech’ or ‘Leeches’
* **Southern Europe:** Ravenants
* **Africa:** Mwoga damu ‘Blood-Eatter’
* **Middle East:** Masas Dima' ‘Vampire’
* **Romania, Ukraine, and Russia:** Vampyre
* **Some Indigenous groups of North America:** Gagii-bi ‘Blood-Crow’
* **North America:** Vampyre or Vampire
* **Mexico:** Vampyre or Vampira(feminine) Vampiro(masculine)
* **Asia:** Ravenants
* **India:** Vetala
* **Greenland:** Adlet or Adlets
* **Australia:** Yera-Ma or Vampyre
* **South America:** Vampyre or Vampira(feminine) Vampiro(masculine)
* **Egypt:** Vampyre

## **Bloodlines**

Vampyres not only had different names depending on the reign but also, different bloodlines composed of different variants of the Vampyre Strain of the Virus. These bloodlines are branched into different families or Covens keeping them connected to certain bloodlines whom are dominate in different regions throughout the known world. It should be noted though that Vampyres can be encountered in every part of the world not just the zones or regions claimed by certain bloodlines.

*Bloodline Variants and Regions they can be more commonly found:*

Regions where Vampyres are very rare:

## **About strain and Variants**

The Vampyre Strain of the Andromosis-Virus is often also referred to as the third evolution stage or strain 3.0 of the base Strain 1.0 of the virus. The strains switch from Strain 2.3 to 3.0 when the inter-cellular cysts that originally form in the host not only shrink but seemingly disappear. This improves memory and movement of the host however, as with Strain 2.3 of the Andromosis-Virus symptom still progress and new one rise. It is often believed that there are also variants of this strain which is believed to be the Virus evolving more-so within the host.

The reasoning for such evolution in a short amount of time is shrouded in mystery even to Vampyres themselves, whom are able to study their own affliction. Human ideas about their true Origins are normally fictional and false, the few correct details twisted and slowly being lost to some superstitions. If the one who creates a new infected of the Vampyre strain was generous enough to explain something to their blood-kin, they would tell them more likely about the ‘afflictions’ affects and the need for blood.

However, while most individual’s who where Reavers where more likely infected of Strain 1.0, not every Vampyre was once a Reaver, even if they do show all the normal symptoms tied in with both Reavers and the normal infected. Transmission of Strain 3.0 and its Variants directly is much more likely if passed on by a Vampyre directly.

Since the parent strain 1.0 is from the Andromosis-Virus, Vampyres are indeed fully living creatures, whom share many characteristics that match up with uninfected or un-afflicted humans, along side characteristics that developed throughout the infected individuals lifetime.

Whether the individual is born infected or becomes infected though other means a Vampyre will share all symptoms and characteristics with eachother, some symptoms getting stronger over time and slightly different symptoms depending on variant can however occur. All Vampyres can be killed by the same means as uninfected humans, except in regards to sickness and old age. Those who are infected with Strain 3.0 may still hold a sense of morality. However, they are still driven by instinct.

While Vampyes can live among infected from Strain 1.0, they cannot control the infected directly only alert them to attended targets. They cannot stop them from attacking uninfected as well, or really anything that goes against their basic instincts.

## **Symptoms**

### **Early symptom include:**

* Increased restlessness and aggression.
* Increased sensitivity to sound and light.
* Muscular in-coordination, disorientation and seizures.
* Increased salivation or frothing at the mouth due to difficulty swallowing.
* Difficulty breathing.
* Choking sounds.
* Voice change.

Ten days after the first phase the virus will then move to the final phase and more serious symptoms of the Andromosis-Virus might occur.

### **Last stage phase symptoms include:**

* Tingling, burning, or prickling in the face, hands, feet, and legs.
* Dementia.
* Psychotic behavior.
* More Symptoms directly from variant 3.1 mutation Include:
	+ Very slow to no aging throughout years of infection.
	+ Superhuman physical abilities.
	+ Enhanced resilience.
	+ Ability to healing near fatal wounds.
	+ Severe sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
	+ Reliance on blood consumption.

