View source for Vampires

{{race infobox
| name=Vampires
| image = Liz Danforth - Vampire.jpg
| caption="Vampire" by [[Liz Danforth]]
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| location=[[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]], [[Sauron]]
| rivalry=
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| people=
| members=[[Thuringwethil]]
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| distinctions=bat-like creatues
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}}

'''Vampires''' were mysterious bat-like creatures in the service of [[Morgoth]] and of [[Sauron]]. The only vampire whose name is recorded in the annals of [[Arda]] is [[Sauron]]'s messenger, [[Thuringwethil]],<ref>{{LB|C12}}, line 3782</ref> but Sauron himself took the form of a vampire on at least one occasion, to flee [[Huan]].<ref>{{S|19}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|A vampire shape with pinions vast<br/>
''screeching leaped from the ground, and passed,''<br/>
''its dark blood dripping on the trees''|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref>{{LB|C9}}, line 2820, p. 254</ref>}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''[[1989]]: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'' (''[[Dark Mage of Rhudaur]]''):'''
:Vampires are described as former [[Maiar|Maia]] patrons of normal bats, but corrupted by Morgoth and transformed into demons appearing as man-sized bats with "''the faces of hideous Men or Women''", having the ability to change shape.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 91</ref> A related creature is also envisioned, the ''Blood-wight'', which is an undead [[Men|Mannish]] shapechanger, draining blood from living beings.<ref>{{ICE|8013}}</ref>

'''[[2007]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:A new creature created for the game, the Merrevail (singular, Morroval) appear to be based on Tolkien's vampires. They are fearsome bat-winged women with sharp talons. The males of the species are the Mervyl (singular, Morvul).

==External links==
*{{WP|Vampire}}

{{References}}

[[Category:Bats]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]

[[fi:Vampyyrit]]