In the Kingdom of Virensia and surrounding realms, a harrowing phenomenon has emerged: the dead occasionally return to life. Retaining their original souls and personalities, these beings—known as Moroi—are biologically undead, lacking a heartbeat or the need to breathe. They can only be permanently killed if their heart is destroyed, and they sustain their existence and heal wounds through the consumption of at least one pint of humanoid blood every two days.
Though often mistaken for traditional vampires, the Moroi lack supernatural abilities, cannot create spawns, and possess no inherent mystical buffs or conventional weaknesses, such as sunlight or garlic. Their struggle for survival is defined by a strict biological clock:
Frenzy Progression:
* Day 1-2: Normal functioning; however, most Moroi feed daily to maintain stability.
* Day 3: Control begins to slip; physical motor skills degrade and some report hearing an intrusive, malevolent voice.
* Day 4: Total loss of self; the individual descends into a "Frenzied Moroi" state, which is irreversible.
This biological imperative has led to a major cultural schism. The Moroi have split into two distinct factions, divided by their differing moralities and methods regarding how they obtain their required sustenance. Whether they seek blood through trade, donation, or darker, predatory means remains the defining conflict of their existence. While the first Moroi appeared approximately 1,500 years ago, the mystery of their origin remains a subject of intense study and fear across across the lands.