The magic of a vampire is concentrated in its blood. It is the blood that keeps the Kindred in their ageless condition, grants them supernatural powers, and enables them to make more of their own kind. But the blood also allows vampires to imbue ordinary mortals and even animals with a dose of power. When a living being drinks enough of a vampire's blood, they become temporarily changed into a ghoul. Ghouls can use Kindred blood to heal and bolster themselves, and best of all, they cease to age. If they live long enough, they can learn how to use vampiric Disciplines. Ghouls don't have to die to receive these gifts; they don't even have to give up the sun. But make no mistake, they pay dearly for their diet, because vampires do not give their blood without taking a lot more in return.

One of the major problems with being a ghoul is that ghouls can't create their own magical vitae, so they are completely dependent on vampires for a regular dose. A vampire's body is so changed by the Embrace that it converts the normal blood they drink into vitae. A ghoul, on the other hand, can drink mortal blood until they choke but it won't nourish them at all. What's worse is that, within a month, any vampire blood in a ghoul's body will finally be absorbed, whether they use it consciously or not. At that time, all of the benefits ghouls enjoy come to an end until they get more vitae. This is especially horrible for older ghouls. When that last bit of vitae is gone, they return to the age they are supposed to be. If they are well outside of their normal lifespan, they swiftly age until they die.

As if ghouls didn't have enough reasons to be desperate for Kindred vitae, they also have to contend with physical, mental, and supernatural addiction to it. Ghouls can and do go through withdrawal symptoms, especially if they are used to having Kindred blood in their veins. This could be due to the physically empowering nature of the blood and the biological changes it brings about. It could just as easily be a psychological reaction, as well, for a number of reasons. First, the act of being fed provides a rush. If a ghoul is also fed upon, the Kiss can be highly pleasurable and provides very intimate contact. Once flush with vitae, the ghoul might come to feel more powerful, like they have an ace up their sleeve and they are better than the rest of the herd. And there's always the gnawing fear that the blood will never come again. All of these things can lead ghouls to develop derangements. But the supernatural addiction - well, that beats them all.

Ghouls, like most other beings on earth, are susceptible to the Blood Bond, a mystical side-effect of drinking Kindred vitae. One drink causes supernaturally induced feelings of attraction to begin. Regardless of how a vampire looks or acts, the Blood Bond makes them more desirable. It generally starts out as a small seed of false emotion; admiration, respect, or lust for the vampire worms its way into the drinker's heart, affecting their attitude and choices. With more drinks, these feelings bloom into frightening intensity until there is a strangling root of love within the imbiber. At this stage the Blood Bound are said to be the Thrall of a Regnant. They crave their Regnant's attention and will do nearly anything to keep their Regnant safe. If their Regnant abuses or ignores them, a Thrall might develop intense hatred and jealousy in return. Some say that sustained hatred will break a Blood Bond but there is no guarantee; for some it does, and for others it doesn't. The more a Thrall is fed Kindred blood, the harder it is for them to break free; since ghouls need blood monthly, they have a much more difficult time breaking Bonds.

Welcome to Slavery

"Giving vampire blood to Jason Stackhouse is like giving ho-hos to a diabetic. You know he can't control himself!"
-- Tara Thornton, True Blood ("Sparks Fly Out")