"Those Who Have Damned Themselves with Dark Immortality" (quoted from the Everlasting, Book of the Spirits, page 255, © 1997-98 by Steven C. Brown)
"The Children of the Night" (quoted from the Everlasting, Book of the Unliving, page 115, © 1997-98 by Steven C. Brown)

Vampires and Revenants are the nobles (if you can call them that) of the Unliving/Undead Eldritch races. They are the rulers of the Court of Night, which is the society of the Unliving. The Court of Night is made up of individual "Kingdoms", each ruled over by a powerful Vampire or Revenant and comprising of a city and its surrounding countryside or a section of a large metropolis, or it can also include large open areas of countryside with many small towns within its confines. Of course the human residents of these "Kingdoms" have no clue as to the existence of such things, as most of the activities of the Court of Night, as well as most other Eldritch (the Everlasting) are beyond the senses and understanding of most humans.

The following quote is being re-printed from page 116 of The Everlasting, Book of the Unliving, and describes these "Children of the Night" or "Dark Angels" as they are sometimes called:

Vampires suffer their own torment of Damnation. By the very nature of their existance, they slowly loose their humanity, despite trying to keep the guilt of their vile acts at bay.

There are several different bloodlines or consanguinities of vampires that exist within the Secret World, just beyond the notice of common humans. The following is a partial list of these with basic details of each. However it much be recognized that these are only the larger and more common bloodlines, as there are several others that are less known even among the Eldritch.

Bathora- These social vampires are descended from the Countess Elizabeth Bathory, and as such are one of the more recent of origin, dating back to Southeastern Hungary during the late 16th century. These vampires while moderately new to the Court of Night and Everlasting society are able to walk in the daylight and blend in with temporal society, as well as lacking the fangs that mortals often associate with vampires. In fact they tend to play a very active roll in society, often using humans to do their biding and to gain both financial and political power. They are also active in the Court of Night and have regular dealings with Revenants. The Bathora bloodline is also very hedonistic and seductive, using these tools as well as a Magickal Path known as Blood Magick. Some say that it is this Blood Magick that allows them to openly walk in the daylight, as well as giving some the ability to control aging and memories of mortals, as well as many other odd abilities. However they are vulnerable to both holy water and religious symbols, it is rumored that they are also vulnerable to fire as are most Vampires.

Cihuateteo- This bloodline originated in South and Central America nearly 2,000 years ago, however the details of its origin is shrouded in mystery, as the Genitor (originator or founder) is simply known as the Decapitator God. They are accomplished in the Magickal arts of Illusions as well as sometimes dabbling in other Magickal Paths. They show powers that are of a spider like nature, but tend to use knives (with crescent shaped blades) rather than their small fangs to feed on blood. Other Vampires and Everlasting often also refer to them as Bruja, Tlahuelpuchi, or Lobishomen. The name Cihuateteo refers to their chalky white skin, some say caused by their lack of sunlight, as they are extremely vulnerable to the suns rays. The Cihuateteo play an active roll in many underworld activities, especially drugs and the black market; however some among their numbers also control (directly or indirectly) legitimate businesses throughout the Americas and parts of Europe (they had utilized the European explorers who visited the Americas many centuries ago to spread their bloodline to such places as Spain, Italy, Portugal, and other parts of southern Europe). Some of them also travel the earth searching out Magickal knowledge. While many of them can be found keeping rare breeds of bats as pets, the creatures that they are most closely tied to are spiders, and some are said to slowly over many decades or centuries develop spider like traits. Besides Fire and Sunlight, they are also rumored to be vulnerable to other odd sources of damage, however this is a closely guarded secret.

