Vampires
Although rarely seen in any of my stories, vampires do exist in Terra Fera. Terra Fera's vampire are actually a type of Fae Folk, except they are originally human. The strengths/weaknesses are most of the usual things; consume blood only(or at least only gain sustenance from blood), immortal(as in don't age), fairly hard to kill, strength, speed, retracting fangs, weakness to sunlight and wood, blah, blah, blah... you get the point. They aren't undead, unlike most versions of the vampire myth. Their exact origin is unknown, but there was once a type of Fae that fed solely on blood, and it's believed they either reproduced with humans, or found some other way to make humans like them.
Vampires for the most part seem completely human till they reveal their true nature. They can completely acclimate to human society(considering they once were human). However, some do find an issue keeping their hunger in check. Vampires feed off blood for some mystical power it contains, a power that keeps the vampire alive, though can also empower them depending on how much they feed. It doesn't really matter what kind of blood they feed on, so yes, they can survive completely on the blood of animals, but some prefer the blood of humans or other Fae.
Among the Fae, vampires are pretty hated and feared by those who are aware of their existence. An excerpt from a story about a vampire character, somewhat shows what I mean:
Vampires for the most part seem completely human till they reveal their true nature. They can completely acclimate to human society(considering they once were human). However, some do find an issue keeping their hunger in check. Vampires feed off blood for some mystical power it contains, a power that keeps the vampire alive, though can also empower them depending on how much they feed. It doesn't really matter what kind of blood they feed on, so yes, they can survive completely on the blood of animals, but some prefer the blood of humans or other Fae.
Among the Fae, vampires are pretty hated and feared by those who are aware of their existence. An excerpt from a story about a vampire character, somewhat shows what I mean:
"That freak’s a monster, I’m telling you," I heard a voice whisper as I walked through the main corridor and marketplace. The “sanctuary” was supposed to be accepting to all, especially those like me. There are some real nasty looking beings living here, stuff that not even nightmares can compare to, and they’re just everyday people here, fully accepted. Whenever someone like me walks in though, they whisper crude remarks in hushed voices, as if they didn’t know we can hear them. Our presence strikes a bit of fear into them, but most of them are worse than we are. A lot of them could kick my ass if they wanted to, and some have done it. I’m still here though, and it’s all because of who I know and who I am.
As you can tell, this guy isn't really welcome...
Fear and hatred of vampires on the part of other Fae is namely product of prejudice. Fae aren't fond of vampires due to the fact that they were once human, thus making vampires "polluted", "impure", and, like how many Fae see humans, "evil". It is an unwarranted fear and hatred mostly. It's basically the same as how Tribe wolves see werewolves(humans turned into wolves). They think they are better than them, but know that in some ways they aren't, and are envious for that. This hatred causes most vampires to live among humans instead.
A human becomes a vampire by getting enough vampire blood in their system to cause the change. Not enough and they'll either die, or just remain human. The change often cures many diseases, as vampires are namely immune to human illnesses.
Fear and hatred of vampires on the part of other Fae is namely product of prejudice. Fae aren't fond of vampires due to the fact that they were once human, thus making vampires "polluted", "impure", and, like how many Fae see humans, "evil". It is an unwarranted fear and hatred mostly. It's basically the same as how Tribe wolves see werewolves(humans turned into wolves). They think they are better than them, but know that in some ways they aren't, and are envious for that. This hatred causes most vampires to live among humans instead.
A human becomes a vampire by getting enough vampire blood in their system to cause the change. Not enough and they'll either die, or just remain human. The change often cures many diseases, as vampires are namely immune to human illnesses.
Dhampirs
I long debated on whether or not I'd include Dhampirs, which are typically half human and half vampire, into the Terra Fera series. I eventually gave in. Here's my version of them.
