Vampires | HouseOrinth

Vampire

A vampire is a preternatural being, commonly believed to be a reanimated corpse, which consumes the blood of sleeping persons at night, thralls, and other victims. The vampires of Tamriel are undead, diseased persons who are hated, hunted, and misunderstood by the living.

Whether they consider themselves cursed or blessed, or whether they have given into their animalistic instincts or have sought to rid the world of the disease, vampires are nonetheless considered abominations. Though it's possible for a vampire to find a cure, knowledge of how to do so has been suppressed in many places due to the fear that it would encourage people to deliberately infect themselves.

The vampire is one of the most powerful and feared of all the undead. While they are typically incredibly fast, gifted mages, and unnaturally strong, fear of vampires is abnormally great due to their ability to infect others, a fate often described as worse than death. Distrust and chaos can potentially bring down entire settlements should just one vampire infiltrate the populace.

Vampires spread by giving mortals diseases such as Porphyric Hemophilia, Sanguinare Vampiris, and Noxiphilic Sanguivoria. Vampires tend to be organized into many different clans; in fact, there are over a hundred distinct kinds of vampire in Tamriel.

Origins of Vampirism

Lamae Bal, the first vampire

The Opusculus Lamae Bal ta Mezzamortie tells of how the curse of vampirism came about, owing its creation to the Daedric Prince Molag Bal. The tale goes that Molag Bal disliked Arkay, an Aedra who showed great pride in his sphere of influence, the cycle of life and death. Molag Bal traveled to Tamriel (still newly-formed at the time), where he savagely raped the Nedic woman Lamae Beolfag and then departed Nirn. Lamae was found and nursed by nomads, but death eventually overtook her. On the night of her cremation, she rose again and brutally murdered the nomads. Dubbed a Daughter of Coldharbour‎, she then created more vampires, spreading the curse across Tamriel and making a mockery of Arkay's cycles.

In actuality, Lamae did not die at all but was rapidly healing from her wounds which frightened the local nedes. In fear of the disease that was spreading through Lamae, they tried to cremate her but she awoke and slaughtered them all. Once she came to her senses she was horrified of what she had done and what she had become. She beseeched Arkay only for him to forsake her. In retaliation, she began spreading vampirism to his followers. Since then, many mortals have made pacts with Molag Bal to become vampires, given rise to new bloodlines of vampires.

The beginnings of vampirism have variations in the Dunmeri Temple doctrine, with Molag Bal spawning the first vampire from a defeated foe, such as a Daedra Lord, a Temple Saint, or a "powerful beast creature".

Indeed, multiple origin stories may have truth to them, as in the case of the Volkihar vampires of Skyrim, who descend from a single family that were given their abilities from Molag Bal directly. These multiple pureblooded vampires can create their own bloodlines, with unique abilities and characteristics.

The association of vampirism with Molag Bal may be one reason the Mace of Molag Mal, which allows the bearer to absorb an enemy's magicka, is also called the Vampire's Mace. Of course, anything which absorbs power from a victim is often associated with vampires, such as the strength-sapping Vampiric Cloud spell, the Ebony Blade (also called the Vampire), and the Vampiric Ring.

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Vampire Characteristics

Vampires look distinctly different from unaffected persons; their faces, which cover their fangs, are unusually pale, and the eyes of some breeds of hungry vampires turn blood-red until their thirst is sated. Vampires are unable to age and are immune to disease; while not impervious to death, a vampire may be killed only by meeting a violent end. "Ancients" are the oldest vampires (they may be hundreds or even thousands of years old).

A vampire's skin is extremely susceptible to sunlight and flame, so much so that contact with it burns the skin. When they die, their dust can be collected and used as an alchemical ingredient. Documents describe vampires being turned to dust even without being slain by flame. Rumors hold that entering places of worship may cause a vampire pain. Exact abilities are determined by the type of vampire.

Vampirism

Vampirism is contracted through any sort of wound inflicted by a vampire; however, since few survive attacks from a vampire, the actual contraction process is not understood well. The newly-infected will exhibit no symptoms for the first 72 hours (except perhaps nightmares and insomnia), and they can be cured of the disease like any other ailment. After that time, however, the disease is said to be "incurable": the disease causes one to "die", making a vampire literally undead.

