Post by bookworm55 on Sept 6, 2016 16:25:48 GMT
Bookworm's Note: I'm going to try to be impartial about this one, which is hard, but feel free to call me on anything that seems off. It's no secret that one of these things took my legs.
Names:
Vampires, Vamps, Bloodsuckers, Nocturnals, Rots, Immortals, Leeches
The Basics:
Everybody knows what a Vampire is, but in case you've been living under a rock, let me fill you in. A vamp is a thing that isn't quite alive but definitely isn't dead, and it feeds on blood. It usually does this with a clean bite to the neck, but it can bite you just about anywhere. You can't usually see their fangs until they're feeding, and they're REALLY good at blending in. Vamps have their claws in almost every institution of human society, and they tend to congregate in major cities more than anywhere.
Types of Vampires:
Research has shown us that there are a few different kinds of vamps, so be on the lookout for any of the following:
Vamps - The classic, passing for human, unremarkable vampire.
Uglies - These things look like the result of centuries of hardcore vampire inbreeding. They REALLY do not like being seen, and they've got lots of tricks to hide from us.
Blood Slaves/Ghouls - Vampires can feed their blood to humans, which seems to turn them into a sort of half Vampire thing. They get some of the powers but not all the weaknesses.
The following types of vamps have been reported, but at the time of this posting should still be considered unconfirmed speculation:
Spiders - Nightmare fuel. Vampires that can turn themselves into giant spiders or even a whole mess of spiders.
Chimeras - Weird stuff. Apparently people have reported vamps that look like parts of them have been cobbled together from different animals. Could be Shapechangers.
Identifying Features:
If you see any of the following, you might have a vampire in your presence:
Only Out at Night - This one speaks for itself.
Smells Like Dirt/Decay - This one doesn't seem to be universal, but we've run into it from time to time.
Fangs - More often than not the fangs are hidden, but there do seem to be some of them that have fangs all the time. Check the mouth.
Pale/Deathly Pallor - Vampires tend to LOOK dead, and while this isn't universal it's one of the easiest ways to identify one. A lot of them try to play this off with some kind of goth style, but if you see someone pale and sickly who looks like they aren't breathing, you might be looking at a vampire.
Powers:
Super Strength - Vamps are strong. Like pick up a car, break you in half, tear off your legs strong (haha). Don't try to match one hand to hand.
Super Speed - As strong as they are, they're WAY faster. If you run into one of the speedy ones and they're bent on killing you, I wouldn't even try to run. You need to fight, because you won't get away.
Thick Skin - Bullets are all but useless, and blunt objects are even more useless. Vamps are tough, so the best thing to bring against them in a fight is a trusty blade.
Invisibility - Some of the vamps can just vanish into thin air. BE AWARE that our Second Sight can find them again. NEVER ENGAGE A VAMP WITHOUT THE SIGHT.
Mind Control - Yes, that part of Dracula was legit. If you don't protect yourself, these things can get into your head and make you do whatever they want.
Regeneration - Vamps heal fast. Like, CRAZY fast. Gunshots and stuff are like bee stings to these guys, so if you're going to put them down, do it as fast as you can.
Reproduction - Watch for the bite. The scariest thing about Vamps is that they can make anyone into another Vamp, unlike shamblers and other rots. Don't get bitten.
Weaknesses:
The following weaknesses have been field tested and confirmed to work on vamps:
Wooden Stake - Put it in their heart. It won't kill them, but it'll put them out like a light long enough for you to get away or do whatever you need to do.
Sunlight - Self explanatory. Catch one of these guys in the daylight and they're toast.
Holy Water - If you can get your hands on the genuine article, this sizzles vamps pretty bad. Just make sure you're not working with phony gear.
Crosses - Our own Crusader17 field tested this one. Holding a cross up to one of these things will keep them at bay, but they can still get a little too close for comfort. Best used to make an escape window.
Fire - Rots HATE fire, no matter what shape they come in. Be careful when you use it against them, though. It has a tendency to either send them running or whip them up into an animal rage.
The following weaknesses are suggested by hunters or media, but have either not been field tested or are complete bullshit:
Garlic - Makes them puke, but that'll just make them angrier.
Not Being Invited Inside - Sorry, but this one's grade A bull. Sturdy locks are necessary.
Sparkling - No. Just no.
Wooden Stake - But this was listed under weaknesses, you say? Well yeah, 98% of the time it works, but that doesn't mean we haven't run into those vamps that take a stake and keep right on coming. Always have a plan B.
Vampires Myths:
As far as we can tell, these guys don't sleep in coffins. They just need to get out of the sun during the day, but a dusty basement usually works fine.
Garlic, running water, thresholds and all that are bogus. Don't rely on the environment to stop them magically. Just be smart and use mundane obstacles.
Can't stress this enough, vampires are NOT SPARKLY.
The idea that vampires turn into bats seems to be a myth.
Vampires cast reflections in mirrors. Don't use this to try to find one.
The Rundown:
Aura Color - Red with streaks of black. Solid red for blood slaves
Hostility Rating (Scale of 1-10) - 4 when hidden, 8 when exposed
Danger Rating - Between 5 and 9
Code Name: Sharps
Quick Kill Guide: Track it to its lair, find it in the day, stake and bake. Watch for blood slave guards.
