The Vampire Chronicles - Vampiric Properties

Vampiric Properties

Anne Rice's vampires are different in several ways from classic vampires like Dracula. Rice's creatures are not affected by the usual weapons against classic vampires: garlic, crosses, and they cannot be killed with wooden stakes through their hearts. Like classic vampires, most do choose to sleep in some form of coffin during the day because sun exposure can cause severe pain and eventually death. Also, during the day, most "sleep", however, this differs from "mortal sleep" as: a) they become dead bodies, and b) the dawn often triggers their sleep against their will.

They need blood, but in some cases not every night (David Talbot suggests most "newborn" vampires must drink heavily every night, himself included). Human blood is preferred as it is more nutritious and tastes the best, but animal blood can also be drunk. They do not age physically (instead becoming more "statuesque" as they age, developing very smooth, white skin), and in all but a few cases, vampires younger than a thousand years old can usually be killed by exposure to sunlight or fire.

They do not possess stereotypically "vampiric" magical powers, such as changing into bats, but some of the stronger, older ones do have the power to fly. Most of them also have the power to read the thoughts of mortals and weaker vampires. They possess superhuman strength, eyesight, and agility. Very old vampires or ones who have been made or strengthened by feeding on blood that is close to the root of the vampiric mother may have additional gifts like the ability to move matter with the mind and the ability to set things ablaze by the force of will. They have many artistic talents, like singing, painting and acting, and a preternatural "understanding" of any type of problem, puzzle or machine. They also have the uncanny ability to almost perfectly mimic anything (movement, playing musical instruments, etc.).

The main characteristic of Rice's vampires is that they feel more vividly than they did as humans and are all excessively emotional, sensitive, and sensual, being easy prey to intense suffering and aesthetic passions. They are supernaturally beautiful as vampires tend to make fledglings from humans they have grown to love, and the transformation from human to vampire enhances one's beauty.

The physical changes are apparent: their eyes become luminous, their skin pale and reflective and their fingernails are like glass. Furthermore, if their hair or nails are cut, they will grow back as they were when they "died" during their sleep. As they lose all natural bodily fluids and their bodies' natural functions cease upon transformation, they are unable to have children.

In Pandora and The Vampire Armand, David Talbot makes the wry comment that with his entry into the pantheon, vampires have "evolved" somewhat, as David can see spirits, while all other vampires cannot. This can perhaps be attributed, however, to David's limited control over Candomblé spirits that he learned as a young mortal man.

The vampiric condition is transferred into humans through blood exchange between a human and a vampire: a vampire bites and feeds on a human to the point of exsanguination. At which point the vampire offers its own blood for the human to drink.

When a human is transformed by a vampire whose 'Dark Gift' has remained pure without ever having been passed on to others for centuries, the newly turned vampire will be much stronger than normal vampires (as in the case of Lestat, who was turned by Magnus).