Vampires are powerful undead creatures, and like all undead they are considered to be conduits to Mabar, and the hunger of Mabar manifests in them as a constant thirst for blood. Most of the vampires on Khorvaire are associated with the Blood of Vol, though they are a minority among the faith's martyrs. Vampires appear much as they did in life, and they generally don't suffer physical degredation as many undead do, but vampirism is a curse and it eats away at the minds of those afflicted, gradually eroding their humanity.
There are potentially several sources for vampires, and their exact nature might differ depending on how they were made. Katashka, the Gatekeeper could create vampires from mortals during the Age of Demons, but there are no known Katashka vampires alive today. Otherwise, the first vampires were created by the Qabalrin from their island home off the coast of Xen'drik, before the fall of the Giant civilisations. Those who survived the cataclysm that claimed their home fled to Aerenal with the other elves and became the line of Vol. These elven exiles mixing with the peoples of eastern Khorvaire eventually gave rise to the Blood of Vol, and vampires created by the faith are Qabalrin vampires.
Not all vampires are created equal, and they gain strength as they age. Most of the vampires who served Karrnath during the Last War were lesser vampires, lacking many of the powers that are attributed to vampires in legend.
The exact powers and weaknesses that vampires manifest may differ based on their bloodline and the source of their vampirism.
- Most vampires are stronger and faster than mortals of their species, with rapid regeneration of wounds that can be amplified further by feeding.
- Many vampires have some form of shapeshifting ability, with vampires able to transform into bats, wolves, and mist all recorded in the library in Flamekeep, and it's not uncommon for vampires to have some power to command the animals whose forms they take.
- Some vampires have also been observed to be able to charm their victims, compelling them to obey the vampires orders, though this appears to be a power only possessed by greater vampires.
Vampires have also been observed to possess several weaknesses, some of which are shared with other powerful Mabaran undead.
- Almost all vampires have a powerful aversion to sunlight, which harms them and prevents them from regenerating, and will ultimately destroy them if they can't find cover.
- Most vampires are also harmed by running water, which has a similar (though often less severe) impact on them as sunlight does, and will destroy them just as surely.
- Most vampires cannot enter a place of residence unless they have been invited in. Some vampires need to be invited in by someone who lives there, whilst others seem to only need an invitation from someone who is living.
- Vampires have also been observed to become paralyzed if their heart is pierced with a wooden stake.