The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

If you see a sea of threads in the main forum that are obviously about fictional vampires or role-playing games~ are you more likely to not post, or join in on the conversation?

If this is not your cup of tea- does it make you want to give up on the forum altogether- or do you use it as a means to challenge them in hopes to cease these topics?

Do you think these kinds of threads are just as valid as modern vampirism? And also- do you think it would be beneficial for the authors of a thread to state rather they are speaking in terms of reality or not?

This is not a poll... I am hoping for REAL input and views on this.

People are always complaining about the forum or how it 'used to be'. Why not come up with ideas to make it work for you?

personally i don't care what a thread is about, if it's fun, conversational, pleasant or educational and i can contribute i will
fantasy is as much a part of my life as reality

I believe this post is a good post. This is very valid to the Rave.

I try to interact in a logical, knowledgable manner when on the forum. I find that the questions are not real interesting. It should be also noted that I am guilty of that one. :)

My point is this: we are an online community with members from all over the world. We are considered an alternative lifestyle. This forum should be about topics that allow us to learn from each other.

I think that, espcially when a forum is this large, if you aren't interested of feel you'd be offended by that thread

1 - don't continue to read it...
2 - if it's that bad...then why are you here?

as for whether or not I'd join in...if it looks like it's really...erm...how to say it..involved by the people posting in it, maybe I'd message the one who started it to see if they'd mind me joining. If it's role-playing or something. If not, I'm sure I'd join in. I mean, this is an open forum right? LOL

If there's a thread that is of no interest to you, then by all means, you have the choice of not replying.

If there are alot of threads that are of no interest to you, then make a new thread that is of your interest. Just make sure you post your thread in the right section.

Reply to the threads that you want to, you have that choice. Some I have found are very educational and some are for just fun. Personally I like the mixture. Just remember to place your thread in the proper section.

I have to agree with Aoibheal. I am finding a lot of nonsense posts. And, people are posting just to make thier ppsting scores. But, in trying to make my posting score and learn something, I am on the forum everyday. Sometimes I become frustrated that there is no interesting threads.

I wish I was better at writing threads!

i have to agree with what some here says. there are some threads here that are not really conversational, but just games. but since vr is a community of different personas and lifestyles, i think members are getting to know others through this ver simple threads.

but if someone is not intersted in a thread or thinks it as pointless, better not read or open the thread (like i do sometimes) and post on rather what we think is conversational in our point of views.

we have different opinions and attitudes and this is mirrored in what we post as threads. i think we should respect the others for what they think, leave them alone for as long as they are following the vr thread guidelines or give them advice to post smething better

I tend to read more threads than I post to but I have found a lot of interesting things to be learned in them. I am interested in both types of vampire threads but it would be helpful if an indication was given as to which one it was going to be about. I would hate to find myself posting about a roleplay vampire character into a thread where people are talking about their daily lives.

I dont mind what a post is about, as long as i have something to contribute and i learn something from it...

I do wish people would differentiate whether or not they are referring to fictional / legendary / mythical things, or do they REALLY believe that they are 3,000 year old immortal beings.

Discussing legends and myths with the understanding that they are only part of lore is fine with me. People asking whether or not they will be turned to ash by sunlight or be repulsed by garlic is just rediculous in my opinion.

Interjecting one's views on 'actual' vampyric lifestyle when fictional / legendary vampires are being discussed is just as confusing and annoying as the converse.

very good point KCRC.

I too wish people would differentiate if they are speaking in terms of mythos or real life.

I read the thread, if makes sens or if it spark my interest or even when it is just making me stop and think that maybe? Wether or not ti is real/fictionnal/hypotesus/theory/proven fact....callit what you want, if it is well state as to where and how the topic is directed or at least send to, then I'll jump in to t ether my two cents or to ask more info or to makemore clear what they are seeking or discussing.

I read most of the threads here on the forum. If I feel I can lend to the discussion I will post to it. That is the great thing about VR..you have that choice.

