This guide was created for the GothicFurries RP group on yahoo. It was designed to help keep our favorite creatures of the night consistant in the story. With a few minor adjustmentsmade to it, it will be used for the GF RP events. There are many variations on these creatures, and people have different ideas on what they can and can’t do, strengths and weakness, and so on and so forth. This guide was developed to keep everyone, and the story straight.

Thropiens (Werecreatures):
The word “Thropien” is derived from the word “Lycanthrope.” Which is of course the “scientific” term used to describe the most popular of all the species, the werewolf (Lycan). The word “Thropien” is used as a general term referring to all species of werecreatures. Thropiens are the result of any human who is bitten and turned by such a creature.

Thropiens are not like vampires; they do not live forever. However, the regenerative properties a Thropien has, will heel them much faster and keep them alive many centuries longer than a human. But since Thropiens are living beings, they will eventually die just like any other livng organism.

To become a Thropien, a simple bite that breaks the skin is all that is required. Bacteria in the saliva that enters the bloodstream from a bite alters the genetic make up of the one bitten. From the point of being bitten, to the following full moon, the individual will feel their body going through changes. Vision, hearing, and smell are the first noticable changes. Next will be an increase in speed and reflexes, and tremendous increase in physical strength are soon to follow. Then on the following full moon, the first transformation happens. Afterwards, they are able to change at will.

Contrary to popular belief, most Thropiens are in fact peaceful. There is always a bit of control to be used with such powerful creatures, but once mastered, most blend in with society and live like everyone else. But with any large group, there's always that small minority who sets the example for all the rest. They are why people view werecreatures as ruthless, cold-blooded killers. It is usually those who haven’t learned to control the beast within, that are responsible for attacks on humans.

Thropiens can be any species, but most are mammal and usually of the carnivorous variety. Any species can be found throughout the world. However, depending on where you are, there will be species more common in a given area. In North America and Europe, werewolves (also refered to as Lycans) are the most common, followed by werefoxes, werebears and werecougars. In Africa, werelions and wereheyenas are the most common, while weretigers are common in Asia.

Despite all the different species, and all their inherant ablilities, ALL Thropiens share one single weakness. They all have a severe allergy to silver. If shot or stabbed through the heart with silver, death is certain and immediate.

Vampires:
By far the most common of all “Creatures of the Night," they have far more misconceptions about them than what there really is.

Vampires come in two species, Vampyricus dominus (Master Vampire) and Vampyricus comminus (Common Vampire). Masters are few and far between, numbering around 500 worldwide, while the Commons number in the millions with the largest concentration in Europe and the United States.

Both species have the same basic strengths and weaknesses, although a Master’s abilities are much greater than that of Common's. All vampires can fly, have great strength, mental abilities, and very good senses of smell, sight and hearing, but again, the Master is stronger in all these abilities. The physical strength of a Master is fairly equivalent to that of a werewolf. Common vampires are much stronger than humans, but are no match for a werewolf. Thropiens and Vampires try to avoid each other, but confrontations do occur, and if it turns violent, the vampire usually does not come out in one piece. They simply lack the physical strength and built in weaponry of a werewolf, or any of the major Thropien species.

Master’s are also shape shifters in that they can transform themselves into a bat, wolf, rats, or a bank of fog. If that all sounds familiar, it should. Those are the abilities the Master Vampire known as Dracula made famous, but have since past into myth and legend. Lastly, a Master is able to walk outside durring the day, unaffected by direct, natural sunlight.

Becoming a vampire involves the sharing of blood. A vampire must drink an indiviual's blood, and before the individual dies, he or she must drink the blood of the vampire. If someone is turned by a Master, that individual does not become a Master right away. The individual must survive 300 to 400 years for that to happen.

The weaknesses of vampires include wood through the heart, direct sunlight, fire, and beheading. With of course the exeption of Master’s in that the sun does not affect them. It's rare, but some of the oldest, and therefore strongest, of Common Vampires are able to withstand the sun. Otherwise, all vampires can be killed in the same manor.

The myths and misconceptions about vampires are many. To begin with, despite what a few movies portray, silver will not kill a vampire. Religious symbols and holy water have absolutely no effect on vampires. This assumes all of them are Christian, but vampires are not limited to North America and Europe where Christianity is most prevalent. This makes it impossible for all vampires to come from the same religion. Why would a cross or the bible have any effect on vampires that are Muslim, Hindu, Pagan or Atheist?

Vampires aren’t affected by drinking the blood of the recently decesed either. In fact, many vampires will drink preserved blood since hunting humans is not common in the modern age, even though it still does occur from time to time. As for no reflections in mirrors, that is a Hollywood invention. Whether or not they have a “soul” is irrelevant. Clothing has no soul, yet clothing and other solid matter show up in mirrors, so it's odd that a vampire wouldn't since they too, are solid matter. Lastly, vampires do not need to be invited to enter a home, and they are not harmed by garlic either.

**We have one rule about Masters, they are extremely rare and unless you have permission, you're chatacter may not be one.**

Thropien/Vampire hybrids:
Vampires cannot become hybrids simply because they are “dead” beings. What is dead cannot be changed. Thropiens however, are alive which makes them susceptible to vampirism. When a Thropien becomes a hybrid, it maintains all its abilities, and gains all the abilities of the vampire. A hybrid then becomes a true immortal. The Thropien protects the individual from all the weaknesses of the vampire, while the vampire protects against the only weakness of the Thropien, silver. Hybrids are also stronger, faster, and have enhanced senses over that of normal Thropiens. This is one of the reasons why vampires will avoid Thropiens whenever possible.

**Hybrids are even more rare than Master Vampires, same rule applies, you can only be one with special permission**

Demons:
Demons are wide open. You can make upwhatever sort of species you want here, there are no real limits other than each species must have at least one weakness... meaning no "God Mode."

Zombies:
Zombies are flesh eating fiends, with a particular taste for a living brain, and no, they do not talk. They do not eat for nutrients; they eat out of pure instinct. Destroying their own brain is the only way to stop them. They stink of rotting flesh, move slowly, and make the stereotypical grunting and groaning sounds.

Zombies are not something that simply happens. They are activated by either magic, or from a combination of gases. As long as there is muscle tissue, a corpse can be made into a zombie. Their strength is no greater than the individual they once were, but their power comes from their numbers, a
large group of them is a force to be reckoned with.

It is a slow and painful death if a Human is bitten, and in the end, will become a zombie. Living Thropiens cannot be turned into a zombie because of their regenerative properties. However, a dead Thropien can be turned into a zombie. Vampires are already dead, so they are fortunate in that they cannot become a zombie.

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For any questions, send us a note. ~TheGothicFurries is run by:
Tim
Bianca
Jason
Chris

Thanks for stoipping by!

Jason