Terran Nytefyer's blog: "Rantings, Ramblings, & Ruminations"

I know there's a link to these FAQs of mine (which, yes, I did write) on another blog in my About Me section, but I'm posting them here, too - if any of you will actually read it.

Now, I’m not posting these in hopes that you’ll all of a sudden believe me, or that you’ll squeal in delight and fawn all over me.  I don’t care about that, actually.  It’s not all that important to me.  What is important to me (and, to an extent, the vampire community, itself), is that those who may be interested in it, or confused about it, can read these FAQs and gain a better understanding, a better knowledge, about what it’s actually like to be a Real Vampire. 

You don’t have to accept that we’re real.  You don’t have to believe.  That’s entirely up to you and your brain.  But, maybe, after reading these FAQs, you might walk away with a better grasp about us, and who we are.

I’m going to start this off with a quote from someone in the vampire community (posted on one of the many vampire message boards):

“I am a Sanguinarian. I need blood. I am not here to prove it, or make you believe. I have more important things to worry about like supporting those who also share in this condition. Physical, psychological, paranormal? I don’t know. No one knows. So keep your skepticism and ridicule. All the ignorance in the world will not change the fact that we exist.” —MFuture

And now, on to the FAQs …

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Real Vampires - An FAQ, Part One:

Is this this real or just a fantasy?  

Many people might consider it a fantasy, but for us it is a very real part of our lives.  There is no irrefutable proof we can give if you are dead-set not to believe us.  It is along the same lines as anything that requires some amount of faith.  If you absolutely refuse to believe the possibility, there is nothing we can say that would change your mind.  But yes, it is very real.

How do I know you aren’t full of crap?

You don’t.  Refer to the question above.

Are vampires evil?  Do they worship the Devil?

There is a balance in everything.  There are good vampires, there are evil vampires; just like there are good people, and there are bad people.  However, in my experience, there are more good than bad.  There are those rotten apples that seem to have managed to associate the word ‘vampire’ with ‘evil’.  However, we are not those.
Again, with the idea of balance, there are vampires who do worship Satan, or are Satanists.  I, however, am not, but everyone has their own belief system and structure.  Just because somebody is a vampire does not necessarily instantly make them evil and/or Satanic. (And, just to be clear, just because someone within the vampire community — as with any regular person — may be ‘worshipping’ Satan, or belong to the Church of Satan, or whatever, doesn’t make them ‘evil’, either.  It’s just a different set of beliefs.)    As with any group, it depends upon the individual.

Do vampires have religious beliefs?

Of course.  Again, it depends on the individual.  As with ‘normal’ humans, the belief system varies per person.  I, personally, have met a Catholic priest who was a vampire.  I have also met a number of people active in their churches who are vampires.  I, myself, believe in God and Christ, although I do not agree with organized religions.  Just because one is a vampire, it does not mean one cannot have religion.
There does seem to be a prevalence within the vampire community towards the pagan/Wiccan beliefs, because they tend to be more open and accepting than many other religions…  and again, paganism is *not* synonymous with Satanism, or evil; just as Satanism isn’t necessarily ‘evil’, either.  (Just a little side note, here: I, personally, have met a few people who are Satanists, or belong to the Church of Satan, and the ones I’ve met are not evil people, or bad people, they don’t practice human sacrifice, etc.  They just hold to a different set of beliefs.)

Is vampirism just a ‘goth’ thing?

LOL.  No.  However, most vampires are gothic, but not every goth is a vampire.  Gothism, in and of itself, is basically a reminiscence for the past; a person or persons, seem to wish for that past.  Many vampires have ‘dark’ tendencies, just as many goths do; they like dark clothing, dark makeup, live dark lifestyles, which is why the two are often confused.  But no, vampirism is not ‘just a goth thing’.  I have met several goths who don’t believe in vampires; I’ve also met many vampires who look like soccer-moms and businessmen.  You would not be able to tell just by looking at me that I’m gothic.  But my mindset, my personality, are very gothic in many ways.

