Mutatio Lunae
Those afflicted with mutatio lunae are bound to transform into blood-thirsty monsters during the full moon. Similar in concept to Lycanthropy, the major differences are that moon changes are caused by an underlying curse and spread through bites.
Transmission & Vectors
Bites which break the skin transmit the moon change curse to a new host.
Causes
Magical curse; tied to lunar cycles
Symptoms
An infected individual often shows no symptoms until a few hours before the moon becomes full at their geographical location. During the hours before the full moon, they become emotionally agitated and sometimes violent. They show physical symptoms of dark, bruised circles around the eyes, increased body temperature and sweating, elevated heart rate, pallor of the skin with spidery black marks along the veins, difficulty breathing and a hoarse rasp in the throat.
During the full moon, infected go through a violent and sudden transformation which lengthens their limbs, changes the shape of facial features and toughens teeth, skin and nails. This transformation is achieved through a magical burst of energy which shreds the skin in an explosive, outward "explosion." They will remain in this form until the moon begins to wane at their location. After returning to human form, they retain no memory of their actions or experiences while transformed.
While the moon is not full, infected individuals experience heightened strength and endurance, increased regenerative abilities (up to and including a normal gunshot to the head), heightened vision and hearing, and an ESP-like sense which is not fully understood. They are also intrinsically afraid of water and will shy away from silver.
Treatment
Removal of a bitten limb before the infected individual's first transformation
Prognosis
Shooting an infected person with silver will halt their regenerative abilities, allowing them to be killed. If they are killed under a full moon, any others they infected will be cured of the curse and return permanently to human form.
Prevention
When transformed, the infected are sensitive to high frequency and high volume sounds. They also demonstrate significant hydrophobia and will avoid immersion in water. Water guns have been employed to limited success. They are also allergic to silver and will recoil from contact with it.
Epidemiology
Outbreaks tend to cluster around a single family who has run afoul of a magic practioner with knowledge of curses; once cursed, the infected tend to return to familiar ground, often biting and infecting members of their family in the process. Mages and hunters eradicate these clusters as soon as they are discovered, usually within two or three full moons of initial infection.
History
Instances of moon changes, known in mundane circles as werewolf attacks, have been found throughout American and European history. Often confused with Lycanthropes and families with Lycanthropy, moon changed individuals are hunted aggressively by mages and mundane hunters alike.
(Dex: The most recently confirmed case occurred near LaGrange, New York in 2015. As of 2021, all members of the infection were either killed or cured. Contact Poughkeepsie Werewolf Pack or Jason Gagnon for more information.)
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