Torin

Trei

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  Torin was not turned by means of bite or "natural birth" (a phenomena which continues to astound him), but by the invocation of blasphemous, dark ritual in an effort to evade his own mortality - and more importantly, the death of his twin whom of which he knew no life without. It was a gift bestowed by a quintessential Prince of Darkness and permanent corruption of the young man's soul; he welcomed the exchange unflinchingly and now holds this new life as something to make the most of. Those more sensitive to energy and the supernatural might be able to detect a subtle, near negligible difference between Torin and an infected vampire.
  
  Presence
  To the mundane and those of standard awareness, it's unlikely that they will sense anything off about him at all. Once in a while they might detect an air of foreboding or unease, with a higher chance coming about if his temper or thirst has flared. Those sensitive will be more aware that something about him isn't quite right. There is corruption and death, and patiently waiting danger lurking just out of sight. Animals tend to pick up on this and thus, react negatively toward him. The worse the emotional upheaval or lust, the stronger this sense will become where your average human will be unable to overlook.

  
  

  Healing Factor Variable on how well he has fed in the past twenty-four hours, as well as long term routine. Ideally, minor scratches and abrasions will mend near instantaneously with bruising taking slightly longer to fade. Heavy laceration may take several minutes. Broken bone will need several minutes and require a stilling of the effected area. Amputation's a bitch, requiring new blood and at least a full day of uninterrupted slumber. Burns created by sanctified weapons or fire take considerably longer, upwards of several weeks. The cost to mend injury is multiplicative; the more damage sustained in a short amount of time - without a new source of living blood - the longer and more difficult they will be to recover from.

  Augmented Senses A talented hunter would be nothing without his keen senses, and Torin's no exception. His sense of smell is extraordinary, particularly in detecting the presence of blood and chemicals associated with fear or injury. He can identify various races and biological gender as well as track more recent trails left in their wake. Likewise, his hearing is acute and capable of honing in on even the faintest of heartbeats and breathing patterns within a moderate radius. Finally, vision; while his eyesight is no more sharp in favorable settings than any human's, the vampire has impeccable clarity in even minimal light.

  
  

  Heightened Physical Prowess Stamina for days. The vampire does not rely on oxygen exchange to move, nor is he prone to exhausting through physical means resulting in a tireless predator should he find motivation to do so. With it comes increased strength enabling him to - quite literally - hit like a truck and the agility to keep pace with one.

  Shapeshifting The vampire is able to alter his form entirely, most often favoring the versatility of the bat or snake. A large black dog and rat have also been noted. He may adapt his hands and fingers into sizable claw formations, or discorporate his body into a sentient mist. If he's feeling flashy, the aforementioned mist may be comprised of a maneuverable swarm of bats.

  
  

  Immunity Perhaps the greatest duality of boon and curse. The majority of toxins and poisons hold no effect. Caustic compounds will still burn if it contacts flesh. Unfortunately, this also means alcohol and similar substances are useless in his hands unless heavily introduced in an active bloodstream. He is immune to nearly all manner of disease with rare exception. There are, however, a limited array of compounds he is particularly sensitive to. Dead man's blood and garlic have been known to make him violently ill or utterly debilitated.

  Manipulation Mental manipulation and subtle compelling. It's nothing grandiose, and in general practice Torin cannot will another to act beyond what would be considered relatively normal behavior. Those with greater willpower or mental fortitude may be able to resist the compelling weave of words. Typically he settles for a more defensive use, omitting himself from the awareness of others.

  
  

  Hard to Kill Ruptured organs, internal bleeding, gunshot wounds. They hurt like a motherfucker, but they won't be fatal. He'll keep going with crushed ribs and open gashes. Blast him apart, throw him into the sun and he'll be taken out of the game for a good while yet he'll inevitably reform. Old school vampire hunter methods tend to work pretty well, for a time. There are ways, of course, but as far as anyone else is concerned the man has a few unspoken contingencies in place to avoid true death.

  His Blood In small doses, his blood may be used to temporarily cheat death in humans only. For other undead and vampires, it offers no benefit. To the living, however, critical wounds may quickly mend if for a short time. Larger or repeated use risks dependence and deterioration of health, as well as permitting for greater mental sway from Torin himself into outright control.

  
  

  His Bite The initial puncture of skin is, as one would imagine, painful; it is the bite of a predatory animal, sunk in over the high volume carriers of blood. Within a few moments things begin to change with increasing severity of blood loss. Euphoria, disorientation, numbness and a heaviness within muscles is common. At more critical levels, this deteriorates into confusion and extreme thirst. These side-effects for easier hunting comes from a compound contained within the saliva, released during feeding. As with any chemical reaction, there's always the chance of a negative reaction and in extremely rare cases, may lead to hallucination, terror, and increased discomfort.