## **Physical Appearance**

Those infected with the Andromosis-Virus Strain 3.1, take on these physical traits. As with infected or even Reavers, Vampyres take on a morbidly pale skin tone that often show faint lace of delicate gray veins and their hair have varying shades of silver and deep black shades attend to be more rare but not unheard of. Vampyres eyes are jet black completely keeping their large pupils, though this isn’t noticeable against their black eyes, it should be noted there are normally no whites in the eyes. Vampyre have a special inner eyelid that sweeps across their gaze from the outer corners of their eyes to their inner tear ducts which cover their lenses and give them night vision when and where they desire it.

They like Reavers often grow out their especially strong, black nails and they are still used as claws. These do grow out on their toes, those whom do not maintain this hardly wear shoes, the bottom of their feet attend to be thicker then averaged un-infected.

## **Common Traits**

Those infected with Strain 3.1 of the Andromosis-Virus will keep the same characteristics shown in individuals infected with all other strains. The only real difference is behaviour and the intellectual ability to control their need to directly attack uninfected, if they wish. The Intellectual abilities remain the same as they where before they where infected, though symptoms resulting in memory loss might cause infected not to remember people or things from their post-infected lives, more the case when they are previously from other strains of the Virus.

Like other Strains they do and will eat parts of the uninfected to sustain themselves even though their main substance to sustain themselves is blood. They are also a lot more active at night as well, though they can walk in daylight.

## **Psychology**

Vampyes are heavily driven by the instincts that are heightened by the Virus. Despite having small traces of humanity that grants them a unique curiosity and passion for learning about their environment, though when this starts conflicting with their instinctual nature they often choose to follow their instinct. They are quick learners and very adaptive which has led to a surprisingly fast psychological evolution among their race from wild beasts to calculating, focused hunters. However, as with Reavers they are highly controlled by their passions and are highly unpredictable much of the time. They also attend to become focused on things and allow their curiosity to linger until it has been satiated or something else comes along to awaken a stronger desire.

Toward non-Vampyre, there are many ways a Vampyre may approach them. Primarily, most view un-infected as potential food or slave labor if needed. If one catches a Vampyre’s curiosity, the Vampyre might react in a more favorable way in hopes of learning more about the person and why they are even curious about the person. This is perhaps the only path to forming any sort of relationship between a Vampyre and non-infected, even if more likely short lived.

Vampyre don’t see themselves as a superior race even though they might act like they do. Their views of themselves and of others is based on instinctive tempered somewhat by human emotions. They have a strong predatory nature that drives them to view others as potential food or even entertainment. They look at others as prey, appraising and determining their threat level and potential worth. Those who are suited to become food while those who may prove more useful alive and enslaved are made such. It is this same view, combined with their curiosity that allows them to occasionally view others in a more positive way, at times.

## **Aging**

Vampyres are relatively long-live compared to humans and other infected; living up to the point in which they are killed or starved. Because of this once they are done with puberty they start aging at roughly twice as slow as the average human with aging slowing to a near but not complete stop at around 50 years of age where they consider adulthood to began.

## **Reproduction**

In rare cases, Vampyres are able to sexually reproduce with other Vampyres, creating a Pureblood who inherits some of both parents variants of the Vampyre strain. This presumably makes them more ‘pure’ and respected than others of their species, whom where once human.

Most non-pureblooded Vampyre where once uninfected humans that survived the progression of the Andromosis-Virus from strain 1 to strain 3 or where simply directly infected by a Vampyre by being bitten or consuming the blood of a Vampyre. This can be done by choice or by accident, as the genetic material given though a bite can cause fatal infection or damage, even having the chance to only infect the target with earlier Strains of the Virus. The bite will always leave permanent marks or scars.

It is known that Vampyres mating rituals like Reavers, are often still violent and passionate affairs. Males will fight to the death or until one clearly submits in order to gain the right to mate with a female. Such combat is often vicious and bloody and if the loser does live they are often shunned from the family and clan as a whole. Vampyres keep the loose concept of marriage for their mates, which allows for polygamy, however this is earned not given.

Males normally rule the household and can marry as early as eighteen years of age. They are considered ‘men’ however as early as fourteen. The wealth of a family is measured in the skills of the patriarch at things like craft or his prowess with a blade. Because Vampyres have lower birth rate and sometimes fertility issues and the fact that conceiving can take year, perhaps due to the Virus symptoms the value of a women varies slightly from that as a man.

If a woman is of child bearing age, she normally is ‘married’. The more prowess a woman has at a craft or a blade, or even skills such as healing, the more desirable she will be to take as a mate. It is believed that some traits are inheritable, hence why some trait's are looked for when seeking to strengthen family groups and clans. A pregnancy involving Vampyre children take a full three-hundred and sixty-five days to come to term. If a woman however has been married for over three years without bearing children to a marriage, she can be released by her mate. Women are not forced to have a mate, though it is culturally expected even if they do have their choice or males. Obliviously wealthier males who are better providers are more appealing than impoverished males with little skill or material possessions. However, males can take a second wife if they master a second skill and thus are considered wealthy enough to support such a thing. Current wives have no say in the acquisition of additional wives.

## **Transformation**

All None-pureblooded Vampyres go though Transformation. Transformation happens when a uninfected individual is bitten by a Vampyre or directly consuming the blood of a Vampyre. This can happen by choice or by accident, as the Vampyre strain and genetic material given though a bite or through consuming the blood of a afflicted individual can cause fatal infection or damage to the body the percentage of success is at a 65% with even having the chance to only infect the target with earlier Strains of the Virus. . It is noted that bites from a Vampyre will always leave permanent markings or scars.

It is believed that a transformation progress can be quickened if the individual, willing or unwillingly is bled nearly dry by any means available, but feeding is more commonly used. Once the candidate is nearly drained of blood, the sire can give the candidate a small amount of their own blood. This progress will not instantly transform the candidate but it will speed the progress and time the Strin need to infect its host more successfully. This way it can take roughly a few days, for the candidate to turn into a new blood-kin. Where with a bite alone this can sometimes take nearly a week.

The effects of Transformation slowly occur as the transformation takes place and the appearance of the newly turned Vampyre will change depending on the variant of the strain they are given. After transformation most new blood-kin will be overcome with Hunger and will do everything possible to feed at the first sight of blood.

All newly infected Vampyres often have a very strong connection to their creator. They might hate their sire, they might warship them, yet in any case, they keep freedom of their own mind. However, the sire often feels like the most closely related person in the world to them, as if the usual feeling towards parents and a child. The only exemption is (Bloodline 5) Bloodline, who have perfected mastery over blood magic and can artificially control the emotions of their blood-kin. As long as the newly infected has drank the blood from the (Bloodline 5) Vampyre themself. So a Vampyre lover can be forced to feel all-consuming desire for its sire, just as a guard can be Blood-tied for loyalty. This guarantees the stability within (Bloodline 5) Elders.

This close connection between Vampyres and their sire also mean that if the sire dies, those turned by the sire will instinctively know it. However, after months and months of existence, the connection weakens.

The low survival rate of those infected with the Vampyre Strain, mixed with the lack of control newly infected Vampyres have with their hunger and feeding do not allow for the numbers of Vampyres in the known world to grow at a fast rate, at best maintaining some balance.

#### **Why do Vampyres willingly help with Transformation?**

There are different reasons for creating new infected Vampyres, some examples are:

* To continue a Variant’s or Bloodlines legacy when there are very few or no Pure-bloods left to do so.
* To increase the numbers in a House, Clan or Coven.
* To find worthy members for an Elder Court, making sure the Bloodline stays strong.
* Due to a individuals uniqueness, weather in beauty or in talent.
* Due to love or lust.
* Due to some kind of hatred and twisted sense of humor.

