Given a choice, would you REALLY want to be a vampire?

Over in blacktrench's thread, all of the talk about getting bitten (i.e. being Embraced), even as a joke, makes me wonder about people's lives. Mine too. Would I actually make the choice to be a vampire? Or would I have the courage to keep living as a human, until I die? I guess it depends on the world, and the rules of 'ze blood' (as in "I vant to drink", blehh, blehh).

This world... Even though there's not much chance of me producing any little PGM's at this point, I always kind of wanted kids, and I'd hate to leave that possibility behind. Also, if someone offered me the choice, I'd definitely want to lose a little weight first. I'd hate to be fat indefinitely, with no chance to diet!

I've always been a 'night owl' though, so the hours wouldn't bother me. I guess it wouldn't be that bad, but only under the right circumstances... and the right type of vampire.

World of Vampire: The Masquerade: Vampires have to deal with the Beast, and blood is basically an addiction, like heroin. Even if it gave you superpowers, would a wise person really want to become a heroin addict? Not sure. Then again, if I could keep my own demons at bay, the Embrace would give me the power to fight monsters worse than myself, like the Sabbat, Pentex, etc. I would probably accept the offer, if I were single.

[Clans I would prefer: We talked about this in another thread, but I'd say either Brujah (old school) or Ventrue. I have no desire to prowl the woods, or stare at art all day- er, night. Being ugly wouldn't bother me, but some Nosferatu are so twisted they are in constant pain... not a good way to spend eternity. The same goes for being insane... Malkavians are fun to role-play, but I'd rather not be crazy. Thaumaturgy sounds interesting; being blood bound to Tremere elders does not. Plus the pyramid is too restrictive. And I wouldn't want to be Sabbat, or Independents.]

World of Buffy and Angel: This is not a good world to be a vampire. When you are turned, your soul leaves your body; and what's left is actually a lesser demon, walking around in your former body, with your memories and some of your basic personality. But it's not really you. In this world, Embrace = death.

The world of Anne Rice's vampires: Please. If the price of eternal life is to be forced to associate with her whiny, emo vampires, I'll die a mortal. Plus, young vampires are even more screwed than their WOD counterparts, since they don't develop many powers until they are several hundreds of years old. No, thanks.

The 'Twilight' series: Gahh!!! I hate to even think it. This world does not even make logical sense; it's too easy to become Embraced. Unless they are killed, human victims automatically become vampires... hell, it's almost a mercy killing. Plus, I'm nowhere near that pretty. If my skin sparkled, I'd look like a fat Liberace. (Or if that reference is over your heads, think of Jack Black or chubby Seth Rogen as a Twilight vampire.)

The best scenario for becoming a vampire would probably be in the world of Fred Saberhagen's "Dracula Series." In the first book, 'The Dracula Tapes', he tells the Bram Stoker tale from Dracula's viewpoint - not the demon Stoker alleged him to be, although a ruthless, honorable man born in ruthless times. In this world, the powers are basically as shown in the Stoker book:
- There must be an exchange of blood, and then you have to die, to become a vampire. Dracula himself claimed to have become a vampire through sheer will, and a refusal to surrender to death; but this is rare.
- After you die as a mortal, you slowly revert to a younger, healthy version of your normal self. Basically the best you can possibly look, given your DNA. Sounds good to a chubby boy like me. Regular feeding makes you look young; less regular and you look older.
- Walking around in the daytime is possible, if you're not weakened in some way. Noonday desert sun is bad; foggy London or rainy Seattle are no problem. Best of all -- no sparkling!
- Powers are Mist Form, Turn to Wolf or Bat, Ultra-strong, ultra-fast, powers of the mind (sort of a mix, Presence + Dominate). Metal weapons don't really do much damage, although decapitation is still a gamebreaker, no matter what material is used. Wood causes normal damage... wooden clubs hurt, wood bullets cause wounds, wood stakes can kill (NOT paralyze). Magic works in this world, and Dracula knows a few tricks (like weather control), but it's not Thaumaturgy... it's the same as human magic. Willpower is key.

Would I become one of the last variety of vampires? Yes. World of Darkness? Probably, with the reservations listed above. Any others? Probably not. It mostly has to do with what my life (unlife?) would be like after the change. I can't understand why the Twilight vamps don't kill themselves... a hundred years of high school? AGGHHH!!!!

