Virusite

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Virusites are small, parasitic beings capable of altering the mind. They are the main and only source of diseases, also known as curses, for Vani.
== Appearance ==
Virusites are small, worm-like beings of varying colors and limb counts. Their basic structure consists of a head, a body, and tail. Each one multiple eyes black in color, typically 5, though there are known to be types with less such as the green Virusite. Legs are extremely thin, threads-like limbs that split into two at the tips, making up the Virusites' feet. Their tails are longer than their own bodies and rather slender, several tendrils branching outwards. The shape of the tail and tendrils depends on the type of Virusite.
== Characteristics ==
Virusites will attach to the victim's brain and feed on the chemicals it produces, altering the victim's mind as they are driven to acquire more of the chemical they are being deprived of. Which chemical the Virusite feeds off of depends on the type. As this goes on, the Virusite will also attempt to spread itself to others, with how it does so depending on the type. Some spread physically, while others will spread mentally. If they are deprived of the chemical they feed on for long enough, then the Virusites will eventually die, curing the victim of their altered mind. The Virusites can also be forcibly removed, but doing so is ill-advised, as it can cause permanent changes to the victim's personality.
Virusites cannot affect humans or broken Vani, as they're incapable of reading their brains.
== Types ==
=== Red Virusite ===
Red Virusites are the source of Blossom Disease, also known as Love Zombie Syndrome. Once attached, Red Virusites will feed on the brain's dopamine, driving the host to cling to those they love or care about for more dopamine, potentially harming them and/or those they love in the process. Most noticeably, the host will have pure red eyes, though the disease can also be identified by their hunched-over stance, head down and arms hanging, and slow, monotonous speech. The victim will also have several red, curly tendrils that branch out all over their body. Blossom Disease spreads through prolonged contact with affected beings; the Virusite will attach to its next victim and implant a baby Virusite into them. This new Virusite will awaken shortly after, infecting the new victim almost instantly. The disease can also spread through an infected biting someone unaffected. The chance of infection is extremely high, with kisses with the host guaranteeing it.
Despite the danger they pose, Vani are known to purposefully cause red Virusite outbreaks as apart of a game. During these games, a few Vani would stay back and moderate participants as they are unknowingly affected with Blossom Disease, only stepping in if things get too dangerous. Once the game is over, the perpetrator is forced to isolate and perform community service for a week. Outbreak games most commonly happen during what's known as the Terror Frame, or Fear Season.
There are a total of three known strains of the red Virusite. The first one is known as the Cuddle strain, and is the tamest of the three. Used in outbreak games for kids, this strain will only cause victims to act rather slow and cuddle with others. The second strain, known as the Creepy strain, is where victims are more active. They will smile and make creepy faces, and their advances towards others become more intimate. This version is used in public games for older members. The last one remains unnamed, and is illegal to use in any sort of game. Under this strain, the host's obsession and advances towards others are at their highest, potentially putting all involved in great danger.
Blossom Disease can be cured simply by isolating the affected. With the host- and thus the Virusite- unable to receive dopamine, the Virusite will die off. It takes up to a week of isolation to kill a red Virusite.
=== Purple Virusite ===
Purple Virusites are the source of Tyrant Disease. Under this Virusite's influence, one will constantly hunger for power, turning them into a tyrannical control freak. They will develop a superiority complex and make others around them sing praises of them. Victims may also become violent, especially in proximity of others with the disease, but not always. Those affected by Tyrant Disease will have pure purple eyes, and straight, branch-like tendrils wrapped around their neck that travel up to their head, forming a structure highly reminiscent of a crown. The purple Virusite spreads through persuasive memetics, though the chance of this infecting someone is low.
Tyrant Disease can be cured by humbling the affected being, including defeating them in combat or staging a large enough uprising against them. Isolation can also prove effective in curing the victim.
=== Green Virusite ===
Green Virusites are the source of Spiral Disease. When inflicted with this disease, the Virusite will force the brain to excessively indulge in a specific thing. The victim will have pure green eyes and green tendrils wrapped around their face. They will constantly smile, moving around unnaturally and scratching any surface they come across. If left unaccounted for, the Spiral Disease can prove fatal, as the victim will end up neglecting basic needs during their indulgence. Like purple Virusites, green Virusites spread mentally, though through trances rather than persuasion.
Spiral Disease can be cured by monitoring the affected being. Talking, displaying affection to the affected, and removing the source of indulgence are all effective in killing the green Virusite.
