Greetings one and all :o) Things have changed here within the halls of the VC, and we have decided that parts of the zine should too, therefore, beginning in February, with the founder and elder of the VC, we present to you the first "Interview With A Vampire", which will feature esteemed members right here within the VC community..It is our hope that these will help you in learning to know the folks that selflessly give so much of their time to aid, and help this community grow, and become more productive, so that future generations are able to enjoy it, and learn from it as well..We hope you enjoy this addition to the zine :o) This month, we have Damien Daville, as our esteemed guest, who is the elder and founder of the VC..All Damien's contact information can be found at the base of this interview..

Silver: Greetings Damien, thanks for taking the time to meet with me :o)

Damien: Hello Silver.. Thank you for inviting me..

Silver: Let's start with a short introduction first, for those folks who don't yet know you, or those just beginning to know you..

Damien: My name is Damien Daville, I am an empathic and a sanguine vampire. I am primarily empathic in nature but have had donors in the past which I regard as the best vampire relationship for energy. I am 48 years old and live near Austin Texas. I am President of the Darkfear Network, which is my own online business of web promotions, and I have also founded several vampire organizations.

Silver: That is an awful lot to have on one's plate..It sounds like it keeps you very busy..How did you actually get started in this community?

Damien: Well.. yes it takes up a lot of my time, I have long had an interest in helping the online and offline vampire communities in both offering fellowship, and resources, and also trying to dispel the misconceptions held by many. I developed an interest in vampirism after I found I had vampiric qualities in high school, in the 1960s, I wanted to help people understand what I found to be true about myself, for there was no internet back then. So the only help I had for myself was what I came to know of myself. So I started my work at educating the public and helping others who thought they had the same experiences as myself, by hosting meetings and gatherings offline.

Silver: Can I just ask you, what is it specifically that you do in this community, and is there any particular goal/s you are trying to achieve?

Damien: I primarily seek out other people for several reasons in the communities offline. I meet other vampire groups, and have meetings with them to help in education and teaching, by virture of my experience. I also seek out public events, and set up tables, or booths to educate the public, by offering copies of the Vampire Church newszine, and also offer printed articles I have written. I teach classes when I can organize them, and I like having one on one talks with people about the subject of real vampirism, to me that is how you truly reach people, and that is how I have done so for thirty years. I also do radio and TV interviews, using the media to get what I know out to the public, in an effort to dispel the misconceptions the public has about vampirism.

Silver: And speaking of reaching out to the public, especially the vampire community, let's talk a bit about the VC..How does the VC differ from other houses and organisations that offer their services too?

Damien: The Vampire Church offers programs both online and offline, that is what any Organization needs to do. The Vampire Church has an online presence to help people find each other and reach others through chats and online meetings. The VC also offers resources in articles about vampirism, and help in meetings. I then encourage people to meet offline, and the Vampire Church has set up regional offices to help people do that. We also help people find others in different parts of the States, as well as in other parts of the world. I believe that the internet is a good tool to help people find others through the programs I offer online, but I then encourage people to meet offline in group meetings. I have been a long time believer that meeting in real time is importan,t and that is my ultimate goal. I believe this separates myself from most of the online groups - I run an active organization both online and offline, and encourage people to take involvement in the community.

Silver: You also have another organisation specifically for those residing in the state of Texas, called the TVA, or Texas Vampire Association. Can you tell us a bit about that org, and what it offers?

Damien: The Texas Vampire Organization was founded by me to help real vampires in the State of Texas where I live, to find each other, and have meetings in different regions of the State. It is an extension of the ideals of the Vampire Church, but to one State and to focus on more local interraction among people who live in the same state. I travel in the State of Texas to help people do this and set up classes and lectures. The TVA exists primarily as an offline organization, with goals of helping the offline community to network itself through meetings across the State. the TVA also has a website that helps this purpose through announcements, and a public forum. The website is located at http://darkester.hypermart.net/TVA.html.

