Black swan: officially, they are female blood donors associated with individual vampires or their enclaves. Unofficially, those with weak minds can become addicted to feeding vampires in the same way a drug addict craves his or her narcotic of choice. Vampires have been known to exploit their Black swans by prostituting them out to make additional money
Childe: A vampire that was turned less than fifty years ago. The term is also used as an insult when directed at older vampires.
Clan: An extended family of vampires who have descended from an individual called a prince.
Clan Sangre: enclave of vampires that works in the In-Between.
Culled: The formal term given to an individual who meets all of the requirements to join a vampire clan.
Enclave: An extension of a family of vampires. When a clan needs to have permanent representation in a designated area, they will set up an enclave in order to protect their interests.
Flash: term given to the extraordinary speed in which vampires can move from place to place.
Fledgling: A vampire that was turned less than ten years ago. Fledglings are mentored by a designated vampire within their clan. Fledgling vampires who were produced by accidental makers may be terminated in accordance with their clan's laws. Fledgling demigod vampires are almost always immediately slain. If a Fledgling demigod vampire is able to survive being slain by their clan, they often turn into rogue vampires.
Maker: The designated individual who is responsible for passing on the Vampyric Virus to the next generation. A slight mutation of the virus will occur during this process, which enables each vampire to trace his or her genealogy. The further from the original prince in their genealogy, the more deathly allergies the maker will possess, which he or she then passes on to the next generation. It is rare for a clan to designate makers that are three or more generations removed from their prince. Anyone carrying the Vampyric Virus may become an accidental maker upon feeding directly from a Swan. Each clan deals with accidental makers and their progeny differently, according to their clan's laws.
Prince: The founding demigod vampire of a clan. The strongest and rarest princes wear the mantles of their Watcher parent. Princes rule their clans as either a monarchy or oligarchy. If a prince meets his true death, or is unable to rule, his progeny assume rule in his stead. In an instance where the prince and his first generation of vampires are eliminated, the second-generation vampires may form a republic and may choose to organize themselves in any form of government that the majority vote determines from the remaining vampires.
Rogue vampire: A vampire that is not associated with its clan of origin.
Slayer: An individual who has caused the true death of a vampire.
Swan: potential female blood donor. Generally, these women are extremely attractive. Once they become official blood donors, they are called Black swans.
Vampire Coalition: The general assembly of representatives from the vampire clans. Formed less than a hundred years ago, they came together to counterbalance the rising power known as the Borough of Converging Worlds.