PGM1961 wrote:

I can't understand why the Twilight vamps don't kill themselves... a hundred years of high school? AGGHHH!!!!

That is one of the many things I just can't get over with Twilight and by extension The Vampire Diaries. I don't care how old you are, if you become a Vampire, the last thing you should ever want to do is hang around school - namely if you've been around long enough that it becomes a joke to take a standard test(i.e you don't need to study since you know it all, and its almost guaranteed that you are going to pass it). Or rather that you look a high school age, and you know enough to put your education way beyond collage.

Anyway, if there was that option, I'd probably go for it. If it was the WOD, I'd just hope I'd be anything but the Nosferatu. Preferably I'd want to be either a Ventrue, Malkavian or Setite. Having the money would be great(along with the possibly of having some power in the Camarila), I could already call myself a little crazy(though not a mental case), and if the third option, I do have a large interest in Egypt.

Most of the worlds and definitions of vampires would make me jump in anyway. Even Twilight, as long as I finger father cullen and live on my own.

No money problems (or few), blood is just another food.. Nobody forces you to be social, or known, or political. Or even existing legally. Night and day... that doesn't matter much to me either
A couple of ghouls to be the idendity for the bills and a wow account, and to give me their blood, and I would geek all the way

PGM,

Wow I read the whole thing and it was extremely entertaining for my lunch break here at work. Very nicely done. I've thought alot about being Kindred, in the real world though, not so much in the WoD. I've always wondered what it would be like being a vampire in the real world but following the WoD rules. Here's what I'd think for each clan.

Brujah - This wouldn't be so bad though I wouldn't want to be pissed off all the time. I've always thought of Brujah as you stereotypical fast, strong, enchanting movie monsters. I would almost think being a Brujah would almost be too easy to get by in the world.
Gangrel - The idea of being alone is tempting and being shot would almost do nothing, however their animalistic nature is not something I find very enticing. I'm not really an animal lover (except for my 2 kitties at home) so I don't think I would chose to be this clan.
Malkavian - Hell no, being insane for all eternity would be hell.
Nosferatu - Actually of all the clans, this one really sums up how I'd see myself living as an eternal. The obvious handicap doesn't bother me and their strengths are plenty. Mastering Obfuscate to get around and living in some abandoned building downtown sounds like a great idea to spend my time. Maybe slinking out at night for some adventure and dinner but then always coming home to get on the internet and be... me. I like this idea.
Toreador - Another easy way to spend eternity, but I'm just not emotional enough. So no thanks.
Tremere - No thanks, blood magic, tied to your sire (clan) through blood, really no thanks.
Ventrue - This would be my second choice because of the domination, leadership, and wealth. Ventrue also have it easier than most getting by as an immortal I would think.

If I know...
Beaing a vampire may sound fun at first, but then you start to think what this is all about.
So living, er, unliving eternally to be a pawn of some elder monsters, doing their bidding and beaing a scapegoat for their fuck-ups doesn't sound that sweet. Add to it the Beast within, addiction to blood, beaing cursed by God and forever banished from Heaven.
Of course, having Disciplines would be fun. Strenght beyond human belief, unheard of resilience, ability to become unseen... Not to mention wonders of Thaumaturgy, Koldun or the like. And really fine tool, the mental Disciplines. Influencing others, getting them do what you want... Knowing some bigger badass may use it on you too. Tragedy of it is fun while roleplaing, in real life it would make me walking ilustration to entry about paranoia in an encyclopedia. No thanks.
That said, we all need to conform to the demands society puts on us. So would going by prestation, Traditions of Caine and other bullsit make that big difference?
Sabbat is no go for me, for sure. Their rules are way too monstrous.
Independent clans? Well, depends.
On the other hand beaing a vampire could also be a chance to do something good, act as sort of a force behind the courtains. Sometimes gently pushing the cours of actions could prevent a tragedy. Think for a while how history of Europe could have looked if someone took care of Lenin, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini et cetera before they rose to power? I dare to say better.
That said, beaing the loner and animal lover I am, such things wouldn't be my job. Anyways, having an eternity to spend, I would do it far from politics, favor trading and the like. Not my thing, not a material for a Ventrue.
One vampire I might consent to be Embraced by is a Gangrel. If for nothing else, to see a forest through eyes of a wolf. Spending eternity far from petty games called civilisation would be nice, too.
Ah, I forgot, Gangrel don't ask if you like to be added to the pack. Oh, well. At least it would be a way to avoid beaing old. Having bunch of old relatives I think I don't want to live long enough to be weak, sick and dependant on others in everything.

