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| − | A '''Vampire''' is a mythological creature who drinks the [[blood]] of living [[human beings]] for sustenance. [[Bram Stoker]]'s ''[[Dracula]]'' is one of the most famous references to vampires. Most tales of vampires came from Eastern Europe, with [[Vlad the Impaler]] as the most famous. Another famous example is [[Richard Matheson]]'s novel ''[[I Am Legend]]''. | + | A '''Vampire''' is a mythological creature who drinks the [[blood]] of living [[human beings]] for sustenance. [[Bram Stoker]]'s ''[[Dracula]]'' is one of the most famous references to vampires. Most tales of vampires came from Eastern Europe. Another famous example is [[Richard Matheson]]'s novel ''[[I Am Legend]]''. |
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| − | In the horror genre, vampires have been popularized in many books, movies, and role playing games. | + | In the horror genre, vampires have been popularized in many books, movies, and role playing games. The abilities of vampires differ in various fiction and myth. In ''Dracula'', the vampire is able to transform into a bat or dog and to manipulate the weather. In most variants of the myth, a vampire's human victim also becomes a vampire. |
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| | + | Vampires are impervious to most forms of injury, and can only be destroyed in certain ways. Again these vary among differing fictions, but usually include driving a wooden stake through the vampire's heart, decapitation or exposure to sunlight. Vampires are usually repelled by [[garlic]], crucifixes and sometimes mirrors. |
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| | + | Vampires are generally portrayed as evil, although a few recent books and films have portrayed vampire characters in a sympathetic light. |
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| | == In books == | | == In books == |
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| | In books vampires have been portayed many a time throughout history. The most famous vampire in literature is probably [[Bram Stoker]]'s ''[[Dracula]]''. | | In books vampires have been portayed many a time throughout history. The most famous vampire in literature is probably [[Bram Stoker]]'s ''[[Dracula]]''. |
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| − | In today's literature, a popular vampire book is ''[[Twilight]]'' by [[Stephenie Meyer]]. | + | In today's literature, a popular vampire book is ''Twilight'' by Stephenie Meyer. |
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| | == In film == | | == In film == |