Vampire

	The moon shines bright, The vampire alights Swish, swish goes his cloak... Maiden, are you not afeared?
- pg. 143 Baptism of Fire (U.K. edition)

Vampire is a hypernym used to refer to a number of creatures that thrive on blood, which contains their victims' life force.

What are the different grades of vampires in The Witcher universe? toggle section

The Witcher universe classifies vampires into various grades, with the higher vampire being exceptionally rare. Higher vampires resemble humans and can elude a witcher's medallion. They exhibit supernatural agility, can morph into a giant bat, become invisible, and hypnotize their victims. Immune to sunlight, fire, and silver, they possess regenerative abilities that enable them to resurrect even after grave injuries. Notable higher vampires are Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy and Dettlaff van der Eretein.

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What are some unique characteristics of vampires in Sapkowski's works? toggle section

In Sapkowski's works, vampires have unique traits. They are truly immortal, with only a higher vampire capable of ending another's life. They can regenerate, even from severe damage. Traditional vampire repellents are ineffective. Higher vampires can appear human, evade a witcher's medallion, and reveal their true form when they choose. They are intelligent with unique abilities. They don't need blood to survive, but consuming it is similar to humans drinking alcohol.

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What is the difference between a higher vampire and a lower grade vampire? toggle section

Higher vampires, unlike their lesser counterparts, exhibit remarkable intelligence, immunity to common extermination methods like silver and fire, and advanced healing. They can mimic human appearance, eluding detection even from a witcher's medallion. They don't require blood for survival, though some indulge for the experience. Higher vampires are immortal and exceedingly rare, with unique behavioural traits. Some can coexist harmlessly with humans.

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What are some of the popular vampire stereotypes that Sapkowski's works break from? toggle section

In the Witcher saga by Sapkowski, traditional vampire stereotypes are challenged. Vampire repellents like holy water, crucifixes, garlic, and wooden stakes are folklore. The higher vampire Regis, a companion of Geralt, regenerated despite being decapitated, staked, doused with holy water, and buried. Furthermore, not all vampires in these works, such as alpors, moolas, bruxas, and nosferats, mutilate their victims.

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What is the role of blood in the life of a vampire in The Witcher universe? toggle section

Blood in a vampire's life in the Witcher universe serves different purposes. The Black Blood potion transforms it into a deadly weapon against monsters. Higher vampires, although they don't need blood for survival, consume it for the unique experience it offers, similar to alcohol consumption in humans. Additionally, a higher vampire can hasten another's recovery by offering their own blood.

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Vampire species[]

Higher grades:
- Higher Vampire
- Alp (Alpor in The Last Wish)
- Katakan
- Mula (Moola in The Last Wish)
- Bruxa
- Nosferat
Lower grades:
- Ekimma (Ekimmara in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)
- Fleder
  - Protofleder
- Garkain^[1]
  - Alpha Garkain^[1]
- Plumard

Andrzej Sapkowski[]

Vampires in Sapkowski's works break with many popular stereotypes. In particular, vampire repellents such as holy water, crucifixes, garlic, wooden stakes, etc. are nothing but folklore within the Witcher saga. For example, Regis, the vampire who accompanies Geralt for a time, was once decapitated, staked through the heart, sprinkled with holy water and finally buried, but that did not prevent him from regenerating, albeit slowly.

Notable vampires[]

Facts and myths[]

As Regis traveled with Geralt, he clarified on a number of myths regarding vampires as such:

Higher vampires don't need to drink blood to survive. Rather, it's like alcohol to them, in that they can become drunk from it. Additionally, drinking blood increases their strength.
Certain higher vampires can turn invisible, bewitch with their gaze, and take on a bat form. They can also fly, but this ability can only be done during a full moon.
They are not adversely affected by silver; although most vampires short of true Higher vampires can be wounded by it.
A vampire bite does not turn the bitten creature into a vampire.
Vampires are not undead or transformed creatures; they are born as vampires. The race of vampires appeared in the world after the Conjunction of the Spheres.
Vampires don't burn up or turn to ash in sunlight. While it's not the best option for them given a choice, they adapted and can easily tolerate daylight.
They cannot be seen in mirrors and other reflective surfaces.
They don't cast shadows.
Rushing water (rivers, etc.) poses no obstacle to their movement.
Holy water, crucifixes, and garlic are ineffective against them.
Partial bodily damage, such as a stake through the heart or decapitation, is only an inconvenience to them.
Some can touch white hot metal with their bare hands without injury (this was the case with Regis).

Book quotes[]

A vampire, or upir, is a dead person brought to life by Chaos. Having lost its first life, a v. enjoys its second life during the night hours. It leaves its grave by the light of the moon and only under its light may it act, assailing sleeping maidens or young swains, who it wakes not, but whose blood it sucks.

pg. 143, Baptism of Fire (U.K. edition)

"Don't scoff. You can't be a stranger to vampire bite marks. Ever come across a case of a vampire ripping its victim to shreds?"
"No. That never happens."
"In the case of higher vampires — never, I agree," Emiel Regis said softly. "From what I know alpors, moolas, bruxas and nosferats don't mutilate their victims. On the other hand, fleders and ekimmas are pretty brutal with their victims' remains."

pg. 151, Baptism of Fire (U.S. edition)

The Witcher[]

There is at least two points where the game breaks with Sapkowski's written works regarding vampires:

Garlic repels vampires
Humans can be turned into vampires (Blue Eyes)

Notable vampires[]

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings[]

Bruxa

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]

Beasts[]

Characters[]

Blood and Wine expansion[]

Of named higher vampires, Geralt can encounter up to four: Regis, Dettlaff van der Eretein, Orianna, and the Unseen Elder of Toussaint.

Throughout the main story quest La Cage au Fou, Regis and Geralt's exploration of Tesham Mutna reveals that vampires descend from three ancient tribes that arrived on the Continent during the Conjunction of the Spheres. A single portal opened from their world in caves underneath what later became Toussaint. The symbols of these tribes remain deep within the ruins, serving as reminders of their original realm.

The main story also expanded on the capabilities of a higher vampire: they are unique and have skills that accompanies it, and they are impregnable to most methods of extermination, practically giving higher vampires some form of immortality; and a set of vampiric codes that applies to all vampires, no matter the classification:

A vampire killing another is forbidden and any vampire that does this is considered a traitor to the vampiric race.
If a vampire sees another wounded, one can leave them alone, or help nurture them back to health.

Tribes[]

Gharasham – remained in the west
Ammurun – ventured beyond the sea
Tdet – those who went east, beyond the Blue Mountains

Notes[]

Black Blood is still effective to a degree.
Weapons coated with Vampire Oil are very effective.
The expansion changed how a true higher vampire can die. In particular, saying only higher vampires can truly kill another higher vampire.
Magic really hurts them especially fire spells.
A mixture of silver, meteorite, and dalvinite can be used to imprison even a higher vampire, such as Khagmar.