Valkire

Visual Description
Valkire have only a few physical traits that differentiate them from normal Astorians, the most obvious of which is permanently pale skin.

When a Valkire has not fed for an extended period of time their eyes will turn yellow, if they have fed recently their eyes will however be red.

Valkire have naturally longer canines which are hollow to either drain blood, or administer venom from their prey, these canines can be extended at will. Similarly Valkire have hidden needle like spikes that can be retracted from their nails to also drain prey.

Known Abilities
Valkire have two forms of venom, venom from their nail needles paralyzes, whereas the venom from their fangs induces a sense of euphoria, as well as acts as a way to convert Astorians into another Valkire at the brink of death. Both their fangs and nail needles are retractable.

Abilities present in Valkire but absent or weaker in a typical Astorian body requires the Valkire to burn blood as a replacement for soul essence to perform.

Most Valkire have enhanced strength, speed, endurance, and regeneration, as well as the inherent inability to age past their original ‘death’. Similarly, if a Valkire takes the body of a caster they may retain some of their casting abilities so long as they have blood to use.

Should a Valkire need to, they can go into a prolonged hibernation to recover from any wounds, or wait for something to disturb them, these hibernation periods can last almost indefinitely.

Typical Behaviours
Valkire have an innate and primal desire to feed on the blood of Astorians in any form, although fresh blood is the most desirable to Valkire. If a Valkire does not satisfy their need to feed, their body will degrade over time and their abilities will stop working. They may drink blood from other animals, but it would not completely satisfy their hunger.

Aside from their instincts to feed Valkire act in a similar way to their original Astorian counterparts as they retained all their memories, however they will often amplify negative aspects of their original personality, such as greed, arrogance, cowardice, or lust.

Reproduction / Creation
All Valkire are created from another Valkire draining an Astorian to near death and then injecting a specialised venom from their extended fangs. This venom causes the victim to die but keep their soul vessel trapped in the body while the conversion begins, during this time the body is effectively dead but unable to decompose, and actively repels animals and insects.

Conversion into a Valkire often takes 3 to 6 days and once the new Valkire wakes from their conversion they will often be completely feral until their first feed. After which they will be able to access the memories of their original host.

Weaknesses
When exposed to direct sunlight Valkire lose their senses, and lose their ability to use blood stores temporarily until they return to the shade.

Valkire can recover from most wounds due to their regenerative abilities, the only way to make sure a Valkire is destroyed is by using blessed flames, silver weaponry, or removing all their limbs and head.

Trivia

 * There has only been one recorded instance of a Valkire opting for an exclusively non-Astorian diet, Lady Rosilia HeartThorn.