The body of those who practise these shared arts that the men of the stone fortresses call occult is a beautiful thing.
The body itself is altered to become the ideal form for its use of the arcane, however our own mortal conditions are fragile and are prone to defective mutations.
This here doctrine is used to explain the function of each altercation that occurs, as well as some of the common misfortunate mutations referred to as Metamorphosis.
Mana Kidney
The first part of this breakdown is the
Mana Kidney, our understanding of it being shrouded in both mysticism and science, emerges as a captivating subject of study. Within the realms of magic, not all are blessed with the innate ability to wield its power. However, those fortunate enough to possess a Mana Kidney possess a conduit through which the essence of mana courses, ensuring the prevention of a perilous condition known as Metamorphosis—the transformative and unpredictable alteration of the body's form under the influence of magic.
The primary function of the Mana Kidney lies in its vital role as a guardian and purifier of the mystical life force known as mana. Comparable to the conventional kidneys that meticulously cleanse the blood of metabolic waste products, the Mana Kidney assumes the formidable task of filtering and purging impurities and surplus mana. Its discerning mechanisms ensure that only refined and potent arcane energy is made available for the wielder's invocation and manipulation.
Maurocytes
When a practitioner channels magic, mana flows into the Mana Kidney through a symbiotic bond, allowing harmonious energy distribution. Here, the enigmatic Black Blood cells, or maurocytes, emerge. These maurocytes form when mana forcefully binds to red blood cells, corrupting and subjugating them, causing anaemia in most individuals. However, a rare few possess "pure black blood cells" with a unique duality.
Impure or excess Black Blood cells accumulate within the tissues lining the Mana Kidney, shaping its distinctive composition. Though the organ has a finite capacity, it strategically breaks down and absorbs surplus cells to sustain itself and fortify other components entwined with mana usage.
Elongated Ears
The ears undergo a transformation, elongating into the graceful and elegant form reminiscent of the dying elves. This mystic change bestows a profound gift upon the practitioners—a heightened connection to the tune of mana that flows through the world.
As the ears elongate, they become exquisite funnels, finely attuned to the subtle shifts and fluctuations of the mystical energies around them. This enables the adept to perceive the delicate harmonies of mana, its ebb and flow echoing through the environment like a mesmerizing symphony. With this newfound sensory acuity, the wielder gains unprecedented control over the arcane forces, harnessing them with finesse and precision.
Some cases even have the external ear remaining the same in shape as before with the gained benefits of being in tune with the mana, but this is extremely rare with becoming deaf being more common.
The ears typically retain their normal hearing abilities, however a common mutation is the loss of ordinary hearing. Those that lose their hearing still remain to hear the energies around them.
Child Bearing
A pivotal moment arrives when the practitioner's biology undergoes profound changes, leading to a pivotal juncture in their heritage. As their connection to magic deepens, they reach a point where reproduction with non-mages becomes almost impossible. The exact time this occurs varies per person, with some circles of practitioners forcing those wishing to undergo training to give up the ability to birth young before they train.
However for those that lost their ability to reproduce with humans, mages and elves remain perfectly fit candidates.
What is interesting is the elven lineage can still breed with humans, it's evident that the majority of elves are more of a hybrid between their ancestors and the common human.
As these arcane inheritors bear children, the offspring no longer carry the immediate effects of their parents' altered bodies. Instead, they are born with a latent chance of inheriting the enigmatic Mana Kidney—the mystical conduit that safeguards against the unpredictable Metamorphosis.
However, within the tapestry of arcane heritage lies a dual outcome. Alongside the chance of being born with the coveted Mana Kidney, some offspring may bear genetic defects—an inherent risk entwined with the delicate balance of magic.
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