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Vampire Traits and Abilities in the 21st Century
The traits and abilities of vampires have shifted almost as greatly as their supposed ability to shift into new form (bat, wolf, mist etc.) as new authors demanded new characteristics to play with. (And no, I still am not stating if these are real traits held by real vampires.) This is a loose list of their supposed traits. When time allows, I would ideally follow each trait back to its author -- just 'cause that is the sort of mind I have.Interestingly, the ability to revivify by allowing the moonlight to touch them has been deleted from writer's repertoires. - fangs
- pale, perfect skin
- In most of the old literature, they have superior (if not actually super) strength
- They also tend to not eat human food, usually they have extra large teeth. They prefer to drink from a young, innocent, female shaped bottle
immune to diseases - "night sight"
- sucks blood
- slay by stake through their heart
- "allergy" to garlic
- sexual predators
- shape shifters
- cast no shadow
- allergic to the sun
- immortal unless slain
- "allergic" to holy water and crosses
- sleep in a coffin
- no reflection in mirrors
- can't cross running water (sometimes)
- seen as mysterious
- wears mostly black clothing
they have the eternal look of youthful beauty - Some possess abilities such as flying or hypnotizing
- Some have the ability to read thoughts of their potential victim
- They can move with an unnatural speed
- To slay them you stake through heart, behead, burn, and then either bury at a cross-road or toss into a strong wind.
In some version, they are immune to sunlight and being staked through the heart with a wooden stake - only being killed by decapitation and/or burning
- In some versions, prior to dieing and becoming the true undead the vampire has a soul, can walk under the sun, and live on holy ground
- undead soulless creatures
- they sparkle in the sunlight
- Recently I read a novel published in the 1990's in which the vampire's were opalescent.
I will be presenting a paper at this year's "Open Graves Open Minds" conference at the University of Hertfordshire in England. Inasmuch as I am an Adjunct Professor (teach full-time/paid part-time with no benefits to save the college money), I am soliciting donations to help me pay airfare, conference fees, lodging and such. I would really really appreciate donations in any amount since the college will not be much help. Donations can be made through PayPal if you hit the "Donate" button.
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