There are so many points of reference considering the wide range of folks who post here that one thread is being interpreted in multiple levels of understanding the topic.
Topics are fun to be involved with, some are comical, some are boring, and some I enjoy. Sometimes I become confused and cannot follow the logic of threads, so those I stay away.

i do what most do I read through them and comment on what i find interesting or read the ones i don't know about.

I find that i skim through all sections of the forum. I don't necessarily post in every thread I read and it is usually because I don't really have an opinion on the subject or I don't have anything to add to the conversation at hand.

I like the fact that there is a wide variety of subjects and tones in the forum.

The forum is definitely different than it was 6 months ago, but hey...no one is forcing anyone to post here, right? =)

well in some ways they do fit in with this life style I know a lot of people who don't mind talking of the lighter side of thing now and then .....I am one of them :)

I read a post and i answer it to the best of my ability. I dont really care if it is fictional or not. If it is a good thread then whats the difference. You dont have to answer in all threads if u disagree. It is the main forum it doesnt say it has to be based on facts, if it was then there would be even less threads.

I am more likely not to post in the threads but find something that appeals to me instead.

I do wish they would clarify whether they believe what they are typing or realize it is a myth.

As for whether I would give up completely on the forum, that's highly unlikely.

I get irritated with it sometimes, but I have the freedom and choice to decide whether or not I will post on a thread. It's not like anyone is forcing me to do so or forcing me to even read it. And there are always at least a couple of interesting threads hidden in the mess. Plus, if one does not like the content of the forum, then why not make a thread they will enjoy? Put some effort into it. But the forums seriously are not as bad as they could be...

unfortunately there are piteously few forum threads that are of serious interest to me. i tend to weed them out by title alone.

but truthfully i think that the fictional vampire retains a large fan base and is the one that most are familiar with. i think that as long as everyone has fun on the forums it's ok.

if there is nothing to your liking, then start a thread of what you find interesting, so long as it remains in the genre listed at the top of the general discussion.

there are topics here that are sheer nonsense and there are topics that have great potential to be interesting. either way there should be something for everyone.

personally i don't care what a thread is about, if it's fun, conversational then i am most likely will post in it.

i think its all interesting...one way or another...

let people post and respond to whatever intrigues them is kinda how i look @ it. if the topic interests me or seems fun, i'll post. but just b/c it's not my flavor doesn't mean that it isn't others.

I think the 4 forum sections work well.
I just wish all the threads had informative subject titles such as this one. That way you dont have to open a thread to see what it is.
Titles such as "What if......" or "Your opinion on....." usually result in me opening them and seeing its not something I am interested in.

I agree with Vamplez.
I also can't stand all the little kids and their make believe stories, it gets old... FAST

I just started posting in the forum but I'm willing to learn about new things and ideas. I find that I'm not knowledgeable about alot of the topics that are posted. So I just hope that I don't make people angry when I try to participate.

I too also think that the topic should be better explained. If it is factual or fiction should be something that is mentioned either as I heard this story or the legends state. Something to that effect. The forum works well and more times than not we get incredible posts on here.

I hope what I say does not get my message deleted, but what bothers me is some of the people that watch the forums literally decide if any of the statements are in compliance with the VR forum policy, from their interpretation of the forum rules. Not that I have a problem with them doing there job, but several times a thread has been closed because a dominar found it not quite right. I have seen a forum closed because someone just did not like the topic. And there is usually a nasty little message right before that happens. (there is only one forum monitor that does that though)

That is my two cents worth. If a topic is fiction, please let us know so we can respond appropriatly. If it is factual, know your source. If it is a question that has not be decided on...that is perfect. Group intertactions and talking is what this is all about. If we can't teach each other what good is a forum for?

Blessed Be...

"I was once blackboard monitor at school,’ said Vimes sharply."

~Terry Pratchett's 'The Fifth Elephant'.

