Vampires 101 - What Kind of Vampire Am I?

There are a few different recognized types of vampire in Real Vampire society. This article will help you know which type you are, or if you're a vampire at all.

Let me start off by saying that this article is about Real Living Vampires, not mythical, Hollywood or role-playing vampires. This is a guide for real people, in the real world. Deciding whether you're a vampire or not, and if so, what kind, is a serious thing, and should not be taken lightly.

There are a few major types of real vampire: Sanguinarian, Psychic, Hybrid and Lifestyle vamp. Each type has its own characteristics, and most people identify with a single type, although the types can intermingle in some ways. If you consider yourself to be a vampire, it's a good idea to know which kind you are. Knowing what type you are will help you greatly in finding information and connecting with other people in vampire society.

Lifestyle Vampire

Lifestyle vampires are not necessarily "real" vampires, as they do not need to feed on energy. Lifestyle Vampire refers to people who dress and act in a manner that they believe represents the persona of a true vampire. They will often wear Victorian or Gothic style clothing, speak in period language, and act as if they have a high social standing. Some people consider Lifestyle Vampires to be posers, while others accept them as part of the subculture. Sangs, Psys and Hybrids can also be Lifestyle Vampires, combining their real need for feeding with their clothing and lifestyle choices.

Sanguinarian Vampire

A Sanguinarian vampire is someone who has a need to feed on blood. Sanguinarians are different from blood fetishists because the acquisition of blood is considered a necessity, not a matter of erotic pleasure. Not to say that Sanguinarians never experience erotic pleasure from feeding, but it is not their primary interest.

At one time a Sanguinarian would have only fed on human blood, and some still consider this the only way to satisfy their needs and survive. Some Sangs will feed on animal blood, although most find it unclean and unsatisfying. As time has gone by, many Sanguinarians have drifted away from blood feeding and begun learning to Psy feed, due to the large number of transmittable diseases that currently exist. Real Vampires do not have any illusions of being immortal or invulnerable, they know all too well of the dangers of feeding on blood, but it is a need they must satisfy in some form.

Psychic Vampire

Psychic Vampires feed on energy rather than blood. Some people are natural Psy Vamps, while others have learned to be such. Psychic Vampires typically prefer to draw energy from other people, but can draw from any living thing, and with practice, from nature itself. Due to the spread of diseases, many Sanguinarians are learning to feed on energy instead of blood for the safety of themselves and the community at large.

Hybrid Vampire

Hybrid Vampires are those who feed on both blood and energy. Some people have always been Hybrid, while others have come to it out of a need to find blood alternatives.

Conclusion

When someone is first "awakening" or realizing that they are a vampire, they may wonder where they fit in. Many automatically assume that feeding on blood is the only option. It's important for an awakening vampire to determine how they will feed, and where they fit in vampire society. It can be a hard road if you don't know what you are and can't ask for help.

Obviously, there's more to each of these types and their practices than I have gone into here. I will be writing an extensive series of articles on Real Vampires, so you may want to check back for more information.