Vampire

Basic Information

Anatomy

For the most part, vampires have the same anatomy as normal humans. The only major morphological change humans undergo when they become vampires is the upper canines changing into retractable fangs, and even those can be made unnoticeable.

Biological Traits

Humans are like machines in that they consume "fuel" in order to keep their internal mechanisms working so they can keep running. Vampires are what happens when all the internal mechanisms stop functioning but the machine keeps running and consuming fuel in spite of the fact. Vampires don't have a heartbeat (and, by extension, no pulse), they don't need to breathe (except to talk), and their digestive systems are rarely used above the bare minimum (unless they really enjoy human food). Really, the only major organ that still functions properly is the brain.
In spite of the lack of functional organs, vampires are much faster, stronger, and more durable than baseline humans. They also gain regenerative abilities that allow them to heal from anything from cuts and scrapes to broken bones to bullet and stab wounds. A vampire could lose a limb and not only survive but regrow it, given enough time and blood. This healing factor also renders them immune to diseases. In addition, if a human with superpowers is turned into a vampire, they retain their abilities along with the new ones they gain.
This doesn't mean vampires can't be harmed, however. A sufficiently debilitating injury that overrides their healing factor (e.g. decapitation, severe burns, rate of wounding outpaces rate of healing, etc.) can cause a vampire to die. Vampires are more vulnerable to direct sunlight than humans. Prolonged exposure not only weakens their abilities, but can cause severe sunburn, blistering, and even eye damage. Vampires also tend to have intense allergy-like reactions to substances like garlic, silver, and wolfsbane; contact can lead to dermatitis, and ingestion can lead to anaphylaxis. Above all else, vampires are perfectly capable of feeling pain, and, like most living beings, generally avoid doing things that will cause them pain.

Genetics and Reproduction

It's unknown if vampires can have kids with humans or other vampires since their reproductive systems more or less shut down once they've turned. Though rumors of human-vampire hybrids have persisted for ages, they're largely unfounded.

Growth Rate & Stages

When a human is transformed into a vampire, their aging slows immensely. It can take a vampire up to ten years to physically mature to what a human would in one. While they are far from immortal, they can still live for hundreds of years easily.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Vampires require blood in order to stay alive. A pint of blood can sustain a vampire for several weeks, and a gallon of blood can sustain them for almost a year. Most vampires prefer human blood, as it keeps their hunger sated longer, but animal blood makes for a good substitute. They can still eat normal food (with most having a preference for meat), but it can't sustain them for long periods like blood can. If a vampire goes without blood for too long, they begin to display traits similar to starvation including:

• Physical and mental fatigue
• Immune deficiency and reduced healing factor
• Irritability and difficulty with mental concentration
• Anemia-like symptoms
• Atrophy of muscles and organs

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Most vampires have more gaunt facial features than normal humans. All vampires possess a pair of retractable fangs where their upper canines once were. The shape and size of the fangs vary from vampire to vampire. Vampires also have brightly-colored eyes, ranging from bright red to pale blue depending on what their eye color in life was like.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Vampires are found worldwide.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Vampires have heightened senses of sight, smell, and hearing. They can see just as clearly in darkness as they can in normal light levels. However, this means they have increased sensitivity to sunlight and other bright lights, and many wear sunglasses to act as a filter. Their skin is also more sensitive to UV rays, so they are more likely to develop skin problems.

Civilization and Culture

Common Taboos

In the modern day and age, vampires have easier access to blood and blood substitutes, so attacking or killing people for their blood is generally frowned upon. Killing animals for blood is okay, so long as they avoid drawing too much attention. However, one of the worst taboos a vampire can commit is stealing blood from a hospital or blood bank. This is more or less the equivalent of a human stealing food from a food bank.

History

No one is sure when or how the first vampire was created, but its safe to say that vampires have likely existed for about as long as humanity has existed. For most of history, vampires lived solitary lives and only occasionally formed small groups or communities with other vampires. With the gradual improvement of transportation and communication technology, vampires were able to reach out to others across the globe and strengthen their network.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

While the existence of vampires is more or less an open secret, vampires tend not to socialize with humans much and vice versa.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Scientific Name

Homo sapiens vampiris (tentative)

Lifespan

Unknown, can survive for hundreds of years

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A vampire's skin tone is usually a more corpse-like shade of the skin tone they had in life. Lighter skin becomes near-white pale, while darker skin becomes almost purple in color.