Draconic Metamorphosis
Causes
When introduced, dragon DNA creates a permanent strand that is printed onto the bloodline. As the draconic lineage in a bloodline thins and weakens, the draconic gene may eventually fall dormant; yet is still passed on to further generations despite this.
In extremely rare cases, the gene can reawaken, causing the bearer to undergo a metamorphosis.
It is currently unknown what might trigger the awakening, and as it is a rare happenstance; there is little to work with in terms of data.
Symptoms
The first signs and symptoms include a gradual change in the natural growth of nails. Often hardening and growing pointed, looking akin to claws moreso than nails. Additionally, the canines in the mouth may elongate some and sharpen into fangs.
Other symtopms include: Parts of the skin growing coarse, tough, and rough as though they are scales. And sturdier bone structure (This one is not as easy to spot, but an example of sturdier structure does include a boost to one's physical capabilities)
Treatment
Majority of treating gene awakening is a matter of training and familiarizing oneself with their new bodily parts and functions.
There are some medicines that can help slow or temporarily halt the awakening process, but unfortunately, the drawback is that the transformation exponentially speeds up to compensate for lost time once the medicine wears off. (This is generally an incredibly painful rapid transformation that could leave one unconscious for a few days.)
Some other medicines offer a more pleasant alternative in which the genes can be made to temporarily recede, tricking the body into believing it wanting to revert some of the parts back to their original forms. (This method has diminishing returns and must be coupled with a break from the medication for up to two weeks so that the body loses its familiarity with the medicine.)
Prognosis
The first stage of dormant gene awakening is the gradual growth of fangs, claws, and even the eventual scale patches. This can carry on for a very long time, ranging from a week to five weeks for the first stage.
By the Sixth week, horns may protrude from the top of the head. It's a gradual development that can take up to two weeks for the horns to manifest fully. This step may be coupled with headaches likely from the growing pains. Additionally, a tail may also manifest around the same time.
In the meantime, the fangs, claws, and scales may develop further and overtake the original body parts. A recorded case states that a human patient had their hands and feet turn into those befitting a dragon. Another case reports an elf developing rocklike protrusions along their back on the spinal region.
Sequela
The most common trouble with the metamorphosis is acclimating to having new body parts. Species with long tails may suffer less due to familiarity.
Other troubles include a disruption to one's general routine, and oftentimes one's method of attire.
In a handful of cases, body dysphoria became a prevalent cause for worry.
Hosts & Carriers
Those who have the dormant gene can potentially end up awakening it.
Epidemiology
So long as dragons keep introducing themselves to other lineages, the potential for a dormant gene to emerge will continue happening.
This is a stub!
This article is still under construction!
Type
Genetic
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Chronic, Congenital
Rarity
Extremely Rare
Affected Species
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