Those Pesky Vampire Hunters...

"...Since they saw that he was a true vampire, they drove a stake through his heart, according to their custom, whereby he gave an audible groan and bled copiously."
- Visum et Repertum, Johann Flückinger 


Sometimes, the prey gets tired of being the prey and decides to take action and become the predator.  Such has been the role of the vampire hunter throughout history.   Often, the villagers in general would attempt to dispose of their vampire problems, but sometimes a "professional" was needed to do the job.  The following is a series of lists on how such a vampire hunter might go about detecting, luring and destroying his/her quarry as well as preventing the occurance of vampirism.  This information has been taken primarily from Mathew Bunson's The Vampire Encyclopedia in conjunction with my own knowledge and other resources.


 

How to Detect a Vampire

In the Cemetery
Signs on the Corpse
  • Finger-size holes
  • Disturbed Earth
  • Constant Mists
  • Disturbed Coffins
  • Moved or Fallen Tombstones
  • Broken or Fallen Crosses
  • Footprints leading from the grave
  • No birds singing
  • Dogs barking (or refusing to enter cemetery)
  • Geese screaming when near a suspected grave
  • Horses shying from grave
  • Groaning sounds from under the earth
  • Open Eyes
  • Ruddy Complexion
  • Fangs
  • Bloated Body
  • New nails or long hair
  • Long, talonlike nails
  • Flexible limbs
  • Lack of decomposition
  • Blood around the mouth, coffin or tomb
  • Overly protective caretaker
  • Sense of impending doom about the corpse
  • Other similar corpses nearby
  • White liver (when examined)
  • Open Mouth
Signs in Possible Victims
Suspected Vampire's Appearance/Habits
  • Sleeplessness
  • Nightmares
  • Anemia
  • Bite Marks, usually on the neck
  • Exhaustion
  • Nervousness and irritability
  • Sleepwalking
  • Difficulty in Breathing
  • No appetite
  • Weight Loss
  • Aversion to Garlic
  • Strange Dental Growths
  • Photosensitivity
  • Fangs
  • Red Eyes
  • Long nails
  • Paleness
  • Reluctance to enter house without invitation
  • Hairy Palms
  • Aversion to Bright Lights
  • No Appetite
  • Never seen during daylight hours
  • Posesses remarkable strength and dexterity
  • Has quiet footsteps
  • Has knowledge of botany w/ large collection of

    • soil in house or vicinity
  • Resides in abode deemed "evil" by others
  • Strange Clothing Habits
  • Has Enormous sexual appearl
  • People who know him/her frequently die
  • Rarely, if ever, discusses religion
  • Really bad breath
  • Bushy Eyebrows, joined together
  • Short Tail

    •  

How to Lure or Repel a Vampire

To Lure
To Repel
  • Using a dhampir
  • Using Animals
  • Using Virgins
  • Using Black or White Horses
  • Using virgins on Black or 

    • white horses
  • Using Sabbatarians
  • Using Crucifix
  • Using Roses
  • Using Iron
  • Using Silver
  • Using Red Peas
  • Using Rice
  • Using Roses
  • Using Garlic
  • Using Holy Water
  • Using Holly
  • Using Fishnets
  • Using Grain/Seeds
  • Using Bells
  • Using Juniper
  • Using Candles
  • Using Incense
  • Using Tar
  • Using Mirrors
  • Using Magic
  • Using Icons
  • Burying wine
  • Drinking blood candy
  • Eating blood bread
  • Using Consecrated Host
  • Praying
  • Using Knots

How to Destroy a Vampire

Common Methods
Less Common Methods
  • Staking
  • Beheading
  • Sunlight
  • Cremation (scatter ashes)
  • Piercing with a blessed sword
  • Drenching in garlic and holy water
  • Touching with a crucifix
  • Trapping in the grave
  • Extracting the Heart
  • Shooting with silver bullet
  • Exposing to sunlight
  • Stealing the left sock
  • Injecting with holy water
  • Magic
  • Bottling
  • Breaking the spine
  • Boiling the Heart

How to Prevent Vampirism

Preburial
Burial
  • Adhere to proper rituals
  • Destroy the vampire who caused the 

    • person's Death
  • Close all windows
  • Prevent animals from jumping over corpse
  • Prevent moonlight from falling on corpse
  • Prevent shadows from falling on corpse
  • Cover all mirrors
  • Place coins in mouth
  • Place garlic in mouth
  • Cover all standing water
  • Close the eyes of corpse
  • Remove the corpse through a hole cut

    • into wall of house
  • Mutilate corpse by hamstringing, removing

    • heart, piercing w/ thorns, staking, etc.
  • Pour incense into eyes, ears and nose
  • Place a hymnal, cross or brick under chin
  • Bind corpse by tying mouth shut, legs/feet 

    • together, wrapping in carpet, etc
  • Decapitate corpse, place head under arm, 

    • between legs, or in another grave
  • Cremate corpse
  • Stretch a dead cat or dog across threshhold
  • Place other deterants on corpse
  • Inter in prone position
  • Place deterants within coffin and on or

    • around the grave
  • Bury at crossroads
  • Place long poles, stakes, or thorns in 

    • the dirt of the grave
  • Nail to bottom of coffin

Things no vampire hunter's kit should be without


  • Stakes
  • Mallet
  • Mirror
  • Cross
  • Garlic
  • Holy Wafer 
  • Holy Water
  • Knives
    		•
    • Rope
    • Saw
    • Crowbar
    • Pistol
    • Silver Bullet
    • Flashlight
    • Neck brace

      • or iron collar

    A photograph of a vampire killing kit, as found in Ripley's
    Believe it or not museum, San Francisco.
     

     
     


     
     

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