Thema: [WDwdEbb?] * Regelwerk - Bestiarium *

[Der Läuterer]

- - - ALP - - -

Alps or Alpors are members of of a vampiric race which inhabits the lands of the Northern Kingdoms since the Conjunction of the Spheres which occurred around 230s BR.

In many ways, Alps are similar to two other species of intelligent vampires, Mulas and Bruxae although seemingly less powerful than the latter.

Silver used in form of weapons or chains, on the other hand, can hurt them and so they tend to avoid it.While resistant to sun along with Mulas, Bruxae, and Higher Vampires, they tan to almost black if affected by it too much.

They have pointed ears, similar to Elves.
They prefer to prey on sleeping people and creatures.
They put targets to sleep by injecting a somniferous substance causing nightmares.

No other monster inspires so many myths and fallacies as the Alp. People believe that this vampire is able to turn into a black dog or a venomous toad. They mistake Alps for Succubi, believing them to be lecherous and inclined to seduce handsome young men.
Folk tales describe their charm and their beautiful, seductive voices, as well as their loathing of virgins. What is true beyond any doubt is that they move noiselessly and attack by surprise, rarely giving their victims as much as a chance to scream in terror.

Looked like a Bruxa, but that was no Bruxa... fragment of a conversation between the ealdorman of Falkoane and a witcher.

Alps are vampires that resemble Bruxae in appearance. They are called phantoms by some, a name which fits well enough, for like phantoms they haunt and torment men. They usually take on the form of a woman, though they can also appear as animals. They are most often found prowling near villages. They attack at night and are most active when the moon is full. Alp saliva can make one fall asleep, and when applied to a sleeping man, can invoke horrible nightmares. Some suggest they are the cause of legends about men who go to sleep healthy and are found in the morning white as snow, not a drop of blood in their veins.

In combat Alps display supernatural speed and incredible (even by vampire standards) stamina. One must aim one's sword with great precision, for alps are unequaled in the art of evading blows.

The Yrden Sign is recommended, for it weakens an Alp's defenses.
Another strategy is to drink the Black Blood potion, for Alps suck the blood of their victims to deprive them of strength and regenerate their own powers.
Unlike Bruxae, alps cannot turn invisible, yet like Bruxae, they emit a shrieking noise whose shock wave can incapacitate.
Their greatest asset is their agility and they can leap with uncanny lightness that appears to border on the power of flight.
When in human form, they easily blend in with the surrounding community, which makes them very dangerous indeed.
Similar to Bruxae, knocking an Alp down with Aard sign may allow you to finish it in one strike.
Otherwise, coat your sword with Vampire Oil and maybe drink some Black Blood.
Alps are extremely fast and prefer dodging to blocking, unlike Bruxae. They also often jump out of sight to either drop down on you or prepare their shriek.
It is advisable not to waste too much time trying to chase down or go toe-to-toe with an Alp.
Avoid the shriek, otherwise try to stay in place and block, preferably with a Yrden sign down.

[Der Läuterer]

- - - BRUXA - - -

Bruxa is a very powerful type of vampire that takes on the appearance of a dark-haired, young human, most often woman, but whose natural form is that of a large, black bat with sharp fangs and claws. It is one of few vampire species not affected by sun, the others being Alps, Mulas and High Vampires.

Bruxae are very agile and only silver swords are effective against them. While they have sharp claws for close up attacks, they can also let out a piercing scream from further away that can send even a grown man flying through the air. Only Quen being able to counter this, although the power of the cry can even break through it in certain situations.

The Bruxae are in the habit of singing in their native language, especially after they drank blood, and their songs are described as silent, shrill, and sickening. Thanks to these, Bruxae can manipulate and bend to their will any human by altering their dreams and turning them into horrible nightmares.

The Bruxa is a higher vampire, that is a Post-Conjunction creature, an intruder in our world. She appears as a beautiful woman, but when she is hungry or attacking, she is terrifying.
As a vampire, the Bruxa drinks blood. She often finds a victim to become her lover and a constant supply of sustenance at the same time.

The Bruxa finds the smell of garlic to be socially inconvenient at most. And she considers holy symbols to be interesting examples of handicraft. She endures the light of the sun well, but she prefers the darkness of the night.
As you see, you can stuff most stereotypical preconceptions about vampires up your arse when it comes to a Bruxa. So what works? The blade of the silver sword, as usual. Apart from silver, she can be wounded with fite and a stake, provided that the latter is as long as a wagon's drawbar.

A Bruxa is a womanoid, just like an Alp. Less powerful Bruxae often hunt in packs, making it easier to corner prey. If threatened, they attack with their talons and rip the victim apart, pausing only to savor the blood of their dying foe. The greatest threat to a witcher is the Bruxa's voice. The creature can screech with such force that the shockwave will knock even a huge man down, making him easy prey for the vampiress. Blindness is as great a threat as this ghastly scream. Bruxae deprive their enemies of sight in order to play cat and mouse with them. Until sight returns, one should defend against their attacks in any way possible, for example by using the Quen Sign.

The Bruxae have masterful control over their blood circulation, rendering poisons and oils that increase bleeding ineffective against them. They are good at defending themselves against witchers' tricks, but they are vulnerable to fire and can be knocked down and finished off as they try to get up.