Vampires - Myth & Reality


Myth: Vampires cannot move about in sunlight.
Reality: Most varieties can, a few can't. Some can only do so if they've
  fed within the last 24 hours, others can at will. Most lose the
  majority of their abilities in direct sunlight, and all are at least
  mildly photosensitive.

Myth: A wooden (or iron) stake through the heart will kill them.
Reality: Better than 50% of the time, this is true. Some are only
  immobilized by it, however. Others can only be killed by beheading
  and burning, some can be killed with a simple handgun. Unless they
  visibly expire (most really do crumble to dust or spontaneously
  combust when subjected to True Death), it's best to be safe...

Myth: Vampires are painfully allergic to garlic.
Reality: True. Not certain why, but nearly every breed is repelled
  by the substance. It may have something to do with the properties
  of garlic that alter body chemistry and repel blood-drinking
  insects.

Myth: Vampires can be driven away with the Cross and other holy
  symbols, and can even be injured by them (as with Holy Water).
Reality: Partly true. If the person wielding the holy symbol has real
  faith in his religion, this will work on about 90% of vampires.
  Very old vampires tend to develop an immunity to this. Some breeds
  (particularly Eastern ones) seem to be more resistant to it. This
  aversion to faith extends even to prayer, and sanctified holy grounds.
    Incidentally, this aversion appears to be purely psychological.
  There are a few vampires who retain (for one reason or another) their
  religion after being turned, and aren't affected. Others simply refuse
  to believe that they will be, and thus aren't.

Myth: Rain and running water will hurt, and even kill, a vampire.
Reality: Completely false. No evidence exists that any breed of
  vampire can be killed, or even hurt, with running water. A very few
  types can be immobilized by immersion in running water, however.

Myth: A properly performed exorcism will kill a vampire.
Reality: Nope. It might make them laugh, though.

Myth: Vampires aren't hurt by silver, only werewolves are.
Reality: Pure, undiluted silver (or nearly so) WILL hurt vampires,
  in much the same way as garlic. Both used together (as in bullets)
  can even paralyze the vampire injured by them, and will (at the
  very least) cause crippling pain.

Myth: Vampires are much stronger than normal humans.
Reality: Partly true. Most varieties of vampire ARE somewhat stronger
  than normal humans. A few, such as the European vampire, can actually
  be strong enough to lift a small car with a little preparation. Others
  are no stronger than a normal person.

Myth: Vampires need to drink human blood daily to survive.
Reality: Partially true. Most vampires are unable to absorb the nutrients
  in food normally, getting them instead by drinking fresh blood. It
  doesn't need to be human, though most vampires prefer it (for reasons
  now obvious thanks to genetic research). Vampires CAN still eat normal
  food, and most do (it tastes good!). A few breeds of vampire (mostly
  Eastern, South American and African in origin) will devour some of
  their victim's internal organs as well, perhaps for the same reason
  they drink the blood.
    As to how regularly they need to "eat"...Generally, depending on
  their amount of activity, injuries, and so forth, a single feeding
  (2-3 pints) will keep them well-fed for a few days (2-5, depending).
  On occasion, an abberation (mutation, perhaps?) will pop up, ending
  in a vampire that actually DOES need to feed daily.

Myth: Vampires have no heartbeat.
Reality: False. How else could the blood circulate through their bodies.
  Granted, most vampires have a much slower pulse than normal humans
  (on the order of 20-25 beats per minute), but their hearts do beat.

Myth: Vampires don't need to breathe.
Reality: Basically true. They don't NEED to. However, it's difficult to
  talk without airflow over the vocal chords, so most do. Vampires can
  stop breathing at will, however, and can go indefinitely without doing
  so.

Myth: Vampires cast no reflection and don't show up in photographs or
  on video, nor do they cast a shadow in bright light.
Reality: This is partially true. The European Vampire (the most common)
  doesn't, in fact, cast a reflection in glass or mirrors, for reasons
  no one has been able to quite determine...Because they DO cast a
  reflection in water, on a metal surface, and they will appear on film
  (both traditional and digital), and they do cast a shadow.


Myth: Vampires must sleep in their native soil.
Reality: False, though some older vampires take an odd sort of
  sentimental comfort from doing so. Like having a security blanket.

Myth: Vampires always sleep in coffins, sarcophagi or crypts.
Reality: Again, this is partially true, because many of the more
  photo-sensitive (or photophobic) vampires DO sleep in coffins.
  After all, coffins are air-tight and perfect proof against sunlight.
    However, an equal number of vampires retire to bed, and just draw
  their curtains.

Myth: Vampires have extraordinary mental powers, ranging from hypnosis
  and mesmerism, to empathy and telepathy.
Reality: True, in a staggering variety. Not all vampires have the same
  abilities or the same facility with them. Demonstrated powers range
  from those mentioned above, to an almost irresistable attractiveness
  that may be either psychic or pheromonal. Some vampires have none of
  these abilities. As with any ability, practice makes perfect.

Myth: Vampire can change their shape to that of certain types of
  animals, such as bats and wolves, and can become a sort of mist.
Reality: Completely false. Some vampires have learned to use their
  psychic abilities to make people THINK they've done this, but they
  can't actually alter their physical form.

Myth: Vampires do not look entirely human.
Reality: Partly true. The vast majority of Vampires always have one or
  two constant physical traits that give away their nature...Generally
  unusually pale skin and ears that appear to be more pointed than
  rounded. Some breeds have unusually long fingers (and may have an
  extra knuckle on each finger!) or extreme amounts of body hair 
  (including on their palms).
    Additionally, when Vampires manifest their powers, their human
  facade tends to change to a certain extent...Canines (or incisors,
  on some breeds) become longer and sharpen (for biting); eyes may
  glow red or yellow; in some breeds, facial features may shift subtly 
  to become more animalistic (bushier eyebrows, thicker eyebrow ridge 
  and cheek bones, larger ears, and so forth).