#old bat

I grew up in a time when vampyrism was still fairly hidden. There were a few documentaries and one or two books from Real Vampyres, but the rest were about psychic self defense against vampyres or True Crime. It was a time of exploration for me, and a time the community was bustling in larger cities, Gotham Halo being the most well known. It was before Discord and before YouTube was the new cable television, where we still relied on books and questionable online resources (unfortunately, that will probably never change).

I have never had an in person community, much like a lot of those newly awakened. I had a punk rock community, I had a martial arts community, but no occult or vampyric communities save for a few discreet internet forums.

Still, it always called to me, even when I decided to free myself from the label. It was always somewhere, itching to a clawing until I finally sat with myself and explored it once again, but this time with a new world of experiences and knowledge I've collected over the decades.

Choice or Passion?

People assume these alternative communities are just choices we make and that we can change our minds and "just be normal." Anybody that has spent enough time in these communities, gone to the events, dressed the part, and consummed the media, knows it isn't simply a choice. Sure, the way we dress is a choice, but the reason we express ourselves goes much deeper.

I chose to get a mohawk, dye my hair, and listen to bands that gave everyone else a headache, but the lyrics and energy hit me on a visceral level and the emotions ran deep. As I got older it wasn't just punk rock, it was music in general. Raw music, be it fast and angry or melodic and poetic, expanded my world view.

The bands I've seen and met, locals I've jammed and partied with, and all the lovers, dancers, and fighters coming together in one space to be trully free. Free to feel. Free to express. At its core, live music is magical.

I ventured into punk rock by choice of my rough upbringing, but the way the music made me feel was pure passion. And so it is with vampyrism.

OVC, A Community Without Meat

Although online, I've found a voice and a place to express my perspectives and experiences. I've made acquaintances and deepened relationships. I owe a lot to the community that I am part of. There is trust and there is learning. This community feels like it is falling apart sometimes, Discords and old websites we all grew up on are closing their virtual doors left and right. It feels like every month an old door closes with no new ones to pick up the pieces.

So I ventured to make this blog to share insight, experience, and hopefully for others to see we are out here. Online I have a certain presence, but outside, like much of the community, you wouldn't know it by looking at us despite what the movies and books tell you. I work a normal job with normal hours and live in a normal apartment in a normal city.

Despite all the normal around me I am different. I can't talk to my coworkers or my family about this. Some of my experiences may frighten others or they may use me as a butt of a joke, neither of which I am okay with. So I choose silence. I keep this hunger, this intensity, hidden.

It eats me inside at times, but overall I accept I choose to call myself a vampyre, I choose to be part of this community, and I choose do what I can to keep it alive. I have always had a passion for this community and now I share this passion with others. I hope this finds you well and helps you spread your proverbial bat wings.

Some Places to Check Out

The Vampyre Coven is a great website with articles by a variety of old and new members of the greater Vampyre Community. I have had the pleasure of interacting with a few of them and have learned alot from reading the articles and the discussions I have had.

Project V is another community that is a rare find and one in which I enjoy the conversations. It has educational blogs on its website and the Discord has Voice chat classes on a variety of subjects from various community members. The Discord mod team is approachable, knowledgeable, and keeps it safe for all involved with lots of areas of discussion.