Is vampirism just a mental illness or addiction?

There are those out there who do have a mental conditions, such as Renfield’s syndrome, which make them *think* that they are vampires and absolutely need blood.  There are also those people who, when it comes to ‘Hollywood’ vampires and role-playing games, are not stable enough to begin with, so they tend to believe they are something they are not.  These people have been detrimental to the vampiric society, because they give the term ‘vampire’ a bad meaning.
There are those people who have a blood fetish, who are not vampires, and those that simply enjoy bloodplay, who again, are not vampires.  There *are* vampires who enjoy bloodplay and/or have a blood fetish, and have an addiction to the blood.  As there are ‘normal’ humans with a blood addiction.
However, ‘vampire’ does not necessarily indicate those conditions.  In short…  no, it is neither a mental illness nor an addiction, in and of itself.  It is simply what we are.

Is vampirism just a ‘fancy’ name for a common medical condition (anemia, etc.)?

No.  It may share some similarities, but it is quite separate.

Are vampires supernatural?

This is a difficult question to give a concise answer to.  Yes and no.  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, supernatural is defined as:

(adjective) 1 : of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil; 2 a : departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature; b : attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)

Vampires fit quite well to definition 2a.  Simply speaking, vampires are above what is commonly considered natural; or, supernatural.  We have generally heightened senses, we have certain mental abilities most ‘normal’ people do not, we have a need that most people consider abnormal and/or impossible and ways of satisfying that need that most people find likewise impossible and/or disturbing.  To use a quote, “People fear that which they do not understand”.  People fear the supernatural.  Therefore, people fear vampires, real or imagined, thanks to how the general vampire populace has been portrayed throughout the centuries.
As for the ‘no’ part of this question, we do not fly, we do not regenerate-any body parts, we do not change form or shape-as into a bat (though it would sometimes make things easier!), we do show up in mirrors, we do show up on film, and we cannot control someone’s mind simply by looking at them.  As for super-human strength, anybody - human or otherwise - have been known to show amazing feats of strength if danger is involved.  Yet, in some instances, our strength does seem to be multiplied depending on how angry we are.  But no matter how angry we get, you’re never going to see one of us pick up a car and throw it because we’re annoyed. (Also, we don’t sparkle.)

So just what *is* a vampire?

Again, this hard to give a definitive answer to.  Even in the vampire community, there is some debate over this answer.  In its most basic, simple, mundane form, a vampire is one who needs to draw energy directly from an outside, living source… but this is hardly encompassing; there is so much more to it than that; it also does not cover those few who can draw the needed energy from sources like storms.  This question, is why I’ve written this FAQ.  Hopefully with the answers given, you may be able to draw your own conclusions.

Do vampires think they are better than ‘normal’ people?

Generally speaking, no…  but then, up to a point, yes.  Mostly in that ‘normal’ people tend to be very oblivious to the world around them, while we tend to be much more aware, of the world around us and simply in general.  Unlike ‘normal’ humans, most of us have managed to tap into a portion of our psyche, of our personality, of our potential, that the general populace will never accomplish.  In a way, the vampiric community *is* superior, but not necessarily *better*.  We have our share of nitwits too.
This is not to say that we feel that vampires are always vastly superior and should rule the world over all the cattle or any such nonsense; we simply seem to be more aware most of the time.  Many of us have ‘normal human’ friends that we would not trade for anything in the world; many of our family members are ‘normal humans’ and we certainly don’t love them any less.  Similarly, a mother is superior to her children, but that does not make her any *better*; it is only that she knows more at that point.

Is drinking blood just an addiction, or is it a need?

Depending on the individual, it can be both.  Though, as with any addiction, those who have crossed that line have done so to their detriment.  But for all vampires, it is a need; not in the way you may think-we will not die if we don’t feed-but many feel this is the actual defining point of a vampire.  For example: we can go a day, a week, a month, a year, or even longer, without *having* to feed; but, the longer we go without feeding, the ‘weaker’ we become…  i.e., our senses diminish, often we become preoccupied with the desire to feed, our immune systems may become compromised, etc.

