Creatures of the Night, Part 1
Supernatural Creatures
Vampires may be one of the more numerous Supernatural creatures that stalk the Night, but one of the reasons Nightborn are such social animals is for the protection their numbers grant against the other threats in the darkness.
Nightborn are not alone. Some Nightborn may trade, traffic, or make deals in Underworld markets while other creatures make war with Vampire-kind. Some may be controlled with the powers of the blood or dark ritual magic. And still there are others which are too mysterious or incomprehensible to engage and walk away in one piece.
Therianthropes
Werewolves, Weretigers, Wereboars, and far stranger Human-Animal amalgamations can hide amongst mortals almost as well as Vampires. Therians, often call Lycans or more informally Werewolves, have powers to change shape, camouflage with their surroundings, fog memories, and cover their tracks.
Their closeness to humanity often puts Werewolves at odds with Nightborn, though sometimes treaties and pacts get made, usually with provisions for dividing lines for territory and resources. Even so, some of the more infamous supernatural wars have happened between Werewolves and Nightborn.
Werecreatures can take many shapes, but the most commonly observed is the hybrid human/wolf form, which is deadly to mortal and Vampires alike. Nightborn see lore on Werewolves as highly valuable, and as Nightborn try to keep their own secrets about their weaknesses, Werewolves do the same and keep their capacities and limitation close to the chests.
Cryptids
Bigfoot, the Chupacabra, and about every Creepypasta you've ever heard of might actually exist in the world of Nightborn. From ancient legend to modern internet viral horror stories, the things which go bump in the night are here and best avoided.
Many of Cryptids do not distinguish between Vampires and mortal humans, so their dangers, curses, and horrors could be as dire to Nightborn as the legends tell. Luckily, as a Nightborn, you have a suite of powers to help thwart your doom from these relics of the past and future.
Not much is known to the Nightborn about Cryptids, in general. They seem to each be different and follow their own logic and rules or lack thereof. Nightborn scholars seek a unifying theory behind the nature of Cryptids, if such a thing is even possible.
Magicians
Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, and even magical practitioners whose titles don't begin with "W" are another consistent group of competitors/collaborators which Nightborn will tolerate or battle depending on their interests and circumstances at the moment.
Magicians are no conjurers of cheap tricks. Their studies, rituals, and bargains charge them with magics which makes them more than human and should be treated as such. Those of the Arcane Arts are cornerstones of the Underworld, conducting trade between Supernatural creatures or jailing those who are too troublesome in eldritch wards or pocket dimensions.
There are many paths to magic, and many Nightborn covet the powers of these Sorcerers as they resemble Vampire magics, yet seem unattainable and irreplicable for the Nightborn. Nightborn-Magician relations are often strained, yet both sides have a difficult time hiding their fascination with the other.
Undead
Revenants, Ghouls, and Ghosts haunt the cursed places of the Earth. Nightborn are technically Undead, yet bare very little similarity to the other varieties. Shambling corpses rarely show any other motivation than eating brains and specters don't have physical bodies which makes for a difficult social life.
Zombies hunt in areas cursed by Necromancy, particularly Graveyards, Crypts, and Catacombs. Spirits of the dead linger in areas of importance to their life and the trauma of their death. Incorporeal Undead are notoriously hard to get rid of as they lack a physical body to destroy.
Nightborn often deal with Undead either via their own Necromantic Rituals or those of their adversaries. Revenants make for cheap guards and intrusion deterrence for areas you don't want others lurking.
Faeries
Masters of Dreams and Nightmares, the Fae come in many shapes and sizes. Some are recognizable as Elves, Trolls, or Goblins, yet others appear more absurdist or surreal. One thing is for certain: they are not here to lead you on an adventure in a magical land, and are more likely to steal your mind, life, or face.
Nightborn do their best to avoid Fairies, as they have been at odds for centuries, with some Vampires and Immortal Fae being old enough to remember why. The Fair Folk don't play fair, but there is always a tale in a book somewhere hinting on how to deal with them.
The only common ground that can be found is in a Goblin Market found in only impossible spaces. Even there, Vampires should be wary, as it is the Fae's home turf, though it is know Fae must honor any deal they make. Make sure to read the fine print.
Horrors
Unspeakable things lurk deep in the oceans, far in the wilderness, and beyond the stars. Horrors are monster that even monsters fear. Horrors cannot be reasoned with, those some may be appeased through odd nonsensical and rituals which often resemble atrocities rather than sacred rites.
Lesser Horrors include Krakens and Leviathans, and they only get harder to comprehend from there. Some Horrors are made from a thousand stitched together corpses while others only can exist half-way in our reality with their other half existing in a dimension of pain & terror. Glimpsing such an abomination can drive mortals and immortals alike into a gibbering madness.
Trying to traffic or bargain with Horrors is pure folly. Running is the best course of action in the rare time is an option. Some long-lived Nightborn argue it is better to observe a Horrors appeasement ritual at great cost rather than risk a Horror running free in the world. Thankfully, Horrors are exceedingly rare.
Mythics
Djinn, Devas, and Demons are some examples of some creatures Nightborn have categorized as Mythics. Mythics have ties to Gods & Demigods of the Ancient World. Only the Eldest of Vampires know if the Gods ever truly existed, but some of their alleged servants and enemies can still be found in modern nights.
Mythics have their own motivations, cultures, and creeds. Their true purpose, weaknesses, and needs often don't match up with the tales about them. Figuring out their specific patterns is a dangerous task, yet often necessary to gain any advantage.
Mythics are known for their willingness to bargain, barter, or bet. Nightborn have learned to be as clear as possible with terms of a deal, as a careless trader could have been better off dealing with the Fae. Shrew operators can make out ahead with contracts, as what is valuable to a Mythic might be of no consequence to a Nightborn. It is not like Vampires value their souls anyway.
In the next section of Creature of the Night, we will go over those who fight back against the Creature of the Night: Monster Hunters.
