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'Bleed' - The term 'bleed' is used by most vampires as a slang, meaning to kill without feeding. To 'bleed' a victim is a murderous act where the vampire bites an unwilling donor for the simple reason that they wanted them dead.
Blood Lust - When a vampire goes too long without hunting, the body's natural instincts begin to take over, resulting in a blood lust. Most vampires experience a loss of control or temporary blackouts when possessed with a blood lust. It breaks down the average thought patterns and creates irrational behavior, giving the vampire the animalistic savagery that it needs to survive. However, while an effective way of hunting for food, it is best for most vampires to avoid such an involuntary response, for fear of exposure, and possible carelessness.
Blood Dealer - A blood dealer is a vampire or human that keeps a ready supply of 'dead blood' on hand for any vampires looking to satisfy their thirst temporarily. 'Dead blood' doesn't last very long, but many vampires may come to a dealer for a quick fix, to break in a newly born vampire, or to avoid a blood lust. Dealers turn a nice profit from their customers, and can usually be found in underground vampire clubs where clientele is sure to exist in great numbers.
Crossover - The term for anyone who has left their human life behind, and become a member of the vampire species. Whether it is done willingly or unwillingly, a human has to be bitten and their body has to 'die' in order to become a vampire. To crossover from one side to the other is often a very painful experience, lasting for weeks at a time. It is at this point that the body ceases to age, or grow, or change at all. And from the day of the vampire's awakening, until they meet their end, their body is frozen in time, and is regenerated fresh with each sleep cycle.
Darkness - 'Darkness' is a word often used in reference of how long someone has been a vampire. To determine the true age of a vampire, you must add the number of years that they lived as a human before they crossed over, to the number of years that they've been a vampire. Therefore, a boy who crossed over at 18 years old, and has been a vampire for 27 years...is still physically 18. But his TRUE age is 45. Even though the age, features, body, and everything else, remain frozen in time, the mind keeps growing and maturing as they get older. So knowing how long a vampire has been in 'darkness' means a lot, as judging by looks can no longer be an accurate way of knowing the vampire standing beside you.
Dead Blood - Dead blood is blood from a human corpse or reserves kept in blood banks for vampire use. While it can satisfy the vampire's thirst for a short period of time, it is not possible for any vampire to 'live' off of it. Fresh blood from a living human is the only true source of a vampire's nourishment. However, dead blood can be used as a 'snack' in the meantime for any vampire consumed by the thirst.
Donor - A donor is the vampire term for their prey. A living human being that has to be hunted and killed in order to feed. Most donors are chosen at random. A vampire's feeding cycle adds up to about one kill a month, unless injury causes them to bleed their own blood reserves, in which case more sustenance is needed.
Elders - While most vampires only live to be an average of 100 years old, some have found a wise and graceful way to live much longer through the pain of immortality. These rare beings are known as the 'Elders', and they are both respected and feared by others in darkness. They are practically a ruling class, a 'political' power, among the rest of their species, and work to keep the growing population of vampires in order. They are powerful entities indeed, and are known for sending out mercenaries to settle potential problems in vampire diplomacy without mercy.
Eternity Bands - Bands of soft aluminum-like metal that can be wrapped around a human's arm at the time of crossing over into darkness. If it heats up during the transformation, it becomes a permanent mark that leaves an intricate design just beneath the surface of the skin. This ONLY works for a vampire that is born out of love. It is the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual connection between the vampire and its host that causes the reaction. The mark is often tried, but very seldom achieved. Making it a rare and beautiful thing among the vampire species.
Extra - Every vampire, when born into darkness, begins to develop an 'Extra'. Extras are special abilities unique to each and every vampire in existence, formed by the emotions and personality traits held by the host before crossing over. While some quiet, shy, or frightened, humans develop 'defensive' extras...the more aggressive and belligerent humans develop 'offensive' ones. Who they are at the moment of being reborn is instrumental in the creation of their particular extra, and while certain tricks can be learned or taught by the vampires themselves, the personal experience of having one of their own can never be surpassed or fully duplicated by another being.
Halflife - A negative term used to describe a vampire that has crossed over before their 18th birthday. It is presumed that any vampire under 18 knows nothing of life, of pain, or sorrow, and that the life was wasted. No matter how long a halflife lives in darkness, it will always be seen as a 'child' with no real ability to make proper decisions or have any real impact on the people around it. As the vampires get younger and younger, the prejudice against halflife's has grown more severe, and the two sides hardly ever exist in mixed company. It is meant as an insult to a young vampire's choice to live in darkness at such an inexperienced and tender age.
