| From: | Doctor Doom <JCH8169@*****.TAMU.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Ancient Vampires...only to be served cold... |
| Date: | Mon, 12 Apr 1993 12:36:36 -0500 |
For those of you who have observed what may well be termed as a Vampiric
Posturing War, otherwise known as "How Many Ancients Do YOU Know?"
(metaphorically similar to the age-old proposition, "My dad can beat up your
dad") it may interest those involved that there IS, in fact, a sub-species of
the "normal" (a somewhat inappropriate adjective in this instance) Vampire,
which appears in the _Paranormal Animals of Europe_ soucebook.
Before proceeding, an aside: I have stated before my feelings regarding the
idea of Ancient verses HMHVV, or more mundanely put, pre-Awakening verses post-
Awakening Vampires. It is unnecessary, in my view.
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Profile on the Nosferatu...
Taxonomy: Sanguisuga europa caecus
IDENTIFICATION
Nosferatu appear to be human, with enlarged canine teeth, thin or no
head or body hair, and extremely pale skin. A complete blood analysis
identifies a nosferatu by positive testing for the Harz-Greenbaum blood series
and the presence of antibodies to the Bruckner-Langer strain of Human-Metahuman
Vampiric Virus (HMHVV).
Parabiologists do not consider nosferatu a separate species, but rather
individuals of a human subspecies infected with the Bruckner-Langer HMHVV
strain (this virus differentiates them from vampires). Because existing
documents fail to record the existence of metahuman nosferatu, Bruckner and
Langer hypothesize that the HMHVV variant they isolated in 2046 is lethal to
nonhumans.
MAGIC CAPABILITY
Always naturally active, nosferatu possess a wide range of innate
powers.
HABITS
Nosferatu both resemble and differ from humans infected with the HMHVV
strain that engenders vampirism. Like vampires, nosferatu consume blood to
live, but they need significantly less than vampires. Nocturnal creatures,
nosferatu share the vampire's allergy to sunlight. Unlike vampires, nosferatu
live and behave in a very controlled manner, usually possessing the cold,
arrogant, hyper-rational personality. Nosferatu prefer the solitary life, and
so few bother to control minions, even though more nosferatu vampires appear
able to create such minions. Rarely, nosferatu may join a hermetic group in
order to develop further resources.
COMMENTARY
The nosferatu poses both more and less danger to the normal human or
metahuman than the vampire. Its high level of intelligence, rationality, and
less pressing need for blood allow it to more easily and often outthink its
enemies, and go longer without sustenance than the average vampire. These
traits make the nosferatu a dangerous opponent. It antisocial nature, few
numbers, and, above all, its dislike for engendering more of its kind, on the
other hand, make it in some ways less dangerous than its vampiric cousins.
Observed nosferatu appear to prefer transmitting their HMHVV version only to
their siblings' offspring (nosferatu themselves appear to have strikingly low
fertility, a suspected side effect of their antisocial, schizoid
personalities). Nosferatu consider themselves to be fortunate to be in this
condition, and jealously guard their superiority from others.
POWERS
Compulsion (LOS), Enhanced Physical Attributes (Body and Strength,
twice per day each, for [Essence]D6 turns), Enhanced Senses (Improved Hearing,
Low-Light Vision, Thermographic Vision), Essence Drain (Permanent and
Temporary), Fear (LOS), Immunity to Age, Immunity to Pathogens, Immunity to
Poison, Infection, Influence (LOS), Magical Resistance, Regeneration.
Notes: Unlike the vampire, the nosferatu can drain Essence permanently
without limit (though it can only increase its own Essence to double the normal
maximum). Nosferatu always follow the hermetic traditions; the gamemaster may
determine details as he wishes.
WEAKNESSES
Allergy (Sunlight, Extreme), Essence Loss (at a rate of 1 point per 1D6
+1 months)
GAME INFORMATION
B Q S C I W E R Attacks
Nosferatu * *x5 * * * * (2D6) * Humanoid
Suggested Minimums for non-character generated nosferatu::
Body 4, Strength 4, Charisma 5, Intelligence 3, Willpower 5 Essence minimum: 7
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Colonel Count von Hohenzollern und von Doom, DMSc, DSc, PhD.
Doom Technologies & Weapon Systems -- Dark Thought Publications
>>> Working on solutions best left in the dark.
<<<
[ Doctor Doom : jch8169@********.tamu.edu ]
