Difference between revisions of "Freestian Vampires"
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | '''Freestian Vampires''', also known as '''Freethinker Vampires''' (''Draconis Vampyrus Sapiens''), are large, sentient reptilian carnivores of the [[Freethinker Wildlife|Draconi]] family, ranking as perhaps the most infamous residents of [[the Freethinker Commonwealth]]. Possessing an ability to change between a humanoid 'humanform' and dragon-like 'combatform' at will and possessing incredible strength and longitivity (both many times greater than that of an ordinary human), they have become an integral part of Freethinker culture and society, forming a distinctive and unique minority in the country. | + | '''Freestian Vampires''', also known as '''Freethinker Vampires''' (''Draconis Vampyrus Sapiens''), are large, sentient reptilian carnivores of the [[Freethinker Wildlife|Draconi]] family, ranking as perhaps the most infamous residents of [[the Freethinker Commonwealth]]. Possessing an ability to change between a humanoid 'humanform' and dragon-like 'combatform' at will and possessing incredible strength and longitivity (both many times greater than that of an ordinary human), they have become an integral part of Freethinker culture and society, forming a distinctive and unique minority in the country. Despite their name, they are not related to the demonic vampires of other cultures, and are considered purely natural creatures by most biologists. |
Although living day-to-day as part of the human community, fully-fledged vampires are in fact part of an autonomous 'nation' within the Commonwealth, with their own laws, customs and (domestic) government quite different and seperate from that of the human society in which they live alongside. The official vampire 'head of state' is the current [[Lord of Navarrok]] (presently [[Sir Clodius Maxilimus]], patriarch of the Maxilimus Clann), but effective rule lies in the [[Council of Navarrok]], made up of the great [[Freestian Vampire Clanns|Clann]] Patriarchs and Matriarchs. At the last census there were approximately 11 million Freestian vampires in [[The Freethinkers|the Commonwealth]], along with a further 320 million [[Freestian Ghouls|ghouls]] (human/vampire half-breeds), which make up the bulk of the Freethinker [[non-human]] population. | Although living day-to-day as part of the human community, fully-fledged vampires are in fact part of an autonomous 'nation' within the Commonwealth, with their own laws, customs and (domestic) government quite different and seperate from that of the human society in which they live alongside. The official vampire 'head of state' is the current [[Lord of Navarrok]] (presently [[Sir Clodius Maxilimus]], patriarch of the Maxilimus Clann), but effective rule lies in the [[Council of Navarrok]], made up of the great [[Freestian Vampire Clanns|Clann]] Patriarchs and Matriarchs. At the last census there were approximately 11 million Freestian vampires in [[The Freethinkers|the Commonwealth]], along with a further 320 million [[Freestian Ghouls|ghouls]] (human/vampire half-breeds), which make up the bulk of the Freethinker [[non-human]] population. | ||
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==Physiology== | ==Physiology== | ||
The evolutionary origins of the species appears to have been a split from a common ancestor of the Freestian vampire and [[Freestian Wyvern]] about one-and-a-half to two million years ago. A much more carnivorous (and originally aggressive) derivative, the new species evolved a shorter, more powerful neck and jaw muscles, a thinner pelvis designed for both quadrapedal and bipedal locomotion, even denser musculature than their ancestors and, most importantly, a larger, more complex brain capable of communication and complex problem solving. They also possess other adaptions that have evolved over the last million years, including a more complex set of vocal chords (to the extent they can imitate human language patterns), powerful and complex hands capable of tool manufacture and manipulation, and, of course, the ability to transform between their reptilian and human forms. | The evolutionary origins of the species appears to have been a split from a common ancestor of the Freestian vampire and [[Freestian Wyvern]] about one-and-a-half to two million years ago. A much more carnivorous (and originally aggressive) derivative, the new species evolved a shorter, more powerful neck and jaw muscles, a thinner pelvis designed for both quadrapedal and bipedal locomotion, even denser musculature than their ancestors and, most importantly, a larger, more complex brain capable of communication and complex problem solving. They also possess other adaptions that have evolved over the last million years, including a more complex set of vocal chords (to the extent they can imitate human language patterns), powerful and complex hands capable of tool manufacture and manipulation, and, of course, the ability to transform between their reptilian and human forms. | ||
| − | As such, the appearence of a combatform vampire tends to be an almost anthromorphic version of the larger | + | As such, the appearence of a combatform vampire tends to be an almost anthromorphic version of the larger Wyvern. Although still recognisably reptilian, they retain some features more akin to human than Draconi anatomy. A broader body, articulate hands, a limited ability to regulate internal temperature and a number of other adaptions seem to indicate an evolutionary path similar to humans, though this seems odd in the light of the much more ferocious nature of the Freestian vampire's origins. |
| − | + | An individual vampire will mass around 400-500 kilograms for a fully grown male and around 375-450 kilgrams for a female. Height in combatform for both genders approaches 250 cm at the shoulder whilst quadrapedal and around 320 cm when fully upright. A total height, including the horns, for a male may exceed 450 cm in total for the largest bulls. Although females will generally come in at around 50 to 100 cm shorter, this is generally due to their much smaller principal horns than any major size dismorphism between the sexes. | |
