Difference between revisions of "Virmen"
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| − | Virmen, also called the Stricken or Infestati, are hideous, rat-like monsters. They originate from an ancient plague, often considered a form of [[curse]], that can afflict [[Men]] and [[Dvergar|Dwarves]] ([[Alfar|Elves]] are unaffected). The process is slow, painful, and revolting, and the victims nearly always go mad, becoming violent and spreading their | + | Virmen, also called the Stricken or Infestati, are hideous, rat-like monsters. They originate from an ancient plague, often considered a form of [[curse]], that can afflict [[Men]] and [[Dvergar|Dwarves]] ([[Alfar|Elves]] are unaffected). The process is slow, painful, and revolting, and the victims nearly always go mad, becoming violent and spreading their terrible disease. |
==Names== | ==Names== | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==Disease== | ==Disease== | ||
| + | The Virmen plague is one of the most terrible illnesses to ever curse Midgard. How victims are infected is not well known, but it is speculated to be spread through contact with diseased fluids, including blood and saliva. Eating infected food or drinking infected water is also believed to spread the disease. | ||
| + | ===Stages & Appearance=== | ||
| + | The initial signs of infection include sores and scabs on the flesh, discolored skin, and bloodshot eyes. Some [[Venatori]] believe victims also become more sensitive to light, sound, and smells. Some also mention victims starting to emit a terrible body odor, described variably as decaying flesh, filth, and general rot. As the infection continues, the victim will experience elongating limbs, slow development of wiry but powerful muscle, and the lengthening and thickening of both teeth and nails. Their features steadily become more bestial and hideous. Patches of flesh have been observed as sloughing away, leaving behind mangy, thin, and stiff fur of various ugly colorations. Eventually, after many stages, much pain and suffering, and countless revolting symptoms, the victim becomes a monster with a rat-like tail, head, and feet. They are always taller than a man and very lanky, with eyes that have turned pale from light sensitivity and often become red. At this point, the victim has nearly always been driven mad by the disease, if they did not already lose their sanity at a previous point of the illness. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Behavior & Nature== |
| + | Virmen nearly always lose their minds over the course of their illness, driven to bestial insanity. Many go mad before the illness has fully turned them into their most monstrous forms, but all are lost by the end. They become simpleminded, driven by hunger, a lust for gold and things that shine, and a sick desire to spread their plague. Some Venatori note that it is not unusual for virmen to display a disturbing level of almost-human intelligence when stalking their victims, with a few monster hunters even claiming a few virmen can speak broken words. However, these stories are largely unsubstantiated, and due to their nature, the Venatori kill virmen on sight and exterminate their nests. | ||
| + | Virmen generally live in groups, which is perhaps part of what drives them to spread their disease to others, so that they may expand the colony. They hate light and dwell in darkness, often taking to hiding in sewers in cities or cave systems in the wilderness. Abandoned mines are also a favorite hideaway of these beasts. At night, they will emerge to hunt for food and steal treasure, which they hoard in their filthy abodes; they have a preference for anything that twinkles or shines, such as gold and jewels. They work also to spread their plague and bring new members to their colonies. They are not known to speak by the time they are fully transformed into an unrecognizable monster, but they do seem to have some understanding amongst individuals of their same kind. Even those early in the throes of the plague may walk undisturbed among the diseased rat-men, for they can smell one becoming their brethren. | ||
==Weaknesses== | ==Weaknesses== | ||
| − | + | As recorded by the Venatori, virmen are extremely sensitive to [[silver]], as are many monsters, and the Venatori use this to slay them. They also detest and avoid light of any kind, and thus they hate fire, which hunters use to burn away the virmen and their plague. However, the virmen are remarkably not affected by holy artifacts. | |
==Recent History== | ==Recent History== | ||
| − | + | No current outbreaks of the virmen plague are known, but it is believed some nests of these monstrosities exist, hidden away. They are clever enough to avoid confrontation when possible, which makes them incredibly dangerous and difficult to discover. The Venatori remain in constant vigil for any signs of a plague outbreak, as once it begins, the illness and its victims are extremely difficult to contain. | |
[[Category:Monsters]][[Category:Curses]] | [[Category:Monsters]][[Category:Curses]] | ||
Revision as of 17:57, 20 January 2024
Virmen, also called the Stricken or Infestati, are hideous, rat-like monsters. They originate from an ancient plague, often considered a form of curse, that can afflict Men and Dwarves (Elves are unaffected). The process is slow, painful, and revolting, and the victims nearly always go mad, becoming violent and spreading their terrible disease.
