Vampires

Despite occupying a large space in Rhodenian myth, little is known for certain about Vampires. Elven manuscripts

dating back before the fall of their empire do not mention Vampires, and the first recordings of their existence appear after the Great Cataclysm. They are believed to be connected to the Black Ice Wastes - the slowly creeping frozen hellscape of the northern Evermarch - and have taken residence among the ruined castles that dot the all-but abandoned tundra. Vampires have been observed to exhibit extreme resistance to the elements, and near-total immunity to elemental magic - with the exception of fire, which has proven their absolute bane. The very presence of fire, be it in the hands of a sorcerer or burning gently in a brazier, strikes fear into the heart of the Vampire. They are creatures of cold and darkness, and draw strength from such; should they require illumination, they make use of the blue flame - an arcane fire that provides light without yielding heat. Vampires are almost entirely nocturnal creatures, and suffer terribly in the day; not even the greatest among them dare expose themselves to the light of the sun.

Although research into the Vampiric nature by the Sairis College of Magic is extremely limited, Vampires are known to sustain themselves on the blood and life essence of other creatures. While this tends to drive Vampires to exhibit antisocial behavior, they are not inherently evil by nature; indeed, records do indicate that some - although not the greater majority of them - have sought to curb their bloodlust, and are capable of coexisting with other races. The Vampire-King Grigory Valov is one such individual, and although he is not exactly known for his kindness, he nonetheless has ruled the Evermarch for centuries without being violently overthrown. Although the Church of the Almighty considers Vampires an offensive evil that demands elimination, in the northern lands of Esoa, Vampires have been known to live out their lives as productive members of society; in Turia, they are at least accepted, although greatly distrusted by many.

Vampires are known for their impressive durability and endurance, and the capability to rapidly heal their wounds by feeding upon the life essence of others. They possess the ability to meld with shadows, and traverse darkened spaces with truly inhuman speed; their dexterity in such places outstrips even the ability of Elven marksmen to pin them down. They typically possess extraordinary beauty when glutted upon blood, and grow more monstrous in appearance as their appetite goes unsatiated. They are believed to maintain a hierarchy based upon long-standing bloodlines, and to compete amongst each other for dominance of a given bloodline - but whether or not is true or mere myth remains unproven.