Reviving Underused Vampire Traits in Fiction: Enhanced Senses and Compulsions

Vampires, as depicted in fiction, usually have a plethora of traits and weaknesses. However, certain unique abilities and vulnerabilities tend to get overshadowed or underutilized. In this article, we will explore some of these underused traits, focusing on enhanced senses, the power to compel, and an aversion to crossing running water.

Enhanced Senses: More than Just Superhuman Hearing

Enhanced senses are a classic trait of vampires, often portrayed as giving them abilities far beyond human capabilities. While this can make them formidable, it also comes with potential drawbacks.

In most vampire stories, vampires are depicted as having the ability to hear a person's heartbeat from miles away through walls and even through dense forests. However, this depiction is highly unrealistic. If such sensitivity existed, a vampire would hear not just a heartbeat but a cacophony of subsonic and ultrasonic sounds, making mundane activities like driving a car a sensory overload.

Imagine being able to perceive sounds in the subsonic and ultra-sonic range. A heartbeat, which is already faint and muffled to a human ear, would be as clear as church bells to a vampire. The constant grinding of car tires, the hum of a car engine, the squeaking of valves, the sound of pistons being pushed up and down—all these sounds would be crystal clear. Even ambient noises, such as the whisper of the wind or footsteps on a forest floor, would be amplified to the point of being overwhelming. Furthermore, dealing with a crowd of people would feel like walking through a combination of Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works, combined with the stench of an open sewer.

The Power to Compel: A Unique Vampiric Ability

While enhanced senses are a staple of vampire lore, another unique ability often underutilized in fiction is the power to compel. This compelling ability involves influencing the thoughts and actions of others, similar to the mental domination displayed by characters like the Count Dracula in classic vampire stories.

Mysite has explored this under-deployed vampire ability in my novels, Late Bite and Lycanthrope Rising. Specifically, my vampire character, Dragul Mangorian, can compel people in a manner that is akin to a Vulcan mind-meld. This power allows him to enter the minds of others and exert influence over their thoughts and motivations, making it a compelling and unique addition to vampire lore.

Aversion to Crossing Running Water: An Uncommon Weakness

Another underused vampire weakness is their aversion to crossing running water. This has appeared in a few notable works, such as the book and TV show The Strain. While the underlying reasons for this aversion might vary, it adds an interesting plot device to vampire stories, creating new challenges and opportunities for conflict and character development.

The aversion to crossing running water can be used to create unique scenarios. For example, a vampire might avoid crossing a river to avoid a certain person or location, leading to strategic decisions and plot twists. This vulnerability could also lead to imaginative settings where water bodies act as natural barriers, forcing vampires to take alternative routes or engage in elaborate plans to cross.

In summary, vampires in fiction can benefit from a more nuanced exploration of their abilities and weaknesses. By delving into underused traits like enhanced senses, the power to compel, and aversion to running water, writers can bring fresh perspectives and exciting new dynamics to the age-old vampire genre.