Hemoslug - A new technology, originated on the West Coast of the US by scientists working for the vampire mob, in which human subjects are bred for feeding purposes. Hemoslugs are swiped away from their parents at birth, and fattened up over time with growth hormones and an abundance of food. Cholesterol levels are kept low with chemicals that have been engineered to keep the creature alive during the process. A hemoslug can be bought as livestock, and just one (often reaching a weight of seven to eight hundred pounds) can provide a steady supply of living blood for up to a year before the drain becomes too much. It is regarded as an illegal practice for the time being, but the project is still making advancements all the time. Vampires are hoping to make it a marketable business in the next few years.
Hunter - Hunters are paid assassins that are sent out on missions to handle any issue that the Elders see as a potential problem in the vampire population. Any vampire who is seen as dangerous, out of control, a threat to humanity or to vampire kind, or is risking exposure to the humans through their actions, often become the unwilling targets of these well trained soldiers. Most hunters have been 'upgraded' with either special serums or mechanical parts to enhance their extras, giving them the ability to operate at full potency at all times. Besides their advanced fighting skills and juiced up special abilities, hunters are known for carrying a long sharp needle like weapon known as a shiv. It is used for piercing the heart of their target, killing them by damaging the one organ keeping them alive. Hunters are some of the most feared creatures in darkness, and if one crosses a vampire's path...it is usually the last thing they see.
Milk - The process in which a hemoslug is drained of its blood supply. The creatures are genetically altered to produce much more blood than the average human being, and when they are not fed upon, or 'milked', they hemoslugs become ill and die. It is good maintenance to keep them drained to low blood supplies at all times if possible.
Newbreed - A newbreed is a vampire that has just recently been born into darkness. These vampires are often still adjusting to their new life, their new abilities, and are often hesitant about hunting for donors. Other vampires can sense a newbreed by the scent of the 'original' blood cells that they still possess in their body. Until a vampire has fed a number of times, and all of the remaining living blood from their humanity has been cycled out, this scent is still very strong. Vampires are still impressionable at this stage, and others sometimes look to take advantage.
Nosferatu - When being bitten by another vampire, there is a transfer of fluids from the vampire to their host. Occassionally, while it is a rare occurrence, this fluid transfer floods the blood system, and the crossover becomes unbalanced. The result is a nosferatu. These vampires, during their crossover, become deformed, with an almost monseterous set of features, chalky white pale skin, and two rows of twisted fangs. All body hair falls out, and the eyes glow crimson instead of gold. These creatures not only have an almost insatiable blood lust (often feeding two or three times a week, either on humans or on other vampires), but many have even gone as far as to cannibalize their victims, their stomachs digesting body parts with ease. For those who have eaten the flesh of vampires or humans for a period of time, they become afflicted with a disease called 'kuru', which causes their muscle coordination to break down, bouts of madness, and spontaneous laughter. Many exist in small tribes in the dark corners of suburbs surrounding big city food supplies. And with their red eyes and terrifyingly dark giggles of madness being heard from a distance, they have become the 'boogie men' of the vampire world.
Optrix - Optrix are specially designed contact lenses used to hide a vampire's glowing eyes from the human public. Sold in a variety of colors by special dealers around town, these specs are light weight, nearly invisible, and essential when attempting to blend in with a human crowd. They block the glow of a vampire's eyes, almost like a two way mirror. Allowing light in, but not out. Their only flaw is that the optrix occassionally malfunction when they get wet. Especially if tears are involved. The water bends the light differently, and any vampire risks exposure by not keeping a set of sunglasses handy just in case there's a problem.
Raiders - Hated by most, Raiders are opportunists that form small tribes and venture to make money off of the trinkets and memories of other vampires. A raider's sleep cycle is shorter than that of most vampires, allowing them to wake up from their hibernation hours before other vampires. Whenever a cluster or habitat of vampires is found, they team up and go in to steal away whatever human comforts they keep, selling them for profit in underground vampire markets. They are thieves and killers, and have made many enemies throught the vampire world for their despicable actions.
Reader - While all vampires are able to read the mind of humans with ease, a vampire's mind is much more complex, because it takes in such a great amount of detail that the average human mind can't even comprehend. So it is impossible for MOST vampires to read one another's mind without consent. However, there are a few vampires who were given this extra ability, and can peer into another vampire's mind without much more effort than it takes to read a human mind. They are called 'Readers'. Either feared or despised by many of their peers, readers have the ability to investigate, experience, or even 'steal', information from others with minimal concentration. It's a rare ability, but it does exist.
