Vampires in the Persona Setting

Summary: subject has a dual metabolism operating on a diurnal cycle. Superficial similarities to "vampirism" in folklore.

Findings: test protocol findings as follows.

• Test subjects exhibited photosynthetic properties during the day and hematophagia at night. Healthy subjects are able to sustain themselves using normal organic substances, but may also subsist on blood.
• Test subjects do not derive any special benefits from one type of blood versus another, although many did report that they were able to distinguish between species by taste.
• Photosynthetic period associated with dormancy and lethargy. Most subjects observed to sleep through the day.
• Hematophagic period associated with bouts of hysterical strength, high levels of coordination and stamina, and sharpened predatory instincts.
• Subjects often showed addictive behaviors associated with this "super-charged" condition.
• Subjects' bodies rejuvenate at an accelerated rate. In addition, the C242 ionized enzyme sequence (Litton, et al.) is observed to catalyze regenerative action within cells even further. C242 is carried via viral packaging in the bloodstream. (Warner: "his body is continually reinfecting its own blood supply, and any blood it takes in")
• Concentrations of infected blood may make other organisms susceptible to infection. This was the first known vector for Hashmal mitochondrial introduction outside of conception. (Warner: "the creature can make more of its kind by feeding them its own blood")
• Other organisms exposed to this blood may or may not become adapted based on the actions of their own immune system. Currently there is no return to an uninfected state, as the Stage Two mitochondria allow their host cells to repel any attempt at reversal, but immunization against the change is possible.
• Deliberate infection is possible. Individuals wishing to infect other beings may weaken the immune system through a variety of means - shock brought about by blood loss, thus feeding the Q11's own requirements for blood, is the most natural way, but psychological stress and so on may also be employed.

Variations: several have been observed.

• Some Q11s develop a partial immunity to their own viral enzymes. This forces them to consume more blood than normal, anywhere from once a month to several times a night.
• Many Q11s - enough to merit recognition as a distinct subtype rather than a mutation - develop allergic reactions to their photosynthetic period, making it intensely painful to absorb or receive sunlight.
• In a few cases, physiological adaptions to facilitate blood consumption have been observed. Sharpened canines to puncture an artery, orifices in the hands or feet, and so forth have all been documented.
• The usual range of physical deformities exist among Q11 lilim.

Observations: most observations are from the field, as Q11 type superhumans are asocial.

The hematophagia and interaction with sunlight (albeit positive except in pathological cases) strongly suggest an association with traditional stories about European vampires. This would invalidate the Lerner Hypothesis for Hashmal Process development, but Lerner has been in doubt since at least 2004. Whether this implies that other Q11 variants correlate with other elements of vampire folklore has not been established.

Healthy Q11s do not have an aversion to sunlight as such (and it should be noted that this aversion as a fictional device came from "Nosferatu", the 1922 film), but their enhanced physical traits are inoperative during the day. Many Q11 lilim do exhibit a weakness to sunlight, as it produces an allergic reaction (along with attendant symptoms).

Because of its contagious nature, the Q11 capability makes its bearers targets of anyone seeking a hope of longer life or more power. A fivefold increase in lifespan can given even a retiree decades more time (and boost his immune system considerably to boot); the Q11 need only supply some blood and monitor the infection.