Vampire

Early Vampires were mistaken for Shades, as oftentimes people who seemed to have had "fatal injuries" would be found walking around again in as little as a week; eventually, the truth came out: they were simply Monsters masquerading as humans. No records show where exactly Vampires came from, as Vampires are able to copulate like any other Monster. The stigma against them is still present in the world day, though it's less prominent than with Chimeras, and many establishments have a "Vampires Welcome Here" sign to invite them in. Those that don't send a clear message.

**A Vampire can take the form of any extant bat.**

### Mandatory Changes

#### Physical

* Vampires are able to pass as humans quite easily, due to their lack of notable, visible traits - however, new arrivals will find themselves easier to tire, sicklier, and weaker over the course of the 3 to 9 months it takes for their changes to set in completely. This is especially notable during the day. Feeding on fresh blood won't reverse the changes, but does make it easier to transition through them, and vampiric strength setting in will ensure they aren't physically weak. This continues until the day that they die - and until the following night, where they rise as the undead with an overwhelming and borderline feral need to feed.
* Pale or ashy-skin; they resemble either corpses or incredibly pale, sickly humans in color.
* Sharper teeth, primarily their canines. When hungry or about to feed, these can enlarge further.
* A naturally colder body temperature, though Vampires who have fed recently err closer to lukewarm - and those that have fed very well can even maintain a body temperature even closer to a human's natural one.
* Being weak to the sun, Vampires are primarily nocturnal; they sleep at dawn and awaken at sunset, feeling most invigorated beneath starlight. It's possible for them to stay up during the day and partake in ordinary activities, but they're often more lethargic and quicker to fall to fatigue. This can be diffused with feeding during the day, giving them a little boost of energy.
* Vampires lose their human appearance completely at the turn of the full moon. Instead, they resemble monstrous bats; their flight speed is increased, but they lose their balance walking on land.

#### Mental

* A strong desire and need to feed on the blood of a living creature. Human, Monster, animal, whatever - a vampire will need to eat. While Vampires are capable of eating normal food without issue, it won't satiate their thirst for blood, and if left unchecked, will give them hunger pangs so painful they'll begin to think just about anyone looks good enough to feast on without remorse.
* The desire to feed is strengthened under the full moons, though for those who drink blood prior to the full moons will experience more clarity than someone who had not. A vampire's inhibitions and senses diminish the more they fight against it, similar to not feeding in the first place, but continued resistance will cause them to go into a frenzy, attacking and feeding from whomever they see until the frenzy dies. This is naturally up to the player's discretion.

### Optional Changes

* More visible changes, such as slightly pointed ears, sunken eyes, fangs beginning to protrude from their lips like an overbite, and red-colored irises.
* Preference for sleeping in tighter spaces - wrapped up in blankets head-to-toe, in a coffin or broom closet, in restraints, etc.
* Allergies to garlic, silver, holy objects, and ash wood. The allergic reactions range from innocent (such as coughing, sneezing,and migraines à la a pollen allergy), to more severe, such as rashes, hives, the skin cracking and bleeding, to deadly. This is up to player discretion.
* Vampires cry blood. There is no well-understood reason for this; it simply happens.
* Possible psychological changes that come with their respective bat or Vampire lore, such as additional dietary changes, a hesitance or inability to cross running water, favoring outer beauty, engaging in sadist practices, an insatiable desire to bite or nibble on something, and so on.

### Strengths

* **Bat form available.** Regardless of what species of bat a Vampire may be, they will find that they're closer in size to fruit bats when they take this form. (Species of bats that are larger will, of course, be bigger than this - this is the average.)
* **Can turn into a mist to travel faster**, but at the whims of the wind. This isn't a long-term means of travel, and can be done in short bursts.
* While they're beaten out by other Monsters, **they're stronger and faster than humans**, allowing them to overpower and outrun them where necessary.
* **Hypnotic influence**. Vampires can cast a thrall over their victims, allowing them control of their will - weaker willed individuals will be held in this state for longer, while those with a stronger will can fight and break the thrall. Humans are easier to influence, but Monsters are still susceptible as well.

### Weaknesses

* **Bad with sunlight**, to the degree that an overcast day runs the risk of giving a Vampire what effectively amounts to bad sunburn if they don't take precautions. Exposure to dim sunlight will result in their skin smoking (even through clothing), and becoming brittle. Direct sunlight can cause permanent damage, or even outright death, as the exposed area turns to ash.
* **A compulsion to count** spilled grains, beans, beads, or other similar items. They're unable to stop until every piece they can find has been tallied, and many a Vampire has found themselves turned to ash because someone tossed out grains before sunrise.
* **Invitation is required to enter a residence and many establishments.** This can be given verbally or in writing. No invitation is permanent, as they can be revoked, and can have simple stipulations. (ie; Vampires are welcome in a shop during business hours only.) If a Vampire tries to force entry, they will find that they are put in severe pain as they fight being repelled from the building, and that they bleed from every orifice.