Dhampirs are the offspring of vampires, either with mortals or between themselves; they are known for their rarity (as vampires are, most often than not, sterile: their only means of reproduction being the Embrace) and their barely understood powers, called Bloodrights.

Most of them have been born after the Resurgence; the reaction of each Sect has been enough to warrant a Summit between all Sects.

Furthermore, a group of ghouls, revenants, vampires and even other beings are studying the matter: the Nothians, a group of scholars, is trying to crack the mystery of the births that happened among both Kindred and Cainites…

Glyph for Dhampirs, used by Nothian scholars in the Dark Ages

Lore

Etymology

“Dhampir” comes from two terms, co-opted from Slavic languages such as Serbian and Albanian, but also Greek. However, the most commonly used form comes from English-speaking Nothians:

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“Dh” + “ampir”

“D(emi) h(uman)” + “(V)ampir(e)”

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As such, one can easily understand that they are half-human, half vampire.

Origin

Dhampirs are, as explained before, the naturally occurring offspring between mortals and vampires. However, studies have shown that ghouls or revenants have a higher chance of conceiving alongside a Kindred or Cainite mate.

Rarely, two vampires can have a dhampir: such a child is oftentimes called a Moroi(m.)/Moroika(f.), and is considered to be not only an extremely rare occurrence (as multiple factors have to go right for this to happen), but they are also amongst the strongest breeds of dhampirs.

For now, the Nothians have collected a few requirements for a dhampir to be born, though the lack of any is not an impediment towards the birth of such offspring. These are merely guidelines.

• Dhampir births happen most frequently to those Kindred who are higher than Thirteenth Generation, with it being a common occurrence between those of the Sixteenth Generation.
• Certain Clans, used to bend their vampiric state with magical powers, such as the Kiasyd, Tzimisce, Children of Osiris and those handling Thaumaturgy, have had a higher chance to conceive dhampirs before the Resurgence.
• The use of Biothaumaturgy, Valediction or rituals that allow a vampire the Blush of Health have a chance to provide a vampire the possibility to conceive, as do certain Elder Disciplines.
• Sorcery of the mortal kind also can have such an effect on vampires.
• Certain Infernal Pacts do allow the birth of a dhampir, but for a very steep price.
• A heightened Humanity, true love or Golconda is oftentimes a requirement, as is the burning of one, or more point of WP. In certain cases, extra BP is required from the mother to feed the dhampir child…

As said before, there are also the Moroi; their conditions to be conceived are: