Original Vampires (smith)

### Distinction

* the first, and most powerful vampires,They were created in response to Brandon dying, and to protect themselves from witches, and blue moon werewolves.

The **Original Vampires**, or simply **the Originals**, are a group of extremely powerful vampires that are known for being the first of their bloodlines, the progenitor to their respective bloodlines, and the first generation of vampires, which makes them the oldest, fastest, strongest, and most powerful vampires in the world.They were created due to the death of Brandon.

The originals were given the name when Nick was talking to Rebekah, and Samantha about the up and coming threat. They are the first and creator of their bloodline. This makes them the oldest and the strongest. (THESE ORIGINALS ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE MIKAELSONS)

A number of characteristics differentiate an Original from the vampire bloodline that they begat, but the fundamental difference is that Originals became vampires through a spell. Unlike non-Original vampires, Original vampires are indestructible and cannot be killed by anything on earth aside from the Red Oak Stake,and a large enough source of magic. They can also be neutralized by a certain type of arsenic dagger. This will dessicate the original but for only as long the dagger is stabbed inside of them.

Their creation dates back to the 5th century a.d. when Kristin and Mark Smitheyos (or **Americanized**: Smith)'s second born child dying, and to protect their family against the witches, and blue moon werewolves.

## History of the term

The term '**Originals**' originated when Nickolas Johnson was talking with Samantha, and Rebekah about their next threat. Nickolas referred his sire, as the most powerful witch-vampire hybrid in the world. Leaving suspicion to who he was. Since Brandon was introduced in chapter 7, Rebekah and her team, we left in awe, as this most powerful vampire was coming after them.

Blake refers to himself as 'the oldest original' implying that for over 1500 years, he was the strongest original.

## Powers and Abilities

### Basic powers

* **Super Strength:** Original vampires are considerably much stronger than immortals, Supernatural Hunters, non-Original vampires, werewolves, evolved werewolves, non-Original werewolf-vampire hybrids and humans. They are able to decapitate other species with a single chop of their bare hands, shatter windows and doors with small objects, and single-handedly tear out the hearts of younger vampires and other creatures with little to no effort. Their strength has been used to break necks and spines, and break and move heavy objects. Their impact can send anyone flying. Their strength is also enough to rival that of their own kind. While Original Vampires are more powerful than werewolves in either form, transformed werewolves still rival enough of their strength to take down an Original Vampire in small groups as it was shown that four of them were capable of overwhelming Blake (although he managed to kill half of them). Vampires of 900 years or more may present a slight challenge. However, given how Originals seem to have the peak power of their condition, they currently remain the most powerful of their kind. Vampires such as Lawrence Zhen who are over 900+ years old are extremely powerful, and could fight off even an original, in chapter 8 of book 2 Brandon is scared of Lawrence when he threatens him. saying "if I don't find those doppelgangers within the hour, and you keep me here. I will come and find you, and when I do. You're gonna be dead after I'm done" Considering the strength of Lawrence, Brandon could easily fight him off.
* **Super Speed:** Original vampires are much faster than immortals, supernatural hunters, non-Original vampires, werewolves, evolved werewolves, non-Original werewolf-vampire hybrids and humans. They are able to stop other supernatural species in their tracks, run miles in mere minutes and can easily catch up to any species of creature, supernatural or not. Their reflexes are similarly heightened. It is unknown if they grow faster with time.

* **Super Agility:** Original vampires possess more superhuman agility, flexibility and dexterity than immortals, supernatural hunters, non-Original vampires, werewolves, evolved werewolves, non-Original werewolf-vampire hybrids and humans. They can move quickly, jump very high, climb and run incredibly fast without difficulty or exhaustion.