Safeguard - A marking on the neck or right hand of a human being that resembles a level of 'protection' that comes directly from the Elders themselves. These marks can be purchased for large sums of money by the few humans that know about the vampire species, and grants them complete immunity from being 'fed upon' by the vampire population. These stigmas have to be renewed annually, and can be placed on the heads of family members, business associates, or close friends...and prices vary depending on age, sex, and health. The cost is much higher on an 18 year old male athlete than it is on a 65 year old business woman. The marks are designed to fade in a year's time, and then have to be renewed for another generous fee if the human wishes to remain protected. These funds are then used to support and produce many of the vampire race's underground dealings. The clubs, arenas, casinos, and so on, all funded by humans who wish to live without the fear of being a 'snack' for those born into darnkess. If a human that has been clearly marked is harmed by a vampire, retaliation is swift and unmerciful. The loss of income is usually dealt with by means of a swift, but painful, execution, by an Elder appointed assassin of their choice.
Sanctuary - For any vampire who has been attacked, injured, targeted by the Elders, hunters, or the mob, or any vampire who has been exiled from their original habitat...there are sanctuaries. Sanctuaries are set up by well meaning vampires as a safe haven for any strays that need help, protection, or a temporary place to hide. Often guarded by a few choice human caretakers during the day, a vampire can find refuge and medicine in these places, scattered throughout the world. However, these sanctuaries are considered highly illegal, and are often prone to destructive raids and sudden attacks from contract killers who have a 'job' to do. Even though they are usually protected by underground devices that dull or cancel out a hunter's tracking capabilities, attacks are quite frequent, often slaughtering all the inhabitants inside.
Scavengers - Scavegers are vampires who feed off of other vampires instead of human beings. Getting the nourishment they need from the 'living dead', without killing more humans in the process. While some have taken a more 'cultish' view of this practice, choosing not to thin out their human food supply and claiming to have too much love for life...there is also a growing population of scavengers who simply enjoy the thrill of hunting their own. To some a religion, to others a challenge. Scavengers are the perceived 'cannibals' of the vampire world, right next to nosferatu, and are also known for having many enemies in darkness.
Scriptures - Scriptures are documents of history, prophecy, and philosophy, written by other vampires throughout their existence. Elders choose to accept or deny these scriptures as they see fit, and they are kept on their original parchments in private locations all around the world. The only 'library' where all of the scriptures can be seen in their entirety is the "Nifty Archive", where duplicate coies are made available to the public. They are stories and legends written by vampires wishing to share their knowledge and experience with others in the hopes of improving on life in general. Many of the authors are hidden away underground, but resurface every now and then to add to their own collection of thoughts and ideas. All concepts are presented without judgement, to be accepted or disputed as the reader sees fit in their search for a deeper understanding of themselves.
Sire - A sire is simply a term used to describe the vampire responsible for bringing another vampire into darness. If you are turned, and taken from your human life, the one who gave you the gift of immortality is your sire.
Slag -Slag is a slang term used by vampires to describe the lifeless body of a donor that is left behind after a feeding. When the body has been drained of enough blood to satisfy the vampire's thirst, it becomes 'slag', and has to be hidden from public view to avoid exposure.
Slag Hunters - Slag Hunters patrol the streets looking for leftover slag that might be left behind by careless vampires on their hunt. They are often human, and come equipped with the high tech materials needed to dismember the bodies and get rid of the evidence of the crime in the case of a sudden attack. Methodical and precise, the slag hunters can easily clean up the scene of the crime and erase all traces of foul play in a matter of minutes before any suspicions are aroused by the public. However, they are also trained to keep their work a secret at all costs. And any human that accidentally crosses their path while in the middle of a job...they usually end up in the trunk as well.
Sleep Cycle - Also known as the 'big sleep', a vampire's sleep cycle starts at sunrise and ends at sunset. It is an uncontrollable hibernation period, rendering a vamire's body completely unconsciou and cold until it is time for them to awake again. During that period, all wounds are healed, hair grows back to it's original length, and every detail that has changed in their body during their night awake, is reverted back to the exact same state that the body was in the day it crossed over. There is no avoiding a vampire sleep cycle. This regeneration period is involuntary. It will take hold of a vampire quickly and forcefully, giving it only minutes to find shelter before the vampire loses consciousness.
Spice - Spice is genetically engineered blood samples that contain a concentration of mind altering narcotics. A mixture of cocaine, heroin, acid, ecstacy, mezcaline, as well as many other agents. The ingredients depend on the chemist or blood dealer putting it together for their own particular clientele. The recipes vary from dealer to dealer. The idea is to pack a potent mixture of drugs into the blood that a vampire consumes, and allowing them to experiene the ultimate high for days, even WEEKS, at a time. The danger in this practice, however, is that this alters a vampire's mind state drastically, further risking exposure and causing erratic and unpredictable behavior in anyone who uses the stuff. It has been outlawed by the Elders themselves, but as the hemoslug technology has drastically cut into the blood dealing business of many vampires in major cities all around the country, 'spice dealing' has become a profitable alternative to shutting down their enterprise. Vampires high on spice refer to the experience as getting 'twisted', and long periods of exposure to this drug can eventually cause brain tumors and heart failure. Leaving a vampire in a vegetative state for eternity, or destroying their heart, causing starvation.