Can I become a vampire/will you make me one?

Is it *possible*?  Maybe…  there is some contention over that within the community.  Will *I* do it?  No.

Do vampires really drink blood?  If so, how much, how often, and how do you find a ‘donor’?

Yes, at least Sanguinarians do…  there are some who can draw the psychic energy they need directly, without need for blood (referred to as ‘PsyVamps’, or ‘Psychic Vampires’).  How much?  This depends on the individual vampire… the only way to really answer is ‘enough’.  Usually it is on the order of an ounce or so.  Most vampires, and remember I say *most* vampires, will not endanger someone’s health or life just to feed.  As for how often, again that depends on the individual vampire.  As stated in a previous question, we can go a day, a week, a month, a year, etc.  The so-called ‘comfort zone’ seems to fall between a week and a month, though most would prefer to feed at least once a week.  I know that I, personally, like to feed no less than once a week…  like to; this does not always mean able to.   As to finding a donor…  basically, you find someone you feel you can trust, and ask.  This can be another vampire (though not always recommended), a ‘normal human’…  it all depends on how much you trust the person.

Can a vampire have children?  Is it an inherited trait?

Yes, a vampire can have children.  Don’t believe everything you see in movies, read in RPGs, or in books.  Contrary to popular belief, a vampire is not sterile, nor are their children born ‘undead’.
Is this an inherited trait?  I don’t think there’s any such thing as a vampire ‘gene’, otherwise science would have proven the existence of vampires years ago.  Therefore, I don’t feel that it is an ‘inherited’ trait, per se…  however, it does seem that vampiric parents are more *likely* to have vampiric children, for whatever reason… or at least, children who will one day awaken to being a vampire.

When it comes to vampires RPGs, movies, music, etc.; are these harmful?  Can they cause people to believe they are something they aren’t, or do they damage the real vampire community?

They can be, yes, and for the most part they do indeed damage the real vampiric communities.  They usually portray vampires as “evil” and as being “of the devil,” so to speak.  There are those out there who are unstable enough to believe everything they see in movies, and therefore come to the conclusion that vampires need to be extinguished.  There are also those who come to believe they are vampires when they are not, which can lead to a bit of strife within the vampire community-especially online-due to the number of ‘posers’ making it difficult to believe someone else when they claim to be a vampire, even though we know *perfectly* well that vampirism is real.
In an odd way, though, it is actually beneficial to the vampire community, as it allows us to ‘hide in plain sight’ better..  we do not fit any of the ‘fantasy stereotypes’, and so people write it off as a ‘joke’.

What is it like to be a vampire?

It’s like dancing naked in a warm summer rain.  It’s like being surrounded by the purest love.  It’s like a Sunday picnic in the park.  It’s also like being kicked repeatedly between the legs.  It’s like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat.  It’s like constantly walking by a buffet of your favorite foods, but being unable to eat.  In my experience, and most vampires I have spoken with, being a vampire is both a curse and a blessing.  For the most part, a lot of us have to hide what we are from those we love the most, for fear of retribution, prejudice, fear, or some other sort of negative judgment.  Most of us cannot run down the street yelling ‘I am a vampire’ for fear of being strapped in a white coat and thrown in a rubber room and basket weaving with our toes for the rest of our lives.  But the blessing comes in the form of this: when it comes to regular life, we have learned more and experienced more than most ‘regular’ people have or ever will.  We are usually able to help a friend in need of emotional support; we know better than most what it is like to be hurt, to be an outcast.

If ‘vampire’ has such a bad rep, why use that term at all, why not something else?

Simple answer: because that is what we are.  To use anything else would be to deny our very selves.  It’s not *our* fault that the media has twisted the reality of what we are.

Are there really vampire hunters?

Yes.  Some of them are as bad as they are portrayed in the movies; a lot of them are much more subtle.  There are some who believe Hollywood, and who, regardless of what the truth is, think vampires are an unnatural abomination.  However, just as within the vampire community, there are plenty who are simply overeager RPG players, who really pose no threat; and sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference.

