Experiencing the Awakening/the Embrace

First I feel the need to clarify for the confused/misled. Turning (or Embracing) is possible and is quite far from fiction. However, turning some one into a Vampyre doesn't make them an undead creature. Becoming a Vampyre via the Turning process does not involve dying via having all of your blood drained and then be brought back to life by a few mouthfuls of blood from the Sire. You aren't turned into a Vampyre if another Vampyre bites you. However the Turning/Embracing process does involve the exchange of blood. Being Turned and being a born Vampyre are two different things entirely. Latent Vampyres were born Vampyres and during the Awakening process they become aware of what they are. Turns are born human and are changed by a Sire Vampire into a Vampyre. However the two experience similar symptoms (for lack of a better word), to an extent.

This can be a very confusing time for an Awakening Vampire as well as a Turned. Its is the Sire's responsibility to guide and support the Turned through this process. (*See also Responsibilities of the Sire). Awakening Vampires usually have a Teacher/Mentor to guide them through this process. Not all Awakening Vampyres are this fortunate though, which is why I have written this article. The Awakening often occurs around puberty, but not always. The Awakening can also be activated by a emotionally stressful or traumatic experience. The symptoms experienced by both Awakening and Turned Vampires include developing a thirst for blood, increased sensitivity to bright lights, heat, cold, etc. The skin, eyes, tasting ability, sense of smell, and hearing become much more sensitive than before. Blood suddenly holds a HUGE fascination for them. Reflexes become faster and instincts or "gut feelings" become more frequent. Also the ability to sense or feel spirits develops or grows even stronger. They can experience extreme emotional states and feelings which can vary wildly at times; some develop migraine headaches and/or food allergies. (*See also What is Vampirism? for further symptoms). Vampires are suddenly very, very interesting. Its like they suddenly become obsessed with them. They may experience mood swings, mainly intense periods of rage. They also tend to become more violent. They become more nocturnal and can have a hard time falling asleep at night. The changes experienced by a Turned are more extreme than those of a Latent Vampyre because they experienced no prior symptoms of Vampyrism. Latent Vampyres are already familiar (to a certain extent) with the symptoms of Vampyrism and thusly things don't seem be that different than before, as their abilities strengthen and/or surface.

Turns develop a loyalty to their Sire and are loyal only to that Sire and the Clan/House s/he belongs to, if s/he belongs to one. Turns are changed into Vampyres through the exchange of blood with their Sire, which also binds them to the Sire, which explains the loyalty. However, this is not to be confused with a Ghoul. A Ghoul is not a full Vampyre, but a mortal/human bound via blood to a Vampyre. A Ghoul is completely under the control of the Vampyre. A Ghoul is 100% loyal to the Vampyre to which they're bound and no one else.

The Awakening for a Latent Vampyre can take years to fully come to completion as the changes, both physical and mental, are gradual. This can be very frustrating for a new Vampire once they have discovered what they are. But you have to remember that you did not learn to crawl over night and thusly your Vampyric abilities cannot be learned how to be used over night. There aren't any rituals or anything for that matter that can speed up the awakening process. It goes at its own pace and will not be rushed. Your ability to hear spirits is one of the last abilities to fully develop, so have patience. In my experience your ability to feel spirits develops first, then your sight, then your sense of smell, your taste and finally your sense of hearing. Some Latent Vampires never experience the Awakening, and live their lives never knowing what they truly are, or what they have the potential to become. What can help you through your awakening is having a mentor, and if not that, then learning all you can on your own about Vampyres and Vampyrism. Also awakening with some one else will help not just yourself but the other person as well. It is always better to have some one else to talk to that understands what you are going through, especially during this time.

There aren't multiple stages in the Awakening, no second, third or fourth stages. There is just the Awakening. The Awakening is nothing more than activation of the latent Vampyre side and the initial activation of those dorment abilities. It works like the ignition on a car. Once it starts the engine its job is done. As a Vampyre grows older their powers develop and grow stronger. As a result you may find that you can do things that you weren't able to when you first awakened. This is for many reasons. Some abilities/powers take years of practice and experience to do right. Some things are out of your reach in the beginning because your power levels are too low. Some of the Vampyres that stumble through their life with limited knowledge of themselves and Vampyres in general will confuse these advances in the control of their powers and other changes due to their age with multiple stages of the Awakening. You can only Awaken once. Once your powers and thirst have been awakened then the Awakening is complete. Everything after that point is merely the further development of your powers and abilities. That's it. It is not a continuation of the Awakening.

Unfortunately there are no places IRL to obtain factual books about Vampyres. Granted you may find some books about Vampyres mixed in the Non Fiction section, but its always written by mortals who conducted a study of people they believed were Vampyres, or about the historical people believed to be Vampyres, or information about Vampyre movies. Generally not very useable information and not the information you are truly seeking. The only real place to get information is from a True Vampyre themselves, should they choose to share their knowledge with you. For how to locate Vampyres refer to the article Finding other Vampyres.

Author: Razor The Tormented