To sum up, I think I would go for it. For Protean, if nothing else

No. Don't care what clan, what version, I'm okay with who I am. I may not be perfect, but I'll make it.

HELL YEAH!

From what you told me PGM, i'd rather be a "Dracula-world" vampire than a WOD-vampire. But if i had no other opnion, i'd be a "Lestat-world" vampire. Yes, with all that emos and such. Immortality is immortality. Any other vampire world is unnaceptable.

If from WOD, i'd probably be from an independent clan : Both sabbat and camarilla use fledgelings as fodder and, because of it, I'd probably have a short lifespan.

I'd rather be an indepedent, apolitical Tzimisce. Spending the eternity learning koldun and vicissitude? hell, count me on it.

But if that was not possible, then i'd rather be a Samedi, mainly because they keep to themselves and are kept alone. Plus, necromantic voodoo seems quite a powerful....power to have

If none of those were possible, then Nosferatu would be it (Playing world of warcraft for eternity! lol no). Sure, beign ugly is a bummer, but since vampires don't fuck, why be pretty?

Ravnos would be cool, i guess. don't know much about them though.

Gangrel and Brujah are too temperemental for me, while Setites and Tremere are nothing but slaves. Lasombra and Ventrue are in the center of the shitstorm, Malkavians are fucking crazy and Toreators are fucking gay. And giovanni are into wincest, which i'm not very found off

simison wrote:

No. Don't care what clan, what version, I'm okay with who I am. I may not be perfect, but I'll make it.

Simison, you are wise beyond your years. If I were married to a good woman, that would be my answer. Since I'm presently not even dating anyone, I'd be willing to entertain other offers. As Feral pointed out, facing your declining years tend to color your thinking.

It's not the potential immortality that would tempt me, though. What attracts me is the thought of gaining the power to make a difference. In the WOD, knowing that monsters like the Sabbat (and much worse!) are out there would make up my mind. I could never be in the Sabbat. While they were originally no worse than the anarchs (a little prideful, and determined not to be manipulated ever again), the Sabbat tried too hard to be everything that the Camarilla was not, until today they are worse than rabid dogs. Anyone who would seriously consider being Sabbat in real life is definitely a sociopath, and should be watched.

The problem with the WoD is that the vampires described in the WoD should not even live in society (I mean, predator stuff, something about basic psychology and logic).

That's why I wouldn't mind. I'll live alone on my own without anyone even knowing I exist (except maybe my sire, but I'd kill him quick enough by a ghoul or something) and be discrete about it, anyhow, anywhere (sabbat or whatnot)

I think the only temptation would be to get rid of my disabilities. But that's hardly a reason to give up living

I've got a wonderful partner and need sunlight for my health to remain stable so am not interested.

8people wrote:

I think the only temptation would be to get rid of my disabilities. But that's hardly a reason to give up living

I've got a wonderful partner and need sunlight for my health to remain stable so am not interested.

Your disabilities? Is your avatar NOT just a picture? I've seen a picture of you, but now that I think about it you only showed your face, nothing else. Are you really in a wheelchair?

simison wrote:

No. Don't care what clan, what version, I'm okay with who I am. I may not be perfect, but I'll make it.

/sign.
I may not be very religious (I wish I had a little more Faith), but I simply need to know what comes after the 'oops, I'm dead'. Even if it's nothing. That's okay, I'll take the risk... as long as I know I'm not going to end up in hell or wherever...
Besides, I've played a vampire for almost two years now in a browser RPG and I have to say it's definitely no fun. None at all. And it wasn't even the WoD-sort of vampire... I let my imagination run wild and took what it told me. (I regret it now that I created my character as a vampire. Poor, poor dear.) But once you know your relatives, friends and pets (no joke here) die, I can't believe someone wants to stay here for the rest of whoknowshowlong.
Seriously, even if I were given the chance of some other sort of immortality, whatever it may be, I'd politely decline and get the hell out of the city and country. It's not I'm not curious about the future - I really, really am - but I don't think I'd want to know what Humanity is going to pull off in the next few centuries. We're stupid, we're not going to behave very well, I think... I don't want to be around when the jack comes out of the box, so to speak.