Spice Shack - Slums or abandoned buildings where spice is dealt, and the users are able to experience their buzz in peace. While these spots were originally set up as luxury spas to prevent a vampire from getting into inappropiate behavior while twisted, it has degenerated into disgustingly dirty crack houses, made for addicts and those looking to escape from the darkness of their existence.
Starvation - While a vampire is, for the most part, is invincible, immortal, and impervious to almost every form of bodily harm...they DO possess a weak spot. The heart. Damaging the heart of a vampire beyond repair will most certainly destroy it. It is the heart that pumps a victim's blood through the body and keeps the vampire alive. Without it, no matter how many donors a vampire preys upon, the body cannot hope to survive. Causing starvation. This starvation is an extremely painful and agonizing experience for a creature of darkness, and a quick death is often preferred to the slow miserable fading away of a vampire without hope of ever healing its wounds.
Sunburn - A vampire's skin was made to stand the test of time, and ceases to age when a vamire has crossed over into darkness. However, it is VERY succeptible to sunlight, and any exposure to UV rays causes a vampire's flesh to painfully blister, split, and burn, on contact. A minute or two in the sun will cause nausea, fever, and severe disorientation. After that, the skin begins to burn and peel, leaving a dark blackened scar wherever the sun's rays hit. These damaging burns don't ever heal, not even with the healing sleep cycles of a vampire's daily hibernation. Further extended exposure to sunlight turns the flesh and bone to pure ash, the vampire often bursting into flames. Death is instantaneous.
Sunburn (Drink) - A drink that was originally invented as a dare, has become popular among the vampire clubs, mostly for it's powerful sting. It's ingredients are Bacardi 151, Absolute Vodka, and a splash of lemon juice. It has also been known to be mixed with adrenaline packed human blood, or even 'spice', for an even greater kick.
Sun Quest - A Sun Quest is a term used for both a celebration and the actual passing of a vampire on it's own terms. A vampire's average lifespan in darkness is approximately 120 to 130 years. After that, many become tired of the life they've lived, feel unbearably lonely, realize that their human life has now rotated out of existence, or begin a rapid decent into madness as a century's worth of memories begin to repeat themselves constantly in the mind. Of course there are many documented cases of vampires living much longer than that, and with mental excercises and meditations, a rare few can double or even triple that age with ease. These are the Elders. Basically, when a vampire has deemed itself 'old', 'bored', or 'alone', in its life of immortality, it has the option of leaving this world by going out to see the sun one last time. The sunrise, of course, causes death. The night before a sun quest is usually a celebration created to say goodbye to old friends and loved ones. Sometimes old wounds are mended, small gifts and trinkets are exchanged, and anything the vampire wants to leave behind is given personally to those in attendance. Also, food is often brought to these events. Since a vampire can only digest human blood, this is its last chance to taste some of the favorite foods from its human life. While this practice may seem like a sad and desperate act for some, for mos of the vampire population it is seen as an honorable search for more questions and answers in the next world. A level of vampire spirituality, in which the pain of dying allows them to be born anew in a place filled with new and exciting adventures. A sun quest can also be taken when a vampire's heart has been damaged beyond repair, and the victim uses it as an escape from the pain of starvation.
Thirst - The term used to describe a vampire's hunger for blood. A vampire, once feeling the body's reaction to its waning blood supply, has only a a week or two to hunt for further sustenance before it is thrown into a blood lust, and the instincts take over to insure survival. A vampire knows that it is hungry by a dryness in the mouth, a shake or tremble in the body, and the sudden 'distraction' by the life essence of the humans around it. The thirst is inevitable. If a vampire hopes to survive, it MUST hunt. Otherwise, starvation will occur without question.
Twisted - A slang used by vampires to describe the euphoric feeling given to them by drinkinf 'spiced' blood. It is such a powerful rush that most vampires find it hard to stand within the first few hours of digestion. This sensation can last for days, or even weeks, at a time. And the vampire involved usually loses muscle control and use of rational thought while in this altered state of mind.
Vampire Dream - Vampire's don't dream as often as humans do, but when they do, it's usually an explosive experience. Vampires see things that the normal human eye can't see, hear things they can't hear. This heightened sensitivity causes the vampire mind to take in a great deal of information on a daily basis. And when this extra data is expressed through a dream, it is often so real that the subject can feel the physical strain on the body when they finally awake at sunset.
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