Are vampires predators?

Most simply put…  yes.  We need something that we must get from another living being.  This does not necessarily mean we *kill* to get what we need, though.

What is the relationship between vampires and magic?

Most vampires, by nature, dabble in the ‘arts’.  This helps them to hone their senses, hone their abilities, and by the same token, their abilities help hone their spells, charms, wards, etc.  For most of us, magic is simply a part of our life.  Others, not so much, if at all.  Vampires do seem to have an easier time with magic than most people do, however.

Do vampires have a ‘normal’ life?  What kinds of things do they do?

What is ‘normal’?  In my opinion, there is no real definition of ‘normal’.  Vampires, like anybody else, try and get by in their lives the best that they can.  We have bills, we have to pay taxes, we need to work, we go through good relationships and bad.  As to what do we do…  what does anyone do?  We go to work, we go to school, we go to the park or to the lake or to the bar or to friends’ houses…  it varies as much as with anyone else.

Can you show me, teach me, or tell me all about vampires?

That one of the main purposes of this blog post/FAQ list.  If you mean *in person*….  well….  that’s debatable.  Get to know us first.

What is the purpose of creating this FAQ list?  What’s the benefit?

See the previous question.  The benefit is, hopefully this will help dispel myths and spread the truth, therefore making our lives that much easier.  And in time, you may leave this particular blog post with a little more knowledge than you came with, about how the world around you really is.

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Real Vampires - An FAQ, Part 2:

What are the signs of vampirism?  What abilities do vampires have?

In my experience:

Heightened senses, to one degree or another.  Such as: Better hearing-being able to hear higher or lower-pitched frequencies, as well as things that are ‘quieter’ than most people can hear; better sight; the sense of touch is quite sensitive, you just seem to feel things better than most; more heightened sense of smell, as in you can still smell someone’s perfume in a room, even after they’ve been gone for days, it simply seems to linger, as well as seeming able to identify and pick out scents most people can’t; sense of taste is quite remarkable. This is not to say that all vampires have every sense to an “Nth” degree. My eyesight is bad, so I have to wear contacts. But, for the most part, these senses are exceptionally heightened.
Quicker reflexes
Some sort of blood-lust (in the case of Sanguinarius vamps) and/or a need to feed off of some sort of energy (in the case of PsyVamps)
An affinity for the dark; dislikes being in the daylight
Functions better at night-most seem to be more awake after the sun goes down; you can think better at night; etc
Some sort of ‘allergic’ reaction to the sun (whether it can or cannot be diagnosed by medical science is up to debate)
Some variety of Empathy
Better-than-average or ‘strange’ nightvision
An awareness of energies most people don’t notice
Weaker-than-average immune system if they haven’t fed; stronger-than-average if they have
An odd mix of a desire to be around crowds and a mild(or stronger) case of social anxiety disorder; this is usually due to the Empathic abilities a lot of us have.  Too many thoughts and emotions invading all at once
An unusual gracefulness that seems to manifest at odd times
Depending on the situation, many seem to display traits and characteristics reminiscent of MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder). Frequently, this very well could be a manifistation of past lives making themselves known.
An ability to pick people out of a crowd who seem to be ‘different’…  unusual energies or what have you.  This also goes with vampires being able to pick each other out.
“Mood eyes”; eyes that seem to change color with one’s emotions
Physically stronger in certain situations. This is not to say they could pick up a car and throw it a hundred feet because they get annoyed, of course.  But, for some reason, their strength seems to get better depending on the situation; *especially* in an emergency or in a dangerous situation.
Extreme cravings for unusual foods or which food doesn’t seem to satisfy.  You may wake up at 4:30 am and have an odd craving for banana pudding.  You just woke up, and *needed* banana pudding at that moment.  Or, for some reason, you want coconut milk on your cereal instead of regular milk.  Odd little things that, for some reason, you just cannot explain.  I know, one night, I woke up –woke up completely– from REM sleep and needed pizza right now.  It was about 5am, and I *needed* that pizza.
Unexplainable, frequent headaches
Never seems to get enough sleep (insomnia).  It doesn’t matter how much you sleep, or how little … you just never seem to be able to get enough sleep some days.  Or, you’ll have days where you’re up for longer than 24 hours and, no matter what you do, cannot force yourself to sleep.
Seems to heal more quickly than others (when well-fed).  A cut or scratch seems to heal in a matter of hours (or overnight) as opposed to a few days.  If you catch a cold or the flu, you seem to recover quicker than most people, if you have the energy available for your body to accomplish this.
Seems to experience symptoms similar to the flu (except with no fever) when they haven’t fed frequently enough
Some sort of ‘artistic’ talent-be it poetry, writing, drawing, computer work, etc.-that seem to come out of nowhere
Higher than average intelligence
Seems to suffer from some variety of depression or bipolar disorder.  This “symptom” and the one above seem to connect.  It’s that whole “There is a fine line between genius and madness” thing.  Me, I have a high I.Q.  I also have bi-polar disorder.  Most vamps I have met in my life seem to have high intelligence, and some sort of depression.
Some variety of one or more ‘mental abilities’-empathy, telepathy, aura sight, precognition, etc.
A strange ability to ‘hide in plain sight’.  You just don’t want to be seen.  And, for some reason, even though you’re in the middle of a large crowd … no one seems to even notice you.  And this “ability” seems to fluctuate at odd times.  Usually, though, it manifests during serious stressful situations where you just cannot “handle” things anymore for a while.  It also, however, has a habit of ‘going off’ when you don’t necessarily want to remain unnoticed.

