Q: What are OtherKin?

 A: The term “OtherKin” refers to a group of people, (yes, there are multiple) who have a sense of identity as something other than human. Some have dreams and memories of other lives as this type of entity, and others (known as LostKin) do not. Many OtherKin believe that they are from an alternate universe where these creatures of legend exist. Some believe that we all are from this universe, and that these “OtherKin” are the reason that THIS human race’s is fascinated with mythological creatures and supernatural beings (all more commonly accepted anthropological explanations aside). 

 Q: What do you mean “Alternate Universe?”

 A: In terms of physics, cosmology, and even logic (as in the discipline, not simply common sense), there are an infinite number of possible universes, all potentially with different laws of physics. What is the case in one universe may not be the case in another. While some things are necessarily true, (such as the statement: if a universe can be experienced, then something exists within it, and something thinks within it.)  many more are contingent upon the universe, in other words, NOT necessarily true (such as the statement: science is more reliable than magick). In terms of theoretical physics and cosmology, it’s theorized that all universes had a common point of origin. That is to say that after the triggering event, or the “Uber-Big Bang” as I like to call it several universes were created, and several universes were destined to be created, kind of like a chain reaction. Some time after this triggering event, the laws of physics “cooled”. This means that the laws of physics in one universe developed independently from the laws of physics in another. I read this theory in Scientific American, and I am working on looking up the issue.
 While there is no way to know what environmental conditions may or may not influence the formation of a given universe’s laws of physics, it is reasonable to assume that some universes have the same laws of physics as this universe, and that others do not. I would venture that not only are there an infinite number of universes, but that, within those universes (or in the mind of God, Gods, or Goddess) there is an infinite amount of variation of universe types. This means that for all statements that are not self contradictory (as in: “I just caught a green, colorless frog”) there is a universe in which the given statement is bound to be true. Therefore, things which are not possible given the pre-defined laws in this universe may be possible given the pre-defined laws in another. Briefly put, since “I just got bitten by a fanged, supernatural, undead creature” is not a self contradictory statement, somewhere, in some universe, for some person, it is the case. 
 
 Q: What types of OtherKin are there?

 A: One for every conceivable type of supernatural creature, and then some. Some people have even had incarnations as multiple types of supernatural creatures. 

 Q: Are these people crazy?

 A: Possibly. I’m sure that a good number of so-called “vampires” are probably not OtherKin at all, but mentally unstable parties that really like to drink blood, or wear fangs. A real vampire, however, can tell the difference. OtherKin are usually attracted to one another in very powerful ways.  If you are pure human at heart, skeptic, and reading this, I can only tell you that there is no way to explain, or to prove, but that if you’ve had the dreams, been seized by the memories, or looked in the mirror and seen something other than a human being, there is no way to ignore it, and no way to escape it. It cannot be disproven.

 Q: What’s it like to be a vampire?

 A: It sucks, no pun intended. Of all the types of OtherKin out there, vampires are taken the least seriously, greeted with the most hostility, and have are at the greatest disadvantage when not awakened. People view us as snobs, avatars of evil, or have unreasonable expectations about our powers. Half the time you get confused with D&D, WW, Fetishers, Posers, or S&M freaks, geeks, and King James English fanciers. Tell someone that you’re a faerie, they’ll smile, nod and think you’re being cute. Tell them you’re a vampire, and they’ll smile, nod, and back away slowly. 
 Blood vamps tend to be sickly and Psi-vamps tend to be cranky and socially maladjusted (unless they are well versed in meditation and are very centered), and both tend to be nocturnal and/or light sensitive. A drained Psi-vamp is capable of sleeping literally around the clock. I once got up at 8pm, and wondered why the sun wasn’t up yet. I thought of just about everything, apocalypse, really thick cloud cover, etc. When my mind cleared, I finally realized that I’d slept for 20 hours, and missed daylight altogether. Upon further examination, I discovered a post-it note left by my roommates voicing that they would appreciate it if I would not set my alarm clock if I did not intend to get up.
 As for what it was like being one of the supernatural, immortal undead, I can tell you that it was a very lonely existence. Half the time you aren’t really in control of yourself. Either you are thirsting, or you are feeling angry for no reason. It’s not fun having to hunt, and being unable to stop yourself from killing, watching your soul slowly slip away from you. How I escaped it is a long and very complicated story, but I fear that I will have to go back. I have come to dread immortality more than I fear death. 

 Q: Can an OtherKin vampire turn a “mortal” into an OtherKin vampire?

 A: Sort of, at least for psi-vamps. A Psi-vamp can drain a non-psi-vamp to the point where they start exhibiting some of the aspects of vampirism, for example, light sensitivity, sleeping long hours, and draining people. To clarify, while vampires in this universe may suffer from dysmorphia of the weirdest order, and whole they may even seem to age very slowly, none that I know of are actually immortal. Just be happy with your mundane existence; trust me on this one.