Vampires have haunted the mortal realm since, many believe, the dawn of time. Today, they are intoxicating sexual creatures drawing the interest of millions through books, movies, and TV shows. However, before Bram Stoker’s Dracula arrived on scene, vampires were creatures of darkness, terror, and nightmares.

History

Vampires have been around for centuries. However, the origin of the vampire mythology is not an easy thing to trace. There are many myths and gods around the world which have been thought, at some point or another, as the mother of the legend, until the next, older, myth crops up. There are ancient vampire legends in just about every major mythology in the world. The worst part is that looking at the lore today only confuses the original legends. Today a multitude of creatures have been placed in the vampire vault, but of these creatures, the resemblance to the vampire is only mildly superficial. 

Kinds 

Vampire kinds and vampire species are two different things. Many people believe that they constitute the same thing. However, kinds separate the more specific vampires into types. The types are determined by food source, abilities or general appearance. Food source could be a variety of things, such as blood, psychic, sexual, internal organs, or combinations. Abilities generally revolve around what the vampire can do: Is it hypnotic? A shape-changer? Fly? General appearance typically involves what the vampire looks like; humanoid, demonic, or spirit formed. 

Species

Vampire species are specific details of a vampire that puts them in a specific group. Creatures like the Aswang, a female vampire from the Philippines, or the Strigoii, the vampire (both male and female) of Romania, qualify as species vampires. There are literally thousands of species around the world, and many species inhabit the same area as others. 

Fighting the vampire

For as long as there have been vampires, there have been vampire hunters. Historically, the local law would join forces with the church to destroy suspected vampires. However, even then, vampire hunters were thought to exist. Or people would become one. Once they had one kill under their belt, it was common for them to travel to other areas to help with suspected vampires. Some even joined the church specifically for the job. 

Vampirism Today

Vampirism is the practice of living life as a vampire, either in the hopes of becoming one or because the practitioner honestly believes that they are one. This practice typically revolves around the consumption of blood, sex, and the night. Those playing vampire will try to avoid the sunlight often getting night jobs, and generally moving around during the night. They act as though they are vampires, even though they are still human, down to dressing in what is considered a gothic ensemble, and drinking real human blood.