Vetala
Vetalas1 are a breed of vampire native to the sub-continent of Vudra. Unlike traditional vampires, however, vetalas feed on the creative consciousness or psyche (called "prana" in Vudrani) of others, and are particularly drawn to those endowed with great force of will, creativity, or those simply destined for greatness.2
Some scholars compare them to psychic vampires, or vetalaranas as their similarities suggest they are the same creature.34
History
Vetals trace their origins to a mysterious strain of vampires known as the strigoi, as all true vampires do. The strigoi originally gave rise to the bestial nosferatu, who in turn became the progenitors of the moroi when the ancestors of the latter strain chose to abandon their ancestors' bestial lifestyles. Some moroi went further than this, and decided that the mere act of feeding on the unclean blood of "lesser beings" was a debasement of their dignity. While their abstinence from blood nearly killed them, some learned how to feed directly from others' minds, thus becoming the first true vetalas.5
References
For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.
- ↑ For information, a different version of a vetala is described in Cult of the Ebon Destroyers (module) 17, and illustrated on p. 19. As that Pathfinder Module preceded the more recent descriptions of this monster, then the newer version is described here as canon.
- ↑ . Inner Sea Bestiary, 54–55. Paizo Inc., 2012
- ↑ NECR0G1ANT. (March 17, 2023). Was vetalarana vetala? Or Psychic vampire?, Paizo messageboard.
- ↑ Adam Daigle. (March 17, 2023). >>Ask *Adam Daigle* ALL your questions here!!<<, Paizo messageboard.
- ↑ . “Overview” in Blood of the Night, 5. Paizo Inc., 2012
External links
- Vetala (Real-life mythical entity) on Wikipedia
