Section I: What are Vampires?

Vam-pire \vam-pîr\ n 1: a night-wandering bloodsucking ghost 2: a person who preys on other people; esp.: a woman who exploits and ruins her lover 3: vampire bat

There is some nonfiction in that definition, and yet there is much fiction. Myth and reality. To survive the vampire holocaust, we must first understand exactly what it is we are fleeing. A vampire is, in simplest form, a human affected by a horrible dementia-inducing  blood disease. These poor souls have, by some means, been infected by a disease similar to anemia, in which blood is short in quantity. Some symptoms are also similar to anemia (Paleness, irregular sleep conditions.) But the similarity ends there.

It was long speculated that the disease, which has been dubbed Neuroplasma (due to its eventual psychological effect), was a virus, but the theory was later discarded after recorded autopsies confirmed that it was indeed caused by an unidentifiable infectious agent that (rather than replicating itself like a virus) expands within the bloodstream. Tests are still being taken to determine the exact origin of this disease.

Most commonly it is assumed that to become a vampire one must be bitten by a vampire first. This is true, and it usually the case. But vampires have not existed forever, which means that at some point a person must have contracted the illness from some other means. This has been proven time and time again over the years, but it has always been spontaneous. This is probably the greatest mystery of all, and even more frightening can assume that the disease is built within our own system. So possibly, we are indeed the product of our own demise.

What Reason Do They Have For Attacking Us?

The same reason we have for attacking them. Survival. Vampires cannot live without human blood. And bitten humans cannot remain human. So the cycle goes on and on, and vampires will spread like a virus. Vampires have begun secret organizations which have only recently been discovered by humans who have divulged their information to the author of this guide. Some of them fear us as much as we fear them. That is their reason for hunting us. A small amount of them find being a vampire to be “fun” and enjoy hunting humans. That is their reason for hunting us. Others simply intend to get rich off of their peers by starting “Human Grills” (Restaurants which specialize in serving heated blood to hungry vampires.) That is their reason for hunting us. Regardless of their reason, vampires are to be seen as a threat.

How Does One Become a Vampire?

Most commonly, the cause of Neuroplasma is from a bite, but any blood transfer will do. There have been many cases in which the wounds of a human and the wounds of a vampire brush against each other, which results in said human’s infection. However, it has been proven that consumption of a vampire’s blood has no effect (humans have accidentally swallowed the blood or sometimes flesh of a vampire in the past and remained unscathed.) It has been proven that sexual intercourse with vampires has no effect on the human body, although it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. There are, as discussed earlier, natural causes of the disease to be found somewhere, possibly within our own body system, but no one knows exactly what those causes are yet.

Outcomes of a Vampire Attack:

A. Human beings drive the vampires into extinction. The disease, Neuroplasma, fades from the earth for the time being.

B. Vampires eventually either convert all humans to vampires or wipe them all out fighting them. This results in the elimination of both races.

C. Human beings are able to contain all infected vampires in specialized institutions, where they will be closely monitored and cared for.

D. This is the most probable situation should the vampires win. Successful in defeating the humans, they will gather all remaining humans into “human farms,” where they will serve as breeding units to make more food for the vampires. Like Cattle. Some may also be hired as servants to do physical labor, others will be enslaved. A market of humans will be of high importance.

Effects of Neuroplasma on the Body:

1. Pallor

Like anemic humans, a general paleness due to insufficient blood will arise shortly after contracting the illness.

2. Unbalanced Sleep

Also like anemics, vampires suffer from unusual sleep habits. Due to their fixed vision and irritability to sunlight, vampires will sleep through the entire daylight hours, rather than sleeping at night.

3. Vision Shift

For an unknown reason, it is believed that the disease causes the victim’s vision to change dramatically. They will burn and itch for several days before changing. The end result is spectacular nocturnal sight. Several anonymous vampires have described it as being similar to nightvision. Experts speculate that this is a natural adaptation due to the vampire’s inability to withstand UV light.

4. UV-Intolerant

Anyone will an even limited knowledge of vampires knows the myth that vampires cannot stand sunlight. As it turns out, this myth is true. Because of a vampire’s “bad” blood, they do not have the nutrients to sustain the radiation brought on by ultraviolet rays. For this reason, vampires walk during night hours, and avoid places which use UV energy, like tanning salons and greenhouses. During the day they will sleep in a closed area with no windows. In recorded cases in which a rebellious (or unknowing) vampire walked in daylight, eyewitnesses reported to seeing the individual drop to the ground and shriek in pain as visible burns and rashes “miraculously” appeared on their flesh. In all recorded cases, the vampire died within several minutes due to radiation poisoning.