Dakinis- As one of the ancient consanguinities, the origins are shrouded in mystery, however it is believed that this bloodline originated with the Indian Goddess Kali, a goddess of Death within the Hindu religion. It is also believed that the ancient and world renowned Thuggee sect is a part of or at least heavily influenced by the Dakinis bloodline. Despite the Dakinis having strong links to assassins and other often considered evil groups and organizations, they also swear to serve Human Society (sometimes in twisted ways). Due to this, they can often be found fighting along side Angels and Daevas in their battles against the Demons. While they tend to be active in human society in behind the scenes positions, they are also major players in the Court of Night. Many of the members of this bloodline have the ability to take on a form in the likeness of the Goddess Kali, which provides them with eight arms. Some say that the eyes of the Dakinis can see into the very soul of others and that they are the eyes of the Goddess Kali herself, and as such their gaze is unnerving to mortals. While the Dakinis are one of the more powerful of the Vampire bloodlines, they are intoxicated by drinking blood (the act of drinking, not the blood itself) and are thus in a slightly weakened state after doing so. Rumor has it that Dakinis need to wear a shard of human bone somewhere on their body or they suffer severe effects, some go as far as to have shards of human bone embedded into themselves in some form or another (often as piercing's).

Dazgul- Little is known of this bloodlines, as it is believed to have been destroyed by the Dracul during the Age of Lamentations. (not yet detailed)

Dearg-dul- A small Irish bloodline that has links to druidry. (not yet detailed)

Dracul- While the Dracul are one of the youngest of the Vampire bloodlines, they are also very powerful due in-part to their activities during the Blood War or Age of Lamentations during which time the hunted down and tried to destroy many of the other lines of Vampires. The Dracul are the Scions or Farrow of Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Tepes. When Vlad was assassinated in 1477 and buried, he become a Vampire and dug himself out to rise again and become a member of the Unliving. He quickly grew his Consanguinity into a powerful force among the Unliving, hunting down and drinking the blood of other Vampires to make himself and his line more powerful, thus the origin of the Blood War, in which the Dracul destroyed (or are rumored to have destroyed, as if any of their members survived, they have gone into hiding) at least three entire Consanguinities, including the Dazgul. Bram Stoker had written Dracula under the influence of other Vampires as a way to announce to the world that Vlad had finally been destroyed. Stoker had been hired by the Lamiae and the Tantalusi bloodlines to tell the create the story, with changes made so as to keep mortals in the dark about Vlad's true demise at the hands of ancient and powerful members of these two bloodlines. It is rumored that Dracul need to have a small amount of soil from the Carpathian Mountains in their coffins or on their beds, otherwise they suffer from haunting nightmares of the vile deeds of Vlad during his time as a mortal.

Kingu- They are the strangest and most outlandish of the larger consanguinities, and have an origin that is lost in the depths of time. There is some dispute as to whether the Kingu or the Lilim are the oldest of the various Vampire consanguinities, however while both make this claim, the origins of both are too far back in time to know for sure. It is believed that the Genitor of the Kingu bloodline, Kingu (or Tammuz, as he is sometimes referred to) was a Babylonian and Assyrian god and was married to Ishtar, who had traveled to the underworld and brought him back to the lands of the living. The Babylonians then celebrated him as the god of Darkness. It is also rumored that he later married the goddess Tiamat and was later sacrificed by the god Marduk so that his blood could be used to create humans. However the truth remains unknown in modern times. He was also rumored to have discovered a strange place (another dimension) called Hubur, where strange and alien monsters lived, which he brought back to the earthly realms as his servants, while some claim that these twisted and freakish monsters that serve him are really the most ancient of his scions which have over time become so demented that they have long ago lost touch with humanity and sanity. It is rumored that many of the oddities that travel in freak shows around the world are the minor minions of the Kingu bloodline, and that many among them also own their own personal museums of unearthly objects and things. Their lairs or Covenhouses are often decorated in freakish and alien ways and often use illusions (as that is a specialty of the Kingu) to hide even stranger decor. Every member of this odd bloodline has some odd (or worse) mental or physical quirk that makes them very unusual. Besides the usual fire and sunlight vulnerabilities, wards such as garlic and certain magical amulets can keep them at bay.

