Vampirism
Much like the vampires from tales of old, modern-day vampires are undead beings with a low tolerance for sunlight and a thirst for blood. They are accomodated in the current day and allowed to live something resembling a normal life thanks to government-run blood banks that allow them to feed on donated blood.
Transmission & Vectors
Consuming the blood of a previously-turned vampire is the only way to become a vampire oneself.
Symptoms
During the first week or two after the blood is consumed, the patient will become increasingly ill with flulike symptoms until they eventually die. During this time, their eyes might change in color, their skin will take on a dead hue, and their ears may grow pointed. Several hours later, the person's heart will start beating slowly and they will wake up again, this time as a vampire.
Once they've turned, the vampire must consume the blood of a self-aware creature on a regular basis (between two to three weeks depending on the individual,) otherwise they risk losing themselves in the hunger and temporarily growing mad from starvation. While bloodstarved, vampires will hunt down and feed from the first self-aware being they can, draining their blood until awareness returns to them. Attacks from vampires in a bloodstarved state are usually fatal because the vampire has lost control of their mental faculties and doesn't know when to stop drinking the victim's blood.
Exposure to sunlight is the only thing that can cause a vampire to age or rot after they've reached a state of undeath. A vampire's skin coming in contact with natural light from the sun will cause a burning sensation and age the skin within a matter of moments. Remaining in sunlight for longer than a few minutes may kill the vampire for a second time.
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