Sunday Special #21 – From Human to Vampire (psychology)

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Every Sunday I run a Special relating to my writing endeavours and the world of Aeyuu, which is the stage for many stories developed further through the Tales from Aeyuu Patreon. These Blogs are closely tied with my novel-to-be, The Age of Silence, which is basically a story about Love, Sacrifice, and Death.

Previous Special Arcs:
0. TAoS Themes (3 journals)
1. The Syrilae (7 journals)
2. The Necrolore (6 journals)
3. The Denumbra (2 journals)

Today, we continue to delve into Vampiric aspects, namely what goes on in their minds.

Art commissioned from dannii-jo

The Vampire: intelligent predator or humane beast?

The answer has yet to be uncovered by the alchemists who poured over this age-old question, but most will agree that a Vampire at its best is a bit of both. Even after being turned and losing its memory, a Vampire might still show signs of humanity, such as a certain care for animals, a preference for certain foods, or even a deep-rooted hatred for people it no longer remembers. Korindian studies of of the Vampiric brain have yet to reveal how and why this change occurs, as do the studies regarding their venom. All that is certain, is that Vampires aren't Humans. As such, they are treated just like any other dangerous predator and dispatched whenever possible, even if it means murdering a relative.

But those who have stood alongside Vampires have very different stories to tell as to their sentience - and even as to their humanity. Tales of Vampires killing their own kin to save a Human, of Vampires helping to rebuild a devastated village, or even protecting Humans against Elven invasions; there are as many tales of good deeds as there are of evil deeds, or so does the rumour go. Among mercenaries and traveling warriors, Vampires are appreciated companions whose strength and instinct may mean the difference between life and death in combat. Vampiric healers and Imperial soldiers aren't unheard of, but keep their true identities well hidden. 

Be it good-hearted or ill-intentioned, a Vampire remains a predator. All Vampires have in common a need to consume fresh blood to stay healthy, and ignoring this Hunger, as it is called, will drive even the best of them to attack innocents on sight and rip them apart. The youngest Vampires are by far the most dangerous, but also the most vulnerable: the Hunger blinds them, distracts them, and they know only to attack in a straight line. Whereas older Vampires have a better grasp of their Hungering madness, and are able to juggle the craving for blood with a certain strategic clarity. It is nigh impossible to discern youth from experience, as even an old lady may be but a fledgling Vampire in disguise, and a child over two centuries old - both with the strength to pull an adult man off his feet. To a Hungry Vampire, all that lives is considered easy prey. Yet there are known cases of Vampires with relative success in fighting these primal urges, often leading to their deaths.

How and why would a Vampire defy its own instinct? There are no factual answers to this question, but theories point at the level of humanity a Vampire retains after being turned. How fundamentally different is a Vampire who fondly remembers the smell of flowers from a Vampire who fears, and kills, an armed man? Why do these memories remain and surface, when even loved ones are completely forgotten? And what to make of these Vampires who'd rather bleed and kill themselves than to ever risk taking another's life?

Many more questions exist than there are answers found. Vampires are a difficult breed to approach - reclusive, paranoid, if not entirely homicidal. The Korindians have found alchemical ways to subdue these beasts, but no method is truly foolproof - thusly proving that, like among all races, exceptions and unique individuals exist.

Be the Vampire an intelligent predator or a humane beast or both at once, it is also a mystery that may never be solved.

* * *

And that is all for this week. I had a bit of trouble writing this up, but it's likely due to the two coffees and my brain being in a whole other universe at the moment. Still. I tried and make this as interesting as humanly possible ;)

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next Sunday Special, same Blogger channel :D

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