Kyuketsuki- A Japanese bloodline that is very similar to the traditional Western vampires. (not yet detailed)

Lamiae- This bloodline is of Mediterranean origin and are believed to have originated with the Libyan queen Lamia. One story says that after she had an affair with Zeus, Hera had the son that resulted killed out of jealousy. She took the body of her child to a cave and slowly the hatred and pain consumed her until she decided to make the rest of the world suffer the same way. She started to feed on the blood of children, however this vile act slowly transformed her into the cursed form of a vampire. Another story tells of her having born strange serpent bodied children called Lamiai which carried on their mothers tradition of using seduction and greed to extend their power base. As such they sometimes take on a serpent like "white worm" form, thus also being known as the White Worm scion. The Lamiae are exclusively females, however males and females alike make up their minions. The Lair of the White Worm, written by Bram Stoker was a twisted story that was the result of drug-induced insanity but some parts of it hint at the real bloodline due to his writing Dracula for them. They tend to target mortals from wealthy and powerful families, and only take females into their bloodline. There are also rumors that the Genitor of this bloodline had feasted on the blood of a Nanaru or Dragon of Darkness, however the true origins and history remain a mystery. Saints blood and some holy relics, as well as fire and sunlight are dangerous to them, however it is rumored that fresh rose petals serve as a ward against them.

Lilim- It is believed that the Scions of Lilith are the most ancient of vampire bloodlines, having originated from Lilith, the first wife of Adam (prior to the creation of Eve). The Talmud refers to Lilith and Adam having a disagreement over the dominant position in sex, and that she left him and traveled to the Red Sea area and later mated with Demons who had been cast out of Heaven. Many other tales tell of strange and ancient histories, however most believe that the Lilim are the first and original vampires. Tales also tell that the Lilim are part Demons or have Demon blood flowing through their veins. The Lilim are on eof the largest and most diverse lines of vampires, with members of nearly every race and background. They tend to be a close-knit bloodline that keep lines of communication open between different members. They often keep owls and other birds of prey as pets, due to their affinity with avian's. They also often have demonic looking features, such as tails, pointed ears, bat-like wings, horns or strange demonic looking eyes. Many of the Lilim line also have an affinity for dealing with spirits, especially those having to deal with owls, night, darkness, and storms.

Nosferatu- The Nosferatu are hideous and grotesque looking with gnarled bodies that often have partial rigor mortis set in. They rule their dominions as faceless voices through phone or other non-personal means or through the use of human thralls who do their bidding, as such many have turned to the use of computers to extend their power base. They are the scions of Czarnobog the "black god" from Slavonic mythology. It is believed that they have been behind most of the worlds plagues and many of its diseases throughout history. While they play an active role in human society it is as puppet masters who control from the shadows. They are often active in the sciences as well as various organized businesses. They also have close ties to Ghuls. The name comes from an old Slavonic word "nosu-fur-atu" which came from the Greek "nosophoros" which means "plague carrier". Czarnobog was an ancient prince in eastern Europe from long ago and is rumored to be even more of a monster and more cruel than even Vlad Tepes, and that the higher powers cursed him for his acts making him one of the early vampire Genitors. It is even said that his acts against humanity are so brutal to cause demons to wince. Rumor also has it that the twisted rat-like form of the Nosferatu comes form their dabbling in disease brought them into contact with the Changing Virus of the Wer which instead of creating Wer-Rats due to their already undead state deformed them into their current twisted countenance. They are a dirty and cynical lot who believe that their work in spreading plague and disease is a service to nature that helps to keep human population in check.

Obayifo- This old bloodline if of African origin, having developed from two witches and a warlock that studied the dark arts and killing the locals and bringing them back as zombies to serve them. Their atrocities went even further committing far worse crimes against humanity including drinking the blood of many of their victims. After more than a hundred years of this the locals rose up and rebelled against them, killing the warlock and one of the witches, however Asema (also known as the Ivory Death for her use of ivory tools of torture) managed to escape and went underground, continuing her dark practices in hiding and slowly transforming into a vampire herself. She came out of hiding many centuries later and started to gather together Scions to serve her, as well as continuing her witchcraft and necromantic ways, some of this influence can be seen in Haiti and Louisiana as this consanguinity has spread to North America as well as other parts of the world, while still having an influence in Africa.

