These are the different types of races found with in the world J.R. Ward created when she wrote "The Black Dagger Brotherhood". These are the only races you will find in this world, so please bare that in minds as well....


Humans -

Man kind in general. They have no powers or abilities outside of that of being human.


Vampire -

Member of the species separate from the of homo-sapiens. Vampire must drink the blood of the opposite sex to survive. Human blood will keep them alive, though the strength does not last long. Following their transitions, which occur in their mid-twenties, they are unable to go out into sunlight and must feed from the vein regularly. Vampires may not "convert" humans through a bite or transfer of blood, though they are in rare cases able to breed with the other species. Vampires can dematerialize at will, though they must be able to calm themselves and concentrate to do so and may not carry anything heavy with them. They are able to strip the memories of humans, provided such memories are short-term. Some vampires are able to read minds. Life expectancy is upwards of a thousand years, or in some cases even longer.


Symphath -

Subspecies with in the vampire race characterized by the ability and desire to manipulate emotions in others (for the purpose of an energy exchange), among other traits. Historically, the have been discriminated against and, during certain eras hunted by vampires. They are near extinction.


Half Human/Half Vampire -

Much like that of any ordinary human with no powers...These beings are unlike humans, as they are rare. A cross between human and that of a vampire....These individuals often don't live long, and for those that do have a fifty fifty shot at living a normal human life. If they are unlikely, they will go through there transition around the age of 25. Most do not make it through that transition and die. Those that make it through become full vampires.


Lesser -

De-souled humans who targets vampires for extermination as a member of the Lessening Society. Lessers must be stabbed through the chest in order to be killed; otherwise they are ageless. They do not eat or drink and are impotent. Over time, their hair, skin, and irises lose pigmentation until they are blond, blushless, and pale-eyed. They smell like baby powder. Inducted into the society by the Omega, they are retained a ceramic jar thereafter into which their heart was placed after it was removed.