la manchaland

Bloodfiends (혈귀, Hyeolgwi) are near-immortal, blood-dependent monsters that resemble humans but are fundamentally different. They originate by being turned into Kindred by another Bloodfiend, through the Distortion Phenomenon, or by receiving blood in a certain mansion. They require fresh human blood to maintain their sanity, identity, and physical form. Animal blood or Bloodfiend blood cannot satisfy their thirst. Without blood, they suffer mental instability, hallucinations, loss of self, and physical deterioration.

Bloodfiends operate under a strict generational hierarchy. The Primogenitor is the origin of all Bloodfiends. Those directly turned by the Primogenitor are called First Kindreds, each acting as the Elder of a Family within a District of the City. Their direct descendants are Second Kindreds, followed by Third Kindreds and so on. A Bloodfiend may create at most two Kindreds in their lifetime. Lower-generation Kindreds are psychologically unable to disobey higher-generation Kindreds. Upon the death of a Parent, a Kindred may ascend in rank within the Family.

All Bloodfiends possess an overwhelming thirst for fresh human blood. A lone Bloodfiend bears the full burden of this thirst, often leading to extreme distress and loss of rationality. By creating Kindred and forming a Family, this burden is distributed across members, allowing for greater mental stability. This creates an instinctive drive to propagate their Family. However, this also increases the total demand for blood.

The Manchegan Bloodfiends are a Family descended from a First Kindred associated with La Manchaland. They experienced severe blood scarcity due to reliance on alternatives such as stored blood packs and hemobars, both of which were insufficient to satisfy their collective thirst. This prolonged deprivation led to mental instability, physical weakening, and eventual breakdown of familial structure. In extreme cases, Kindreds committed acts of filial impiety, turning against their own First Kindred despite the innate psychological obedience imposed by the hierarchy.

Bloodfiends possess powerful blood manipulation abilities. They can shape blood into weapons, armor, or large-scale structures, and manipulate the blood within other beings. Their strength and regenerative capabilities scale directly with the quantity and freshness of blood consumed. Some Families specialize in specific forms of blood manipulation, though all share these fundamental traits.

Humans bitten by Bloodfiends may become either Kindred or Bloodbags. Kindreds retain their intelligence and individuality, becoming part of the Family hierarchy. Bloodbags lose all sapience and personal memory, acting as mindless thralls driven by commands or instinct. Bloodbags require only minimal blood to maintain their form and can still use abilities they possessed prior to transformation. Bloodfiends can also manipulate Bloodbags directly through their blood.

Bloodfiends are typically indistinguishable from humans. Common traits include red eyes and the manifestation of black-red crystalline blood structures during combat. Many Bloodfiends exhibit a fear of water and a compulsive tendency to count. Some individuals may not be consciously aware that they are Bloodfiends.

In behavior, Bloodfiends range from controlled and rational to completely feral depending on blood deprivation. Their speech may degrade under thirst, becoming fragmented and fixated on blood. Blood is not merely sustenance but the foundation of their emotional and psychological existence.