  To Turn Another No matter how many times he bites another, they will not turn. Likewise, should another partake of his blood, they will not turn. It is only when these two elements combine - with the human brought to the brink of death through exsanguination - will they be successfully infected. He does not need to personally drain them in full, provided his bite takes place followed by the addition of his blood. If a person is drained to the edge of death yet forbidden his blood, they stand a chance at reanimated not as a vampire but ravenous husk driven only by feral hunger.

  
  

  In Bloodlust
  
  

  

  
  The vampires' greatest weakness and strength is the lust for blood. It sharpens focus and heightens senses, but there comes a point where the thirst become unbearable - whether by prolonged periods of confinement that prevent him from feeding or the culmination of serious injury. Something has gone terribly awry, resulting in the shedding of any remnants of humanity. Blood is its driving force; if there's a pulse, it's prey with no holds barred. The body itself will undergo transformation and adopt a far more fiendish countenance. Power, speed, perception. All is increased several fold at the cost of self-deterioration, wounds unable to heal without incoming blood. Fingertips and nails become hardened claw, all teeth now sharpened points. The very atmosphere around the creature is tainted and chilled, bearing similar corruption to the mark of demonic influence. It will not relent until it has satisfied its thirst or is destroyed.
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Long before submitting to the bargain of Devils, Torin was an accomplished witch. Witch, warlock. Call it what you will. Next to providing for and protecting his family, study was one of few things he took seriously. He's held many mentors over the years and shared in his knowledge. Witchcraft remains an area in which his haughty and criticizing attitude is set on hold, willing to humble himself to further his own skill set. He's studied and practiced several varieties over the years yet ultimately came to favor the flavors of Necromancy and Blood Magic.
  
  Familiar
  His familiar is more than just a pet or garden variety serpent. It is an extension of himself on a spiritual and metaphysical level. The two possess an inherent understanding of one another, capable of communicating instantaneously over vast distances. Each is highly protective of the other, and those recognized as an ally. Sensitive individuals will be able to note a similar signature between them and at the very least, that this snake is far from typical. She has proven immune, much like her witch, to resist the ravages of time. While plenty capable of sustaining physical injury as any other animal, she is immune to disease and fluctuations in temperature. Their relationship is not one of choice; Torin did not randomly select the coolest looking critter in the yard and as such cannot so easily replace this living, breathing echo of energy.

  
  

  Necromancy The sacrilegious reanimation of the dead and manipulation of vile, necrotic energy. He is capable of controlling the unsanctified remains of humans and beast be they still bearing meat and sinew or stripped to the bone. The creation of a subservient thrall does not require a full host; various pieces may be used to construct a crude amalgamation of repurposed bone or fused flesh. Dependent upon their own awareness and will, existing undead may also be influenced or temporarily strengthened. The larger the vessel, the more demanding the toll. It is also within his ability to overwhelm a living body, consequently suffocating its flame and immediately bringing their remains under control.

  Blood Magic A powerful skill when paired with vampiric aspects; it is an area he excels in, particularly when making use of his own blood. It enables him to weave more complex, binding spellwork with greater effect. Sigils and runes marked in blood allow for a greater channel of power at any given time either from himself or into effecting another individual.

  
  

  Hex and Curse Because what witch would be complete without a set of favorite hexes and curses? Torin's made extensive use of them over the years. They range from a harmless bought of bad luck to more serious iterations including physical ailment that threatens immediate health. Cursed items and hex bags are the easiest means in going about it, and can be bought for a questionable fee.

  Illusion Last but not least, the bastard's aptitude (and affinity) for creating illusion. It was the first skill he picked up in a long list, and as such, has seen a great deal of use in practice. Make no mistake, should he find himself in an altercation there is every likelihood that he'll break out a few tricks and guide the battle through misdirection. While this deception sits in the unprotected mind, it's capable of projecting false sensory input through touch and taste, sound and smell. More elaborate, convincing fabrications demand greater preparation and materials.

  
  

  The Endless Pursuit
  He will never be satisfied with his current wealth of knowledge. What else is he to do with immortality? There is always something more to be learned, new approaches to old tricks, unseen branches. With the world around constantly changing, so too do the energies available to alter, break and bend. Cliche though it may be, he seeks immortality - or at the very least a way to subvert that damn annoying crippling weakness to sunlight.