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Section 5.1: Disease Transmission

The methods by which vampires spread their disease are numerous, and their full variety is obscured. Anecdotal evidence points to transmission examples as simple as bite; as complex as full exsanguination rituals; and even as coincidental as violent altercations without fang contact. It is likely that more methods exist, but through continued research, it has come to be understood that the disease is transmitted via raw blood in all scenarios.

Peripheral vampire blood - or blood from anywhere other than the heart or coagule (see section 5.1.2 for coagule definition) - has a small chance of infection if ingested or otherwise absorbed into a mortal's system. A curative potion will be able to stave off most complications, but if symptoms of fatigue appear within three days, one must see a priest of Arkay to purge the disease. Core vampire blood - blood from the heart or coagule - is aggressively infectious if ingested or otherwise absorbed into a mortal's system. One must see a priest of Arkay at once if this occurs, as the disease will kill and transform the infected at the end of its three-day incubation period.

Peripheral blood can be used to make powerful healing potions and increase one's magickal potency. Boiling or purifying peripheral blood with an infusion of divine magicka will remove its infectious qualities while maintaining some of its healing factor. Exercise caution when utilizing such blood potions, as they are addictive and can make one mentally vulnerable to the vampire who provided the blood. Do not attempt to create these unless adept with alchemy.

Section 5.1.2: Vampire Venom

Vampires possess venom glands between their cheekbones and nose, used in both feeding and disease transmission.

The primary venom gland is called the somniferum gland and it produces a toxin of the same name. When preparing to bite, this toxin is expressed through the fangs similar to the way salivation occurs before a meal. The toxin instantly produces a mild numbing effect, affecting a small area of the victim's skin which the vampire will feed from. A single drop of somniferum can numb a roughly 5-7cm area of skin for around 30 minutes. This allows the vampire to feed on sleeping individuals without notice.

Somniferum is useful as an analgesic in medicinal alchemy, and can be harvested from a calm, willing vampire. Prepare a jar with its opening covered by a thin, supple material. Have the vampire sink its fangs through the material so that the somniferum can be collected into the jar. To trigger the toxin's production, one may encourage the vampire with the scent of fresh blood, or the vampire may apply gentle pressure to the glands themselves. About 1mL of somniferum can be stored in either gland's lumen at any time, and it takes about an hour for the vampire to generate more. So long as the vampire is calm during the harvesting, the somniferum is safe to use as is. Do not attempt to harvest the toxin from a nervous or hostile vampire as it will be infectious.

A secondary, smaller gland attached behind the somniferum is called the black coagule. The black coagule is an organ which holds the second highest concentration of diseased blood in the vampire's body (the first being the heart). The blood stored within is thicker and darker than peripheral blood. The coagule itself is attached to the back of the somniferum gland and will respond to adrenal activity. When enough adrenaline is present in the vampire's system, the coagule will release diseased blood into the somniferum gland's lumen. Their fangs may suddenly appear blackened during this state. Any resulting subcutaneous fang contact will deliver a potent cocktail of diseased blood into the victim, guaranteeing infection. Regeneration of the Black coagule takes about a week, and bites before the complete duration of this period are therefore not infectious.