What is Vampyrism

Vampires. Even among the Community we call ourselves different names. Some call themselves Immortals, Human Living Vampires, Vampir, Vampyres, Kindred, Leeches, Dhampir, Vamps, the list goes on and on. The most widely accepted term is simply Vampires, though some can be offended if you happen to chose the wrong term. We are as diverse as the names we call ourselves. So, what are Vampires? Every culture has them, or at least things that resemble them. They are referenced in all sorts of texts, listed both as fact and fiction. So how do we sort through all the myths, fiction novels and Hollywood glamour and sift the truth out of this tangled, confusing web? Are they really like the myths or something else entirely? Thus the purpose of this article, as well as that of Vampire Myths and What Vampires aren't.

I'll begin this very simply. Webster defines it as 1: belief in Vampires, 2: the actions of a Vampire. So what's a Vampire? I refer to Webster again, 1: the reanimated body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of persons asleep 2: one who lives by preying on others. Is there any truth to this? No, besides the need for blood. Real Vampires are people that require or have the need for blood or psychic energy (also referred to as pranic energy). Vampyres are an ancient, misunderstood species who have always shared this world. Modern vampyres are a far cry from our ancestors but we are still a force to be reckoned with when angered and should never be underestimated.

Symptoms of Vampirism

Typically, we (Vampyres) experience sensitivity to light, tend to be more nocturnal, hunger for blood (or blood lust), heightened instincts, improved night vision, heightened senses, dual-personality (a.k.a. "The Beast"), resistance to disease and illness, and tend to be more nocturnal. Some display psychic abilities and increased speed and reflexes as well as other skills I will outline below.

# Sensitivity to light can take all forms, from being so sensitive that we will actually develop a serious sunburn, to merely requiring sunglasses while being outside. Our eyes are usually the most sensitive to light.

# By hunger for blood/blood lust I mean that you crave it so bad that you cannot get it out of your mind, the hunger drives you. Its almost like and addiction to a drug. Without it you experience a sort of withdrawal, you feel weak, irritable and an ever growing thirst or hunger that gnaws at you continually until you finally can sate it. When you do finally feed its effects are also similar to a drug, it calms you, the hunger/thirst fades away and you feel at peace once again.

# Heightened instincts? You ask. By this I mean that we tend to react without having to think, relying on our instincts rather than taking the time to assess the situation. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we don't stop and think things through, our instincts come natural to us and they are more reliable and faster than human thought processes.

# Improved night vision merely means that we can see at night with out requiring a lot of light. Normally we can see without even the aid of moonlight. What can I say, our eyes are just better adapted to the darkness :).

# Heightened senses included improved vision, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Sensory extremes are usually quite uncomfortable for us. So what do I mean by improved? Well, we can hear high-pitched sounds that most people either cannot hear at all or have a hard time hearing. I also mean the ability to see spirits, see energy auras, hear and communicate with spirits, the ability to "sense" or feel the presence of spirits, etc.

# "The Beast" refers to the surfacing of the Vampire side of the person. When "The Beast" surfaces its often hard to control. This happens on occasions of severe need for blood, when enraged, intense fear (a sort of self-defense reaction), under the influence of drugs (including alcohol), etc. Emotions experienced while "The Beast" has surfaced are intense. You fight a battle of wills with yourself to keep "The Beast" in check.

# Vampires naturally possess a heighten resistance to disease and illness than mortals. Things like the common cold and the flu are often not contracted or if so then they are very minor and don't last long as our system recovers quickly. However, if a Vampire is weak because of lack of feeding or injury than resistance is lowered and possibility of contracting an illness is increased.
Physically, we are usually "night people" on a biochemical level. We have inverted circadian rhythms, with body cycles such as temperature peaks, menstrual onset, and the production of sleep hormones in the brain occurring at the opposite time of day from most people. We often have difficulty adjusting to daytime schedules and frequently work nights. Our vitality ranges widely, and we can be vigorous and active one day (like after feeding), depressed and languorous the next (when we need to feed again).

We frequently have digestive trouble. Even those of us with cast-iron stomachs have many issues with food that are rooted in their constant hunger for energy. Contrary to the image of the Vampire as thin, many real Vampires are troubled by obesity because of a hunger that makes them food addicts, and a system that is sluggish in processing physical food. They are also sometimes troubled by other substance addictions for the same reasons, but since their systems are tuned to pranic energy more than to processing physical substance, they may not be as sensitive to drugs and alcohol as an ordinary person would be.

A "hungry" Psi Vampire, one whose energy level is too low becomes an involuntary psychic vortex, drawing all pranic energy in the area towards her. When the energy does not flow in fast enough (and it is typical of Psi Vampires that the energy never flows fast enough for them) she will begin manifesting behavior patterns to increase the amount of conscious attention she gets from others. For this reason, some Psi Vampires develop a pattern of being aggressively confrontational, or of constantly antagonizing people with whom they have relationships. When others talk about them (usually to complain about them), Psi Vampyres are often described by such terms as needy, attention-seeking, manipulative, exhausting, draining, monopolizes the conversation, huge ego, etc. Nearly all Vampires, whatever ploys they use, have a talent for attracting (or distracting) the attention of everyone present.

Once a Vampire overloads on energy, she reverses her behavior patterns. She may become morose, silent, withdrawn and introverted. Some Vampires become maniacally cheerful when they are satiated, but even their good moods seem to annoy others, and it is more typical for Vampires to be infamous as wet blankets. 'Hungry' and 'overload' phases can occur within a few minutes or last for days at a time. Vampires are commonly loners, in part because they feel so different from those around them, but also because they have a need to control the degree of contact they have with sources of energy.

Unconscious (or partially awakened) Vampires have a tendency to reach adulthood with less than the average level of social skill and general finesse, and tend to be selfish and self-centered. The demands of their own energy systems are so distracting to them that it is difficult for them to pay attention to the needs of others. Their relationships tend to be disasters. Different Vampires develop different patterns according to what works best for them in their life situation, but several patterns are common. The "femme fatale" or "lady-killer" Vampyre forms a continuous series of sexual connections with one partner at a time, dropping each unfortunate lover as they become too exhausted (or defensive) to support the Vampire's energy needs. Other Vampires form a long-term relationship with a single person: either another Vampyre whose energy cycle complements their own, or a person who derives satisfaction from being a psychic servant or martyr. A common pattern, especially in young adults, is to continuously join social, religious, political and magickal groups and either blow them apart or end up being thrown out. Vampires may go through roommates, housing situations, magickal groups, jobs and lovers like used paper plates.

Some Vampires are attracted to magickal paths. In a magickal-working group, their ability to wreak havoc is increased because of the psychic openness and trust that exist there. But there can be a benefit, as well. Some Vampires become aware of their true natures and choose to undertake serious work to transform themselves. As soon as they begin doing so, they become more acceptable working partners and companions. Once in control of their capacity for handling energy, they become extraordinary magicians and healers. Their ability to hold the attention of others gives them the potential to be fine leaders and teachers. Ultimately, the purpose of Vampires is not to plague the universe but to facilitate its healing. Vampirism is the dark, or unfocused, side of a certain kind of psychic talent, one which has been developing for many lifetimes. It is destructive only when a Vampyre either refuses to face the truth about herself and work with her abilities, or when she chooses to play out a sinister role because of the illusion of power it gives her. Because of this, many of the Vampyre characteristics described above are far less evident in the most powerful Vampyres, the ones who have done considerable work on using their powers. Many of these are poised, pleasant, competent individuals, with great personal power. They have come to terms with who and what they are, and no longer exhibit the negative qualities associated with "psychic vampirism." Unfortunately, unconscious Vampyres are far more common than powerful ones, and it is these troubled souls who more often appear in magickal groups.

However most Awakened Vampyres won't bother with magic at all as they find it too much work to learn and deal with. They would rather use their Vampyric abilities to get what they need rather than to go to all the trouble of using magic.

Emotionally and physically, Vampyres are unpredictable, moody, temperamental and overwhelming. The major distinguishing characteristic of real Vampyres as opposed to ordinary people who share those qualities is the Vampyre's intensity. Vampyres are extremely intense people.

Skills

A skill (shown as underlined) is the name and the abilities are the resulting actions that are made possible by possessing the skill. Most come naturally and some may be learned or taught. Not all Vampyres display all of these skills. Vampyres rarely display all the abilities listed after each skill, most display a few abilities in each, or all abilities of a few skills. Generally speaking, Royals will develop all of the abilities; Purebloods will develop most of the abilties; and Turns will develop a few, generally ones that their Sire possesses, but not all of them. The lesser in power Royals may not develop all the abilities, the lesser in power Purebloods will develop less abilities then regular Pures, lesser Turns will develop only a few, maybe even only two or three. Please note that I have not taken the time to list all of the abilities that Vampyres can possess due to time contraints, as well as other reasons. I have listed the most common abilities below and the category titled Skills and Explainations. Psychic skills include but are not limited to: the ability to see into the future, ability to see into the past, the ability to move things with your mind. Telepathy allows us to see or hear other peoples' thoughts by entering their mind. Aura perception allows us to perceive the halo around all living things. Its color gives a clue to the subject's emotions. Perception of psychic impressions allows us to perceive or sense strong emotions left behind in places or on objects. Astral Projection allows us to project our consciousness outside our body and move it around. (Similar to out of body experiences, but with more control.) Dominate allows us through the exertion of our will, to control some one else's actions, often through entering the subject's mind and controlling their thoughts. Stealth allows us to move quietly and hide well in shadows as well as sneak up on people. Presence allows us to inspire the awe of those around us. We seem to have a sense of command and control about us. It allows us to scare off offending persons with a mere snarl. It also allows us to charm others with ease.

Often those who are unaware that they are a Vampire are drawn to Vampire mythology, and Vampire related lore. They tend to feel different or not a part of the society going on around them. They also tend to suffer (or enjoy, depending on the person) from depression, melancholia, mood swings, vivid dreams that can result in deja-vu, looking younger than you are, food allergies, insomnia and intolerance for milk products {lesser symptoms}.

Now that I've said this, I'd like to clarify. Having a few of, or even several of the lesser symptoms does not make you a Vampire. See also "A closer look at Vampyrism" for even more details.

Author: Razor the Tormented