Mutations
[Not limited to the given examples]
As explained in the world tab, Ayrum's flora is full of magic, this magic fluctuates from one place to another and, similar to Earth's tides, it concentrates in certain places for an indefinite amount of time. Because of this, there are places in Ayrum with an insane amount of magic accumulated and other places with barely magic. These places change over time but some of them are permanent.
Since Skywalkers practically live with this magic, they are very sensitive to its changes and that can lead to mutations. Although not all mutations are painful, all of them are seen with contempt by other Skywalkers. Mutations can also happen at 'birth' as malformations, however these are pretty unusual. Only magical traumas are seen as mutations, physical traumas, however, just make your Skywalker disabled.
Mutations are seen differently than disabilities because, for the most part, mutations can be easily avoided- and are therefore seen as a byproduct of stupidity- while disabilities cannot be helped.
Most Skywalkers will be sold new and without mutations (except in certain cases and events), however, your Skywalker can suffer mutations by itself as long as they're justified in roleplay, stories or drawings and approved by Umbrace.
All Skywalkers with mutations are labeled as cursed!
An individual Skywalker’s reaction to becoming cursed can vary widely; many become depressed and lonely, and others become hateful towards other cursed Skywalkers, normal Skywalkers, or both.
Since Skywalkers practically live with this magic, they are very sensitive to its changes and that can lead to mutations. Although not all mutations are painful, all of them are seen with contempt by other Skywalkers. Mutations can also happen at 'birth' as malformations, however these are pretty unusual. Only magical traumas are seen as mutations, physical traumas, however, just make your Skywalker disabled.
Mutations are seen differently than disabilities because, for the most part, mutations can be easily avoided- and are therefore seen as a byproduct of stupidity- while disabilities cannot be helped.
Most Skywalkers will be sold new and without mutations (except in certain cases and events), however, your Skywalker can suffer mutations by itself as long as they're justified in roleplay, stories or drawings and approved by Umbrace.
All Skywalkers with mutations are labeled as cursed!
An individual Skywalker’s reaction to becoming cursed can vary widely; many become depressed and lonely, and others become hateful towards other cursed Skywalkers, normal Skywalkers, or both.
A Skywalker cannot have both a mutation caused by magical shortage and magical overdose at the same time; the radical opposition would kill them.
Magic shortage
Decaying
Can it be healed / go away?
Decaying can be cured only if the afflicted Skywalker is treated as soon as possible. If it isn’t too advanced a shaman can treat it, but with varying results. If decaying occurs in a limb, the limb can be amputated to halt its spread. Does it have side effects? This mutation works rapidly and causes dead skin, severe wounds, organ failure, and eventually, death. It is incredibly grotesque. Why is it seen negatively? This mutation causes a living creature to begin rotting away and is horrifying to look at. |
Fur Discoloration
Can it be healed / go away?
Yes Does it have side effects? Unknown Why is it seen negatively? Lustrous fur is considered beautiful and is important to Skywalkers; therefore, a Skywalker with discolored fur is seen as a failure. |
Glitched Wings
Can it be healed / go away?
Glitched wings cannot go away on their own, but, given enough time, they can be healed by a shaman.
Does it have side effects?
A Skywalker with glitched wings cannot fly.
Why is it seen negatively?
As with fur discoloration, bright, healthy wings are an important feature to Skywalkers and glitched wings are seen with contempt. However, glitched wings can be caused by physical trauma to the back power markings instead of a magical shortage; in such a case, the “mutation” is easier to heal and less likely to be viewed with disgust.
Glitched wings cannot go away on their own, but, given enough time, they can be healed by a shaman.
Does it have side effects?
A Skywalker with glitched wings cannot fly.
Why is it seen negatively?
As with fur discoloration, bright, healthy wings are an important feature to Skywalkers and glitched wings are seen with contempt. However, glitched wings can be caused by physical trauma to the back power markings instead of a magical shortage; in such a case, the “mutation” is easier to heal and less likely to be viewed with disgust.
Magic overdose
Magic Drooling
Can it be healed / go away?