"I was once blackboard monitor at school,’ said Vimes sharply."

~Terry Pratchett's 'The Fifth Elephant'.


I absolutly love this My Lord. Thanks for sharing. Great quote... Blessed Be...

i enjoy both sides its good entertainment

I love to interact with the forums, be it fictional or reality

well i think that people are intitaled to say what they want but within reason that is appropriate for the forum so thats why i leave it up to you guys to take out that crap but i dont really mind it being there so if they want it there that bad let them have it

Isn't VR pretty much fantasy period? Life would be pretty boring with out fantasy of one kind or another. I tried tu post a thread about what all of you thought a "real" vampire was, but it didn't du very well. I don't mind fiction or fact, as long as it's interesting and even makes me think about what I believe and why. Viva la Forum!

I also think all topics are valid as long as they are related to the forum categories.

I WOULD be nice if people clarified which world they were speaking of, the one we live in, or the imaginative one (I hang out there mostly, but I don't bring it here).

And for you, TheVampireTu- no... Vampire Rave is far from a fantasy for most of us here.

The title doesn't always help. People will speak from 'personal experience' about something that is obviously not. It can really make for loads of confusion and/or frustration.

There was a time when all those threads were automatically RIAd.

More often than not, I find the threads in the main forum rather repetitive and boring. Does that make me want to give up the forum altogether? Definitely not! It makes me want to bring a new, more interesting topic into play.

I believe that, while uninteresting to me, the majority of the threads are of value to the people who open them and respond to them, and as such, won't post to them to criticize or to show my lack of enthusiasm.

Also, I would never dream of posting just to add a number to my total posts. I can't see the point in replying to nonsense for such a small reward. I have, however, been guilty of posting multiple times to a thread that I belive is interesting if it falls to the second or third page, just to bring it back into the foreground.

i personally only respond to things that strike an emotion in me. whether it be fiction or reality. if it has a good meaning behind it i will take the time to read all of the posts and respond in a way that i see fit to the discussion. but if the thread is starting to get off topic or just not interesting to me i will not respond. not saying that people have uninteresting things to talk about i mean to each their own. what intrests you does not mean it will interest everyone.

I am going to be one of those people saying that, no, the forums are not the same as they used to be. Everything feels as though it's been done to death (which it probably has). But I have not lost total faith in the forums. Every so often someone posts something that is worth reading, worth replying to.

Like others, I will usually only reply to a post that strikes a nerve in me. I mean, I'm not to phased about my forum posts, so going months on end with avoiding the forums works plenty well for me.

to be honest, i'm not sure that they do know the difference between real life, game world, and fantasy fiction. actors that play unpopular villains in soap operas often get attacked or get hate mail from grown adults who dont know the difference between reality and a TV show. now if you don't mind i'll just wait for a blue kiosk to show up so i can go back in time and repost this reply in june 2007 - before it got closed.

If i like a forum thread i will post my opinion in the thread if i don't like it then i don't bother, However i believe each person is an indevidual and therefore wether truth or fiction they can still post whatever they wish so long as it's in the right s4ection.

the point being made is that it is confusing if someone is posting a thread or making a comment solely as roleplay or fanboy, but others think they are being serious - it gets kinda messy and confusing.

YES. Too many people are unclear. It steers others away from the conversation. Or, people will come into a reality-based thread and post as if it were rpg.

I join in the topics that catch my eye, be they about fictional vampires or not. Though I admit it gets on my nerves when I'm told I don't know what I'm talking about, or that I'm flat-out wrong just because I don't agree unquestioningly and choose to form my own opinions.

I love any thread(s) that I find amusing..whether it is RPG or Fiction

stay away from the role playing threads

i like the ones that you can learn something from

but i will go in and play some of the sandbox game ones just for something to do lol

I enjoy the learning and sharing of info threads yet the forums is for everyone and many different things so.... I feel everyone has something that they like in in and if not well then just do not participate is my saying.