Despite this, there are many documented cases of individuals who found the means to cure themselves, as discussed further below.

The incubation process and the eventual turning of the vampires seems to vary as some individuals actually "die" and usually find themselves waking up in a tomb, others such as Lamae, actually began healing rapidly rather than dying, though a book about her incorrectly states she died before her transition.

Vampires have been known to spread vampirism via bites, scratches or by using a vampiric drain spell, the mechanics depend on the bloodline of the vampires as some vampires, such as those of Lamae Beolfag's bloodline, are required to give their victims their own blood after draining their victim of some blood.

Pure Blood

Vampires that have been given their condition directly from the Daedric Prince Molag Bal are known as pure-bloods or Daughters of Coldharbour if they are female. Due to their unique nature pure-bloods enjoy greater status among their kind and will usually hold their "half-breed" descendants in low regard. Pure-bloods are likely the main reason for the various strains of vampire bloodlines as the vampirism the Daedric Prince endows varies from individual to individual; the only notable exception to this is the ancient Volkihar clan, whose entire family was given the same strain.

The difference between pure-bloods and their descendents other than their origins, status, and purity is that they may possess additional abilities. Appearance-wise they will look the same as the other vampires in their respective bloodline. The progeny and grand-progeny of a pure-blood may retain their additional abilities but will still be regarded as lower than their sire and grandsire.

Feeding

The most defining characteristic of vampires is their unnatural, insatiable need for blood. A hybridization of a plant and vampiric blood led to plants with a similar, voracious hunger for blood, among other things.

Blood may not be needed to stay "alive", but doing without it can cause a vampire to become extremely weak and rabid, though some types of vampires will instead become stronger and more vampiric. However, they will still become rabid after too long without blood and in some cases, can fall into a coma. Consuming blood also allows some vampire bloodlines to maintain a more inconspicuous appearance, dulling their vampiric qualities but may improve their health and regeneration. If a vampire's bite leaves its victim alive after a feeding, the vampire risks passing its disease to the victim. Blood itself may not be needed to keep a vampire healthy; it is suggested that vampires are able to drain a warmblooded creature's "life force" to replenish their own.

Vampires are essentially parasitic and don't actually need to kill their victims during feeding, however, either out of a frenzied blood-lust or to avoid potential competition, most victims are drained completely. Only two known bloodlines are shown to be able to restrain themselves by feeding without killing, though this is out pragmaticism and most victims suffer a fate worse than death by being kept captive by vampires to be fed on continuously.

Vampires are capable of eating mortal food with no ill effects but won't derive the sustance they need from it.

Vampire Patron

Molag Bal is the Daedric Prince who created the first vampire as well as the later pure-blooded vampires of other bloodlines and is consequently responible for the entire species, because of this, he is sometimes worshiped for this reason. However, other Daedric Princes have contributed to the species as well; the Cyrodiilic bloodline honors Clavicus Vile for giving them the ability to blend in with mortals. The book written about Lamae's bloodline and their unique vampirism theorizes that Hircine is responsible for their ability to withstand the sun, though the author considered it a wild theory.

Clans & Bloodlines

The vampires of Tamriel are commonly grouped by their territory and bloodline. A vampire's bloodline is determined by the vampire who infected them, which in turn affects their abilities. Vampire clans normally consist of vampires of the same bloodline, or who share the same feeding grounds. Some clans are powerful enough to have established strongholds and hold captured cattle: prisoners, or thralls, who they feed off of regularly without turning them into vampires. The following vampire clans will be described based on their location.

Black Marsh

The Whet-Fang vampires of Black Marsh are known to capture victims alive and keep them in a magic-induced coma, allowing the vampires to extract blood at their own leisure. The vampires of Cyrodiil believe the Whet-Fang vampires show "signs of enlightenments," regarding them as more intelligent than the other "barbaric" tribes. For this reason, the Order considers them a possible threat to their dominance in Cyrodiil

Cyrodiil

Only one known tribe exists in Cyrodiil and their true name has been lost to history. Much like the Imperials of the area, they ousted their competition. Indistinguishable from the living if well-fed, these Cyrodiilic Vampires are cultured and more civilized than vampires of other provinces, experts of concealment, and use their stealthy abilities to feed on the sleeping and unaware.

