VAMPIRE VAMPIRES

History:
Many a legend tells the tale of the Unliving Knights of Blood known as the
Vampires; most remain mystery. What is known is the earliest appearance of
the Vampiri in the annals of time occur around the fourth age of Aabahran
- shortly after the entity known as Virigoth rose to prominence. Having been
empowered by the Nameless itself, many consider the god Virigoth to have been
the very first vampire in Aabahran. Stories of the dead commander's return
from that ill-fated scouting mission clutching an ancient executioner's blade
have become legendary - what remains pertinent is that it was not until after
his appearance that the avatars of the cycle began to populate the realms.
 
Rumors began to circulate about nobles who seem unphased by the passage
of time, politicians who refused to venture out during the day, cadavers
found with two holes near their jugular and every single ounce of blood
drained from their bodies. These and other curious tales that have since
been ascribed to the rise of the nosferatu.
 
None are sure of the identity of the first blessed by Virigoth's covenant.
What is known is that the first vampire to rise to infamy went by the name
Gorath. Much like a cyclone of death and blood, Count Gorath descended upon
Aabahran, instilling citizens with a fear that has since been unmatched. Much
like his ascension, his disappearance was sudden, and he was not seen again
until Virigoth summoned him as his avatar in the fight that nearly destroyed
the fabric of Aabahran's universe.
 
Time and again the vampiri have played an important role in the shaping of
Aabahran. The personality of each are as varied as the drops of blood they
invariably spill. Not all were as murderous as Count Gorath, there were those
like Countess Ellowyn who pursued the path of magic within Savants - sitting
upon the seat of eldership. There were those like Count Arath and Countess
Messalantha who sought out unlawful commerce - becoming Rat King and Queen,
respectively, who during their prime ruled the seedy underworld with an iron
fist. Others remained more faithful to the inherent nobility and politics
of their society, such as Count Martineius, who rose to the title of High
King of the Tribunal Empire. Though varied in personality they remained true
to the Cycle, and thus were the cause, however direct or indirect, of much
death.
 
Usual Height: 
Varied, but human sized.
 
Hometown: 
Vampires swear no allegiance to any single town, though from time to time
they have been found living in groups of different sizes. These groups are
called Covens.
 
Religion: 
As avatars of the unlife, vampires are fervent believers in the powers of
death. As the embodiments of the Cycle on Aabahran, they act as ambassadors
of the religion. Due to their closeness to their God, they are literally
bound to the powers of death through what has come to be called the Continuum.
 
Physical Features: 
Vampires have all the physical appearances of humans. This is a cause of
concern, as these dark lords and ladies of the night can easily blend into
human society, using their positions to further their agendas. A noticeable
difference is that vampires tend to be more pale in appearance, due to the
lack of circulating blood and contact with sunlight. Many have, however, been
fooled into believing this to be a common trait of a noble who does not toil
in hard labor. When angered, or attempting to be threatening, vampires have
been known to unleash a second, and more frightening appearance; This is
believed to be their true appearance. Their incisor fangs become elongated,
their pupils dilate to cover their entire eyeball and change colors (anywhere
from black to a blood red). Some have been known to increase the length of
their nails. Bolder vampires prefer to walk around in this 'true' appearance
all of the time, unafraid of the consequences. 
 
To stave off the decrepit appearance of undeath, as well as to preserve
their own existence, Vampires drain the blood of the living. As part of their
covenant, they cannot synthesize their own blood, and so must subside on that
of their prey. The saliva of a vampire will often mix with the blood of their
prey, inducing a temporary transformation. They consider this a "temporary
gift" because it is only by the blessings of the deity that such can become
permanent. Those with weaker wills, or those who have been bitten by stronger-
willed vampires, will temporarily become under the control of said vampire.
 
SEE ALSO: HELP VAMPIRE2