Vampirism

Vampirism, or *Sanguis Dolor,* is a disease that causes the host to require large amounts of the proteins found in blood in order to resume neurologic function. Hominids - specifically humans - are particularly susceptible to the disease, but are able to function with in a symbiotic manner, whereas Feykin often die within the first few months, and Dwarves are wholly immune. Vampire is a general term to reflect those who carry *Sanguis Dolor,* though it is not entirely correct. All infected forms of Vampires are considered "lesser vampires," while Greater Vampires are a species unto their own. Greater Vampires carry the disease, but do not manifest symptoms, bearing powers similar to those of *Sanguis Dolor,* but are either arcane or genetic in nature.

### Sanguis Dolor

The disease that causes Vampirism forces a host to overuse a certain protein found in their blood (more plentiful in hominids than Feykin), breaking it down and utilizing its components to augment the brain and other organs. If a host does not supplement their diet with blood, they will begin to deteriorate, starting with decreased cognitive function, increased aggression, accelerated metabolism, and rapid melanin decomposition. After enough time, the host loses cognitive function and some motor function, entering a borderline vegetative state.

If a host can supplement their diet properly, they gain multiple super-human benefits, with the side effects of increased sensitivity to sunlight and an allergy to silver. The disease is transmitted through saliva or blood, with the most common cause being a bite. A Greater Vampire does not manifest the weaknesses of their infected kin, and can create new Greater Vampires by reproducing with nearly any hominid or fey race, though humans provide the strongest offspring.

### Stage One: Dhampir

Stage-one vampirism manifests 10-20 days after a bite, granting the host with the most significant benefits and least detriments of any stage. These "Dhampirs" often retain a similar personality before and after infection, though they have a marked drop in dopamine and oxytocin, and marked increases in adrenaline and testosterone. This makes them seem more predatory and energetic than they once were, while reducing their positive emptions and relationship attachments. They are also more likely to form addictions than they would have been before infection. A Dhampir must consume at least 12 liters of blood per span to retain function. If they spend more than 3 spans without adequate blood intake, they run the risk of contracting stage-two vampirism.

* Abilities: Limited polymorph, accelerated healing, darkvision, enhanced magic
* Side-effects: Sunlight sensitivity, silver/rowan/holly allergies
* Lifespan: Double the host's previous lifespan

### Stage Two: Drone

If a Dhampir goes too long without adequate blood, they contract the second stage of vampirism, called a Drone. Drones have extremely increased adrenal function and little-to-no positive hormone production. This causes them to be extremely aggressive, and reduced their capacity for reason and advanced cognition. If a Drone does not consume 24 liters of blood per span, they go into a semi-vegetative state, which is type 3 vampirism. Drones are often mistaken for ghouls due to their similar appearance, but can prove a far more fatal threat if not dealt with caution.

* Abilities: Natural weapons (localized polymorph), darkvision, hive-telepathy
* Side-effects: Sunlight hypersensitivity, silver/rowan/holly allergies
* Lifespan: Slightly shorter than host's original lifespan

### Stage Three: Cattle

Stage-three vampirism manifests after a vampire has been starved of blood for a significantly long time. The virus enters a slow-reproducing hibernative state, forcing the host to do the same. Cattle, as they are called, have little-to no conscious thought, existing in a haze of eat, sleep, and repeat. Many other vampires use them as blood-fodder, feeding them and slowly draining them of the precious resource each day, since the virus no-longer uses the proteins in such large quantities.

* Abilities: Increased growth
* Side-effects: Weight gain, blindness, silver/rowan/holly allergies
* Lifespan: 10-15 years post-contraction

### Greater Vampire

Greater vampires, a race unto their own from the world of Haedys, are extremely intelligent, with an average IQ around 130. They are long lived and very selective about who they ally with and how many offspring they have (because each offspring becomes a likely competitor over the next few thousand years of life). They love to spin intricate plots, weaving themselves into the high-order politics of the world skillfully, beguiling and deceiving as they go. Greater vampires do not require blood consumption to live, but treat it as a human would alcohol, it gives them enhanced power and abilities, as well as a drive to kill, but it is not necessary to survive.

* Abilities: Flight, polymorph, invisibility, true-sight, rapid healing and regeneration, innate magic
* Side-effects: Reduced regeneration in sunlight, silver/rowan/holly allergies
* Lifespan: ~5000 years