One major misconception regarding paranormal investigation is that it only deals with hauntings and ghost. This is in fact very far from the truth. The range of research spans from ghosts to UFOs all the way to creatures that defy the laws of science and reason. While we are called upon far less for those types of investigations as opposed to ghosts and hauntings they do come up. In this article I want to give you some information regarding one of the most amazing and questionable topics in the paranormal field. A creature feared for ages throughout historical text, a creature whose evil is even documented in the bible itself. What pray tell is this creature? The vampire.

The vampire has been immortalized in film, literature and the nightmares of people everywhere but few people would ever believe that to some extent the vampire exists. The word vampire usually sparks one of two images. The first a pale faced, cape wearing, smooth talking being who is as dangerous as he is suave. The second, a modern disturbed youth looking for compassion and a sense of belonging. (Anne Rice) While both images are entertaining and remarkable they fail to compare with the real vampires of history.

While vampires in books and film can shift various shapes and become animals and mist, their real life counterparts cannot accomplish such feats. Nor can they fly about and seduce women with a simple glance, but their thirst for blood is as aggressive if not more so than their Hollywood comparisons. I want you to have not only historical, but modern accounts to look at as you question if the vampire is real or just a scary being of imagination and nightmare.

So sprinkle some holy water on your clothes, secure that crucifix to your neck, and tie that garland of garlic to your neck as we dive deeper into the world of the vampire.

The most famous creature of the night is the famed Count Dracula, an iconic creation of Bram Stoker in his novel Dracula… or is it? No character has been portrayed in more films as that of Dracula, having been played by Bela Lagosi, Christopher Lee, and even funny man Leslie Neilson. He has made appearances in comic books, television and novels of all types and sizes. The novel by Bram Stoker started the trend that would last long after the novel was released. While the book scares readers to this day few are aware that it’s sensational villain is based on a real person who was just as cruel as the shadowy count in the novel.

Stoker actually found inspiration for his horror novel in that of a ruler who favored torture above all else. Vlad Tsepish (various spellings exist for this name). Vlad did not possess the ability to become a winged menace of the night, or a mist of shadows but he did possess an undying hunger for blood and pain that would make him one of the most talked about historic figures of all time.

In 1455 the Turks invaded Wallachin thus making the simple Vlad a ruler. Vlad came from a long line of great men and heroes. His relatives served as kings, knights and even members of the Legion of the Dragon. While many expected his rule to be a peaceful and calm reign they were shocked when he betrayed the Christians of the land and pursued wealth and fame at all costs. Cruelty was Vlad’s most valued weapon and the one who made the most use of. In one supposed case, Frenchmen visiting Vlad refused to tip their hats for such a vile man. Vlad returned the favor by nailing the hats to their heads. Those who survived the nailing had their arteries slashed and the blood collected in vats.

He once invited the poor and lame of the town to his castle for free clothes and a meal. Upon entering the room all they found were the sharp ends of Vlad’s soldiers’ swords. Vlad claimed he had rid the streets of the poor and he was a hero for this. Despite the evil he committed his people saw him as just that… a hero.

Vlad’s reputation grew and he began to be addressed in different ways. Each of these new names had it’s roots in the word draco, a Latin term for dragon or devil. Venice called him Draculia, Germany addressed him as Dracole, but in any language he was feared. Moldavia gave him the name Dracul, a term for vampire. This term would grow into the now famous Dracula.

Every week this “dragon” would torture 12 people. His obsession with blood grew to an unimaginable length. He earned the name impeller after impaling victims on stakes and collecting their blood in various containers for later use. He would consume the blood with herbs or alcohol but preferred to partake of the substance untouched and from the source itself.

It is known that Vlad favored biting women on the neck and drinking the blood straight from the vein. This was his favorite method of obtaining the liquid of life and his most frightening form of torture. His evil lasted some time but eventually he found an end by the very people who helped him to become what he was. The Turks. They beheaded the man claimed to be un-killable. Years after his death he was still seen riding a pale black horse through the Transylvanian countryside.

While less famed and less talked about the story of the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory is just as horrific as that of Vlad Dracula. Bathory is often referred to as the most infamous female vampire of history and that title is rightfully given, as you will see. She entered the world in 1560 and soon found herself entranced with the world of witchcraft, in particular black magic fancied her. Her beauty was much to be admired and she often found herself in the eyes of suitors.

While one would imagine such a lady as many things none could fathom what Bathory was doing in her castle home. Her favorite hobby was the torturing of servant girls who worked for her. The satisfaction she gained was great and it was this act that brought her peak of insanity upon her when she turned 26.

A time had come when Bathory left her husband for a man who from all accounts resembled the legendary Vlad Dracula, a man who had been dead for many many years. She eloped with this pale man and was unseen for some time. She would eventually return to her rightful husband and life, this time filled with a lust for pain and torture.

Her want to see blood and suffering in others led her to slap a servant who had tugged to hard at her hair one afternoon. Blood ran down the fingers of the enraged countess. Now in her 40s she saw the blood and felt it gave her a youthful appearance. Suddenly Bathory felt she had the secret to permanent youth and so began her most dramatic tortures yet.

The servant was slain and her blood collected in a vat. The countess then bathed in the vat proclaiming that her youth would remain. She hired men to find and recruit servant girls from off the street. These girls would never be seen again. The countess is rumored to have killed no less than 40 girls and no more than 300! It was not until one of the countess’ victims escaped that her demented attitude would go noticed.

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