5. Silver-Intolerant

Another rumor that proves to be true is the idea that vampires cannot tolerate the touch of silver. Like some humans allergic to silver or copper, vampires are unable to withstand the alloying compounds in silver due to the fragileness of their skin. A silver bullet has proven to poison a vampire successfully in almost every recorded case. There have been a few extremely rare cases where a vampire has proven 100% tolerant to silver, which is believed to be due to an immunity built up earlier in their (after) life.

6. Physical Need for Human Blood

Obviously, vampires cannot continue to live with the blood within their body. They require the nutrients of others, and this is where they become dangerous. Some vampires are able to get their blood by other means (Some have forged underground agreements with doctors who have obliged to get blood from blood banks for them.) Many, on the other hand, will go as far as killing humans in order to get the blood they need. In general, the blood is received via bite to the neck. The question is asked, why don’t vampires just kill the victims, then drink the blood? Human blood cools very quickly, especially in the dead of night. Warm blood is the only kind which will sustain their needs. A direct transfer such as a bite will be quick enough to keep the blood warm. Amazingly, blood type means nothing to vampires. Studies have proven that any human blood, regardless of type, will keep a vampire alive. Tests are still being run to determine why this is. Animal blood will not sustain the needs of a vampire.

7. Extended Lifespan

As soon as the disease expands throughout the entire body (Like a cancer,) the body can eventually maintain itself for as long as two hundred years provided it recieves needed blood. While their immune system is rendered just as useful as a normal human’s, a vampire’s body is rejected by most viruses or bacteria, so all natural causes of death are postponed until a much later date. This is also the reason why a vampire can never get ill (Not counting the initial disease.) The idea that “All vampires are immortal” is false to an extent, but there are vampires still alive today that have existed for several centuries. The oldest known vampire was killed by hunters in North Carolina back in 1992. The vampire, known as Ghreshamaan (Later changed his name to Nathaniel Black,) was originally from Egypt. He was over 2000 years old.

Effects of Neuroplasma on the Mind:

1. Blackouts

In the beginning of a vampire’s lifespan, they may experience blackouts because they are not used to their blood-shift yet.

2. Delusions of Grandeur
Obsessed with ancient vampire myths, some real vampires may grow to believe that they are “Supreme,” or godlike. This is no where near true, but such beliefs have driven the vampires in question to violence and aggravation. There have been rumors of underground vampire religious cults which preach the natural supremacy over human beings. Cults like these are highly unstable and not to be reasoned with. They are one of the key reasons why this guide is being written.

3. Hallucinations

Some vampires may experience temporary, or in some cases, permanent, hallucinations brought on by their conversion to the other side. Often these cases are dismissed as paranoid schizophrenics until it is too late. One particular psychologist suggested that a patient be put on medication until further notice. During a routine examination, the said psychologist was bitten on the neck eight times followed by a fatal trauma to the head. Authorities will not release the exact cause of death to the public.

4. Psychological Need for Blood

A vampire is never more dangerous than when their means for getting blood becomes instinct rather than by organized thought. These vampires will get their blood by any means, regardless of consequence. These vampires must be carefully monitored.


False Myths About Vampires:

1. Vampires Sleep in Coffins

Not true. A vampire is just like a normal human in that they will sleep in any comfortable means. Some may choose to sleep in caskets due to odd fetish or as a joke, but most prefer the comfort of a bed.

2. Vampires Fear Crucifixes

Also not true. Too many times have an unknowing human attempted to ward off vampires with crosses only to result in their conversion to the vampire ranks. A vampire remains exactly who they were in their previous life, most of them will even keep their religion. Many Christian vampires exist today.

3. Vampires Cannot Consume Garlic

Untrue. The root of this myth began in Medieval Europe during the Dark Ages. Villagers would breath openly into the faces of vampires after consuming garlic in order to keep them at bay. They thought it was the garlic, when in reality it was due to the horrible stench of their unhygienic breath.

4. Vampires Are Polymorphic (e.g. Can change into bats)

This myth began long ago in South America, where villagers made the mistake of making the connection between the vampire bat and local vampires. They believed that vampires were the manifested demons who came in the form as bats to take their livestock and their virgins.

5. Vampires Are Invincible.

Of course, the fact that they can be killed proves this myth untrue! Vampires are also just as tolerant to pain as human beings, so if they cannot be immediately killed, they can be scared off in fear of pain (which will be discussed later.)

6. Vampires Have Fangs

Unless they have undergone special operations, vampires retain the same teeth that they had in normal life. Many will find the idea of dentures with sharpened canine teeth to be appealing though, as it makes tearing through flesh much easier.

Not All Vampires are Bad!

Some vampires have in the past, and most definitely will in the future, allied themselves for one reason or another with human beings. Some will aid you in your path to survival, perhaps divulging necessary information. Others will trick you into falling into a trap. Provided they are not insane enough, most vampires will remember at least a little of their human years, and will remember that compassion is a virtue to be held dearly. In the end, however, they are still vampires, and are still seen as a possible threat to mankind.