| − | + | In humanform, a Freestian vampire is reminiscent of his demonic counterparts, though they tend to have a far darker tone then the deathly pale skin that marks out demonic vampires. Both males and females tend to be taller than the human average, with males standing on average at about 198 cm and females at 190 cm. Their weight remains, however, constant with their larger combatforms, with the mass believed to condense into denser musculature which may also explain the relatively constant strength between human and combatforms. | |
===Transformation=== | ===Transformation=== | ||
| − | The capacity to transform between the | + | The capacity to transform between the humanform and combatform is a revered capability, indeed, the generally accepted definition of what makes a Freestian vampire (compared to a well developed [[Freestian Ghoul]]) is this capacity to move between forms. The actual biological origins of this transformation are unknown, as are most of the specifics of the process itself. What is known is generally considered to be woefully incomplete, but actual testing during the transformation itself can can awkward and sometimes disastrous results for the vampire themselves, vastly hampering efforts to understand the process. |
| − | There are, however, a few things that are certain about the process, details which have been gathered by passive observation and records. Importantly, it has been concluded that magical or psychic power or processes influence or drive the procedure, leaving it a purely natural mechanism, even though many speculate that the creation of a such a specific and unusal mutation in the genetic code may have had some direct influence by the pyschic powers inherent in the species. Indeed, the shapeshifting mutation is often heralded as evidence of the '''"[[Great Fall Theory|Great Fall]]" theory''', | + | There are, however, a few things that are certain about the process, details which have been gathered by passive observation and records. Importantly, it has been concluded that magical or psychic power or processes influence or drive the procedure, leaving it a purely natural mechanism, even though many speculate that the creation of a such a specific and unusal mutation in the genetic code may have had some direct influence by the pyschic powers inherent in the species. Indeed, the shapeshifting mutation is often heralded as evidence of the '''"[[Great Fall Theory|Great Fall]]" theory''', (the extended explanation for the relative stagnation of vampire culture in pre-contact days) as the level of genetic manipulation required would have necessitated a great understanding and potential control of biological processes. |
| − | The capacity to transform generally comes into play at around five years of age for a young vampire, and the ability must be coaxed gently into a young sireling as the first few experiences can be immensely traumatic. The pain inherent in the procedure can cause distress and generally it takes several years before a vampire becomes fully comfortable conducting the transformation by themselves. | + | The capacity to transform generally comes into play at around five years of age for a young vampire, and the ability must be coaxed gently into a young sireling as the first few experiences can be immensely traumatic. The pain inherent in the procedure can cause distress and generally it takes several years before a vampire becomes fully comfortable conducting the transformation by themselves. Although the pain remains throughout each transformation, this generally wears down to a dull ache. Transformation is energy intensive and physically tiring, and even the fittest Vampires will require a rest after a series of quick transformations between forms. The process is said to burn sufficient stored energy to meet a male human's entire energy intake requirement of two days. This massive expenditure of calories causes a significant albeit temporary heat rise in individuals, as much as 3 degrees (Celcius) in the largest specimens. This heat is quickly siphoned off through either excessive sweating in humanform with the addition of increased radiation of heat through extending the wings and heavy panting by a combatform. Multiple transformations in a short space of time can lead to the vampire equivelant of heatstroke, causing the creature to fall unconcious for a period of time. |
===Feeding and Nutrition=== | ===Feeding and Nutrition=== | ||
| − | Unlike many of the Draconi, Freestian vampires are pure carnivores in terms of their preferred eating habits, a habit they share only with the great [[Freethinker Wildlife|Sand Dragon]] within the genus. | + | Unlike many of the Draconi, Freestian vampires are pure carnivores in terms of their preferred eating habits, a habit they share only with the great [[Freethinker Wildlife|Sand Dragon]] within the genus. Because of their limited ability to store body fat whilst maintaining an active lifestyle, Freestian vampires need regular and large sittings of food to satisfy energy needs. A carbohdrate and fat intake of around 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day is considered the recommended intake for a fairly active vampire. |
====Bloodlust==== | ====Bloodlust==== | ||
| − | Bloodlust is a condition that results from overfeeding of fresh, oxygenated blood by an adult vampire. | + | Bloodlust is a condition that results from overfeeding of fresh, oxygenated blood by an adult vampire, resulting in an feeling of extreme elation accompanied by haloucinations and an almost uncontrollable desire to further feed. |
===Reproduction=== | ===Reproduction=== | ||
| + | Vampires sexually mature at around twenty-five to thirty years of age in both sexes. Unlike many creatures, Freestian vampires do not begin becoming reproductively capable until attaining their full growth, an ancient evolutionary adaption that arose from the advantage given to smaller males from being crippled by unmatched fights between suitors and ensure females are sufficently large and strong enough to carry a live pregnancy. | ||
| + | |||
Actual gestation takes place over a twelve month period, and unlike most reptiles the mother gives birth to a live single (or, extremely rarely, twin) offspring. | Actual gestation takes place over a twelve month period, and unlike most reptiles the mother gives birth to a live single (or, extremely rarely, twin) offspring. | ||