ThePhilosopher wrote:

HELL YEAH!

If from WOD, i'd probably be from an independent clan : Both sabbat and camarilla use fledgelings as fodder and, because of it, I'd probably have a short lifespan.

I'd rather be an indepedent, apolitical Tzimisce. Spending the eternity learning koldun and vicissitude? hell, count me on it.

That's a nice idea. Really something I could relate to. Vicissitude is not my thing, since I never cared for the looks. But learning Protean, Animalism and Koldun somewhere in the wilds for an eternity, well, sounds interesting. Too bad there are no Gangrel Kolduns

ThePhilosopher wrote:

Gangrel and Brujah are too temperemental for me, while Setites and Tremere are nothing but slaves. Lasombra and Ventrue are in the center of the shitstorm, Malkavians are fucking crazy and Toreators are fucking gay. And giovanni are into wincest, which i'm not very found off

Gangrel temperamental!? What!? * bares fangs and growels *

in WOD i'm gonna chose gangrel 'couse i like doing things my instincts tell's me to( and a reason to ignore moral, reason and common sense ) other than that i would chose being a duracula vampire

Wow, a lot of detailed responses to this thread, a fair degree of thought put into it too..

I guess I'll put in my two bits as well..

Living as I currently am I see no interest in loosing my life and all ties to my family, so the idea of an isolated world like WoD vampires isn't really my forte. That said while I wouldn't actively seek out such a life, should the option be directly offered it would cause a great deal of thought. There are so many things that limit how much we can learn and understand in a mortal life that would be somewhat lesser in such a world. But one must always remember that there is also new things to steal your attention away from your interests. Looking at a WoD style life I can only see myself ending up much like the Malkavian primogen from Bloodlines or perhaps Becket, though that's only if my incessant interest in new things didn't get me killed sooner then my mortal life would have. I would love to have the time to explore and learn from the world. The idea from "Twilight" books that you have so much time on your hands you could learn every spoken language and still earn a fortune is really the appeal to me, though should such a life be offered I'd most likely end up pushing the boundaries of my own skills too far and well.. die anyway.

I have found some interesting page on how beaing a vampire in the oWoD might be like.
Here is the link:
http://www.shades-of-night.com/larp/jamevamp.html

I read most of the threads in here, and i think you all have very interessting point of views about being a vampire in the real world.

If i had the choice of being a WOD vampire in the real world, i would go for Malkavian.
Being "Crazy" is not a problem for me personally. Most of my friends consider me crazy but i say im even more "normal" than they are..

I have often dreamed about being a Vampire.. Eternal Life, Powers, Drinking blood, walking the streets at night EVERY night, seems good to me.. I know that there is alot more to it than just that. But to be honest, this human life bothers me alot. I hate the fact that i live to a certain age without learning all the information and secrets there is in life.
Life is a never ending learning process (Untill you die) . But if i had eternal life i could learn so much more.

I will make this thread very short, and i do apologize for my bad english, Im from Denmark and this is my first time posting a thread online.

I hope that i can find people in here who can share my love for Vampire and the World of Darkness

Thank you all for reading this.

Vampire Rules!!!!

Welcome to the forum Don_Carnage!

Your English is not bad at all. I'm glad to read your opinion on the subject. That's why I threw it out there, to spark a little debate and see what people thought.

Personally, I would almost never want to become a Vampire. Even though my own lifespan would be short. Undead are abominations to nature, and thus must be destroyed. As such, in a world in which Vampires would exist, I would devote my entire life to destroying them. Sure my life would probably end up being short, with the super strong, fast, and unholy bloodsuckers out there in the world. But I would never give up, as long as I believe there will always be hope. The only way I would wish to become one, is if I could keep enough of my previous life, my previous self, and in having my soul not become entirely corrupt, I would use their own power to fight against their unholy reign.

Hmm... that would actually be fun... wish I knew how to Mod, a Hunter version of the game could be... interesting.

