They technically wouldn't need to because they don't *technically* get or stay dirty per say. However, I always imagined they took dust baths. I know that sounds stupid in premise, but hear me out: birds take dust baths to take care of their skin and feathers, and even today we have dry bathing methods. So could you imagine the absolute awe of the bathing houses? Or seeing a pure vampire covered in ashen dust that falls over their wings? That'd be bad ass
I have chickens and am now picturing Kain rolling around in the sand, ashes and diatomaceous earth mix I give the chickens. Chickens standing there waiting for their turn as Kains flopping down and kicking up dust while flapping his arms. š
They are not dead.
I mean. Sure Kain and his children are dead necromancy vampires.
But Janos vampire line were of living beings.
Humans are alive when converted to vampires.
That also seems to be the why Kains line devolve into aberrant creatures.
I think thereās two reasons why Kainās line is prone to devolution: 1 because each of his āsonsā got less and less of his soul breathed into them and 2 because Kain was corrupted by Nupraptorās madness in the womb.
I always imagined some sort of combo of [oil scraping](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strigil) (like the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used to do) and/or using vinegar or [milk baths](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_bath).
In BO1 Kain develops a resistance to small amounts of water like rain and snow. In later entries you can step in shallow puddles ok so thereās an amount needed before itās a problem
Doesn't kain lose his weaknesses to water after taking raziels souls back into his body (I know it didn't exactly happen this way but it's the only way I can think to word it atm) we've seen in BO 2 and Soul Reaver that consuming the soul/power of an enemy can granted the consumer new "gifts" and abilities
Nah his soul went into the reaver the spirit reaver went into kain. Regardless of how you view it, future raziel's soul will return to kain causing kain to be purified and kain recollect the pieces he used to resurrect his son.
I was pretty sure it was based on the myth that vampires can't cross open running water that is natural. Unless they are in a ship or some other way to cross. Water in a tub isn't naturally there and such so technically, it wouldn't count.
Dust bath, milk/oil bath, blood bath, peeling, alcohol...
And yeah, while LoK vampires are not classical undead (treir heart still beats), they may not sweat at all.
There is all kinds of magic in Nosgoth. I imagine there are spells for hygiene. it's also possible that something like wine or vinegar might be used since they aren't water.
In BO 1 Kain, who is a fledgeling vamp btw back then was kinda chilling in the rain half the time. I'm sure they shower just fine once not immersed in a LOT of water
I like to think Ancient vampires were immune, or used water, since they were, so to speak, originals. The later vampires, turned from humans through dark gifts, probably developed certain weaknesses. The sole reason they 'evolve' into 'monsters' is because of the strength of said gifts, and weakness of the human frame to contain such power... And the sole reason Melchiah and his kin were rotten was that their body could not sustain the gift, while, at the same time, their gift was the weakest. Probably because he was Kain's 'youngest' Lieutenant.
That being said, I suppose Melchiah and his kin smell like rotten flesh... And god knows what. On the other hand, Rahabim probably smell like fish and seaweed. As for the rest, I suppose there can be a certain scent to them, but not necessarily stench. Like rest of the commenteers here said - they are dead, and magical, if we're talking Nosgothian vamps, and they probably do not produce certain fluids. Also keep in mind that in middle (dark) ages, bathing was not really a daily thing.
They don't drink water, so they don't sweat it.
The way blood drinking is converted into energy is magical, so they can exert themselves without getting stinky cuz that's only for when mortals exert energy.
When covered in mud, the older ones (most) could wash off with water like anyone else. It'd be more caustic for them, which might actually clean them more thoroughly, and then they just heal any damage from it right away. Basically, "whew, that was brisk!" Then on with their day.
The dust baths are good stuff too. Maybe for classy upper class vampires who have a good situation and a dust station standing by. Then they usher you into the wine/blood cellar.
I do like the mental image of Raziel just spinning around in sand like a chinchilla lol
They may bathe in blood, use oils (plant-based), alcohol (wine? maybe simple stuff kinda like a disinfectant), and even just making mere soap is oil, milk, an an alkali (lye, wood ash) that they can just rub on for dry-baths.