I have X number of those traits…  does that mean I *am* a vampire?

Maybe, maybe not.  I have met several vampires that do not have more than one or two of these traits; then again, I’ve come across vampires who seem to have them all.  I’ve also come across ‘normal humans’ that seem to display most of these traits.  In the end, the only one who can *really* decide if you are or not, is you.

Where can I meet a vampire?

Anywhere, really.  At school, at work, in the grocery store.  The tricky part is *recognizing* when you meet them.  Usually, though, a vampire is not going to come up to you and say, ‘Hi, my name is Bob, and I’m a vampire.’

Can I pick a vampire out of a crowd?

That depends on how perceptive you are and if you know what to look for… and, up to a point, whether or not the vampire *wants* to be recognized as such.

Can vampires pick each other out?

Usually, yes.  There are those ‘newly awakened’ vampires whose senses have not yet quite reached that peak, and of course, there seem to be exceptions to every ‘rule’ you try to set to vampires.

Do vampires have group meetings, clans (a la V:tM), covens, etc.?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  It depends on the individual or groups of individuals.  Obviously, *some* do, as that is one of the purposes of this FAQ.  However, if anyone tells you they are part of a ‘clan’ a la V:tM, such as Toreador, Malkavian, etc. or some other fictional name that denotes a ‘bloodline’, chances are, they’re delusional.

When it comes to vampires RPGs, movies, music, etc.; are these harmful?  Can they cause people to believe they are something they aren’t, or do they damage the real vampire community?

They can be, yes, and for the most part they do indeed damage the real vampiric communities.  They usually portray vampires as “evil” and as being “of the devil,” so to speak.  There are those out there who are unstable enough to believe everything they see in movies, and therefore come to the conclusion that vampires need to be extinguished.  There are also those who come to believe they are vampires when they are not, which can lead to a bit of strife within the vampire community-especially online-due to the number of ‘posers’ making it difficult to believe someone else when they claim to be a vampire, even though we know *perfectly* well that vampirism is real.
In an odd way, though, it is actually beneficial to the vampire community, as it allows us to ‘hide in plain sight’ better..  we do not fit any of the ‘fantasy stereotypes’, and so people write it off as a ‘joke’.

How does a vampire feeding affect both the vampire and the ‘donor’?

