It goes without saying that the legend of the vampire is one that has not lost its 'bite' throughout the annals of time, but is still as popular today as when the first tale was told centuries ago. Literature and the media of film (both the big screen and the television) have played a big role in perpetuating and expanding the myth into something perhaps that even Stoker could have never envision. I believe it is safe to say that the vampire is here to stay. The question, then, begs to be asked. Is it possible that the vampire walks among us? Look around you. Is that normal looking girl sitting next to you on the bus actually a vampire? Did that guy that just smile at you do it just to be friendly-or was he trying to guess your blood type? Not as far fetched as you might think. Before you think I've completely gone off the proverbial rocker, let me explain.
Though technically not actual vampires, there is am offshoot of the goth subculture whose members base their lifestyle on the modern perception of vampires in popular culture. Members of the vampire subculture tend to congregate into small clans, known as covens or houses, usually with others of like beliefs, though there are some who choose to remain solitary and not aligned to any particular house. Vampirism, it should be noted, is not generally considered a religious, but rather a spiritual or philosophical path by those who choose to follow it. Though some choose to 'dress the part', most modern day vampires dress in normal attire to avoid discrimination.
There are three main types of vampire lifestylers:
Sanguinarians: These are your blood drinkers, and along with psychic vampires, they consider themselves the 'real' vampires, and they usually have a collective community. They hold the belief that they have an actual physical/spiritual need to drink human blood in order to maintain their mental and physical health.
Psychic Vampires: Commonly called psi-vamps, these vampires believe that their nourishment is best obtained from 'drinking' the aura, psychic energy, or pranic (life force) energy from another. This is done in order to balance a spiritual or psychological energy deficiency such as a damaged aura or chakra.
Living Vampires: Those members are highly spiritual and consider vampirism an action required for spiritual evolution and ascencion. They can be, be are rarely blood drinkers, and maintain a rigid ethical sytem in the practice of their beliefs. They are usually organized into initiatory orders such as Temple of the Vampire, Ordo Strigoi Vii, and the Order of the Black Dragon.
Similar to any culture, there is a certain terminology that goes along with it. Here are a few common terms that might come in handy should you ever find yourself deep in conversation with a lifestyle vampire:
blood donor: a person who willingly allows a vampire to drink their blood. Though vampires and donors are considered equals, donors are expected to be subservient to the vampires within this culture.
fashion vamp: aka vampire role-player, or a person who are serious vampire fans. These people are the ones who dress up in vampire clothing, live a vampire lifestyle (such as sleeping in coffins) and avidly participate in games such as Vampire the Masquerade.
feeding: the taking of energy via blood or other forms
mundane/nil: non-vampire, someone who is non-awakened or close-minded
black swan: a non-vampire that is sympathetic to vampires
fledgling: someone that is new to the vampire subculture
Though technically not actual vampires, there is am offshoot of the goth subculture whose members base their lifestyle on the modern perception of vampires in popular culture. Members of the vampire subculture tend to congregate into small clans, known as covens or houses, usually with others of like beliefs, though there are some who choose to remain solitary and not aligned to any particular house. Vampirism, it should be noted, is not generally considered a religious, but rather a spiritual or philosophical path by those who choose to follow it. Though some choose to 'dress the part', most modern day vampires dress in normal attire to avoid discrimination.
There are three main types of vampire lifestylers:
Sanguinarians: These are your blood drinkers, and along with psychic vampires, they consider themselves the 'real' vampires, and they usually have a collective community. They hold the belief that they have an actual physical/spiritual need to drink human blood in order to maintain their mental and physical health.
Psychic Vampires: Commonly called psi-vamps, these vampires believe that their nourishment is best obtained from 'drinking' the aura, psychic energy, or pranic (life force) energy from another. This is done in order to balance a spiritual or psychological energy deficiency such as a damaged aura or chakra.
Living Vampires: Those members are highly spiritual and consider vampirism an action required for spiritual evolution and ascencion. They can be, be are rarely blood drinkers, and maintain a rigid ethical sytem in the practice of their beliefs. They are usually organized into initiatory orders such as Temple of the Vampire, Ordo Strigoi Vii, and the Order of the Black Dragon.
