In Gravesbury Park vampire lore, the Turning is the ancient ritual through which a vampire deliberately transforms a mortal being into a vampire. It is not something that can happen accidentally or casually. A vampire is essentially creating a new immortal life, and doing so creates a powerful bond between the vampire and the person they have made.

A newly created vampire is known as a Fledgling, while the vampire who created them is their Maker. The fledgling may also be called the Maker's Childe, pronounced “Chill-day.”

Who Can Be Turned?

The Turning does not work on every supernatural species.

• Humans: Can be turned normally.
• Shifters: Can generally be turned, although the process can be more physically difficult because of their supernatural physiology. Their shifting abilities may also be altered after the Turning. They can still shift into an animal, but their ability to stay in that animal form will be limited only to 2 hours, after which the shifter forcibly returns to human form and will not be able to shift back to their animal form again until 4 hours have passed, after which they will transform to animal form for up to 2 hours and again have to wait another 4 hours before shifting to animal form once more, repeating the pattern/cycle.
• Witches: Can be turned, although doing so permanently changes their relationship with magic. A witch who becomes a vampire can retain some magical abilities, but their powers may become weaker, altered, or more difficult to use.
• Fae: Cannot be turned under any circumstances. Fae blood and physiology are fundamentally incompatible with vampirism. Attempting to introduce vampire blood into a fae body results in rejection of the vampire blood rather than transformation.
• Most extraterrestrial races: Cannot be turned because their biology is too different from that of Earth-born humanoids.
• Most interdimensional races: Likewise cannot be successfully turned because their physiology does not possess the necessary compatibility with vampiric transformation.
• Nordics: Are the notable extraterrestrial exception. Their physiology is sufficiently similar to humans that they can be successfully turned into vampires.

This is also why fae blood is so extraordinarily valuable to vampires despite the fact that a fae can never become one of them.

The Coven or Nest Ceremony

When a vampire belongs to a coven or nest, the Turning is traditionally treated as a major communal event rather than a private act. All available members of the coven or nest gather to witness the creation of the new vampire. The ceremony is ancient and has evolved from rituals practiced by vampires for thousands of years. Before the actual Turning begins, the vampires drink from enchanted crystal goblets. These goblets are traditionally enchanted by witches specifically for vampire ceremonies. Their magic alters the way vampire blood affects the vampire drinking it, producing an intoxicating sensation similar to drinking extremely strong wine or spirits. The vampires become progressively intoxicated as they drink. As the ceremony continues, they begin chanting ancient words in Sumerian, one of the oldest ritual languages preserved in vampire tradition. The chanting is accompanied by a slow, hypnotic dance. One or more musically gifted vampires provide the music, often using drums, strings, chanting, singing, or whatever instruments are appropriate to the particular coven. The atmosphere can become almost dreamlike as the intoxicated vampires circle around the person about to be turned. The ritual is simultaneously celebratory, spiritual, intimate, and solemn.

The Covenant of the Turning

While the ceremony is underway, the Maker takes responsibility for explaining exactly what the prospective vampire is agreeing to. The Maker recites a series of ancient ritual phrases, essentially presenting the mortal with the Covenant of the Turning. The prospective fledgling must understand that becoming a vampire is not simply receiving eternal youth and supernatural abilities. It is accepting an entirely different existence. The Maker explains that they will no longer age physically, will become difficult to kill, will have increased strength/speed/senses, and will recover from injuries faster. But the Maker must also explain the costs: hunger, instincts, and the struggle of the first years.

The Actual Turning

Once the prospective fledgling has agreed to the Covenant, the Maker takes the mortal away and begins the physical transformation. The Maker drains the mortal almost completely and then gives them several drops of vampire blood. The transformation begins: blood turns cold, heartbeat slows, and an intense chill spreads. Eventually, the transformation stabilizes and the new vampire crosses the threshold. They are no longer mortal.

The First Hour

Although the worst is over, the fledgling is initially extremely weak. Their muscles and bones ache for an hour. They experience fatigue, thirst, and sensory overload. For this reason, the Turning is traditionally performed shortly before dawn.

Awakening as a Vampire

When nightfall comes, the fledgling awakens reinvented. Aches are gone, replaced by euphoric energy and supernatural power. But there is one immediate problem: desperate hunger.

The First Hunger

The fledgling's first hunger can be overwhelming, potentially triggering a bloodlust frenzy. This is why the first feeding is so critical. The first stage of vampiric existence is difficult, requiring the fledgling to learn control over bloodlust, sensory overload, strength, and intensified emotions.

The Maker's Responsibility

Creating a vampire means accepting responsibility for that vampire. The Maker teaches, protects, and mentors their Childe, guiding them through the first difficult years of immortality.