Necrophobia

by Devaney, Mark

  Thrall: A person robbed of their freewill by psychic or vampiric means. They will serve their master and lack any sense of free will or self-preservation. They exist to serve in any way they can. It is believed to be incurable and permanent.

  Undead: The overarching term for any person or creature resurrected by magic. Resurrection varies wildly by method and person and may result in a mindless zombie or the product may be indistinguishable from someone alive.

  Vampire/Vampirism: Any mortal that has been cursed by the Dark Gift and transformed into a vampire. Vampires sustain themselves on blood and the transformation triggers an almost uncontrollable blood-thirst that requires time and a strong will to suppress. Vampirism halts the ageing process and locks the body into a form of stasis, wounds heal and reverse and their appearance becomes difficult to alter. In exchange they become superhumanly fast and strong, their perceptions sharpened beyond normal limits. Vampires often gain psychic powers and are known for their ability to compel or enthral weak minds. Vampirism comes with a myriad of weaknesses from blood-thirst, mutation and an aversion to light, water and silver. Some of which can be overcome.

  Vamprey: A specific vampire mutation triggered by unknown means. The curse transforms the victim into a bulkier more durable form encouraging massive muscle growth and the formation of a Lamprey-like mouth used to drain their victims. Their skin thickens and develops scales in places and oozes a viscous grey slime that protects them against water. A Vamprey is no longer weak to exposure or immersion in water and their physiology adapts to become more aquatic including fins and gills. The transformation is painful and happens over several months, the victim loses some of their intelligence and freewill along with any psychic powers they once possessed. Their strength and regeneration far surpasses a regular vampire.

  Werebeast: A curse that varies wildly from victim to victim. The type of creature a person transforms into is specific to that person and believed to reflect their personality. The transformation is not always voluntary. The werebeasts can either turn into an exact copy of a specific creature of a hybrid form of both, a greater level of control is required to choose which form they wish to take. Among the most common werebeast forms are bears, wolves, boars, and owls. Since werebeasts are shapeshifters they can regenerate from almost any injury not inflicted by fire or silver. Werebeasts are not to be mistaken for sorcerers who alter their shape through magic although the two appear similar.