Beneath the human world lies another version of it—a vast supernatural society hidden far below the surface.
Humans continue their ordinary lives above, largely unaware that beneath their cities, roads, and homes exists an entire civilization of supernatural beings. Werewolves, ghosts, spirits, shapeshifters, and countless other creatures live there, but none are as numerous or influential as vampires.
Vampires aren't a single species. They exist in many different variants, each with their own abilities, weaknesses, physical traits, and methods of feeding. Some resemble the vampires of human legend and survive on blood, while others have evolved—or mutated—to consume entirely different substances. One variant might feed on alcohol, another on fuel, chemicals, electricity, heat, memories, or something even stranger.
Their powers are equally varied. A vampire's variant determines what they're capable of, making certain bloodlines considerably more dangerous or valuable than others.
Over time, vampires of the same or compatible variants have formed powerful clans. These clans operate almost like supernatural mafia families. They control territories, resources, businesses, portal routes, and feeding grounds. Each has its own hierarchy, traditions, alliances, enemies, and rules.
Peace between them rarely lasts.
Territorial disputes, old grudges, assassinations, stolen resources, forbidden relationships, and competition over valuable feeding grounds regularly spark conflicts between the clans. Some feuds have continued for generations, to the point where nobody remembers exactly how they began.
Connecting the supernatural world below to the human world above are portals.
Using them is common, though not always safe. Vampires regularly travel to the surface to obtain whatever substance their variant requires. Blood-feeders hunt or find willing donors. Alcohol-feeders disappear into bars and clubs. Others raid warehouses, hospitals, factories, gas stations, electrical facilities, or anywhere else containing what they need.
Some vampires visit simply because they're fascinated by humanity.
Others secretly live among humans.
And some clans have realized that controlling access to the surface—and therefore controlling the resources vampires need to survive—may be far more powerful than controlling territory below.
As tensions between the clans grow, the portals become increasingly important. Whoever controls them can decide who feeds, who travels, and potentially which clans survive.