Therianthropy

Surfacing originally in Zillus but quickly migrating into Valakola sometime in the 200's BCE, Therianthropy is another popular and misunderstood condition afflicting a wide range of individuals. While it is suspected, due to it's nature, that therianthropy is an artificial virus, there are cases of other virus that can cause rapid changes in some animals and plants, challenging the idea that it is artificial.   Therianthropy has been weaponized, most famously by Vigrent with the Ursanthrope, as well modified by other groups in the past. To date, there are eight different known therianthropy strands in the wild, with several others speculated, and dozens contained in labs across the world. While the condition is terrifying to behold, the threat to civilization is relatively small. The nature of the disease makes it somewhat rare to pass on and most Therianthropes seek isolation or treatment fairly quickly. The classification as an Order C1 virus has even been challenged in recent years, with many medical leaders saying it should be downgraded to D3 or D2.   Due to the impact on the individual, and the chance of death with each transformation, therianthropy does keep it's Class 1 status. The initial transformations are incredibly dangerous, with each transformation after continuing to be deadly for years, even if to a lesser degree. Anyone who knows they have been infected should seek testing and treatment immediately.  

Symptoms and Progression

Every form of therianthropy is unique in both symptoms and transformation, but there are several shared traits. For many, they will get the normal symptoms associated with an infections bite of any sort. Redness, swelling, discharges, and pain are all common in the area of the bite, often with secondary infections taking root as well. Within days, fever, dizziness, and agitation become quite common.   If treated with antibiotics, most hosts will return to normal within the first month, with only a scar or wound to remind them of the attack. In the second month of infection however, the host will begin experiencing strange symptoms not commonly associated with disease. Their metabolisms will spike up dramatically, leaving the host feeling constantly hungry. Despite an increase in appetite and consumption, weight loss is common. Emotional sensitivity becomes an issue, with each particular strain of therianthropy having variations on what they experience. Most hosts will start becoming obsessed with people as a whole, becoming extremely extroverted as the virus pushes the individual to be near others.   After about two months, the virus will have completely infected the host, priming their systems for an inevitable transformation. Patients will have ample arcane energy reserves waiting to trigger the disease, and a desire to be near others at all times. Contrary to popular media, therianthropes have no association with the moon for their transformations, nor can they change at will. Emotional agitation or excitement is the key factor. Most transformations occur during moments of extreme passion, fear, or sadness.   Transformation is quick, brutal, and deadly. Each transformation is different, but with each transformation, dramatic, bloody changes occur across the body. All built up energy is expend, with waves of heat rolling off the therianthrope. If they do not have enough arcane energy stored, their bodies begin cannibalizing themselves for the energy. The act of transformation can often kill the host in this way. A fully transformed therianthrope will have features reminiscent of the particular strain the host is infected with. They will then become aggressive and hungry, killing indiscriminately and consuming their prey.   A therianthrope cannot return to their dormant state until they have the energy reserves for it. This can often take weeks to eat enough and digest the food. Once enough energy is reserved, a calmed therianthrope will fall unconscious and begin a slower transformation back, taking hours to days depending on the strain.   After the first transformation, permanent changes will exist in the host. For many, these changes are positive, with many feeling more energetic, stronger, and even enjoying healthy social lives. Their metabolism will continue to run high, with excess food being broken into arcane energy to facilitate another change. Hosts have no minimum limit between transformations, but can pass away if they do not have enough energy built up to change.  

Research and Treatment

Since it's discover, therianthropy has been studied extensively. It was discovered in 2931 by the priest Jeffris Porebes that the Acork plant could be used to stunt transformations. Early treatments did not always prevent transformation and often left the host weakened from the toxic side-effects from the plant. It wasn't until 3218 that it was made into a successful medication. Modern Porebes Pills, in various labels, are daily pills that will completely halt the spread and development of the virus.   In 3338, Dr. Yohin Melagan developed a long-lasting treatment that can be given once a month to prevent transformations. She released her research openly, earning her a life-long grants for independent research by Alban, Tes, and Zitraen. Her treatments, called generically Melagan shots, have given infected therianthropes the closest to a normal life once could hope until a true cure is discovered.