  Aberrations are extremely dangerous creatures maddened and mutated by the effects of unchecked wild magic on their systems. While typically they only show up after particularly strong Crackle Storms, any level of magic storm can create Aberrations. There is no true way to tell if a plant or an animal will become an Aberration or not, but some of the factors that increase the likelihood of it are: ◈ The afflicted was a non-native plant, animal, or fungi. ◈ The afflicted already had some sort of blessing or curse on it. ◈ The afflicted had a natural, preexisting affinity for magic. ◈ The afflicted was very sick or grievously injured. ◈ The afflicted was very young, or very old. ◈ The afflicted was experiencing extreme distress. ◈ The afflicted had already been exposed previously to large amounts of wild magic. Typically the type of mutations the afflicted exhibit are dependent on their own biology and their environments at the moment of mutation. An animal sick with cancer might become horribly mutated with extra limbs and teeth where there should be none. A plant blessed to yield high amounts of fruit may become parasitic and start infecting nearby plants with its DNA. Each mutation is subjective. Usually they are stronger, more durable, and more intelligent than their previous incarnation. They are also typically more aggressive. While Crackle Storms don't inherently cause aggression-- the magic itself is neutral-- the stress the mutations put on the nervous systems of animals in particular is high. They are constantly overstimulated, likely confused, and in the cases of severe mutations, in great pain. The wild magic may keep their new bodies alive, but inside these animals have gone mad. They are also often driven by imperatives the magic has introduced. If they were enraged or in pain at the time of mutation by say, a hunter, that animal's last thoughts were likely fight back. And so it will. Endlessly, until it's destroyed. There are some things that can protect against the more severe effects of Crackle Storm mutations: ◈ Healthy individuals usually have less severe or permanent effects. ◈ Beings whose curses, blessings, or natural magics are extremely powerful may override the effects of Crackle Storms or may only experience small, temporary changes. ◈ They are submerged under at least 6 feet of earth or water at the time of the storm. There have been no reported instances of aquatic life that have experienced mutations from the storms that weren't also at the surface at the time of mutation. ◈ Native animals seem to have developed more of a resistance to the storms. Though they are not immune, taking shelter in caves and under trees seems to protect most of them.
CAN PEOPLE BECOME ABERRATIONS?
Yes. Any organic being may become an Aberration, regardless of its level of intelligence. Intelligent beings may hold onto their self control and personalities longer, but this never a guarantee.Unlike animals, however, people can seek out help. If you have experienced undesirable changes from a Crackle Storm, please report to your nearest arcane healer or the med bay in the Omphalos. In many cases the effects of Crackle Storms can be reversed if they're dealt with quickly. If you have reason to believe an Aberration you have encountered was once a person, please inform the mercenary guild or the AotM of these details when you report the encounter. There is a small chance they may be able to be saved if they are not to far gone.
CAN ABERRATIONS GET INTO SANCTUARY?
No, most Aberrations cannot get into Sanctuary. Sanctuary has high walls and watchtowers along these walls to protect you, and the Hearthstones keep Crackle Storms from mutating the people and animals inside. The Hearthstones themselves also seem to offer some deterrent from the worst of the mutated. They dislike coming near the boundaries of the city.
ARE ALL ABERRATIONS BAD?
By nature, the wild magic that causes Crackle Storms is not evil, but wild magic, especially powerful wild magic, is unpredictable and often dangerous by nature. A little bit is healthy for an environment. Most places have their own forms of natural wild magic, like ley lines. But too much of anything is never healthy, and Crackle Storms are a good example of that.On the occasion that a being mutated by a Crackle Storm receives mutations that are not harmful to its body or mind, or the environment around it, they can become very beautiful, or even helpful. But most beings cannot handle what the storms do to their bodies and minds. They are not 'bad', per se, just sick. |
 ABERRATION BOUNTIES (Click to Expand!)
If you would like to suggest an Aberration for people to hunt, feel free to send your suggestion to Jabberwookie! While we can't accept every submission, we do love to include them whenever we can! If your character has finished off a bounty and collected their reward, please let staff know so it can be removed from this list. Please also include a link to your thread or Discord message as proof.
RED BEAR
A large bear has been sighted near Osprey Cove. The type is unknown, as it seems to have melded with some sort of fungi. Its fur is a dark red mat of mycelium.Please be aware, while it doesn't seem to have eyes, it sees you just fine. It is capable of sensing approach from a distance using the forest's natural fungal networks, and can produce hallucinogenic spores at close range.
BOUNTY:
 3 Gold
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