In the Middle Ages, some people were convinced that if they found the right formula or magic, they could turn lead into gold. While they didn’t succeed, they continued to pursue other mystical and supernatural subjects that eventually led them to—vampires.
Now Alchemists work with the Moroi to help cover up their existence from the rest of the world—and even have techniques and potions to get rid of Strigoi bodies. They are given a special tattoo made from gold and Moroi blood, which gives them traits similar to those of the Moroi themselves: a long life and excellent health. Because the tattoo is also charmed with water and earth compulsion magic, it prevents the Alchemist from speaking about Moroi in any way that could endanger or expose them.
Alchemists tend to be religious and feel it’s their duty to God to protect the rest of humanity from evil creatures of the night. They think anything remotely vampiric—be it Moroi, dhampir, or Strigoi—is evil and unnatural. Despite working for vampires, Alchemists try to stay apart from the vampire world as much as possible. Dhampirs aren’t told about their existence until graduation.
A career as an Alchemist is something that’s passed down through one’s family—if one’s mother or father was an Alchemist, then there’s no other career choice available. And once you’re a part of the Alchemist organization, you’re in it for life . . . whether you want to be or not.
STRIGOI
If Moroi are the living, peaceful, mortal vampires, Strigoi are the undead, evil, immortal kind and are completely unable to withstand sunlight.
Strigoi are driven by their desire for blood—and while, yeah, they like human blood, it’s Moroi blood that’s their favorite kind. It will make them stronger and harder to destroy.
Apart from the red rings around their pupils and their chalky white skin, it’s difficult to tell Strigoi are undead since they appear to talk and walk the same as they did before their transformation. If they were Moroi before being “awakened,” which is the Strigoi term for being turned—rather appropriate since they no longer require sleep—they lose their connection to elemental magic. They also lose their auras, as only the living have auras, and are unable to enter holy ground.
Q&A WITH RICHELLE MEAD
AS THE NARRATOR OF BLOODLINES, SYDNEY IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF ROSE IN SO MANY WAYS. IS IT FUN, OR MORE OF A CHALLENGE, TO WRITE THIS CHARACTER?
Sydney is a really great character to have as a narrator, especially because she’s so different from Rose. I loved writing Rose, but it’s nice for an author to be able to switch voices and try something new. I also think having someone like Sydney to tell the story for a while will give us new insight into the VA world. Rose has grown up among Moroi and dhampirs, and from the very beginning, we’re influenced by her perceptions—mainly, that vampiric life is perfectly ordinary. For Sydney, it’s most certainly not ordinary. So, we get the perspective of someone who’s an outsider, looking at this world through human eyes. Sydney’s also much more of a careful observer than Rose is at times, so that too will provide some new insight. From a craft point of view, Sydney isn’t easier or more difficult to write—she’s simply different. After writing six books with one character, I’ve definitely fallen into a comfortable familiarity with Rose. I can jump right in and know exactly how she’ll respond. With Sydney, I’m still getting to know her, but I have no doubt that within a couple of books, I’ll know her just as well as I do Rose.
Strigoi have better strength, reflexes, and senses than dhampirs and are almost impossible to kill. While a Strigoi’s power and strength increases with age, they rarely live together and frequently turn on each other when in groups.
HOW STRIGOI ARECREATED
BY FORCE
Humans, dhampirs, or Moroi can forcibly be turned Strigoi after a single bite if they drink (voluntarily or by force) the Strigoi’s blood in return.
BY CHOICE
Moroi tempted by immortality could become Strigoi by purposely killing another person while feeding. This is considered dark and twisted, the greatest of all sins against Moroi life and nature itself.
HOW STRIGOI CANBEKILLED
SILVER STAKES
Silver stakes are a guardian’s deadliest weapon. To forge a silver stake, Moroi must charm it with magic from each of the four main elements. Stabbing a Strigoi through the heart with a silver stake means instant death. HOWEVER, should the stake be charmed with a spirit user’s healing magic and be wielded by the spirit user him- or herself, the Strigoi will be restored to their former Moroi state.