Names:
Vampires, Vamps, Bloodsuckers, Nocturnals, Rots, Immortals, Leeches
The Basics:
Everybody knows what a Vampire is, but in case you've been living under a rock, let me fill you in. A vamp is a thing that isn't quite alive but definitely isn't dead, and it feeds on blood. It usually does this with a clean bite to the neck, but it can bite you just about anywhere. You can't usually see their fangs until they're feeding, and they're REALLY good at blending in. Vamps have their claws in almost every institution of human society, and they tend to congregate in major cities more than anywhere.
Types of Vampires:
Research has shown us that there are a few different kinds of vamps, so be on the lookout for any of the following:
Vamps - The classic, passing for human, unremarkable vampire.
Uglies - These things look like the result of centuries of hardcore vampire inbreeding. They REALLY do not like being seen, and they've got lots of tricks to hide from us.
Blood Slaves/Ghouls - Vampires can feed their blood to humans, which seems to turn them into a sort of half Vampire thing. They get some of the powers but not all the weaknesses.
The following types of vamps have been reported, but at the time of this posting should still be considered unconfirmed speculation:
Spiders - Nightmare fuel. Vampires that can turn themselves into giant spiders or even a whole mess of spiders.
Chimeras - Weird stuff. Apparently people have reported vamps that look like parts of them have been cobbled together from different animals. Could be Shapechangers.
Identifying Features:
If you see any of the following, you might have a vampire in your presence:
Only Out at Night - This one speaks for itself.
Smells Like Dirt/Decay - This one doesn't seem to be universal, but we've run into it from time to time.
Fangs - More often than not the fangs are hidden, but there do seem to be some of them that have fangs all the time. Check the mouth.
Pale/Deathly Pallor - Vampires tend to LOOK dead, and while this isn't universal it's one of the easiest ways to identify one. A lot of them try to play this off with some kind of goth style, but if you see someone pale and sickly who looks like they aren't breathing, you might be looking at a vampire.
Powers:
Super Strength - Vamps are strong. Like pick up a car, break you in half, tear off your legs strong (haha). Don't try to match one hand to hand.
Super Speed - As strong as they are, they're WAY faster. If you run into one of the speedy ones and they're bent on killing you, I wouldn't even try to run. You need to fight, because you won't get away.
Thick Skin - Bullets are all but useless, and blunt objects are even more useless. Vamps are tough, so the best thing to bring against them in a fight is a trusty blade.
Invisibility - Some of the vamps can just vanish into thin air. BE AWARE that our Second Sight can find them again. NEVER ENGAGE A VAMP WITHOUT THE SIGHT.
Mind Control - Yes, that part of Dracula was legit. If you don't protect yourself, these things can get into your head and make you do whatever they want.
Regeneration - Vamps heal fast. Like, CRAZY fast. Gunshots and stuff are like bee stings to these guys, so if you're going to put them down, do it as fast as you can.
Reproduction - Watch for the bite. The scariest thing about Vamps is that they can make anyone into another Vamp, unlike shamblers and other rots. Don't get bitten.
Weaknesses:
The following weaknesses have been field tested and confirmed to work on vamps:
Wooden Stake - Put it in their heart. It won't kill them, but it'll put them out like a light long enough for you to get away or do whatever you need to do.
Sunlight - Self explanatory. Catch one of these guys in the daylight and they're toast.
Holy Water - If you can get your hands on the genuine article, this sizzles vamps pretty bad. Just make sure you're not working with phony gear.
Crosses - Our own Crusader17 field tested this one. Holding a cross up to one of these things will keep them at bay, but they can still get a little too close for comfort. Best used to make an escape window.
Fire - Rots HATE fire, no matter what shape they come in. Be careful when you use it against them, though. It has a tendency to either send them running or whip them up into an animal rage.
The following weaknesses are suggested by hunters or media, but have either not been field tested or are complete bullshit:
Garlic - Makes them puke, but that'll just make them angrier.
Not Being Invited Inside - Sorry, but this one's grade A bull. Sturdy locks are necessary.
Sparkling - No. Just no.
Wooden Stake - But this was listed under weaknesses, you say? Well yeah, 98% of the time it works, but that doesn't mean we haven't run into those vamps that take a stake and keep right on coming. Always have a plan B.
Vampires Myths:
As far as we can tell, these guys don't sleep in coffins. They just need to get out of the sun during the day, but a dusty basement usually works fine.
Garlic, running water, thresholds and all that are bogus. Don't rely on the environment to stop them magically. Just be smart and use mundane obstacles.
Can't stress this enough, vampires are NOT SPARKLY.
The idea that vampires turn into bats seems to be a myth.
Vampires cast reflections in mirrors. Don't use this to try to find one.
The Rundown:
Aura Color - Red with streaks of black. Solid red for blood slaves
Hostility Rating (Scale of 1-10) - 4 when hidden, 8 when exposed
Danger Rating - Between 5 and 9
Code Name: Sharps
Quick Kill Guide: Track it to its lair, find it in the day, stake and bake. Watch for blood slave guards.
