50 Shades of Undeath [M2]

[Akh Uur Hoon]

Dhall gave Akh a chance to be a substitute teacher for the initiates. When the call arrived in the morning, Cyprian was around, so upon brief consultation the Illumian had a topic she could whip up an interesting class on: vampires. The dhampir, capable of assisting in several capacities, from stake-holding field researcher to near-specimen, was a great addition as he could go for the topic's proverbial jugular.

Initially, the trainees sweated blood a bit. Quickly, however, the new blood became engorged by the subject and were dying to learn more. Akh laid out the backbone of the theory, while Cyprian intervened with fleshy anecdotes and juicy details on the conundrums related to haematophagy. It quickly devolved into a vivid discussion on the viscera of the relationship between vampirism, undeath, and True Death.

D2. Training the Initiates. Dhampir assists. Arcana. DC20.: 2d20k1+11 26

[Flession]

A new Dustmen stands up after listening to the explanation about all this and raises his hand. "Uhh...excuse me, sir...I was wondering if you could explain what it's like being a dhampir, exactly, between living the duality of life and unlife?"

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"It sucks." He jokes. Then as the crickets begin to chirp, "Sorry, that pun was a little long in the tooth. But I'd say it's not too to different from being human. Sure I'm resigned to being a sober sommelier amongst walking wine bottles. However the perks of unlife far exceed that of life in my experience."

He pulls out a flute.

"For instance, breathing is unnecessary. As a bard I can easily play things that other musicians can't, and for much longer too!" He plays a quick tune without breathing for several bars. "But unlike vampires, death is bound to catch up to me eventually. I'm simply blessed with a longer wait time than others."

[Akh Uur Hoon]

Since Cyprian seemed to have captured most of the attention, Akh was comfortable taking a backseat for the time being and watching the discussions unfold until they would require her involvement.

[Flession]

"Are you effected like regular vampires if you go too long without drinking blood?" Another student asks.

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Ahh," he nods. "It's irritating but I don't have to drink. You can equate bloodthirst to an addiction. Hence the aforementioned example. I also mentioned earlier in the lecture that while blood to a human tongue is sour and bitter to the taste. To a dhampir and even a vampire it's sweet. I've honestly always wondered why that is."

He turns to Akh.

"Thoughts?"

[Akh Uur Hoon]

"There is a theory that all sensations are in the mind. Blood has no objective taste, various phages react differently to it because of ancestral proclivities. For dhampirs, haematophagy may be similar to sweet tooth. It may be neither beneficial nor necessary to indulge in sweets, but the urge is inherited. It remains somewhat nutritious but is also addictive."

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Seems reasonable to me." He nods, "I do have a sweet tooth as well."

He wondered if it would be appropriate to ask Akh how blood tastes to her. Probably a question for after class.

[Flession]

The students take their time and think for a moment before another one pops up. "What are your thoughts on the concept of Final Death and the importance of death? As a Dhampir, do you feel that your existence challenges or reinforces these notions?"

[Cyprian Kircheis]

"Ahh that, hmmm," His own beliefs aren't fully fleshed out yet. So he thinks for a moment. "I... think... that Final Death is a fine think to want for. Again Dhampirs die eventually, it's only Vampires that are immortal." He smirks. "That is assuming they don't piss everyone off and get staked."

Still he considers the question for a spell.

"At this juncture I'm still to preoccupied with life to long for my own final death. But all stories end eventually."