Vampire supernatural

[Cthulhuthanos]

One part that I don't understand is the problematic situation of having to be invited in. Hakan not dying after being smashed into paste (as far as we know) and vampires having to ask permission to enter places seems like something completely supernatural. The reason being, think of how counter productive it is for an organisms only prey to locked away behind a barrier of sorts that kills you if you don't have permission to enter. I was thinking that maybe it's that way due to the conscious infected's mind killing it for entering a house without permission or something. But that's really a stretch for something that's "just a disease". I understand the reason behind it's purpose in the story, and the significance it has in real world mythology surrounding vampires. I would like to hear ideas as to why people think this happens. As much as I would love to discuss biology, my area of knowledge lies more in the field of physics. Although that was an interesting article you linked Petemork.

[metoo]

... I find it rather silly that people find it hard to believe that vampires in the story don't produce waste in ways similar to our own.

That certainly would be kind of silly. However, in at least my case it isn't a question of what I can imagine, but what is necessary. It isn't necessary for Eli not to urinate or defecate, so I prefer to stick with the more natural solution to the waste problem rather than to assume a magical one.

Regarding zombie Håkan - that the infection could produce him is certainly an inconsistent enigma. I prefer not to attempt to explain it, but just accept it as is.

In other words, originally solid waste could conceivably be eliminated in the form of gaseous compounds rather than 'black sticky tar'.

Yes, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen in various combinations can escape as gases. But how about iron and other elements that don't readily combine into volatile compounds?

[Cthulhuthanos]

... I find it rather silly that people find it hard to believe that vampires in the story don't produce waste in ways similar to our own.

That certainly would be kind of silly. However, in at least my case it isn't a question of what I can imagine, but what is necessary. It isn't necessary for Eli not to urinate or defecate, so I prefer to stick with the more natural solution to the waste problem rather than to assume a magical one.

Regarding zombie Håkan - that the infection could produce him is certainly an inconsistent enigma. I prefer not to attempt to explain it, but just accept it as is.

In other words, originally solid waste could conceivably be eliminated in the form of gaseous compounds rather than 'black sticky tar'.

Yes, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen in various combinations can escape as gases. But how about iron and other elements that don't readily combine into volatile compounds?

Fair enough. Again, the only thing magical about Eli is her having to be invited inside. That too can be taken with a grain of salt. Upon reading some more of the comments, many people consider Hakan a Zombie and or a Revenant of some sorts. While both can probably be explained via scientific means (as is the very beautiful nature of science), I'd have to say that many of the supernatural phenomena that occurs in the story is probably not something that is meant to be understood. I must sound like a broken record in saying this; but in Lovecraft's stories, humans tend to see and interpret things as supernatural when it is merely something beyond our current scientific understanding.

[Drakeule]

I must sound like a broken record in saying this; but in Lovecraft's stories, humans tend to see and interpret things as supernatural when it is merely something beyond our current scientific understanding.

Not just lovecraft, it's pretty much the definition of the word.

[Cthulhuthanos]

I must sound like a broken record in saying this; but in Lovecraft's stories, humans tend to see and interpret things as supernatural when it is merely something beyond our current scientific understanding.

Not just lovecraft, it's pretty much the definition of the word.

Lol, I know, I was merely pointing out an example. The Great Race of Yith and, to some extent, The Mi-Go, have a greater scientific understanding of things that humans of the 1920's would consider gods. I'm going to state this now so I don't create a tangent going off on a rant, but it was hinted at the humans, in another shape or form, would be able to compete with these aliens in terms of technology and understanding. That or we kill ourselves off. The universe's indifferent attitude towards everything is rather apparent throughout Lovecraft's works. Since I seemed to have smashed a hornets nest by asking if Vampires produce waste, I'm going to ask another question I'm curious to know the answer of. Do you think their reproductive system is still capable of creating life?

[PeteMork]

... Since I seemed to have smashed a hornets nest by asking if Vampires produce waste, I'm going to ask another question I'm curious to know the answer of. Do you think their reproductive system is still capable of creating life?

Quick answer: I think it would depend on whether or not the sperm and/or egg were infected with the virus. If either were infected, the resulting zygote would not age, and thus no child could develop. Otherwise, who knows?

The implication is that if it were possible, the resulting child would not be a vampire (at least not right away)

[metoo]

... Since I seemed to have smashed a hornets nest by asking if Vampires produce waste, I'm going to ask another question I'm curious to know the answer of. Do you think their reproductive system is still capable of creating life?

Quick answer: I think it would depend on whether or not the sperm and/or egg were infected with the virus. If either were infected, the resulting zygote would not age, and thus no child could develop. Otherwise, who knows?

The implication is that if it were possible, the resulting child would not be a vampire (at least not right away)

I tend to agree. The vampire infection is profound, it has to invade many kinds of cell in order for the vampire to change grow and un-grow fangs, become supernaturally strong, etc. Perhaps all cells, in order to provide the modified energy systems that allow an Eliform vampire to survive without breathing for extended periods, and so on.

But if the infection nevertheless doesn't invade germline cells, a vampire might still become a parent. If so, the question is whether a foetus inside an infected mother could remain un-infected, given the extreme proximity of the two blood systems inside the human placenta. However, even if the foetus does stay uninfected through pregnancy, the blood spill at birth would create an enormous risk for infection. In that case the newborn would become an eternal newborn baby that would suckle its mother in a most different way compared to normal children...

Still, a lucky child might overcome that obstacle too, so it's up to you to decide!

Another option is of course the one that I suggested before in a different thread: That the foetus develops a while until the infection becomes active and stops all further development. The mother would in that case remain eternally pregnant - a 100% reliable contraceptive.

[Drakeule]

JAL likes to go by the vampire rules, so i would say no. No famous vampire in any story has ever had a child. And don't bring up some twilight crap. I'm talking "real" vampires.

[metoo]

JAL likes to go by the vampire rules, so i would say no. No famous vampire in any story has ever had a child. And don't bring up some twilight crap. I'm talking "real" vampires.

Someone would have to be the first.

Regarding "vampire rules": I don't believe there is a single set of rules. Rather, there is a palette of rules, from which different writers pick what they like or find useful. Furthermore, since JAL hasn't so far published anything about vampire parenting, or the impossibility thereof, I think the question is open.

[Drakeule]

Someone would have to be the first.

I don't know if anyone has seen Dracula untold, but I like the idea that the first vampire was created by a demon. That would work rather well with all the folklore. Especially having to invite evil into your home before they could enter.