Based on the lore established in the Monster Hunter series.
Background[]
Vampires are the deadliest form of undead, they need to drink human blood in order to survive. They are blood-thirsty, savage and dangerous. Vampires retain all of the memories of the human they used to be, as well as many of their physical features, but they should not be confused as having the same personality traits, emotions or priorities as the human that it used to be. Despite looking like human beings, vampires have no humanity left in them. They are merely demons occupying the shells of what used to be humans and using their memories to better blend in with their environment, survive and manipulate future victims.
Vampires can work in teams, occasionally forming covens or finding mates and moving in pairs. These covens typically consist of a stronger vampire controlling a number of weaker vampires. Other than their mates, two vampires of equal ability cannot work together, as they see each other as potential threats rather than partners[1].
Description[]
Vampires, when wearing their "cloak of humanity"[2] look like restored versions of the humans they used to be. When they discard that cloak, they look similar to a bat-human hybrid. Their limbs, necks and ears are elongated and pointy and their skin is grey and stretched over their muscles. Vampires have blood-red eyes and sharp teeth, their incisors can be as long as fingers.
Types of Vampires[]
Standard[]
Standard vampires are those turned by lower-level vampires. They are very new and typically victims of "bite, die, turn"[1]. They're angry, confused, psychotic and fast.
Higher[]
They are not much tougher than standard vampires, but they have survived the "newbie" stage. They can think more clearly than standard vampires but are still groggy during the day.
Major[]
Major are stronger and faster than Higher vampires but they are more alert during the day. However, despite being more alert they still cannot be exposed to even weak sunlight. They combat this though by creating daylight guardians. They begin to have mild forms of telepathy and hypnotic control over humans and other creatures.
Greater[]
These vampires are incredibly fast and incredibly strong. They can move during the day as long as they are not in direct sunlight. They are durable and can even drink holy water if they have to, although it will still hurt them.
Master[]
Master Vampires are superhumanly fast and strong. They can dodge bullets and throw humans across a football field. Like werewolves, they transform (drop the cloak of their humanity) to be more effective in battle. Master Vampires can use telepathy and hypnotic force to not only control humans and lesser creatures, but to control lesser vampires.
Abilities[]
A vampire's abilities varies depending on the age and experience of the vampire. Young vampires are strong and fast, but they are uncoordinated, inexperienced and often impulsive.
Powerful vampires are much stronger, faster and cunning. They can even create undead to serve as daytime guardians for them, usually Wights.
Master vampires have an even wider variety of abilities. Besides being superhumanly strong and faster than the speed of a bullet, they are nearly indestructible. They have heightened senses, some can even telepathically sense the thoughts and movements of humans around them. Some Master Vampires can turn into mist and float through the air, others can use psychic abilities to get into their victims heads.
Vampires can turn humans into vampires by biting them, a bite is not fatal but it often causes temporary 'enthrallment', a form of enchantment that makes the human likely to "voluntarily" serve the vampire[2]. Although the bite will not kill a human, a human that has been bitten and dies, no matter how long after being bitten they die, will turn into a vampire. The strongest vampires created were both bitten and forced to drink (or voluntarily drink) the blood of their creator.
Weaknesses[]
The only true way to ensure a vampire is killed is to cut off its head and burn it. Vampires are weak against holy water, silver and fire, but unlike popular fiction a vampire cannot be killed by thrusting a stake into their hearts. Rather than killing them, this will immobilize them and allow an aggressor to get close enough to cut off their head.
Religious symbols, regardless of the religion, can be used to fight or ward off vampires, but only if the user of that symbol has unwavering faith. These symbols can include both holy and unholy symbols of faith[3].
Notable Vampires[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Correia, Larry, and John Ringo. Monster Hunter Memoirs. Grunge. Baen Publishing Enterprises, 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Monster Hunter International
- ↑ Monster Hunter Guardian