Vampire



Vampires are those affected by the condition of Vampirism. They can feed on the blood of any warm-blooded creatures, but are infamous for targeting mortals.

The types of vampire present in Tamriel are said to number over a hundred, with nine variations in the Iliac Bay alone, each with its own powers and abilities. Typically (and rightfully) associated with undeath, vampires are related by legend to the Daedric Prince Molag Bal, who is referred to as the "Kin-father" of vampires. As the legend states, Bal is the father of the first vampire, which leads to all of vampirekind being considered his offspring.

Considered to be a "blight of the world", Vampires are recognized as the strongest type of undead found in Tamriel , and are plagued by uncontrollable thirst for blood. That causes a vampire's first kill to commonly be a friend or otherwise acquaintance of their mortal selves. Along with lich and wraiths, vampires are among the few undead types that are recognized as sentient (as opposed to being bound by a necromancer's will) and capable of dialogging.

Vampires are often recognizable by the exceptional paleness of their skin and alert eyes, as well as visible signs of restlessness. They are also weak to the light of the sun, as exposure burns their skin and makes the recovery of wounds impossible. Another debilitating condition is hunger, which also prevents healing, and causes the infamous, signature lust for blood that affects all vampires.

Behavior and distribution
Vampires behave differently according to the individual, but certain habits are shared by most. One of the most widespread of such habits is the tendency to sleep during the day, that comes with their nocturnal habits. Feeding behavior varies, and vampires claim victims in their own way, whether by attacking conscious people, silently feeding during their sleep , or using a spell to make them their thralls.

The most powerful vampire tribe of eastern Skyrim, the Volkihar, are known as paranoid and cruel, never venturing out of the ice-coated lakes of which they lived under except to feed. That causes them to prefer sleeping victims. Other remarkable groups within the province include Movarth's Coven, led by the ex-vampire hunter and ancient vampire Movarth Piquine. They inhabit Movarth's Lair in Hjaalmarch, and has planned to take over the city of Morthal by having the local Nord vampire Alva seduce the guards and turn them one by one into vampires; then wrangling up the townsfolk and exploiting them as cattle. The plan is stopped in the 3rd Century of the Fourth Era, when the Last Dragonborn destroys the coven. In Falkreath Hold, the Nord vampire Vighar (an ancestor of Jarl Dengeir of Falkreath), leads a coven in Bloodlet Throne that is destroyed upon his descendant's request ; and the couple of vampires Hern and Hert run Half-Moon Mill, where they use local animals and travelers as food source. The Dark Brotherhood is given a contract to kill the male, Hern, but the fate of the female, Hert, depends on the player.

A single group exists in Cyrodiil, a powerful clan of vampires who ousted all competition and are remarked as much more civilized and organized than most tribes; they were all indistinguishable from living persons so long they were kept well-fed (and thus, very hard to find). Much like the Volkihar of Skyrim, they feed during their victims' sleep and consider discretion to be the greatest of their virtues. They mostly focus their time on the pursuit of influence, political and otherwise, and are skillful in their manipulation of Cyrodilic society.

In northern Valenwood, four tribes are known, the Telboth, Yekef, Keerilth and Bonsamu. The Telboth first prey upon children, eventually taking their place in the family and waiting for years before claiming all of them as victims. ; while the Yekef are said to swallow men whole. The Keerilth have a signature ability of temporarily disintegrating into mist (whether on land or underwater) ; and Bonsamu are said to be indistinguishable from ordinary Bosmer except when seen by candlelight.

In Morrowind, which has a violent antipathy for necromancy and vampires as part of local culture, they were believed to be extinct for centuries. There are three known bloodlines in the island of Vvardenfell: the Quarra, who are known for their exceptional strength and endurance, and attack in a state of ecstatic frenzy; the Aundae, who are potent spellcasters and seek to hypnotize victims before feeding; and the swift and agile Berne who prefer stealth and ambush, first poisoning the victim with a bite, then withdrawing to a safe distance and returning to feed only when the prey is weakened. It is also noted that the "Ash Vampire" of Ashlander legend is not undead, and has never been linked to any of the known clans of Tamrielic vampires. It is unknown whether the vampires begun to sneak back into the province or if long-dormant ones have been awakened, but by the 3E 427, they already made a significant return.

