InsaneJournal

I've been reading this series for like ten years. The physiology from this series is kind of all over the place but... I'll try to outline it as cohesively I can. Some of this stuff does not make a lick of sense, I know, but that's how it was written in the books so I'm gonna try to keep to what I can remember in the books.

Mortality

One of the most important parts of Ellen's vampires is that they are, indeed, mortal. They are born vampires, but they can also sexually reproduce with humans. I don't know how, or why, but sometimes a human child might be produced from a vampire-dominated family. Half-vampires also exist in this universe and their physiology works just a bit different.

They have no regenerative healing factor, possibly due to this. They can die in any way a regular human could die.

The Sun / Light Sensitivity

Full-blooded vampires such as Alexander and the Maxwell twins are extremely sensitive to light. The sun will burn them. Bright lights hurt like a bitch and they will recoil from it.

Half-blooded vampires aren't sensitive to light at all, due to being half-human. They can walk in the sun with no limitations.

Transferable Vampirism

Ellen's vampires are capable of creating more vampires. All it takes is a single bite, and you're a vampire. I expect this works through way of a fast-acting venom. There isn't really any blood exchange needed to complete the process, and there's no "draining to the brink of death", either. It's just a bite.

The blood of a pure vampire can turn a human into a half-blood, or a half-blood into a full-blood. I'm not sure if half-vampires have the capability to turn humans into half-bloods.

Eternal Bonds

If a vampire bites their intended on sacred ground (such as a burial ground), their fledgling will be bound to them for life. This is equivalent to a marriage in their culture. "Covenant ceremonies" are a very big deal in this world.

Becoming a vampire isn't a casual thing by any means, but a human can become a vampire anywhere so long as there's somebody to bite them and pass on the "virus", for lack of a better word.

If a human is turned on sacred ground and becomes bound to the vampire that sired them, they are meant to be each other's "fount", though they still need to live off regular blood to keep their strength up. Feeding off their mate too often can leave them weak. Blood sharing is more of an intimate exchange than a main source of nourishment.

Misc. Abilities & Weaknesses

Shape-Shifting / Flight - Full-blooded vampires are capable of transforming into bats and can travel for certain distances this way. Their color reflects their natural hair color. Alexander's bat form is dark brown/black, while the Maxwells all turn white/albino.

Hypnosis - Through direct eye contact, Ellen's vampires are capable of hypnosis. For the vampires that prefer to drink right from the source, this is mostly used as mild sedation of their victims. However, it's not practical to hunt for victims, so most settle for blood bags or animal blood.

Mirrors / Cameras - They cast no reflection in a mirror, and therefore also cannot be caught on camera. This is either a weakness or a stealth tactic. Depends how you look at it.

Heightened Speed & Strength - Vampires are much stronger and can move much faster than humans.

Fangs & Sustenance

Ellen's vampires, regardless of blood status, have non-retractable fangs. They are located only on the canines.

They do need to consume blood to survive. Animal blood will suffice and keep them healthy, but human blood keeps them stronger. Those who choose to live off animal blood can make do with raw steaks and what we call "Romanian smoothies", which is some sort of blood-based concoction.

Aversion to Garlic - They are capable of eating and digesting human food, but they have a deadly aversion to garlic. The smell of garlic basically sends them into anaphylactic shock. There is a "vampire epi-pen" to reverse this but without treatment, they can die.

Appearance

All the vampires are pale and have enhanced beauty. Born vampires are already beautiful, while turned vampires simply have their best features enhanced. Their eyes remain their natural colors, but they change color. When they're pissed off, their eyes flash to red - kind of like how the werewolves in these shows today have their eyes flash to yellow. It's an intimidation tactic. When they're hungry, their eyes might not look as vibrant.

Sleeping

Ellen's vampires sleep in coffins, during the day. Their coffins must be encircled by dirt from their native country. Some vampires that live among humans might have a room closed off just for their coffin, and keep a regular bed in their main room to keep up appearances.

Education

Because all the full-blooded vampires are nocturnal and sleep during the day, they must be homeschooled. Half-vampires can choose to be homeschooled or they might decide to attend public school, though it'd probably just be easier to stay homeschool.