Generally speaking, it is quite enjoyable, for both parties…  very sensual, highly erotic…  but somehow at the same time not exactly sexual.  It can lead into the sexual, depending on the individuals, but that does not mean that it *is* sexual.  Afterwards, the vampire feels refreshed, perhaps a little stronger, in a better mood.  The donor may feel slightly weakened, perhaps a little fatigued or lethargic, but oddly serene.

What different kinds of vampire are there?

There are a number of ‘sub-classifications’, and I will try to list them all here:

Bloodvamp/Sanguinarian – these vampires feed strictly from actual, physical blood, generally drawn from a small wound on their donor.

Energy Vamp – those that feed directly from some outside energy source
Within this category, there are a few ‘subtypes’:
PsiVamp (PsyVamp) – those that draw the energy they need directly from another person’s (or people’s) psychic(aural, pranic, whatever you want to call it) energy
Emotional Vamp – those that draw energy from other people’s emotions; also called empathic vampires.  Not to be confused with vampires who also happen to be empaths (which is quite a number of them)
Sexual Vamp – very similar to PsiVamps, except they draw their energy exclusively from sexual encounters
Elemental Vamp – these vampires tend to draw most or exclusively from the elements or nature…  storms seem to be a favorite source.

Many people consider these to be the only two ‘true types’ of vampires.  However, there is a third category, which seems to defy the ‘normal’ classification – Hybrid, or ‘Dual-Feeders’.  It is into this group that I fall (along with many others).  When feeding, in order to really draw what we need, we must ‘bite’ in the classic vampire sense, although we do not puncture with fangs or any other artificial device.  We then simply draw what we need..  to us, we can taste blood, feel blood, have to swallow, even can taste the aftertaste on another who has just fed; however, once we are finished, there is no mark, aside from perhaps a small red mark like a hickey.  Some consider this something of a ‘self-hallucination’ of what is no more than a PsiVamp…  but those of us who feed this way do not feel this is accurate.

And then, of course, there are those who are often seen as one and the same, but who have nothing, really, to do with real vampires:

Fetishists – a person who gains sexual stimulation or satisfaction from bloodplay. (Without necessarily believing themself to be a vampire, or Otherkin.)

Lifestylers – these people can sometimes be hard to distinguish from either real vampires or role-players, depending on which way they lean.  Basically, they live the ‘lifestyle’ to the hilt, dressing the part, makeup, gothic houses, the whole bit.

Role-Players – usually used in a derogatory sense in the vampire community, this is one of the easier non-vamp groups to spot.  Most often they have based their ‘personas’ on V:tM (Vampire: the Masquerade).  They can usually be picked out by their assertions of wild supernatural powers (flying, bursting into flame in the sunlight, etc.), as well as by the ‘Clan’ system – Tremere, Toreador, Gangrel, etc.  This is not to say every vampire who RP’s is fake..  after all, what better place to hide?  It can serve as a wonderful release.  It is when the lines of reality and the game become blurred that a problem arises.

Clinical/Psychotic Vampires – those who suffer from a serious mental illness, and truly believe themselves to be vampires in the classical, mythical sense (such as Renfield’s Syndrome).  These are likely to turn ‘donors’ into victims.

What is it like to be a vampire?

It’s like dancing naked in a warm summer rain.  It’s like being surrounded by the purest love.  It’s like a Sunday picnic in the park.  It’s also like being kicked repeatedly between the legs.  It’s like getting hit in the head with a baseball bat.  It’s like constantly walking by a buffet of your favorite foods, but being unable to eat.  In my experience, and most vampires I have spoken with, being a vampire is both a curse and a blessing.  For the most part, a lot of us have to hide what we are from those we love the most, for fear of retribution, prejudice, fear, or some other sort of negative judgement.  Most of us cannot run down the street yelling ‘I am a vampire’ for fear of being strapped in a white coat and thrown in a rubber room and basket weaving with our toes for the rest of our lives.  but the blessing comes in the form of this: when it comes to regular life, we have learned more and experienced more than most ‘regular’ people have or ever will.  We are usually able to help a friend in need of emotional support; we know better than most what it is like to be hurt, to be an outcast.

