The thing that defines Vanessa most is her faith and her beliefs. Her relationship with God is something that guides many of Vanessa's actions, and despite being hunted by both Lucifer and Dracula she clings to her faith. It helps her to believe the best in a person or situation, gives her hope that things will be alright and that the people she cares for will be safe. Although there are times when Vanessa believes that God has failed her, claiming that when she needed God most at two points in her life God had turned His back on her, Vanessa continually returns to her faith, and when Vanessa dies she, for the first time, feels at peace, claiming to see God.

As well as Vanessa's belief in God she also has strong beliefs in the people she surrounds herself with, calling them her family and trusting them with the darkest parts of herself. Most people would turn and run at the demimonde, the half-life between what people know and what people fear, and after inviting Ethan Chandler into that life Vanessa gave him the opportunity to leave, though she hoped that he wouldn't. Even before it was known that the trouble surrounding their lives was centred on Vanessa, with her being the target of Dracula and the devil, Vanessa strongly believed in the abilities of Ethan and Malcolm Murray to keep their group safe and to bring Mina, Malcolm's daughter and her best friend, home safe. Vanessa trusts them with her life and her secrets, entrusting them with the knowledge that no one else will ever know. Vanessa is also a quick judge of character, partly aided by abilities, and was able to correctly judge that Ethan could be trusted with their secrets, later giving that same trust to Dr Seward and Catriona Hartdegen.

Without that trust, Vanessa keeps her secrets highly guarded, though really it's a protection for both herself and for others. Though her manner can be playful, most notably with friends, her general interactions are often as if she has taken one step backwards, giving all appearances of being a socially acceptable lady. Whilst Dorian Gray remarked that is made Vanessa seem mysterious, drawing her to him, Vanessa rarely allows her true self to be known by others, and after Ethan and Malcolm had left Vanessa felt lost and alone, with no one else to turn to. Vanessa would admit that her life is dangerous, and not only that but she herself is dangerous. There is a darkness surrounding her, something that Vanessa calls a curse, and by keeping herself hidden away protects others by allowing their lives to remain free of such a burden. On first meeting, Dr Seward remarks that Vanessa isolates her and keeps people away in the belief that she is happiest alone, though then points out that Vanessa knows that she really isn't, that it's just guilt. As Vanessa keeps these large walls up it surprises her, and even hurts her, to be picked apart so easily.

Despite her guard, Vanessa is friendly and incredibly polite. She follows all of the social graces expected in her time, despite finding them tedious, though on occasion will push the boundaries on what is socially acceptable for her position, such as attending Dorian's gala unescorted. To her friends, she is incredibly loyal and caring and will do whatever it takes to ensure their safety and protection. After Mina had been taken by Dracula Vanessa delved into a different world to try to reach and rescue her, risking her own life for Mina's. Though the nightcomers were Vanessa's problem, as she was their real target, Vanessa went alone into their fortress to rescue Malcolm, whom had been taken by them, even knowing that it was a foolish endeavour. Vanessa doesn't just risk her life without regard, however, and only does so when she believes it is the only option and that there is a chance of obtaining her goal. Vanessa not only cares for her friend's lives but also their happiness, advising Victor Frankenstein on matters of the heart, and giving John Clare advice regarding doing what would make him happy. Vanessa is kind to others around her regardless of whether she knows them. While most shunned John Clare for his appearance Vanessa saw only a man, and in fact once called him the most human man that she'd ever met, enjoying his company despite only just meeting him.

However, though Vanessa is kind she is not above giving in to her impulses and her darker nature. Spurred by hatred of the man who had killed her mentor Vanessa sought revenge on him, using dark magic which caused his death. Though Vanessa would claim that she did this to avenge Joan's death, an act of compassion for her friend, it was done with great anger and was something that Vanessa could have stopped herself from doing. It is the one time that Vanessa has used her abilities for such a thing, treading carefully to remain on the lighter side -- dark magic attracts the devil, turning a daywalker to a nightcomer. Vanessa, knowing that she is hunted, has been careful to never use the Verbis Diablo, or use her magic for such things.

