Vampires | |
---|---|
Two Higher vampires and one Bruxa in Blood and Wine | |
General Information | |
Sub-races |
Higher vampires Alps Bruxae Katakans Mulas Nosferats Ekimmas Fleders Garkains[1] |
Cultures |
Tdet[1] Garasham[1] Ammurun[1] |
Languages |
Able to use languages of other races |
Physical Description | |
Lifespan |
Measured in centuries |
Other distinctions |
Some species are almost unkillable |
“
The moon shines bright,
The vampire alights ”
— pg(s). 143, Baptism of Fire (UK edition)
|
Vampire is a hypernym used to refer to a number of creatures that thrive on blood, often feeding off their victims' life force.
'No. That never happens.'
'In the case of higher vampires — never, I agree,' Emiel Regis said softly. 'From what I know alpors, moolas, bruxas and nosferats don't mutilate their victims. On the other hand, fleders and ekimmas are pretty brutal with their victims' remains.'
Physiologus entry
Vampire species
- Higher vampires:
- Higher vampire
- Alp (Alpor in The Last Wish)
- Katakan
- Mula (Moola in The Last Wish)
- Bruxa
- Nosferat
- Lower vampires:
In the saga
Vampires in Sapkowski's works break with many popular stereotypes. In particular, vampire repellents such as holy water, crucifixes, garlic, wooden stakes, etc. are nothing but folklore within the Witcher saga. For example, Regis, the vampire who accompanies Geralt for a time, was once decapitated, staked through the heart, sprinkled with holy water and finally buried, but that did not prevent him from regenerating, albeit slowly.
Here are a few more myths and facts about vampires in Sapkowski's works:
- Higher vampires do not need to drink blood. It is like alcohol to them, in that they can become drunk from it. Additionally, drinking blood increases their strength.
- They are not adversely affected by silver.
- A vampire bite does not turn the bitten creature into a vampire.
- Vampires are not undead or transformed creatures; they are born as vampires. The race of vampires appeared in the world after the Conjunction of the Spheres.
- Not all vampires must avoid the sun. Many have adapted and easily tolerate daylight.
- They cannot be seen in mirrors and other reflective surfaces.
- Rushing water (rivers, etc.) poses no obstacle to their movement.
- Holy water, crucifixes, and garlic are ineffective against them.
- Partial bodily damage, such as a stake through the heart or decapitation, is only an inconvenience to them.
- Some can touch white hot metal with their bare hands without injury (this was the case with Regis).
Notable vampires
In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In the Blood and Wine expansion
In The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
In The Witcher computer game
There is at least two points where the game breaks with Sapkowski's written works regarding vampires:
- Garlic repels vampires
- Humans can be turned into vampires (Blue Eyes)