===Psychic Powers=== | ===Psychic Powers=== | ||
| + | Although not magical creatures by default, an extremely number of female | ||
===Health Concerns & Diseases=== | ===Health Concerns & Diseases=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Notable Diseases''' | ||
*'''Pythoras Disorder:''' A thankfully rare mental condition that causes subconcious feral traits to surface, especially during sleep. This is considered the vampire equivelant of sleepwalking, but because the subconcious traits rising to the surface are generally linked to hunting and threat recognition instincts, there is a significant danger that an affected individual can put many nearby civlians at risk. Luckily the condition can generally be diagosed fairly early on (due to the common habit, in the early stages of the diseases, to simply damage a localised area such as the room a vampire is resting in) and can be treated surprisingly effectively with a prescription sleeping drug course, though in some cases some higher physciatric help may be needed. | *'''Pythoras Disorder:''' A thankfully rare mental condition that causes subconcious feral traits to surface, especially during sleep. This is considered the vampire equivelant of sleepwalking, but because the subconcious traits rising to the surface are generally linked to hunting and threat recognition instincts, there is a significant danger that an affected individual can put many nearby civlians at risk. Luckily the condition can generally be diagosed fairly early on (due to the common habit, in the early stages of the diseases, to simply damage a localised area such as the room a vampire is resting in) and can be treated surprisingly effectively with a prescription sleeping drug course, though in some cases some higher physciatric help may be needed. | ||
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*'''Shadow Curse:''' An increasingly common genetic disorder that affects adult vampires and their capacity to absorb oxygen from excess feeding into their own bloodstream. It is most commonly distinguished as an inability to experience the condition known as Bloodlust, as the hallucogenic properties associated with increased blood consumption do not manifest themselves. Other problems can include a shortness of breath (especially during physical exercise), and, in more extreme cases problems digesting other nutrients from food and an increased risk and susceptability to many gastro-intestinal diseases. In its lighter forms, however, the disease may be considered an advantageous mutation, as generally during Bloodlust a vampire looses a lot of self control and becomes increasingly enraged and aggressive. In many modern hunting and fighting scenarios self-control is a necessary and much more important attribute than the beserker life fury of the Bloodlust, providing an advantage to afflicted individuals. | *'''Shadow Curse:''' An increasingly common genetic disorder that affects adult vampires and their capacity to absorb oxygen from excess feeding into their own bloodstream. It is most commonly distinguished as an inability to experience the condition known as Bloodlust, as the hallucogenic properties associated with increased blood consumption do not manifest themselves. Other problems can include a shortness of breath (especially during physical exercise), and, in more extreme cases problems digesting other nutrients from food and an increased risk and susceptability to many gastro-intestinal diseases. In its lighter forms, however, the disease may be considered an advantageous mutation, as generally during Bloodlust a vampire looses a lot of self control and becomes increasingly enraged and aggressive. In many modern hunting and fighting scenarios self-control is a necessary and much more important attribute than the beserker life fury of the Bloodlust, providing an advantage to afflicted individuals. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Main Differences Between Demonic Vampires and Freestian Vampires== |
| − | The | + | The most important difference to realise is that Freestian vampires are purely natural rather than demonic or partly demonic creatures, a fact which has important consequences in terms of what abilities and traits Freestian vampires possess. The following is brief guide comparing the two entirely seperate species; |
| − | + | '''>''' 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. | |
| − | The main "religion" of Freestian vampires is a form of ancestral worship known as the [[Reverence]]. This is considered more an article of pure faith rather than a rigid belief system, however, as the Reverence itself holds surprisingly few tenets at its core. The principle practise is simply a stylised version of ancestoral worship, with the core article of reverence one's behavior and how one's ancestors would view one's actions, an important message taken to the heart of the complex code of honour that permeates vampire society. | + | '''>''' Though they live for a long time, Freestian vampires are not immortal and have a limited lifespan compared to demonic 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 more conventional food regularly and in large sittings. They actually can starve to death quicker than demonic vampires and even humans. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''>''' Being natural rather than denomic creatures, almost all Freestian vampires lack any magical, telekinetic, or telepathic powers, save from being resistent to telepathic mind-reading and influence. They also possess no ability to shape-shift aside from their capacity to change between their 'human' and 'combat' form. An extremely small number of female Vampires do possess a limited form of psychic power that usually requires an external aid to manifest itself. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''>''' 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 demonic vampires can. Also, Freestian vampires can only fly in combatform using their large bat-like wings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''>''' Unlike demonic 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 demonic 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 demonic vampires. However they are capable of far greater violence when pushed and, like normal vampires, Freestian vampires can be overcome by a maddening Bloodlust after feeding. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Society & Culture== | ||
