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A small number of people claim membership in a subculture called the vampire lifestyle, believing themselves to be vampires, and that the associated lifestyle is one to be celebrated. While some claim that the drinking of blood is not a requirement, most who call themselves "vampires" advocate ritual blood consumption. Because the drinking of blood (in addition to related activities in the sect) carries extreme social implications and is also dangerous, the subject is considered highly taboo.There are a myriad websites and organisations dedicated solely to this topic, although few (or no) works exist in print. The belief is very broad and encompasses a large number of topics, ranging from the characteristics of vampires to ethical issues to creation of new vampires, and any combination thereof. Some critics have charged that such groups are cults, allegedly using cult-like methods to draw new members in.
While older occult and tribal cultures have similarly uncommon rituals, the "vampire lifestyle" is largely a social creation within Western culture, drawing from the rich recent history of popular culture related to cult symbolism and horror films. Thus the phenomenon appears to exist primarily in North America and Europe, and to a significantly lesser extent in certain parts of South America and Asia.
In what follows, the term vampire is used to refer to those believing themselves to be vampires as part of this subculture. It is used interchangeably with vampyre and a number of other terms, which have more specfic uses. It is important to note that members of the group may ascribe varying implications to each.
1 Identifying characteristics
Those who believe they are vampires also believe that they are part of a subspecies of Homo Sapiens. This "species" is variously ascribed a number of identifying characteristics, including
- A proximity-based sense for other vampires
- Thirst for blood seperate from thirst for water
- PhotosensitivityThe porphyrias are inherited or acquired disorders of certain enzymes in the heme biosynthetic pathway (also called porphyrin pathway). They are broadly classified as hepatic porphyrias or erythropoetic porphyrias based on the site of the overproduction a not related to melaninMelanin is a pigment that affects skin, eye, and hair colour in humans and other mammals. It is produced by melanocytes, which are found in the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis. Some individual animals and humans have no or very little melanin in thei deficiency in the skin
- InstinctInstinct is the word used to describe inherent dispositions towards particular actions. Instincts are generally an inherited pattern of responses or reactions to certain kinds of situations. In humans, they are most easily observed in responses to emotionive decision-making as opposed to thought
- Improved night-vision (a few claim to be able to read or drive by starlight, while wearing sunglasses, which would be physically impossible under a typical understanding of medicine)
- Broader sensory range, and/or extra sensitivity
- Bouts of animalistic psychopathy referred to as "the beast"
- Improved immunity to disease
- Nocturnal bio-cycles
- Visual perception of auras
- Insomnia
- Poor interpersonalThe theory of multiple intelligences is a theory proposed by developmental psychologist Howard Gardner in 1983. He proposes that people have several kinds of " intelligence", and that teachers can only reach all of their students by adapting their lessons skills
- A natural attraction to the sect
Note that not all "vampires" are said to have all of these characteristics, or even believe that some of them actually exist.
It is of interest to many outsiders that the members of the sect do not have long or sharp fangs as a rule, and that a majority do not. This is explained by the "prolonged interbreeding of vampires and humans" causing that characteristic to become dilute. They do not usually profess that blood should be drawn through or using the teeth, or to have hollow teeth for that purpose.
2 Types and variations
Members of the vampire sect fall into roughly two categories: psionic (psi) and sanguarian (sang). Sanguarian vampires model themselves the closest to traditional mythology (see vampire) in that they believe themselves to be dependant on blood for both the supernatural powers they believe they possess, and (for many) their sanity. They generally accept either animal or human blood for this purpose, provided it remains unmodified and inseperate. Conversely, others believe that animal blood contains demons and must be boiled prior to drinking. Psionic vampires are said to be able to feed either on blood or psionic energy, having to start off with blood. Many members of the sect believe that psionic vampyres, by nature, have poor interpersonal skills, and that their behavior is often mistaken for a personality deficiency.
The differences between psionic vampires and sanguarian ones seems to have sprouted more than a few arguments over which one is better than the other, or whether the two types are even different at all.
Other types and variants include:
- Astral. These "vampires" believe that they only have any vampiric characteristics while dreaming (supposedly on the astral plane of existence). They believe that they can enter into people's dreams and feed on their energy there.
- Elemental. This type believe they can feed off the basic "elements" of ancient times directly, at small harm to anything depending on them.
- Emotional. These are believed to feed from emotional energy.
- Incubi/Succubi. These are a type of demonSatan In folklore, mythology, and in many religions, a demon is a supernatural entity, generally (but not in all traditions) an evil or malicious spirit. The Greek word daemon ω, appears in the works of Plato and many other ancient authors, without which coerce donations of blood or energy by sexual means. The larger vampiric community generally treats these people the same way a larger society would treat rapistsFor the domesticated crop plant called "rape," see rapeseed. For responding to rape as a medical emergency, see sexual assault. For the former administrative division of Sussex, see Rape (district). Rape is a crime of engaging another person into sexual a and thievesTheft (known in some jurisdictions as stealing is in general unlawfully taking someone else's property. In law, it is usually the broadest term for a crime against property. It is a general term that encompasses offences such as burglary, embezzlement, la.
There are also believed to be three types coexistent with the aforementioned, which are akin to rank:
- Royal. These are believed to possess all properties of vampirism at once and are also believed to be powerful enough to kill all the other vampires if they so desired.
- Pureblood. These believers do not purport to possess all the properties the royals do, however they believe they were born as vampires and are powerful enough to kill all the turns.
- Turn. These are "vampires" which have been created (or converted) from another "vampire" by means of a crude blood transfusion (equipment such as needles cannot be used). They do not believe that they will inherit all the characteristics of the vampire who turned them. This type of member will have a more difficult time dealing with the symptoms they now believe they have, and that the "parent" can somehow revoke all of their power.
