Vampirism

Brief Overveiw

The vampires of Eden stalk in the dark of the night with no fear of daylight. They avoid the day, as the Sonlight interferes with their enhanced night vision, which is part of what allows them to stalk their prey so simply within the shadows. Other methods they use include the ability to smell fear and blood, infernal spellcasting, and some even possess Forsaken abilities.

General Overview

There are two variants of vampirism which each take their own course depending on how it was contracted. These are the Stragoi, and Eretica. The difference in power between these two types of vampires is enormous, however, it all starts with the method of contracting this affliction.

1. Stragoi - More commonly seen than the other variant, the Stragoi only drink blood and they usually serve as thralls to the Eretica that turned them. They are only minorly inconvenienced by light, but nonetheless, their body clock seems to flip into a nocturnal state as this is when they see, smell, and hunt the best. To become a Stragoi, you must be bitten and die with an Eretica's venom in your system. Stragoi are considered undead.
   
2. Eretica - To become an Eretica is a vastly more complicated feat as this risks the mind of the person afflicted. An Eretica is formed when a Forsaken possesses the body of a mortal. Their evil energies then begin killing the living host, causing them the desperate need to seek out more sources of vitality. This is typically blood, however, the Eretica vary from Stragoi with their consumption needs due to the Forsaken inside and will begin to crave whatever it is the Forsaken desires devouring in order to keep their physical from dying completely. The more the victim consumes these life forces, the more their body will slowly begin to mutate in a manner that makes their mortal form resemble the true form of the Forsaken within them. Eretica are not considered undead, not unless they go three days with no sustenance. Then their body will die and they'll turn feral until they consume enough sources of vitality to correct their altered mental state.

Symptoms

No matter the variant of vampire, the afflicted person will grow their fangs within 24 hours of being bitten or possessed by a Forsaken. The worst part, however, is the effect that is has on their minds.
Due to the need to hunt or die, the subject slowly begins to view peers as prey, forming a newfound psychological confusion between the feelings of love and hunger. Below are symptoms of each vampire variant described, though the order may very from individual to individual based on consumption.

Stragoi

Eretica

The Stragoi need to drink blood, or they will turn feral. They can go 3 days without blood before they go into a feral bloodlust which can only be quenched by fully draining the lifeforce of another creature. Unlike Eretica they retain their original form. Stragoi become immortal. They can see well in the dark. They do not feel the cold. Stragoi are weak to fire. and if the vampirism is cured they will still taste copper when they eat & must inevitably confront their addiction to blood.

Eretica can create thralls. Their body begins to mutate as they feed. As Eretica feed they gain more spells and abilities from the Forsaken within them. Eretica are immortal. They need to feed or they are easier to take over and they risk becoming undead. When experiencing times of high emotional distress they can be taken over. Depending on the Forsaken inside them their resistances and weaknesses may change. Their body cannot be cured, they can only expel the Forsaken and resist other that come along. The physical toll taken on the victims body will remain until they die, which will be awhile now that they're immortal.

Both forms of Vampirism are contagious, however, if you're bitten by a Stragoi you have a higher chance of resisting the entrancement effects of their venom. If you're bitten by an Eretica it'll likely try to kill you to turn you into its thrall. It's easier for them to control the undead.

Prevention

In order to avoid the effects of vampirism, people in areas with suspected vampire activity are advised to drink a tea and/or cook with a Sonstripe Flower. This special plant can grant mortals the best odds at resisting not only the bite, but an actual Forsaken possession attempt as well.
In other cases, some priests sell amulets designed to protect people from possession as well, but these don't typically prevent the bite from turning someone.

Epidemiology

Due to the fact the infection method starts with something as simple as possession or biting and killing the subject, this condition, though manageable if caught early, can get out of hand quickly.
The best example known historically was titled the "Fortnight of fright," and what happened was a Divine servant named Vicond who was serving Amare betrayed her and was forced to flee her wrath. He hid in a mortal man on Adele and yet still she was able to strip him of her blessings, even from that distance. In an act of desperation, the now Forsaken servant performed a dark ritual near the Strange circle and called to all fellow Forsaken nearby to travel through the portal he'd created and help him take control of Adele. Two hundred Forsaken emerged from the portal and together they possessed hundreds of mortals. They took over Adele in its entirety and began to use the remaining civilians as either thralls, or cattle. They successfully held Adele captive for an entire fortnight before two of the least expected adventurers arrived to solve the problem. Magnus Malekye, and Miss Tyst.
Within 3 days all of Adele had been purged of the vampires that had plagued its once hallowed grounds. Well, all except for Tyst.
Tyst remained on Adele, whereas Magnus returned Vicond to Amare so he could be properly persucuted.

History

It was first discovered when Lilith, the first true woman of humanity, had fled from Hell. No matter where it was she fled, somehow Lucifer was able to track her down, however, when she hid inside the body of a young human girl in a moment of desperation he was no longer able to find her. The effects began immediately and the girl was subject to such horrible mutations that it is said she no longer appears to be human.
To this day, other vampires who come across her bow their head in respects as she is not only the first, but she has continued to uphold her reputation as the most powerful.

Cultural Reception

When rumor of a vampire stalking civilians surfaces, the kingdom in question typically hires a Geodian Templar & Priest to come and either exercise or destroy the dark creature. If the pair fails, the job listing is then posted in all taverns throughout the kingdom in hopes a wandering adventurer may be capable enough to take on the vampire. In all likelihood, now that Geodians have died for this cause a Seneschal will be sent in their stead to handle the vampire if no travelers vanquish it before they are able to take their leave. This outcome is ideal for the kingdom the creature is inhabiting as its become a personal endeavor and thus is free for them. The only known exception to the aforementioned statement is if the kingdom in question is Odeasus. Odeasus would instead send their Tombsmith to cuss out the Forsaken for killing in their territory, and oddly enough, in most cases this works.
Typical civilians are terrified of vampires and their strength. If a vampire is revealed they will tell the guard who will then split off in an attempt to both keep track of the vampire, and commission the help of the Geodians.

An example of an Eretica that has been taken over by the Forsaken within.

by GBTaylor

Type

Divine

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• Dwarves
• Dragonkin
• Elematiis
• Fae
• Wartorn
• Humanity

An example of an Eretica that has fed in excess.

by SamMino