BookRix

Recently I began some extensive research on a creature that everyone easily recognizes, and perhaps most are well in-formed of - the Vampire. That's right, "Children of the Night". However, it would seem that the more I searched on this particular topic, the less I was able to discover. This, as one might imagine, could prove to be very frustrating to anyone who wants to increase his, or her, knowledge on matters of the undead. For instance, most people seem to be undecided as to whether Vampires need to drink the blood of humans in order to live. It turns out that this (the idea of drinking blood) appears to be a matter of opinion, and not cold, hard facts. After all, argue some, Vampires have a heart, and therefore need to replenish the blood in their system. Yet according to others, Vampires do not have a heart, being dead and are therefore not required to drink blood - humans, animals, or otherwise. So, then, what is the truth? Do Vampires need blood, or not? It is my personal belief that, yes, Vampires do need a form of nourishment, despite the fact that they are, indeed, "dead". It is also my belief that Vampires can choose themselves whether to kill humans or feed on animals. However, once a Vampire tastes human blood, it is my belief that they can never go back, no matter how hard they try.
Another matter is the idea of sunlight. Now, I am sure my readers will have their own thoughts on this, but for the most part, my findings have indicated that the general population seems to be split as to whether Vampires can indeed go into the sunlight. Half of the people whose articles I have read seem to believe that Vampires will burn if exposed to direct sun-light, while the other half of the population believes at most, Vampires will merely experience a strong discomfort. Here again I ask myself, Which is right? To begin with, I asked myself a simple question: What is the purpose of being a Vampire?
Answer: To hunt. Which raises another question, if one stops to really think about it. If Vampires cannot come out until the sun has disappeared, then where is their so-called prey? The majority of humans usually do not stay out past 11 or 12 pm, and if they did, they are foolish. Regardless of this fact, the "primetime", if you will, to hunt lies not at night, but rather during the day. So, why portray Vampires as being nocturnal creatures? This completely destroys the purpose of being a Vampire.
The final problem, but by no means the last, is the stake. Now, according to most people, the simplest way to kill a Vampire (which, by the way, is dead already, but I'll get to that soon) is to drive a stake, preferably silver, through a Vampire's heart. Now, think about this. Remember, a Vampire is already dead. It does not have a heart, a pulse, and definitely no real heartbeat that needs to be stopped. So, sorry, Buffy, but no, you can't kill something that is already dead, no matter how safe it makes you feel.
There are many more points -or rather, problems- that can be raised that deal with the inconsistencies of the many different legends that exist. However, if I were to mention them here, I would easily run out of space. That is why I have dealt with the top three. In all reality, I have just barely pierced the darkness on these Sons, and Daughters, of Darkness, yet my hope that this brief discussion has made you stop and really think about what a Vampire is; what they are; and what can, and cannot, stop them

Werewolves are just as old as Vampires, and just as mysterious.

No one knows the origins of the Werewolf,and the story varies from person to person. Some would say that the Werewolf began as a tribal warrior (as seen in the Twilight Saga). Others would say that the first Werewolf came about as the result of eating the meat of a wolf combined with that of a human (we have the ancient Greeks to thank for that one). Another legend claims one must be bitten in order to change. This tends to be the popular view at the moment.

