Vampire Evolution

Vampires have evolved to survive purely on oxygenated blood. They can absorb the haemoglobin of other creatures through a specialist cell in their own body, called a Sanguinist Cell. This cell strips foreign blood cells of their oxygen and feeds it to the Vampires own red blood cells. Their muscles become oxygen rich, growing stronger than any normal Human over a period of years. This hyper oxidation also increase the rate in which their cells replenish, leading to an increased lifespan of up to 500+ years.

Vampire’s saliva contains several compounds that prolong bleeding, such as anticoagulants that inhibit blood clotting, and compounds that prevent the constriction of blood vessels around wounds when drinking. The Stomach lining can rapidly absorbs the blood plasma, which is transported a specialist organ called the ‘Sanguinem Cordis’, or the ‘Blood Heart’. This organ has two chambers on either side of the chest, contacted by large arteries, and functions as both a kidney and a heart. The first chamber removes toxins and other waste products from the blood, which then moves into the second chamber via the arteries. This camber produces Sanguinist Cells that attack the purified blood cells and removes the haemoglobin, along with other nutrients the body needs. They then leave the heart and travel to the Vampire’s own blood stream to fuel its body. This has also given rise to belief that you need to stake a Vampire in it's heart to destroy it.

To aid with oxidation, the skin membrane contains tiny capillaries that pass oxygen from the air into the blood stream. However, this method is not as efficient as drinking and provides none of the extra nutrients found in blood. They are also very sensitive to UV light, which has led Vampires to becoming nocturnal hunters.