* **Super Senses:** Original vampires have extremely keen senses of hearing, sight and smell that far exceed those of immortals, supernatural hunters, non-Original vampires, werewolves, evolved werewolves, non-Original werewolf-vampire hybrids and humans.
* **Super Durability:** Original vampires can take far more trauma than supernatural hunters, non-Original vampires, werewolves, evolved werewolves, non-original werewolf-vampire hybrids and humans can, without much discomfort or injury. No Original vampire has ever been dismembered throughout the series, implying that their durability may be close to invincibility. Wood seems to be ineffective at weakening them, though being stabbed in the heart with it will often incapacitate them for several minutes until they recover. Ordinary bullets, knives and blunt objects can hurt an Original vampire
* **Healing Factor:** The injuries of Original vampires heal faster than those of supernatural hunters, non-Original vampires, werewolves, evolved werewolves, non-original werewolf-vampire hybrids and humans. Original vampires also seem to heal much more quickly when exposed to vervain or wood. They can heal/recover/regenerate from any and all injuries in a matter of seconds. Even a werewolf bite is no threat to them, it is only painful to them and will cause weakness and hallucinations as they are not wholly immune to the bite, but it wears off. Vervain-laced liquid has also been shown to weaken them, though they recover from the effects much more quickly. If they are stabbed with Papa Tunde's blade and its removed, the healing process becomes much slower due to the dark magic within it, this applies to werewolf venom as well.
* **Immortality:** Original vampires are immortal. They do not physically age and are immune to all illnesses, toxins, poisons and human diseases or physical conditions. The only physical weapon that can bring permanent death to an Original is the Red Oak Stake, and the only other substance being poisons from the advanced strain of toxin contained in the bite of an Lunar Vampire.

* **Enhanced Emotions:** Original Vampires experience emotions more powerfully than humans. Emotions like love, joy, and happiness are intensified for vampires allowing them to live life more intensely. This ability allows the original vampires to feel emotions at their peak regardless of their age. They have been shown experiencing emotions as powerfully today as they did 1,000 years ago.
* **Emotional Control:** Original vampires have a limited degree of control over their own emotions. It has been stated that Emotional Control fades over time. It is unknown if the Original vampires still possess the ability to "switch off" their emotions completely.

* **Mind Compulsion:** Original vampires can control and influence the thoughts, emotions, behavior, actions and memories of humans, non-Original vampires and non-original werewolf-vampire hybrids. They cannot however compel witches, immortals, or werewolves/evolved werewolves.
* **Sire Bond:** Although rare among them, Sire Bonds can be formed when a human is turned with the blood of the vampire whom they had strong human feelings for.

* **Telepathy:** Original Vampires have the ability to enter the minds of others as long as theirs is stronger than them although, as Original vampires, they have one of the strongest minds in the world. Normally, this ability works in a tactile fashion and the vampire requires physical contact in order for it to work successfully. However, Elijah has been shown to mentally communicate with others from a short distance sending distress calls and mental images. Klaus and Elijah has also been shown sharing their memories with others.
	+ **Dream Manipulation:** Original vampires can control dreams and subconscious. They can produce and modify dreams, bestow nightmares or lucid dreaming. Other effects of this ability is the ability to distort perceptions of reality and being able to trap someone in their dreams.
	+ **Illusions:** Original Vampires have the power to trick the minds of others into seeing/feeling things that aren't actually happening.
* **True Face:** An Original Vampire's true face is the appearance they are hiding under their normal human face. When an Original Vampire's true face is revealed, the sclera of their eyes turns blood-red, dark veins appear under their eyes as the blood pumps forcefully through them, and their canine teeth extend into razor-sharp fangs. An Original Vampire's true face can be revealed whenever they wish, but it will appear against their will whenever they are aroused by the scent of blood, or are feeling intense emotions such as anger, lust, sadness, etc. An Original Vampire's fangs are extremely sharp which gives them the ability to tear into almost any substance (including and especially flesh) and tear off limbs. With the fangs come the darkened veins under the eyes as well.

