Warshade
He let the Warshade slip over his mind like a liquid veil. A light, tingling chill spread quickly from the dip at the base of his spine, coating his thoughts with what felt like delicate snow. The silvery veil then contracted and hardened, the Warshade taking over. He felt the fear boil away, and every sight and sound came into sharp focus. Even the touch of the leather under his plate felt amplifiedThe Warshade is a merged entity that exhibits distinct characteristics that override the personality of the wielder, as well as enhances some physical aspects of its wielder. The condition is unique to the Warborn, though not all Warborn are affected by the condition. Those who have it can slip into and out of their Warshade, effectively letting its influence over them wax or wane, with a conscious effort. To slip into the Warshade means to be stripped of fear, of sorrow and worry. Fatigue and pain are suppressed to the point where grievous injuries are easily ignored. While this is normally a temporary solution with a sharp cost, the Warshade also enhances the bodies in ways not fully understood, including very rapid healing of injuries at the expense of a highly accelerated metabolism. In contrast to these inner changes, external senses such as sight and smell are sharpened to a fine edge, and particular attention is payed to any form of movement. Those within their Warshade seem predatory in the sudden grace and aggression of their movements, and the suppression of pain and fatigue allows for a use of their strength and vigor fuller they could ever manage on their own. Through the eyes of the Warborn, the entire world shrinks down to a very simple emotion. Cold, implacable fury. A devouring darkness that rises from within and hungers for blood and violence.
The warrior closed his eyes and focused inward, reaching into his own mind. While his thoughts on the surface bubbled red hot, an inky coolness reached up from deep within. He let himself sink into its icy embrace, the shadows blocking out the bubbling thoughts on the surface. Down here everything was quiet and cool. Down here, deep within himself, his Warshade awoke. Immediately, fear loosened its grip on his insides, doubt and uncertainty shoved aside, overpowered by the unfathomable darkness rising from the depths of his mind. He rose to the surface with it, keeping pace lest it take over completely. The warrior felt his stream of thoughts bubbling to the surface get silenced, replaced by the hungry void of his Warshade. He opened his eyes and could see the enemy charging, their movements slowed to a snail’s pace to his lightning-fast senses. No emotion rose to greet him, no thought clouded his mind, only a hunger he knew he could never sate. The warrior charged.While the Warshade is a useful tool in situations of need, it presents it's own problems. It truly acts like a second entity living within the same body, and constantly vies for control. From the day they first slip into their Warshade all the way to their last, the afflicted are involved in an eternal struggle over the unquenchable fury of their inner monsters. To slip too far or to stay within it too long means to lose yourself to its madness, and the Warborn then become unstoppable juggernauts of violence, dangerous both to their enemies and their allies. Only death will stop them, and in their state killing them becomes very difficult. Those having succumbed to their Warshade are said to be Warblind, a terrible fate for both the victim and those around them. Warshades affect Primes in much the same way it does ordinary Warborn, but a Prime's relationship with their Warshade is much smoother. The concept is difficult to explain, but in essence, they manage to skim the surface of their Warshade and use just enough to lightly enhance themselves. This is partly why despite their massive size and strength, Primes manage to maintain a predatory grace and a reputation for never missing a detail.
Transmission & Vectors
The Warshade is inherited, but the exact nature of the condition is uncertain. Some believe the Warshade sprouts from the innermost part of one's mind, a manifestation of our inner darkness and instinct for survival. Others say it might not come from within at all...
Type
Parasitic
Children
Origin
Divine
Cycle
Chronic, Congenital
Rarity
Uncommon
Affected Species
Comments