I think a friend of mine is a vampire.  Is there a ‘polite’ way to ask or try and find out?

It’s like trying to find a polite way to ask if a friend of yours is gay.  It’s always a touchy subject, even moreso as anonymity provides a measure of safety for us.  Start out with a general ‘discussion’ about vampires…  not straight out asking if they are one, but simply if they believe in them and so forth.  In time, perhaps, you can ease into the question of whether they are or not.  Just be sure to be respectful about it.

What is it like to Awaken?

Ever been hit on the head with a sledgehammer?  It’s kinda like that.  Have you ever had a crisis of faith so profound you don’t know *what* to believe any more?  Yeah, it’s kinda like that, too.  Have you ever been deliriously happy?  Yeah, it’s kinda like that as well.  It encompasses the entire range of emotions.  It’s terrifying, intriguing, interesting, amazing and amusing all at once, with every other emotion in the gamut thrown in for good measure.  However, some people, of course, take it better than others.

Can an Awakening be ‘triggered’ by someone else?  If so, what responsibilities are there for the one who triggered it?

Yes, I do fully believe an Awakening can be triggered, because mine was triggered by someone when I was 19.  As for the responsibilities..  help them through it; help them deal with the emotional turmoil it causes; teach them what you know in hopes that they will take the benefit of that experience with them while learning their own way; in a way, almost become a ‘parent’ to them, helping and aiding and comforting as much as you can.

Are vampires immune to blood-borne diseases? (Or any other diseases for that matter?)

NO.  They are just as dangerous, or even moreso, to us as they are to anyone else.

Can you tell me of any vampires in {insert town/state/whatever}?

Can I?  Maybe.  Will I?  No.  That is something you will have to search for yourself.  I am not about to betray the trust of anyone in the community by stripping away their anonymity.

Are there really vampire hunters?

Yes.  Some of them are as bad as they are protrayed in the movies; a lot of them are much more subtle.  There are some who believe Hollywood, and who, regardless of what the truth is, think vampires are an unnatural abomination and need to be exterminated.  However, just as within the vampire community, there are those who are simply overeager RPG players, who really pose no threat; and sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference.

If someone awakens to/becomes a vampire, does that mean they can’t do a lot of things they used to?

Why should you stop living your life just because you realize you’re a vampire?  Seomtimes you may have to make certain adjustments, but you should be able to do basically everything you could before.

What is the relationship between vampires and magic?

Most vampires, by nature, dabble in the ‘arts’.  This helps them to hone their senses, hone their abilities, and by the same token, their abilities help hone their spells, charms, wards, etc.  For most of us, magic is simply a part of our life.  Others, not so much, if at all.  Vampires do seem to have an easier time with magic than most people do, however.

How do I know who I can trust (lover, friends, parents, etc.) about what I am, and how do I go about telling them?

A good place to start is a general sort of conversation about the supernatural/metaphysical/magic/whatever you want to call it.  Feel them out, see how they feel about it.  If the response seems good, lead into vampires…  what do they believe about them, do they think real vampires are a possibility, etc.  If the response is still good, then decide if you feel you can trust them with the knowledge.  In the end, only you can decide who you can and can’t trust, though.

Do vampires have a ‘normal’ life?  What kinds of things do they do?

What is ‘normal’?  In my opinion, there is no real definition of ‘normal’.  Vampires, like anybody else, try and get by in their lives the best that they can.  We have bills, we have to pay taxes, we need to work, we go through good relationships and bad.  As to what do we do…  what does anyone do?  We go to work, we go to school, we go to the park or to the lake or to the bar or to friends’ houses…  it varies as much as with anyone else.

Can you show me, teach me, or tell me all about vampires?

That is one of the main purposes of this blog post/FAQ.  If you mean *in person*….  well….  that’s debatable.  Get to know us first.