Genetic Manipulation

Typically the chemicals responsible for such alterations are either injected, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Subjects can either be willing or unwilling, helpless or hapless. Substances can be tailored to produce a very specific result or substances not intended for such use could cause a completely accidental outcome.

Unlike the cartoons, simply imbibing a colorful concoction or being bitten by an altered arachnid prove insufficient to achieve noticeable effects. The methods used are incredibly complex and only incredibly intelligent or incredibly depraved individuals-or a combination of the two-can produce substances capable of yielding the desired-or undesired- result. In ancient myths, such as Ovid's Metamorphoses, various forms of alteration or therianthropy were viewed as divine curses or spells cast by sorcerers and witches. In the modern era, scientists use a combination of chemicals and harvested biological material to tear apart the chains of life and reforge them in a new twisted vision.

Unlike genetic quirks such as heterochromia or albinism, subjects' appearances are often drastically altered. Examples can include unusual pigmentation, extra limbs, animal-like traits, and impaired intellect. Some subjects might gain monstrous appearances but retain some measure of awareness and control, while others might benefit from enhanced physical abilities but lose all sense of themselves, surrendering their humanity to baser urges. Some subjects may appear trapped in their monstrous states, while others develop an uncanny knack for changing their appearance at will.  

“Gary here is-was- my overnight utility manager. Three nights ago, he told me about inconsistencies in supply logs apparently signed by Cochran. I suspect he tried to confront him about it. When he didn’t report back the next day, I sent a security team to find him…by the time they reached him he’d already gone through the early stages of severe physical mutation. This was apparently an effort to silence him, but…as you can see; the effects carry far greater consequences than death.” Jacqueline continued patting the creature consolingly.   “I partnered with Lazro to help mankind. It was a simple enough agreement: he handled R&D while I took care of marketing and funding. He was supposed to find ways to treat terminal illnesses, pandemic-class viruses like influenza, even the common cold…not this…not this…” her previously solid voice had turned to a hoarse whisper. She withdrew her hand and the creature turned around inside his cage and curled up on the floor, whimpering sadly.

— Foes From Another World Ch. 12

If subjects are altered by an incredibly intelligent but wicked individual, they can only be restored through the benevolent expertise of one possessing equal or greater intellect. If treated quickly enough, some cases can be reversed with great effort. However if left unchecked for too long, or if the subject suffers drastic alterations, the possibility of restoration remains a dwindling hope.  

“Talpa would have this Cochran villain bolster the Dynasty’s ranks like this,” Sage growled.   “But why? He can crank out Dynasty Soldiers like there’s no tomorrow.” Cye argued.   “Why not?” the other Ronin looked at Anubis as he stepped forward. “We think nothing of running our blades through the metal husk of a Dynasty or Gargoyle Soldier, but would we do the same to a creature of flesh and blood? If we were to face an army of misshapen beasts such as these,” the creature named Gary glanced his way before returning to brooding. “Would we be so quick to dispatch them with even the slightest possibility they could either be willing converts or enslaved innocents? We are warriors…not butchers. We would show restraint.”   “I wouldn’t!” Cale quipped but grunted when Rowen elbowed him.

— Foes From Another World Ch. 12

If successfully cured, subjects may completely lose all memory of their actions or suffer lasting mental trauma. Sometimes a subject can only be partially cured and attempt to adjust to their condition with limited results. Very rarely do individuals accept and even embrace their condition.

Outcomes can vary depending on the substances and methods used. Subjects might completely lose their minds and resign themselves to living as beasts while others might regain some semblance of their former selves but still appear ugly enough to break a mirror. Some can retain desirable aspects such as enhanced abilities while others might suffer gradual physical and mental deterioration.

If caught early enough, substances such as antigens are capable of reversing any changes experienced by the subject. Powerful drugs could be used to prevent a subject from enduring further alterations, but cannot cure. Generally caution is the best cure, but because alterations are often purely accidental, the subject might experience severe effects without even realizing it until it's too late.

Because the resources required and those with the knowledge to craft them are thankfully rare, such cases have yet to be encountered on a significant scale, affecting either handfuls of individuals or relatively small isolated groups. Thangiens already experienced an epidemic-class event a thousand years ago which paralyzed a city of roughly five million. Should a similar event ever occur on the Oldworld with its vastly larger population, the fallout could be catastrophic...  

Prominent Examples

AvatarKentoWatercolorb.jpg

Avatar Kento Watercolor by Mardrena

Watercolor made with Faber-Castell Gelatos. Cotton-fiber paper.

Kento inadvertently attained his Avatar Form as a result of exposure to chemicals created by the Thunthen. While he's managed to adjust thanks to strict training and discipline, it has not come without its fair share of challenges.

RedalSageWatercolorb.jpg

Redal Sage Watercolor by Mardrena

Watercolor made with Faber-Castell Gelatos. Cotton-fiber paper.

Sage's Redal Form manifested from direct malice perpetrated by Mal Daggur. Even though he was restored after much effort, it is implied that had his original human blood become lost or damaged, he might've been beyond saving.

CyebridWatercolorb.jpg

Cyebrid Watercolor by Mardrena

Watercolor made with Faber-Castell Gelatos. Cotton-fiber paper.