The Montalion of the mouth of the Bjoulsae River contact new "family members" by letter, and alone have the power of inherent teleportation and curing of paralysis ; they dominate the regions of Wayrest, Bhoriane, Gavaudon, Satakalaam, Lainlyn and Mournoth. Their mentors are known to be very patient with new vampires.

In High Rock, a group called the Glenmoril Wyrd inhabits Breton cities ; and the Vraseth, who are gifted with nimbleness, dominate the regions of Daggerfall, Betony, Glenpoint, Kambria, Tulune and Glenumbra. The Thrafey, whose bloodline grants the ability of restoring damaged tissue, controls the regions of Daenia, Dwynnen, Ykalon and Urvaius. The Garlythi are gifted with the ability to magically shield themselves from damage, and dominate the regions of Northmoor and Phrygias. The Lyrezi are gifted with invisibility and the ability to magically silence their enemies; and control the regions of Alcaire, Koegria, Menevia, Orsinium, the Wrothgarian Mountains and Balfiera. The Haarvenu are gifted in the school of Destruction magic, and dominate the regions of Anticlere, Ilessan Hills, and Shalgora.

In Hammerfell, the Selenu, who are resistant to elemental attacks, dominate the regions of Abibon-Gora, Ayasofya, Pothago, Cybiades, Sentinel, Kairou and Myrkwasa in Hammerfell. The Anthotis are gifted with great intellect, and dominate the regions of Alik'r, Antiphyllos, Bergama, Dak'fron and Tigonus. The Khulari are gifted with the ability to paralyze their prey, and dominate the regions of Santaki, Totambu, Kozanset, Ephesus and the Dragontail Mountains.

In Black Marsh, there is the Whet-Fang sodality, whose members use of magicka to keep captives catatonic and harvest from them the "red nectar". Both the Glenmoril Wyrd and the Whet-Fang groups are recognized as possible rival by the Cyrodilic "society" of vampires. Vampire groups exist in Elsweyr and the Summerset Isles, but not much is known about them.

The bloodline of Lamae Beolfag is afflicted by the disease Noxiphilic Sanguivoria (rather than the more common Porphyric Hemophilia and Sanguinare Vampiris). As a consequence, the vampires of this group neither burn nor weaken in the sunlight, but rather become more powerful once night falls. Their abilities include invisibility. A particular way of acquiring this strand of vampirism is through the Rite of Scion, in which a mortal's blood is fully replaced by that of Lamae herself. This rite turns one afflicted by vampirism into a Scion, a stronger variety of vampire. These vampires don't worship Molag Bal, but rather hate him in accordance with Lamae's will. Having new recruits profane symbols of Bal is part of the ritual. The exact name of this bloodline is unknown but they were extremely common in the Second Era, and were not limited to any particular area of Tamriel.

Origins
Most vampires trace their lineage to a distant common ancestor, an unwilling Nedic virgin called Lamae Beolfag (commonly referred to as Bloodmatron Lamae, Lamae Bal  and Blood-matron ), who was defiled by Bal. With he, he spawned the race of monsters known as vampires, who then set upon nomads, spreading his corruption further. Other species of vampires are said to be the result of other pacts and bargains with Molag Bal, who promises immortality and power, but gives the afflicted "an eternity of damnation".

Trivia

 * Vampires recognize the difference in taste from creature to creature. An anonymous author states that Orcs have a "rich brothy blood"; saying rats are "a little sweet for the only meal of the night"; and calling werewolves "a real treat, almost decadent the tincture between human and beast".
 * The nine clans of the Iliac Bay make alliances and enemies among themselves, and each have special abilities linked to the particular bloodline.