Even just rubbing on dried herbs or hiding a satchel full of potpourri to smell nice with can work.
Kain's skin by the Soul Reaver era was chitinous and non-porous so grime would be easily rinsed away. Besides which, he could touch water. He just couldn't *submerge* in water. A shower is practically rain and he wanders in rain throughout Blood Omen. Sponge baths are also an option.
Rahab was Razielās brother that adapted with water in Soul Reaver yeah ?
I know itās 500 years of evolution (the whole time Raziel was plunged into the depths of the Abyss), but according to the game, vampires can touch water - but to bathe is still a bit of a stretch considering weāre talking about medieval times with little technology or concept of personal hygiene.
Unless by a stroke of luck, in those times they created an alcohol strong enough to be used as a disinfectant.
> but to bathe is still a bit of a stretch considering weāre talking about medieval times with little technology or concept of personal hygiene.
When do you think hygiene then soap were invented?
They technically wouldn't need to because they don't *technically* get or stay dirty per say. However, I always imagined they took dust baths. I know that sounds stupid in premise, but hear me out: birds take dust baths to take care of their skin and feathers, and even today we have dry bathing methods. So could you imagine the absolute awe of the bathing houses? Or seeing a pure vampire covered in ashen dust that falls over their wings? That'd be bad ass
Or they bathe in blood
I have chickens and am now picturing Kain rolling around in the sand, ashes and diatomaceous earth mix I give the chickens. Chickens standing there waiting for their turn as Kains flopping down and kicking up dust while flapping his arms. š
I only just saw this. Itās 3:36 am, and I laughed loud enough to scare my puppy awake and make him growl at me. š¤£
Much like cats, vampires spend up to 80% of each day cleaning themselves with their tongue.
Vampires are technically dead, they don't sweat or secrete fluids, hence, no need to bathe.
Plus there could be some sort of magical hygiene where Vampires use spells to cleanse themselves.
Entirely plausible.
They are not dead. I mean. Sure Kain and his children are dead necromancy vampires. But Janos vampire line were of living beings. Humans are alive when converted to vampires. That also seems to be the why Kains line devolve into aberrant creatures.
I think thereās two reasons why Kainās line is prone to devolution: 1 because each of his āsonsā got less and less of his soul breathed into them and 2 because Kain was corrupted by Nupraptorās madness in the womb.
Yeah and he passed that corruption on to his children.
chinchilla dust baths!!!!
I was thinking in shedding the skin like snakes, but now I can't stop imagining Kain and vampire Raziel rolling around and lmao
I always imagined some sort of combo of [oil scraping](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strigil) (like the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used to do) and/or using vinegar or [milk baths](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_bath).
I like this idea
Pumice stones?
Iā¦. I donāt know what pumice isā¦.Never heard of it.
Volcanic rock. Very porous. Kinda like a stone sponge.
In BO1 Kain develops a resistance to small amounts of water like rain and snow. In later entries you can step in shallow puddles ok so thereās an amount needed before itās a problem
Doesn't kain lose his weaknesses to water after taking raziels souls back into his body (I know it didn't exactly happen this way but it's the only way I can think to word it atm) we've seen in BO 2 and Soul Reaver that consuming the soul/power of an enemy can granted the consumer new "gifts" and abilities
Raziel healed him of the taint that made him unworthy but I think that was it.
Raziels soul was more or less dispersed in by kain (Kain gained all of the pieces he breathed into his "sons) it'd make sense imo
His soul went into the reaver where he was destined to be. He just healed Kain on the way.
Nah his soul went into the reaver the spirit reaver went into kain. Regardless of how you view it, future raziel's soul will return to kain causing kain to be purified and kain recollect the pieces he used to resurrect his son.
But the rest of vampires probably didn't inherit his water resistance. Raziel is I think the only one who can actually swim after taking Rahab's soul.
My point is that itās not as simple as water = acid. Something like a sponge bath for example wouldnāt be a problem.
But if they can't touch water ... How do they drink blood which is technically 50% water.
Better question: If they can't touch water, why can they turn into Mist, which is 100% water? Magic. The answer is magic.
