Vampires are any of a variety of demi-human species that metabolize and subsist on blood, most often human blood, or more generally human essence. Together, they form a contender for the most prolific demi-human species in the world. As of 1998, it is estimated that anywhere from 5–7% of the global demi-human population.
Most modern subspecies of vampires draw from the respective European mythology, specifically from gothic horror works the likes of Bram Stoker's Dracula or from modern fiction the likes of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire. However, certain experts propose the effect may be inverse, that directly or indirectly, fictional works of the genre may be influenced by misconstrued sightings of their real-life correspondence, as they are often immortal and predate tales that capture their essence by many hundreds of years. Nonetheless, being one of the most prolific fictional species in the human mind and uniquely well-suited for most urban environments, vampires are exceedingly prolific especially in magical epicenters such as the Greater Offetstine Area.
Under the Émile Standard for species taxonomy, vampires that draw from the European mythos are commonly attributed taxa in the genus Infernalis Sanguis, and most vampire species in general (such as those which draw from the chupacabra or manananggal) are attributed a taxon in the kingdom Infernalis. Particularly benign species that do not draw particularly from the respective mythos and are not often described as vampires, such as mosquito animal-folk, are usually attributed Mundanus taxa.
In Offetstine specifically, the most prolific vampire subspecies is the Eris vampire (Émile: S. Erisi), a subspecies which specializes in blending into human society in a manner particularly suited to the Masquerade. As the Eris vampire is traditionally infertile, the respective dhampir subspecies (Émile: Di. S. Erisi) is virtually unattested, barring magic-aided conception. The upper echelons of the Coalition have historically been populated chiefly by vampires, including its founder, Raja, who, though not an Eris vampire, was a vampire all the same.