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General Info

Faction Name	The Heretics

The Heretics are a peculiar group in the Vampire Diaries universe. These are real hybrids, symbolizing the confluence of two supernatural beings - vampires and witches. Living in a world largely shaped by duality, heretics defiantly avoid categorization and become the epitome of anomaly. They master magic and even display typical vampire abilities such as advanced healing and immortality. However, their power is not their characteristic. Their tumultuous history of struggle and survival speaks volumes for their tenacity and resilience. They may have a terrifying and disturbing combination of witch and vampire, but they also bear witness to the survival of great differences. That's what makes the Heretics really worth understanding: a piece of the puzzle in the grand scheme of the supernatural world in The Vampire Diaries.

Overview

Heretics are a rare and intriguing group in the Vampire Diaries universe. Formed in the 19th century, they consist of a group of witch-vampire hybrids, replaced by Lillian Salvatore. This unusual combination of powers makes them a formidable presence, perfect revolutionaries with the strengths and weaknesses of both supernatural beings. Unique but fragile, they possess impressive vampiric physical abilities and magic, their magic not derived from nature but from their vampirism. However, they are vulnerable to the traditional weaknesses that both vampires and witches face. The existence of heretics defies the laws of nature, so witches and vampires are ostracized, feared and hated. Their complicated backgrounds, combined with their quirky individual personalities, form a tumultuous relationship with the other characters, which adds to the dramatic tension in the show. Heretics play a vital role and contribute greatly to the development of the story. Due to their unique dual nature, they fall ambiguously into the gray area of the moral scale, causing endless debate among fans of The Vampire Diaries.

History

The Heretics hold a unique place in the history of the Vampire Diaries universe. On the periphery of the story existed an exclusive group of six siphon witches-turned-vampires, initially mentioned in passing by the unreliable Kai Parker.
The history of the Heretics began in 1903, when Lily Salvatore, mother of Stefano and Damon Salvatore, turned six excommunicated siphonors into hybrids, creating a group later known as the Heretics. Siphons were shunned even in their own coven due to their unusual ability to absorb magic rather than extract it from nature. This ability fused with their vampiric qualities, allowing them to use their vampirism as an eternal source of magic, something that had never been achieved before. When Lily was trapped in the prison world, the Heretics were accidentally trapped near her, hidden from the current timeline of the Vampire Diaries. It wasn't until Bonnie and Damon accidentally released Lily that the Heretics were released as well. Once free, the heretics left a trail of destruction and alerted the Mystic Falls gang to their presence.
Throughout their history, heretics have been characterized by a mixture of cunning, ruthlessness, and sometimes empathy. As siphons they were rejected, but as heretics they wielded unparalleled power. Although the Heretics are not the main antagonistic group, their story is definitely intertwined with that of the Salvatore brothers. Their mother, Lily's quest to protect her new family for the sake of her biological children, created a lot of conflict and brought new perspectives on family loyalty, giving the Heretic story a poignant twist.
From the outcasts to the powerful, the Heretics took an unconventional path, their story revealing the complex layers of the Vampire Diaries universe.

Notable Members

Member #

Lily Salvatore

Malcolm

Valerie Tulle

Beau

Mary Louise

Nora Hildegard

Oscar

Julian

Geography

Heretics are not tied to one location in the Vampire Diaries universe. They first appeared in the gloomy basement of the Salvatore Boarding House in Mystic Falls, where Lily Salvatore, their leader and mother, keeps them locked away. They were later placed at the prestigious Salvatore Boarding School, a Gothic-style mansion surrounded by lush forests and a mystical aura reminiscent of their Victorian roots. The large and ominous building is a stark contrast to the otherwise peaceful city.
But the heretics went even further. Their relentless pursuit of freedom has led them to the urban setting of New York City, a stark contrast to the rustic charm of Mystic Falls. The anonymity of the city provided the perfect playground for their ruthless exploits as they enjoyed the city's glittering nights. Walking through the crowded streets of this concrete jungle, they remained hidden in plain sight and engaged in dangerous business under the dark mantle of tall towers.
Thus, while the Heretics originated and established a strong presence in Mystic Falls, they proved adaptable, easily integrating and surviving wherever they chose to live. Their resilience echoed their ability to escape even the most difficult circumstances and they triumphed in their eternal existence.

Legacy and Impact

The Heretics, a group of witch-vampire hybrids, have left an indelible mark on the Vampire Diaries universe. They weren't just villains, they were complex characters, each with their own unique story. They pushed the main characters to their limits, forcing them to question their own morals and sometimes even turn against each other. Heretics' impact goes beyond the immediate plot. Their existence challenged established knowledge of the universe and broke the original rule that witches and vampires could not coexist. This added a whole new level of complexity to the universe, allowing for more diverse storytelling possibilities. In addition, each member's struggles with their dual identities—the humanizing attraction to witchcraft and the predatory nature of vampirism—provided a new theme for the supernatural genre's overall identity struggle. Their legacy lives on, reminding us that power can be expensive and that who we are is often less important than who we want to be.