I know that a lot of people see Anita Blake as the whore of vampdom and to some degree, I agree but there are certain things I like in Laurel K.'s lore.
I like that there are vamp politics and that they have the mentality of "we have been around of thousands and thousands of years so we are going to do what we want". I also like the mentality of survival of the fittest. You don't lose who you were in your human life but you certainly have to learn to suppress certain traits or even ramp up other traits to make sure you survive.
I like that vampires can become more powerful over time but that it does have a kind of cap on in. 500 years and you are as powerful as you are ever going to be. And in that vein, I like that there are different kinds of powers and that there are actual secondary hungers/ways to feed. Like I love the vampires that can feed off of fear. I'm totally over succubus angle but to a degree it was interesting.
I like that vampires can go insane. It makes sense to be that if you were around for thousands of years and you lived through the horrors of war and famine and natural disasters you would lose it. Not to mention losing friends over time or powerful enemies.
The things I like from True Blood go back, partially, laws and politics. I like that there are sheriffs and "royalty". I also like that it is done by territory and not like one huge queen of america. The other thing that I really like is the bond between the vampire and their maker. I like that in TB it shows that bond can be one of respect and friendship (eric and godric) or of hatred (bill and his maker).
Finally, just wanted to weigh in on the religious aspect. I agree that the faith of the wielder should mean something. Holding out a cross shouldn't do jack for an atheist. Any religious symbol should work though depending on the faith of the wielder, not just crosses. I also like that the intent of the vampire matters. If they aren't trying to hurt you the object just sits there.
One thing that I wish was touched on more was the faith of the vampire. vampires that wanted to be turned because they were afraid of death. Or vampires that were turned against their will that believe they are damned and no longer have a soul. Or even, what if you use a holy object on a vampire that is an atheist?
I guess that is the main points. I could talk vampire lore forever. and lycanthrope. but, you didn't ask about the furry ones.
OK, it took me forever to finally get to this thread
I like that there are vamp politics and that they have the mentality of "we have been around of thousands and thousands of years so we are going to do what we want". I also like the mentality of survival of the fittest. You don't lose who you were in your human life but you certainly have to learn to suppress certain traits or even ramp up other traits to make sure you survive.
I like that vampires can become more powerful over time but that it does have a kind of cap on in. 500 years and you are as powerful as you are ever going to be. And in that vein, I like that there are different kinds of powers and that there are actual secondary hungers/ways to feed. Like I love the vampires that can feed off of fear. I'm totally over succubus angle but to a degree it was interesting.
I like that vampires can go insane. It makes sense to be that if you were around for thousands of years and you lived through the horrors of war and famine and natural disasters you would lose it. Not to mention losing friends over time or powerful enemies.
The things I like from True Blood go back, partially, laws and politics. I like that there are sheriffs and "royalty". I also like that it is done by territory and not like one huge queen of america. The other thing that I really like is the bond between the vampire and their maker. I like that in TB it shows that bond can be one of respect and friendship (eric and godric) or of hatred (bill and his maker).
Finally, just wanted to weigh in on the religious aspect. I agree that the faith of the wielder should mean something. Holding out a cross shouldn't do jack for an atheist. Any religious symbol should work though depending on the faith of the wielder, not just crosses. I also like that the intent of the vampire matters. If they aren't trying to hurt you the object just sits there.
One thing that I wish was touched on more was the faith of the vampire. vampires that wanted to be turned because they were afraid of death. Or vampires that were turned against their will that believe they are damned and no longer have a soul. Or even, what if you use a holy object on a vampire that is an atheist?
I guess that is the main points. I could talk vampire lore forever. and lycanthrope. but, you didn't ask about the furry ones.