Daris wrote:

Personally, I would almost never want to become a Vampire. Even though my own lifespan would be short. Undead are abominations to nature, and thus must be destroyed. As such, in a world in which Vampires would exist, I would devote my entire life to destroying them. Sure my life would probably end up being short, with the super strong, fast, and unholy bloodsuckers out there in the world. But I would never give up, as long as I believe there will always be hope. The only way I would wish to become one, is if I could keep enough of my previous life, my previous self, and in having my soul not become entirely corrupt, I would use their own power to fight against their unholy reign.

Hmm... that would actually be fun... wish I knew how to Mod, a Hunter version of the game could be... interesting.

That's prejudice, man! Undeads have feelings and rights too!

Many of them only think they have feelings. Undead merely emulate the Living, in an attempt to break down our defenses, to make us easier prey. I will not fall for another of their ruses. I may be 'prejudiced' but I will not let some parasites, those... things known as Vampires exist. They only are able to survive, because us Humans are around, without us they are nothing. They require us for food, and more importantly... to breed, to... procreate. They exist outside of Nature, they destroy the balance inherit in the world. And because of that, I swear that I would annihilate every last one of those abominations! I may only be Mortal, I may not be powerful, but with sheer willpower alone, I will not allow myself to fail.

Daris wrote:

Many of them only think they have feelings. Undead merely emulate the Living, in an attempt to break down our defenses, to make us easier prey. I will not fall for another of their ruses. I may be 'prejudiced' but I will not let some parasites, those... things known as Vampires exist. They only are able to survive, because us Humans are around, without us they are nothing. They require us for food, and more importantly... to breed, to... procreate. They exist outside of Nature, they destroy the balance inherit in the world. And because of that, I swear that I would annihilate every last one of those abominations! I may only be Mortal, I may not be powerful, but with sheer willpower alone, I will not allow myself to fail.

You need to chill, dawg. Here, have some AB -

Daris wrote:

Many of them only think they have feelings. Undead merely emulate the Living, in an attempt to break down our defenses, to make us easier prey. I will not fall for another of their ruses. I may be 'prejudiced' but I will not let some parasites, those... things known as Vampires exist. They only are able to survive, because us Humans are around, without us they are nothing. They require us for food, and more importantly... to breed, to... procreate. They exist outside of Nature, they destroy the balance inherit in the world. And because of that, I swear that I would annihilate every last one of those abominations! I may only be Mortal, I may not be powerful, but with sheer willpower alone, I will not allow myself to fail.

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' bout right there!!! YeeHaa!!!

Daris wrote:

Many of them only think they have feelings. Undead merely emulate the Living, in an attempt to break down our defenses, to make us easier prey. I will not fall for another of their ruses. I may be 'prejudiced' but I will not let some parasites, those... things known as Vampires exist. They only are able to survive, because us Humans are around, without us they are nothing. They require us for food, and more importantly... to breed, to... procreate. They exist outside of Nature, they destroy the balance inherit in the world. And because of that, I swear that I would annihilate every last one of those abominations! I may only be Mortal, I may not be powerful, but with sheer willpower alone, I will not allow myself to fail.

Now this is someone who would make a good Hunter.

Too bad I'm probably better suited to be a vampire. Not the 'evil abomination' vampire that Daris talks about, but someone who is determined to fight tooth and nail to keep a hold on their Humanity.

That's the whole point of Vampire: The Masquerade -- you don't suddenly become an unholy creature of the night, like the Dracula movies; or a soulless demon with the body and memories of your former self, like in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In VtM, you are essentially human... with human weakness, and vices. But you also still have that human spirit, which enables us to fight our darker natures. How 'evil' you become is up to you.

If I were Kindred in the World of Darkness, I would have a great deal of respect for Hunters like Daris. Part of their mission would parallel mine -- to hunt those creatures worse than myself, not out of shame or atonement, but because it's the right thing to do. However, if Daris and his Hunter friends came after me, I would have no problem killing them. As Smiling Jack says, "Self-defense is a vital part of Humanity, after all."

Humanity fails after few centuries... But then you could switch to a Path. Via Ossi or Via Venator Umbra would suit me, for different reasons. Surely better than Wassail and becoming possesed by the Beast.