Drekid (Dreck-id)
“What wrong with Hegik? He no right,” whispered Kett.
The gnoll sat alone, staring away at a blank space. Blood still drenched around his maw.
“He’ll be fine. Just the first true taste of blood ever since he gave in to his instincts at last,” the sadarren scoffed while shining his rusting sword.
No. Hegik wanted more. The throat is soaking yet there is no relief. The stomach is full yet it gurgles with an empty pit. He then clutched a spear in hand. The last heard of that Arkonian cluster.
Causes
Violence is always the root source when a creature becomes drekt. Though, specifically how has various tales. There has been instances of enjoying the sadism behind killing that can inflict this state of mind. Someone tasting a lot of blood of another creature spreads in gnoll hunting packs especially as the source. The only consistency that has been proven is that the enjoyment of violence or exposing yourself to it in a vulnerable state, like being in a battlefield, can trigger this mindset.
Treatment
The best time to treat a drekt is as soon as possible. Keep them distant and away from battle. At the very least, pay attention to their mindset on fighting and correct it if they mention the joy of killing. Distracting them and keeping them “awake” will help to pass over these unnatural tendencies.
Prognosis
There are two stages when a creature becomes drekt. Catching it early is the best chance of putting the victim back into reality.
Stage One
By this point, the victim has obtained a new outlook on violence. Whether out of sadism or cruel curiosity, they want to experiment with it more. The victim is still well aware of what they’re doing but each act saps away at their conscious little by little. As they kill more victims, the next phase becomes more likely.
Stage Two
By this stage, the victim’s mind is feral after having committed the violent acts. Experts are certain that death is the only cure now, for the victim can’t see reason with their newly obtained bloodlust.
The victim’s hands become clawed. The body morphs just enough to be noticeably hunkered down and bestial, similar to a canine. Hair is slowly lost or acquired, for cases vary. Long-term instances have concluded the victim loses their sense of identity as they transform into a craven beast that knows only malevolence.
Affected Groups
It is possible for anyone to fall prey to this twisting mindset. It’s mainly gnolls that are the most recorded people to be affected. What’s interesting is that even nivallen, wood elves of Thracallia, have cautionary tales about becoming bloodthirsty, showcasing that they are just as vulnerable.
Prevention
Keep a close watch on your fellow comrades after a fight. If they are dreary and not in the moment, immediately keep them aware. If you can keep them awake and engaged, it helps to stave it off until it wanes away.
History
The Necromantic War saw both sides attempt desperate measures to defeat the other. Early in the war, specifically the Arkonian Order, gnolls were the backbone force of the Elvarid campaign. Sar'Ganockt insisted that warriors embrace the bloodshed, scare the eladrin from fighting.
This mindset slowly twisted the gnolls by the Elvarid campaign’s end. They wanted more. It couldn’t end. So some went after their own. From there, it became clear what was going on when these feral gnolls turned on their own. Infamous sar’drekts we know today that lurk in the shadowfell formed ever since.
Comments