Vanessa is also highly determined, and perhaps even stubborn. If there is something that she wants, particularly if Vanessa feels guilty (such as regarding Mina's fate) Vanessa will do whatever it takes to try and put it right, refusing to accept that there is nothing that can be done. Vanessa's determination has also been shown regarding her personal desires such as when she first met the cut-wife Joan Clayton, a daywalker whom would mentor Vanessa regarding her own newly found abilities. After Joan initially refused Vanessa entry she remained outside the entry, attempting to pass the wards that refused her passage, refusing to turn and leave. Vanessa needed Joan's help, feeling lost, defeated, and in need of help. After days of remaining outside Joan's home the cut-wife finally met with her, though Vanessa still had to fight to get Joan to help her. She wasn't a silly girl but someone in need of help, and in this case being possessed by the devil was true, something that Vanessa needed to make Joan believe.

Her bravery in the face of danger, hunting vampire and facing demons, has helped her to find the truth behind the darkness surrounding their lives, with Vanessa's unique abilities guiding their steps. She doesn't back down, even when she is afraid, and instead uses this fear to spur her on, to overcome the monster that is hunting her. Vanessa is not afraid to admit to when things scare her or when she doesn't know something, and though it can be frustrating she takes comfort and strength from those that Vanessa surrounds herself with. Their strength helps to keep her brave, to travel the uncharted waters, even when the easiest solution would be to give in or run away. When they discovered why Vanessa was being hunted by Lucifer she remained brave throughout, refusing him and using her faith in God, and her belief in herself, in order to send him back to Hell. When faced with Dracula Vanessa fought to refuse him, though defeated she found this fight tougher. Whilst Vanessa did appear to agree to him, allowing him to bite her (and bringing upon the apocalypse) she did so with a plan -- Vanessa knew that Ethan was returning, the man whom was Dracula's one weakness, and believed that he could stop this. She had been told previously that they would not stop hunting her whilst she lived and knew, as she would have done for Mina, that he would do what was necessary to protect everyone else. Vanessa's choice to die, to put everyone else's survival above her own, was her bravest act and the one moment that she allowed her to find peace.

- this outfit
- some loose change

DAYWALKER. As a daywalker (a witch) Vanessa is able to divine past, present and future events, practising this most often through the use of tarot cards, or psychometry, shown reading someone's past through touch. Vanessa is also clairvoyant, highly intuitive and is able to commune with spirits. She is also fluent in the Verbis Diablo, though due to its darker power only uses it when necessary, and has been taught how to use apotropaic magic.
MEDIUMSHIP. In addition to divination Vanessa is able to channel spirits and supernatural beings, with Vanessa having previously been host to very powerful spirits (and even possessed by Amunet and Lucifer).
HERBALISM. Vanessa is knowledgeable in plants and their properties, both healing and harmful when applied to the human body.
OCCULT. In addition to her own abilities, Vanessa is knowledgeable about other aspects of the occult, including the supernatural, the demimonde, and the darker aspects of the occult (such as practised by the nightcomers).
APOTROPAIC MAGIC. A type of magic used to turn away harm/evil, Vanessa is knowledgeable in protective enchantments/wards and on numerous occasions has created wards using her personal totem (a scorpion). The wards created by Joan Clayton prevented access to her property by anyone that was not human, preventing Vanessa's entry until granted entry, and preventing the entry of the nightcomers.
VERBIS DIABLO. The language of the devil, Vanessa has most frequently used it to repel attacks, using a spell to banish evil, exorcise the devil (and send him back to Hell), and cast a protection spell. Vanessa, reading only from a book, has also used it to cast a spell causing someone's death.
LONGEVITY. Daywalkers can live significantly longer than humans, with Joan Clayton having been over two hundred years old before she died.
MARKSMAN. Despite never previously having been taught Vanessa is very skilled in using a firearm, able to shoot from a distance and shoot moving targets with great accuracy.

SINNER. Vanessa has committed many sins both large and small. The worst of these sins include murder and the betrayal of her best friend, Mina Murray, by seducing her fiance.
PERSONALITY. Vanessa is incredibly stubborn and impulsive in the heat of the moment. Whilst she isn't outright malicious or cruel she has been hardened by the pain and suffering that she has endured, and when feeling attacked or pressed will often lash out, even at those she cares about.
MOTHER OF ALL EVIL. Hunted throughout her life by both Dracula and Lucifer Vanessa's destiny is to become the Mother of All Evil, inciting the end of days should she choose to side with either of the brothers. Whilst Vanessa fights against this, refusing to submit to them, chaos follows her as they seek her out.