Vampire Lore - Sneak Peak

In order to provide new players with a bit of extra background required to create their character, we hereby offer the first 2 levels of 'Vampire Lore'.

Note: Your character needs to have this lore on their +sheet in order to be IC-ly aware of this information.


Vampire Lore

This section is locked to those with Vampire Lore. You will be able to read the pages that are locked to your level of lore or below. To know more, buy the lore. There are likely to be updates in the future, and these should be announced, but check regularly just in case. Without this lore, you don't even know what you don't know about vampires, their powers, their natures, and their origins.


Vampire Lore 1

You are a vampire, or the servant of one - so yes, they do exist. You know that vampires feed on blood - usually but not always the blood of mortals. You are aware of a vital fact of vampiric existence: vampires can eliminate signs of discrete feeding on mortals by licking the fang puncture wounds, causing them to heal over instantly.

You can dispel a few myths: feeding from a mortal, even three times, is not enough to make them a vampire. Even feeding them to the point of death does not seem to do so, though you do not know the mechanism for the transformation. Coffins? Capes? Bad accents? Perhaps, but only as a stylistic choice.

You are aware that vampire blood is far different than mortal blood, and that it is this blood that fuels a vampire's powers. Feeding on vampiric blood is even more satisfying than feeding on mortals. You know that feeding on cold blood will not provide you with sustenance; for reasons unknown the blood must be freshly warm from the vessel.

You understand that vampires are often afflicted by a state called frenzy, where they enter a state of mindless instinct. Hunger and rage can both trigger this state, and frenzy can be avoided in some instances through great effort. Vampires can also frenzy out of fear.

You are aware that there are different "clans" of vampires, and are familiar with the seven Camarilla clans: Toreador, Ventrue, Brujah, Gangrel, Nosferatu, Tremere, and Malkavian. You could rattle off a one word description of each clan: Brujah-Rebels. Toreador-Artists. Ventrue-Leaders. Gangrel-Wanderers. Tremere-Wizards. Malkavians-Psychos. Nosferatu-Ugly. There may be more, but they are but nameless rumors to you.
Yeah, Vampires exist. They dress like humans and walk among us. They do feed on blood, though you aren't sure if this is from necessity, preference, or just habit. Vampires have superhuman physical abilities of strength, stamina, and speed; some have the ability to cloud the mind or influence perceptions. All seem to be able to heal wounds almost instantly, though most fear fire and sunlight, both of which can burn them. There appears to be more than one type of vampire, and each of these seem to exhibit different capabilities. Vampires exist in a social structure of some type, with leaders and rules and everything. Their rules are called "Traditions." You've listened and read enough to know that there are "families" of vampires. Even heard a few names: Brujah, Camarilla, Gangrel, and Primogen. Rumors about wooden stakes destroying vampires by impaling their heart would seem to have some basis in truth. You know that vampires sleep during the day, and that they are vulnerable at this time.

You understand, generally, that there are different types of vampiric powers and that the powers tend to manifest themselves along clan lines. You know that some vampires are stronger, faster, or hardier than others, and that still others can control minds or disappear. All vampires seem to be able to use the blood to heal wounds at an amazing rate, but you also realize that this necessitates yet more feeding.

The rumors that vampires can be killed with a wooden stake are close to the truth: a stake paralyzes the vampire, preventing motion or any action whatsoever. Thus a staked vampire will require the assistance of another to remove the stake, and unless the vampire is shielded from the sun, he or she is in a precarious spot indeed, for sunlight and fire are a bane to vampires, and either can cause a panic-like state of frenzy.

Crosses, on the other hand, do not affect vampires, nor does garlic. Vampires are free to go whither they please, over running waters or through front doors, without the need of permission.

On a physiological note, vampires that have been heavily damaged can slip into a hibernation state known as torpor. It is not known how to rouse a vampire from torpor, the only known cure is time. A vampire in torpor is helpless and, it is said, unconscious. Vampires can be killed by decapitation, bodily destruction (through acid or tremendous pressure), fire, or sunlight, but through torpor they can recover from nearly anything.


