Aberration Metamorphosis

What is made manifest warps itself a mask to satisfy necessity over comprehension. What is not known still, dwells in madness.

"The Elf's legs melted into the ground! The skin on his thighs exploded out like... like meaty streams! The flesh on his arms fell off and his bones grew more bones like branches! He turned into a tree! He turned into a tree! I could hear the Woad Spirits demanding we kill it! When we did and pulled out his... leg things, I saw out the corner of my eye that his toes turned into roots. We dug, we found more. And more. And more..."

— Ro'kata Mai, Seureith Goblin Warlock.

Aberration Metamorphosis is an extremely rare disease that completely transforms carriers into abonormal monstrosities, or 'aberrations'. There are no known causes, transmissions, or preventative measures of the disease, other than the only known cause being an effect of a Weirding.
The disease is mostly undetectable by existing sciences and magick. The disease can remain dormant for hundreds of years, and there are no obvious triggers that cause the disease to become active; the disease can become active at any time, including if the carrier has died or even decomposed. Studies conducted by Irnnen and Krezmanic doctors suggest that carriers do not feel any different to those without it. When the disease becomes active, the carrier undergoes a painful transformation, changing into something entirely unrecognizable.
The result of the transformation vary wildly, and there is no theoretical means of determining what a carrier will evolve and morph into. The disease can turn hosts into beast-like creatures, paranormal or supernatural entities, or give them natural elements of the world around them. It is not known if the original host dies during the transformation or if they retain consciousness.

Transmission & Vectors

The disease is theorized to be hereditary, as there are no recorded instances of entire towns breaking out under its effects. It is known to be one of infinite possible effects of a Weirding. Documents written by religious officials believe that the disease is a work of evil, while medical professionals have written numerous reports of successful autopsies claiming that victims of the disease subconsciously repress the symptoms until it 'wells up in their brain and kills them swiftly'.
Other documents claim that it is entirely possible that the disease can also be transmitted by existing carriers who have already undergone the metamorphosis, by magicks and similar means, or by blood, blood transfusions, or open wounds from carriers. Dwarven alchemists working with Krezmanic researchers believe that these are possible vectors, although ultimately concede on the theory that either everyone is a carrier or nobody is until the moment of metamorphosis.

Symptoms

'Her... her muscles burst out through his back. Her skin fell flat to the ground. Her legs twisted backwards, like a deer's. It was like a demon burst out from her!'

— Anonymous Irnnen Human.

Symptoms of Anomalous Aberration Disease share little correlation either between their host's properties and other carriers, even those who inherit the disease through their bloodline. It is believed that all outcomes of the disease, and all 'aberrations' that spawn from it do not share any similar properties or biological changes. What is generally agreed upon by the major bodies of the Krezmanic and Irnnen research teams, however, is that any thing is possible.

Confirmed Symptoms

Witnesses to the metamorphosis process claim that carriers who suffer from the disease can have their entire biological structure changed, as at least one account makes mention of an aberration floating off the ground and becoming transparent. This also suggests that new physical and biological laws and can be created and produced (but not replicated through obvious means).
The Krezmanic document 'Einem Monstrum' suggests that:

• An aberration's flesh, muscle, bone, and blood can change properties during the transformation process, even becoming toxic or incorporeal.

• Aberrations can gain new appendages and limbs of other creatures (such as wings, gills, claws, etc.)

• Aberrations often gain new powers and abilities (in one such case, one aberration was able to grab a victim and teleport away with them).

• Aberration metamorphosis is not just limited to morphing into different beings, and can change into other objects and even geographical locations.

• Once transformed, an aberration cannot change back into its former self. Its mind and former self are irrevocably changed.

Cultural Reception

Reception to Aberration Metamorphosis is universally feared and reviled, and aberrations are usually attacked on sight, depending on the severity of their metamorphosis. Although one of the more commonly accepted belief is that an aberration is no longer who they once were, there are still few - often the aberration's former family and friends - who will try to protect it. In most cases, they become the first ones attacked by the aberration.
Aberration Metamorphosis may also be the catalyst for many regional folktales and myths. One Erd-Honn Dwarven folktale makes mention of a beast that consumes miners who stray from large groups and replicates them, then infiltrates larger groups of Dwarves to escape the mine and infect the city of Sin-Mordallhitt. The story often ends with the aberration escaping the mines. This ending was later changed when a pandemic of fear and distrust lead to hundreds of casualties.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Wirven Goblin
• Seureith Goblin
• Human
• Kruhlmaak Goblin