Quote:
Originally Posted by NVash
Wheres the crazy vampires with the blood lust they can barely control? Where are the ones that strike fear in peoples hearts? I read once that in Anita Blake some vampire could kill people from miles away with a thought. Where are those? On vacation? Tanning, excuse me, sparkling in the Barbados sun? Maybe theyll get back to good vampire stories again someday.
|
Killing machines are monsters, then can’t stay in one place very long and they can’t interact in a social structure. There isn’t much you can do with them other than have them as monsters that your main character has to kill. Vampires as main characters are writer candy because they are in constant conflict. They were human and yet they feed on humans, their needs tie them to the community and yet they threaten that community. How different groups of vampires handle this conflict also creates political conflict. Vampires just come with their own, ready-made baggage, story-bullion cubes, just throw them in the stew and add complexity and interest.
Kim Harrison does an interesting thing with her vamps. Living Vamps are infected with the virus, still have a soul, crave blood but don’t need it, are stronger and faster. Once they die and the soul goes they become more powerful and complete sociopaths but if they control themselves they don’t get staked. They still have their old connections and well… conflict follows.