Strigoii

The most common species of vampire found in Romania, known as a "Dead Vampire" as compared with the "living" variety, the Moroii. The strigoii (feminine strigoica) will consort with the moroii, who join the ranks of their undead cousins upon death. The ways of becoming a strigoii are traditionally numerous: suicide, witchcraft, crunubak activities, perjury, death at the hand of a vampire, being the seventh son, being born with a caul, having a cat jump over one's corpse, being stared at in the womb by a vampire, or dying unmarried with an unrequited love. Addtionally, the ropes used in burial must be placed near the body and should not fall into possession of practitioner of black magic who might use them to turn a relative into a vampire. A body that is transforming into a strigoii will have its left eye open and staring. The recommended preventives against such a change includes a sickle stabbed through the heart of the corpse and the sticking of nine spindles into the ground to pierce the creature as it rises. Wine also figures in creating a powerful shield against attack. The strigoii's distinguishing features include red hair, blue eyes, and the presense of two hearts.