Turned
Some name the turned corpses animate, that theory is far from the truth. However that truth is not one easily accepted, so perhaps perpetuating the lie is the preferable course of action in this caseThe turned, often-times simply known as "the enemy", are the nightmarish force faced by the soldiers on the front lines. Having once been human brethren, the turned now resemble but some kind of sick parody of their former humanity.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The turned mostly retain their human bodies, to the point that if one is unlucky enough, it is possible to recognise a former friend among the charging horde. However the flesh is turned silvery grey, and metallic growths spike out of their skin like the fruiting bodies of a greater fungus. These growths expand rapidly when the turned enters an aggressive state, and shrink back into a smaller form when the creature is passive. The wounds caused by this expansion do not heal. Rather the turned's blood forms a film and hardens on the open flesh, forming a permanent scar. The growths, often wave-like may form blade like appendages when in a combative state.
Their blood is a silvery opaque colour, comparable to quicksilver in terms of appearance. This blood, also known as dark silver hardens quickly and easily covers large areas like paint. It has been theorised that the blood is the same substance as the spikes themselves. When the creature dies, their blood and flesh quickly harden, which leaves a metallic statue of the turned in its moment of death.
Their blood is a silvery opaque colour, comparable to quicksilver in terms of appearance. This blood, also known as dark silver hardens quickly and easily covers large areas like paint. It has been theorised that the blood is the same substance as the spikes themselves. When the creature dies, their blood and flesh quickly harden, which leaves a metallic statue of the turned in its moment of death.
Genetics and Reproduction
Turned are not known to reproduce independently. Rather their numbers are made up of humans infected with their curse. When a turned draws blood from a human, it is highly likely that this human is then infected with the turned's blood. A shallow cut is often enough. Over the course of 4 to 96 hours, the human then undergoes a terrible transformation. The only known cures are of magical nature, or by amputating the infected part of the body entirely before the poison reaches the brain. As such, after around 5 minutes, only administrating specific spells can save the individual.
The transformation itself is presumably of magical nature. Although there have been spells specific developed to combat infection, the same results can be achieved with a catch-all counter-curse. This suggests not only that it is not a poison or disease causing the change, but also to an extent, that the Turned were designed rather than being an abomination stemming from nature itself.
The transformation itself is presumably of magical nature. Although there have been spells specific developed to combat infection, the same results can be achieved with a catch-all counter-curse. This suggests not only that it is not a poison or disease causing the change, but also to an extent, that the Turned were designed rather than being an abomination stemming from nature itself.
Growth Rate & Stages
Upon first being struck, the victim will find pearls of dark silver in their wound. These will slowly turn the skin and flesh around the wound whilst they spread and fill the wound, hardening over the exposed flesh. Once the dark silver has hardened, amputation will no longer be effective.
The infection will then spread, first turning the veins around the wound a dark grey, which can be seen on the skin. The flesh then follows. Once the infection reaches the head, no amount of magic can call the person back. This infection will proceed faster or slower depending on various conditions. Different people have different levels of resistance as their soul instinctively fights the curse, a colder body carries the infection slower, and the part of the body which was infected impacts the speed of this phase of infection.
This process is not yet painful, however the victim will begin to feel weak and their mind will become cloudy. Their will and appetite may decrease, and they will begin to feel cold. Heat accelerates the transformation, as such keep the victim cold no matter their objections. The greying parts of their body will also begin to feel numb as their sensory nerves are consumed by the curse.
However does come, when the point of no return arrives. Once the curse reaches the brain, the victim will start to feel immense phantom pain. There have been no cases in which an infected did not weep and scream as though tortured during this part of the transformation. The pain is universal. After the screams come the prayers or mantras. An infected in its late stages will often begin uttering a phrase continuously. These are often tied to personality, loved ones, or last moments while still sane.
The infection will then spread, first turning the veins around the wound a dark grey, which can be seen on the skin. The flesh then follows. Once the infection reaches the head, no amount of magic can call the person back. This infection will proceed faster or slower depending on various conditions. Different people have different levels of resistance as their soul instinctively fights the curse, a colder body carries the infection slower, and the part of the body which was infected impacts the speed of this phase of infection.
This process is not yet painful, however the victim will begin to feel weak and their mind will become cloudy. Their will and appetite may decrease, and they will begin to feel cold. Heat accelerates the transformation, as such keep the victim cold no matter their objections. The greying parts of their body will also begin to feel numb as their sensory nerves are consumed by the curse.
However does come, when the point of no return arrives. Once the curse reaches the brain, the victim will start to feel immense phantom pain. There have been no cases in which an infected did not weep and scream as though tortured during this part of the transformation. The pain is universal. After the screams come the prayers or mantras. An infected in its late stages will often begin uttering a phrase continuously. These are often tied to personality, loved ones, or last moments while still sane.
I will come back for you. Do not forget me. I will come back for you. Do not forget me. I will come back...
I do not want to die I do not want to die I do not want to...
Go to sleep, sweet rose, go to sleep, sweet rose, go to sleep...The infected will slowly fall asleep as the curse takes hold of their mind once and for all. The next time they wake up their mind will have been replaced entirely with a rabid, instinctual mess. The infected has then officially turned. Immediately upon waking the new turned will become highly aggressive to anything around it. It is only after several days that their aggression is honed to focus solely on other humans. This is also when the first growths break through the skin. During the highly aggressive period growths will form as visible bumps in on the skin. It is only after the 2nd or 3rd day that they break through the skin.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The source of nourishment for a turned it unknown. What is known however is that they require something to keep functioning, as a turned locked in a cell for a significant amount of time seemingly falls asleep. This is however a state of false stasis, as soon as a change is made to their environment by a human they will become active again. This has led to the theory that turned do in fact require some form of nourishment else there would not be any reason to hibernate as they do.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
While this is not proven, it is a common belief that turned are in fact fully blind. Their eyes look milky and clouded, like those of someone born blind. However, the accuracy of their perception is nonetheless excellent. They are able to attack common weak points such as the neck with great precision, leading to the idea that upon transitioning into their new form, the turned gain some form of additional sensory ability. Modern scientific advancements seem to indicate that some of their fungal growths act as sensory organs, capable of sensing vibrations and disturbances in the air, and or the heat given off by living things. Previous theories suggested they had access to some form of life-sense, which allowed them to directly sense the presence of life in their vicinity.
Origin/Ancestry
Unknown
Conservation Status
to be exterminated
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