| + | The society of the Freestian vampires is dominated by the '[[Freestian Vampire Clanns|Clann]]' system of twelve large, aristocratic blood-related families, the heads of which still hold the largest concentration of power and wealth within the vampire nation. Almost all living Freestian vampires can claim to be, geneologically, part of one of the great Clanns, though only the immediate relatives of the two heads of each Clann are considered as part of the actual, power-wielding families themselves. Although an ancient society in terms of its origins, the basic values and practises of vampires are surprisingly liberal, with casual attitudes to relationships and tolerance towards other sentients the norm. There practical equality with regard to gender in vampire culture and history, believed to be based on the physical equality between males and females in terms of strength and intelligence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ''de facto'' official language of vampire society is [[English]]/[[Common]], though the traditional vampire language known as [[Draconis]] is still spoken by a majority of older vampires as well. The main "religion" of Freestian vampires is a form of ancestral worship known as the [[Reverence]]. This is considered more an article of pure faith rather than a rigid belief system, however, as the Reverence itself holds surprisingly few tenets at its core. The principle practise is simply a stylised version of ancestoral worship, with the core article of reverence one's behavior and how one's ancestors would view one's actions, an important message taken to the heart of the complex code of honour that permeates vampire society. | ||
===Relationships=== | ===Relationships=== | ||
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==Interaction with Human Society== | ==Interaction with Human Society== | ||
| − | |||
Human society's view of vampires is somewhat a mixture of awe and respect but also jealousy and minor resentment. | Human society's view of vampires is somewhat a mixture of awe and respect but also jealousy and minor resentment. | ||
===Employment within Human Society=== | ===Employment within Human Society=== | ||
| − | Former members of the Navarrok Guard and the Syrens of the Spire are highly sought after by many government departments and by the private sector. Postings in the Foreign Office as ambassadors is not uncommon, and it is a general policy to send one of these ex-warriors to postings where either there is a significant danger | + | Former members of the Navarrok Guard and the Syrens of the Spire are highly sought after by many government departments and by the private sector. Postings in the Foreign Office as ambassadors is not uncommon, and it is a general policy to send one of these ex-warriors to postings where either there is a significant danger of an impending crisis, or to where a culture would be more willing to deal with this species than a human representative. Such postings are generally seen as a semi-retirement option by the vampire community. Other ex-Pathfinders are often brought into internal security details, though treaty terms prevent their recruitment into the mainstream human army and security services. Female warriors however from the Syrens can be employed by the [[Commonwealth National Intelligence Organisation|CNIO]] in limited roles, backed up by female recruits taken directly into this agency, along with certain squads of the police and parks service. |
| − | Ex-Pathfinder Paladins and Syren Sisters in civilian service are often sought out as bodyguards by the elite in Freethinker society, and are a powerful status symbol as well as possessing important practical advantages over their human counterparts. Their naturally superior strength and senses are useful attributes, and their ability to be extremely dangerous, even unarmed, is an excellent bonus in many situations. Given the very small number of avaliable candidates, the financial rewards for such vampires can be staggering. | + | Ex-Pathfinder Paladins and Syren Sisters in civilian service are often sought out as bodyguards by the elite in Freethinker society, and are a powerful status symbol as well as possessing important practical advantages over their human counterparts. Their naturally superior strength and senses are useful attributes, and their ability to be extremely dangerous, even unarmed (and undressed), is an excellent bonus in many situations. Given the very small number of avaliable candidates, the financial rewards for such vampires can be staggering. |
| − | Vampires can also be found in a wide variety of civilian occupations even without military experience. Private security organisations often recruit vampires into their ranks to provide effective security at many companies. | + | Vampires can also be found in a wide variety of civilian occupations even without military experience. Private security organisations often recruit vampires into their ranks to provide effective security at many companies in the Commonwealth. |
==Half Breeds and Varients== | ==Half Breeds and Varients== | ||
Revision as of 03:00, 15 June 2006
|
| Combatform Freestian Vampire |
Contents
Overview
Freestian Vampires, also known as Freethinker Vampires (Draconis Vampyrus Sapiens), are large, sentient reptilian carnivores of the Draconi family, ranking as perhaps the most infamous residents of the Freethinker Commonwealth. Possessing an ability to change between a humanoid 'humanform' and dragon-like 'combatform' at will and possessing incredible strength and longitivity (both many times greater than that of an ordinary human), they have become an integral part of Freethinker culture and society, forming a distinctive and unique minority in the country. Despite their name, they are not related to the demonic vampires of other cultures, and are considered purely natural creatures by most biologists.