Contents
Names
Both the plague itself and its victims have many names. Perhaps most common is "virmen," referring to the plague victims. In the Achaean Empire, they are also called Infestati (singular Infestatus), and in many regions, they are also called "the Stricken." These names can refer to the infected in any stage of the illness. However, ultimately, they will become creatures not unlike horrible humanoid rats, and it is for this reason that some refer to virmen colloquially as "wererats," despite them having no known connections with, or even similarities to, werewolves.
Disease
The Virmen plague is one of the most terrible illnesses to ever curse Midgard. How victims are infected is not well known, but it is speculated to be spread through contact with diseased fluids, including blood and saliva. Eating infected food or drinking infected water is also believed to spread the disease.
Stages & Appearance
The initial signs of infection include sores and scabs on the flesh, discolored skin, and bloodshot eyes. Some Venatori believe victims also become more sensitive to light, sound, and smells. Some also mention victims starting to emit a terrible body odor, described variably as decaying flesh, filth, and general rot. As the infection continues, the victim will experience elongating limbs, slow development of wiry but powerful muscle, and the lengthening and thickening of both teeth and nails. Their features steadily become more bestial and hideous. Patches of flesh have been observed as sloughing away, leaving behind mangy, thin, and stiff fur of various ugly colorations. Eventually, after many stages, much pain and suffering, and countless revolting symptoms, the victim becomes a monster with a rat-like tail, head, and feet. They are always taller than a man and very lanky, with eyes that have turned pale from light sensitivity and often become red. At this point, the victim has nearly always been driven mad by the disease, if they did not already lose their sanity at a previous point of the illness.
Behavior & Nature
Virmen nearly always lose their minds over the course of their illness, driven to bestial insanity. Many go mad before the illness has fully turned them into their most monstrous forms, but all are lost by the end. They become simpleminded, driven by hunger, a lust for gold and things that shine, and a sick desire to spread their plague. Some Venatori note that it is not unusual for virmen to display a disturbing level of almost-human intelligence when stalking their victims, with a few monster hunters even claiming a few virmen can speak broken words. However, these stories are largely unsubstantiated, and due to their nature, the Venatori kill virmen on sight and exterminate their nests.
Virmen generally live in groups, which is perhaps part of what drives them to spread their disease to others, so that they may expand the colony. They hate light and dwell in darkness, often taking to hiding in sewers in cities or cave systems in the wilderness. Abandoned mines are also a favorite hideaway of these beasts. At night, they will emerge to hunt for food and steal treasure, which they hoard in their filthy abodes; they have a preference for anything that twinkles or shines, such as gold and jewels. They work also to spread their plague and bring new members to their colonies. They are not known to speak by the time they are fully transformed into an unrecognizable monster, but they do seem to have some understanding amongst individuals of their same kind. Even those early in the throes of the plague may walk undisturbed among the diseased rat-men, for they can smell one becoming their brethren.
Weaknesses
As recorded by the Venatori, virmen are extremely sensitive to silver, as are many monsters, and the Venatori use this to slay them. They also detest and avoid light of any kind, and thus they hate fire, which hunters use to burn away the virmen and their plague. However, the virmen are remarkably not affected by holy artifacts.
Recent History
No current outbreaks of the virmen plague are known, but it is believed some nests of these monstrosities exist, hidden away. They are clever enough to avoid confrontation when possible, which makes them incredibly dangerous and difficult to discover. The Venatori remain in constant vigil for any signs of a plague outbreak, as once it begins, the illness and its victims are extremely difficult to contain.
