Feral Vampire - What Happens To Vampires When They Go Without Blood For Far To Long

Feral vampires, by and large, are solitary creatures, most active under the cover of the darkest nights. While rare, there are instances where they are encountered in small groups. These elusive beings establish their lairs in places shunned by the living due to their extreme darkness, filthiness, or difficult access. Such locations include caves, ruins, sewers, cemeteries, and other abandoned, forsaken areas. For the most savage-minded feral vampires, these hideouts offer no creature comforts whatsoever.

Their nightmarish appearance is characterized by twisted, grotesque deformities and small, half-formed bat-like features. Their mouths harbor jagged, flesh-tearing teeth, while their stone-gray, ice-cold skin adds to their eerie presence. The most unsettling aspect is their long, formidable iron claws they employ with deadly precision.

Notably, there are claims from various sources that suggest feral vampires undergo a peculiar transformation with the passage of time. It is said that many of them gradually increase in height as the years roll on, with some growing to be twice as tall as the average vampire. This remarkable growth adds to the terror they instill in those unfortunate enough to cross their path, making them even more formidable and imposing figures in the dark world they inhabit. This physical transformation serves as a testament to the relentless and insatiable nature of their bloodlust, driving them to evolve into ever more fearsome predators as they age.

Typically, a feral vampire adorns their lairs with hastily written notes or old paintings of themselves. This practice stems from the fact that feral vampires are created from normal vampires who have been deprived of blood for extended periods, often around eight months. More powerful vampires can endure years without blood and still retain their powers and sanity. However, when a vampire goes feral, their mental state deteriorates rapidly, with hunger becoming their sole obsession. The notes and paintings serve as attempts to reconnect with their former selves, granting them fleeting moments of clarity where their cunning and intellect briefly resurface. Unfortunately, these moments are short-lived, lasting perhaps an hour before the vampire reverts to a crazed state, sometimes for days or even weeks.

The sole method for a vampire to maintain control for extended periods is to consume the blood of a good-aligned humanoid who is attractive to the vampire. The quantity of blood required to preserve their sanity exceeds what a single humanoid can safely provide, necessitating the vampire to be in a constant pursuit of new prey. The reward for this relentless hunt is the vampire's intermittent sanity, affording them the opportunity to strategize and plan their methods for securing more victims.

Feral vampires exhibit a far more pronounced dependence on blood for sustenance compared to common vampires, verging on addiction. With each passing night devoid of blood, their hunger intensifies. Deprived of blood for even a day, a feral vampire becomes prone to frenzied attacks on any viable victim they encounter, provided they are not exposed to bright light. While they can subsist on animal blood for a limited time, they cannot entirely forgo humanoid blood. Relying solely on animal blood will eventually petrify the feral vampire until they come into contact with humanoid blood once again.