DECAPITATION
To cut off a Strigoi’s head (or anyone else’s, for that matter) will result in death.
FIRE
Lighting Strigoi on fire (via fire-magic or flame thrower, to name just a couple of options) is an effective way to destroy them.
Q&A WITH RICHELLE MEAD
WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA THAT A SPIRIT-CHARMED SILVER STAKE COULD RESTORE A STRIGOI?
Silver has a long history in many cultures’ folklore as a magical substance. Probably the most well-known application, that’s still present in today’s stories and myths, is the use of silver bullets to kill werewolves. A lot of those same stories simply say any stake through the heart will kill a vampire, but I wanted it to be a little more difficult in my series. Putting in the silver requirement maintained ties to mythology and also made Strigoi that much harder to kill. Charming those silver stakes with magic added one more obstacle and also tied into the idea of duality that’s present in a lot of ancient vampire stories. Those stories place a big emphasis on the balance of life and death, and in the VA world, magic is associated with life since only Moroi can use it. It therefore makes sense that infusing those stakes with that same “life” would be needed to destroy the undead.
CHAPTER 10
The Quiz
THINK YOU’VE GOT THE STUFF TO BE AN OFFICIAL GUARDIAN? WILL YOUMAKE THE GRADE AND GET YOUR PROMISE MARK … OR WIND UP IN HEADMISTRESS KIROVA’S OFFICE?
NOVICE LEVEL (10 QUESTIONS)
1. What is a Moroi?
a. A TYPE OF FISH FOUND IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
b. A LIVING VAMPIRE
c. A MOUNTAIN RANGE IN MONTANA
d. THE GHOST OF SOMEONE WHO RECENTLY DIED
2. If a dhampir and a Moroi have a baby, what will it be?
a. DHAMPIR
b. MOROI
c. HUMAN
d. STRIGOI
3. Who is St. Vladimir?
a. A MOROI SAINT FOR WHOM THE ACADEMY IS NAMED
b. A VERY FAMOUS STRIGOI
c. A HUMAN SAID TO BE BENEVOLENT TOWARD ALL VAMPIRES
d. A CURRENT STUDENT WHO THINKS REALLY HIGHLY OF HIMSELF
4. What is a sure sign of a Strigoi?
a. A RED RING AROUND THE PUPILS OF THE EYES
b. THE ABILITY TO TURN INTO A BAT
c. THE DESIRE TO SLEEP IN A COFFIN
d. A GREAT AFFECTION FOR VIOLIN MUSIC
5. What is Adrian Ivashkov’s bad habit?
a. SMOKING
b. DRINKING HEAVILY
c. SNEAKING INTO ROSE’S DREAMS
d. ALL OF THE ABOVE
6. Who is given the nickname “little dhampir”?
a. ROSE
b. JANINE
c. ALBERTA
d. MASON
7. If you’re a guardian who kills a Strigoi, what do you receive?
a. A PROMISE MARK
b. A MOLNIJA MARK
c. A PROMOTION
d. A SHINY MEDAL
8. What is Dimitri’s affectionate nickname for Rose?
a. ROSIE
b. ROSITA
c. ROZA
d. PETUNIA
9. Why does everyone dislike and distrust Christian Ozera?
a. HE’S A JERK.
b. HIS PARENTS CHOSE TO BECOME STRIGOI.
c. THEY’RE JEALOUS OF HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH PRINCESS VASILISA.
d. ALL FIRE USERS ARE SHUNNED AT SCHOOL.
10. Why does Victor Dashkov kidnap Lissa in Vampire Academy?
a. SH
E CAN HEAL HIS DISEASE WITH SPIRIT.
b. SHE’S A REALLY GOOD COOK.
c. SHE’S HIS LONG-LOST DAUGHTER.
d. HE WANTS RANSOM MONEY FROM THE SCHOOL.
