Beast Within

Giving in to your primal urges

We were send to this little forsaken town to hunt what Wrys said must be a feral. That is what he called them, those humans that took monsterous shapes, losing their minds in the process. We had asked around but everyone was afraid to talk. Everyone except this old man. "I have nothing else to lose. He is hiding in the cave under the waterfall to the north. Make sure you kill him for good". And so we have been lying in waiting for days now, without any sign of movement from the waterfall. Wrys, who had left to relieve himself, sat next to me and dropped a head on my lap. "We are done here, kid. Pack up and let's go." I blinked and looked at the severed head, full of hair, with horns appearing seemingly from everywhere.

— Monster Hunter Wrys, A True Tale

Vesanus Animabilis is a relatively uncommon plague. The victims that contract it, exhibit animalistic behavior gradually until their shape becomes that of human-shaped monsters or beasts. The process can be long, arduous and the victims are known as Ferals, Were(add the name of the beast that they resemble) or Beastoids.

Transmission & Vectors

The condition is transmitted when the victim either comes in contact with someone's blood who has fully transformed into a Feral, or bitten by an animal which carries the disease. Animals don't exhibit any of the regular signs of the disease, besides increased aggression.

Causes

It is believed, in some places that procreation between humans and beast-like races is the cause of this. Researchers are unsure of this, however there might be evidence to suggest that it stands to be true, at least to a degree.

Symptoms

Depending on the bearer the symptoms might vary. There are victims who transform to wolves, cats or even warhogs. Others might transform to squirrels or sheep. Whatever the final results there can be said that the progression has four stages:

1. Initially the victim acquires keener senses, which match the ones that are dominant in the beast he is slowly transforming to. Examples are smell and hearing for wolves, eyesight for avian species and so on. Results might vary from individual to individual.
2. The physical characteristics and abilities of the individual also change. This means that they might acquire enhanced strength, agility or other characteristics. Their body might also undergo minor changes.
3. This stage is where the disease can become apparent to outsiders, as the changes are hard to ignore. Victims might develop fur, tusks or even tails. It is also the last stage where the cure can be applied.
4. In this stage the victim reverts completely to a human-like bestial form. Any logical thoughts are erased from the mind and only the survival instinct remains. Past this stage there is no cure and the victim needs to be contained or be killed if they pose a threat to others.

Treatment

There is only one known cure for this disease. A potion, named Withaxia's Glory, can be given to the victim. It will halt the progress of the condition, but the victim will not lose any abilities or traits that they have gained. This makes some people, actively seeking to contract the condition as to gain abilities that otherwise would be impossible for them to possess. Drinking the cure also renders the victim infertile and immune to future possible diseases.

Prognosis

Upon reaching the final stage, victims lose their minds and only survival prevails. They will only seek to feed and procreate, with any means necessary.

Affected Groups

Any individual can contract the disease. It is more rare for Bestial Races to contract the disease though. But there have been cases.

Hosts & Carriers

All fauna is a possible carrier. However not all carriers exhibit symptoms, making it harder to identify them.

Prevention

There is no known method to avoid contraction of the disease, other than avoiding contact with known and unknown carriers.

History

The first recorded cases occurred some time after the end of The Irruption Wars, which facilitates the argument that the cause for this are the Bestial Races and their procreation with Anirhas or other races. Given the fact that the last stage of the disease can't be cured, leaves researchers with little to no specimens for studying.

Cultural Reception

It has been noted that certain individuals might be able to keep a portion of their mind and exhibit some logical thoughts. However that is extremely rare. Despite that, all victims at the last stage are seen as complete and utter monsters with hunters being called to put them down.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Rare