-- Species --

Aren't familiar with the Twilight universe? No problem! Here's the low-down on the different species in existence in our fictional world, and if you want more info, check out the helpful links on our Resources page.

Vampires

There are zillions of different kinds of vampire stories, but the vampires in the Twilight universe have very definitive traits unique to the world Stephanie Meyer created. Here are the specifics:

There are no "born" vampires. A vampire "birth" only takes place when a human is turned by another vampire. It is difficult for a vampire to do this without killing the human, because once the vampire tastes blood, they go into an animalistic feeding frenzy comparable to that of sharks. The venom is injected through the teeth, and though, theoretically, a vampire can choose not to inject its venom into a human, it is almost impossible to manage and not a single case of this happening is known of in the Twilight universe. The transformation period can take anywhere from three days to a week or more, and it is extremely painful.

Newborn vampires are extremely strong, stronger than other vampires, but they lack judgment and operate on their animalistic instincts alone, which means an older and more experienced vampire would be able to outwit one to defeat it. The biological functions of a vampire's body differ greatly from that of a humans, but there are still similarities. The fluids in a vampire's body are all forms of the vampire venom that change to take on the function of the fluids they replaced (ie, blood, saliva, semen in males, etc.). Though this venom-fluid also lubricates their eyes, they do not shed tears, or even go to the bathroom. The blood they ingest is expelled as energy rather than waste.

A vampire male can procreate with a human female, but it is almost unheard of. Vampire females cannot reproduce, because once their body has endured the transformation into a vampire, it cannot change, therefore their wombs cannot enlarge to carry a child.

The eyes of a newborn vampire are a blazing red color, which is explained because of the amount of blood they ingest due to their constant thirst. The color of their eyes calms to a slightly more natural burgundy after a year or so.

As a vampire, the senses are enhanced greatly, as is appearance, strength and speed. Their vision is increased, as is their hearing and they can pick up on faint scents and track them, some more than others. Their pale "flesh" is impenetrable, except by the teeth of other vampires, shapeshifters, or Children of the Moon, and it is compared to diamonds in the sunlight, because it refracts the sunrays, causing it to glisten. This is very noticeable and it is the reason vampires cannot go out during the day in front of humans unless it is overcast. They are extremely appealing in appearance, which draws in their prey. They are very cold to the human touch, and do not sleep.

The secret of their existence is guarded heavily from humans, and is enforced by the ancient vampires known as the Volturi, an extremely powerful coven in Italy. If they learn that a vampire has become a threat to their secret, they will kill it.

It is possible for vampires to feed off of animals rather than humans, but this is also extremely rare since it is a vampire's natural instinct to quench their thirst with the blood of humans. The Cullens were an abnormality with their strictly-animal diet, but vampires who feed on animals rather than humans are known to have golden eyes, rather than shades of red. All vampires' eyes darken to an almost black color when they are thirsty. The darker their eyes, the more thirsty they are, and the more their thirst will rule their decisions. It takes roughly two weeks without feeding for a vampires' eyes to go completely black.

Few vampires are known to have certain abilities. For instance, Edward Cullen is known to read minds (though only what they are thinking about at any particular moment), and Alice Cullen can see the future in that she can see the consequences of an action once someone has decided something, and that future changes as their decisions change. Carlisle Cullen is known for his immense self-control when it comes to resisting human blood, and Jasper Hale can influence the moods of those around him. Their are various other abilities, but they are a rarity among vampires.

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Shapeshifters

Just as there are with vampires, there are also many different stories and depictions of shape-shifters. Again, the ones in this game will be consistent with the Twilight series, with minor changes to take into account the different location and characters.

As the wolves were descended from a specific tribe in Forks, these shape-shifters are also descended from the ancestors of the area, specifically the Ancient Romans, who had traveled over most of the hemisphere.

The shapeshifters in this part of Wales turn into lions. The cause of these changes is a genetic mutation that is handed down through the generations that is triggered by the proximity of vampires. These lions are enormous and more muscular than the ones you would see in a zoo, with slight variations in their physical form that match the human who shapeshifts. This also tends to change the appearance of the human, accelerating or enhancing their physical form. The shapeshifter will normally grow rapidly before their first phase, maturing to roughly the age of twenty-five. The first phase normally happens when the human is a teenager, but this can vary. As a shapeshifter they cease to age, but aging resumes once they have decided to stop phasing.

The initial transformation can take up to a week, with different things that can trigger it such as anger. Other physical changes that occur: their skin is hot to the touch, they are tremendously strong in both their human and their animal form, and they heal exceptionally quickly.

When a Shifter phases for the first time, it is beyond their control… towards the end of their illness, they will feel inexplicably drawn toward the forest, and the other Shifters will feel that draw as well. Once they have phased, it can take anywhere from a week or more to phase back – it varies according to each person.

Once someone has phased the first time however, it still can take many long months or years to completely control it. If he or she wants to phase, and consciously does so, it is much easier to phase back when desired. However, strong emotion such as anger or fear, or an imminent threat, can bring the shift about almost instantaneously. And with that sort of strong emotion, or if a threat is still present, it can take some length of  time, if at all (with the threat still impending) for them to be in control of themselves enough in order to return to their human form.

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Children of the Moon

Werewolves. One of them nearly managed to kill Cauis of the Volturi, so he has made it one of his missions to have them hunted to extinction.