Before anything else is said, a little matter needs to be cleared up first. Many, when asked, will say that Werewolves and Lycans are two different creatures. This, however, is not true. Both Lycans and Werewolves are humans that can take on the form of a large wolf. A Lycan is simply a more advanced species. Beyond this key factor, the differences are rather slim. So, what differences (or lack thereof) exist between the two creatures? Take a look.
The first of the two creatures is the Werewolf. This is a creature that is entirely human, and yet entirely wolf. Unlike the Lycan (which will be discussed shortly), the Werewolf can not completely control his or her transformation, being forced to change at every full moon. Werewolves are the sworn enemies of Vampires, something that almost everyone will agree with. In fact it is very rare, though not entirely uncommon, to find the two as friends, since the two are almost always at each other's throats, often times literally. But enough about that. Both types of wolves are stunning in appearance, but it is the females of the species that tend to be the ones to be aware of, because far too often a gorgeous model turns out to be a Werewolf, often leading to complications in the newest relationship. Not to mention age. See, Werewolves are generally thought to be immortal, which kinda makes them a pain in the butt to kill (pardon my French). The safest thing to do when crossing paths with a Werewolf (by the way, what kind of idiot does that anyway?) is to hope the Werewolf doesn't see you. If he does, and you are unarmed, then you can only pray that the animal is merciful. However, this is not likely to be the scenario, so, best of luck to you. Hope you have a will written already, because you'll be needing it.
The "other" animal is the Lycan. As previously mentioned, a Lycan is nothing more than a glorified Werewolf. The Lycan is more advanced in the fact that it is much harder to kill and it can change whenever it feels like it, regardless of a full moon. Like their weaker counterparts, Lycans have been known to be killed by only one of four things : (1) Silver Bullets. Believe it or not, this common myth has truth behind it, for silver is to a Werewolf/Lycan what Mercury is to a human. Just get a little Mercury in your bloodstream, and you can pretty much imagine what it is like for a Werewolf. (2) A Vampire's bite. This is a bit harder, as a Vampire must get close enough to sink his or her teeth into the Werewolf's vital areas without being attacked themselves. (3) Another Werewolf. This usually happens if a pack is no longer pleased with one of their own, or if they are attacking an enemy pack. (4) Wolfsbane. This is a purple plant, usually 1m tall, that is rather poisonous.
As far as family goes, the Werewolf and Lycans follow the same order as any normal wolf. The pack is always led by an Alpha and his mate. This is then followed by the Beta (second-in-command); Sentinels (guards of the tribe); Elders (responsible for new Werewolves); Hunters; and Healers. Rogue Werewolves and Lycans, who don't belong to any pack, also exist. One last note on Werewolves and Lycans; both usually have heightened senses, and seem to draw humans in with a kind of pheromone, and once he or she changes, the creature runs the risk of having the animal within take complete control.

Nobody knows the exact origin of Vampires, but everyone agrees on one concept : all Vampires must consume blood in order to survive. Yet not all Vampires are evil. Indeed, some Vampires are able to overcome their lust for blood, but the number of these is far and few between, usually just a couple handfuls of Vampire clans, or Covens.
The first group of Vampires - the Moroi - is capable of magic. This magic is elemental, usually one of the elements : Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. A fifth element, Spirit, also exists; however, a Vampire with this element is VERY rare, though not unusual. The only way to tell if a Moroi's magic is Spirit is if he has not developed at the same time as his peers, OR if said Vampire develops after he should have had he been a late bloomer.Of all the Vampires that use elemental magic, Spirit users are by far the most dangerous. A Spirit user is the only Vampire who is able to visit people in their dreams, heal those who are hurting, create charms to calm people (provided it is real silver that is being charmed), disguise themselves, and even use compulsion. Unfortunately, the Spirit element has dangerous side-effects as well, which include rages that make a person more mad than they seem. Of all the elements, only Spirit has side-effects.
The second category of Vampires is known as the Strigoi. The Strigoi (the word keeps the same form regardless of the number of Vampires) is the traditional stereotype of Vampires : Dark, Silent, Deadly. Strigoi are the evil souls of the dead that haunt the countryside. Strigoi are love the blood of a human, and will stop at nothing to get it.
Finally there is the Dhampir. Dhampirs are the offspring of Vampires and humans, and have all to most of a grown Vam- pire's powers with few to no disadvantages. Since most Dhampirs reject their Vampire blood, they often became extremely successful Vampire hunters. This was often due to their advanced abilities. However, despite their help to the humans, Dhampirs were continually rejected because they were still Vampire. Therefore, Dhampirs almost always spent their life as nomads, rejected by Vampires and humans alike - humans due to the Dhampir's Vampire nature, and Vampires due to the Dhampir's weakness. The Dhampirs are responsible for protecting the Moroi, especially Moroi royalty.
On the other end of the scale is the Werewolf. Werewolves and Lycans have existed for just as long as Vampires. In fact, the two groups have been at each other throats for centuries, often times quite literally. Though Lycans and Were-wolves belong to the same family, the Lycan is a more advanced species of Werewolf that can control their transformation, and are not just subject to the full moon. Unlike Lycans, a Werewolf does not completely govern it's own change, as it is forced to change at every full moon. Werewolves usually have heightened senses, and seem to draw humans in with a kind of pheromone, and once he or she changes, the Werewolf runs the risk of having the animal within take complete control. While a Werewolf is abnormally strong, there are four things that can prove to be his own undoing : (1) Silver bullets, (2) the bite of a Vampire, (3) another Werewolf, and (4) a plant known as Wolfsbane.
So, be careful of your friends and who you are with. You never know who you may be talking to....

what's new vampire lovers? :-D xD