Transmorphification Syndrome

Transmorphification Syndrome is an affliction that, once it occurs to a living thing, is impossible to reverse. It is the end result of an unprepared lifeform being infused with a level of Mana that their bodies cannot handle on it's own. To compensate for this, the Mana begins to transform the living thing's body, a process that acts quickly and often results in the individual becoming Transformed, resembling something far different than that of their original form.

Transmission & Vectors

Transmorphification Syndrome occurs when any form of life that has Resolve within it is exposed to heavy amounts of Mana, far more than a body can handle. Although species that have a higher tolerence for Mana and practioners of magic, such as Elves and Arcanists respectively, have a lower chance of becoming Transformed, it's still a potent risk that they have to deal with if they're not cautious.

Causes

^{For Machina, there is a digitalized variation of Transmorphification Syndrome that results in various mutations to their code and hardware. For this, please see Irregularant Behavior}

Transmorphification typically takes on many different froms, often relating to the enviroment an infected person is in, or on various aspects of their soul. The specifics are not entirely well known despite research by organizations such as ARC due to the nature and makeup of the soul, as well as enviroments varying wildly between individuals. Although there are many cases of people undergoing similar end-states of Transmorphification, no one is 1-to-1 the same with the other.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Transmorphification Syndrome are fast-acting, occuring within the first 24 hours of manifestation and lasting for anywhere from a week to a month. These symptoms include:

• Expulsion of mana from various orifaces.
• Glowing eyes.
• Pains throughout the body.
• Blood turning Devoidia in color.

Oftentimes, these symptoms will give raise to other conditions that are exacerbated by supernatural causes, such as Root Growth Sickness or Crystaline Edenite Growth Syndrome. In the event of these conditions occuring, immediate medical attention will be needed.

Treatment

Once Transmorphism begins, there is no cure. Although tests have been done to remove as much mana as possible from people undergoing Transmorphism, the end result typically ends with them being half-transformed, with any changes to the body remaining. At this point, assistance from Ceramists is typically needed to ensure that any changes, interrupted or otherwise, done to the body aren't lethal to the Transformed or to those around them.

Prognosis

Essentially, by the time the Transmorphification wears off, the person afflicted with it will have become Transformed. Transformed individuals go by a wide-range of forms and shapes, with the most common forms having been Mandragorians and Werewolves.

Affected Groups

Although any species can end up affected by Transmorphfication, there are a few particular notes to be made of various species or infected groups:

Dragons

Dragons, due to their nature as massive creatures that metaphorically breathe immense amounts of Resolve, regularly undergo bouts of Transmorphification, their forms shifting and changing at a rapid pace.

Cambrions

Cambrions have been noted to experience Transformorphification at higher frequencies than ordinary Humans and Demons. This is suggested to be as a result of a Demon's natural ability to absorb Mana from the enviroment around them, an issue with which Cambrions struggle with regularly.

Prevention

Since it only occurs when an individual is exposed to an extraordinary amount of Mana, practicioners of magic typically need to practice safety when making use of Mana in any capacity. Absorpion of Mana in smaller doses to build up a higher resistance to it is a typical way to go about it, as well as using tools or materials that allow for the usage of Mana in other forms. Edenite, for example, has worked well for the creation of tools for casting and working with Mana.

History

The earliest recorded instance of a creature undergoing Transmorphification was on Terra Eclipsis in 102 A.D, when Gaz Alzao, a Reptilia from The Sands, was experimented on by Gora. The resultant transformation turned him into a monsterous half Reptilia, half Dragon entity.

Cases of Transmorphification were infrequent throughout the realms, however as the 19th Century approached and the changes brought about by The Bloom occured, instances of individuals becoming Transmorphed became more and more widespread. After The Withering, there is a realm-wide spread of people who have become Transformed.

Left: Ordinary blood sample.
Right: Transformed Blood 24 Hrs after symptoms appear.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Common