When I look at the topics on the forum I look for the onest that interest me. If a title catches my eye I look at it closely. I have learned a LOT from this forum. I do think the topics are repeating a lot and getting stale. I am always on the lookout for new interesting news.

this will probably get deleted ofcourse but the VR forum here long ago was once pretty good, now its like just a status battle it seems

I enjoy the forums as they are I post in the General Discussion when I feel I can add something to it and am interested in it and I play in the sandbox when I feel like it. But I would truthfully find it helpful if the person starting the thread would indicate if they intended it to be for RPG or Ficitional accounts or Real life stories at the beginning. I would not want to place a fictional posting there when they wanted to be serious as that would be disrespectful.

I don't want to offend anyone but I would like to say that while anyone who has been here for some time is may be tired of some the the topics that come up repeatedly, the newer members that haven't seen them before or had a chance to talk about them, shouldn't they have a chance to do so? What if one of them had something entirely new to offer on a tired old subject, wouldn't it have been worth another go round?

??? how do you mean? i have been here a short time..the coversations are interesting , the topics..rarely dull. some topics do get talked about over and over, but people have to wait before they can post questions...so, alot of peeps probabley have the same questions in mind....

I dont really care what the forum is about. If I am interested in it, than I will write back.

I feel that with a wide range of varying opinion on the site are as valid as eachother, except for certain silly posts which are completely irrelevent.

However, although I hve no problem with role-play, I think that some people do try to make the imaginary real in threads, and that is what puts me off- I have no problem with people pretending for fun, but when they are pretending just to get attention I feel it is completely against what this forum should be about.

I must say that, athough I shouldn't, I often judge a thread on its title... if it includes things such as "Anne Rice", "Vampire Masquerade" "werewolf" or anything of that nature, I never tend to bother looking- that sort of thing just isn't my idea of fun, niether is it why I come to this site.

Another point is that I have nothing against what people post, but often if you disagree wit someone who started a thread, you either get completely ignored, as if you never posted, or you get a barrage of abuse in your Inbox- unfortunately "Forum Interaction" can sometimes not go as well as you hoped, whatever your intentions are.

On that note (and sorry as I am VERY aware that its a tenuous link!) I once wrote a post about how nobody actually reads anyone elses opinions in threads anymore, and that if anyone actually got to the middle of my post, they where to quote the word "grapes" in their next post- out of about 40 people, about 5 did... now, I am not trying to say by this that everyone should read EVERY post, but it would be a start to at least read a few sometimes.

So, to answer your question, I think that we have to get beyond being discerning about threads we like and look at the problem that maybe were not all as good at interacting as we think we are.

personaly if i read the question and find it bogus i stop reading, and dont bother replying.

Like Lady Trivia said, if a thread interests me, I will read it. And, I read most of what everyone says about a particular thread. I do not have a lot of knowledge about alot of the topics here, but I love to read and learn. I agree that many just post to up their postings, but I usually can tell what ones are sincere.

In reply to Echo::

I try to read every post but when there are a lot of replies, I don't. I do not like to respond unless I read all of the posts. Why? Because the good stuff in usually in the middle!

Tu posted an interesting thread that got off topic and made it more interesting. Without reading it I would not have found the best information.

So, I agree with Echo. Read the entire post.

Well, I agree that if a thread is VERY long, I only tend to read the first paragraph of each post to see where it is going, or just read the long posts as they are giving a detailed opinion, and ignore the one-liners.

Anyway, sorry for getting this so off topic!

I don't think you are off topic.

I do want to say how much I have enjoyed this topic!

1. As I understand it this site is dedicated to all forms of vampires real/modern, fictional, legendary and mythical so posts on any of those topics are relavent. I personally have interests in all these areas. If you dont you have the option to skip the ones you don't have interest then.


2. see answer to question 1.

3. It would be nice if the author states which type of vampire they are refering to. I take inconsideration that there are a lot of young people on here that may not always know the difference and may need some assistance on the subject.