Calling themselves the Order, these vampires follow the Daedric Prince "Kin-father" Molag Bal, like many other vampires, but they also consider Clavicus Vile their patron. Members are bound never to reveal themselves or the Order and to procure power, stature, and wealth whenever possible. However, despite this strict structure this doesn't seem to be a cohesive organization or any line of authority.

Illac Bay

The Iliac Bay region hosts many bloodlines of vampires, each with their own special abilities: the Anthotis, Garlythi, Haarvenu, Khulari, Lyrezi, Montalion, Selenu, Thrafey, and Vraseth.

The clans inhabit their own regions, and a strong sense of rivalry is present. The Lyrezi, Selenu and Vrasath bloodlines were seemingly created by Nedes who were turned by Lamae Beolfag after she rose from her pyre.

The vampires in the Glenmoril Coven live in the Breton cities of High Rock, though no information about their abilities or feeding habits is known. It is known, however, that they are one of the tribes considered more intelligent (and threatening) by the Order vampires of Cyrodiil; possibly implying that, like the Order, they live disguised among the normal population as stealthy manipulators.

Despite being classed as different bloodlines or clans, most of the vampires in the Iliac Bay shared similar appearances as well as powers beyond the unique trait that each clan possessed, at least three of the known bloodlines seems to have come the from the same source, Lamae.

Most, if not all, of the bloodlines of Iliac Bay seem to have the significant weakness of having their entire line cured should the progenitor be destroyed, meaning the clan's survival as vampires depends on their bloodfather's status. No other bloodline seems to have this weakness; for example, Harkon's death did not seem to have any effect on his bloodline.

Anthotis

Anthotis is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with great intellect. The bloodline dominates an area of Hammerfell—specifically the regions of Alik'r, Antiphyllos, Bergama, Dak'fron and Tigonus. They are the enemies of the Thrafey bloodline.

Garlythi

Garlythi is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with the ability to magically shield themselves from damage. The bloodline dominates the regions of Northmoor and Phrygias in High Rock. They are the enemies of the Selenu and Lyrezi bloodlines

Haarvenu

Haarvenu is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted in the school of Destructionmagic, particularly elemental attacks. The bloodline dominates an area of High Rock - specifically the regions of Anticlere, Ilessan Hills, and Shalgora. They are the enemies of the Montalion bloodline.

Khulari

Khulari is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with the ability to paralyze their prey. The bloodline dominates an area of Hammerfell - specifically the regions of Santaki, Totambu, Kozanset, Ephesus and the Dragontail Mountains. They are the enemies of the Anthotis bloodline.

Lyrezi

Lyrezi is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with the ability to turn invisible and magically silence their enemies. The bloodline dominates an area of High Rock - specifically the regions of Alcaire, Koegria, Menevia, Orsinium Area, the Wrothgarian Mountains and Balfiera. They are the enemies of the Garlythi bloodline.

The bloodline is named after Lyrezi, a tribal Nede from ancient Skyrim who was involved in the attempted cremation of Lamae Bal, the first vampire. After awakening on the pyre, Lamae brutally raped the men of the tribe, seemingly passing on the gift of vampirism in the process.

Montalion

Montalion is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with the ability to cure paralysis and the power of teleportation. The bloodline dominates the area around the mouth of the Bjoulsae River - specifically the regions of Wayrest, Bhoriane, Gavaudon, Satakalaam, Lainlyn and Mournoth. They are the enemies of the Selenu bloodline. The anonymous author of Vampires of the Iliac Bay was once a member of the Montalion clan.

Selenu

The Selenu are a vampire bloodline found in the Iliac Bay region. Those of the bloodline are resistant to elemental attacks. The bloodline dominates an area of Hammerfell, specifically the regions of Abibon-Gora, Ayasofya, Pothago, Cybiades, Sentinel, Kairouand Myrkwasa. They are the enemies of the Vraseth and Montalion bloodlines.

The bloodline is named after Selenu, a Nedic tribal elder from ancient Skyrim who ordered the attempted cremation of Lamae Bal, the first vampire. After awakening on the pyre, Lamae brutally attacked the tribe, seemingly passing on the gift of vampirism in the process.