Unlike Kento and Sage, Cye's Hybrid Form appears more benign, with his physiology being merely "redecorated".

Events of Aftermath

  In Ch. 8 "The Mutant Warlords" Demon Warrior Pharaohn uses his alchemical arts to enhance the dark artifact used by Beast Warden Dygra to create her minions, allowing the former Night Warlords Chaizar, Balthazar, and Scar to transform into monstrous beast-like forms at will. Even though this was achieved by mostly magical means, it shares similar principles with genetic manipulation. While the trio benefit from increased strength and agility and achieve brief success with their newfound powers, they are ultimately defeated.    

Events of Foes From Another World

  The team have their first full experience with a mad scientist on a quest to tamper with the building blocks of life for profit when a former associate of Jacqueline O'Connor goes rogue and consorts with the Dynasty to convert common criminals into legions of creatures. In Ch. 12 "Blood Calls to Blood", the Ronin travel to the United States at the request of Shannon's aunt to apprehend the altered subjects. Sage learns the mad scientist who created the Kraken in Aftermath Ch. 1 "Arise New Evil" and Jacqueline's former partner are indeed one and the same, and the Kraken was empowered through science instead of sorcery. In a rare instance of cooperation with civilian forces, the Ronin Warriors manage to successfully contain all the altered criminals. The sadistic scientist Lazro Cochran manages to escape and come in contact with a new employer...   In an arc spanning from Ch. 26 "Overload" to Ch. 29 "Avatar of Justice", Kento is exposed to a chemical originally intended for use in metal extraction, resulting in unexpected changes and causing the manifestation of his Avatar Form. At first antigen seemed to successfully cure him, but more permanent changes developed. Initially terrified, he managed to overcome his fear and harness his newfound power in order to engage Supreme High Overlord Mal Daggur in a one-on-one duel, successfully defeating him and all-but crippling the Thunthen offensive.    

Events of Fight Alone

  As retaliation for an attack on the Nsenagvvik, Mal Daggur has Sage captured and subjected to genetic reconstruction. The procedure results in Sage appearing like a frenzied lightning vampire and he embarks on a rampage against his fellow Ronin and even his girlfriend Shannon. With aid from Bak Thraplek and his Dissidents, he is restored to being fully human, but he would suffer lasting psychological trauma that would haunt him all the way into Cataclysm War. A fevered vision of the Entide leads him to believe he might one day willingly regain this monstrous form.  

Events of Spacequake

  Completely unbeknownst to the Ronin, a mad scientist has been using genetic material extracted from a crippled alien explorer to grant himself monstrous strength. In a desperate effort to save itself, the alien sends out a telepathic distress call which only Cye responds to, coming in contact with the disabled alien and being exposed to a mysterious substance. The mutated scientist actually breaks into the Roost in an effort to reclaim the alien consciousness taking refuge in Cye's body. Cye appears to undergo a rather painful transformation but later reveals he agreed to hybridization in order for the alien explorer to properly interact with its surroundings. After a brief battle, Cye allows the alien to use the Armor of Torrent to destroy the mutated scientist and safely recovers its body. It peacefully takes its leave, but not until sharing crucial information with Ryo about other Powers operating behind the scenes.

Pop culture entertainment frequently makes light of this with depictions ranging from the whimsical to the downright ludicrous, everything from immersion in radioactive waste or scary science lasers. But there is a very real and very dangerous movement being pushed by individuals claiming to eradicate chromosomal quirks or create "designer babies". Such loose talk would warrant mass executions and vthiasakings on Thanged. But the Oldworld does not abide by such laws of combat, and the gears of government grind far too slow to put a stop to such depraved theories. The high price of unfettered science might outweigh promising potential, and such methods could easily be abused by nefarious individuals craving limitless wealth or promoting a dangerous ideology cloaked in the guise of environmental activism...  

Ryo noticed Anubis leaning against a soda machine. “You don’t look too happy,” he commented as he walked over to stand beside him. Anubis frowned and glanced at him.   “I can’t say that I approve of any of this…”   “Well, I know we’ve traditionally shunned working with civilians in the past, but-”   “No. It isn’t that,” Anubis interrupted then flicked his gaze around the room. “This man, Cochran… I find his depravity and profane knowledge of the workings of man most unsettling.”   “I know, right? Who needs Dark Warlords when you got evil henchmen with degrees in bio-engineering,” Ryo commented and leaned back against the machine.   “A man motivated by material greed is capable of far more heinous acts than any Dark Warlord. The darkest sorceries pale in comparison to the horrors of such modern technology.”   “This kind of science is fairly new. It’s supposed to help people live longer, healthier lives.”   “Mortals have no business meddling with the threads of life. When your time comes, it comes. It is not man’s right to refuse or prolong their fates beyond their apportioned time.”   “Says the guy who died and came back like five or six times!” Ryo snorted angrily, narrowing his eyes. Anubis glared at him sharply. “Yeah, I know it’s a low blow, but you went lower. Considering you’re the live by the sword, die by the sword type, I’d like to think you of all people would rather live long enough to actually DO it than be wasting away from some illness that couldn’t even be treated conventionally.” Anubis averted his gaze in contemplation.

— Foes From Another World Ch. 12