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Have any of you encountered a a vampire squash before? They seem like a very strange creature that many may not know how to handle... ninja I'm also just looking for a good story

Since I gave myself a PhD in Monster Genetics and Classification, I feel best suited to answering Banshi's question.

To the first: Demons, being the spawn of Hell are different from Monsters. Allow me to summarize:

Monsters have clearly defined, set chromosomal patterns with trackable dominant and recessive genes and relatively stable genetic structures. Though the number of chromosomes vary depending on the genus of monster, all 'Monsters' from a genetic perspective, possess what is referred to as the 'V' chromosome. All Monsters have it, and only Monsters have it, and the chromosome has undergone very little change in the 4000 some odd years it has been in existance.

Demons are unholy beasts, constructions from the nether regions of the world and embodiments of sin and all the darker aspects of humanity. Demons do not have a set genetic structure, nor chromosomal patterns. It is this strangely maleable aspect of the demon gene code which allows them to interbreed with pretty much anything. The gene sets, to the best of our knowledge, shift through patterns which emphasize different aspects of a demon at different points in time, which is what makes fighting a true-born and raised Hell Demon so much different and more chaotic than fighting a surface dwelling monster. At the moment of copulation, the gene sets "freeze" and match the chromosome numbers of the target species. From there, a child is born. Because the aspects are continually shifting, Demon-spawn are rarely even similar, let alone identical. Some will have horns, some will have stripes, some will have wings and some will look completely normal. Some will have immense hellish powers, and others will just be sluts.

In addition, the spawn of Demons are given a mismatched V chromosome, marking them as Monsters in a genetic classification, and a mate which appears to be broken. The broken mate to the V is the morphing gene, which further permits interbreeding. You can see more examples of this in the Chimaera subset of the Monster Kingdom, which all have a broken chromosome as well. We speculate that this happened when Demon-spawn had sex with a goat, but we really can't be sure. However, because the Chimaera genes are not malleable like a Demons, you get much more defined and traceable heritage.

To the second:

There is some confusion over the terminology of the word "Demon" in relation to Eastern supernatural creatures. Demon is very much a misnomer, because the East operates under different Celestial guidelines than the West does. The term "Daemon" would be much more accurate, as they are creatures of supernatural origin with no particular leanings towards God, Satan, Good, Bad or Chocolate Cake.

In classical 'Monster Classification' we refer to Eastern Daemons as "Totemic Demons" due to their imitation, indeed, their parallels with the animal kingdom, although as discussed earlier, they are not truly Monsters (as they lack the V chromosome) but nor are they Demons (as they do not originate in Hell). Like Hell-bound demons, Totemic Demons have genes which are in a mild state of flux. Much less chaotic by nature, generally their genes shift in relation to some outside factor, be it injury, cycles of the moon, time of the month or nearby dog-food biscuits. However, the mere fact that they are malleable and seem to possess a more primitive (If that's possible) version of the "Broken" chromosome, allows them to interbreed with certain species. Because many forms of Totemic demons are able to shape-shift into a very human form, they are able to interbreed easily with humans.

We like to at least pretend that people are being tricked, and not going out seeking Hell Demons or Totemic Demons just so they can have children with superpowers and consequences be damned.

In regards to some of the other things I read:

Jon-OH is correct in the statement that the offspring of a Vampire would basically be human, genetically speaking. If you were to say, clone a Vampire, the result would be a human (Although you'd have to get it while it was fresh). The trouble with demons, is that fully 1/3 of Demons do not have a corporeal form. They do their work through possessions and the Astral Plane, primarily. Vampires are a peculiar demon in so much as they are -created- (Or 'Sired' as they like to call it) by another Demon, rather than by Infernal Energies or Satan's weird mangina juices. But since when a vampire occupies a host, the host dies, all reproductive activities cease at the moment of death. So breeding a vampire genetically is not possible.

Breeding a vampire in a more technical sense, however, is. In fact, really whenever a vampire bites a person, you would think of it as "breeding" a new vampire. I have heard of instances, with some of the more obscure Vampire clans, that when a vampire bit a woman who was with the child, the child was the one who was possessed, and not the woman.

Logically, that would result in a still-born infant who would then become the living dead, however the majority of the accounts indicate that because of the protective qualities of the womb, the vampire was born alive.

This wreaks havoc with all manner of tradition and even science, but there is some small consolation. Vampires born in such a manner, while not outright slain by sunlight or traditional vampire weaknesses are usually weak against them, and Vampires born like that have an expiration date. They may live hundreds of years longer than people, but they will die of old age, unlike their already dead brethren.

As far as souls go:

While I know the answer to that question, I feel it's best to let everyone figure it out/decide for themselves. Looking at it from a purely analytical view tends to destroy the beautiful process that is.

Needless to say: Demons, born from Hell or spawned in Vampiric processes are soulless, as are Angels and all manner of Deities.

Souls are immeasurably beautiful things, and are solely (forgive the pun) the propriety of mortals.

Astral has a PhD now... no fair. crying

two things






DID EVERYBODY HEAR THAT!

WOOOOOOOO!

in your face world, Jon-OH is correct.

I want to be right...

Unless I rip off Astral's writing style I think I'm just going to continue being incorrect.

*Halfheartedly tosses small semi-sentient squid at Thad*

There ya go.