## **Society**

### **Social Structure**

The Vampyre usually live in small, independent family groups that gather in organized clans. Their social organization like Reavers not very complex and the individual families within a clan pretty much live as they please. In each family group with the eldest generation being the ruling body to settle all issues. The oldest and most experienced Vampyre in a collection of families from a council of sorts that may settle any disputes between families as well as making decisions on eternal issues.

Vampyres live mostly in a variety of ruins of small towns or even cities. At times a single family group will stay in a town, single family groups can reach 5-10 individual at average depending on how old the family is; they will temporarily use towns as a hunting ground although larger cities can host a whole clan. Which can be three or four families. In these cities they often keep a collection of slaves which they use for manual labour or food.

As an egalitarian society, both males and females can be found filling much of the same roles although often any real labor is usually conducted by slaves. Thus Vampyres, for the most part, enjoy a simple lifestyle when they can afford to. They do understand the value of tools and weapons, but monetary wealth is a foreign concept.

While hunting is a popular sport and a means by which slaves and goods are quickly acquired, a new form of entertainment has begun to rise in popularity. The breeding, keeping and training of slaves has become an activity among some Vampyre clans, usually the more known and larger ones. They consider it a mark of distinction to breed strong and useful slaves. The greater the family status the more well breed slaves owned by that family group. Interestingly enough, Vampyre are quite protective of their slaves even if they are rather harsh masters. In fact, younger generation of Vampyre have been known to take slaves as mates. The relationships are thus ones of passion, curiosity and occasionally, though very rarely, love. Unfortunately for some slaves, they are simply not prepared for the Vampyre matter of love-making and thus few survive such relationships very long. This and of course contacting the virus itself, is a possibly.

Many clans keep slaves as both a means of food and manual labor. As with Reavers, smaller Vampyre clans or family groups will keep slaves only long enough to serve as food when other sources are hard to find. Slaves that are used as food are treated as nothing more then live stalk. Clan that are larger will not only keep more slaves but keep them long term and these slaves attend to be treated far better. There are a couple of rather large clans that have maintained slaves for a couple of generations and while harsh as far as discipline is concerned, they attend to be quite protective and even slightly concerned about their slaves well-being.

Like Reaver Clans, Vampyre clan approach other colonies with caution. The threat of another clan attempting to steal another clans slaves or even their homes is always there. This is actually the most common way for the majority of clans to expand. Good relations with other clans, is passable but normally from a distance. Again, like Reavers when once a clan reaches a size where it is too large to support, it often spits and spreads out in search of fresher hunting grounds. This often will being conflict with other clans and thus in-fighting help die down over population.

### **Family Life**

Vampyres have a strong sense of family. Male and female like Reavers, do not have only one mate for life. In fact Vampyres may have up to several at any one time with children from numerous mates. This creates and interesting situation where the eldest are considered the heads of the family. It is not unheard of for a single family to consist of 15-20 members with anywhere from two to five elders per family.

Like Reavers, Vampyre being living being still have pregnancy, which lasts for 90 days from which, twins might be born but it is more common for a single child to be born. Childcare is handled by all female members in the family and children often become mostly independent after about six to seven years. Children engage in games of hunting small animals so to hone their skills for when they become adults.

Males have little to do with children although they will defend their families to the death. The females are responsible for taking the children on their early hunts and teaching them how to survive. When the children become older, they may take part in hunts with males although they are still treated much like children until they finally reach adulthood. This transformaation is marked by succeeding in a private hunt and returning to the clan with a kill of equal or greater inherent strength or skill then the hunter, again much like Reavers.

Vampyres whom maintain slaves may occasionally accept them in a way similar to servants more then slaves. In siuations like this, adult Vampyres will allow their children to be taught about the outside world from a slave. The adults monitor this teaching closely. However, to avoid defiant slaves teaching their children things that would be detrimental to the child, family or clans.

## **Feeding**

Vampyes need to feed at lest once every two week to sustain themselves. Newly infected Vampyres will likely have to feed twice in one week until they can learn to control their hunger. When starved, they will often have a hard time controlling their hunger and might lash out at fresh blood despite all risks, especially if they are newly infected and not fully used to their Vampyre condition.