Although living day-to-day as part of the human community, fully-fledged vampires are in fact part of an autonomous 'nation' within the Commonwealth, with their own laws, customs and (domestic) government quite different and seperate from that of the human society in which they live alongside. The official vampire 'head of state' is the current Lord of Navarrok (presently Sir Clodius Maxilimus, patriarch of the Maxilimus Clann), but effective rule lies in the Council of Navarrok, made up of the great Clann Patriarchs and Matriarchs. At the last census there were approximately 11 million Freestian vampires in the Commonwealth, along with a further 320 million ghouls (human/vampire half-breeds), which make up the bulk of the Freethinker non-human population.
Physiology
The evolutionary origins of the species appears to have been a split from a common ancestor of the Freestian vampire and Freestian Wyvern about one-and-a-half to two million years ago. A much more carnivorous (and originally aggressive) derivative, the new species evolved a shorter, more powerful neck and jaw muscles, a thinner pelvis designed for both quadrapedal and bipedal locomotion, even denser musculature than their ancestors and, most importantly, a larger, more complex brain capable of communication and complex problem solving. They also possess other adaptions that have evolved over the last million years, including a more complex set of vocal chords (to the extent they can imitate human language patterns), powerful and complex hands capable of tool manufacture and manipulation, and, of course, the ability to transform between their reptilian and human forms.
As such, the appearence of a combatform vampire tends to be an almost anthromorphic version of the larger Wyvern. Although still recognisably reptilian, they retain some features more akin to human than Draconi anatomy. A broader body, articulate hands, a limited ability to regulate internal temperature and a number of other adaptions seem to indicate an evolutionary path similar to humans, though this seems odd in the light of the much more ferocious nature of the Freestian vampire's origins.
An individual vampire will mass around 400-500 kilograms for a fully grown male and around 375-450 kilgrams for a female. Height in combatform for both genders approaches 250 cm at the shoulder whilst quadrapedal and around 320 cm when fully upright. A total height, including the horns, for a male may exceed 450 cm in total for the largest bulls. Although females will generally come in at around 50 to 100 cm shorter, this is generally due to their much smaller principal horns than any major size dismorphism between the sexes.
In humanform, a Freestian vampire is reminiscent of his demonic counterparts, though they tend to have a far darker tone then the deathly pale skin that marks out demonic vampires. Both males and females tend to be taller than the human average, with males standing on average at about 198 cm and females at 190 cm. Their weight remains, however, constant with their larger combatforms, with the mass believed to condense into denser musculature which may also explain the relatively constant strength between human and combatforms.
Transformation
The capacity to transform between the humanform and combatform is a revered capability, indeed, the generally accepted definition of what makes a Freestian vampire (compared to a well developed Freestian Ghoul) is this capacity to move between forms. The actual biological origins of this transformation are unknown, as are most of the specifics of the process itself. What is known is generally considered to be woefully incomplete, but actual testing during the transformation itself can can awkward and sometimes disastrous results for the vampire themselves, vastly hampering efforts to understand the process.
There are, however, a few things that are certain about the process, details which have been gathered by passive observation and records. Importantly, it has been concluded that magical or psychic power or processes influence or drive the procedure, leaving it a purely natural mechanism, even though many speculate that the creation of a such a specific and unusal mutation in the genetic code may have had some direct influence by the pyschic powers inherent in the species. Indeed, the shapeshifting mutation is often heralded as evidence of the "Great Fall" theory, (the extended explanation for the relative stagnation of vampire culture in pre-contact days) as the level of genetic manipulation required would have necessitated a great understanding and potential control of biological processes.