I'm new to this, but it seems to me that since you have the freedom and the right to read whats posted here then you can choose not to read or participate as you see fit

I think everyone chooses what it is they want to have a say in sometimes they might read something that requires a comment from them and other times a person might read and choose not to make a comment on that it just depends on what that particulair topic is all about there

So for the most part- it seems the majority appreciates the variety- but would like to see specification of realistic conversation and fictional topics.

I find questions or lore posts to be more interesting (personally) than I do any threads regarding fictional vampires or role-playing games.

However, to each his or her own with regards to what they like to see in the forum.

I haven't been as active in the forum as in the past (mainly due to research work for my degree) but I think this forum is arguably the best one of its kind regarding vampiric/occult information.

We can't discriminate against those who post topics on subjects that hold little interest to us - instead we can simply choose not to interact with those threads.

I admit that I haven't read all the threads going in a long time, but I do see some that are worth reading and do check them out. Usually I don't post a response because either someone has already said what I think or I feel that I have nothing intelligent or wothwhile to add to the thread.

But reading the threads is always fun! :D

I find that by reading all the threads I am better able to form an opinion. I also find that my thoughts change some times as I read and an excellent point is made. I will also find myself reading about a topic I know nothing about to better understand the thread.

Ahhh! Learning from others is wonderful.

Lady MinaMurray

You make an excellant point and I agree. People should be allowed to post in their own scope as long as it follows the guidelines for posting. It is not always required we reply to those we don't understand.

i thought everyones ideas, thoughts ect. were as important as anyone elses. is this not true?

we are a very wide range of people/personalities..is it necessary we agree on things?

Fictional works as does nonfictional. My opinion is that we each have our own opinions as well as needs so the mix is good.

Luna, I am failing to see how your line of questioning is adding to the main topic? I think you are asking questions with given answers. Again, we are not discussing diversity and we are not discussing the validity or lack thereof of peoples' opinions.

But if you are unsure of the answers to your questions, here they are in order:

Yes, everyone's opinions count for something.

Yes, we are diverse in nature and as such, we are not required to agree on everything.

This topic was never meant to state that we must all agree and refuse to speak our own opinions. It is, however, meant to set some ground rules for reality vs fiction and opinion vs fact.

who will decide what is true for everyone?

*knocks on luna's forehead* are you even reading my responses to you? wow. this topic was never about who is right and wrong. you ought to quit with the mystic act and stop asking questions that make you look, well.... like luna.

or are you what you seem to be?

Luna

Only I can decide what is true for me. By reading the answers of those around me I am able to form opinions and beliefs.

No one tells me what to think or believe. I have free will. The forum is just a place for me to come together with like minded people and learn from them. Accept it for what it is and do not look for absolutes.

Every one has the right to say whatever they want as long as it is in line with the topic of the forum, if you do not like the topic then go to another one, or make your own. It is like going to an Italian restaurant and ordering Pakistani food, you can do it, but you will not get it

I think it's difficult to know where to post things about fictional vampires or role playing other than in the main forum if you want them to get answered.

Personally i would love a section for art, music and literature where people can discuss all those kinds of things. At the moment the only place for that is the sandbox and if it's not a 'get your posts up' thread it invariably gets ignored!

ChartreuseDreams, you have some really strong points there- the reality/fiction blur that the forum is ofte apropos to is usually what puts me off, personally.

I agree with Liz. I would love to see a forum that counts for serious discussion about the arts. I find that I am so interested in status I stay in the main forum.

We are an intelligent group of people. Let's share some knowledge! :)

IndigoBizarre - I have noticed quite a few times where you personally have posted the question about a thread being about real or fictional people so I'm not surprised that you opened up your own thread about this...

To first answer the original question, to me, the more realistic the thread is, the more likely I am to post to it. However, I find myself more often than not posting to these fictional threads in the hopes of either shedding some light on the reality of the matter or trying to prove someone wrong lol.
This is not always the case, but I am just somewhat of a skeptic on certain issues.

