Ilona Andrews – Kate Daniels books

Compendium of Vampire Typological Traits and General Characterization in Contemporary Fantasy Novels
Part 6

Ilona Andrews – Kate Daniels books

Overview:
“The world has suffered a magic apocalypse. We pushed the technological progress too far, and now magic returned with a vengeance. It comes in waves, without warning, and vanishes as suddenly as it appears. When magic is up, planes drop out of the sky, cars stall, electricity dies. When magic is down, guns work and spells fail.

It’s a volatile, screwed-up world. Magic feeds on technology, gnawing down on skyscrappers until most of them topple and fall, leaving only skeletal husks behind. Monsters prowl the ruined streets, werebears and werehyenas stalk their prey; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds.

In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But sometimes even trained killers make friends and fall in love, and when the universe tries to kick them in the face, they kick back.”
[Source]


What is vampirism?
Vampirism is a viral disease that kills the host and transforms it into a senseless, soulless, moving body with empty brain and just one intent left – kill any- and everything alive. Left to their own devises, vampires would kill until nothing alive would remain on earth and then starve to extinction.
However, their dead, empty brain is ideally suited for necromancers. They are used as one might an avatar in a computer game or a puppet – by taking control over brain and piloting these creatures for any number of nefarious – or mundane – reasons. They are very resilient against physical hardships, making them ideal tools for safely approaching and entering high risk sites and situations while the pilots themselves do not leave the safety of their homes or offices many miles away.
Obviously, not every person is suited to become a necromancer which seems to require a very specific brand of magic. Selective few undergo lengthy, intensive training process provided by necromancers’ organization called ‘The People’, the most talented of them become ‘Masters of the Dead’ (equivalent in our world could be branch manager in a large corporation). The purpose and main goals of this organization so far is unclear.


Becoming a vampire
It is considered controlled, legal process. It appears it’s usually done via injection after signing a contract with above mentioned ‘The People’ and receiving sizable monetary reward post-mortem which is then passed to freshly-made vampire’s family.
Many people decide to apply for this reason, but only the healthiest and strongest specimens are chosen out of years-long waiting list. It really is a screwed-up world.

Life expectancy
Immortal unless physically destroyed (heart, brain). No physical diseases apply.

Extermination methods
Destroyed heart and or brain. Silver and wood don't work any differently from traditional weapons. Professionals may prefer specially designed magical weapons. Highly inflammable, sun intolerant. The older and more powerful vamp, the harder to kill.

Character in general
None. Soulless, senseless killing machines.

Looks in general
Bodily functions stop after death, and internal organs are not needed anymore. They shrivel up; bodily fluids dry out, vestibular apparatus cease to exist. Over time, vampires become wrinkled, dried up creatures with terrifying fangs that are moving mostly on all fours. More so, they are highly sun-intolerant, so for day-time missions necromancers lather them with specially-created sun-block creams in bright neon colours. Neon colours are used for practical reasons – it is much easier to notice any missed spots while applying sun-block.

Breathing & heartbeat
None and none. The heart has its magical function in keeping a vampire moving but it does not beat.

Feeding habits, int. al.: 1) solid food, 2) beverages, 3) alcohol, 4) intoxicating substances
Not described in particular but it is assumed they are fed blood in controlled environment.

Sleeping habits
No info. Not relevant.

Mating
No info. Not relevant.

Abilities & Superpowers
Supernatural strength, endurance, speed and stamina apply. No superpowers.

Social structure
None. Not relevant.

Interaction with humans
Humans are fully aware of their existence. When piloted, necromancers can communicate via vampires. When not piloted, vampires kill every human they can.

Popular myths: 1) garlic, 2) holy items, 3) prayers, 4) sun, 5) coffins, 6) fangs, 7) animal form, 8) no reflection in mirror, 9) invitation into homes, 10) mist form? (true/false)
1) Presumably false
2) Presumably false, unless you count specialized weapons as holy items
3) Presumably false
4) True
5) No info
6) True, although not retractable
7) Somewhat true. Over time, they start to resemble animals
8) No info
9) False
10) Presumably false