The capacity to transform generally comes into play at around five years of age for a young vampire, and the ability must be coaxed gently into a young sireling as the first few experiences can be immensely traumatic. The pain inherent in the procedure can cause distress and generally it takes several years before a vampire becomes fully comfortable conducting the transformation by themselves. Although the pain remains throughout each transformation, this generally wears down to a dull ache. Transformation is energy intensive and physically tiring, and even the fittest Vampires will require a rest after a series of quick transformations between forms. The process is said to burn sufficient stored energy to meet a male human's entire energy intake requirement of two days. This massive expenditure of calories causes a significant albeit temporary heat rise in individuals, as much as 3 degrees (Celcius) in the largest specimens. This heat is quickly siphoned off through either excessive sweating in humanform with the addition of increased radiation of heat through extending the wings and heavy panting by a combatform. Multiple transformations in a short space of time can lead to the vampire equivelant of heatstroke, causing the creature to fall unconcious for a period of time.
Feeding and Nutrition
Unlike many of the Draconi, Freestian vampires are pure carnivores in terms of their preferred eating habits, a habit they share only with the great Sand Dragon within the genus. Because of their limited ability to store body fat whilst maintaining an active lifestyle, Freestian vampires need regular and large sittings of food to satisfy energy needs. A carbohdrate and fat intake of around 8,000 to 10,000 calories a day is considered the recommended intake for a fairly active vampire.
Bloodlust
Bloodlust is a condition that results from overfeeding of fresh, oxygenated blood by an adult vampire, resulting in an feeling of extreme elation accompanied by haloucinations and an almost uncontrollable desire to further feed.
Reproduction
Vampires sexually mature at around twenty-five to thirty years of age in both sexes. Unlike many creatures, Freestian vampires do not begin becoming reproductively capable until attaining their full growth, an ancient evolutionary adaption that arose from the advantage given to smaller males from being crippled by unmatched fights between suitors and ensure females are sufficently large and strong enough to carry a live pregnancy.
Actual gestation takes place over a twelve month period, and unlike most reptiles the mother gives birth to a live single (or, extremely rarely, twin) offspring.
Psychic Powers
Although not magical creatures by default, an extremely number of female
Health Concerns & Diseases
Notable Diseases
- Pythoras Disorder: A thankfully rare mental condition that causes subconcious feral traits to surface, especially during sleep. This is considered the vampire equivelant of sleepwalking, but because the subconcious traits rising to the surface are generally linked to hunting and threat recognition instincts, there is a significant danger that an affected individual can put many nearby civlians at risk. Luckily the condition can generally be diagosed fairly early on (due to the common habit, in the early stages of the diseases, to simply damage a localised area such as the room a vampire is resting in) and can be treated surprisingly effectively with a prescription sleeping drug course, though in some cases some higher physciatric help may be needed.
- Shadow Curse: An increasingly common genetic disorder that affects adult vampires and their capacity to absorb oxygen from excess feeding into their own bloodstream. It is most commonly distinguished as an inability to experience the condition known as Bloodlust, as the hallucogenic properties associated with increased blood consumption do not manifest themselves. Other problems can include a shortness of breath (especially during physical exercise), and, in more extreme cases problems digesting other nutrients from food and an increased risk and susceptability to many gastro-intestinal diseases. In its lighter forms, however, the disease may be considered an advantageous mutation, as generally during Bloodlust a vampire looses a lot of self control and becomes increasingly enraged and aggressive. In many modern hunting and fighting scenarios self-control is a necessary and much more important attribute than the beserker life fury of the Bloodlust, providing an advantage to afflicted individuals.
Main Differences Between Demonic Vampires and Freestian Vampires
The most important difference to realise is that Freestian vampires are purely natural rather than demonic or partly demonic creatures, a fact which has important consequences in terms of what abilities and traits Freestian vampires possess. The following is brief guide comparing the two entirely seperate species;
> 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 demonic 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 more conventional food regularly and in large sittings. They actually can starve to death quicker than demonic vampires and even humans.
> Being natural rather than denomic creatures, almost all Freestian vampires lack any magical, telekinetic, or telepathic powers, save from being resistent to telepathic mind-reading and influence. They also possess no ability to shape-shift aside from their capacity to change between their 'human' and 'combat' form. An extremely small number of female Vampires do possess a limited form of psychic power that usually requires an external aid to manifest itself.
> 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 demonic vampires can. Also, Freestian vampires can only fly in combatform using their large bat-like wings.
> Unlike demonic 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 demonic 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 demonic vampires. However they are capable of far greater violence when pushed and, like normal vampires, Freestian vampires can be overcome by a maddening Bloodlust after feeding.
Society & Culture
The society of the Freestian vampires is dominated by the 'Clann' system of twelve large, aristocratic blood-related families, the heads of which still hold the largest concentration of power and wealth within the vampire nation. Almost all living Freestian vampires can claim to be, geneologically, part of one of the great Clanns, though only the immediate relatives of the two heads of each Clann are considered as part of the actual, power-wielding families themselves. Although an ancient society in terms of its origins, the basic values and practises of vampires are surprisingly liberal, with casual attitudes to relationships and tolerance towards other sentients the norm. There practical equality with regard to gender in vampire culture and history, believed to be based on the physical equality between males and females in terms of strength and intelligence.