Magic drooling can neither be healed nor go away. It is a permanent affliction. However, with the help of a dedicated familiar aide, a Skywalker’s drooling and its side effects could be soothed or apparently (but not actually) removed, and the afflicted Skywalker could potentially return to its herd since the presence of a familiar is seen as a sign of trust from the Spirit of the Forest. Does it have side effects? Magic drooling is only caused by very large magical overdoses that additionally damage a Skywalker’s ability to control their magic. This leads to many side effects, such as magic sparkles, inability to fly, and constantly glowing power markings. Why is it seen negatively? As magical drooling is caused by a magical overdose that causes a Skywalker to lose control of their magic, they are constantly drawing magic from and pouring magic into the environment around them. This can kill small plants and animals, meaning Skywalkers afflicted with this mutation leave a trail of death wherever they go. As life is sacred to Skywalkers, this mutation in particular is regarded with horror. |
Growths
Can it be healed / go away?
Growths cannot be healed or go away. Their progress can be temporarily slowed or halted with the help of a shaman, but if the affected Skywalker is not constantly being treated, the growths will continue to get bigger and will eventually cause death. They cannot be physically or magically removed, as their “roots” cannot be removed and the growths would simply return. Attempting to physically remove growths could cause massive blood loss. However, a shaman can starve the visible growths of magic so they die and fall off. The Skywalker will never be allowed back into their herd since they aren’t truly cured, but they will temporarily be visibly normal- as such, a Skywalker could join another herd, pretending to be normal. Does it have side effects? Growths prevent magic from reaching all of a Skywalker’s body, and as magic is necessary for a Skywalker’s overall health, once the growths get large enough the Skywalker’s body won’t receive the magic it needs and they will die from magic shortage. Preceding death, growths can cause physical weakness and glitched wings. Depending on the size of the overdose and the age of the Skywalker, they can cause immediate or very quick death. Fawns and teens are at greatest risk of such an occurrence. Why is it seen negatively? This mutation is, essentially, a death warrant, as well as horrifying to look at. |
Extra body parts
Can it be healed / go away?
Extra limbs can be removed, though only through a very specific procedure by a shaman. A shaman can starve an extra limb of magic so that it eventually atrophies away and then either falls off or can be safely removed. As with growths, attempting to remove an extra limb without first starving it of magic would cause potentially fatal blood loss. However, unlike growths, unless the initial magical overdose was very large, extra limbs are unlikely to be fatal.
Does it have side effects?
Extra limbs can sometimes be used as normal limbs would be, and some cannot be moved at all. Immovable limbs have a greater likelihood of interfering with a Skywalker’s daily life.
Why is it seen negatively?
Extra limbs are by their very nature unnatural and unsettling in appearance.
Extra limbs can be removed, though only through a very specific procedure by a shaman. A shaman can starve an extra limb of magic so that it eventually atrophies away and then either falls off or can be safely removed. As with growths, attempting to remove an extra limb without first starving it of magic would cause potentially fatal blood loss. However, unlike growths, unless the initial magical overdose was very large, extra limbs are unlikely to be fatal.
Does it have side effects?
Extra limbs can sometimes be used as normal limbs would be, and some cannot be moved at all. Immovable limbs have a greater likelihood of interfering with a Skywalker’s daily life.
Why is it seen negatively?
Extra limbs are by their very nature unnatural and unsettling in appearance.
Birth Mutations
Birth mutations can't be healed nor go away from they're present in a Skywalker's essence (DNA) and will decide their fate since the moment they are born. Not all birth mutations will label a Skywalker as cursed, but they'll mark them as a disappointment.
Albinism and Melanism
Albinism is caused by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Skywalkers with albinism will present very pale or white coats with pale blue or pinkish power markings.
Does it have side effects? It is associated with a number of vision defects and the lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn and skin problems. Melanism is caused by excessive production of the pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. Skywalkers with melanism will present very dark colored or pure black coats with dark power markings. Pseudo-melanism is another variant of pigmentation characterized by dark spots or enlarged stripes which cover a large part of the body of the animal making it appear melanistic Does it have side effects? It protects the body from harmful ultraviolet radiation, provides resistance to viral infections and absorbs more heat. Are they considered cursed? No |
Hybrids
Hybrids are creatures created by the essence of a Skywalker and at least one non-Skywalker species.
Does it have side effects? The quantity of each parent's essence is totally random in their offspring, and a hybrid can express the features and abilities of their non-Skywalker parent depending on how much of their essence came from that parent. Why is it seen negatively? Hybrids are seen as a terrible disgrace for being impure. To create a hybrid a Skywalker must've mixed their essence with that of a different species, a practice that is strictly forbidden, and if discovered they can be severely punished. Most shamans will refuse to ever create a hybrid fawn, but there may be some rebellious individuals that would accept such a foolish petition. Are they considered cursed? Yes |
More to be added