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So when one becomes a vampire, do they choose to become and ask a vampire to turn them, or is it more like they get tracked and turned into a vampire, them become blood thirsty

The birth of a new vampire is not a decision to be taken lightly. If everyone was a vampire, who would they feed on? I think they choose those whom they view as worthy of such a gift as immortality. They also aren't likely to turn someone who may rebel against them.

As immortals, most vampires are arrogant and narcissistic, so anyone "begging" to be turned would be laughed at and likely drained.

As Boromir would say, one does not simply walk into vampirism.

It really depends on the system, and in Fantasy it is a little muddy since it all started with a potion

One Vampire gives a human the Blood Kiss. This turns them into a Vampire.

What the Blood Kiss is exactly is unknown and it may be different from vampire to vampire. Its not something Vampires do hand over fist.


Vampirisim is certaintly not contagious in Warhammer.

My previous post was in reference to vampirism as it applies to WFB.

True that we don't know what the blood kiss is(not sure if Ulrika books touch on it or not).

The original potion of undeath was only ever drunk by Nagash. The current form of vampirism with it's flaws(aversion to sunlight, the need to drink blood and the slow decay of flesh) was the result of Priest Kings trying to replicate what Nagash had accomplished. As such, vampirism has been transferred by a "blood kiss" sparingly when needed to swell ranks.

I would estimate that there are only 200-300 vampires in the Old World.

Basically you must be such an elitist badass that a vampire would want you on his side.

Aerethan wrote:

I would estimate that there are only 200-300 vampires in the Old World.

Probably not.
There are a lot of bloodlines, and a lot of Lahmians.

Lahmians are from south of the Old World no?

HoverBoy wrote:Basically you must be such an elitist badass that a vampire would want you on his side.

I think this is what is important to keep in mind. What makes YOU worthy of being turned? There has to be a reason for the Vampire to take the time to create you, he has lived hundreds of years (potentially) what makes you so special that he would be willing to share that with you, or anyone.

Neferata, Queen of the city state Lahmia in old Nehekara, made a bad copy of Nagash's elixir and turned herself into the first vampire. She then shared it with her court and it spread from there.

As for who gets turned into vampires and how, that depends on the siring vampire. Whether it be for amusement and cruelty as Ulrika's sire in her book series, or for worthy apprentices like the necarchs and blood dragons, the motivations can be endless. In the end, it's whatever makes for a good story.

I would guess some of the more scholarly inclined vampires would be willing to do it for an experiment, like trying with a new race, like ogres or lizardmen, or perhaps he needs someone to test his new undetectable poison on.

Besides, from what I remember, everytime a Vampire does the Blood Kiss, the vampiric power is slightly diluted.