Thrafey

Thrafey is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with the ability to restore damaged tissue. The bloodline dominates an area of High Rock - specifically the regions of Daenia, Dwynnen, Ykalon and Urvaius. They are the enemies of the Anthotis bloodline, but have made a rare alliance with the Vraseth bloodline.

Vraseth

Vraseth is one of the vampire bloodlines of the Iliac Bay area. Those of the bloodline are gifted with nimbleness. The bloodline dominates an area of High Rock - specifically the regions of Daggerfall, Betony, Glenpoint, Kambria, Tulune and Glenumbra Moors. They have made a rare alliance with the Thrafey bloodline. They were the enemies of the Travelers League, a branch of the Mages Guild responsible for teleportation before the organization collapsed.

The bloodline is named after Vraseth, a tribal Nede from ancient Skyrim who was involved in the attempted cremation of Lamae Bal, the first vampire. After awakening on the pyre, Lamae brutally raped the men of the tribe, seemingly passing on the gift of vampirism in the process

Morrowind

The Dunmer are strongly opposed to any form of necromancy making vampires largely unheard-of in their land of Morrowind. The Tribunal Temple has some control over the public knowledge of vampires, but cannot keep it completely unknown. In the past, Ordinators and Buoyant Armigers were in charge of eradicating vampires, leading to their supposed extinction.Thus, the hunting orders that exist in western Tamriel are unknown.

The vampires of Morrowind are typically in one of three bloodlines, which differ in accordance with their "approach to prey". The Quarra are aggressive and fierce when it comes to hunting, while the Berne clan prefer a stealthier approach. The Aundaebloodline consist of vampiric mages, who use the dark powers associated with vampirism to entrap prey. These vampires not only have their own strongholds but are also dispersed among the Daedric shrines and abandoned Dunmer and Dwemerstrongholds. Ironically, these clans show great hostility to new-born vampires, considering them abominations as their living counterparts do.

In the Red Mountain, the Ash Vampire was an immortal magical being of vast power. They were close kin and loyal lieutenants of Dagoth Ur, and thus partook of his supernatural vitality, but they were not related to true vampires - in fact, they are not even undead.

Near the end of the Third Era, the number of vampires began to rise in Morrowind, leading to renewed calls to exterminate them.

Skyrim

The Volkihar vampires of eastern Skyrim live under haunted, frozen lakes and only leave their dens to feed. They have the power to freeze their victims with icy breath and can reach through the ice of their dens without breaking it.

They are the earliest known vampire coven in Tamriel. The Volkihar vampires are relatively similar in appearance to those of the Cyrodiil line and also share some corresponding powers like night vision, the ability to turn invisible and the ability to seduce others. Certain Volkihar vampires, however, appear more monstrous than their Cyrodiilic counterparts. They have large brow ridges, slits running vertically through their lips, and bat-like noses. These vampires have powers which aren't shared by the vampires of Cyrodiil. They can reanimate dead bodies and do not burn when in sunlight, although they are weakened by it. The Volkihar have been known to employ Death Hounds as guardians.

Some of the more ancient Volkihar vampires, such as those of the court at Castle Volkihar, are pure-blooded and can transform themselves into a more monstrous form: the large, winged Vampire Lords which was a gift from Molag Bal himself. This gift grants further powers such as the ability to summon gargoyles.

Valenwood

In northern Valenwood, there are the Bonsamu vampires who are indistinguishable from normal Bosmer unless seen by candlelight. There is also the Keerilth who can disintegrate into a mist, the Yekef who swallow men whole, and the Telboth who prey on children. The Telboth are also known to take the child's place in the family and eventually murder all of the family members

pires, such as those of the court at Castle Volkihar, are pure-blooded and can transform themselves into a more monstrous form: the large, winged Vampire Lords which was a gift from Molag Bal himself. This gift grants further powers such as the ability to summon gargoyles.

Tsaesci

The Tsaesci are the "vampiric Serpent Folk" native to Akavir who, according to legend, long ago ate all the men of that land. It is unknown if their reputation as "vampire snakes" is literal or metaphorical, though like conventional vampires, they are purportedly immortal.