QUALIFIER LEVEL (10 QUESTIONS)
11. At the beginning of Vampire Academy, how many molnija marks does Dimitri have?
a. TWO
b. FOUR
c. SIX
d. EIGHT
12. What nationality is Rose’s mother, Janine Hathaway?
a. IRISH
b. SCOTTISH
c. TURKISH
d. AMERICAN
13. How old was Dimitri when he beat up his abusive Moroi father?
a. NINE
b. THIRTEEN
c. EIGHTEEN
d. TWENTY-FOUR
14. What is Headmistress Kirova’s first name?
a. MARY
b. HELEN
c. JANICE
d. ELLEN
15. What element does Mia Rinaldi specialize in?
a. AIR
b. WATER
c. FIRE
d. EARTH
16. In Frostbite, what is the name of the perfume Adrian sends to Rose that she chooses to keep?
a. PINK SUGAR
b. ETERNITY
c. AMOR AMOR
d. PURE POISON
17. Which is the largest and most influential royal Moroi family?
a. OZERA
b. DRAGOMIR
c. IVASHKOV
d. DASHKOV
18. What is the Nightingale?
a. A CLUB IN ST. PETERSBURG
b. A BIRD LISSA RAISED FROM THE DEAD
c. ROSE AND DIMITRI’S LOVE SONG
d. A CODE WORD USED AMONG GUARDIANS
19. What is an Alchemist’s tattoo made from?
a. NORMAL-COLORED INK
b. HERBS AND WINE
c. SILVER AND PAINT
d. GOLD INK AND MAGIC
20. What is the name of the prison Victor Dashkov is sent to?
a. SARANSK
b. ALATYR
c. TARASOV
d. ZHUKOV
BADASS GOD LEVEL (10 QUESTIONS)
21. In Frostbite, how many victims were found at the Badica residence?
a. ONE GUARDIAN, FOUR MOROI
b. TWO GUARDIANS, EIGHT MOROI
c. THREE GUARDIANS, SEVEN MOROI
d. FOUR GUARDIANS, NINE MOROI
22. According to Queen Tatiana in Shadow Kiss, how many times in the last fifty years has a Moroi purposefully become a Strigoi, as Christian’s parents did?
a. NINE TIMES IN FIFTY YEARS
b. SIX TIMES IN FORTY YEARS
c. TEN TIMES IN SIXTY YEARS
d. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR
23. In Shadow Kiss, how many Moroi and dhampirs were carried away the night the group of Strigoi attacked St. Vladimir’s?
a. SEVEN
b. NINE
c. ELEVEN
d. THIRTEEN
24. In Blood Promise, what kind of car does Sydney buy in Russia?
a. 1985 HONDA
b. 1976 MINI COOPER
c. 1972 CITROËN
d. 1990 TOYOTA
25. What is the name of the river Dimitri falls into after Rose stakes him near the end of Blood Promise?
a. OB
b. YENISEY
c. LENA
d. VOLGA
26. If you ask for your drink “spiked” at a Moroi bar, what do you get?
a. AN EXTRA SHOT OF ALCOHOL
b. A SHOT OF BLOOD
c. AN OLIVE SKEWERED ON A SILVER STIR STICK
d. ICE CUBES CHARMED WITH WATER MAGIC
27. Which book does Abe give Rose to read while she’s awaiting her murder trial?
a. ROMEO AND JULIET
b. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
c. JANE EYRE
d. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
28. What is the name of the young, famous Moroi queen whose statue Abe had blown up to aid Rose’s escape from Court?
a. ELIZABETH
b. ALEXANDRA
c. GALINA
d. MAYA
29. What is the standard epitaph on a guardian’s gravestone, which is written in Russian, Romanian, and English?
a. ETERNAL SERVICE
b. REST IN PEACE
c. WITH US IN MEMORY
d. CHERISHED PROTECTOR
30. What are Lissa’s two middle names?
a. RACHEL SARA
b. SABRINA ROCHELLE
c. REINA SABRINA
d. SABINA RHEA
Answers:
NOVICE LEVEL
1-B, 2-A, 3-A, 4-A, 5-D, 6-A, 7-B, 8-C, 9-B, 10-A
QUALIFER LEVEL
11-C, 12-B, 13-B, 14-D, 15-B, 16-C,17-C, 18-A, 19-D, 20-C
BADASS GOD LEVEL
21-C, 22-A, 23-D, 24-C, 25-A, 26-B, 27-D, 28-B, 29-A, 30-D
SCORES
1–10 CORRECT ANSWERS
While you have some knowledge of the world of Vampire Academy, it’s quite obvious that you just got here. We’d suggest unpacking your bags in the freshman dorm and getting ready to study hard for your next challenge. Watch out for Strigoi on your way home. You do know what they are, right?
11–19 CORRECT ANSWERS
You’re scraping by, but you’re probably attending way more parties than classes—come on, you can admit it, we won’t tell! Detention is probably in your future, so you should cram in a bit more studying if you really want to make the grade. Sorry, but it’s doubtful that Dimitri would give you extra after-school sessions with this score. Besides, you should spend that time studying!
20–25 CORRECT ANSWERS
Well done! You attend your classes and get good grades. You could probably hold your own in a fight against a Strigoi, but we’re not saying you’re about to get a molnija mark out of it or anything. Still, you’re well on your way to kicking serious butt!
26–30 CORRECT ANSWERS
You rock! You know the world of Vampire Academy like the back of your silver stake! Dimitri himself would agree you’re going to make one badass guardian. Get ready to receive your promise mark; you’ve graduated top of your class!
Pop-Quiz Answers
VAMPIRE ACADEMY
1) SCREAMS; 2) A RAVEN; 3) FIRE; 4) EDDIE CASTILE; 5) WESTERN NOVELS; 6) SANDOVSKY’S SYNDROME; 7) DRESSED; 8) HER FAVORITE LIP GLOSS; 9) JESSE AND RALF; 10) NATALIE DASHKOV
FROSTBITE
1) QUALIFIER; 2) THE HEART; 3) DECAPITATING; 4) MARTIAL ARTS; 5) LORD; 6) MIA RINALDI; 7) FALSE; 8) SPOKANE, WASHINGTON; 9) MASON, EDDIE, AND MIA; 10) AN AQUARIUM
SHADOW KISS
1) VICTOR DASHKOV; 2) EDDIE CASTILE; 3) THE MOROI ROYAL COURT; 4) BY BRINGING A PLANT BACK TO LIFE; 5) ADRIAN; 6) TREASURE; 7) SUICIDE; 8) THE MNĂ; 9) BURIA; 10) LOVED
BLOOD PROMISE
1) FLOWERS AND LEAVES; 2) SIMON; 3) SONJA; 4) ZMEY; 5) EASTER; 6) BAD ENEMY; 7) AARON; 8) HESITATE; 9) GALINA; 10) VICTOR DASHKOV
SPIRIT BOUND
1) MOROI ROYAL COURT; 2) MIKHAIL TANNER; 3) HUMAN FEEDERS; 4) ALWAYS; 5) SPIRIT; 6) THE WITCHING HOUR; 7) TO SEE ROSE; 8) THE DEATH WATCH; 9) SIXTEEN; 10) ABE MAZUR
LAST SACRIFICE
1) BECAUSE LISSA ASKED HIM TO; 2) MCDONALD’S; 3) DANIELLA IVASHKOV; 4) THE TAINTED; 5) JOSHUA; 6) TASHA, CHRISTIAN, AND ADRIAN; 7) THREE; 8) COUSINS; 9) HURTS; 10) MIA RINALDI
CHAPTER 11
Glossary
Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide Page 25