Silver: Yes, you have told me that you have meetings pretty much every weekend with local people there, and also that you held a recent class using the video from your recent tv interview.. Between online and offline business, which do you prefer being involved in more, and why?

Damien: Well..I prefer being involved in the community off the internet. That is where I started before the internet gained the popularity it has today. I just believe I do more by interacting with people on a one to one basis. I believe I reach people better this way. Now, I know and believe the internet is a good working tool to help people locate others, (now that the internet has gained the popularity it has today) many people now have access to the internet. But to really achieve true understanding among many people, the end result should be to encourage people to meet, and gather in the offline world. That is where I work most of my time, and feel I do the most good for people.

Silver: Let's discuss your personal vampirism a little bit, because I am sure that the reading audience would be interested to know..

Damien: Well, right now and for several years, I have developed the empathic side of my vampirism, that is, I gain the energies I need for my wellbeing through the emotional energies given off by people. These are free energies that are easy to access. I have developed this side of my vampirism for many years because of the absence of donors. I prefer having a mate or intimate relationship with a non vampire female where there is a blood and sexual exchange. I have found in my vampirism that this is the best form of energy for me. However in today's world, safe donors and lasting relationships are difficult to find. Just finding another female who would accept my vampirism in and of itself is difficult enough without the worry of safety and the medical history and the habits of someone. Real vampires today need to have alternatives, and I do through my empathic side. I hope this helps you better understand my own personal vampirism.

Silver: Yes it does, and I hope for those who read this, that they are aware of the safety issues of energy feeding by sanguinary methods.. In this day and age, it is good to have alternatives without worrying about safety and the medical history and habits of others, but for those who choose the sanguinary feeding, I would hope that safety and medical history would be of utmost concern and importance..This next question, in my opinion, is fairly important..Could you please give a description of what real vampirism is, so that those who have an idea that it might well be something more akin to movies, will know the difference?

Damien: Well.. real vampirism is about people with real energy deficits, and have the need to take the energy that other people give off, as well as that which can be found in the surrounding environment. Real vampirism is based on abilities and needs, that is, the real need for energy sources, for health and wellbeing. These sources include for example the c'hi or life giving energies found in blood and sexual fluids, the emotional energy given off by people, energy given off by other living things such as pets, and that of your non-living environment such as the energy found in weather. The important thing here, is real vampires are easily impacted, or affected by the energies around them, and need additional energy sources for wellness, as opposed to other people. Real vampirism has nothing to do with the fiction written by authors such as Anne Rice, or the films produced by the movie industry. More about real vampirism can be gained from the articles I have written at my archive site: http://darksyre.tripod.com

Silver: Ok, I obviously can understand that, due to the fact that I also suffer with the vampiric condition, but here is another interesting question for you.. If real vampirism is nothing like what it is in the movies or in books, how did we come to term ourselves as being vampires?

Damien: Well.. that is a good question.. I have found that this condition needs a name that people can readily recognize. If I was to call it "energy takers" for example, I am not so sure people may understand how much real vampirism ralates to the need for energy of blood. I have always understood the problem of recognition of what real vampirism is, in a name, and I have found that some people have tried to give it other names, but I have decided long ago to keep the name of real vampirism, for it at least conveys to most something about the life condition. Also, most now, have found what the subject really means through this name definition, so changing the name might not help. Thus I use the name vampirism, and then just define it. You have this explosion from people who use the name to actually refer to the real condition I speak of.. So we are all perhaps guilty of using it over the years, and causing others to refer to it that way.

Silver: Personally, I feel we fit into the word "vampire" anyway, due to the fact that we do "feed" from the energies of other people, but I think those out there who don't know alot, if anything about this condition, automatically try to make real vampirism seem closer to the myth, because they lack something in their own lives, or maybe it is also through fear of not knowing..Or it could also be due to the media glamourising it the way it has over the decades, as they did with witchcraft, and we all know that a real witch is nothing like what the media makes them out to be, so hopefully one day in the near future, the media and the general public will come to know the differences..As you know, there are many that join the list that believe they are sanguinary in nature..Can you explain the difference between true sanguine vampirism, and that of blood fetishism?

