Cruentus Luna: Vampire Page

The Birth
When Greece ruled most of the known world, and gods and goddesses still walked among men, there was a beautiful young maiden working as a servant in the palace of King Lycaeon. She was called Alzbeta, and was always treated gently by the king. She knew he loved to gaze at the moon, and when done with her chores, she would watch him from the palace windows. One night, she saw a strange woman speaking to him while she was outside gathering water. When the king returned, he told her the woman claimed to be a goddess, and she dropped the vase out of her surprise. To her shock, and horror, he ordered her immediately executed The king needed human flesh to put into the strange woman’s meal to test whether or not she was a goddess. Alzbeta’s betrayed spirit haunted the palace, and the woman, who was indeed the Moon Goddess, took pity on her when she realized what had happened. She breathed new life into the girl, and she became a Child of the Night.

The Strengths
The Children of the Night, more commonly known as ‘vampires,’ are stronger and faster than humans. Their sense of smell, and sight are also vastly superior. One of their biggest advantages is their flawless beauty. It is intoxicating, and draws in their unsuspecting prey more easily. Some vampires have also developed telepathy, but this is not an extremely common gift. There most significant strength, however, is their immortality. They can be killed, but they never age, or grow sick.

The Weaknesses
Although at first, no vampire could bare the light of day, vampires overcame this after a few thousand years. Some say it was Vladimir Tepes III, known as Dracula, who overcame this by making a pact with the devil, but no one knows for sure. However, as if the Goddess’ curse still holds some truth, the vampire is very weak to fire. They also lose their beauty and become corpse-like if they do not feed on a regular basis. Vampires can also be destroyed by removing their head, and/or heart and burning their remains.

The Modern Vampire
Much unlike the Victorian era literary monster, the vampire blends in with human society very well. Most vampires keep to themselves, and prefer to hunt alone. Covens, a group of three or more vampires working together, are rare, but not unheard of, especially when werewolves are nearby. Some vampires have even swore off human blood, or at least, do not kill humans with their own hands. If one has certain connections, it’s quite easy to get into a club or restaurant that serves more than just red wine.

Vampire Etiquette
There aren’t many rules vampires follow, and even those listed here are not followed by all vampires. However, if a vampire comes across another of his kind that is older and stronger, these rules can come in handy. No vampire may steal or attack another vampire’s prey. If a vampire has chosen a blood doll, that doll may not be harmed, or even drunk from, without consent of the vampire host. Some vampires have chosen never to kill humans for their blood, but these vampires are in no way allowed to kill others of their kind who have not made that decision. As a last rule for all immortals, one is to stay hidden and to limit their contact with the human race.

Turning
The ease of which vampires can turn a human into one of their own has been the key to their advantage in the war for many years. While werewolves pair off to mate and then attempt to raise their pups in secret until they are strong enough to fend for themselves, vampires can create a new vampire, strong and equipped for battle, almost every night if they so choose. The vampire must drain the victim completely, and then bite their own wrist, letting their victim drink their own blood. A new vampire cannot go out into the sun for three days, but after that, their power increases at an alarming rate.

The War (told from the Vampire’s Legend)
After Alzbeta was given new life, she began to hunt after her murderer, Lycaeon. But the king was still a wolf, and she could find him no where. One night, she heard a wailing howl. She followed it, and found the Moon Goddess forgiving Lycaeon for what he had done. Enraged, she attacked both the goddess and her former master. She failed to kill either of them, and was cursed. Because the goddess thought her bloodthirsty, she chose to curse Alzbeta to constantly search out blood to renew the life she had been given. She also cursed her from any intense light or heat, saying her wicked spirit belonged in the shadows. Alzbeta blamed Lycaeon for her ill fortune and swore to kill him. Their battle, once begun so long ago, rages today. For no vampire ever spares a wolf. Likewise, no wolf ever spares a vampire.