Alter Aeon The Great Library

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Note - as with any topic, researchers should question the reliability
and veracity of these texts.  The library's aim is to preserve
documents, not verify accuracy.

AABN:  13785
Title: The Necromarcanorum Volume VI: Vampirism

 This scroll is made from black leather, rolled around a waxed rod of
darkwood. The text is large and blocky, written with dense white chalk that
is sealed into the leather:

"Vampirism is a strange undead affliction. This condition occurs among all
races.  There are many varieties, and most appear to occur naturally. Some
are known to be shape-shifters. Most thirst for the blood of living
creatures, usually from the same race they were before they changed. Quite
a number of them are weakened by sunlight. Some are outright destroyed by
the light of day. Many retain the memories and skills they had in life. Of
all known undead, they are among the few that are prone to indulge in vices
they had while living, including alcoholism, gambling, gluttony and sex.

They all share common qualities. They are stronger, faster and tougher than
their mortal equivalents. They crave sustenence, blood or otherwise, from
living creatures. All can pass on their condition to living creatures,
creating loyal spawn or, through special preparations, peers of equal
ability.

Many vampires crumble into dust when slain, leaving behind a substance
known as gravedust. It is commonly used to brew potions. Other residues may
be left behind as well.

The most common type of created vampires are made through a ritual learned
from demons. The corpse is preserved, then exsanguinated. It is then
infused with soulstone energy, which is used bind shadow magic to the
corpse. When raised, these vampire minions are immune to sunlight. They
also dissolve into a shadow form when killed, only to coalesce after a
short period unharmed and ready to battle once again. As vampires, their
natural bloodlust makes blood sacrficies and bloodbond healing performed on
their behalf more restorative than for living creatures.

Vampires increase in power and knowledge as they age. Very old vampires
become "lords" of their kind. They often have abilities above and beyond
other vampires of the same type.

Kyonshi are a type of vampire that can be found in the Kurita Province, in
the vicinity of Daigaku-Tatami. They are known as hopping vampires because
of their strange, stiff-legged gait.

Revenants and the similar nachzehrers represent a type of near mindless
vampire. They share many habits with zombies, though their speed and thirst
for blood set them apart from the lesser undead.

Rabisu are a variety of demonic vampire that haunt the southern deserts.
Known as "dwellers on the threshold", they are known to wait in doorways to
ambush victims. Salt is said to be fatal to a rabisu, and they cannot cross
over a line of salt drawn on the ground. They are never found west of the
salt flats.

Streghes are a very old vampiric race. They are said to be the children of
Strega, a child born to a dead mother, and various fairy and goblin
creatures. They resemble great naked bats with dog-like faces. They can
change shape to resemble beautiful women or sleek, swift dogs. Streghes
favor the blood and flesh of children and pregnant women.

There are many charms said to repel vampires. Garlic is said to poison
them, silver to burn them and holy symbols nailed above doorways or worn by
the faithful are said to repel them. The effectiveness of these materials
is dubious, however there are magical methods that are especially effective
against vampires. Elemental magic channeled using the Luam rune weakens
vampires. Druidic sunlight spells are more damaging to vampires than other
undead.

There are legendary weapons known as bleeding sickles that use sympathetic
magic against them. With high quality blades of blood iron, handles of
bloodwood and set with bloodstone gems, these rare weapons have a strange
affinity for vampires and do them much harm. It is quite possible that the
blade could be attached to a larger handle to make a more formidable
weapon."