The Scientists: Psychers and Beserkers

Transmission & Vectors

Psychers and Beserkers and created by people injecting themselves with powerful magical serums, increasing their mental or physical prowess.

Causes

The serums were created as prototypes a few hundred years ago, and have been worked on and bettered by the Scientists of Igronas ever since. They were created as a way to give normal people more power, either magical or physical, as the people of Ostelan are generally without magic. The Scientists believed regular people should have a way to fight back against anything they don't believe in.

Symptoms

Psychers

The Psychers' hair quickly greys, and their hands and feet wrinkle beyond their years. Their lifespan decreases by several decades. In some Psychers, the colour of their eyes brightens, and in rare cases changes hue altogether. Psychers are able to use magic at various levels as if they were warlocks.

Beserkers

Beserkers' hair grows extremely quickly, forcing many to dread their hair as otherwise they would need to cut it several times every mis. Sometimes Beserkers grow noticeably taller within a few days from their first serum injection, and their muscles always become visibly bigger and rather unpleasant to look at after a few injections. Beserkers are typically quick to anger.

When Injections Are Stopped

Psychers and Beserkers must regularly inject serums, around once per dain. If the injections are halted, their figures begin to shrivel; this is particularly noticeable in Beserkers as their muscles shrink down, making their skin too big for their body. In Psychers, this manifests simply as the wrinkled skin on their extremities spreading to the rest of their body.
Withdrawal begins a few days after the serum would have been administered, causing vomiting, shaking, and often hair loss. Cases of people ceasing their treatment is rare, so it is unknown if there are other, less common side effects to stopping taking serums.

Treatment

There is currently no known way to reverse the effects of the serums. The Scientists see them as an improvement, and therefore something that no one should want to go back on.

Cultural Reception

The common people of Igronas are broadly unaware that the Scientists have created these serums. They believe Beserkers to simply be strong people, and Psychers to be warlocks with uncommon power. Many Beserkers and Psychers are in the city guard, as this is an organisation affiliated with the Scientists, so the people of Igronas tend to avoid them where possible.
The few Beserkers and Psychers in Ironport are revered; magic and strength so great are incredibly rare in the dull city. These people are taken care of by those around them, almost in worship, as they are seen as a sign that normal people can rise above their daily lives and become great. This is useful to these Psychers and Beserkers, as purchasing the serum is very expensive for those outside of the Scientists.

Type

Chemical Compound

Origin

Engineered

Rarity

Rare