Varcolaci
A mythical vampire species found in Romania that ranks with most powerful of the undead because
of its ability to "eat" the sun and the moon. Traditions vary as to what exactly the varcolaci
are. They have been depicted as smaller than dogs, as dragons, or as animals with many mouths.
They can originate as the souls of unbaptized children, those cursed by God, or the children of
unmarried persons. They can also be created when women spin at midnight without a candle or when
people place a porridge stick into a fire, even if a person sweeps the house at sunset, directing
the accumulated dust and dirt toward the sun. The varcolaci may also appear as humans, with pale
faces and dry skin. Varcolaci cause eclipses when their bodies drop into a deep sleep and their
spirit goes into the sky to munch their way across the ehavens. They can travel on the thread
used in the midnight spinning, going where they wish as long as the cord remains unbroken.
Another name in use for these beings is priculics.

Vetala
A type of Indian vampire, also considered a demon, even a chief of demons, known in some regions
as the baital, the baitala, or the vetal. This creature is described variously as being white,
green, or what-colored and stride a green horse. It can also appear as an old hag, sucking the
blood of women, customarily only those who are drunk or insane. Other traditions hold that the
vetala is not actually malevolent. It can be seen at night in silver-and-gold cloth decorated
with elephants and horses, a torch in one hand and a sword in the other.

Voodoo
Also vodun, a term first used by Haitians in Louisiana, probably taken from Dahomey in West
Africa. Voodoo is an amalgam of occult African practices with elements of Roman Catholic rituals.
A highly complex system, it is noted for its formidable sorcerers who practice various forms of
magic, including necromancy, spell casting, and hexing. Blood forms part of the rituals that
connect voodoo to vampirism. Additionally, zombies created by voodoo consume human flesh and have
been ranked with primitive vampires.

Vrykolakas
The main vampire species of Greece, Macedonia, and the Aegean region, also vroukalakas and
bruocolacas. The name was used originally in Slavic regions to denote a werewolf, its vampiric
connations rising out of the belief that werewolves upon death came back as members of the
undead. As the Salvic culture penetrated into Greece and the Aegean, the demon-ridden vrykolakas
gradually replace the indigenous Greek revenant, which was considered a fairly peaceful being
until that time, ultimately emerging as the preeminent species in Greece. (for more info, see
"Vampire Encyclopedia")

Vukodlak
A Serbian term for "vampire," derived from the word for werewolf, as the werewolf is associated
with the undead in Salvic folklore. Werewolves are believed to return after death as members of
the vampire species. Over time, as the vampire connotations outpaced the lycanthropic ones, the
vukodlak was used more and more frequently in its present sense. In some parts of Yugoslavia, the
vukodla remains a werewolf; stories about persons turning into wolves and devouring sheep
continued to circulate until the late nieteenth century.