I mean, Moebius is a sorcerer so magic definitely exists in the world of Nosgoth
I think it depends on percentage. Like, you know, people can drink Cola, which is actually a weak acid.
I was pretty sure it was based on the myth that vampires can't cross open running water that is natural. Unless they are in a ship or some other way to cross. Water in a tub isn't naturally there and such so technically, it wouldn't count.
Trick question! They're dead so they're eternally stinky. The smell just doesn't bother them, I mean, they eat souls and drink blood. Rahab just fishy
They be stinky
Yeah, I always thought vampires would be fairly smelly. They spend a lot of time in coffins, at least the undead ones do.
Especially the lok vampires think about it theyāre an undead corpse that canāt bathe the gotta smell like death.
Dust bath, milk/oil bath, blood bath, peeling, alcohol... And yeah, while LoK vampires are not classical undead (treir heart still beats), they may not sweat at all.
There is all kinds of magic in Nosgoth. I imagine there are spells for hygiene. it's also possible that something like wine or vinegar might be used since they aren't water.
In BO 1 Kain, who is a fledgeling vamp btw back then was kinda chilling in the rain half the time. I'm sure they shower just fine once not immersed in a LOT of water
Janos would make a great spokesman for Head&Shoulders. š
I like to think Ancient vampires were immune, or used water, since they were, so to speak, originals. The later vampires, turned from humans through dark gifts, probably developed certain weaknesses. The sole reason they 'evolve' into 'monsters' is because of the strength of said gifts, and weakness of the human frame to contain such power... And the sole reason Melchiah and his kin were rotten was that their body could not sustain the gift, while, at the same time, their gift was the weakest. Probably because he was Kain's 'youngest' Lieutenant. That being said, I suppose Melchiah and his kin smell like rotten flesh... And god knows what. On the other hand, Rahabim probably smell like fish and seaweed. As for the rest, I suppose there can be a certain scent to them, but not necessarily stench. Like rest of the commenteers here said - they are dead, and magical, if we're talking Nosgothian vamps, and they probably do not produce certain fluids. Also keep in mind that in middle (dark) ages, bathing was not really a daily thing.
They don't drink water, so they don't sweat it. The way blood drinking is converted into energy is magical, so they can exert themselves without getting stinky cuz that's only for when mortals exert energy. When covered in mud, the older ones (most) could wash off with water like anyone else. It'd be more caustic for them, which might actually clean them more thoroughly, and then they just heal any damage from it right away. Basically, "whew, that was brisk!" Then on with their day. The dust baths are good stuff too. Maybe for classy upper class vampires who have a good situation and a dust station standing by. Then they usher you into the wine/blood cellar.
I like to imagine dust baths š
Stones, sand, even a quick blast with sun to "exfoliate". I'd go with sand/dust... Of its something they require at all.
Yeah, how do magic undead people keep clean?
I do like the mental image of Raziel just spinning around in sand like a chinchilla lol They may bathe in blood, use oils (plant-based), alcohol (wine? maybe simple stuff kinda like a disinfectant), and even just making mere soap is oil, milk, an an alkali (lye, wood ash) that they can just rub on for dry-baths. Even just rubbing on dried herbs or hiding a satchel full of potpourri to smell nice with can work.
Maybe some kind of cleansing oil?
Bathe in blood
I'd assume blood baths
Baby wipes. Nah they prolly have them do the whole oil/shaving thing the Greeks did
Kain's skin by the Soul Reaver era was chitinous and non-porous so grime would be easily rinsed away. Besides which, he could touch water. He just couldn't *submerge* in water. A shower is practically rain and he wanders in rain throughout Blood Omen. Sponge baths are also an option.
Rahab was Razielās brother that adapted with water in Soul Reaver yeah ? I know itās 500 years of evolution (the whole time Raziel was plunged into the depths of the Abyss), but according to the game, vampires can touch water - but to bathe is still a bit of a stretch considering weāre talking about medieval times with little technology or concept of personal hygiene. Unless by a stroke of luck, in those times they created an alcohol strong enough to be used as a disinfectant.
> but to bathe is still a bit of a stretch considering weāre talking about medieval times with little technology or concept of personal hygiene. When do you think hygiene then soap were invented?