Penanggalans- This line of Vampires is unlike any other. Rather than having a body which they use to lure and entice mortals, they are instead psychic creatures that take over the corpse of those that are deceased. They are the reason behind some myths about flying heads with entrails dangling below and attacking hapless victims. They rely on their telekinetic powers to control these bodies and often learn to detach parts of these corpses and control them not only to gain the advantage of multiple attacks from different directions, but also for the terrifying effect that it has on the minds of their victims. They often associate with mortal psychics, feeding on t hem and converting them into psychic dhampir who then serve as their loyal minions. Unlike most other bloodlines, the Penanggalans tend to operate as loners rather than organizing into large groups, however they will sometimes work together to accomplish grand schemes. Although most will work alone or with their own mortal minions to do their own thing. They are often shunned by other Vampires, as well as by most other Everlasting due to their very nature, with most considering them as crazy and insane as those of the Kingu bloodline. They tend to be enthralled by puzzles, games of chance, and riddles, or any other mental challenge due to their quasi-spiritual state of mind.

Pisacas- A bloodline from India that is well known for their abilities with invisibility and intangibility. (not yet detailed)

Tantalusi- are a powerful and large bloodline that whiel ruthless and predatory by nature, are also builders of civilizations. They are firm beleiveers in "Social Darwanism", and as such work to uphold the laws of the Court of Night. They will help those who they feel are worthy, however they also believe in allowing those who are weak to fall. They worked with the Lamiae bloodline against the slaughter of the Bathora and Dracul bloodlines, and as such there is still a lot of animosity between these consanuinities. Thsi bloodline originated from Tantalus, a mortal who was born of a Daeva goddess of a race of humans that has been lost in the anals of history. He married the mortal daughter of another Daeva, and he gained power and became a king of his people due to his great deeds and became friends and an honorary member of the Daevan household that his mother was a part of (which one is also no longer known). However he secretly despised the immortal Daevas and eventually started to seek a way to gain the same immortal lifespan. He started to consume mortal flesh and found that this slowed the aging process, however after nearly a century of this the Daevas begane to grow suspitious of his longevity. He eventually feasted on two Daevas, which sealed his fate and resulted in the final steps towards Vampirism. Upon larning of his source of longevity the Daeva Household to whom he had been an honorary member took him to another realm for more than a millenium as punishment for his crimes, however when he returned to the Earthly realms he immediately started to grow and expand his Scions. However some of his vampiric minions later helped the Daevas to again capture him and return him to his other-dimeniensional prison. However they were allowed to "Un-live" on within the Earthly realms. The Tantalusi are now split with some wanting to locate and free Tantalus, while others want to locate and destroy him. Either way they are all tied together having been spawned from his vile deeds and having addopted the role of "police of the Un-dead". They are not only the enforcers but also the originators of the Pax Damnatio, or "peace of the damned", the unofficial laws that govorn the "Court of Night" and the Vampire and Revenant socitietes as a whole. Many members of the Tantalusi still have close ties to various Daevan Households.

Tengu- A Japanese bloodline that can take on avian forms and has power over birds and the weather. (not yet detailed)

Vyrkolakas- This Greek bloodline has ties to Gypsies and is known for their shapeshifting abilities. (not yet detailed)

Xiang Shi- Little is known about this reclusive group of Vampires who are isolationists who avoid other Everlasting and keep to themselves. They live by their own code and ethics and are accomplished practisioners of their own specialized form of Martial Arts. They view mortals as weak and almost like cattle to use and discard, while viewing their state as something natural rather than something supernatural. Most follow Buddhist ways and have strong spiritual beliefs, despite their cold blooded and exacting standards.

Yama- This small bloodline is known to possess mastery over the secrets of death, originated around Tibet, Nepal, and Mongolia. (not yet detailed)