Rolled Out On: 9/12/2006 2:48 PM

Unlike the response to a symbol of faith, the vampire's response to sunlight isn't a mental one; it's physical. The light actually does damage to the skin.

Reflected light, like from a mirror, does seem to have the same effect as non-reflected light, so that's no problem. However, vampires don't seem to require absolute darkness, so the quality of the reflective surface seems to come into play. (Evidence further supporting this is the fact that vampires can see; the light entering the retinas doesn't seem to be causing damage.)

So, the moon is obviously of poor enough reflective quality to have no more than a negligible effect on a vampire, whether they realize it is sunlight or not.

Rolled Out On: 9/12/2006 3:56 PM

So you think there's basically a threshhold of light tolerence? If so, would a 10,000 candlewatt floodlight hurt them? Would flash photography singe their skin?

Personally, I eat enough garlic to nauseate most vampires anyway, so I think I'm safe. But, you know, if installing stadium lighting outside of my house ensures a vampire free home, then hey! There's all the excuse I need to justify that purchase to my wife.

Rolled Out On: 9/14/2006 2:52 PM

I think it's something in sunlight -- not just light -- that hurts the vampires. I suspect it has something to do with Vitamin D production, so if your stadium lights were the kind that allegedly cure "wintertime blues", that might do the trick. I suspect that it isn't so much a tolerance, but that it takes a significant dose before harm occurs. Like with heavy metal poisoning.

Garlic, on the other hand, seems to be less supported by modern purveyors of vampire lore. Garlic breath will just get a vampire to chuckle at you nowdays, as will holy water if you don't happen to have faith in God.