text; un: sekiken

[bloodspring]

Hello. My name is Louis, and it’s been about a month since my arrival.

This is something I’ve been curious about since arriving, so I’d like to gauge the current community:

Are you, do you know, or have you ever known a vampire?

If so, I’d like to learn as much as possible about the vampires from your worlds. While one might have in mind a vampire they would call “stereotypical,” that is undeniably a relative label, and it interests me just how widely the differences can range under what may very well now be called an umbrella term.

For example: My race goes by the name “revenants.” For all intents and purposes, I would still classify us as vampires, as we are immortals sustained by drinking blood—but perhaps you might think other criteria more appropriate for determining whether or not one falls into the vampire category? I welcome any challenges or elaboration.

Some further questions for consideration:

• Do your vampires have fangs? Powers, abilities?
• What kind of blood do they drink? How often? How do they feed?
• What does a vampire’s immortality look like to you?
• Are vampires well-embedded in your world’s history, or are they more recent?
• What relationships do you or they have with non-vampires?
• How have other vampires adapted since coming to this world? Are there any particular hindrances you or they encounter?

These are just a few to prompt discussion, but don’t feel limited to these questions only. This is meant to serve as a collaborative gathering of information.

As all of this may be a sensitive or even unpleasant topic for some, I want to offer full transparency from my side of things, and welcome anonymous responses should anyone wish to protect their identity. Please share as much or as little as you’d like, and feel free to ask if there’s anything you’d want to know of me, as well.

Thank you for reading.

Comments

[bloodspring]

I could ask for nothing more than a fair trade.

Overzealous... Would that be said of all vampires where you're from, or just the ones you're acquainted with?

While I'm capable of enjoying regular food as well, ultimately it provides no nourishment. We would partake just to break the monotony of things, and feel more connected to our human lives. But it was a rare indulgence, considering the food insecurity in our corner of the world.

As for magic, I bear an affinity with fire, though it varies between revenants. Some can harness other elements, such as ice, lightning, sand and even blood, while others might hold no magic at all.

Do keep the questions coming if you have them.

[vassalize]

The ones I am acquainted with.
I have met no others, though the Captain of our crew likely has had a different experience.
Unfortunately, he is also not present to supply you with more details.
The two I speak of are siblings who appear young, though that may not be respective of their actual age.
They are allies to me, at best. Nothing further.

[ And he's too much of a proper noble to pester them for intimate details about their day to day lives. ]

Are you the only one of your kind here?

[bloodspring]

I see. Do you suppose they're immortal, then? Or just have significantly longer lifespans? In my case, I'm so recently turned that my appearance still matches my mental age... though we had seen children too, with maturity beyond their visible years.

For better or for worse, yes, I am. No others from my world have appeared as far as I know. In the case that they do, someday, I hope to have learned enough to sufficiently guide them, with efforts such as this.

[vassalize]

It is possible.
There are many creatures aboard the Grandcypher that do not abide by any natural laws.
However, they do behave in accordance with their appearance,
leaving me to believe they simply mature far slower than humans.

A number is never an adequate gauge for maturity anyway.
There's someone in this very land just two years younger than I who behaves like an overgrown child.

[bloodspring]

The Grandcypher is the name of your... ship, I take it? With such a colorful crew, even having a few vampires, I'm sure it's never short of lively. Must be nice.

I agree with that sentiment, though. For all the precocious children who were made to grow up too quickly, there are just as many adults who lack that self-development. It's a shame... although a part of me wants to believe those people would show their age when it matters most.

[vassalize]

[ Colorful is certainly a way to put it... ]

Indeed, lead by our Captain.
The vessel holds hundreds of crew members, though you've been fortunately spared from being greeted by all of them.

And you're not entirely wrong about that.

[ That is as much as he'll say regarding the man-child he spoke of earlier. ]

Was that enough to satisfy your curiosity?

[bloodspring]

I'm grateful for any amount, so thank you for cooperating and indulging me in this.

In turn, is there anything more you'd want to know of me? Not that it may be particularly useful to you, but... again, if the curiosity strikes.

[vassalize]

Only if there is something we should be wary of,
regarding you or other revenants.
Though I do not expect you to be completely upfront, should more arrive with lesser temperaments, it is better to be fully prepared to deal with them.