Coffins, Covens and Crypts: Vampiric Dwellings

Sleeping In Coffins

Vampires are tied to their coffins. When a Vampire is turned, they hide a portion of their soul in their coffin, which allows them to assume immortality. When a vampire is killed, their physical being dissolves into smoke and returns to the coffin to regenerate. Minor injuries can also be healed inside the coffin while the vampire is sleeping (such as a broken arm). Only when the coffin is destroyed can the vampire be truly destroyed. Coffins are also the only place a Vampire can get a good night's rest - they can sleep in a bed but will wake up feeling unrested.

Vampires often decorate their coffins with various blankets, padding, pillows and upgrades. These do not alter the effect of the coffin and are purely for the Vampire's comfort and aesthetics. This process is called nesting.

Covens

Also known as colonies, covens refer to a group of vampires that dwell together in caves or ancient ruins. Covens are large dens with many coffins and beds (typically more beds than vampires). Food, resources and treasures are brought back to the coven to be shared with the rest of the group - if the vampire feels like sharing. Covens are well kept, as vampires are exceptionally tidy, though they often retain period typical decorations from when they were turned. If a coven was turned at different points through history, this creates quite a clash of decor. Typically, a coven does not move around and is fixed in the same place for centuries - it is possible to move the coven if discovered, but this usually requires leaving behind personal belongings the vampires have become attached to. Thus, Vampires have permanent dwellings.

Crypts

A Vampire Lord sleeps within a crypt. Unlike Vampires or thralls, Lords are often too large for their original coffins. Thus, they will take apart the original coffin and use it in the construction of a crypt - instilling it with their soul. The Lord is then free to nest the crypt to their heart's content, from padding the walls for a more comfortable sleep to creating off-chambers for their favourite subjects. Most vampire lords grow far larger than their original crypt and slowly abandon their nesting habits in favour of ruling their subjects and feasting.

Crypts are often beneath a coven of the Vampire Lord's thralls.