Vampire Lore 2

Vampires seem to fall into 5 or more different basic types, though capabilities of individuals within the same type may still vary markedly in power and abilities. These groups are called "clans." Whilst all vampires can easily match the most extreme mortal feats of strength, stamina and speed, some types exhibit such traits to utterly supernatural extremes - throwing cars, absorbing bullets, or moving faster than the eyes can focus. Others exhibit mind influencing powers which fall into vague categories of influencing emotions, commanding the conscious mind, controlling animal minds and hiding or altering the appearance of the vampire. Vampires have means to enslave mortals in a more permanent manner than use of their mind control abilities, although the mechanism for this is unclear. These willing servants or unwilling slaves exhibit some of the healing and physical capabilities of their masters, and often show supernatural strength. It has been reported that such slaves age more slowly or not at all, though this may be sheer imagination. More than likely, they go mad.

You are aware that there are more than seven clans, though the identity of the others is something you hear only as whispers: Shades, Asuras… other strange names. You know that the origins of vampirism have been studied, but know little beyond recognizing your own ignorance.

You understand that vampiric powers are, in fact, grouped - either by nature or practice - into 'schools' called "Disciplines." You have heard of, and understand the broad nature of, the following Disciplines: Auspex (superior senses and mind reading), Dominate (mind control), Fortitude (supernatural toughness), Celerity (supernatural speed), Potence (supernatural strength), Animalism (control over animals), Obfuscate (the ability to disappear), and Presence (the ability to project emotions). There are some fairly credible rumors that some vampires can shapechange, or work magic, but do not know enough about such things to have any solid opinions. You know generally which clans possess which disciplines: the Brujah are strong and fast, while the Malkavians and the Nosferatu both seem to be able to disappear almost at will. The Toreador and Ventrue are able to influence other's perceptions of them through Presence, while the Gangrel are possessed of remarkable toughness. The Tremere… they are the ones that work magic, and they guard their secrets quite jealously.

Vampires staked through the heart are paralyzed, and if left without blood for extended periods slip into a death like state. It is rumored that vampires may not exercise their powers whilst staked, but that they may be able to recover from the comatose state by some means. Removing a stake from a conscious vampire is a fatal error, as reinvigoration is almost instantaneous.

Fire and sunlight cause damage to vampires which they seem unable to heal quickly. Such wounds may remain days or weeks after being inflicted. It has also been noted by some, that vampires seem to dislike blood that has been removed from a living person for any amount of time, preferring - to the point of exclusivity - to drink from the body or from blood drawn freshly into some drinking vessel. Whether this is simply aesthetic preference, superstition or a physiological or psychological necessity to them is unclear.

You have heard of blood bonds which form strong emotional links between vampires, supposedly through drinking vampire blood. Mortals can be willingly or unwillingly made to serve through feeding them your blood, which gives them your ability to heal and increase physical prowess and reputedly the supernatural strength of vampires even if you yourself do not possess that trait. These enhanced mortals are commonly referred to as "ghouls," and do not age so long as they regularly receive infusions of vampiric vitae. Ghouls are typically considered the "property" of the vampire who provides them with blood, and it is considered bad form to interfere with or harm another's ghoul. On the other hand, it is not considered bad form to punish a ghoul who is misbehaving, even if he is not your own.

On a similar note, you understand the mechanism of the embrace: mortals can be made into vampires by draining them of their blood and replacing it with even so much as a few drops of vampiric vitae. These new vampires, or "Childer" are weak-blooded and often perish within the first few weeks due to carelessness. A few hang on to their new lives, and grow and become more powerful. A vampire's blood grows in strength and power over time, and the ancients of the vampire world - creatures hundreds of years old, wield immense powers.

Torpor can come not just from wounds, but from failing to feed for an extended period. There is a way to rouse a sleeping vampire from torpor, but you do not know what it is. It may involve powers accessible only to the ancients.

This excerpt stops here. If you wish to know more? Buy Vampire Lore 3…

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