Husk

You must understand that what was once a vessel of thought and perspective is now just an incessantly hungry machine. - Yossa, Anthropologist

Overview

Author's note: "husks" is currently a placeholder name until it either isn't or a new name replaces it.
"Husks" does not describe a separate, biologically distinct race; it is merely a term to describe the corrupted forms of other races. Elves, Humans, Dwarves, even Halflings can devolve into Husks given certain circumstances. The bite of an husk can cause the transformation as well as the overuse of, or the specific application of, dark magic.
Husks prey upon the flesh of other beings, and will defile the very land they trod upon. It is believed that their drive is chained to the will of some dark being of malevolent intent and great power. When enough husks are present they begin to act in coordination in a fashion not unlike ants.

Searching for a Cure

Finding a cure for husks has been the pursuit of many doctors, mages, and alchemists. None have yet to find a guaranteed method of fully reconstituting an husk's former personality and form. In other words, if a man became an husk the cure should return him to his former human form and behavior.
There are only a few instances where a transformation has taken place in practice, but these transformations have produced what we know as the Half-Husk.
Half-Husks are what the name implies, only half of their former looks and behavior have returned. These rare beings live a life constantly tormented by their remnant, husk-ish impulses. The internal battle between the former impulses of a human, elf, or dwarf and the corrupted husk-ish form has utterly broken many individuals. It is because of this that some believe it is better to kill an Husk outright than to attempt reconstitution, though there are those who strongly disagree.

Note(s) from the Archivists:

Why is it that the most comprehensive entry on species is the one about a condition? - Archivist Edward