The de facto official language of vampire society is English/Common, though the traditional vampire language known as Draconis is still spoken by a majority of older vampires as well. The main "religion" of Freestian vampires is a form of ancestral worship known as the Reverence. This is considered more an article of pure faith rather than a rigid belief system, however, as the Reverence itself holds surprisingly few tenets at its core. The principle practise is simply a stylised version of ancestoral worship, with the core article of reverence one's behavior and how one's ancestors would view one's actions, an important message taken to the heart of the complex code of honour that permeates vampire society.
Relationships
Vampire relationships can seem extremely unusual in comparison to most human societies, especially to more conservative nations.
These two elite Orders form the official armed forces of the vampire nation.
See Main Articles: Navarrok Guard and The Syrens of the Spire
The Order of the Navarrok Guard (also known as the Pathfinder Corp) is the main 'Armed Force' of the autonomous vampire nation. A male-only elite unit, acceptance into this Order is considered one of the finest honours a vampire can achieve and recruitment is widely sought (though obviously incredibly hard to obtain). This powerful unit is tasked with guarding many important military and government institutions and personnel in both the vampire and human communities, and also provides key military forces for the human government when necessary. The actual subservience to the human government is somewhat limited, and as such it must be noted that these actions are undertaken as an act of friendship and unity as part of the Navarre Blood Pact to which both races are party to.
The female-only 'counterpart' to the Navarrok Guard is the Syrens of the Spire, an elite set of bodyguards (and attendents) for the Priestess of the Reverence and also serve as guardians of the Spire of Navarrok itself. The Order carries a similar weight of honour and duty for all those accepted as for the warriors of the Navarrok Guard, but it contains far fewer personnel than the male Order and has a much smaller range of combat duties, being limited to defending the Spire of Navarrok itself and the Priestess herself. Unlike the Navarrok Guard, the Syrens do not undertake outside military operations, and also do not perform tasks for the human government unless specifically ordered by the Priestess. Contained within this order are many the gifted female vampires imbued with limited psychic powers, used during ceremonies of the Reverence and as part of their personal arsenals.
Interaction with Human Society
Human society's view of vampires is somewhat a mixture of awe and respect but also jealousy and minor resentment.
Employment within Human Society
Former members of the Navarrok Guard and the Syrens of the Spire are highly sought after by many government departments and by the private sector. Postings in the Foreign Office as ambassadors is not uncommon, and it is a general policy to send one of these ex-warriors to postings where either there is a significant danger of an impending crisis, or to where a culture would be more willing to deal with this species than a human representative. Such postings are generally seen as a semi-retirement option by the vampire community. Other ex-Pathfinders are often brought into internal security details, though treaty terms prevent their recruitment into the mainstream human army and security services. Female warriors however from the Syrens can be employed by the CNIO in limited roles, backed up by female recruits taken directly into this agency, along with certain squads of the police and parks service.
Ex-Pathfinder Paladins and Syren Sisters in civilian service are often sought out as bodyguards by the elite in Freethinker society, and are a powerful status symbol as well as possessing important practical advantages over their human counterparts. Their naturally superior strength and senses are useful attributes, and their ability to be extremely dangerous, even unarmed (and undressed), is an excellent bonus in many situations. Given the very small number of avaliable candidates, the financial rewards for such vampires can be staggering.
Vampires can also be found in a wide variety of civilian occupations even without military experience. Private security organisations often recruit vampires into their ranks to provide effective security at many companies in the Commonwealth.
Half Breeds and Varients
Humans and Ghouls
See Main Article: Freestian Ghouls
Ghouls are the result of a human/vampire mating. These metahuman offspring are physically stronger and tougher than normal humans, but lack the capacity to transform that is the hallmark of a true Freestian vampire.
Sempyra
The Sempyra is said to be the only thing that inspires fear in a Freestian vampire, and the concept also carries considerable horror in popular human culture in The Freethinkers. The basic concept of a Freestian vampire bitten by a undead demon is a terrifying thought for most, and despite there being only one recorded individual who succumbed (Sempyra himself), considerable effort and investment has been made by both military and scientific personnel to understand and combat the potential threat of these powerful and terrifying monsters.
In June 1975 Sempyra Ardan was a young, relatively small and weak vampire, recently rejected in his attempts to enter the Navarrok Guard and significantly embittered with both vampire and human society at large. Struggling to find ways to gain acceptance, he sought out means of gaining strength and power, when a chance meeting in a Navarre club put him in a contact with an unknown, 'true' vampire. Learning of the powers humans inherited from being 'sired', Sempyra agreed to a nearly lethal siring attempt in order to gain increased strength for himself, little knowing of the dangers of such an action.
