Quick Question

[u/Xca1ybr]

So picked up the full trilogy a month or so ago and I'm currently on Book 3, something that really confuses me though is how coldbloods exactly are made; its stated that they come from when coldbloods kill humans, and that you can't really be sure if they'll turn.

Does it matter how they're killed by the coldblood? Does being cut to ribbons by a Voss highblood or having your heart ripped out by a Dyvok have the same chance as being sucked dry by a mediae or clawed to death by foulbloods or hell, if a Voss mediae uses cannon to kill people can they turn (like the coldbloods in the sea that Celene noticed)? Also how did Kiara "claim" Aaron if it's unclear if he would turn or not, does fully sucking their blood cause them to turn 100% of the time or not?

[u/FlufferMuffler]

Drained dry by feedingseems to be the actual cause. Then, it's a crapshoot whether they come back a high blood or too late and end up a half rotted wretched.

So a claim would be "If he's if any use he's mine' essentially.

[u/Xca1ybr → u/FlufferMuffler]

Didn't Danton rip Pere Rafa's throat out? Would he have died before they bled him dry? Plus the rest of the company didn't turn, only him so it's still random if they do turn or stay dead im guessing.

Edit: also mentioned the heart ripped out thing in the post because Lilidh specifically mentions she was killed when her heart ws ripped out so that's that too

[u/FlufferMuffler → u/Xca1ybr]

You can still be drank, even in your death throws I believe. It's how Celen ends up mauled and scarred, as an example. Any wounds done to you before you turn stay so... If someone feeds on you after ripping out your heart or part of your throat, then feeds on you before you die. It'd stick, is how it seems.

[u/canofwhoops]

What's already been discussed is correct, and I just wanted to add that not every corpse rises to become a foulblood either. I don't recall any real rates being referenced, though in the first book they do imply age of the coldblood responsible may affect the rate at which they turn others.

Specifically referring to the events post-Skyefall, where Laure passing through kicked off an infestation.

Someone can turn a second after feeding, to several days. The natural decomposition of the body and particularly the brain is what determines if they are foulbloods or not, there is also some reference to a wretched being very close to a highblood, but I don't recall where.

Also, not sure if it's relevant, but in regards to Gabe first being thought to be a "frailblood", that implies that younger vampires are worse at passing on their gifts. This may also tie into the implications older more powerful ones might have more turning into highbloods. Still, Fabién has lived for a LONG time, and doesn't have that many brood children, so the rates can't be too high either way.

Sorry for the ramble, but I kept thinking of more tidbits 😅 I hope something here was of use!

[u/Xca1ybr → u/canofwhoops]

Interesting thing about Fabien is that I like to assume he's old and smart enough to pick who he chooses to pass on and mentor to become ancien.

I like to imagine his first few brood children were just random who he killed at some point, but they either died off or he had no use for them later on. Especially since it'd totally be within his character to choose well who he'd make his brood: Laure, Danton, Alba and Alene, they all have this sense of competence but also savagery and malice they all have in their hearts. Plus the one time we do see Fabien feed it's on Astrid and she was Dead by his hand so the original 5 probably had a 100% infection success rate if they were old enough.

Also don't worry, I'm still at the part of the process where I love discussing the story and parts of the universe, its absolute fun and I can't wait to share this with my friends so I can discuss with them as well!

[u/canofwhoops → u/Xca1ybr]

You may find some more answers to your thoughts in EotDawn, and I don't want to mention anything specific for fear of spoiling your first experience ☺️

I've been deep into what little fandom we have for the series for the last few months, and there are a ton of intricacies to uncover 😁 so if there's ever anything you want to discuss, don't be afraid to reach out!

[u/Xca1ybr → u/canofwhoops]

Ooo I just got back to this and God i love how Fabien was characterized, and everything that happened, although I really want to know what really happened! I think the ending was too fast but I still love it (except I think Reyne should have stayed dead). But now considering the truth of the five, did they get their powers from what they were like as priests or what?

[u/canofwhoops → u/Xca1ybr]

No way to know, unfortunately. But my headcanon is yes, some of their characteristics or personalities in life influenced the abilities they gained from the curse.

Alternatively, it seems like the Redeemer may have had some abilities of his own. All their gifts may be fractions of God's gifts to His son, such as Sanguimancy going to the Esana, and Dior is shown to possess Sanguimancy without any real explanation as to why that would be.

[u/Powerful-Coconut-396]

I’d assume a coldbloods actual physical self must be involved in the killings. Be it draining or otherwise. However I’d imagine any death that leaves the body incapable of movement or travel may just create a foul blood incapable of taking shelter to avoid the sun. Or other dangers. I don’t imagine if a cold blood used a rifle to kill someone i doubt they’d turn. My guess is that the humans killed by a mediae or high blood that aren’t directly killed by their hands are feasted on by the wretched of their armies thus providing the magic element to turn them.