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The list below will show some of the similarities and differences between Real Living Vampires (RLVs), Hollywood & Folklore Vampires (H&F), and Role Players (RPers).
Can they read minds, or take energy?
RLVs: Possibly. Some people may truly have psychic abilities, be talented empaths, or have the ability to focus energy.
H&F: Usually. Vampires are often depicted as having power over the minds of “lesser beings”. Some are depicted as being able to weaken or control their victims purely by will.
RPers: Possibly. Some people may truly have psychic abilities, be talented empaths, or have the ability to focus energy. RPers sometimes make more of their abilities than what is real.
Do they drink blood?
RLVs: Yes, if they are Sanguinarian vampires, but there are other types of RLVs.
H&F: Yes. Nearly all H&F vampires are depicted as being blood-feeders.
RPers: Sometimes. They may incorporate blood fetishism into their role playing.
Do they kill those they feed from?
RLVs: No, unless they are criminals, or mentally unstable. A Sanguinarian almost always acquires blood from a willing donor, and does their best to never cause harm or severe injury to their donor.
H&F: Usually. Many older stories depict vampires as killers, while newer versions may show them as having more compassion, and allowing their victims to live.
RPers: No, unless they are criminals, or mentally unstable.
Can they “turn” someone by feeding the person their blood?
RLVs: No. RLVs do not typically believe in the concept of “turning” or “sireing”
H&F: Sometimes. Most vampires are depicted as being able to make new vampires by feeding the person their blood. Some newer versions suggest that vampirism is a virus, or transmitted by other means.
RPers: No. While they may claim they can, they cannot.
Do they sleep in coffins?
RLVs: Sometimes, but not often. It’s a matter of personal preference.
H&F: Usually, though some stories only show a need for homeland earth, while others can rest wherever they choose.
RPers: Sometimes, but not often. It’s a matter of personal preference, and usually done only to enhance the roll.
Do they speak in Old English or other “dead” languages?
RLVs: Not usually, though they may well be able to speak more than one language, if they’ve taken the time to learn
H&F: Often, but not always. Eloquence is common among H&F vampires, but depending on the tale and time-frame, they may talk just like any average person.
RPers: Often, if they believe it helps accentuate their character.
Do they have long nails and fangs?
RLVs: Sometimes, it’s a matter of personal preference. Some RLVs have naturally long canines, some wear prosthetics, and some have their canines altered by a dentist.
H&F: Nearly all H&F vampires have fangs or sharp teeth, and may have long nails or claws.
RPers: Sometimes, it’s a matter of personal preference. Some RPers have naturally long canines, some wear prosthetics, and some have their canines altered by a dentist.