=== Blue Virusite ===
Blue Virusites are the source of Morality Disease. Those with this affliction have their dark curiosities and interest emphasized, essentially removing the host of their moral compass. They will end up doing things that are generally considered taboo, evil, and unethical while under the effects of this disease. Victims can be identified by their pure blue eyes and a few straight, jagged tendrils that sometimes sprout from their body. Much like red Virusites, blue Virusites spread though physical contact; the largest tendril from the host will attach to its next victim and inject a baby Virusite into them. However, the chance of someone being infected with Morality Disease is much lower than with Blossom Disease.
Morality Disease is one of the harder afflictions to cure, the method of doing so varying from victim to victim. Some may need to be spoken to about morality, while others will need affection, and some may simply need to be isolated from others.
=== White Virusite ===
White Virusites are the source of the White Plague, one of the deadliest diseases known to the Vani. When inflicted with this Virusite, the host will attempt to kill themselves at any opportunity they get, with their final method always being decapitation. Victims can be identified by their completely black eyes and white lines around their neck. The plague has two methods of spreading: One way is through prolonged proximity with the victim, and the other involves the Virusite releasing its babies from their host's brain stem after decapitation. The latter of these two methods produces more white Virusites. White Plague can only be cured by forcefully removing the Virusite. If a host dies to decapitation, they are always found frozen holding their severed head above their neck, their body still strong enough to hold themselves up. This post is known as "The Final Purification", or simply just purification. The head will be reattached and then either burned or frozen to prevent the Virusite from spreading.
In modern times, White Plague is believed to be extinct, with many dismissing it as a mere urban legend.
=== Teal Virusite ===
Cyan Virusites are the source of Saliva Disease. Under this, the victim will lose all composure, acting like a feral beast and trying to bite anything that moves. They will have pure cyan/teal eyes and tendrils coming out of their mouth. Saliva Disease spreads by the host biting another being, in which the tendrils will wrap around the bite victim and presumably transfer a baby Virusite to them. It can be cured by isolating the affected victim from anything than can be bitten.
Saliva Disease is actually an earlier form of the disease Rabies. Although it was originally exclusively Kraizenian, the disease was carried over to Earth by the Omni.
=== Orange Virusite ===
Orange Virusites are the source of Rhythm Disease. When infected with this Virusite, the host is compelled follow and add to a musical rhythm. The host will also refuse to sleep. Victims can be identified by their hooded, pure orange eyes and perpetual smile. This Virusite can spread both through proximity memetics and audio.
Rhythm Disease can be cured by restraining victims and noise cancelling.
=== Gold ===
The source of Engoldening. Not much is known about this disease, and whether it's actually caused by a Virusite is debated. When Engoldened, victims appear to bleed gold from all over their body, especially from the eyes. The only way to cure Engoldening is to kill the victim.
== Trivia ==
* The word Virusite is a combination of the words "Virus" and "Parasite". It was named as such in English due to the beings exhibiting characteristics of both a virus and a parasite.
*"Worm" is a typical slang word for the Virusites.
* Plushies of the red Virusite exist and are often sold during Fear Season. It is unknown if plushies of the other Virusites exist.
* The Rhythm Disease was inspired by the Dancing Plague of 1518, in which citizens in the streets of Strasbourg suddenly began to dance for days on end.
*When the diseases were first revealed, Monstrosity briefly mentioned a second purple Virusite illness that makes the victim constantly hungry. It is unlikely that this disease is still canon, as it has never been mentioned again in future lore dumps.
**Likewise, it was also mentioned that each culture had multiple illnesses associated with them, though unless one counts the different strains of Blossom Disease, this was never brought up again.
== Gallery ==
File:Eeshi Blossom.png|Eeshiolli with Blossom Disease.
File:Eeshi Tyrant.png|Eeshiolli with Tyrant Diesease.
File:Eeshi Moral.jpg|Eeshiolli with Moral Disease.
File:Eeshi Spiral.jpg|Eeshiolli with Spiral Disease.
File:Eeshi Saliva.jpg|Eeshiolli with Saliva Disease.
File:Tympani.jpg|Eeshiolli with Rhythm Disease.
File:Eeshi Plague.jpg|Eeshiolli with White Plague.
File:Eeshi Engoldened.png|Eeshiolli with Engoldening.
File:Red Virusite Tendrils.png|The types of tendrils on a red Virusite.
File:Blossom Virusite Plush.jpg|A red Virusite plush.
File:Heart Eyes.jpg
File:Blossom Bello.png|Bellojey with Blossom Disease.
File:The Final Purification.jpg|The Final Purification.
Category:Afflictions