Dhampirs of Terra Fera are not exactly half human and half vampire. A dhampir is the product of a Fae parent and a vampire parent. A human parent and a vampire parent will just result in no pregnancy at all. This is true for all Fae, except Telia(which a human x Telia cross results in an elf child). It could be possible for an elf and a vampire to reproduce, but it depends on how diluted the elf's Fae blood is. Dhampirs can also reproduce with Fae. It's unknown if vampires can reproduce with Vixxen, an all female race of fox shape shifters, as the sly Vixxen often avoid vampires, preferring to stay on the safe side. (Typically, Vixxen can reproduce with anything that have a humanoid form.) If they can, it would only result in Vixxen daughters and vampire sons. Two vampires, oddly enough, can not have children.
In general, it is hard to judge dhampirs strengths and weaknesses. They will either have stronger traits of their vampire side, or their other one. Dhampirs typically have the strength and speed of a vampire, while also having some of their mother's attributes. They look mostly like vampires, though some can take a little more liking from their mother. They do still have to feed on blood, but typically less often than vampires. Although it varies from individual to individual, most has little to no weakness to sunlight.
Dhampirs, unlike their vampire parents, are fairly welcomed into the Fae societies of their Fae parent. They make incredible warriors, from inheriting traits from both parents. They can be fierce and mighty fighters, but often lack a cause. Give them a cause, and they could very likely win a battle single handed. It is for this reason, if it was their mother who was Fae, the mother's clan will often gladly welcome the child, raising, and sometimes almost hoarding them like a prized possession, shielding them off from influence of other clans. Such children are also often arranged to marrying within the clan, ensuring the dhampir will stay. However, dhampirs often have a wanderer's heart.
The lifespan of a Dhampir varies. Some are immortals like their vampire parent, but other times they just have a somewhat (to greatly) longer lifespan than their other parent. For example, a dhampir who has a Telia parent might live for nearly twice a Telia's potential 900+ years, so 18oo years, or they may inherit the vampire's immortality. It's hard to tell, as a dhampir has to live long enough first in order to guess whether or not they are immortal or just long lived. Most Fae have lifespans lasting centuries, so this also makes it hard to tell.
Dhampirs of Terra Fera are not exactly half human and half vampire. A dhampir is the product of a Fae parent and a vampire parent. A human parent and a vampire parent will just result in no pregnancy at all. This is true for all Fae, except Telia(which a human x Telia cross results in an elf child). It could be possible for an elf and a vampire to reproduce, but it depends on how diluted the elf's Fae blood is. Dhampirs can also reproduce with Fae. It's unknown if vampires can reproduce with Vixxen, an all female race of fox shape shifters, as the sly Vixxen often avoid vampires, preferring to stay on the safe side. (Typically, Vixxen can reproduce with anything that have a humanoid form.) If they can, it would only result in Vixxen daughters and vampire sons. Two vampires, oddly enough, can not have children.
In general, it is hard to judge dhampirs strengths and weaknesses. They will either have stronger traits of their vampire side, or their other one. Dhampirs typically have the strength and speed of a vampire, while also having some of their mother's attributes. They look mostly like vampires, though some can take a little more liking from their mother. They do still have to feed on blood, but typically less often than vampires. Although it varies from individual to individual, most has little to no weakness to sunlight.
Dhampirs, unlike their vampire parents, are fairly welcomed into the Fae societies of their Fae parent. They make incredible warriors, from inheriting traits from both parents. They can be fierce and mighty fighters, but often lack a cause. Give them a cause, and they could very likely win a battle single handed. It is for this reason, if it was their mother who was Fae, the mother's clan will often gladly welcome the child, raising, and sometimes almost hoarding them like a prized possession, shielding them off from influence of other clans. Such children are also often arranged to marrying within the clan, ensuring the dhampir will stay. However, dhampirs often have a wanderer's heart.
The lifespan of a Dhampir varies. Some are immortals like their vampire parent, but other times they just have a somewhat (to greatly) longer lifespan than their other parent. For example, a dhampir who has a Telia parent might live for nearly twice a Telia's potential 900+ years, so 18oo years, or they may inherit the vampire's immortality. It's hard to tell, as a dhampir has to live long enough first in order to guess whether or not they are immortal or just long lived. Most Fae have lifespans lasting centuries, so this also makes it hard to tell.