Uninfected humans are often the best source of blood for feeding. Animal blood does not offer enough sustenance. Feeding on other Vampyres is possible, if one Vampyre somehow manages to convince or overpower other blood-kin.

Fully draining another Vampyre of blood is called [[Diablerie]], this is often frowned upon and considered a grave transgression if performed against a Vampyre of their own ‘Bloodline’.

Despite many beliefs, Vampyres do not need to bite a victim to feed and do not always target their neck, though this is a common method. They can use any way of opening veins and gathering blood, the important bit is it being fresh and taken from a living target. Some Vampyres mix it with alcohol, but if kept long enough it won’t work as a full sustenance.

(Bloodline 3) are different from other Vampyres, because they feed on humans to absorb not only their blood, but their life force. Their Elder is said to have started as a drained vessel of life and they long for the life energy needed to maintain both their existence and their own life force. If they drink to greedily, they can make their victim appear to age in minutes and die not just from blood loss and infection, but also from being drained of life.

Some Vampyres do not just consume blood, but also feast on raw flesh of their victims,but that is a matter of personal preferences.

## **Religion**

Vampyres do not normally follow any religion and often times infected Vampyres will abandon their former religion after transforming. They might however, pretend to be priests and exist within religous institution, but often this is just a means to gain power.

There are however, vampyric paths who take on a religious role to Vampyres. Often these paths can be disguised as other religions as well.

These paths are as followed:

### ***Path of Kings***

Those who follow the path of kings control their hunger by ruling over others. They also take the responsibility towards their vessels very seriously. Being honorable and justly. Followers of this path also take oaths just as seriously rarely going back on their word; mortals are inferior, promises will be fulfilled, power is everything.

**Branches**

* The Tyrant
* Mithras
* The Vizier

### ***Laibon***

Laibon are not a race, but the Laibon are in many ways quite different from ‘regular’ vampyres. They ascribe their origins to African Gods and legends.

### ***Path of the Beast***

Followers of the path of the Beast control their hunger through the primal concepts of survival, strength, and individuality. Many members of the Path of the Best choose a simple, animalistic existence.

**Branches**

* The Nomad
* The Savage
* The Hunter

### ***Path of Tantabus***

Followers of the all powerful Baba Yaga, the hag of Russia. The only- to have challenged their monstrous Grand Elder, the grandmother is both admired and reviled in equal measure in her Clan.

### ***Path of Blood***

Followers of the path of blood walks a road of destruction and purification by [[Diablerie]]. Each kill is considered a temporary respite from an unending hunger.

**Branches**

* Blood
* Metamorphosis
* Righteousness

### ***Raktasadhus***

The Vampyres of india mainly follow this path.

**Branches**

* Path of Devaraja
* Path of Paradox

### ***Path of Set***

The path of set is a cult-like organization, worshiping their god as the liberator of all mankind. In turn they closely follow the Setite Faith.

### ***The True Blackhand***

The true Blackhand is an ancient organization formed by the unlikely Alliance between -Mages and seven clans.

## **Common Behaviour**

* Desipte some rumors or beliefs, Vampyres can consume human food and even get some pleasure from doing so. However, this depends on their Bloodline. One who fully embraces their inhuman side, can’t savour the taste of usual food at all, feeling nothing. In any case, human food can never satiate a Vampyre and can never be compared to the taste of blood, instead making them even hungrier.
* Vampyres are mostly nocturnal beings. Though the sun is not harmful for a vampyre, it makes them uncomfortable. Most of the things that legends claim to be dangerous for vampyres, in fact, does not do them any harm or frighten them, like garlic or mirrors. Vampyres can be effectively destroyed by fire and high quality weapons.

## **Everyday Life**

Vampyres sleep much of the day while waking before nightfall. Upon waking, they tend to their slaves who often take on a similar activity pattern. There is still hunting that occur when needed although it is more for sport and slave gathering then hunting is for Reavers. Females also teach and train the children by taking them on small hunts.