"'Certainly; you don't suppose that evil spirits are frightened by bits of ribbons, or the perfumes at a druggist's shop?' "
- Carmilla, Sheridan LeFanu

So, you're here to learn about the nature of "The Beast"?  Great...here is some info for you, garnered from Mathew Bunson's Vampire Encyclopedia and various other texts, also.   Below you will find common powers that folkloric vampires seem to posess, and common needs they may have in terms of food, shelter, etc.