Damien: Ok... A true sanguinary vampire actually needs the c'hi or life energy found in blood. It is important to note that it is the energy content of the blood, not just blood in and of itself. A fetishist is simply someone who enjoys the act of blood play, and can take it or leave it, key word here is enjoyment. A fetishist also may like the act of living the lifestyle, that is, dressing up in black or old clothing, as well as imitating vampirism through the dress and the blood exchange, or the bloodplay. Key word on difference is that real sanguinary vampires NEED the life giving properties of blood, and so therefore seek it.

Silver: Agreed..Ok, how could someone decide if they suffer from real vampirism? What are some things to look for?

Damien: In real vampirism, there is usually the need to be around other people, or the need to be around energy sources in your environment. There are also symptoms that may arise if a real vampire is not around these energy sources, such as headaches, lack of sleep, irritability, lack of energy, and even depression or anxiety. There are a combination of things to watch for, such as what I have mentioned here, the propensity to want to be around people and what happens when you are not. There is sometimes confusion, and so comes questions and few answers. Real vampirism differs among many, and many find that their energy needs vary with other real vampires. Important thing is, other real vampires can also help, and note the characteristics I have described above. It is also important that a possible real vampire get help from others on a one on one basis.

Silver: Ok, taking a bit of a different turn, let's discuss the interview you did with the Learning Channel, and what effects this had on the community out there..

Damien: Very well..Something specific?

Silver: Well, I realise that you did not get alot of time to say all that you originally intended, but the numbers since the airing of the show (roughly 150 people) suggest that what you did say, made an impact.. Is there any specific reason why you think the media keeps trying to go away from what vampirism really is, that is, in the words and ideals of the vampire community, and tend to promote mythical vampirism instead?

Damien: You last question is a good one..I have found in the course of my interviews with the media, that the media has one main objective, and that is how to sell their programming to the widest possible audience. This is why they, the media, look for drama and sensationalism. I am aware of this, and so try and get whatever air time I can to get a message out that reflects what I know of real vampirism as a condition that people suffer from. You might say that I use the media as much as they use me, but it is a trade off that I benefit from, because I am still able to control a lot of the questionaing, so that my answers will get aired. Continuing here about this interview...Now since I have done this interview with the Learning Channel, on a program which was named "Vampires Among Us", I have found that since its airing, that I have received numerous phone calls and hundreds of e-mails telling me how much people thought I made a good impact about the subject. I am sure that also has a lot to do with the increased visits to the Vampire Church website. I have found that many people are curious, and so, have come to the online forums, but did not take the time to read more about the Vampire Church at its website. This, I believe, is how the questions got started on the online forums of the Vampire Church.. I do interviews like the TLC interview to get the real meaning of vampirism out in the public, if it is just five minutes of my time, then that is five minutes I have to talk with a very large number of people.. I have had a long held goal of dispelling the perception of real vampirism that most people see, because of the film industry, and books on the subject. People are fascinated by the subject, and have told me so, getting them to look at it as I know it is a goal of mine, and using the media as well as my own organizations, I will do my utmost to get to that goal, so I believe doing the radio and TV interviews that I do, provide a positive impact on people, getting them to think about the subject..

Silver: Just to add to this, from what the majority out there have said about the interview, the general feeling on the show was one of disappointment and disgust, that they more displayed the basic Anne Rice/Bram Stoker type of vampire, and really left out what real vampirism is, and what the sufferers of this condition go through..And then, when you came on and explained your part in this community, this is really what saved it, in the opinions of many..Do you feel let down by The Learning Channel for capitalising on the myths and sensational Hollywood vampires, instead of making more of an effort to promote and attempt to teach more on real aspects? I mean, in my opinion, their name "The Learning Channel" is rather ironic, in that what they were attempting to show the public, is that real vampires are cold blooded, non- living creatures, who go about preying unmercilessly on other people, when in fact, we are nothing like this..

