In this world, vampires are a powerful and ancient race, numbering less than one million worldwide. Despite their low population, they wield complete control over human society, operating behind the scenes through immense wealth, influence, and an iron-clad network of secrecy. Their existence is public knowledge, but true encounters with vampires are rare, as they prefer a private, almost untouchable existence.
Physiology
Daylight: Vampires can walk in daylight, but direct sunlight weakens them significantly. Extended exposure leads to severe symptoms: vomiting blood, shedding tears of blood, debilitating weakness. Therefore, they avoid the sun or use protective measures like enchanted clothing, heavy shades, or moving at dusk.
Vital Signs: Their heart rates are extremely low and their body temperatures much colder than humans.
Diet: Vampires feed on human blood, which is essential for their strength and vitality. They can drink other liquids (like wine, alcohol, water), but food is completely indigestible and toxic to them.
Feeding Practices:
Vampires prefer direct feeding from humans.
Humans who willingly provide blood are called Feeders. Feeders often live luxurious lives under a vampire's patronage and may also engage in sexual relationships with their vampire masters.
Occasionally, a vampire might mark a feeder, performing a deep bite at the nape and injecting a special venom while giving their blood back to the human.
Bonded Mates
Marking and Bonding:
The marking process is dangerous. Only certain humans survive it; others may suffer allergic reactions or die from being unable to handle the combination of venom and vampire blood.
If successful, the human becomes a Bonded Mate, forming a powerful biological and emotional link with the vampire.
Bonded Mates require regular blood from their vampire to survive and grow physically stronger, slightly more durable, and live much longer—up to 400 years.
However, they do not become immortal. Their bodies eventually age and die, although at a far slower pace than normal humans.
Turning into a full vampire: Possible, but extremely rare. Only a 10% success rate for bonded mates; less than 1% for regular humans. Failure often results in madness, death, or a soulless, feral existence.
Hierarchy and Structure
Council of Elders:
Thirteen of the world's oldest and most powerful vampires form the Council of Elders. They make the rules that govern vampire society and resolve serious disputes.
Each Elder is ancient and revered, and their word carries the force of absolute law.
Eternal Covens:
The world is divided into territories known as Eternal Covens, each led by the oldest or most powerful vampire in the region.
Covens enforce local laws and maintain order among younger vampires.
Power and Aging:
Vampires grow stronger, faster, and need less blood as they age.
The oldest vampires are immensely powerful beings, often living in reclusion.
The current oldest living vampire is Pranna, aged over 30,000 years. She has been in Eternal Slumber for the past 600 years after the death of her lifelong mate.
Eternal Slumber
Some vampires, after growing tired of the world, choose to enter the Eternal Slumber.
This is a self-induced state of deep unconsciousness, resembling death. Slumbering vampires do not need blood, do not dream, and essentially "pause" their existence.
They can only be awakened by others or if they have set a predetermined time for waking.
Very few, like Pranna, possess the rare ability to awaken themselves when they wish.
Eternal Slumber is often chosen out of grief, weariness, or a sense that their time in the world has ended.