Vampiric Anatomical Biological Research Case
Above; circa 1780 Francis Gerber Vampyric research case
The Vampyr is an offshoot of early man, along with the Lycanthrope became symbiotic hominids – both carry transferable Immuno-efficiency pathogens – viruses abundant in the blood and saliva that can be transferred to human and non human hosts, where these unique genetic traits are inserted into the DNA of the infected, taking on the characteristics of each species. Homo wampyrus is a nocturnal hominid with a huge dependency on iron and protein.
Around 1836, a cleric by the name of Abramo was called to perform an exorcism in the small town of Selia, 50 miles outside Rome. Here he was confronted with a child that displayed no supernatural affliction, besides heavy wounds to her neck and stomach. What frightened him the most was that she lived, regardless of these mortal lacerations. Her labored breathing spoke of something far worse than the medieval superstitions that filled the book he held close to him.
He stayed with the girl for a few days, praying for her. In this time her wounds began to heal, yet they healed exceptionally slowly. Her body was constantly drained of energy, and he noticed that her very appearance was beginning to alter. The facial muscles seemed to spasm under the skin -as though her body had different plans for the little strength she could muster from the feeble meals he forced her to eat. On the fifth day, she fell into a coma. During this time her physical form continued to change. He saw visual afflictions to the upper and lower jaw, she bled almost constantly from the mouth.
On the 20th day, he found her sprawled in the corner of the room, her face buried in the stomach of her mother. He now knew what he was dealing with – a night ghoul; Vampyr.
He sought out the weapons of defense and began a pilgrimage, to slay the beast who had taken this child’s life.
This writing case is his reliquary, and it soon gained new contents – the trappings of a slayer.
But the story did not end here. As he followed the path of death across the villages and towns of Italy, up into north east europe, he learned of his quarry. On a fateful night, at the apex of his journey, as he spied the vile culprit stalking a sheep, a presence who had followed the cleric for many days made himself known.
A tall pale man, dressed in bizarre clothing that was reminiscent of feudal japan, stood before him. He told Abramo that his name was Dervolt, of the house of Demeclev. He was a Vampyr, who had been sent to find the feral murderer who Abramo hunted himself. Dervolt spoke of his respect for the cleric, and wished him to know of the real culture that hid behind the demon of folklore.
The Cleric agreed, thinking nothing of the creatures declerations of friendship, yet his curiosity was piqued.
They traveled for many weeks, only by night, until they reached the Altai Mountains of Mongolia.
It was here that they took a treacherous path, almost impossible to climb, yet Dervolt was incredibly agile, and helped where he could.
They reached the zenith of the path – an opening in the mountain side, and within – a seemingly endless cavern. Before them lay a city.
It was pale, lifeless yet utterly beautiful; as though constructed from bleached bone and charcoal. The light seemed to hang all around yet fell from no fixed source. It people were of similar stock, like shadows of humans, drifting like skeleton leaves to and fro.
“This is my home, the city of Thenis” spoke the Vampyr.
It was here that the Cleric Abramo befriended the ancient people of Thenis. Built 30,000 years BC, Thenis was the stronghold and citadel of the vampyr nation. Built in concentric circles, around the central cathedral, Thenis was a place of learning for the ancient porcelain faced hemophage who had lived since the dawn of man, they possessed the knowledge of thousands of generations. They were carnivorous, dependent on high iron and protein diets, yet their lust was quenched by unseen farms. Abramo never asked of the farms, yet expected the worst. But It was here that the cleric would come to understand this civilisation, and the roll it played in our own.
He took this knowledge with him back to Italy, where he continued his studies. Along with various other cryptobiologists, they sought out the rarest specimens of flora and fauna, and forged cures, poisons and elixir based on their studies in the annals of Thenis, the great libraries of thought. and in return, fed the old ones the information of the modern age.
Contained within this cabinet are the possessions of a hunter turned explorer. The partial dissected body of a newborn Vampyr, the skull fragments of an adult. The organs that separate us from the Hemophage – and the tools to carry out the research; bone saw and hammer, scalpels and knives. Microscope and blood vials, plant samples and specimens. Books filled with notes and diagrams, and the remnants of a slayer.