### Unique to Mark

* **Tolerance to magic:** Mark has been shown to have incredible tolerance to witchcraft, and magic spells. He fought Brandon many times, during these battles, Brandon used his witchcraft, and Mark was incredibly tolerant. He still feels pain but, the magic is much more weaker on him than a regular vampire as a whole.
* **Tolerance to desiccation:** Mark was able to fight off the desiccation spell for 2 hours. He eventually lost, but he was able to continue to fight in the midst of becoming dessicated

### Unique to Brandon

* **Lunar Vampire enhancement:** When Brandon was resurrected Brandon created the Lunar vampire curse. Making him one of the strongest vampires. He has increased strength, speed, durability, and senses
* **Immortality:** Brandon is even more immortal than his siblings. With the last Red Oak Stake destroyed, no physical weapon on earth can kill him. Nothing but immense magical power worth a hundred witches summoned by an exceptionally powerful witch can kill Brandon. Despite the extent of his immortality, Brandon still needs to feed otherwise he will desiccate and become immobile just like any other immortals, Original vampires, non-Original vampires, or non-Original hybrids.

* **Lunar vampire Bite:** Due to his lunar vampire heritage, Brandon has venom which is fatal to non-Original vampires and Original vampires. Also, Brandon himself is immune to the venom. Brandon' venom seems to take effect much faster than werewolf venom, a non-Original werewolf-vampire hybrid venom, and a non-original lunar vampire-witch venom
	+ **Lunar Vampire Bite Cure:** Brandons' blood is the only cure for a normal lunar vampire or a non-Original lunar vampire-witch hybrid venom, this ability seems to be unique only to Brandon. His blood will not cure a werewolf bite. However, a non-original lunar vampire's blood will not cure their bite. This will only slow down the toxin.
* **Spell casting:** Brandon is able to cast spells, even as a vampire.
	+ **Telekinesis:** Brandon possess the ability to move objects and people with the mind like any witch.
	+ **Pain Infliction:** Brandon possess the ability to inflict excruciating migraines like any witch
	+ **Pyrokinesis:** Brandon possess the ability to create and control fire like any witch.
	+ **Divination:** Brandon possess the ability to divine future, past, and present events based off extrasensory perception like any witch.

### Unique to Blake

* **Sunlight resistance:** Blake was able to resist the pain from the sun when Brandon stole his daylight ring. He was able to clearly walk outside during daytime while being burned by the sun.

## Weaknesses

Although they are the most powerful vampires, they still have weaknesses. However, these weaknesses are fewer compared to non-Original vampires, and they recover faster from them. Original vampires are immune to most of the weakness of non-Original vampires.

* **Animal Blood:** Animal blood weakens an Original's strength, but can ease their hunger better than no blood at all.
* **Broken Neck:** Breaking an Original's neck will not kill them, but it will render them unconscious for several minutes to several hours.
* **The Cure:** If an Original Vampire takes the cure, they will revert back to being mortal again. Once taken, the cure prevents them from being immortal again, causing the body to reject vampire blood.

* **Desiccation:** Being completely drained of blood or the heart stopping will cause an Original vampire to desiccate like any other vampire, losing most of it's strength and any ability to move. The desiccated body of an Original vampire will appear as a corpse and can only start functioning again once they feed on blood. This process can be replicated artificially by a witch casting a desiccation spell. It's unknown if an Original vampire would desiccate if their heart was torn out; however, it seems that an Original vampire's body is indestructible, therefore it is possible their hearts cannot be extracted.
* **Invitation:** In order to enter any house owned by humans, they need to be invited in by a person that officially lives there or the person of entitlement. Once invited, the invitation cannot be revoked. If an original vampire lives in a house, other vampires can enter freely and if an original vampire is in the house without being invited in, it will become disoriented and will begin to suffocate. If the ownership to a house changes while inside, an Original, like normal vampires, would likely become disoriented and pulled from the house against their will.
* **Magic:** It is said that a witch with enough power can kill/dangerously affect a being as powerful as an Original Vampire, but would likely kill the witch unless the Original vampire was in a weakened state.

