Over the past years, there have been long debates about the varieties
of vampires which exist or can be defined. Previously, many of these definitions
included varieties of people who are not vampires but who believed they
are, or described fictional types of vampires which were commonly known
but did not belong to the real life community.
I have come to the conclusion that for a definition of what a vampire
actually is, it makes no sense to describe the concepts which we do not
understand to be vampires. Myths and misconceptions are an entire subject
of their own. In order to define real, tangible, existing vampires, it
makes sense to concentrate on the varieties that are commonly known and
accepted within the community.
Ever since, the definitions have been clarified. We managed to establish
certain criteria by which to distinguish commonly known subspecies. We
have managed to define the Sanguinarians, the psi-vampires and hybrids.
In addition, new varieties have surfaced which are being debated. We know
of not yet exactly well-represented species like therianthrophes. Now,
let’s take a look into the subject again.
Sanguinarians are the actual blood drinking vampires which a large
part of the Vampire Community is made of. While we always struggle to
make definitions even more precise in accordance with the results of
our researches, this is the part of the community which creates the
least amount of confusion.
Sanguinarians are human beings which feel a substantial need to consume
blood. If deprived of this substance, we will start to suffer negative
physical and psychological effects. We usually share a few traits that
distinguish us from the average human being.
There are primary traits, which are absolutely
necessary to define a person as sanguinarian. Among these are:
1. Physical bloodlust
If there is one basic trait that is necessary to define a person as
sanguinarian, it is the urge to drink blood which, when not catered,
results in negative effects. Blood craving is an urge that affects the
sanguinarian body. The effect of the urge breaking out has been nicknamed
as “twoofing”. These reactions can be physically felt and
observed.
2. Withdrawal symptoms
If the need to drink blood is not catered, Sanguinarians will suffer
negative side effects. This may start with mild symptoms such as a physically
felt thirst that cannot be quenched with any amount of common liquid,
a dry throat. In a worst case scenario, Sanguinarians go through the
physical pains comparable to withdrawal symptoms commonly known as “cold
turkey”.
3. The Beast
The urge to drink blood may - in case of withdrawal - manifest in uncontrolled
rages. Sanguinarians on withdrawal may in extreme cases go any length
in order to satisfy the need for blood. I personally know of no case
of “beast gone wild” that lead to the injury of innocent bystanders.
However, I was witness of such uncontrolled beasty fits. Those rages
may result in physical violence against objects and individuals.
There are also a number of secondary symptoms
which may or may not manifest in Sanguinarians.
Many of them are fairly common to everybody. However, in the past,
seekers have made the mistake to mistake these secondary symptoms for
indicators that they are vampires. Secondary symptoms are defined as
effects that are known from other medical conditions which may also
manifest in sanguinarians under specific circumstances. These circumstances
are, however, related to the sanguinarian condition.
1. Increasing sensitivity to (sun)light:
Many sanguinarians are light sensitive by nature. In moderate cases,
this may mean that they burn more easily in the sunlight than before
their awakening, their eyes hurt when exposed to bright light, which
must not be limited to sunlight but may include artificial UV and bright
cold-coloured artificial lights (as in xenon spots etc.) Severe problems
with light may go so far as to cause day blindness, migraines and severe
sunburns even while only mildly exposed to sunlight. Many Sanguinarians
report that their sensitivity varies with their blood consumption. Not
all Sanguinarians report to be sun-sensitive.
2. Inverted circadian rhythm
Many Sanguinarians are nocturnal by nature. Science has finally made
the advance to prove that genetics influence the circadian rhythm in
human beings. Humans normally are genetically determined to be diurnal.
However, when people have a prolonged or shortened circadian rhythm,
they may tend to be extreme diurnal (shortened rhythm) or nocturnal
(prolonged rhythm). There are skin tests which observe the healing cycle
of the cells which are able to prove the correlation, but there are
also a number of psychological tests that will do the trick. Ranges
vary from moderate diurnality and nocturnality to extreme cases with
completely inverse sleep cycles. Sanguinarians are pretty often extreme
nocturnals. Like everybody who is off their usual schedule, sanguinarians
will probably react to an inverted rhythm with sleeping disorders, weakness
and jetlag.
3. Side-effects of withdrawal
Many symptoms reported from other conditions manifest in sanguinarian
withdrawal. Migraines, weakness, a higher risk of illness and many others
are among them. The reactions to blood thirst and withdrawal are highly
individual and we only have the range of normal human negative reactions
to chose from. Many but not all sanguinarians get migraines when running
low. A person that is unable to develop the preconditions for migraines
will not develop migraines when suffering from blood thirst. Just like
a person that will never get fever will suddenly get fever when they
have flu.
Tertiary symptoms may include specific traits
that go beyond the human average but are not exclusively limited to
sanguinarians. Among these are:
1. Increased abilities
Many but not all sanguinarians are more likely to develop abilities
beyond the average. These may but need not include
- Physical abilities like a heightened perception of specific or
all senses
- Psionic abilities like manipulating energy streams
- Psychic abilities like empathy
Sanguinarians share these abilities with Psi-Vampires. These abilities
are natural to Psi-Vampires but don’t seem to be exclusively limited
to them. It is uncertain as to when and why Sanguinarians develop these
traits. They do not usually share them with normal human beings.
2. Therianthrophy
Some sanguinarians develop animalistic traits which manifest in their
behaviour and appearance. These traits usually represent one specific
animal to which the person feels a strong bond. They share this trait
with therianthrophes. It is uncertain as to when and why sanguinarians
develop these traits, but I will devote another articles to my own tentative
conclusions about this phenomenon. They do not usually share them with
normal human beings.
There are possibly more specific traits and symptoms that can be traced
back to the sanguinarian condition itself. However, many of them are
still debated or highly specific and not yet commonly observed. Time
will show whether they can be included in the definition.
Psi-Vampires are besides Sanguinarians the most commonly known species
of vampires. They are defined as feeling the same needs and urges as
Sanguinarians, however, catering to it by drawing energy from their
sources. This energy is commonly described as “chi”, “prana”
or similar. In any case, it is the life energy of another creature.
Sanguinarians and Psi-Vampires share similar cravings and withdrawal
effects. Their needs are perceived to be physically rooted. If Psi-Vampires
cannot fulfil their needs, they equally start to grow weak and suffer
negative side effects which can go so far as to cause severe physical
illness or a complete physical breakdown.
Psi-Vampires develop psionic and psychic abilities by nature. It is
their basic ability which enables them to access the energy streams
of another human being in order to drain this energy for their nourishment.
These abilities however go beyond the sheer need to suffice their needs.
Experienced Psi-Vampires may develop various skills including energy
healing heightened perception, aura reading, empathy, telepathy etc.