It doesn't bother me. I personally don't get the role play thing. I'm a real person (not so much) and I want to disguss real things of interest. Everyone else can do whatever ammuses them. I don't mind looking through their little games to find what and who I came for.

i have to say i agree with Nightgame on the fact that threads need to be duplicated for the reason that there are always new members coming to vr and why should they be excluded from the discussion just because they signed up only a short time ago? its not fair when a thread is shut down for being similair to others, or i have had many threads shut down just because someone didnt like it and it was very relevent and wasnt even a repeat. power in my opinion is greatly abused, so half the time i dont bother with threads for this simple reason

So far, I am enjoying the posts. For the most part they seem like an open discussion and exchange of ideas. (Kind of like a forum...fancy that.) The wonderful thing is that each thread has a title. I find it easy to skip the things that have no imediate appeal to me. But, if something peaks my curiosity I'll take a look. I can usually tell by the first few sentences if I wanna participate or not, and if I don't I won't. But that doesn't mean someone else may not want to. So, to put a point to these rambelings, I enjoy the forum as is. Besides, even the bad threads are still "pages viewed" (if you care about the ratings thing.) so ya got that going for you.

I see it as a way for more knowledge good or bad, fiction or non fiction. To shun knowledge is what the ones who hate these sites want so ask and give what you want. Dont like it dont answer.

I don't partake of the vampire role playing threads because I don't feel they should have that big a place on this site. They fall into the realm of the Hollywood vampire story. There is only so much of that I can entertain.

The forum threads are as full of very useful informations as it is of useless info.

I like to paruse throo the forums and post my 2¢ worth if I have something to say. People can then accept or reject what I say at their own leisure.

I always speak from personal experience, because that is all I know. And personal experience overrides any education, diplomas, PhD's, Masters, Doctorates, et. al, that anyone ever gave me, IMHO. What I know is based on what I have learned on my own. This is in constant update-status, as I keep correcting the incorrect info people have told me. I don't believe anything I am told anymore, as I've found to have been lied to once too many times. Perhaps I should put some disclaimer on my posts. LOL

So if a forum thread is uninteresting and doesn't offer much in the ways of educational value, or enjoyment value, I usually pass it by. My comments are usually obvious truths which someone might actually learn from themselves, providing they are not like me.
(ok that was more than 2¢ worth...)

i'll respond honestly to any thread as long as it grabs my attention. has something that interests me or provoke me.

For me it doesn't really matter which side of vampirism a thread deals with ok some of them I cant help but laugh at but I'm interested in both sides of the coin so I dont really mind either way

I feel that there are alot of great threads.. There has been a few that we constantly see way too often , but we also get new members everyday and to them they are good questions..

So there are no bad questions cept for the ones not asked.. This is a place of learning and opening the eyes of others who may not understand.

I agree that there are a lot of threads that seem to be similiar in nature, but the questions are different. I usually visit threads that I can actually participate in and learn from

I think its interesting that thread duplication has come up, when you can infact search for previous thread topics in the forum- I personally thin that is something that tends to put me off. I have been on the site for a long time, and I personally don't like to keep duplicating the same answer again and again as it becomes "hollow" to me.

However, the best threads are when you are in one thread, and come up with a really interesting side note, and start a seperate thead for further debate- they are the ones with fire in them!

Almost all the threads in the forum help people to find out more about the vampire lifestyle, and as long as i have something to add i will post in the forums...

its great to have some fun/role play things to lighten the load sometimes.but also being mindful of those who partake the vampire lifestyle twenty four seven,so not to offend.

I only post on threads that spark my interest. Those about RPG's do not spark anything at all with me, therefore, I usually just pass right by them.

Maybe instead of using the term real vampire to describe modern vampires we should say living vampire to help ease the confusion since some consider the fictional vampires to be the real vampires?

This thread has been automatically closed for length.