There are five distinct families of vampires, each descending from one of the "first vampires" or original ones created by Nagash or Neferata (more recent lore stating vampirism was formulated by Nagash and first attained by Neferata), these families are called "Bloodlines," each with different characteristics that affect the way the armies of each operate, although it must be noted that the more powerful members of any vampire bloodline can cast spells, and that all vampires are formidable in combat. The known vampire bloodlines are as follows:

Von Carstein

These vampires are somewhat stereotypical vampires, modelled very much in the manner of Dracula. They are seen as having close bonds with animals such as Wolves and Bats. In game terms, these vampires have no particular modifications and several of their bloodline powers emphasise their tie with animals. They are hereditary rulers of Sylvania.

The von Carsteins have been prevalent throughout the recent history of the vampire counts, and (so far) are the only bloodline to openly go to war with the Empire. The most famous of the von Carsteins was Mannfred, who was narrowly defeated at the battle of Hel Fenn by the empire and Dwarves. Officially Mannfred was slain by the Count of Stirland, but rumours persist that this is not the case. Other famous Counts include Vlad, first vampire count of Sylvania. He came closest to destroying the Empire, only being defeated in a duel with Grand Theonogist Volkmar, on the walls of Altdorf. Other famous von Carstein vampires are Isabella, Vlad's devoted wife, who was the only person whom he trusted and who killed herself after he was destroyed at Altdorf rather than live on without him, and Konrad, a deranged and psychopathic killer who succeeded Vlad and nearly destroyed the bloodline in his bloodthirsty madness.


Blood Dragons

Blood Dragons are fallen Knights, usually from the realm of Bretonnia and may have had some inspiration from the vampire archetypes of Anne Rice. They are portrayed as souls in suffering, neither good nor evil. The game system emphasises their combat skill at the expense of spellcasting abilities.

Their progenitor, Abhorash, defeated the curse of vampirism by drinking the blood of a dragon. Famous Blood Dragons include Walach Harkon, Abhorash's favourite, who challenged and defeated the entire Order of the Knights of the Blood Dragon singlehandedly. Harkon corrupted this once pious and just Knightly Order of the Empire, sparing and converting to Vampirism those who fought well, and killing without mercy those who didn't.

To emphasis their ties with Bretonnia the armies of the Blood Dragons will sometimes fight in Lance Formation, the famous tactic of Bretonnia. The Blood Dragons possess incredible martial skill, and must always except challenges to duel in the game.

Lahmians

This bloodline is (almost) entirely female, and no male models have been released, descended from Neferata the original vampire. They emphasise the seductive nature of vampires and many of their bloodline powers center around influencing the behaviour of enemy heroes. In the game they are given greater speed at the expense of their combat potential.

They are the source of the other bloodlines, the other "Masters" being relatives or nobility of the city-state of Lamia, of which she was queen. Although she brought vampires into the world it was ultimately Nagash's research into immortality which lead to their creation and for a period they almost universally served him.

The armies of the Lahmians are sometimes fielded with living heroes from other armies, seduced by the Lahmian's spells.

Necrarch

Necrarch vampires appear monstrous and wizened, very much on the mould of the vampire shown in the classic film Nosferatu. In Warhammer terms they are weaker in combat but have much greater magical potential than the other vampire bloodlines. However it should be noted their physical strength is still on a similar level to other vampires, their disadvantage being worse weapon skill. Overall they are still vastly more dangerous than an equivalent level wizard in close combat, and on par with the more dangerous of melee fighters. They are described as solitary researchers, working on ever more terrible spells as they live out their undying centuries. Because of their studies the Necrarch armies field large numbers of necromantic constructs, spellcasters, and zombie dragons.

It is implied they are still in the servitude of Nagash, or are attempting to conduct a spell similar to the one he used to decimate Nehekhara and awaken the dead therein. Their progenitor was W'soran, and their previous master Melkhior was known to have served Nagash closely.

Strigoi

Strigoi were first introduced in the sixth edition of the game as a new bloodline. In appearance they are even more monstrous than the Necrachs and are huge and heavily built. The Strigoi are animalistic, half-mad and barely intelligent. In game terms they have similar combat potential to the Blood Dragons, but in terms of strength and bestial fury rather than skill-at-arms. The tradeoff is an inability to use steeds, weapons or armour. An interesting note is that Strigoi are a type of Romanian vampire - based on the Greek word "strix", meaning screech owl, which came to mean demon or witch[citation needed]; but there is little resemblance between the myth and the bloodline in Warhammer Fantasy.

Strigoi armies contain little undead, bolstered by large numbers of Ghouls and their champions. Strigoi are also lacking in armour and magic. Their progenitor, Ushoran, snubbed the other vampire masters to establish his own empire in Strigos, situated in what is now the Badlands. When the capital Mourkain was sacked by an Orc Waaagh!, the Strigoi vampires sought out their fellow vampires, who shunned them for Ushoran's snobbery. They then degenerated into the feral beasts they are now. Unlike other vampires, Strigoi drink the blood of the "Long Dead" instead of the living.

(References - http://en.wikipedia.org - 19/4/2008)

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~Bite me ~

I am not evil
I have the heart of a young girl
In a jar on my desk

Very interesting indeed.

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"Come out, come out..."

very intereting. I like how this is put out.

Ah indeed that was an interesting read, brings back memories of the last Army book that games workshop did for the army...

I love the background for the Blood Knights,

They were once the most hounoured knights in all of the empire, until one dark night, a mysterious came to their chapter house/castle and challenged each one of them to single combat and one by one defeated them.
The warrior was Walach, one of the Blood Dragon vampire knights, all of those he deemed worthy he gave the blood kiss and turned them, those who he saw as weak he simply drained the life out of them. After a few short bloody hours, all which remained of the knights of the empire there were either lifeless bodies, or were blood thirsty vampire knights...

...wearing dark crimson armour and riding black steeds with balefires in their eyes there are no living knights that can best their ferocity or their prowess in battle...

For who could be better at swordplay than a creature that has an immortal lifetime to perfect its art?....

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"It is the duty of the strong to oppose any who threaten the weak"

i did my army moved on to the blood angels now.

Vampire Counts | Beasts Of Chaos

if you want to see my artwork

Wicked

I am envyous of your paiting skill...

So how many point of Vampire counts do you have?
I can field 4,000 at a push, but i can confortably field 3000 and have a dencet army

Glory to the immortal Knights of the Old'e World!

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"It is the duty of the strong to oppose any who threaten the weak"

~Uhmm, how about vampires that do not want to show anything particular about supremacy in sex or anything else? So I think, they ususally know the truth about being immortal psychically and materially, a frightening position to be in while on earth if not careful.

If a youngster gets born in a family that is vampire ambitious that somehow caries such trade, and if such youngster does not feed his unconscious with such subnormal upheaval as the vampire, nothing can interfere with his natural human growth, because human natural nature cannot be interefered to subnormalities unless its bearer promotes it somehow directly or indirectly.
The big word is what is subnormal - I gather you wonder and may say all creatures have their subnormal nature always at work to some degree; But I can tell you this, unless contemplative sexual passions do not arise within the heart to sustain total harmony with nature and thought at the some time, real vampire powers cannot ever be found, imitations perhaps.