I was playing around with ideas for a cyberpunk story and gave a little thought to incorporating vampires into the world. My question about this is, Has this idea been used much? Vampirism is the result of a bioengineered virus. It was originally created as a symbiote lifeform to extend human abilities(lifespan, strength, senses, regeneration). The downside to it, is that once the virus and host has bonded anything that kills one will kill the other. Extreme temperatures, radiation, anti-viral medications that kill the virus will kill the host as well. Massive damage to the heart or brain can also be fatal to the host. The virus consumes massive amounts of protein starting with whatever is passing through the digestive track. Once that is gone it begins feeding off the host body. Vampires therefore are required to eat large amounts of protein rich foods(whether tofu, meat, etc) otherwise the virus will weaken and eventually kill the host. Vampires are also divided into clans. Each clan is different then the others because of virus strain. The virus has been modified into different strains of the Vamp virus thus creating different clans. Infection takes place in 2 ways. Either 1) direct injection into the heart. Or, 2) passed on from mother to child. Feedback?

Why do you need a "new" definition of what causes vampires? There is no need to blame it on a virus; what''s wrong with the age-old "damned for all eternity" undead explanation?
Ok, sorry, I had to say that. I''m not really a fan of cyber punk anything.
But, I think your idea could work. Definitely. But maybe you should call it something other than vampirism (maybe add a prefix to the word, something that implies a virus).
Also, why would a vampire eat tofu when they could just suck some blood?

I was trying to come up with something original that hasnt already been played to death. The virus wasnt intended to be called Vampirism when it was first created, however some of the more radical clans began to eat raw unbled meat, when this became public knowledge some began to compare it to vampirism. Even more extreme clans reverted to canibalism as a food source.

Lets compare tofu(or any protein rich food) to canibalism. Tofu is safer and easier to obtain then hunting down a victim. The public and the law enforcement community would cry foul play when people were turning up murdered and canibalized. Anyone with this virus would in most cases prefer not being hunted down like a dog. The first people who wanted to be infected were law abiding ctizens and scientists who had a concience. Not all vampires have to be bad guys. You'll get more conflict not only between the public and vampires but also between conservative and radical vampire clans.

Edited by - TechnoHydra on November 4, 2001 12:33:24 PM

Vampisrism by virus is a cliche. However, what you have described isn''t very similar to traditional vampirism. Which is fine.

But consider an alternative. A form of the undead that is characterised by endless hunger and eating meat (raw) would be a ghoul. Ghouls are actually known for cannabalizing the dead, so it makes a nice alternative for your viral specimens. Why bother tracking down a still living victim if you can dig up a fresh one?

HTH

The Ghoul idea is interesting. But would I be able to make the Ghouls as interactive and(in some cases) as sociable as inteligent vampires?

The feeling I''m trying to get across is that vampires are part of the story''s world not its adversary. To that end they need to be accepted to a certain extent. As far as eating tofu, they can eat whatever they want. As long as it is protein rich they can survive. Those of them with a conscience and moral code wouldnt necesarily have to be inclined to consume flesh or blood. After all they didnt become vampires for the dietary requirements, but for the benefits that the Vampirism Virus offers.

quote:Original post by Tacit
Hmm...vampires eating tofu. Vegetarian vampires...now *that* hasn''t been done.



R.

There was/is a kids TV series (or maybe it was a film) called "The Ketchup Vampires"