Difference between revisions of "Freestian Vampires"

Revision as of 08:08, 11 October 2005

Overview

Freestian Vampires, also known as Freethinker Vampires and with the latin name of; Draconis Vampyrus Sapiens, are powerful, fully sentient, bipedal carnivores and are among the most infamous of the residents of The Freethinkers. Able to change between a 'human' and dragon-like 'combat' form at will and possessing incredible strength and longitivity, they have become an intergral part of the Freethinker society, swearing to defend and protect the nation in return for the acceptance and intergration of their race within human society.

There are around 7-8 million Freestian vampires in The Freethinker Commonwealth, with a further 200-300 million ghouls (human/vampire half-breeds). The fully-fledged vampires are part of an autonomous 'nation' within The Freethinker Commonwealth and have their own laws, customs and government quite different from that of the human society in which they live alongside.

Physiology

Freestian vampires possess significantly different internal and external biology to other humanoid species, including 'true' vampires. One of the most important things, however, is that unlike most beings described as a vampire, Freestian vampires are purely natural rather than demonic or partly demonic creatures, a fact which has important consequences in terms of what Freestian vampires can and cannot do.

Main Differences Between 'True' Vampires and Freestian Vampires

> Not being demonic, Freestian vampires are unaffected by sunlight, indeed, having evolved in the harsh Freethinker deserts, they are well suited to high temperature environments and feel awkward in colder climes. Freestian vampires also have no special weakness against fire either.

> Though they live for a long time, Freestian vampires are not immortal and have a limited lifespan compared to true vampires.

> Freestian vampires are not affected by garlic, holy icons or other mythical defences against vampires. Silver weapons have no special effects on them either, though any weapon can still hurt normally.

> Freestian vampires can survive without drinking human blood. Their heavy metabolisms do, however, require them to eat mre conventional food regularly and in large sittings.

> Being natural rather than denomic creatures, Freestian vampires lack any magical, telekinetic, or telepathic powers, save from being resistent to telepathic mind-reading and influence. They possess no ability to shape-shift aside from their capacity to change between their 'human' and 'combat' form.

> Freestian vampires cannot sire other vampires through biting a victim, but can produce live offspring with each other and other species.

> Freestian vampires cannot move up along walls and ceilings, nor can they jump as high as 'true' vampires can. Also, Freestian vampires can only fly in Combat form using their large wings.

> Unlike true vampires, Freestian vampires cannot reattach seperated limbs and also heal slower from most injuries. They can also die (relatively) more easily from injuries such as physical trauma, infection and blood loss.

> Freestian vampires are, by and large, significantly physically stronger than most 'true' vampires, and have superior eyesight, hearing and sense of smell in general.

> Freestian vampires do not naturally harbour hostility to humans and are generally of better temprement than many 'true' vampires. However they are capable of far greater violence when pushed and, unlike normal vampires, Freestian vampires can be overcome by the maddening bloodlust after feeding.

Combat Form

The 'Combat ' form of a Freestian vampire is a awe-inspiring sight. Standing at ten feet or more at the shoulder and weighing in at up to six hundred pounds, these reptilian, winged forms are imposing and terrifying creatures. This was in fact the original form that Freestian vampires took, but over time (especially since the full integration of Freestian vampires into Freethinker society), the 'human' form has become more popular, with the capacity to actually transform between the two diminishing within the vampire population.

Human Form

The 'Human' form of Freestian vampires is the more common sight of these creatures within The Freethinkers, both more comfortable to the Vampires themselves to move around in and in terms of reducing shock to the humans around them. Whereas most Freethinkers are comfortable around a Vampire in full combat form, generally the same cannot be said of more nervous outsiders and visitors to the nation, for obvious reasons. The human form itself is infact a self-defense mechanism in origin, designed to allow the Freestian Vampire to intermingle with humans without attracting attention or attack. Although the attitude towards them has improved considerably over the ages, the human form represents a less aggressive, more approachable facade, and has become the 'natural' state of Freestian vampires to exist in.

Society

The society of the Freestian vampires is dominated by the 'clann' system of large, related families, the heads of which still hold the largest concentration of power and wealth within the vampire nation.

The Pathfinders

See also: Navarrok Guard

Half Breeds

Humans and Ghouls

See also: Freestian Ghouls