Similar to any culture, there is a certain terminology that goes along with it. Here are a few common terms that might come in handy should you ever find yourself deep in conversation with a lifestyle vampire:
blood donor: a person who willingly allows a vampire to drink their blood. Though vampires and donors are considered equals, donors are expected to be subservient to the vampires within this culture.
fashion vamp: aka vampire role-player, or a person who are serious vampire fans. These people are the ones who dress up in vampire clothing, live a vampire lifestyle (such as sleeping in coffins) and avidly participate in games such as Vampire the Masquerade.
feeding: the taking of energy via blood or other forms
mundane/nil: non-vampire, someone who is non-awakened or close-minded
black swan: a non-vampire that is sympathetic to vampires
fledgling: someone that is new to the vampire subculture
Let us talk now about those people who have not chosen to embrace the vampire lifestyle, but get branded unfairly with the label 'vampire' nonetheless. I am speaking of those individuals who suffer from a rare genetic disorder known as porphyria, or the 'the vampire disease'. It is a common misconception that sufferers of this condition have the need to drink blood; that is not necessarily the case. The disease is such that those suffering from it are extremely sensitive to sunlight and exposure to it can easily result in burns and abrasions, thus their understandable preference for darkness. Those afflicted may experience increased hair growth, and with repeated damage, the skin tightens and shrinks, and when it occurs near the mouth area, the canine teeth appear more prominent, giving the illusion of fangs. It can lead to depression, hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia. Some very famous people throughout history have been victims of this debilitating disease:
The insanity shown by King George III (aka "Mad King George") during his rein has been attributed by some historians as the result of porphyria. Although it is far from a conclusive theory, one put forth is that antimony mixed with arsenic may have resulted in his contracting the disease. It is merely a hypothesis, of course, but one that is extremely interesting nonetheless.
Following the theory that the disease may be passed down from generation to generation, Mary was the great-great-great-great-great-grandmother of King George III, and it is believed that she, too, was a victim of the dreaded disease. Mary is said to have suffered from acute intermittent porphyria, although this is a topic of much debate. For those that fall into the 'yes she did' camp, it is widely assumed that she inherited the disease from her father, James V of Scotland.
Other famous sufferers of the disease include Vincent Van Gogh, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and our very own Count Dracula (Vlad III). Vlad III's acute porphyria, in fact, may have well been the basis for the legend that vampires were 'allergic' to sunlight. One thing is for certain, Edward Cullen does not seem to suffer from this disease, so all of you Team Edward members can rest easy *smile* .
Other famous sufferers of the disease include Vincent Van Gogh, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and our very own Count Dracula (Vlad III). Vlad III's acute porphyria, in fact, may have well been the basis for the legend that vampires were 'allergic' to sunlight. One thing is for certain, Edward Cullen does not seem to suffer from this disease, so all of you Team Edward members can rest easy *smile* .
In 1991, Mark Rein·Hagen of White Wolf Publishing took the world by storm with the introduction of the role-playing game, Vampire: The Masquerade. It is based on the storyteller concept of role-play and centered around the theme of vampires living in a modern gothic-punk world in which they are both attempting to hide themselves from the humans they live among and convince themselves of the misguided assumption that they are not truly monsters. The 'masque' is to be protected always.
Originally a card game, VTM, has since moved onto the digital realm of online role-play, and has spawned many expansion packs including Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension, Wraith: The Oblivion, Changeling: The Dreaming, Hunter: The Reckoning, Mummy: The Resurrection, Kindred of the East, and Demon: The Fallen, among others, all set in the Old World of Darkness where the original game took place. Video games, comic books, and even music albums have been inspired by the game. In August 2004, the now-defunct game set in the original World of Darkness was replaced by Vampire: The Requiem. The World of Darkness is alive and well, and its followers, including yours truly, still continue to keep the vision started by Mr. Rein-Hagen alive and well (or undead and well, in this case).
Originally a card game, VTM, has since moved onto the digital realm of online role-play, and has spawned many expansion packs including Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension, Wraith: The Oblivion, Changeling: The Dreaming, Hunter: The Reckoning, Mummy: The Resurrection, Kindred of the East, and Demon: The Fallen, among others, all set in the Old World of Darkness where the original game took place. Video games, comic books, and even music albums have been inspired by the game. In August 2004, the now-defunct game set in the original World of Darkness was replaced by Vampire: The Requiem. The World of Darkness is alive and well, and its followers, including yours truly, still continue to keep the vision started by Mr. Rein-Hagen alive and well (or undead and well, in this case).
Please proceed to Assignment 10 for your homework.