Damien: Ok... Let me explain it this way...When I first saw the program, which was about a month after it aired, I was also disappointed in the content.. I have seen the Learning Channel do some good programming. I also knew that they would be looking for drama to sell the program to the widest audience, but I did not realize the scope of the crap they aired till I saw it. I share in this disappoinment of them, but then I suppose I expected it, just not to the extent it was done. I can only say that I might not have done the interview, if I had thought they were going to air the amount of crap they did. I have turned down TV documentaries in the past, because I knew the subject would be abused more than I wanted to be associated with. So it is a process of pick and choose the best media to air my message. I will say that I have found that radio has been a bit better, there I get a one on one questioning and it is done on the fly.

Silver: Well, at least at the end of the day, your part in the interview hit home with the many, as can be seen on our list, which has jumped in numbers since the show aired..And that is a step in a positive direction, I feel. Do you have any plans in the near future to do anymore tv or radio interviews? That is, have you been invited to do anymore?

Damien: I am always getting invitations.. As for TV, no not in the near future. However I have had a couple offers to do radio, and I am seriously thinking these over. This is for the near future in the next couple months.

Silver: Ok great..Well hopefully they will take the matter a little more seriously and meet it with maturity, instead of trying to be overly dramatic and sensational..You have been writing a book for some time now, called "The misconceptions of vampirism"..Would you like to tell us something about it, and when we can expect to see it for sale?

Damien: Certainly..I have been working on this book, "The misconceptions of Vampirism" for a couple years now. It has been a long effort and just when I think I may well be getting it finished, I have other things to do. The book is about explaining real vampirism as I have come to know it over thirty years of living it, and sharing it. I want to share in written print, what I have learned and lived, as well as the experiences I have had with others along the way. I am hoping, keeping fingers crossed here, that I will have it to the publisher before this year is out. However I thought I would have had it out last year. It seems my plate is overly full, and time severly limited. But it has been a project of mine for some time, and I will see it through.

Silver: Well, continued good luck on that front, and I realise that you have a very full plate as an elder of your position would have..As always, I am glad of the opportunity to have sat here with you, and discussed these issues with you..Thankyou again for having met with me this eve :o)

Damien: Thank you again for inviting me Silver.. I will go ahead and leave my contact info here for any who wish to make use of it..

AIM: VampPrst

Damien Daville's Networks:
President of the Darkfear Network
Founder of The Vampire Church
Chairman of the Council of Elders
Founder of the Texas Vampire Association
Founder of Web Alliance

Contact the VC Main Office:
P.O. Box 5301
Round Rock, TX.
78683-5301

Office: 512-246-0152
Cell: 512-826-1743

Websites:
http://www.darkfear.com
http://www.darkfear.net
http://www.vampire-church.com
http://www.darksyre.tripod.com
http://www.darkester.hypermart.net/TVA.html

E-mail Addresses:
Damien_Daville@vampire-church.com
Damien_Daville@darkfear.com
Damien_Daville@hotmail.com
Damien_Daville@yahoo.com

Silver's Final Thoughts~

This is just a final word or two, to say our thanks to Damien for creating this organisation..Alot of blood, sweat, and tears has gone into the making and maintaining of this organisation, and without his knowledge and expertise, we might well still be floundering in the proverbial stew of limitations that society lays upon us, due to not understanding, and having no wish to understand..Damien has given over 30 years worth of his life, to this cause and the people who belong to it, and works hard to make it an enjoyable place for everyone to access, regardless of whether they suffer from the vampiric condition or not..Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all the selfless acts he has done, and the time he has given in helping others realise more of themselves..Damien, please know we appreciate the constant sacrifices you make, so this organisation can thrive, and be a place of growth and learning for any who wish to access it..

I will leave you all with this quote that I believe sums up Damien's work here..I think you all will see the value of it almost immediately..

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others, and the world, remains and is immortal"..

- Albert Pike

Until next time, blessings to all -

Silver~

Back to Main Page