Self-Flagellator

Self-flagellators, also known as self-thrashers, are wendigoes that have taken on the self-loathing tendencies of their hosts. While their forms can be humanoid or bestial, they always carry one telltale physical trait: the presence of multiple whiplike tails, which they use to whip their own backs.

Feeding Pattern

Self-flagellators use their hosts' feelings of inadequacy to their own advantage, admittedly unwillingly. Possessed by intense feelings of self-loathing, they compel their hosts to use Null magic to punish themselves. As the host grows weaker from this, the wendigo grows stronger, but so does its self-disgust. It comes to absolutely despise itself for what it is and how it is harming its host, but sees no alternative.

Outside their hosts, self-flagellators can often be seen huddled in corners, muttering to themselves and weeping piteously as they flail their own backs, leaving many painful gouges. Notably, they are some of the only wendigoes that do not go on the attack when confronted, instead cowering in fear when others come near.

Countermeasures

Despite being able to cause considerable damage to their hosts, self-flagellators are amongst the easiest of wendigoes to deal with. They can be purged via normal means, and accept banishment without complaint. Their intense self-loathing also makes them ideal candidates for the Heaven's Transformation spell. Their sheer joy at being liberated afterwards is definitely a sight to behold when it happens. However, since not many know about or are able to use this spell, self-flagellators usually just end up banished back to the Flipside.

Even though self-flagellators are amongst the least dangerous wendigoes, care must be taken not to let them absorb too much magic. If that happens, they will mutate into much more dangerous "sadist flagellators," their misery having grown so strong that they begin to take it out on others. In this state, they are no longer likely to accept Heaven's Transformation.