A Nosferatu
| “ | Nosferatu are without question the strongest class of vampires. There are many accounts of their origins... with some saying that they've existed since mankind discovered fire while others say they emerged with the rise of Dracula himself. This abomination before me has confirmed my fears...and it is that they have infiltrated our society. They will be able to strike us at the heart in return. Our world will be plunged into darkness the moment they lift a finger. | „ |
| ~ Abraham Van Helsing |
Nosferatu, also known as Blood Breed or Higher Vampires, are an extremely powerful class of vampire, and among the strongest vampires to walk the Earth. Due to the extreme danger they pose, they have been actively hunted and killed by many supernatural hunters, but also garnered an infamous reputation for surviving and overpowering anything thrown at them.
Overview[]
It is widely believed that all Nosferatu descend from Dracula, the lord of all vampires. The Nosferatu bloodline is said to grant those who possess it with the same ability as Dracula to exert control over the Blood Lust state, allowing them to shapeshift willingly into the more bestial forms of vampire without giving in to blind savagery.
Unlike the more animalistic Turok-Han, the average Nosferatu often demonstrates an intellect greater than that of even the elder vampires, being able to single handedly take on entire broods of vampire or werewolf packs on their own either in combat, or through elaborate Machiavellian schemes and infiltration. Nosferatu are so powerful that they are able to give other paranormal organizations dedicated to hunting the supernatural, quite a lot of trouble. Even organizations as experienced as the Hellsing Organization and Libra have difficulty dealing with the Nosferatu.
An upper-class subset called the Elder Nosferatu also exist, which are considered as dangerous to the average Nosferatu as a Nosferatu is to the average vampire. Originally thought by Libra to only number thirteen, it has been discovered that the true number of Elder Nosferatu is far more numerous, though only 13 remain as members of the modern incarnation of the Order of the Dragon.
Appearance[]
In their ordinary state, Nosferatu appear as ordinary humans. However, when they enter into a state of blood lust, their appearance changes radically. Their veins become visible against their sickly pale skin, and their eyes will begin to glow eerily, emitting a phosphorous red light. They grow supernumerary teeth, pointed ears and their lips and noses retract, giving them a facial structure resembling traditional vampire bats.
Powers and Abilities[]
Nosferatu possess incredible strength, speed, and destructive capacity, as well as a crimson aura that becomes visible when the Nosferatu finds itself under attack, slowing the advance of anyone trying to approach them. All of these abilities increase vastly in power while in a blood lusted state, with skilled Nosferatu even being able to manipulate the aura surrounding them into additional limbs to aid them in battle.
Nosferatu also posses a number of supernatural abilities. They have no reflection and are invisible to optical sensors such as cameras, though some supernatural beings are capable of detecting Nosferatu captured by recording devices, as they are able to see the outline of their aura even on older media such as VHS. Additional abilities include:
- Blood Lust: Nosferatu are infamous within the vampire world for their ability to control the power of the Blood Lust, allowing them to draw upon the strength of their Turok-Han ancestry without giving into blinding savagery. Unlike other vampires, the Nosferatu remain clear of mind while in the state of Blood Lust, an ability inherited from Dracula, the first of the Nosferatu; and are able to combine their vampiric intellect with their enhanced strength to deadly effect. Additionally, while the body of an ordinary vampire will transform violently on its own as the vampire begins to give in the the Blood Lust, Nosferatu can actually learn how to control this transformation and adapt their bodies to better suit their needs as an apex predator.
- Flight: Among the more common of these adaptations is the ability to fly, which can be accessed by growing a pair of chiropteran wings either through more normal means or the use of their Blood Lust. In combat, these wings can be used to impale their opponents, or as a line of defense shield their body from oncoming attacks. Although extremely painful, having a wing dismembered will not be a fatal blow to a Nosferatu.
- Regenration: Nosferatu are also known for their remarkable regeneration capabilities. While ordinary vampires may take several hours to regenerate from an ordinarily mortal wound, a Nosferatu's regeneration ability is nearly instantaneous, with even the most grievous of wounds being healed in no more than a couple of seconds. Elder Nosferatu are said to be even more skilled in this regard, and may even be able to control parts of their body that have been split off from the whole.
- Immense Durability: As a result of this, Nosferatu are some of the most difficult supernatural beings to kill. Holy weapons are still effective against them but not as much as it does to regular vampires. Regardless, killing them is an arduous task which is why Hellsing employs Alucard to personally kill a Nosferatu as he possesses a rather intimate knowledge of their race. Others prefer a safer course of action such as sealing them.
- Hemokinesis: Perhaps the deadliest ability displayed by the Nosferatu is their innate skill to manipulate their own blood and even the blood of their victims. Much like Alucard, Nosferatu are able to weaponize their own blood, usually forming it into the shape of blades, spears, whips, or sharp projectiles which they can use in combat. While using this ability is physically taxing, Nosferatu are known for their ability to outlast any ordinary vampire in the arts of blood magic, as the vitality and stamina of the Nosferatu is known to far surpass that of the rest of their kind. The most skilled Nosferatu are able to use their blood manipulation to control others as puppets, forcing them to do their bidding as long as they are able to maintain a mental link to the subject.