* **Physical Trauma:** While any physical trauma can slow an Original down, minor ones such as cuts and bruises, are essentially ineffective due to the healing factor of an Original vampire. More significant injuries along the lines of broken bones and organ damage can incapacitate one due to the combination of pain and lack of their bodies proper function. However, the most effective way to neutralize an Original, albeit temporarily, is to inflict injury normally fatal to a human such as breaking their neck or ripping out their heart. Minor physical injuries such as gunshots, stab wounds and broken bones will cause an Original Vampire pain and also slow them down. However, this is momentary as they will heal completely within seconds. It seems physical trauma can hurt them anywhere on the body (ex-eye gauging, drowning).

* **Poison:** There have recently been various poisons shown invented by people such as Dr. Wes Maxfield and Aya that are capable of incapacitate or desiccate a vampire when administered.
* **Sunlight:** Sunlight will burn an Original vampire, but cannot kill them. All members of the Original Family possess lapis lazuli rings to combat this.
* **Vervain:** Vervain prevents Original vampires from compelling anyone who takes it and burns them on touch. Original vampires will heal very quickly from vervain wounds however.
* **Werewolf Bite:** While a werewolf bite can't kill Original vampires, it weakens them and causes hallucinations. The effects are temporary and only lasts for a few hours.
* **Lunar Vampire Bite:** A bite from a lunar vampire can kill an original. However, their venom will travel much slower in their body, compared to a non-original vampire.

### Unusual weaknesses

* **Doppelgänger Blood Magic:** If blood from the last pair of doppelgängers are used in the Magic Purification Spell, all vampires' abilities will be stripped from them little by little and then they will be brought back to the last stage of their human life: Death. They will then relive the way they died when they transitioned into vampirism.
* **Arsenic Dagger:** A dagger made of Arsenic will desicate a original vampire so long as the dagger remains in their body.

## Known original vampires

* **Mark:** Was a powerful warlord in the late fourth and early 5th century. He lived in a small Norse town in southern Norway, he later Migrated north with his family, where he met his wife Kristin. There their second born child died, Kristin called upon her dark magics and created the first vampires. Mark waged war upon the witches, and other fellow vampires. After Brandon was resurrected, he hunt him down. After months of searching, Brandon killed his father. But he was resurrected by a powerful Witch named Ingrid. After this, he found again, and initiated a fight between Brandon, Katherine, and himself. He would be killed again.
* **Blake:** Blake is the first born son of Mark and Kristin. He is a powerful original vampire. A confident child, he only wanted his fathers praise. Most of his vampiric life is unknown, but, he is known to be compassionate and powerful. He is known to be feared by almost everybody he knows.
* **Brandon**: Brandon is the second born, and powerful witch. He is much more of a wild card compared to his siblings. He is a Hybrid and the original lunar vampire. He is violent and megalomaniacal, though he tempers his aggression with an appreciation for fine art and worldly pursuits. His legend precedes him throughout the supernatural world as one of the most feared beings alive. Even in his death 1500 years ago, Brandon was still feared, as the Ancestral spirit who eventually will roam the earth again. When he was a child he was known to be dangerous, and manipulative. When he was 14 he started showing signs of witchcraft. Brandon harnessed his powers, and learned how to control them in 2 years. Brandon seems to quite enjoy inflicting pain on others. He died and was consecrated. He joined the ancestors, and every few centuries Brandon would break free from the ancestral well and walk the land of the living. This is how he created his sireline. Brandon attacked Rebekah Kennedy, and her group. Because of how they tried to keep him dead. Brandon currently remains dessicated in a tomb.
* **Carter:** Is the third born, and he is much more sophisticated than his siblings, and has developed a high sense of morality. He soon learned to hate his brother Brandon for learning witchcraft before him. A powerful witch, Carter lost his ability to practice witchcraft when he became a vampire. He became angry, and annoyed with his vampiric abilities. He hated the hungry and the heightened senses. He wishes for nothing more than to become human again.

## Sources

https://vampirediaries.fandom.com/wiki/Original\_Vampire#Powers\_and\_Abilities (this was just for the powers and abilities)