Vampyres (also known as Vyres) are an ancient race of monstrous creatures who rule over Morytania. They are vaguely humanoid, particularly in their juvenile form. As they grow to maturity this similarity decreases and they begin to appear more bat-like, developing large ears and functional leathery wings. They are predatory, feeding on the blood of other species, particularly humans; the loss is not usually fatal to their prey, but considerably damages health and vitality, especially in the squalid conditions common to Morytania's human population.
Vampyres are also extremely powerful combatants, possessing abilities beyond the mortal and an immunity to most weapons, and should be approached with extreme caution (if at all). They appear to be converted humans, though exactly how this occurs is unknown.
The Vampyres maintain a society that is divided into clear ranks, ordered by age:
- Vampyre juveniles - So young that they have not yet earned their place in Vampyre society.
- Vampyre juvinates - Juvenile Initiates; hardly older, but recognized as belonging.
- Vyrewatch - Winged Vampyres who patrol the slums of Meiyerditch.
- Vyrelords / Vyreladies - The overlords of Morytania, fully mature members of the aristocracy.
Feral, apparently non-sentient vampyres may be found wandering aimlessly in some areas of Morytania, especially within the haunted woods. These may be killed in a perfectly ordinary fashion with any weapon, and are for all intents and purposes ordinary monsters. The same is not true of initiated Vampyres. They are immune to virtually all damage, and use their shapeshifting abilities to escape combat if they feel themselves to be at all endangered.
Vyrewatch are even more formidable, remaining aloft beyond the reach of most weaponry and using some form of mild telepathy to predict (and dodge) their opponents' attacks. Vampyres are not, however, immortal: according to legend, The Seven Priestly Warriors were somehow capable of wounding and even destroying them completely. Their methods, however, have since been lost.