Therianthropy

"This is an old curse, ancient by Fae standards. It is draining, but it does the trick. They either learn their lesson or they die." - The Oberon

Therianthropy is more commonly misconstrued as Lycanthropy. While Lycanthropy is a form of Therianthropy, Lycanthropy is the term given to wolf forms. Therianthropy is the umbrella for all forms, including bears, wolves, large cats, and badgers.

Transmission & Vectors

Therianthropy is not contagious or transmitted from one infected patient to another.

Causes

Therianthropy is acquired primarily through inheritance. If both parents have it or a family history of it, the child has a high chance to be afflicted. If one parent has it or a family history and the other does not, the child has a low chance of inheriting it. Some types are carried more on the mother's side, some are carried more on the father's side. If the mother and father have different types, the child has a 50/50 chance to inherit either but will more than likely inherit the one afflicting the parent of the same sex.
Therianthropy is not a naturally occurring disease though, and was originally afflicted by Fae magic in the form of a curse.

Symptoms

Therianthropy does not present changes until the victim reaches puberty, but there are many early warning signs. Shortly after the child's second birthday, their eye color may inexplicably change during certain celestial phases or events, particularly when Fae magic is known to be at it's peak (star showers, full moons, equinoxes, and Mid Summer. The child, once weaned from their mother's breast, will show a strong preference for diets fitting their affliction. The child will also display bouts of extreme emotion when provoked, such as violent anger when teased or bullied.
In the days prior to the first change, they will experience severely unstable emotions and lash out at the smallest provocations.
The first change always coincides with Mid Summer, the peak of the Fae folk's power. It is painful to the body as it reshapes into the animalistic form. The mind is overwhelmed by the pain, instincts, and emotions causing the patient to behave like a cornered animal. Each further change coincides with another Fae power spike until the patient can control themselves. Once they learn control the change is at will.

Treatment

The kingdom of Elvalon pioneered a temporary subduement of Therianthropes, utilizing the King or Queen's own fae blood to control the beast and soothe them until they learned control.
Once Elvalon fell, records of the methods used by the royal bloodline led to the discovery of locking away the Fae's magic forever with little to no maintanence. The magics are imbued in a special ink made from plants known to impede Fae magic. The bindings are tattooed upon the Therianthrope, with occasional refreshing when the ink fades.

Prognosis

If the patient is bound or learns to control themselves, the condition is survivable. If not, they are likely to end up dead from hunters.

History

Therianthropy began as two sides of the same coin; A curse upon men and women who anger the High Fae with grave disrespect for custom, tradition, and courtesy... and a blessing upon men and women who asked for this boon as a reward for their service. Most of the families currently carrying the condition can be traced back to the pact between the Fae and human kingdoms, both names lost to time. When they merged under one banner of Elvalon, many of the men and women of the human guard chose the forest's blessing.

Cultural Reception

The people of Elvalon have embraced this condition as part of their heritage. They were given the support and care they needed to thrive in adulthood and gain control of their power. When Elvalon fell, the cultural reception shifted. Newer generations, hearing only the propaganda of Agaland, fear Therianthropes and call for their binding. Those who lived alongside Therianthropes fear their erradication and binding, doing their best to hide them.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare