Vikarus

Physical Changes

Those who find themselves cursed into becoming a Vikarus share universal traits with one another. Overall, the curse of the Vikarus will morph the eyes of the victim to a golden greenish color, similar to a reptile or felines. Along the back of the Vikarus is a myriad of feather-like tattoos that are white in nature. These tattoos feel rough to the touch, akin to sandpaper. The hair of the Vikarus shifts in hue to be a pure white, brittle to the touch as well. Finally, the soul of the Vikarus appears as a sickly green flicker. These shifts upon acquisition are extremely painful, as the tattoos burn across their body over the course of the day.

While in the presence of any holy site, the markings of the Vikarus will create a burning sensation beneath their skin, along with a vibrant green glow that illuminates a small area around them, roughly one meter. This effect is also present while in three meters of a divine or holy being (Divine Spirit or higher). In these conditions, they are also forced to shift to their natural forms.

The Vikarus are capable of shifting their fingers to talons. These talons are a starch white color, morphing the hands of the cursed to be three talons, rather than five fingers. These talons are still capable of grasping things, however they weaken the afflicted while making them less coordinated than they usually would be. Along with this, they may shift their legs to be shaped much like large birds, much like the talons upon their hands, the feet of the Vikarus shape themselves into talons. These legs enhance their speed greatly, however weaken the afflicted as well, making the body more frail. The Vikarus, while in possession of these talons, allow them to house a small amount of flame in their grasp. Shifting is rather painful, but bearable as time goes on.

Mental Changes

The Vikarus have no notable mental changes besides that they tend to avoid holy sites.

Origin of Trait

With the eruption of demons, angels, and the war that shook the world. The Deity Belek marched outward. With his grasp, he took hold of the chains of the zealots that existed in the world, effectively grounding them back to the sad reality they should live in. Caged like birds, the curse forced the afflicted to be shunned by the proper followers of the pantheon. Effectively teaching them a long life lesson to respect the place of the divine, and the place they stand as mortals.

This of course was a direct strike to Belek's counterpart, Dahriim, whose men would charge screaming the name of his enemy. In a sick and twisted way, he forced these men to become something they were not, a foolish display of the reminder that these men are no better then their fellow mortals, no matter how hard they try. This reach then moved passed the zealots of Dahriim, and soon found itself nesting in the souls of all those who exhibit the same traits.

Acquisition

The curse was born for those who bore hatred to that of the profane and thus signifies how cyclical hatred can be. The curse when manifesting twists the cursed into madness and fervor, having fallen from the grace they once sought to bestow on others. This cursory hate develops from what they are rather than who someone is, judging others based not on their ideals, but their appearance and presumptions.

Races that can contract Vikarus:

• Humans
• Elves
• Orcs
• Halfbreeds
• Danakov
• Dwarves
• Dryads
• Skrayln
• Fey

Note:

• Polymorphing into races not listed while having the curse is not possible.

Mechanics

• The eyes of a Vikarus become a golden greenish hue much like a feline or reptile.
• Vikarus have a myriad of feather-like tattoos that are a bright white along their back.
  • These feathers are rough to the touch like sandpaper.
• Vikarus’ hair turn into a light grey or pure white.
• Vikarus are capable of shifting their hands into three talons over the course of three turns at medium concentration, these talons capable of grasping objects but with some difficulty, however weakens the Vikarus by one strength tier.
  • This change is painful and causes feathers to break through from their skin up along the back of their hands and arms.
  • These talons are capable of slashing and piercing with the strength of iron.
  • The talons are capable of holding flame much like it was a liquid indefinitely, their hands unable to be scorched by the flame. Flames will not burn out when being held by their talons as their feathers serve as an unending fuel source. They can mold this flame into a ball the size of their palm like a snowball and throw it in two turns. This flameball will stick to surfaces and inflict second degree burns, however without anything to burn it will only last for a singular turn.
• Vikarus are capable of shifting their legs into digitigrade like appendages over the course of three turns at medium concentration, however, their upper body and arms grow weaker.
  • The Vikarus gain two tiers of speed in this form.
• Vikarus feel a burning where their feather like tattoo’s are beneath their skin whenever near a holy site, a vibrant green flame-like glow coming from beneath them that extends a meter around them. This effect is also present while in three meters of a divine or holy being (Divine Spirit or higher). In these conditions, they are also forced to shift to their natural forms.
• Vikarus are weak to holy items / silver and will burn on contact while the severity depends on longevity. When in contact with this, the burning of their tattoos will be present, along with the glow.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier