Species

Vampires

Vampires are humans who are infected by the pathogen discovered in the artic by Dr. Luther Swann and Michael Fayne that creates vampirism.  Depending on the species who attacks them, most victims do not survive being attacked by a Blood.  So far, it's been narrowed down to a gene, NH47 that is linked to Hereditary Cardiomyopathy, that causes the transformation: if you have it, you change; otherwise, you experience illness, heal, and are left as human.

Known species of vampires

Bloods

These are the self-defined names given to most vampires in V Wars.

Bloods have banded together as "Blood Nation" led by Michael Fayne.  Over time, the infected can learn to control their urges, but the need to feed every approximately 1-2 times per week is still present.  Some are using animals but this will not satisfy their thirst; some are getting their blood from blood banks or family members who donate.  With feeding comes the ability to heal themselves at a faster rate as well. Increased vision, increased hearing, faster reflexes, increased strength: these are also additional abilities they experience. They are attempting to have society accept them as a separate species while the Department of National Security (DNS) is hunting them down as a terrorist threat.

Verdulaks

These are a different type of vampires, ones who are able to feed without killing their victims but rather deliver a venom with their bites, a toxin, that the victim actually enjoys, becomes addicted to like a drug, making them essentially "Feeders" that are kept alive by not over-draining them and kept in close proximity as a low profile food source.  They only attack those with whom they have a deeper connection.  Should they kill a victim and that victim has the gene, they will become a Vourdalak as well; the cycle continues.

References