Indeed, what makes these creatures significant threats is not just the basic changes a Freestian vampire will go through (which generally includes achieving many normal vampiric traits including aversion to sunlight, relative super-strength and reflexes, immortality and telekinetic powers), but the mental changes that occur. Although most Freestian vampires enjoy the taste of human blood, societal values and concerns limit such behaviour to occasional, consensual feeding. However, when a vampire becomes a Sempyra, all of this control is lost, especially as it now becomes a necessity to drink human blood to live. As one can imagine the sheer nutritional needs of a eight-hundred pound carnivore, this means that a Sempyra is driven to a state where he needs to consistently feed whilst awake, consuming human blood on a terrifying scale and shifting into a permanent state of Bloodlust. Given the additional demonic powers of a true vampire, and it is easy to see why such creatures are considered extremely dangerous.
This describes the tale of Sempyra himself. During the three nights of his Bloodlust-induced rampage he slaughtered over a hundred humans and twelve fellow vampires, including six members of the Navarrok Guard sent out to hunt him down. It eventually took the intervention of the Lord of Navarrok, Sir Clodius Maxilimus, who engaged in hand-to-hand combat where he managed to decapitate the deranged Sempyra, at the cost of several prominent injuries whose scars he still bears to this day. The sheer bloodiness of the rampage and the lightning fast, animalistic manner of Sempyra's attacks etched the image of the demonic vampire into the collective minds of the Commonwealth forever.
The actual threat of a repeat attack, however, is very minor due to a number of realistic conditions. Firstly, there is the simple fact that, unlike humans, most Freestian vampires would not struggle to fight off or kill a normal demonic vampire who tried to bite them, thanks to their own powerful strength and form, unless such an attempt was voluntary (as was the case with Sempyra), which is considered highly unlikely given the results of that encounter. Secondly, the sheer physical strain on both the siring vampire and his 'victim' makes a siring extremely difficult, given the huge blood transfers and the time necessary to complete a task. Sempyra was at the time of his transformation a smaller member of the Freestian vampire race and the unknown demonic vampire who sired him was allegedly an ancient, highly skilled member of his species, and even in these very favourable circumstances the encounter almost killed them both.
Last but not least, and certainly the major factor in not repeating the Sempyra incident, is the simple fact there is simply not that many times the two breeds of vampire come into contact. There are very few Freestian vampires outside the Commonwealth's borders and even fewer true vampires living within the Commonwealth. Given the dangers of another Sempyra relations between the two are discouraged and in reality are now non-existent. Nowadays, thankfully, the only actual appearence of Sempyra of any kind is in domestic horror films.
Feral Varients
There are occassional reports from outback ranchers and hunting parties of strange creature sightings, disturbing howls and sounds and animal mutilation across the great undisturbed wilderness of the Freethinker deserts. Many theories have been put forward for these events, the idea that some feral variety of Freestian vampires roaming the great deserts is one of the more popular ones. Historically, there are some oral stories about 'wild' Vampires roaming the desert in the vampire histories, and many ranchers and hikers (with significant knowledge of desert species) often reported being shadowed by creatures 'not of the recognisable types of desert predator', especially in the Great Southern Desert. The most popular version of feral sightings is a slightly smaller, thinner version of a standard Freestian vampire with a light coating of dark brown fur and an 'emancipated' figure. Encounters are as a rule always short and a distance, with these sighted creatures retreating almost as soon as they detect the presence of the intruder.
There have been many counter-arguements and suggestions about the 'Feral Vampire' sightings. Many alleged sightings have been put down to other members of the Draconi family, notably, physical sightings of 'thin vampires' may refer to adolescent Freestian Wyverns on the hunt, or even standard vampires on a long Pilgrimage, the strange howls attributed to the various mating calls of desert species, and various animal attacks to desperate Sandwyrms and large desert insects. Sceptics also point out the actual lack of physical evidence for such creatures aside from a few grainy photos, with no blood or skin samples, for instance, found on the supposed victims of feral vampire atacks.
However, regardless of the actual status of 'Feral' vampires, they are not considered a major threat even if they were to exist, as Professor Steve Hodruss, head of Vampiric Studies at the Gothabia District University wrly noted: In an environment boasting such proven dangers as truck-toppling Sand Trolls and whale-sized Dragons capable of ripping apart armoured vehicles, the actual new level fo threat posed by a theoretically small population of feral vampires is negliable at best. Most people working and travelling the desert already take considerable armed protection and precautions as a matter of necessity, and so the only real interest in such wild varients is from a biological curiosity rather than a security concern.
