A Vampire Swarm occurs when a powerful vampire of indiscriminate origin gathers numerous weaker vampires, either through recruitment or by turning a large number of people simultaneously. The motivations for this behavior vary, though P.I.L.T. has found the most common reason to be the formation of a vampiric dynasty.
Weakened and newly turned vampires are notable for their animalistic hunger and hunting patterns, remaining in semi-feral states until satiated.
Vampires typically hunt independently or in small groups of two to four. The Vampire Swarm is uniquely concerning due to its locust-like behavior, hunting in large numbers with little concern for discretion or concealment. Swarm attacks are often driven by scarcity: a single fledgling requires a substantial quantity of blood at regular intervals to maintain coherence, and a moderate-sized Swarm can decimate an entire town’s population if left unchecked.
Nocturnal disposal operations are to be avoided whenever possible. Agents should pursue Swarms only during daylight hours, up to two hours before sunset, as fledglings are extremely vulnerable to sunlight. Agents are advised to expose the Swarm to a large light source simultaneously.
Mature vampires are likely to guard the Swarm, and the presence of a larger Swarm significantly increases the probability of involvement by an ancient vampire.
Cannibalism is common within Vampire Swarms, including the consumption of human flesh and weaker fledglings.